Why does studying church history matter?

If Jesus is building His church across generations, then understanding the story of those who came before us can help us understand our own faith—and our own moment—in a deeper way.

In this first session of A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church, we begin a journey through 2,000 years of Christian history, from the earliest followers of Jesus to the church today.

Church history is more than dates, names, councils, and controversies. It is the story of real people seeking to follow Jesus in real places and real circumstances. It helps us understand where we came from, evaluate our own moment more wisely, learn from the faithfulness and failures of those who came before us, and remember that Christ has faithfully preserved His church throughout history.

Most importantly, church history reminds us that we are part of a story much bigger than ourselves.

In this introductory session, we explore eight reasons to learn church history, preview the twelve-week course, and consider why Jesus Christ—not merely the church—is ultimately the center and goal of history.

Whether you are a lifelong Christian, newer to the faith, or simply curious about Christianity and its place in the story of the world, we invite you to explore the story with us.

Join us every Sunday at 9:30 AM for Discipleship Classes, including A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM.

📍 The Journey Church Houston

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How do God’s people live between promise and fulfillment?

As the book of Joshua begins, Israel stands on the edge of the Promised Land after 400 years in Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness. God has promised them a home, His provision, and, most importantly, His presence. But they don’t know exactly how they’re going to get there.

Ahead of them are fortified cities, formidable enemies, unexpected obstacles, and, at times, their own fickle hearts. Into that uncertainty, God gives Joshua a command that becomes the theme of the book:

“Be strong and courageous.”

But biblical courage isn’t self-confidence. It’s confidence in God. Because God is faithful, His people can trust Him, obey His Word, and move forward in faith, even when they don’t know exactly what lies ahead.

In this overview of Joshua, we’ll see three foundational truths:

God has promised — so trust Him.

God has spoken — so obey Him.

God is with you — so move forward courageously.

And ultimately, Joshua points us beyond himself to a greater Joshua—Jesus Christ. Joshua led God’s people into an earthly inheritance and rest, but Jesus conquers Satan, sin, and death and leads His people into the everlasting Kingdom and final rest God has promised.

We live between promise and fulfillment too. We may not know all the details of what lies ahead, but we can know the God who holds those details in His hands.

Listen to the full episode and discover what it means to live with strength and courage because God is faithful.

If this episode encourages or challenges you, subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could benefit from it.

And if you’re in Houston, we’d love to have you join us on Sundays at 10:30 AM at 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008.

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How can we help our children learn to love God?

As Christian parents and churches, we want our children to know the Bible, love Jesus, and grow into faithful followers of Christ. But how do we cultivate that kind of faith over the long haul?

One of the ways God has given us is surprisingly simple: worshiping alongside one another as families.

In this episode, recorded during our Family Discipleship Workshop, “Let the Children Worship!”, Pastor Mace Perez explores the biblical and historic foundations of family-integrated worship and offers practical encouragement for parents and the whole church.

Because our goal isn’t simply to keep our kids quiet. It’s to help them worship!

We’ll explore why corporate worship is central to the Christian life, what Scripture teaches about children participating with God’s people, how the ordinary means of grace shape our children over time, and practical ways families can prepare for and participate in Sunday worship.

We’ll also consider what to do when worship with little ones gets challenging, and how the entire church family can come alongside parents as we seek to disciple the next generation.

Family-integrated worship isn’t about expecting children to understand everything or behave perfectly. It’s about patiently teaching our children to participate in the worship of God’s people, trusting God to work through His ordinary means of grace, and giving our children years of opportunity to see, hear, and experience what it means to worship the living God.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, caregiver, church member, or simply someone thinking deeply about how we pass the faith on to the next generation, we hope this conversation encourages you.

If this episode encouraged you, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast, subscribe for future episodes, and share it with a friend or family member who might benefit from the conversation.

And if you’re in Houston, we’d love to worship with you in person! Join us Sundays at 10:30 AM at:

The Journey Church Houston

Join us as we discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian Story.

What does it look like for a church to stand firm when life gets difficult?

In the final chapter of 1 Peter, Pastor Steven Hiller explores Peter’s vision for a church that remains faithful in the midst of suffering, opposition, and uncertainty. We’ll consider how church leaders can model faithful suffering, how followers of Christ can cultivate humble hope, and how the church can develop the spiritual fortitude to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith.

As 1 Peter comes to a close, Peter reminds us that our hope isn’t ultimately found in our own strength, plans, or circumstances. We stand firm because the God of all grace has called us to eternal glory in Christ, and He promises to restore, strengthen, and establish His people as we await the return of Jesus.

If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please rate and review the podcast, subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from it.

We'd also love to have you join us in person on Sundays at 10:30 AM at 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008.

What do we do when following Jesus becomes costly?

In 1 Peter 4:12–19, Peter writes to Christians experiencing suffering and persecution and reminds them that suffering for Christ is neither strange nor without purpose. Rather than being surprised or ashamed when faithfulness comes at a cost, Christians can rejoice that they share in Christ’s sufferings, trust that God is with them, and continue doing good, even when others do not.

