Find previous teachings and sermon series discussion questions at thejourney.org/sermons

The first Christmas was remarkably ordinary — a story not of spectacle, but of simplicity. It unfolded among ordinary people in an ordinary place. And within what seems simple, God was at work in miraculous ways.

This Advent, we're slowing down to rediscover the beauty of the ordinary — the humble, human, and holy moments that reveal God's presence. The story of Jesus' birth reminds us that the extraordinary often hides in plain sight.

Within the story there are many small details that seem coincidental; perhaps even unimportant. Yet each one is included in the text for a reason: God was carefully orchestrating each particular event with great creativity, precision, and intentionality — fulfilling promises and prophecies at every turn.

Set as a brief devotional and small group discussion, each episode of this podcast will give us a closer look at some of the obscure supporting details of the story of Jesus' birth — parts that might be easy to overlook. When we examine them closely, there is much to discover about God's character. He often uses ordinary means to do extraordinary things. May this fill us with wonder, comfort, and hope as we seek to find God working in the unexpected people, places, and situations He brings into our lives.

Find previous teachings and sermon series discussion questions at thejourney.org/sermons

Following Jesus is an invitation into life, joy, freedom, hope, and purpose. But if we're honest, it's not the easy path. Jesus himself told us there would be hardship, opposition, and struggle along the way. Why? Because the way of his kingdom looks radically different from the values and priorities of our world. His way goes against the grain of this world. The way of Jesus will be costly, but that's because its value is priceless.

In this podcast we talk with people who have shown resilience in the midst of trials, what they learned about themselves and God, and how their resilience helped form them deeper into apprentices of Jesus.

Find previous teachings and sermon series discussion questions at thejourney.org/sermons

Following Jesus is an invitation into life, joy, freedom, hope, and purpose. But if we're honest, it's not the easy path. Jesus himself told us there would be hardship, opposition, and struggle along the way. Why? Because the way of his kingdom looks radically different from the values and priorities of our world. His way goes against the grain of this world. The way of Jesus will be costly but that's because its value is priceless.

The book of 1 Peter speaks right into this reality. Written to men and women trying to follow Jesus in the midst of pressure and even persecution, Peter calls them—and us—to a holy resilience. He reminds us that even though the way of Jesus is costly, it is absolutely worth it. The call is to be set apart, to endure with hope, to love radically, and to live faithfully where we are. And in so doing, we begin to give a glimpse to a watching world of a different type of kingdom.

In this series, we will walk through Peter's letter as we seek to understand what it looks like to faithfully follow Jesus for the long haul. To be courageous yet compassionate, bold yet gracious, distinct yet beautiful. Together we'll discover how to live in the tension of God's kingdom in our daily lives in a way that shows the world around us who Jesus really is and what he invites us all to.

Following Jesus is an invitation into life, joy, freedom, hope, and purpose. But if we're honest, it's not the easy path. Jesus himself told us there would be hardship, opposition, and struggle along the way. Why? Because the way of his kingdom looks radically different from the values and priorities of our world. His way goes against the grain of this world. The way of Jesus will be costly, but that's because its value is priceless.

In this podcast we talk with people who have shown resilience in the midst of trials, what they learned about themselves and God, and how their resilience helped form them deeper into apprentices of Jesus.

Find previous teachings and sermon series discussion questions at thejourney.org/sermons

Following Jesus is an invitation into life, joy, freedom, hope, and purpose. But if we're honest, it's not the easy path. Jesus himself told us there would be hardship, opposition, and struggle along the way. Why? Because the way of his kingdom looks radically different from the values and priorities of our world. His way goes against the grain of this world. The way of Jesus will be costly but that's because its value is priceless.

The book of 1 Peter speaks right into this reality. Written to men and women trying to follow Jesus in the midst of pressure and even persecution, Peter calls them—and us—to a holy resilience. He reminds us that even though the way of Jesus is costly, it is absolutely worth it. The call is to be set apart, to endure with hope, to love radically, and to live faithfully where we are. And in so doing, we begin to give a glimpse to a watching world of a different type of kingdom.

In this series, we will walk through Peter's letter as we seek to understand what it looks like to faithfully follow Jesus for the long haul. To be courageous yet compassionate, bold yet gracious, distinct yet beautiful. Together we'll discover how to live in the tension of God's kingdom in our daily lives in a way that shows the world around us who Jesus really is and what he invites us all to.

Following Jesus is an invitation into life, joy, freedom, hope, and purpose. But if we're honest, it's not the easy path. Jesus himself told us there would be hardship, opposition, and struggle along the way. Why? Because the way of his kingdom looks radically different from the values and priorities of our world. His way goes against the grain of this world. The way of Jesus will be costly, but that's because its value is priceless.

In this podcast we talk with people who have shown resilience in the midst of trials, what they learned about themselves and God, and how their resilience helped form them deeper into apprentices of Jesus.

Find previous teachings and sermon series discussion questions at thejourney.org/sermons

Following Jesus is an invitation into life, joy, freedom, hope, and purpose. But if we're honest, it's not the easy path. Jesus himself told us there would be hardship, opposition, and struggle along the way. Why? Because the way of his kingdom looks radically different from the values and priorities of our world. His way goes against the grain of this world. The way of Jesus will be costly but that's because its value is priceless.

The book of 1 Peter speaks right into this reality. Written to men and women trying to follow Jesus in the midst of pressure and even persecution, Peter calls them—and us—to a holy resilience. He reminds us that even though the way of Jesus is costly, it is absolutely worth it. The call is to be set apart, to endure with hope, to love radically, and to live faithfully where we are. And in so doing, we begin to give a glimpse to a watching world of a different type of kingdom.

In this series, we will walk through Peter's letter as we seek to understand what it looks like to faithfully follow Jesus for the long haul. To be courageous yet compassionate, bold yet gracious, distinct yet beautiful. Together we'll discover how to live in the tension of God's kingdom in our daily lives in a way that shows the world around us who Jesus really is and what he invites us all to.

Following Jesus is an invitation into life, joy, freedom, hope, and purpose. But if we're honest, it's not the easy path. Jesus himself told us there would be hardship, opposition, and struggle along the way. Why? Because the way of his kingdom looks radically different from the values and priorities of our world. His way goes against the grain of this world. The way of Jesus will be costly, but that's because its value is priceless.

In this podcast we talk with people who have shown resilience in the midst of trials, what they learned about themselves and God, and how their resilience helped form them deeper into apprentices of Jesus.