In this message, covenant community member, Gabe McKinney, shares from Luke 12: 13-21. We learn about how Jesus expands our understanding of the kingdom on earth through a parable about a rich man and his possessions. There is so much more to understanding this parable than we may realize, and Gabe shows us how to explore this parable and others with a holy curiosity.

In this sermon, Fabs shares from the parable of the persistent widow.

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In this message, community member Ron Ragsdale share from Luke 16:19-31; the parable Jesus shared about a rich man, Lazarus, and a surprising judgement.

Luke 16:19-31

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REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Read Luke 16:19-31. What stands out to you in this reading?

2. What is the main objective Jesus has for this parable?

3. Parables are not meant to be taken literally. How do you think this parable could be misused or misinterpreted?

4. Ron concludes this sermon by saying that this parable calls us away from "justifying oneself," and instead should lead us to humility, awareness and curiosity. How do you see those three characteristics as essential to Christian flourishing?

In this message, community member Haley Patterson shares from Mark 4:26-29 and the picture of what God can do with the seeds of our life.

Mark 4:26-29

Reflection Questions:

1. What's your record with caring for plants? Why does this come easy to you or why do you struggle?

2. Read Mark 4:26-29. What do you notice in this passage?

3. Why do you think Jesus chose the word picture of seeds for this teaching?

4. What stood out to you from Haley's sermon- either as encouragement or a challenge?

In this sermon, Mark kicks off a new sermon series- The Parables of Jesus. In this message, Mark shares about the purpose of parables and explores Jesus' parable on the hidden treasure and the pearl of great worth.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why do you think Jesus used parables?

2. How do parables reveal and conceal?

3. What has stayed with you from the sermon?

4. Read Matthew 13:44-46. How is the Kingdom like these two experiences?

5. How would you describe the issue of disordered loves?

6. Mark shares an alternative interpretation to this parable, and concludes by saying "the only way we will live into the first interpretation is if we believe the second interpretation is true." What does this mean?

In this final sermon on the Names of God, Fabs shares from Genesis 16, Hagar's encounter with God, and The God Who Sees Me.

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REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Read Genesis 16. What are the elements of this story that are disturbing and challenging?

2. What aspects of Genesis 16 are healing and redemptive.

3. Out of the potential names Hagar could have given God, why do you think she declared this name?

4. Where in your life do you feel unseen, overlooked or neglected?

5. Go this day and consider the power of seeing others. Ask God to identify people who might need to be seen.

In this week’s sermon from the Names of God series, church member Rachelle Shuttlesworth shares about the name Immanuel.

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REFLECTION QUESTION:

1. As you consider the larger story from Scripture, what are the different ways you see God’s presence with humanity?

2. Rachelle shared how love is proximate. What does God’s loving presence mean to you today?

3. Read Matthew 1:18-23. How does this expression of Immanuel differ from the previous forms?

4. How does God’s faithful presence with us train us to be faithfully present with this world?

Today we are looking at the “Good Shepherd” name of God that Jesus gives himself in John 10:11. Vine member Katie Fike shares four ways that Jesus is a good shepherd as well as what our response is to this Good Shepherd: listening to and knowing Jesus’ voice and following where he leads.

1. Read John 10:11-15. What do you think of when you hear the phrase “the good shepherd”?

2. Which of the four ways that Jesus is a good shepherd stuck out to you, resonated with you, or surprised you?

3. What do you think gets in the way of you listening to and knowing Jesus’ voice? What are some ways you can overcome those obstacles?

4. What does “life to the full” (John 10:10) mean to you? Where do you feel you are experiencing the abundant life that Jesus offers in your life today - and where are you not experiencing it?

5. Read Psalm 23. Reflect on how much your Good Shepherd knows you and cares for you.

In this sermon, Mark shares from Judges 6. In this story, we explore the experience of a man name Gideon and the name he gave God- The Lord is Peace.

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REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Review Judges 6 and 7. What do you notice?

2. What the different ways we see the thematic act of sifting in this story?

3. Why is this "God's signature move"?

4. Where are you feeling sifted today?

5. Why is it in the spiritual life that vulnerability is the gateway to true power?

NAMES OF GOD - Father

This week Mary shares what it means that God is our good father.

1. How can thinking about God’s love for us as parental love affect our understanding of his relationship to us (and ours to him)?

2. If you’re a parent, how does that experience affect your view of God as a parent?

3. Have you ever felt as though you’ve experienced God’s discipline?

4. Matthew 6 talks about relying on the provision of our Heavenly Father and his unlimited resources for his children. What might that mean for you right now?

5. What would it look like to see God as the provider and healer of your soul?

6. How has your relationship with your own father affected your view of God the Father?