Most of us will not experience persecution in the same way as Peter’s original audience or many of our brothers and sisters around the world. But following Jesus can still cost us relationships, social acceptance, professional opportunities, or the easier path of compromise. Peter shows us how the gospel frees us to remain faithful without fear or retaliation because we can entrust ourselves to a faithful Creator.

Fire can destroy, but it can also refine, purify, and beautify. In the same way, God can use the fiery trials we face to refine our faith as we look forward to the day when Christ returns, His glory is revealed, and He makes all things right.

If this episode encourages or challenges you, rate and review the podcast, subscribe for future episodes, and share it with someone who might benefit from it.

What if there’s a better way to live than simply doing what feels good, makes us happy, or earns the approval of others?

In 1 Peter 4:1–11, Peter points us toward a life shaped by something greater: the will and glory of God. Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are freed to live differently, even when following Christ means being misunderstood or rejected by the world around us.

Peter shows us what this life looks like: living with hope in Christ, loving one another, practicing hospitality, serving one another, and using what God has given us for God’s glory. A life lived for God may look strange to the world, but within the community of the church, it becomes a beautiful picture of the life we were created to live.

Whether you’re a committed Christian, exploring the claims of Christianity, or simply searching for a more meaningful way to live, we invite you to discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian story with us.

If this episode encouraged or challenged you:

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What do you do when following Jesus brings suffering, opposition, or loss? And where can you find hope when life hurts?

In 1 Peter 3:13–22, Peter reminds us that Christian hope isn't rooted in easy circumstances. Christ suffered, died, rose again, was vindicated, and now reigns. Because Christ has been vindicated, we have a reason for hope and can face suffering without fear.

Peter also challenges us to live in such a way that the people around us ask, “Why do you have hope?” When they do, are we ready to give an answer with gentleness and respect?

If you're exploring Christianity, wrestling with questions about suffering and hope, or looking for a faith that can withstand the hardest circumstances, we hope this message gives you something worth considering.

Enjoyed the episode?

Join us Sundays at 10:30 AM

The Journey Church Houston exists to invite people on a journey to discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian story.

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What do you do when life isn't fair?

We all know the feeling. A coworker gets rewarded when they didn't deserve it. Someone lies about you. A spouse hurts you. Someone treats you unjustly—and your instinct is to make things right.

In 1 Peter 2:18–3:12, Peter shows us what a beautiful, godly life looks like when we're treated unfairly. He applies the gospel to the workplace, the home, the church, and the world. And at the center of it all is Jesus: He suffered unjustly, entrusted Himself to God, and bore our sins so that we could be forgiven and transformed.

Because Christ suffered for us, we can look to Him, trust God, and endure suffering with grace. The beauty of a gospel-transformed life is perhaps most clearly seen when we refuse to become like those who mistreat us.

In this sermon, we explore Christian living, suffering, forgiveness, biblical marriage, relationships, justice, and what it means to follow Jesus when life doesn't go the way we think it should.

Listen to the full episode, and consider what a beautiful, gospel-shaped life might look like in your own circumstances.

⭐ Rate the podcast if this episode encouraged or challenged you.

The Journey Church Houston

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How should Christians relate to the culture around them?

Should we blend in or pull away? Throughout history, believers have wrestled with those two instincts. But in 1 Peter 2:11–17, the apostle Peter offers a better way.

As citizens of God's Kingdom living as "sojourners and exiles," we're called to live beautifully distinct lives that point others to the beauty of Christ. Peter calls us to wage war against our own sin, live honorably before a watching world, and faithfully serve God in every sphere of life.

In this episode, we'll explore:

Whether you're a committed follower of Jesus or simply exploring the Christian faith, this passage offers a compelling vision of what it looks like to live with courage, conviction, and hope in today's world.

If this episode encourages you, please rate, review, subscribe, and share the podcast so more people can discover the hope of the gospel.

If you're in the Houston area, we'd love to worship with you on Sundays at 10:30 AM at 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008.

Thanks for listening, and may God use your life as a beautiful witness to our beautiful Savior.

Have you ever felt like becoming a better person is harder than it should be?

In 1 Peter 2:1–10, the apostle Peter reminds us that the Christian life isn't about trying harder or relying on our own strength. Instead, we are called to lay aside our sin, come to Jesus like needy children longing for spiritual nourishment, and journey together with His people as He transforms us into His likeness.

Whether you're exploring Christianity for the first time or have followed Jesus for years, this passage reminds us that holiness is not something we achieve on our own. It is the work of Christ, who removes our burden of sin, builds us together into His church, and shapes us into a people who proclaim His goodness to the world.

If this message encouraged you, please like, share, and subscribe to help more people discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian Story.

If you're in the Houston area, we'd love to welcome you this Sunday at 10:30 AM at 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008.

We exist to invite people on a Journey to discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian Story.

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