Nick and Jordan discuss the soul-shaping practice of personal devotions. Join them as they look at Scriptural teaching and share their own testimonies about the benefit of regular time with the Lord.

Recommended Resources:

• ESV Study Bible
• ESV Scripture Journals (many options)
• Bible Reading Plan with Harvest
• New Morning Mercies by Paul Tripp

Jordan and Jack move into a discussion on the practical aspects of friendship, addressing questions such as: “How can I be a good friend?” “How should I choose friends?” and “Must I be friends with everyone?”

Recommended Resources:

• “The Cost of Being a Loner” Ask Pastor John podcast episode #2142 
• “What Makes True friendship” Ask Pastor John podcast episode #2065 
• The Six Conversations by Heather Holleman (Helpful book on engaging in meaningful conversations. Has a lot of good questions to ask your friends!

Jack and Jordan discuss a biblical overview of friendship.

Recommended Resources:

• “Wisdom and Friendship” sermon preached by Jack Flaherty on Dec 29th, 2019 https://www.harvestdesmoines.org/episode/wisdom-and-friendship/ 
• True Friendship by Vaughan Roberts
• Friendship with God by Mike McKinley
• Made For Friendship by Drew Hunter
• “Is it ok to call God friend?”  by Drew Hunter

Nick and Chris explore what the Gospel is, why it has saving power, and how it must be preached and received. This title and impetus for this episode stems from having read Paul Washer's triology Recovering the Gospel and having just preached through The Beautiful Gospel sermon series in December of 2025.

Resources:

To learn more about the Gospel’s power and message, check out the resources listed below:

• Recovering the Gospel Trilogy - Paul Washer
• A Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent
• The Beautiful Gospel Sermon Series

Nick leads a discussion on the benefits of personal growth plans with Jordan, Em, and Micaela.

Recommended Resources:

Check out the resources below for learning more about the importance of planning:

• Lees' Personal Growth Plan Template

• Bray’s Annual Life Plan Template

• What’s Best Next – Matthew Perman

• Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper

• Do More Better – Tim Challies

• Crazy Busy – Kevin DeYoung

• GoodReads 

Join Pastor Nick for a special four-part Advent devotional series that coincides with our December 2025 sermon series - "The Beautiful Gospel". Episodes will be released each consecutive Sunday beginning November 30th. If you'd like to hear the full sermon related to each episode, please visit www.harvestdesmoines.org/sermons after December 7th, or join us in person each Sunday in December. For additional discussion questions, check out the full devotional at https://www.harvestdesmoines.org/christmas-devotional/.

Nick and Micaela discuss God's design for women in the home.

Check out the resources below for learning more about God’s design for women:

• This Momentary Marriage - John Piper

• Helper by Design - Elyse Fitzpatrick

• Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full - Gloria Furman

• Mom Enough - Multiple Authors

• Glory in the Ordinary - Courtney Reissig

• Eve in Exile - Rebekah Merkle

• Feminine Appeal - Carolyn Mahaney + Nancy Wolgemuth
• Girl Talk: Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood - Carolyn Mahaney + Nicole Whitacre

Join Pastor Nick for a special four-part Advent devotional series that coincides with our December 2025 sermon series - "The Beautiful Gospel". Episodes will be released each consecutive Sunday beginning November 30th. If you'd like to hear the full sermon related to each episode, please visit www.harvestdesmoines.org/sermons after December 7th, or join us in person each Sunday in December. For additional discussion questions, check out the full devotional at https://www.harvestdesmoines.org/christmas-devotional/.

Join Pastor Nick for a special four-part Advent devotional series that coincides with our December 2025 sermon series - "The Beautiful Gospel". Episodes will be released each consecutive Sunday beginning November 30th. If you'd like to hear the full sermon related to each episode, please visit www.harvestdesmoines.org/sermons after December 7th, or join us in person each Sunday in December. For additional discussion questions, check out the full devotional at https://www.harvestdesmoines.org/christmas-devotional/.

Join Pastor Nick for a special four-part Advent devotional series that coincides with our December 2025 sermon series - "The Beautiful Gospel". Episodes will be released each consecutive Sunday beginning November 30th. If you'd like to hear the full sermon related to each episode, please visit www.harvestdesmoines.org/sermons after December 7th, or join us in person each Sunday in December. For additional discussion questions, check out the full devotional at https://www.harvestdesmoines.org/christmas-devotional/.