This week we begin a new study of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. In the four chapters of his letter Paul mentions joy, rejoicing, or peace some 15 times. This letter is about all the abounding blessing Christ has for each of His followers. This week we will focus on Philippians 1:1-11 and focus on the sort of love Christian’s should employ for each other. --

This week we are doing a stand alone study of the Lord's prayer. Jesus is going to teach us how to pray with power and intimacy. Read Matthew 6:5-15 and consider how you might strengthen your prayer life.

This week we finish our series on divine paradoxes with a look at what Paul says about works in Ephesians 2:8-10 and what James says about works in James 2:14-26. Take some time to read these two texts and prayerfully consider how they give us a great understanding of works and salvation rather then contradicting each other.

This week we are talking about love, hate, and your parents! Consider the commandments in Exodus 20:12, 21:17, and Leviticus 19:18 and see how Jesus and Paul quote these in Matthew 19:19, 22:39, and Ephesians 6:1-4. What do these passages say about how we are to treat our parents, others and even ourselves? Then consider Luke 14:26. What could Jesus possibly mean by this? What is the context - read Luke 14 in its entirety and consider how Jesus is not contradicting Himself. He said it this way on purpose in order to draw you deeper into truth. What is He trying to help you understand? (also consider Matthew 11:28-30 and Matthew 14:22-32)

“This week we are looking at the struggle with sin that is common to every believer. How can we be saved from our sin and yet at the same time still be sinful? Either we are free from sin or not, right? Paul has a great deal to say about this in his letter to the church at Rome. Spend some time in the Book of Romans as you prepare for worship this Sunday. We will hit the highlights of chapters 1-6 but our primary text can be found in Romans 7:14-25. Read it carefully - and then maybe - read it carefully again. See you on the Lord’s Day!”

This week we are considering the Bible's teaching on testing God. In Matthew 4 Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16 which expressly says, "You will not put the Lord your God to the test..." But God says through His prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:10 "Thereby put the Lord your God to the test..." Which is it? While it may appear to be a contradiction - it is actually a paradox. There is a way of testing God that is wrong and there is a way of testing God that He invites us to. Take some time to prayerfully examine Matthew 4:5-7, Deuteronomy 6:16, Exodus 17:1-7, Malachi 3:10, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:8-10, and Judges 6:36-40.

This week we examine what Jesus and the apostle Paul teach us about judgement. In one passage it seems they tell us not to judge while in another they seem to tell us to judge. Read Matthew 7:1-5, John 7:24 (read the first 23 verse for context), 1 Corinthians 4:3-4, and 1 Corinthians 5:12 (see first 11 verses for context) and consider what sort of judgement we should avoid exercising and the kind we are called to engage in.

This week we will be studying the divine paradox in Mark 8:35. Take some time and read Mark 8:27-36. What deeper truth is Jesus drawing us into?

This week we begin a new study called Divine Paradoxes. We will be examining a series of statements and teachings that Jesus and other Biblical figures made that at first appear contradictory but upon further examination are not only true but open the doorway to deeper truths about God, ourselves and our relationship with Him. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and look for the paradoxes - consider what deeper truths they reveal.

This week we consider current events and discuss how God is good even though He allows suffering in this world.