The telos (i.e., "the ultimate aim or goal") of the Christian life is not about not going to hell. The telos of the Christian life is to be included in the life of God. When we confuse the telos, we can get caught up making sure people don't behave in certain ways and miss out on doing the work of the Christian life. Mark 9:38-50. Leviticus 2:13. Romans 12.

Josh explains that the message of humility is at the core of Jesus' ministry -- not power. For us, that looks like Jesus putting His finger on the things in our lives that need to die. The disciples are talking among themselves about who is greatest, and Jesus explains that the call of the gospel is to be the servant of all. Mark 9:30-41. Luke 9:44. 1 Corinthians 2:2. 1 John 1:9. Matthew 25:40. Isaiah 66:2.

Josh walks us through the Transfiguration and how fear plays a part in our lives whether we are on the mountaintop with Jesus, or we are chosen to stay behind and wait on the Lord in the valley. Fear brings an indictment that we want to run from, but Jesus says "fear not." Mark 8:34-38. Mark 9:1-29. Luke 9:28-32. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Jordan acknowledges that the Holy Spirit dwells in him, but the Holy Spirit also dwells fully in others. We only see in part, and the Lord gives us a community to help us see more fully. Inviting each other into our stories helps us discern what the Lord is telling us individually and collectively. We may hear differently, but in fighting for unity despite our differences, we may become more like Jesus. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12. Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16. 1 Thessalonians 1:5. 1 John 3:18. 1 Corinthians 4:20. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12.

Josh walks us through the stories of Jesus healing the blind man, Peter rebuking Jesus, and Jesus rebuking Peter to illustrate spiritual blindness. If we're spiritually blind, the key to seeing spiritually often starts with admitting when we can't see. Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Christ, but his rebuke of Jesus reveals that Peter is spiritually blind to what Jesus Christ truly means. Mark 8:22-38. John 8:12. Matthew 13:44-46.

Bill shares the parables in Luke about the Lost Son, the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin that point us to Jesus and who He is. We see the Lord's pursuit of us and the grace He bestows upon us when we go our own way and then decide to ask Him if we can come home. Luke 15:11-32. Luke 15:1-10.

In the stories of Jesus feeding the 4000 and the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, we are left with the question, "Where is my heart?" We often demand that Jesus use His power to meet our desires. Even though Jesus is the one who can create something out of nothing ("ex nihilo"), Josh reminds us that Jesus came to be with us (Emmanuel), providing what we need, and drawing our hearts to Him. Mark 8:1-21. Proverbs 4:23. Joshua 9:6.

Josh challenges us to love and lead our young people. Using the story of Samuel and Eli, Josh reminds us that the Lord speaks to our youth, and our job is to be humble enough to hear what the Lord is telling us through them. 1 Samuel 3:1-21. Matthew 6:33.

Josh looks at the first message Peter delivers at Pentecost and the response of the people: "What shall we do?" They had lived with Jesus and not recognized who He was. In many ways, we've shut Jesus out of our lives too. "What shall we do?" Create space for spiritual formation. Spiritual formation doesn't happen on Sunday mornings. It requires creating space in our lives the rest of the week for word, worship, prayer and community. What if spiritual formation becomes your heart's cry, and then God gets to add the things you're trying to add? What could that new rhythm bring? Acts 2:22-47. Matthew 6:33.

Taking a break from our study in the Gospel of Mark, we reviewed the prayers of the season (P.O.T.S.) from January and how the Lord is answering those prayers in our body and community. We participated in eucharisteo -- giving thanks for what the Lord is providing. Then, we previewed the new P.O.T.S. for the current season. Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17. Luke 22:14-20.