The Local Church

Well water, plumbing issues, and water tests. You can't choose what water sources are close to your house, but you can choose which ones to hook up to and how you'll filter them. God has three spiritual "water tests" He'd like us to take as we head into this new year. The Headphones Test, The Stream or Swamp Test, and the Sunday Brunch Test. Join us as we give space for the Spirit to help us ident...

The Nintendo Gamecube, a little town in southern Indiana, and Elijah the prophet. Sometimes it's right after moments of intense joy and relief that we are confronted with our own weariness and exhaustion. Join us as we unpack the ways that God provided comfort and rest for Elijah, and discern the ways that God wants to do the same for us today. (1 Kings 19:1-8)

The Sewelo Diamond, sweaters from JC Penny and ruining your American nativity. When it comes to gifts, bigger isn’t always better, better is always better. Jesus arrived in the world with little fanfare and with a surprisingly humble birth. Why celebrating Christs birth on the wrong day every year is a needed reminder to not miss the best gift ever given. localchurchgr.org

Date: December 13, 2020 Series: Weary World Rejoices Teacher: Toran Scott

Early Christmas decorations, the Appalachian Trail, and how a poem from Isaiah written many years ago still speaks to us today. In the season of Advent, we have the opportunity to retell and reimagine the story of our year, and the story of our lives in light of the hope of the coming Jesus. (Isaiah 40:1-5; Mark 1:1-3)

Taking my wife for granted, gratitude, and why Israel is a cautionary tale of faith vs. works. We have the greatest news ever announced, we want to proclaim it with excitement! Join us as we look at Romans 9-11 and listen for what God wants to say to us today.

Bad days, Stephen Fry, and the reality of suffering in our world. We tackle the hot topic of suffering and the problem of evil, how we approach it as followers of Jesus and what Scripture has to say about HOPE.

Date: November 15, 2020 Teacher: Toran Scott Series: Romans

Monty Python, missing the mark and why being "in Christ" brings three dramatic changes that rescue us from shame. Romans 6-7 teaches us that we move from slavery to freedom, from defeated to victorious, and from alone to accompanied.

How to get bragging rights, what you should do if you could go back in time and why hope in the bible is not wishful thinking but a promise based on a revealed future. Faith that saves comes with three powerful benefits, join us as we discuss Romans 5 and why you should bet your life on this hope... especially during the week of an election.

The Great Blondin, the little blue pill and why Abraham's faith is the template to change your life. Faith is not an option for anyone, what we choose to put our faith in though is. Whose back are you clinging to?

An honest conversation about a polarizing topic. LGBTQ+ is not an issue to be solved, they are friends and neighbors and family to be loved. We will honor God and love each other when we hold grace and truth firmly together as Jesus modeled for us. Join Pastor Toran and Author Laurie Krieg as  they dive deeply into this important conversation.

Date: October 11, 2020 Teacher: Toran Scott Series: Romans

Lord of the Flies, catastrophes, and why the solution to the world's problems will never be found from below. This introduction to Romans from Dr. Gary Burge helps us understand Paul's radical solution to transform catastrophe into celebration. It is the power of God, and it must come from above.

September 28, 2020

Date: September 20, 2020 Series: We Will Teacher: Toran Scott

8th grade math, doing hard things and why Jesus took his disciples to gates of hell for an important revelation. Jesus is a church planter and he wants us to take the jump with him. Join us we talk about what We Will do with Jesus as we learn some interesting history in Matthew 16.

September 6, 2020

River Monsters, Amy Winehouse, and how Jesus invites us to love our enemies. As followers of Jesus, we love people who are different from us, people that we don't get along with, and not just because it's beautiful, but because that's what God's kingdom is like.

Pontoon boats, aircraft carriers and why the church is the key ingredient to shape your loves. Today we discuss four new habits every believer needs to consider as we move into the fall, especially in the age of Covid.

David Foster Wallace, shopping as worship, and how to shape your loves by reforming your habits. The call to imitate and practice allows us to have new loves, better loves. Whether we recognize it or not, we are all being sold a vision of the good life, but if we don't pay attention to the water we swim in we will easily fall prey to the counterfeits.

Date: Sunday, August 9 Series: Cardiology Teacher: Toran Scott

Date: Sunday, August 3, 2020 Series: Being Present Teacher: Toran Scott

Life is worth dying for (like literally), which automatically means it's worth living for. Death in our favorite art, poppyseed chicken casserole, and why Ecclesiastes urges us to embrace and accept death so that we can fully embrace life.

The secret to slowing down time, the Byrds and why carpe diem is an expression of faith. You can neither change the past nor control the future so enjoy the present.