Living Vertizontal

In this episode we jump back into our journey through Luke together, picking up in Luke 11:1-13. In this passage, Jesus continues to prepare His disciples for His departure by teaching his disciples how to pray. Together we discuss how this passage helps shape a proper orientation in prayer (who God is, and who we are), a proper orientation in persistence (keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking)...

In this episode, we finish our Advent journey in Jonah 4:1-11. In this chapter, we have an opportunity to see Jonah’s response to God’s mercy on Nineveh. Together we discuss Jonah’s feelings of resentment towards both Nineveh and God, and how God uses the circumstances around Jonah to hold up a mirror to Jonah, functioning to expose Jonah’s heart and working towards transformation into God’s liken...

In this episode we carry on into Jonah 3:1-10 (again the entire chapter). Finally, here in Jonah 3, we see both Jonah’s obedience as he arrives in Nineveh and shares the message from God and the response of the Ninevites. Together we talk about the miracles of obedience, belief, repentance, humility, and salvation found throughout this chapter. We reflect on God’s loving nature as the God of secon...

In this episode we pick up in Jonah 2, and work through the whole chapter. In this passage we explore Jonah’s prayer as he finally breaks the silence and takes the time to talk to God. Together we discuss the joy that Jonah finds as we see his focus shift from his own circumstances, to the unchanging character of God. In the same way, when we choose to focus on God’s unchanging character over our...

In this episode we push on in Jonah, reading Jonah 1:9-17, finishing the conversation on the great storm and also Jonah being cast into the sea. Our Advent theme this week is Peace, and so we explore what our passage today has to do with peace. Together we discuss the satirical form of this week's passage which forces us to see truths that we often would rather ignore. Additionally, we identify th...

In this episode we explore the Advent theme of Hope. while working through Jonah 1:1-8. This passage explores Jonah fleeing from God’s call, and the great storm that Jonah encounters. From our conversation on Jonah 1:1–8, we see that Jonah’s limited understanding of God’s presence may have shaped his reluctance to respond to God’s call. Believing he could escape God, Jonah attempted to flee from t...

In this episode we finish Luke 10 with a look at Luke 10:38-42. In this passage we see an interaction between Mary, Martha, and Jesus. From this passage, we talk about the hospitality reflected by Martha, Mary, and even Jesus. We address the propensity that we have as a culture to focus more on tasks and productivity, over time and presence with others. As we live in Jesus’ upside down kingdom, we...

In this episode we look at Luke 10:25-37, we move into Jesus’ parable on the good Samaritan as Jesus responds to an expert in the law who asks about inheriting eternal life. From this we discuss how Jesus uses questions and parables to slow people down and allow a truth to move beyond head knowledge and into heart knowledge, increasing the likelihood of life transformation. From the parable, we he...

In this episode, we pick up in Luke 10:21-24 and look at Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving, following the sending out of the 72. From this passage, we explore the different aspects of Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving — from His praise for who God is, to His recognition of what God has done, and finally to a benediction that reaffirms God’s authority. As we walk through the text, we see several key themes...

In this episode, we jump back into the discourse happening between Jesus and the 72 both before their sending out, and after their return in Luke 10:13-20. Together, we reflect on the sense of expectation that comes with experiencing God’s Kingdom. When we encounter Jesus—when the Kingdom of God draws near—we face a choice: to embrace it or to turn away. Further, Jesus also deepens the mission blu...

In this episode we continue to walk with Jesus on His journey to Jerusalem through Samaria and watch as He sends out 72 on mission in Luke 10:1-12. Together, we reflect on how this passage echoes the sending of the Twelve, following the mission blueprint Jesus established in Luke 9:1–9. Yet, this passage also invites a shift in perspective as the disciples enter the mission field. Rather than focu...

In this episode we move into Luke 9:51-62 where we see Jesus and His disciples rejected by Samaritans, and also two interactions with others about the cost of following after Him. Together we start by exploring the importance of prioritizing people over principles. When we choose to keep relationships at the center, we leave room for the Spirit of Jesus to keep working in the lives of those who ma...

