Chicago Fellowship Talks

Everyone experiences seasons of Spiritual Dryness. Ray Carter looks at Psalm 42 for insights on both the causes and remedies for Spiritual Dryness, pointing us to the ultimate cure: Jesus Christ.

Joel Hamernick and David Dillon reflect on 28 years of friendship in the context of Christian community. Hear how God has used them to encourage, inspire and support one another on their journeys.

Ray Carter looks at Psalm 95, Romans 12:1 and Col 3:16 to consider the Discipline of Worship. Ray unpacks what true worship is and the role all the disciplines play in helping us become more mature in our response to God.

What's wrong with deciding to keep final authority in my life to myself? How can I submit to God's authority in a way that's life-giving and not stifling? Ray Carter explores these questions through the lens of Psalm 119 and James 1.

By global and historical standards, we're all wealthy. Ray Carter distills principles from 1 Timothy 6 to help us grow in the wise stewardship our resources for God's purposes.

What do we do with the injustice we see in the world? In Psalm 137, the Psalmist owns his anger, prays through it, and allows God to direct it. Ray Carter challenges us to follow this pattern, and go beyond it in light of the gospel.

Ray Carter examines the Spiritual Discipline of Confession. With insights from Psalm 32 and elsewere, Ray considers the NEED for confession, the WAY of confession, and the SECRET to it.

In our culture of instant gratification, few ideas seem more foreign than fasting. Yet fasting is pervasive throughout Scripture and church history. Patrick Fisher explores the benefits of fasting, and offers practical guidance in applying this practice.

This talk begins a new series titled "The Disciplines of Grace," looking at the practices that enable us to grow deeper in our relationship with God. Ray Carter examines Psalm 1 to distill insights about the spiritual practice of Meditation.

In this final installment on the marks of a life immersed in the love and grace of Christ, Ray Carter looks at 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 and the key to self-control.

It almost goes without saying … we all desire happiness. What is unique about the Christian concept of Joy? And how might we experience more of it? Ray Carter explores what scripture has to say about these questions in Romans 5:1-5 and Nehemiah 8:10.

Patrick Fisher shares lessons from the life of St. Patrick. Learn how the trials and disciplines of this humble 5th-century missionary relate to our lives today.

What does it mean to live a truthful life? We live in a world that's almost lost its ability to understand what it means to be truthful. Ray Carter examines this question through the lens of God's Word in Ephesians 4 and other passages.

Joel Hamernick examines three important meals in Jesus' ministry found in the book of Luke. We learn that Biblical Hospitality is central to the gospel, is both a sign and mechanism of the Kingdom of God, and has the power to transform lives.

What are you anxious about? How do we move beyond anxiety to true peace? Ray Carter looks at Paul's teaching in Philippians 4:4-12 to understand how we can think, thank and love our way to a peace that surpasses human understanding.

Special guest Dr. Stan Sonu shares about his important work on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). With passion and insight, Dr. Stan discusses the causes and profound impacts of ACEs, and points us towards solutions. Our own Scott Grzesiak also shares about his work with GRIP – a ministry where men and women can step into the lives of at-risk teens in Chicago.

Near the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus proclaims that "the Kingdom of God is at hand." What does that mean? How does our story fit into God's bigger story of creation, fall, promise, redemption and culmination? Joel Hamernick takes us through the biblical narrative from Genesis to the Gospels to unpack and answer these questions.

How are we supposed to interact with, and relate to, people with whom we really disagree? As the New Testament church expanded from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and "the ends of the earth," the believers wrestled with increasing diversity of backgrounds and views. Does that sound anything like the church in America today? Ray Carter takes us through several key passages that address this topic (Rom...

What is true humility, and how do we become more humble? Ray Carter examines Philippians 2:1-11 and 1 Peter 5:6-7 to help us look for answers.