In the Garden
What does faithfulness look like in the face of our temptations and weakness? Along with Jesus’ disciples, we can learn and grow in faithfulness as we follow Jesus to the last supper and into prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Read Mark 14:32-42, and if you can make time the expanded passage from verses 12-72.
Imagine that you are present in this story. What can you see, hear, taste, feel, and smell?
Did you hear anything from the message or the passage that sparks interest or excitement, disagreement or challenge?
Can you remember how a severe problem from your life experience actually helped strengthen your relationship with Jesus. What was that like?
Is there an experience or part of your life that you would rather avoid or have removed from you? How can you offer that part of your life up to God for him to use for your good and his glory? What would it look like for you to trust yourself and that part of your life to God?
What might Jesus be saying to you from Jesus’ experience in the garden or the message from Sunday?
Searching for the Generous Life
Just like modest investments can grow over time, our investment into God's kingdom generates growth and produces eternal dividends. The apostle Paul presented the Macedonian believers as an example of generous giving to the Corinthian church and to us. Let's explore...
Searching for Reconciliation
Confronting others concerning biblical/theological compromise is never easy or pleasant. Such encounters must be handled with sensitivity to the needs of others, directed by spiritual wisdom and the Scriptures, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul closed chapter two of...
Searching for Courage
On the surface, hearing God and following His commands seems straightforward. However, when God calls us to do something that generates fear in us and feels daunting, second-guessing His call becomes reasonable. Finding the courage to obey such a call is overwhelming....
Searching for the Abundant Life
Jesus explicitly explained his purpose when He said “…I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). He said similar things many times, and these ideas are repeated, over and over again, by those who wrote the New Testament. Yet many people,...
Searching for Real Friendship
Some relationships may imitate friendship, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. Exploring the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible, we’ll identify some distinguishing features of friendship that are often overlooked and discover how to infuse...