In this episode, we reflect on Jesus’ patience with the crowds and His disciples, who once again fail to grasp what it truly means to fully participate in the kingdom of God, even though He had taught and modeled it many times. In the end, we recognize that the way of humility—following Jesus step by step—is the only path to fully participate in and embody His kingdom here and now.

In this episode, we read about the event known as the Transfiguration, found in Luke 9:28-36. Together talk about the difference between the static and dynamic message from God. We identify that unlike the Law and the Prophets, Jesus is present and dynamically leading us through life. Our invitation is into a dynamic relationship with Jesus, over a static dependence on the tools that were meant to...

In this episode, we move to Luke 9:18-27. Within this set of verses we read about Peter’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus’ prediction of His death, and Jesus' explanation of the cost of following Him. Together, we talk about how important it is for us as Jesus’ disciples to have a clear understanding of who He is. Who we understand Jesus to be will impact what we think Jesus does and sa...

In this episode we continue on in Luke 9:10-17. Within this set of verses we read about the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Together, we jump into the topic of sabbath. Viewing this miracle account through the lens of sabbath challenges us to recognize sabbath as having more to do with dependence than sleep. When we grow more and more in our dependence on Jesus for everything, we enter the rest H...

In this episode, we move on into Luke 9:1-9 where we read of Jesus sending the 12 apostles out on ministry, and King Herod’s desire to see Jesus and understand who He is. Together, we reflect on the missional blueprint that Jesus laid out—both for His apostles then and for us today. As we live on mission, we not only proclaim the Lordship of Christ but also embody it in our daily lives. In doing s...

In our episode this week, we cross back over the Sea of Galilee and read from Luke 8:40-56. Within this passage we read of two different miraculous encounters. First, the healing of the bleeding woman, and second, the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Together we discuss the implications of the way we choose to live our lives. When our life is oriented to Jesus in every way, we confess ou...

In this episode, we look at Luke 8:26-39. In this passage we read about the story of the demon possessed man in the Gerasenes. Together we talk about the importance of following Jesus into the difficult places of life, meeting people where they are, to participate in the upside down kingdom that Jesus initiated.

In this episode we turn to Luke 8:16-25. In this passage, we read about the lesson of the lamp, Jesus’ interaction with his mother and brothers, and Jesus’ calming of the storm. Together we walk together through three key parts of the passage. First, we consider how Jesus, though speaking in parables, was still clearly revealing the Kingdom of Heaven—and how coming to Him in humility opens us to r...

In this episode we move on to look at Luke 8:1-15. In this passage, we read of the involvement of women in Jesus’ ministry and also encounter Jesus’ parable of the sower and its explanation. Together we discuss two main themes. First, we again address just how far Jesus’ upside down kingdom reaches and how not only does the kingdom welcome everyone and anyone, but it invites all to play a part as...

In this episode we are finish Luke 7 with a look at Luke 7:36-50. In this passage, Jesus is invited over to Simon, the Pharisee’s house, and is encountered by the sinful woman. Together we again discuss the role of dependence in our lives and the importance of our undivided dependence on Jesus in everything we do. When our dependence is divided among multiple things, we find anxiety and fear, but...

In this episode we remain in the seventh chapter of Luke, exploring Luke 7:24-35. In this passage, Jesus continues to speak about John the Baptist and call out the fickle nature of so many of those gathering. Together we discuss the implications of this upside down kingdom that Jesus introduced. Within Jesus’ kingdom, all are lifted up, positions disappear, and justice reigns. In Jesus’ kingdom, w...

In this episode we continue on into Luke 7:18-23. In this passage we see John the Baptist send his disciples to Jesus to ask an important question. Together we discuss the different possibilities as to why John the Baptist would be sending his disciples to ask Jesus if He is in fact the Messiah. As a result of our conversation, we realized the potential validity of each option and how the ambiguit...

In this episode, we move on into Luke 7:1-17. Within this passage we see two different miracles, one involving a centurion, and one involving a widow. Together we discuss these two different healing stories and all that Jesus demonstrates about His upside down kingdom. Following His Sermon on the Plain, we have the opportunity to see Jesus live out these teachings. Living in Jesus’ upside down kin...