Mars Hill

For the first time in this series, we encounter a question asked by a human. The Bible features many examples of these prayers of complaint or lament, inviting us to be faithfully curious with God - to name our current reality and ask God to act.  Psalm 13 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?...

Matthew 16:13-20

After 38 long years of being paralyzed, a man is approached by Jesus. We'll take a look at their interaction, both Jesus' question and the man's response, to more closely glean the invitations this text may have for us: as individuals, families, and the Church. John 5: 1-9 Question to consider— Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

To kick off our new Teaching series, Faithfully Curious, we begin with a key question asked by God, "Where are you?". We consider the importance of prayerfully considering and answering this question, thinking about the locations of our bodies, and the orientations of our hearts.  Genesis 3:6-10 Questions to consider— Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey o...

Mobilization is the active work of following Jesus after receiving the benediction. The text proved tangible steps to move from Sunday morning to live out of vision outside of the Gathering with intension. Acts 8:26-31 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering? Forward [Journey]: What is a...

What does it look like to pursue not just change - but transformation into Christ's likeness as a Mars Hill Bible Church Community? We'll explore one of the apostle Paul's letters to the church at Corinth to see how we might be led toward that individual and collective pursuit today. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with t...

This covenant makes it possible for us to be family and it calls us to live as family. Mathew 12:46-50 Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering? Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I n...

Should we still be gathering in person for worship? Why? This week we'll look at Hebrews 10 and explore both the mystery of and the miracle in our gathering as the body of Christ. Hebrews 10:19-25 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and...

How do we think about Scripture? This profound, mysterious, inspired collection of books is such a gift. Explore how the Spirit can use it to shape our imagination and increase our Kingdom mission in the world.  Psalm 1:1-3 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering? Forward [Journey]:...

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is a profound mystery. Rather than strive to solve this mystery, what if we decided to embrace it, and seek to live out of this perfect relationship imitating it for the life of the world? John 14:23-27 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Backward [Roots]: Wh...

This bizarre and troubling episode is more than simply an account of disrespectful teenagers and a sensitive, quick-to-curse man. This scene reveals two themes that help to summarize our summer's Teaching series.  2 Kings 2:23-25

The story of Jonah is one of big things because it tries to capture what it looks like for God's love in action. This love is so big that it both comforts and welcomes the lost home, and it also challenges and convicts the proud.  Jonah 3:1-4:3 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering...

We, like Israel, are called to freedom and deeper union with God. What stands in our way of this and how can the 10 plagues of the Exodus be good news? Exodus 8:10b Questions to consider... Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus? Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

One interpretation of the Song of Songs is to view it as a representation of Solomon's aspiration for the temple he is constructing to serve as a haven for restorative connections among God and Humans, Female and Male, as well as Creations and Humans. The Song presents vivid imagery of a nostalgic return to the harmony of Eden, where all relationships are complete and harmonious.  Despite the...

Although the donkey is typically considered the star of this episode, a deeper look into Numbers 22 helps us see how unlikely Balaam is to be used by God. Thankfully, God continues to invite and include surprising people in sharing the message of blessing and hope.  Numbers 22:1-6 Questions To Consider— Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout t...

The origin story of Jacob and Esau begins with the prayers of their parents, Isaac and Rebekah. These two prayers challenge the ways we pray and invite us into humility and patience.  Genesis 25:29-34 Questions to consider— Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering? Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my j...

The book of Proverbs, while wide ranging in its content, is obsessed with Wisdom as its subject. What might it mean to think about wisdom as more than an ethical framework or moral target - but consider wisdom perfectly embodied in the Person of Jesus? Proverbs 8:1-4 Thoughts to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind...

Through God's decisive intervention in Samaria, four people whose presence at the city gates revealed that they were outsiders turns as they become those who bear good news about what God has done. In doing so they point to others throughout Scripture who are made God's witnesses, and in this way, invite us to bear witness as well. 2 Kings 7:3-11 Questions To Consider... Withward [Community]: How...

What we call the "book of Job" is actually an ancient play. This drama gives us the tools to see the narrative we build when in seasons of pain, loss or frustration. Jesus then, the master storyteller, offers us more clear picture of God's love, character and nearness is tough seasons.  Job 19:9-21, 25-27 Questions To Consider... Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging t...

This Teaching was an overview of the context and complexity of the book of Judges. We are challenged to interrogate our own prayer life. Judges 11:30-35 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering? Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Ga...

There are some tough to understand (and accept) portions of the Old Testament. This story, familiar to many, challenges the ways we interact with the Bible. A humble curiosity can lead us even into the parts of the Bible that disturb and confront.  Joshua 6 Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering? Forward...

The prophet Elisha sees the world differently. He sees it in light of God's redemptive activity, not only among Israel, but all the nations. In his urging to the king of Israel to demonstrate hospitality, he helps reveal what God has done for all people in Jesus Christ. 2 Kings 6:8-15 Questions to consider... Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being for...

We all have patterns and cycles of brokenness in our families. In partnering with humanity in Genesis, God is very interested in breaking these generational strongholds and bringing people into greater freedom. This invitation and power is also available to us in and through Jesus Christ. Genesis 12-29 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church t...

One of the primary themes of the Old Testament is that of God inviting humanity to partner in the work of restoring the world. What an amazing reality to be invited into dynamic participation with the God of the universe!   Genesis 12:1-10 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Backward [R...

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ who gives us what we need to stand firm together, and stand fast with the full armor of God. Finally, when we have done all, we can stand still expecting the Spirit to continue the work with and in us.  Ephesians 6:10-13 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gather...