What's at the Root?

In James 4 we are challenged not just to change our behavior, but to intentionally check our motivations. What is it we really want? When we learn to bring our real and perceived needs to God first, trusting him for what is good for us, it frees us to be able to see our neighbor not as our competition or a means to an end, but as someone for whom we also want good things. We seek to be like the good God we trust.

They Will Know We Are Christians By Our...

James dives into some insanely practical tips on holy living, specifically addressing what comes out of our mouths. Does God care what words we use? What does Jesus say about our hearts impacting our mouths? Is there a Christian ethic for how we speak, and if so, how specific is it?

If You Love Me...

James 2 encourages us to live our faith so our actions match what we believe. As Martin Luther discovered in Ephesians 2, There is no power to live the Christian life apart from the love of Christ in us, which makes this call to action, first and foremost, a call to relationship. In John 14 Jesus' call to us," If you love me, keep my commands" is followed by him sending the Holy Spirit to help us. This is not something we can do alone. Because we love him, we strive to show our faith through our actions but only through his love put into action for our sake by the cross, will we be called righteous.

Living Life Faithfully

James was the first Epistle written and has a focus on living out our faith in Jesus. A life of faith influences the world and transforms people who walk in faith and obedience.

Living in the Waiting Time

Sometimes when something promised hasn't happened yet; we think it never will. Peter teaches in 2nd Peter 3 that God's relationship with time is different than ours. Ours is not to guess or try to manipulate his timing but to make the best use of the time he's given us. Jesus gives us a promise of an eternal hope, the gift of his own eternal life to share. How does that promised future shape your life now?

Bad Apples

Peter issues a stern warning in his second letter to beware of false prophets and false teachers who are distorting the message of Jesus. How do we know when a false teacher or false prophet is among us today? And what are we called to do about it?

Winning

In a culture that is obsessed with winning, what does victory look like for followers of Jesus and his Church? Peter encourages us from his first letter to see winning through the suffering and humility of Jesus. It is the greatest and most counter-cultural message of the Gospel.

What Are the Rules

We continue on in 1 Peter, moving from "Road Games," to "What Are the Rules?" Do you know the rules of following Jesus? What if they're not as cut and dry as you thought? That could be daunting. It could also be good news.

Road Games

What does it mean to live in a culture where Christian faith is no longer the dominant worldview? Peter gives us insight in his letter to "the exiles" on how to live out a vibrant faith in a broken and complex world

Living Life to the Fullest

Based on 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 51-57 and John 10:1-10, we see that Jesus conquered death and promised us a resurrected life as he has. Jesus brings us this resurrected life as part of his promise of abundant life. He guarantees this by sending his Holy Spirit to us so that he can work in and through us. What are some ways that we can open up to God’s indwelling spirit? How are you currently living life? What would it be like to live life to the fullest?

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