The Town Church / Fort Collins

This week, we discuss the foolishness of the cross, how we desire to experience God, and potatoes.  How does being saved by the foolishness of the cross make a difference in our lives? Do we seek out intellect or emotional/miraculous experiences? How can we we seek those things in light of the cross? 

In the final section of 1 Corinthians 1, Paul makes a bold proclamation: To those who belong to God, the word of the cross is power.  In a world that views this truth as foolishness, how can we cling to the cross? 

Division in the church can be caused by a number of factors, most of those forming us in some significant way. Today, we explore what some of those may be and how to use discernment when it comes to the things that do influence us.  What examples come to mind that cause division in the church? How can we use discernment when we evaluate the teachers we read, listen to, or follow? Who are you influ...

Division is born from a variety of circumstances, disrupting the unity we are meant to have as a church. What causes division in the church? What can we cling to that truly unites us as a Body? 

We are joined by two special guests this week as we unpack a painful yet important topic: pride.  Where do we see pride express itself in our lives? What false view of God does pride tend to create? Of the five graces mentioned in the sermon, which is the most challenging for you to accept? The most encouraging?

The underlying issue being addressed in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church is pride. While it may not always manifest in the same ways, pride is just as present in our own hearts as it was in theirs.  The question to keep in mind as we explore this passage is this: What true view of God will correct our prideful view of ourselves? 

The conversation this week revolves around how to remain unified as a church, largely focusing in on a a few key questions: What are reasons to leave a church? How can we maintain unity in the midst of disagreement?  These questions just scratch the surface of what we will be diving into through our time in 1 Corinthians. 

By of the grace of God, we are called together as saints. This truth helps launch us into a new series through the book of 1 Corinthians. 

This week, we get to wrap up the book of Ruth by hearing from our listener!  What did God stir up in our hearts through our time in Ruth? 

Ruth ends with a beautiful picture of redemption. This redemption not only extends to those in the book, but it also extends to us through the work of the True Redeemer. 

In the midst of grief in Ruth, we begin to see clear evidence of God's lovingkindness.  How have you seen God's kindness in your own life?  What encouragement can we find in seasons where it is difficult to be hopeful? 

God's kindness is often revealed in unlikely ways through unlikely people.  In this passage, God's deep love and kindness is evident in the lives of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. 

In this episode, we process through some tough questions relating to God's providence. While we may not arrive at definite answers, these conversations allow us to see a fuller picture of what God's providence really means.  What is the difference between sovereignty and providence?  Is God providential over sin?  How do we reconcile God's providence with the choices and plans we ma...

Ruth 2 reminds us of a critical truth: God is over all things all the time. Whether it's in our plans, our kindness toward others, or our provision, we can see God's loving, fatherly hand at work. 

As we press onward in Ruth, we revisit the question: How do we walk well with others in grief? How can we discern when it's best to listen or to direct others to truth?  Additionally, we explore some other questions: Are there things that tend to blind us to the big picture of what God is doing? In another passage filled with grief, how can we see what God is like? 

This passage gives us a glimpse into Naomi's grief as she returns to Bethlehem. Through it all, Ruth remains loyal to her mother-in-law, setting the stage for the greater redemption that is to come. 

When facing intense grief and loss, our feelings often lead us to question God and His character.  How can we allow our head knowledge to guide us in those seasons? What encouragement can be given to those who may experience this dissonance between the head and heart? How can we walk with others well through these seasons?  If you read this, please refer to Eric as "Monster Slayer" from...

Ruth opens with a story of deep grief marked by loss, famine, and separation from God.  Although this is a heavy beginning, it sets the scene for restoration that is to come. 

Bible intake, prayer, corporate worship, community, and doctrinal formation are a few rhythms that aid in our spiritual formation. This week, we spend our time discussing how these rhythms have been fruitful and challenging in our own formation. 

Our rhythms shape us. Whether that's who we spend time with, what we eat, or what we watch, we are influenced by the things we regularly partake in.  The same is true for our spiritual rhythms. This week, we explore what those are and how they form us to look more like Christ. 

On a very full AfterWord, we discuss what it has looked like to to create space to hear from God.  What does space look like for each of us? How have we seen the Spirit work in that? Are there moments we've experienced God in unexpected ways, and how can we discern that those moments are really from the Spirit? 

Now that we know the aim of Christian formation and how our love for God is able to grow, a question that likely has been developing is this:  What is our own role in Christian formation?  This week, that question is answered by examining how we receive God's revelation of Himself and how we hear the Spirit.

This week, we discuss our response to God's love for us and the ways we are shaped by the objects of our love.   Discussion questions:  - What are things we love, and how do they shape us?  - Is our own love for God ALWAYS a response to His love for us?  - Since God is the one that reveals His glory to us, are there things that we do that keep us from seeing and responding to his glory? 

Last week, we covered the aim of Christian formation and how our love for God influences how we live.  That leads us to a new question: How does our love for God grow? This question is answered by defining what love for God really means and considering how this love shapes us. 

When you think back on your life, what has spiritual formation looked like for you? Has the key emphasis been a growing love for God? What are some pitfalls we can face when we view love for God as the main goal of spiritual formation? We examine these questions and more on this week's Afterword.  Please bear with Vince's hosting skills. It gets better.