Jesus was building a new type of community centered around Him and the fresh in-breaking expression of the Kingdom of God, and it was in this context that he urged his disciple to prepare themselves for a new movement with new rhythms and a new center. No longer would the traditional boundaries and religious laws define someone's standing in the Kingdom. 

Every year we take time to celebrete the birth that occured on the first Christmas. But what did this birht mean to the original audience, and what does it mean for us? 

As Jesus moves from place to place, great crowds follow him, and the disciples are often the only line of defense between him and the crowds. But Jesus makes a point to stop for a number of unexpected people that the disciples had no interest in, and in doing so he makes it crystal clear what the Kingdom of God is all about. 

As Jesus' ministry begins to gain momentum he begins calling disciples to follow after him. Matthew is a tax collector who leaves everything to follow Jesus, and his journey starts with Jesus inviting a group of "tax collectors and sinners" to his table to share a meal, as Jesus explains that he didn't come for the healthy, but for the sick. 

As Jesus continues healing the masses, a paralyzed man is brough to Jesus on a mat. Jesus responds by telling the man that "his sins are forgiven" and then he moves forward in healing the man physically. But what do moments like these teach us about the importance of "inner healing"? And what (if any) is the connection between the two?

Jesus didn't just talk about the in-breaking Kingdom of Heaven, he also operated in it by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a result, countless people experienced physical healing, and many were told that "their faith had healed them." But what is the relationship between faith and healing, and is healing a guarantee for those who have enough faith? 

Last week we unpacked what the Scriptures have to say about the nature of our reality, and the fact that we live in a world at war. This week we'll discuss what to do about it. When and where should we expect to encounter resistance from our adversary, and how do we walk in the victory of Jesus day in and day out?

As we seek to engage in life with God, we cannot help but be challenged by what the Scriptures have to say about the other parties involved, and the spiritual battle which they describe. But what do the Scriptures have to say about this war and how should it shape our worldview and our prayers? 

As Paul instructs the early church on the gifts of the Spirit, he urges them to "eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prohecy" -- but what is prophecy? Why is Paul so keen on this gift? And what does it look like for us to exercise this gift as a community? 

When the Holy Spirit finally comes at Pentacost, the disciples start speaking in tongues, which Paul later descries as a “gift of the Spirit,” -- but what are tongues, why are they so controversial, and what role should they play in our lives as followers of Jesus?