From childhood, most of us have learned to love games. The excitement, the cheering, even the competition creates a rush of adrenalin that’s hard to find anywhere else. And on the playing field of life—even life with God—we can find excitement too. But living your life for God and with God is not a game. The stakes are high. The consequences are enormous. And the outcome is anything but trivial. No wonder God invites us to pay the price of giving up our lives so we can find real life.

Sometimes we hear about playing the game of life. Why is life—especially life with God—not a game?

While becoming a Christian is free, living as a Christian means paying a price. Read Mark 8:34-38. What do you notice about the price Jesus describes for one who has already believed in Him?

Following Jesus is anything but a game. Notice how Jesus describes what it’s like to follow Him in Luke 9:23 and 14:26-27. How does your life reveal that you are following Jesus?

Throughout the world, Christians are persecuted and killed for their faith. How do you mentally and emotionally process that reality? What is your response to God over the relative ease with which Christians live in the United States?

Water baptism expresses a believer’s desire to publicly identify with Jesus. Why should a believer be baptized? What’s the story of your baptism?

Doubting Doubt

Doubt is the presence of uncertainty. This uncertainty can present itself at anytime, for both believers and skeptics alike. The aim for both is to consider their own positions of doubt and consider these beliefs in view of a risen Jesus. Whether a believer or a...

When Jesus Restores…

Receiving forgiveness and experiencing restoration can become pivotal moments that shape our character. Peter received a course correction for life as Jesus gently but powerfully restored their relationship and Peter’s role. Together, we can grow deeper into Jesus’...

Overcoming Failure

Failing is a common but disappointing life experience that always seems to catch us by surprise. When our failures are placed into the hand of Jesus, he can use even our shortcomings to fuel our growth. Let’s discover the part failure played in Peter’s life and how we...

Forgiveness

As God has forgiven us, we are to forgive each other. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus is teaching His disciples, and us by extension, that forgiveness should be in like proportion to the amount forgiven. The first servant had been forgiven all, and he...