God Centered Life

There are a lot of reasons folks find to celebrate during the Christmas season. Believers know that the incarnation is at the heart of the celebration. But is there even more that we can lean into to fuel this celebration? We’ll go for further understanding of the roots of the season in this study. John 6:35

The Bible is the textbook of theology. Yes. But… the Bible also speaks to the single person who has desires, or the married person who has desires. Very practical discussions included in this study from the book of Hosea. Hosea 1

If you grew up with the “flannel-graph in Sunday School” generation, it’s likely that the story of Hosea didn’t make the rotation. Nevertheless, there are lessons to be learned, and we’ll go in pursuit in this study. Hosea 1

Maybe you’ve heard the challenge to “preach the gospel, and use words only as a last resort?” What is the gospel impact of our personal finances? What do we tell the world around us with our wallet? This topic in the focus today. 2 Cor. 9:6-15

Stereotypic impressions of the church from the outside? “They want money.” What’s the flipside of this negative take? What is a cheerful giver? We’ll explore this topic today. 2 Cor. 9:6-15

Perhaps you’ve heard of fleeting joy, a temporary breeze of positivity that is cherished for the brief moment that it lands on you. Our study today tackles the idea of complete joy. Complete sounds better than fleeting. Let’s explore these types of joy in this study. Phil 2:2

If there’s a grizzly bear in your house, you’ll know it. But we have to install detectors to tell us about invisible things like radon gas. So, what are the lurking but invisible threats that are around us and possibly in us every day? We’ll explore that question in this study. Acts 8:26-40

Here’s a paradigm shift—when you’re being persecuted, what would it take to love the one persecuting you? We have a powerful example of this in our study today, as we continue to look at the book of Daniel. Daniel 1

Daniel of the Old Testament has some dramatic challenges that he faces as he lives in a pagan culture. And while it can be intriguing to look into that story, we must ask about parallels between his world and ours. How are we being influenced by a pagan culture in our daily existence? We’ll look at that question in this study. Daniel 1

Staying in the fight…. This is a lauded characteristic today. Perseverance is honored and rightly so in many cases. But is there a danger in losing track of whose fight we’re involved in? Our study today will visit this perspective in the exploration of why Bible reading is vital. Joshua 1:1-9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“You should read the Bible.” “Well, yes, I know that!” But when was the last time you wrestled with the “why?” We’ll dive into that quest in this study. Joshua 1:1-9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heading into December, we’ll soon be hearing the music tones of “Joy to the World.” We sing it, we enjoy it, but have we ever really wrestled with that phrase? Is joy something that can be found anywhere in our world today? And if so, what is its source? All these questions are explored in this study. Phil 2:2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve been looking at the external influences of buildings, traditions, worship styles, and other elements. Can we miss the internal priorities while sorting out the externals? This study moves to the heart of the matter, literally. Mark 7:14-23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may have heard the rhyme, “Here’s the church, here’s the steeple….” Have you ever thought about the role of a building as a part of a dynamic gospel church? We’ll look into the influence a building can have in this study. Mark 7:1-13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How important is tradition in authentic Christianity? “That’s how we’ve always done it.” Does that statement carry weight? We’ll explore the value of tradition in this study. Mark 7:1-13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do church attendance numbers matter? Is the success of a church related to how many people show up? Or is showing up important for other reasons? We’ll look at the essence of worship in this study. Mark 7:5-7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s the core of your worship? Given that core, is someone else’s preference of worship better or worse? Does it matter? We’ll explore the foundation of worship in this study. Mark 7:5-7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What image does the word “hero” bring to mind for you? Perhaps you’ve heard the meme that “not all heroes wear capes.” In this study we’ll be looking at a quiet hero, one who presents a challenge for all of us. Ruth 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re in the middle of defining what it means to be a Pharisee. At the same time, we’re learning about what it means to be an authentic Christian. Our study explores human tendencies both in and out of the church. Mark 7:1-8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pharisees, those are the bad guys, right? Easy to spot, easy to boo at. But is it possible there are some in our church? Might there be one who shows up every now and then in our mirror? We’re going Pharisee hunting in this study. Mark 7:1-8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While it’s not always easy, loving those within the church certainly makes sense and is a worthy goal. In our study today, we’re being reminded that loving those outside the church is also on our agenda. Hebrews 13:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Love one another.” No problem, let’s jump in and get that done. Or, if we’re even the least bit honest, we will confess that love is hard to do. We’ll look at the Biblical support for the how and why of love in this study. Hebrews 13:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“That’s not the kind of worship I like.” Can you make that statement honestly if you really understand the purpose of worship? We’ll try to untangle this quandary in our study today. Hebrews 12:18-29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“What’s your story?” Perhaps you’ve been asked that question. But have you ever done a “story inventory”? Is your story in need of a context check? We’ll look at an example of someone who needed to adjust their story in our study today. Ruth 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Perhaps you know someone who will quickly “jump ship” should a challenge show up. Relationships get bumpy, and away they go. Pursuit of a career bogs down, and off they go in a different direction. What happens when that mindset shows up in the church? We’ll explore that question today. Hebrews 12:18-29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices