Looking Above

In this episode, Karen and Brooklyn chat about worship and how our experiences with God Questions to discuss with your group: Talk about your life before Christ.  Can you look back now and see that you were a zombie -comatose-corpse? How is your life different with Christ (How are you missing the mark less now that you are walking with Jesus? How are you more awake spiritually)? Karen described si...

Looking Above ep 24 - Ephesians 1:15-23/ Prayer In this episode, Karen and Brooklyn chat about prayer and look at the prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesian church.  This prayer was quite different than the prayers that most of us pray for our friends and might change our view of what is most important to pray for. Questions to discuss with your group: How do you feel about praying out loud?  Why do...

Looking Above ep 23 - Ephesians 1:1-14/ Celebration It's a new season for Looking Above!  This season we'll be talking about how we grow in Christ together.  We'll focus our time on the book of Ephesians and also discuss how we can use the spiritual disciplines to grow together.  Karen and Brooklyn are discussing our blessings in Christ and how we should celebrate all that God has done for us.  It...

Friendship has tremendous worth and purpose in our lives, but it is not meant to define us or be the source of our worth.  Brooklyn and Karen discuss the trap of comparison in friendship and how we need to be more aware of the unrealistic expectations we put on friends when we expect them to define us. Friendship with others begins from a place of intimacy with God. Questions for large group discu...

Part of life and relationship is pain. People move, people die, and people hurt each other.  In those situations, we have choices of how to deal with our pain.  Listen in as Karen and Kalaina discuss how to work through broken relationships and move forward with grace.  *We suggest that you save thirty minutes for discussion in pairs (so each person has 15 minutes to answer the final questions).*...

When you ask a friend how she's doing, more often than not her response will be, "I'm good, just so busy." Let's face it, we're all busy.  And with busyness comes hurry. Join Joy and Karen as they discuss how to be more intentional in friendship so hurry doesn't crowd out relationship. Questions for discussion:  Would you categorize your life as busy? Why or why not? Do you agree with the statemen...

Sticks and stones do break bones, but words can break our spirits.  Karen and Lindsey discuss the power of our words in our relationships.  Join them as they encourage you to utilize your words to encourage and build up your friends. Questions for discussion:  Who do you know that is a natural encourager?  How do you feel in their presence? "Don’t bite, devour, and consume one another" Galatians 5...

Karen talks with her friend Kris about how the enemy uses introversion, fear, lies, and comfort zones to take us into relational isolation.  God's intent is that we have deep relationships, but the Enemy loves to keep us isolated. Consider the tactics that Satan has used in your life that have kept you stuck relationally.  Questions for discussion:  Are you an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert? (r...

Looking above episode 16 - Offendability  Special Guest - Darci Wilson Let's be real, sometimes our friends hurt us.  In this episode, Karen talks with Darci about one of the most tragic killers of friendship - offense.  When we choose offense over grace, friendships weaken and frequently die.  Fighting offense requires intentionality in our thoughts and actions. Questions for discussion:  What's...

Looking Above episode 15 We weren't meant to do life alone.  We need to cultivate friendships in the good days and the mundane days so we have friends to lean on when life assaults us. In this episode, Karen discusses our need for what she calls Valley Girls, friends who will walk with you through the hard days.  Questions for discussion:  Why are you tempted to travel the valley alone? Think of t...

Looking Above episode 14 - Social Media vs. IRL Friendship Sawyer Poitra joins Karen today for a discussion of how online friendship might be hindering face-to-face friendship.  Sawyer is the CEO of the Women's Resource Center in Gillette, and also works in social media marketing.  Social media has its place in society, in ministry, and in friendship, however, at some levels, it is keeping us from...

Looking Above - Episode 13 Looking above episode 13 - Becoming the Friend You Want In this episode, Karen is joined by Katie Golinvaux, a Biblical Counselor, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Pastor's Wife, and dear friend.  If you desire to be a better friend, you'll want to grab paper and a pen so you can take notes!  Katie shares such wonderful wisdom regarding being who God created you to be....

