Episodes

Monday Jul 21, 2025
7-20-25 (Trace Lee) The Call To Follow
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. NIV 84
1. The 2008 USA Men's Olympic Basketball team, also known as the "Redeem Team", got to experience the thrill of winning Olympic Gold in Beijing, China.
- What are some fond memories/experiences you have of being on a team?
2. "Pupils chose rabbis; rabbis did not choose pupils." - Timothy Keller
Simon, Andrew, James, and John did not take a "blind leap of faith" in following Jesus.
(John 1:35-42) They made an intentional choice.
- Why is this difference an important aspect in this story? Why is this difference an important aspect in our relationship with Jesus?
3. The word "follow" shows up three different times in Mark 1:16-20. Each of these instances reveals a different aspect of what it means to follow Jesus.
- Verse 17 "Follow me" = to follow Jesus is to pursue Jesus.
- Verse 18 "followed him" = to follow Jesus is to join Jesus.
- Verse 20 "followed him" = to follow Jesus is to be like Jesus.
- As you think about these different aspects of following Jesus, which one speaks the most to you? Why?
4. In Jeremiah 16, Ezekiel 12, Amos 4, and Habakkuk 1 we see the imagery of fishing being used to describe the divine judgment of God. With this in mind, the phrase "fishers of men" is more than just a clever play on words. It's in this phrase that Jesus connects His message (verses 14-15) to His promise (verse 17).
- When you think about your current season of life, responsibilities/titles, those you are around, etc. where and how is Jesus wanting to use you as a "fisher of men"?

Monday Jul 14, 2025

Sunday Jul 06, 2025
7-6-25 (Barrett Coffman) Jesus' First Sermon
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" NIV 84
Priene Calendar Inscription: two stones were recovered in the marketplace at Priene, an ancient Greek city in Western Turkey. The stones date back to 9 BC and record an edict by Paullus Fabius Maximus, who was the proconsul of the Roman province of Asia. It reads, "the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the gospel for the world."
Outline of Jesus' First Sermon:
A. Life changing news
1. The time has come
2. The kingdom of God is near
B. News changing life
1. Repent
2. Believe
Time After Time: Chronos is measured time, it is where we get the word "chronological," it refers to a quantity of time. Kairos is "deep" time, it is a significant time, it refers to a quality of time.
Near but not yet here: "With His first coming, Jesus shows that He can deliver us from sin, suffering, and death; with His second coming, Jesus will deliver us from sin, suffering, and death."
Commands and Continuous: The two verbs in the second half of Jesus' sermon are both commands and in a continuous form.
They are not just good suggestions.
They are not just one-time decisions.
Metamorphosis: The verb to repent comes from the Greek word metanoia that is the root for our English word metamorphosis. In nature, it is most often used to describe the process of transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly. The word has come to mean "a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means."
Kingdom Living: The two verbs that best describe daily life in the kingdom of God are repent and believe. Repentance means with each new day, I should become less like myself and more like my King. Belief means with each new day, I should rely less on myself and more on my King.
1. When was the last time you enjoyed doing something or being with someone so much that you lost track of time? Jesus has come not that we may have a full life in terms of quantity but that we may have life to the full in terms of quality. What is the difference?
2. The kingdom of God is already, but not yet. It is near, but not yet here. We are now living in the time between "He can" and "He will." Discuss this reality of living now in the kingdom of God.
3. Repentance is a word that describes daily life in the kingdom of God. With each new day, you should become more like your King and less like yourself. In what specific way this year, have you seen this process of transformation in your life?
4. Belief is a word that describes daily life in the kingdom of God. With each new day, you should rely more on your King and less on yourself. How have you seen yourself grow in trust and dependence on God this year?

Monday Jun 30, 2025
6-29-25 (Barrett Coffman) With The Wild Things
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
"Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. They were nailed to crosses. They were doomed to the flames and burnt to serve as a nightly illumination. They were covered with the skins of beasts and torn by dogs until they perished.”
Tacitus in his book Annals
“In order to understand the temptations of Jesus, we have to understand that Jesus’ hair was still wet when he stepped out into the desert.”
Russell Moore in his book Tempted and Tried
It is impossible to overcome the burden of temptation without first receiving the blessing of baptism.
Two questions answered at Jesus' baptism:
1 Who are you? It's an identity question.
Jesus is embraced by the love of the Father.
2 How do you? It's an ability question.
Jesus is empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit
You are embraced by the love of the Father and empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit in order to embark on the mission of Jesus.
1 Who are you? Make a list of your top ten answers to this question. Do you tend to answer this question vocationally, relationally, politically?
2 We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. This must become who we are at the core of our identity. How does knowing this gospel truth as the core of your identity affect the way you live?
3 How do you? Read verse 12 again. It is the Holy Spirit who sends Jesus out into the desert. Jesus is empowered for his mission by the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be empowered by the Holy Spirit? Do you have an example from your life?
4 It is impossible to overcome the burden of temptation without first receiving the blessing of baptism. How does knowing you are embraced by the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit help you when it comes to temptation?

