This week, we learned that David grew as a man after God’s own heart and in his role as king by learning and remembering that “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers them out of them all.” (Ps 34.19) David experienced persecution, betrayal, false accusations, and many other afflictions. In Psalm 56, he lamented “man tramples me all day . . all day long an attacker oppresses me, they have waited for my life,” yet he continually called out to the LORD “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps 56).

1 Samuel 21-26

Beholding and Becoming in Friendship and Community: Doubled Joy and Halved Sorrow

Our God is a relational God, and he created us to be in relationship with Him and others. How does God use the friendships and communities in our life to make us more like Jesus?  We’ll consider unique challenges at each stage of life, and share how life in community has helped us persevere in faith.

The Battle is the Lord’s

1 Samuel 17 highlights the story of David and Goliath, where we see God at work to defend the honor of His name through David’s weakness.

"Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Consider what great things he has done for you." –1 Samuel 12:24

Our lesson this week in 1 Samuel 8-15 highlights Israel’s transition to a monarchy, Saul's rise to power, and his eventual rejection by God due to disobedience. We saw God sovereignly work through Israel’s demand for an earthly king “like the nations” to reveal their weak faith, hard-heartedness, and their true need for a heavenly King. We were challenged to examine our own hearts, humbly repenting of sin and seeking God’s forgiveness.

Amelia will help us see how the gospel brings hope and stability when life seems out of control.

In 1 Samuel 4-7, an important question is asked: “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?” Samuel’s answer comes with a promise: To stand in the presence of the LORD, you must humbly repent of your dishonoring him, put away all your idols, and serve the LORD with your whole heart . . . and he will deliver you from the Philistines--or in our case, every weight and sin which clings so closely. Today, the call of the LORD to us is the same: With all your heart, humbly destroy the idols that gravely dishonor the Lord, and serve the LORD only. By faith in Jesus, we have the grace to stand in the presence of the LORD. Hallelujah!

As we seek to become more like Christ, our marriage is an opportunity to live out the “one another” commandments from Scripture. As we do, we will grow in unity and connection together.

February 2 & 3

New Beginnings: Hannah, Eli, and Samuel (1 Samuel 1-3)

God chooses the setting of barrenness and the context of dark rebellion as the opening scene to giving a promised child, who will point to the King.

Join us in examining the biblical, historical, cultural and literary context of 1-2 Samuel. Gain some new insights into studying Biblical Narrative, and see how God is fulfilling His promises and foreshadowing his Coming King.

What a privilege it is to live out our faith before the watching eyes of our children. Kelly Vranyes will share life stories of how God has used time in the word and prayer in his sanctifying work in her and her children's lives. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart“ (Jeremiah 15:16).

January 12 & 13