Jesus told his friends that the world would praise God because of their love and their light. I’ve found that to be true. One of the most important things you can do is invest in others. Be the best neighbor your neighbors have ever had. Remember their names. Pray for them. Show unconditional love. Once people know you care, they care about what you know.

Homework for next week: Read 1 Corinthians 12

When God opens doors, we want to know what to say. I love Bill Hybels’ simples explanation of Christianity in under 2 minutes. The world tells us it’s about do/don’t (law), but Jesus is all about done (gospel). Give people a simple way to explain their faith and build confidence as evangelists. Homework for next week: Read Colossians 4:2-6

Nothing brings people together like transparency. James tells us to confess to one another, to pray for one another so that we may be healed. Our church strives to be “real”, so let’s be just that. Be real about your sin, and then remember to forgive one another in Jesus’ name. Homework for next week: Read Mark 16:9-16

The New Testament is filled with “one another” commands. The sign of true community is when we gather with one another, encourage one another, spur one another on towards love and good deeds, etc. Most important, we point one another towards the supremacy of Christ so we don’t drift away as the Christians in the book of Hebrews were being tempted to do. Homework for next week: Read James 5:13-20

Ex 17-18 shows us how even Moses, that great leader of the OT, needed help to win the victory and be the best leader in Israel. Likewise, God intended us to “do life together” and support each other as we make our way from the slavery of sin to the “Promised Land”. Homework for next week: Read Exodus 17:8-18:27

The grave is empty?! Jesus is sending peace to his sinful disciples?!

Jesus taught about his second coming in surprising terms. He will come back and judgment will happen when we least expect it. So, keep watch! Expect the unexpected! Homework for next week: Read Mark 16:1-8.

(Luke 23:32-43) Jesus forgives the blood-thirsty, God-killing mob?! A hardened criminal softens in repentance?! Jesus accepts a last-minute confession?! The worst of the worst gets the best of the best?! I’d connect this to last minute confessions and God’s crazy willingness to forgive those who “don’t know what they’re doing”.

The story of the widow’s mite reminds us that God counts offerings a bit different than we do in the age of recognizing “gold level donors”. God sees the heart and the percentage of the gift, not the amount. A must-know text for American Christians, too! Homework for next week: Read Matthew 24:1-25:46

(Luke 23:18-25) A murderer set free?! An innocent man condemned?! A mob triumphs over justice?! An innocent man condemned?! I’d connect this to vicarious atonement, the blood sacrifices of the OT, the Day of Atonement, and much more.