Many of us experience a gap between who we are and who we want to be. "What's wrong with me?" we might wonder as we struggle. We might even expect a relationship with Jesus to be full of questions like that, pointing out our flaws in sharp contrast to His high standards. But rather than burdening us with questions of shame, Jesus asks questions like: "What's wounded with you?" "What's out of alignment with you?" "What's keeping you from the life you were meant to live?" And, His teachings and example provide answers and solutions to free us from the quagmire we're in. 

This special message, Ring the Bells, calls our church to stay centered on Jesus, even when faith is being distorted for political or cultural power. This message isn’t about taking sides; it’s about reminding people what it means to actually follow Christ. We’re naming the danger of a counterfeit gospel that uses Christian language to justify harm, control, or nationalism, and we’re calling people back to Jesus’ way of humility, mercy, and love. Speaking up may feel risky, but we believe faithfulness to Jesus sometimes requires courage that’s grounded in grace.

This message borrows its title and emotional heartbeat from the song “Ring the Bells” by Johnnyswim. Listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/gANVqIxyj_o

Learn more about Verve City Church at vervecity.church

When you give through the church, you become part of every story it tells. And (bonus!) generosity changes you – for the better. This week, Josh reminds us that generosity isn’t about guilt, but about joyfully investing in something eternal.

Have you ever considered that the way God wants to use you may be greater than you've imagined? This week, we look at Jesus' pattern of multiplication to discover how personal devotion and obedience to Him naturally lead us to joyfully expand His kingdom. 

This week, we're talking service. Serving is not a side activity for super-Christians; it’s a core expression of discipleship. Jesus redefined greatness as service, not status.

“Greatness in the Kingdom isn’t about the power in your fist; it’s about the towel in your hand.”

Jesus invites ordinary people into an extraordinary mission to embody his work in the world. Our new series challenges the church to dream bigger, serve sacrificially, and embrace the greater things God has in store for them and their city.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He left us with that mission, and the world is full of stories waiting to be transformed by hope. Every invitation matters. Every conversation counts.

Let's talk about the practice almost no one wants to do: memorizing Scripture. It sounds old-fashioned, like rotary phones and casseroles with Jell-O. But here’s the thing—when the bottom drops out, what comes to mind isn’t your favorite podcast quote. It’s something your soul remembers. A line of truth you tucked away long ago. The words we carry shape who we become. So we’re going to take this practice out of the dustbin of history and hold it up to the light. Not to show off but to stay grounded. Anchored. Loved. 

Spoiler: the Bible is not a book. It’s a whole bunch of them, bound together by duct tape and divine mystery. It’s poetry and protest songs, ancient emails and cosmic dreams, and if you read it like it’s all one thing, you’ll miss what makes it beautiful. This week, we learn to study the Bible like it’s a weird, beloved collection of stories and songs and not a vending machine of inspirational quotes. It’s messier than we thought but way more human. And, therefore, even more divine.

The Bible isn’t fast food. It’s slow bread. In a world of scrolling and skimming, we’ve forgotten how to pause with a single verse, sit in silence, and let it speak to us. This week, we’ll rediscover the ancient practice of meditating on Scripture, not as an escape from life but as a way of soaking in truth that transforms us. You don’t need a seminary degree to hear from God. You just need time, attention, and a willingness to listen. 

Many of us were taught that the Bible is something we have to defend against critics, culture, or even our own doubts. But what if we’re missing the point? In this opening message, we’ll explore why the Bible doesn’t need our protection — it needs our attention. Rather than smoothing over contradictions or anxiously proving its reliability, we’re invited to approach Scripture with humility and joy. This week, we’ll learn to stop defending the Bible and start delighting in it.