Looking Above - Episode 12 It's Galentines Day, what better day to discuss how we love our girlfriends better?  I enjoyed my discussion, with my friend Sara McCormick, the youth pastor at New Life.  I hope this episode encourages you to love your friends well!   Discussion Questions: Who followed through on the "to-do" task from last week and reached out to those in their circles? How did that go?...

Looking Above - Episode 11 It's Season 2 of Looking Above and this spring we're taking a deep dive into the realm of spiritual friendships.  Today Karen lays a foundation for why this topic is so needed and then discusses our relationship circles.  This season you're encouraged to grab a couple of friends (or acquaintances you wish were friends) and get together each week to discuss the episode.  ...

Looking Above - Episode 10 In our final section of the book of John, we witness the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus completes the task for which he was sent to earth.  We'll be back in the New Year with new episodes of Looking Above, have a blessed holiday season! Discussion Questions: As you read the account of Jesus' scourging and crucifixion, what emotions do you feel? Make it personal....

Looking Above - Episode 9 This week we're discussing John Chapters 17 and 18 where Jesus is about to go to the cross.  We get a sneak peek into his final moments with his disciples as he prays for them and us.  And then we witness the beginning of his journey to the cross. Discussion Questions: Did you take notice of the words "give," "gave," "given" and "gift" in this passage?  How were they used...

Looking Above - Episode 8 This week we're discussing John Chapters 15 and 16 and exploring Jesus' teachings.   Discussion Questions: Talk about the imagery of Jesus as the vine and each of us as branches.  Could you come up with a modern-day equivalent? What is the purpose of the vine? Of the branches?  What type of fruit do we bear? Have you ever been thru a season of pruning?  What did that look...

Looking Above - Episode 7 As Jesus nears the end of his earthly ministry we witness Him preparing the disciples for His departure.   Discussion Questions: Read John 13:1 and discuss how love was the motivation for Jesus' actions. How often does love motivate your actions? How would you feel if Jesus washed your feet? Jesus served.  Consider leaders, authors, influencers, and pastors - do they set...

Looking Above - Episode 6 This week we'll discuss John chapters 11 & 12 and view not only the divinity of Jesus, but also his humanity. Discuss these chapters with a friend or your small group: What does it tell you about Jesus that he had close friendships? Jesus delayed going to Lazarus.  Have you ever had to wait for a response from God?  How did you feel in the waiting?  In retrospect, can...

Looking Above - Episode 5 This week we’re taking a look at two compelling sections of Scripture, found in John chapters 9 and 10.  In the first, Jesus heals a blind man and the encounter totally changes the man’s life and how he worships.  In chapter 10, we look at Jesus as the good shepherd and his relationship to us as such.  Discuss these chapters with a friend or your small group: What has God...

Looking Above - Episode 4 This week we'll discuss John chapters 7 &8. We see Jesus teaching and interacting with religious leaders.  He also interacts with the woman caught in adultery and declares himself the Light of the World. Discuss these chapters with a friend or your small group:   Talk about the difference between living in judgement of others and living in such a way that your life is...

Looking Above - Episode 3 This week we'll take a look at John chapter 5 and 6.  We see Jesus as the Son of God, clearly claiming to be the Messiah and giving proof of why He can make this claim. He heals a man at the pool of Bethesda, feeds the 5,000, and walks on water.  He also explains how He is the bread of life, and that feasting on Him leads to everlasting life.  The more we know Jesus, the...

Join Karen as we take a deeper look at John chapters 3 & 4. We'll consider Jesus' interactions with Nicodemus and the Woman at the well. If you're meeting with a group for discussion, here are some questions to guide you: Do you know anyone who has an uncanny way of looking beyond your words and seeing your heart or your underlying pain/issues?   Talk about what it is like to interact with tha...

For this episode, we dig into the first two chapters of the Book of John.  One of the best ways we can fix our eyes on Jesus is to know him more, and the book of John is a great place to learn more about who He is and how He lived. We'll explore Jesus as Word, light, lamb as well as the extravagant grace displayed in His first miracle. Some questions for further thought/ discussion: What are some...