Encounter - Sundays

Go Deeper 1. The Body and God's Design  • Genesis 1:27, 31  • Psalm 139:13–14  • Romans 12:1  2. The Danger and Power of Sexual Sin  • Proverbs 5:1–23 • 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 • Matthew 5:27–30  3. Union With Christ • John 15:4–5 • Ephesians 5:25–32 • Galatians 2:20    Choose one day this week to “fast” from something that feeds your flesh (e.g., social media, Netflix, certain music, a relationship...

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS ***GODLY CHARACTERISTICS EDITION   Read 2 Peter 1:3-9. Share one thing that stands out in this passage that shapes your view of how a Godly person grows in their discipleship.   What does “walking with God” practically look like in your daily life? How do we cultivate a close relationship with Jesus?   Read John 13:34-35. Jesus told us that people would know His disciples...

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read Luke 24:1-7. What is God’s Word saying to you in this passage? What is God’s heart for His people? In the passage above, the 2 women find an empty tomb and are met by angels proclaiming that Jesus is risen from the dead. What do you think their reactions were? What would you imagine their responses and actions might be after this encounter with the empty tomb and the...

GO DEEPER Day 1 – The Foundation: Christ Alone - Read 1 Cor 3:11 Reflect: There is no other foundation strong enough to carry the weight of your soul, your purpose, or your future. Everything else—success, relationships, performance—can shift and shake. But Christ is unchanging. Apply: Spend 5 minutes today asking: “Am I really building my life on Jesus, or just including Him in the blueprint?” Su...

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS   Read 1 Cor. 3:1-9. What is God’s Word saying to you? What stands out to you in this passage?   Paul was concerned that these believers in Corinth were staying on a diet of spiritual milk instead of meat (v. 1-3). What are some specific examples of Christians today, that seem to stay (or get stuck) in the “milk” stage of their spiritual development?   On that same note, w...

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS   Read Colossians 1:15-22. What is God’s Word saying to you in this passage? What is God’s heart for His people? How would you describe Jesus?... Who was He? Why did He come? What did He do? What did He teach? What was the toughest claim He made? What are some practical ways that we can make Jesus the focus of our lives? To make Him central, our top priority, and truly the...

Go Deeper //Find Your Identity in Christ, Not the World The world measures worth by success, wealth, and influence, but God chooses the weak and lowly. This week, take time to reflect on where you find your sense of worth. Meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and Jeremiah 9:23-24, and ask God to help you boast only in Him.   //Trust in God’s Wisdom Over Human Wisdom The cross seems foolish to the wor...

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS   Read 1 Cor. 1:10-17. What is God’s Word saying to you? What stands out to you in this passage?   From the passage above, what was the issue that they were fighting over? Have you seen that same issue in the church over the last few decades? Or anything close to it? Explain.   Read Eph. 4:1-6. “You’re on the same team,” was a big point in the sermon. Why is it so difficul...

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS   How have you seen God work over the last few months in your life? Of the various kinds of grace which one spoke to you and impacted you most? In your story when or where did the grace of God see you? Share a time when you recognize it had to be God’s grace that worked in your life or your situation. Personally, how did God’s grace change your heart?  Of the action steps...

Go Deeper Places to serve at Encounter (pretty immediately):   Encounter Crew (Sunday Setup/Teardown) Contact: Oliver Delacruz delacruz.mailbox@gmail.com Encounter Kids Contact: Jenni Quitugua jenni@encountermv.com Encounter Production (Audio/Visual) Contact: Matt Sonnenberg matt@encountermv.com Encounter Hospitality Contact: Dayna Pattison dayna@caofb.com Encounter Worship Contact: Steven Stark s...

A THEOLOGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit, a member of the Trinity, who works alongside the Father and the Son to make disciples’ lives pleasing to God. He works by pointing us to Christ and empowering our lives. The Spirit of Truth draws and leads you to righteousness, and dwells within you to produce the fullness of Christ in our lives.   2 Cor. 3:17 The Lord is the Spirit, a...

EPIC BIBLE VERSES FOR 2025 Joshua 1:8-9 Ps. 46:1-3 Ps. 141:3 Prov. 3:5-6 Prov. 18:10 Is. 26:3 Is. 40:31 Is. 41:10 Is. 43:1-2 Jer. 17:7-8 Matt. 6:33 Luke 9:23 John 3:16-18 John 16:33 Acts 1:8 Acts 4:12 Rom. 5:8 Rom. 8- All of it! Rom. 12- All of it! 1 Cor. 13:4-7 2 Cor. 1:3-4 2 Cor. 5:17 Eph. 2:8-9 Eph. 2:19-22 Eph. 4:20-24 Eph. 5:15-16 Eph. 6:10-18 Phil. 4:6-7 Phil. 4:11-13 Col. 2:6-7 Col. 3:1-3 C...

Verse 1 Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic hosts proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!" Verse 2 Christ by highest Heav'n adored Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come Of...

Go Deeper While we often take note of Isaiah’s prophecy around this time of year (think Isa 7:14 & 9:6-7) we most likely do so apart from Isaiah’s “Easter Time” Prophecy. This week, as you reflect on living in the anticipation of Christ’s present and coming reign, enjoying the pageants of angels and shepherds, take time to explore Isa 53 as well as 7:14 & 9:6-7. What does reading the Christmas sto...

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL Verse 1 O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear   Verse 3 O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from satan’s tyranny From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o’er the grave   Verse 4 O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy cloud...