Living Vertizontal

In this episode we move into Luke 21:1-9 where we see a snapshot of the Poor Widows Offering and Jesus begin to address the destruction of the temple with his disciples. As we worked through this passage, we talk about the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the eternal things that captivate the heart of Jesus, rather than being so consumed by the temporal things of this life. Systems, str...

This week put our journey through Luke on pause. Rather than discussing a particular passage, we shared with each other about what we have seen Jesus doing in our lives. We believe Jesus is at work today, and we have an opportunity to see His work, and share His work with others. Here is a snapshot of some of what was shared.

In this episode we finish off Luke 20. Here in Luke 20:41-47, Jesus recalls a Psalm of David and issues a warning to the crowd about the Scribes. From this passage we discussed the importance of understanding who God is and subsequently bringing ourselves under His Lordship; dwelling in His presence to maximize His kingdom impact in and through our lives.

In this episode we continue on from the interaction between Jesus and the spies from the priests and scribes with yet another interaction. Here in Luke 20:27-40, some Sadducees wanted to take their shot at silencing Jesus. From this passage we discuss two primary ideas: first, how assumptions can cause us to miss what Jesus is doing; and second how Jesus, through His Spirit, can empower us to oper...

In this episode, we examine Luke 20:19-26. This passage depicts an interaction between some spies from the Priests and Scribes as they tried to catch Jesus with a tough question. From this passage we discuss just how deep the stewardship conversation goes for our lives. When we recognize that everything we have, and everything we are, is God’s, whose image we bear, the conviction is that it would...

In this episode, we continue on with Jesus' interaction with the Priests, Scribes, and Elders with the parable of the Wicked Tenants from Jesus in Luke 20:9-18. From this passage we talked about a number of different things: how easy it can be to confuse stewardship with ownership, God’s gracious pursuit of us, the patience we ought to have as we work in the vineyards of our lives, and the opportu...

In this episode we enter Jesus' final week in Jerusalem. Looking at Luke 20:1-8, we see Jesus teaching in the temple and leaders coming up to him to challenge/question His authority. As we worked through this passage we discussed God’s authority in contrast with the fear we often allow to guide our lives. Just like the leaders, we can miss out on the answers we are seeking from the Lord when we al...

In this episode we continue the movement that was initiated all the way back in Luke 9 with Luke 19:41-48 where we read about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, and cleansing the temple. As we worked through this passage, we discussed what it means to recognize His presence and peace, to remove the things that keep us from truly seeing and hearing Him, and the importance of allowing our encounter with...

In this episode, we finally move into Jerusalem in Luke 19:28-40, a passage known as the Triumphal Entry. From this passage we explore obedience that trusts before it understands, praise that pays attention to what God is doing, and the importance of praising the right King, holding loosely to our own expectations as we allow Him to shape our understanding of who he is?

In this episode we look to Luke 19:11-27 where Jesus shares His final parable before entering Jerusalem, the parable of the Ten Minas. From this passage we explored stewardship, accountability, and how what we believe about Jesus shapes the way we live—because Christianity isn’t something we simply consume, but something we are called to participate in. Our conversation reminds us that grace doesn...

In this episode, we move into Luke 19:1-10. Within these verses, Jesus comes into Jericho and encounters Zacchaeus. From this passage we talked about the exciting reality that God is pursuing us long before we may even be looking for Him. Even further, an authentic encounter with Jesus transforms our hearts, impacting the way we live our lives.

This week we explore Luke 18:31-43. In this passage, Jesus predicts His death for a third time, and then encounters a blind man in Jericho. Through the passage we are challenged to consider whether we are truly seeing Jesus for who He is, or simply seeing Him through the lens of our own expectations. As we learn from both the disciples and the blind man, we are reminded that seeing Jesus clearly s...

In this episode we look at Luke 18:18-30 where we read about the encounter between a ruler and Jesus. Together we talk about the importance of keeping God at the center of our lives.

In this episode we continue on with Luke 18:9-17. In this passage, Jesus tells us another story, this one about a Pharisee and a tax collector, followed by a look at an interaction involving Jesus, His disciples, and children. From this passage we talk about the importance of coming to Jesus dependent and empty, like little children, that we may be filled with His Spirit and used for His.

In this episode we move into Luke 18:1-8 where Jesus tells a parable of the persistent widow. From this passage we address the importance of remaining dependent on our good Heavenly Father through every trial. We discuss what it means to pray with persistence, trust God's character, and continue believing that He will ultimately bring His justice to the world.

In this episode we continue on in Luke 17:20-37 where Jesus is questioned by some Pharisees about the coming of the Kingdom of God. From this passage we discus the existence of the Kingdom here and now and the Kingdom yet to come. While we wait in the gap of what is yet to come, Jesus has invited us to be prepared through active participation in His Kingdom here and now. The most important questio...

In this episode, we look to Luke 17:5-19, where Jesus continues to address His disciples about the power of faith, and we also see Jesus interact with 10 lepers. As we work through this passage, we recognize how in Christ, we have everything we need to carry out His Kingdom work. The invitation is to keep our eyes fixed on Him and to be prepared for what He has next.

In this episode, we explore Luke 17:1–4, where Jesus teaches His disciples about stumbling blocks and forgiveness. Together, we discuss the importance of bringing our thoughts, feelings, and emotions under the lordship of King Jesus because of the influence we have on those around us. As we do, we learn to recognize the stumbling blocks that can arise both within us and through us. Since Jesus rem...

In this episode we work through the remainder of Luke 16, exploring Luke 16:19-31. In this passage we read the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. From this passage we discussed both the importance of listening to the God who speaks in every circumstance and situation, as well as recognizing each and every single opportunity in front of us to participate in, and speak about, the Kingdom of God.

In this episode, we move into Luke 16:1-18, reading yet another of Jesus' parables, the parable of the shrewd manager. Together, we talk about the importance of living intentionally and strategically for His kingdom, being willing to surrender what is easy, and embracing the difficult, yet simple, pursuit of Jesus as Lord in our lives.

In this episode, we push on to Luke 15:11-32, where we read the parable of the prodigal son. As we work through the parable we identify the different individuals within the story, the repentant son, the reckless father, and the resentful son, and talk through how each of them resonate with us. As we discuss the older son, we identify our propensity to reflect him rather than the father in our will...

In today’s episode, we continue our journey through Luke 15:1–10, where Jesus shares two more parables with the crowds. Together, we explore the consistent response of both the shepherd and the woman: in the face of loss, they set everything else aside to pursue what is missing. And when the lost sheep and coin are found, their response is one of abundant celebration. As people invited to particip...

In this episode we turn to Luke 14:25-35, shifting from the sabbath encounters, to an interaction that Jesus has with the crowds surrounding Him. From this passage we talk about honestly evaluating the cost of following Jesus, from relationships, to security, and identity. When we follow Jesus, we are invited to bid farewell to all those things that we often cling to.

In this episode, we continue on with Luke 14:15-24, still at the prominent Pharisees house for the Sabbath meal, we drop in on another parable of Jesus’. From this passage we talk about misplaced priorities in life: possessions, time/productivity, and relationships/social status, and how we are often tempted to allow these things to distract us from responding to the invitation to participate in G...

In this episode we move into Luke 14:1-14 where Jesus heads over to a prominent Pharisees house for a Sabbath meal, while here, Jesus heals a man, and shares another parable. Together we discuss our propensity to pursue prominence, and the invitation that Jesus issues to surrender our position to Him, trusting that He sees us.