Sunday Jun 22, 2025
6-22-25 (Jeremy Stewart) Magnified
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
There are 2 types of "Magnified"
- To zoom in
- To make great
Psalm 34 is written due to a real moment:
1 Samuel 21:10-15
How to Magnify God that you might Magnify God - Psalm 34:4-9
- SEEK
- LOOK
- CRY OUT
- TASTE
- FEAR
Here we see how God's greatness causes the David to question God's interest in humanity. This makes Psalm 34:15 and 18 all the more impactful.
God is both:
- Incredibly powerful and above us
- Cares so deeply about each of us that he walks alongside us in our pain
Icebreaker:
What are some times you've "zoomed in" on something, or what is some media that you remember that explored the idea of there being beauty and complexity around us that's out of sight because we can't see it?
- Why do you think David's experiences in 1 Samuel 21:10-15 cause him to write this psalm?
- Jeremy pointed out 5 "action words" in Psalm 34:4-9: SEEK, LOOK, CRY OUT, TASTE, and FEAR. What does it look like to practice these in terms of our relationship with God?
- We saw a video that attempted to give us some sense of the universe's scale. What is your response or feeling to recognizing how large creation is compared to us?
- In Psalm 8, David wrestles with the idea that a God who is so great could care about us. Do you ever feel that way?
- Psalm 34:15 and 18 tell us that, even as great as he is, God draws near to us in our pain and suffering. What is significant about that?

Sunday Jun 15, 2025
6-15-25 (Trace Lee) The Mission
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
1. "Your mission, should you choose to accept it is..."
When you think of the word "mission", what words, phrases, or experiences come to your mind?
2. Jesus' baptism prepared and propelled Jesus to continue on His mission.
In our discussion together on Mark 1:9-11, we talked about how Jesus was prepared and propelled to continue on His mission. Did any of the following aspects stick out to you the most? If so, why?
-The target of the mission: Sinful humanity (verse 9)
-The anointing for the mission: Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus (verse 10)
-The identity within the mission: The voice of the Father (verse 11)
-The continuation of the mission: Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20
3. Allegiance to Jesus binds us to the mission of Jesus.
As you think about the continuation of Jesus' mission in your life right now, in what ways have you carried it out well? In what way has it been a struggle for you?

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
6-8-25 (Barrett & Randy Patterson) Pentecost Sunday
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Acts 2:29-39
29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted tot he right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." ' 36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and
the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Sunday Jun 01, 2025
6-1-25 (Barrett Coffman) The Neglect of the Ascension
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Special Days Website: daysoftheyear.com
Ascension Day: it is the 40th day of Easter. It is a Christian holiday that commemorates the belief of the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. This year it was on Thursday, May 29.
Book: The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine by Patrick Schreiner.
Five Reasons Why The Ascension Has Been Neglected:
1 The Bible speaks little of it
2 It seems like a bad plan.
3 The implications are unclear.
4 The event is abnormal.
5 The resurrection subsumes the ascension.
Andrew Murray on the Ascension: “Faith has in its foundation four great cornerstones on which the building rests – the Divinity of Christ, the Incarnation, the Atonement on the Cross, and the Ascension to the Throne. The last one, the ascension, is the most wonderful, it is the crown of all the rest, it is the perfect revelation of what God has made Christ for us. And so, in the Christian life, it is the most important, for the ascension is the glorious fruit of all that goes before.”
1. Have you ever been part of a church that has emphasized the ascension of Jesus Christ? Have you ever been part of a class or read a book about it? Would you agree that the ascension of Jesus Christ is a neglected doctrine?
2. Five reasons were shared as to why the ascension might be considered a neglected doctrine. Which one of the reasons do you think might have the most to do with its neglect?
3. In your own words, why do you think it is important to properly emphasize the ascension?
4. Discuss Andrew Murray's quote about the ascension. Do you agree that the ascension should be considered as the most important cornerstone of our faith?
5. Read again the above seven verses from Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9-11. What stands out to you from these verses about the ascension of Jesus Christ?

Sunday May 25, 2025
5-25-25 (Brent Allen) Following The Shepherd
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
1. What are the ways you see God shepherding in scripture?

Monday May 19, 2025
5-18-25 (Trace Lee) Prepare The Way
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" - 3 "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" 4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
1 Who is someone in your life that helped prepare the way for you? (Spiritually, vocationally, relationally, etc.)

