Geoff Snook Archives - The Lakes Church Cairns

We will dive into an in-depth exploration of Jesus’ nine beatitudes in Matthew 5. We’ll see how these short wisdom statements imagine a new social world grounded in true justice, peace, and love. We’ll discover how this first section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12) connects with the larger biblical story. Study Season – Sermon on the Mount Do you enjoy digging deeper into the...

Doubt is something most people experience, but few people talk about. This week we explore what to do when questions, uncertainty, or struggles with belief arise, and how doubt doesn’t have to pull you away from Jesus but can actually become part of a deeper, more honest faith. Doubt can be a sign that your faith is growing beyond simple answers. Every meaningful relationship in your life involves...

We all face decisions about direction, relationships, and the future. But how do you actually know what God wants? This week we unpack how God leads ordinary people in real life. Rather than waiting for a sign or a voice from the sky, we’ll explore how God guides us through Scripture, wisdom, community, and the quiet work of his Spirit. Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:1-2; John 10:27. You can download t...

A lot of people believe in Jesus, but few actually follow him. There’s a difference. Jesus didn’t call people to agree with him, but to follow him with their whole lives. This week we explore what it means to move from belief to real, everyday faith. When you live like Jesus’ apprentice, it changes everything about your faith. We will help people begin to prepare for baptism on June 7. Luke 9:23;...

Find hope when life hurts. Find meaning when things feel uncertain. This Easter weekend, we will explore ancient songs that speak honestly about suffering, trust, and hope. Through Psalm 22 and Psalm 16, we will reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus and discover why Easter still matters for real people, real pain, and real life today. Whether faith is familiar, fragile, or something you a...

Have you ever read something in the Old Testament and thought; “What does that even mean?” or “I can’t believe that’s in the Bible!” Starting on February 15 we’ll have a Study Season in the church hall on Sunday nights for six weeks We’ll have in-depth teaching and discussion on strange and difficult passages in the Old Testament with the goal of becoming more comfortable with the stor...

Jesus stands between us and God, not as a barrier but as a bridge. He sympathises with our weakness and invites us to approach God with confidence. When Jesus is magnified, prayer becomes honest, grace becomes accessible, and shame loses its power. Hebrews: Jesus in sharp focus When faith becomes blurry, Hebrews adjusts the lens. This series magnifies Jesus so we can see him clearly, trust him dee...

Hebrews opens by declaring that Jesus is not one voice among many. He is God’s final and fullest revelation. Greater than prophets. Higher than angels. This week invites us to decide where Jesus truly sits in our lives. Magnifying Jesus begins by giving him first place, not leftover attention. You can find the discussion guide here: https://www.thelakes.church/hebrews Hebrews: Jesus in sharp focus...

Our focus for 2026 is simple: to magnify Jesus. Magnifying Jesus will make him clearer, closer, and more visible in our lives. We will see him for who he really is. Like adjusting a lens, magnification can bring Jesus into sharp focus which will help us magnify him to others. We want Jesus to be clearer in our worship. More visible in our lives. More central in our decisions. More evident in our l...

From a distance the fig tree looked healthy, but it had no fruit. Jesus uses this surprising moment as an example of spiritual emptiness and religious performance. Jesus wants more than the appearance of faith – he wants genuine growth. He calls us to a life that bears real fruit, not just leaves. Mark 11:12-14, 20-25 Strange things Jesus did. When Jesus surprises us, he shows us what God is...

His name will be (A Christmas series at The Lakes Church) Names and labels often define us in ways that we don’t even realise. Long before Jesus was born and lay in a manger, there was a promise about who he would be. A prophet named Isaiah said, “His name will be, ‘Wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” When he was actually born he got the name Jesus, but he lived...

His name will be (A Christmas series at The Lakes Church) Names and labels often define us in ways that we don’t even realise. Long before Jesus was born and lay in a manger, there was a promise about who he would be. A prophet named Isaiah said, “His name will be, ‘Wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” When he was actually born he got the name Jesus, but he lived...

God shapes his people through his Word and his Spirit. The Bible equips us with truth and the Spirit empowers us with gifts to build the church. We are not left to guess what God wants because he speaks and guides. This week is about opening ourselves more to God’s Word and to God’s Spirit, whether we are learning for the first time or deepening our walk with him. You can find our Core beliefs her...

God has always existed as Father, Son, and Spirit. He is holy and loving, creating and sustaining all things. More than that, he has chosen to adopt us as his children. The church is not our idea, it is God’s family. We can live as people who belong in God’s family instead of living as outsiders or strangers. This week is an opportunity to find your place in the family God is building. You can fin...

God has given us armour to stand firm and weapons to advance against darkness. We’ll highlight spiritual weapons like fasting, authority and forgiveness. Our world is caught in a battle that cannot be seen with human eyes. The Bible show us the reality of spiritual warfare, the strategies of our enemy, the victory of Christ, and the weapons God gives us to stand strong. In this series we’ll learn...

The enemy attacks our thoughts with lies, accusations, and destructive patterns. We need to identify the battle in our thought life and learn to replace lies with truth. We’ll emphasise spiritual disciplines of prayer, worship and community.  Our world is caught in a battle that cannot be seen with human eyes. The Bible show us the reality of spiritual warfare, the strategies of our enemy, the vic...

Satan deceives, tempts, and accuses us, but his power is limited and Jesus’ authority is supreme. We’ll unpack the enemy’s tactics (lies, temptation, accusation). We’ll show Jesus’ absolute authority over darkness and how we confront spiritual powers in his name. Our world is caught in a battle that cannot be seen with human eyes. The Bible show us the reality of spiritual warfare, the strategies...

No matter where you’ve come from, you’ll find a spiritual home, great friends and a church family with us. Our church community is here to love people and invite them to join us in a growing relationship with Jesus. Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post Pray intimately and wait faithfully (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns .

You and many other Christians may have grown up with six point plans and fancy diagrams to explain the gospel of Jesus. Unfortunately, these often feel more like lectures than conversations. Instead, what can be much more powerful is telling people how you first began to take Jesus seriously. How can you begin telling people the greatest story ever told? By answering questions like, ‘Why am I a Ch...

The starting point for personal evangelism can be encouraging your worlds to collide. One of the best ways we can make Jesus known is by connecting our Christian world with our unbelieving friend’s non-Christian world. Believing the gospel is reasonable begins with showing them that reasonable people believe it. This can happen in social settings, ongoing friendships and by inviting them to give o...

Paul’s final challenge is to live out the gospel in community—to carry each other’s burdens, invest in what lasts, and keep our eyes on the cross. The seeds we plant today will shape the church of tomorrow. What kind of church are we building with our lives Galatians 6:1-18 Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post Live out the gospel in community (Geoff Snook) appeared first...

Galatians 5:1-26 Freedom in Christ is not a license to sin—it’s an invitation to live by the Spirit. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, showing us what it means to walk in step with God. How do we let the Spirit shape our daily lives and our church? Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post Walking in freedom (Laura Snook) appeared first on Th...

A church built on grace is a family, not a religious system. Paul contrasts slavery and sonship, urging the Galatians to live in the freedom Christ has given them. Do we relate to God as sons and daughters, or do we still act like slaves trying to earn his favour? Galatians 4 Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post Kids aren’t slaves (Geoff Snook) appeared first on Th...

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren’t just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wre...

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren’t just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wre...