Mars Hill

What might it look like to not seek to get even? Is it even possible to travel a third way? Jesus invites us to a different way of engaging with those who do us harm - moving past "an eye for an eye" and toward a posture that transforms the relationship. Matthew 5:38-42 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this G...

Wise Disciples resist the temptation to make God an object for their use but instead embrace the mystery of God, protect the reputation of God, and live lives with radical integrity.  Matthew 5:33-37 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 de...

Matthew 5:27-30

Jesus calls his disciples to choose the path that leads to life through reconciliation rather than fueling the fire of anger.  Matthew 5:21-26 Questions to consider— 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...

The sermon on the Mount invites us to think, feel, and act in radical ways as Wise Disciples in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Matthew 5:1-13 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 practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

1 Peter 2:11-12

1 Peter 1:13-16

Embrace a radical posture of surrender—loving God, loving our neighbors, and even honoring political leaders we may oppose. To do this, we must live as exiles in our own nations, with our sole allegiance to Christ. 1 Peter 2:11-17 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?  Forward [Journey]: What...

Peter encourages us, calling us 'living stones' who are being built into a Spirit-empowered house by God! Explore how, in Christ's great love for us, we fit into God's Kingdom project, and all have an important role to play.  1 Peter 2:4-10 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Inward: [Wholen...

Peter begins his letter with a phrase of praise, which he builds on for the next handful of verses. We kick off this new Teaching series in the same way by focusing on this opening praise and recounting four reasons to celebrate and thank God.  1 Peter 1:3-5 Questions to consider— Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?

John 2:1-5

Among other things, the Samaritan woman gives us a paradigm for the spiritual journey as she comes to recognize who Jesus is and, ultimately, believe in him. Her conversation with Jesus reveals a progression that encourages all of us as we consider our own journey and how to be in loving relationships with others as they journey.  John 4:7-15 Questions to consider— Forward [Journey]: What is...

Hannah's story is [among other things] one of being "in-between." Her story of liminality is the story of God's people at large and each of us individually. As we listen to her, we are encouraged to lament this liminality and look for God's faithfulness in the middle of it. 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are...

2 Kings 5

Josiah sought the advice of a prophet and received the Word of the Lord. Huldah is more than a woman. She is rooted in the Torah, gifted, not just skilled, and impartial to the either or false dichotomy.  2 Kings 22:14-20 Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narrati...

When we listen to Ruth, we hear the voice of one who invites us into friendship - being one that others can count on when the going gets tough. Ruth 1:8-18 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?...

In her one Bible appearance, Abigail shines as a leader, intercessor, and prophet. She provides numerous examples that both embody the character of God and challenge the people of God to lovingly show up in the world.  1 Samuel 25:2-3, 32-34 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering? F...

Jesus calls his people to live in a particular [and peculiar] way in the world. This invitation is found in the Sermon on the Mount and in the example of Rebekah, who selflessly and generously hosts and blesses the stranger.  Matthew 7:24-26 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Forward [Journ...

The widow in Jesus' parable challenges us to interrogate our approaches to prayer. As we listen to her, we are encouraged to join God's people throughout history who have sought God day and night, confident in the goodness and justness of the One to whom we pray.  Luke 18:2-5 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being dr...

Junia, the female apostle, offers us a window to the good news of Jesus: that we are loved just as we are by God! The good news continues that we are also called to be transformed by God's love and join God in restoring the whole world.  Romans 16: 1-7 Questions to consider— Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus? Inward: [Whole...

The women who traveled with Jesus have often been sidelined and misrepresented. This Teaching invites us to listen again to the lives of the women who were deacons and disciples of Jesus during his earthly ministry.  Luke 8:1-3 Questions to consider: Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering? Inward: [Wholen...

Lydia, a leader in the young church plant at Philippi, offers us a model for how to be on the watch for God's activity and how to courageously respond with the hospitality of the heart and home.  Acts 16:11-15 Questions to consider— Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit...

Judges 4:4-5

Mary the Worshipper defines worship as proclaiming God's worth and revealing His glory. Her life speaks louder than words to invite us to set our intentions for worship and be prepared to be implicated in God's master plan of salvation through Jesus our Lord.  John 12:1-8 Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? ...

The gifting of the Holy Spirit puts on display God's character - as a promise keeper, one who is faithfully present in the waiting, and as a generous giver. Remembering these attributes and this dramatic biblical event gives us hope that the newness of life we desire will indeed be made real in and through us.  2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18 Questions to consider— Backward [Roots]: What personal...