The Vine Austin

In this fourth message in our series on Philippians, Mark shares from Philippians 2:12-18. In this passage, we explore the concept of fear in our faith, the problem with grumbling and how we can shine. www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTION 1. How has your experience been with the reading plan? 2. Read Philippians 2:12-13. What do you make of the response of fear and trembling, especially in re...

In this third message of this series on Philippians, Mark talks about Philippians 2:1-11, the power of humility and the Messiah Poem. thevineaustin.org/philippians DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What has your experience been with the reading plan so far? 2. Read Philippians 2:1-4. What do you notice in these verses that is surprising, instructive or challenging? 3. Mark shared in the message how Paul’s...

This is the second week of our series on Philippians. In this message, Mark covers the second half of the first chapter which carries the themes of redemptive suffering, a counter-cultural gospel, and the importance of unity. Philippians 1:12-30 You can find the reading plan at thevineaustin.org/philippians Discussion Questions: 1. What has your experience been with the reading plan so far? 2. Rea...

In this introductory sermon for this series, Mark shares how the letter we call Philippians came to be, explores a favorite verse for many, and considers a powerful prayer. Philippians 1:1-11 thevineaustin.org/philippians Discussion Questions: 1. How was your experience with the reading plan so far this week? 2. Read Acts 16:13-15 and Paul’s first notable experience at Philippi. What do you notice...

This is Vision Sunday where we reflect on the previous year and share a vision for the new year. In this message, Mark shares a pastoral report, we hear testimonies from others, and explore some plans for 2025. For Community Members who are ready to renew covenant, go to thevineaustin.org/renew

In this special message, Fabs shares that clarifying our values has great power to determine our year. Here is the tool you can use. https://www.thevineaustin.org/living-into-your-values

Enjoy this Christmas Eve homily as Mark concludes our Revelation series with chapter 22. www.thevineaustin.org

In this final Sunday of Advent, Mark shares from Revelation 21. In this chapter, John's visions begin to provide a resolution, a picture of a wedding, and some surprising omissions. www.thevineaustin.org To support The Vine, make your donation www.thevineaustin.org/give REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What is your favorite part of a wedding? 2. Read Rev 21:1-5. What do you notice? 3. Mark shared that one...

This week, Fabs continues our Revelation series in Revelation 19, where the authority of Jesus is established in order to usher in a new Kingdom. Discussion questions below: Read Revelation 19:6-19. John continues his pattern of describing what he hears and then what he sees. What stands out to you about what he hears and sees in this chapter? How does this passage sit with you? What feelings come...

In this fifth sermon of this series, we consider Revelation chapter 7. In this interlude, we find a surprising yet consistent picture of Christ's work of expanding and including; even at the end of all things. Revelation 7:9-12 www.thevineaustin.org/revelation DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What have you noticed so far about the book of Revelation? 2. What has stayed with you from the sermon; either are...

In this sermon, Mark shares on the overlooked meaning of Advent, the power of the lamb, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Scripture Reading: Revelation 5:1-10 www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Why do you think we avoid the promise of Jesus' return in our culture? 2. What is something from the sermon that has stayed with you- either as comforting, confusing, or confronting? 3. R...

In our third week of Revelation and the Final Advent, we explore Revelation 4, and let our hearts be stirred to worship God. www.thevineaustin.org Share from your experience with the daily reading plan. Have you hit any roadblocks or had any interesting insights? What are some things/people/ideas that our world might intentionally or unintentionally encourage us up to worship? Which attribute of G...

We are in our second week of Revelation and the Final Advent. In this sermon, Mark shares about Revelation 2-3, and focuses on the letter to the Ephesian church. www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Share from your experience with the daily reading plan. Have you hit any roadblocks or had any interesting insights? 2. Read Revelation 2:1-7. What do you notice about this short letter? 3. H...

Welcome to the new series- Revelation & the Final Advent. In this first sermon, Mark shares about the book of Revelation, how to read it and a pastoral word about carrying this message into our own times of suffering and uncertainty. www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What is your relationship and history with the book of Revelation? 2. What is something that has stayed with you from t...

Mark concludes the Unhurried Life series by discussing a Rule of Life and living on purpose. Exploring the life and example of Daniel, we see how to be faithful when we are living in a world contrary to God's unhurried pace. Daniel 1:8-16 and 6:6-12. www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What has been your experience with The Unhurried Life podcast? Is there an episode that has lingered w...

As we begin to head to the conclusion of our series on the Unhurried Life, we hear from guest preacher, Gena St. David. Gena shares on the challenges and opportunities to engage our relationship with time, and the One who meets us in the past, present, and future. www.thevineaustin.org MARK 10:13-16 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What take-aways do you have from practicing sabbath last week? 2. What has...

In this sermon, Mark shares about the practice of sabbath keeping, its presence in Scripture, and its ability to bring us back to life again. www.thevineaustin.org Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:8-11 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What take-aways do you have from practicing silence and solitude last week? 2. What has been your experience with The Unhurried Life podcast? Is there an episode that has linger...

In the next sermon in THE UNHURRIED LIFE series, we look at Jesus’ practice of silence and solitude as a way to cultivate an unhurried mind. Additional resources here: www.thevineaustin.org/unhurried DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What is your current relationship with solitude? Do you find it energizing, challenging, or somewhere in between? How has your experience with solitude shaped your desire for mor...

In the next sermon in THE UNHURRIED LIFE series, Mark shares about the pace of relationships and how following Jesus teaches us how to have deep, transformative connection with others. www.thevineaustin.org/unhurried DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What take-aways do you have from practicing simplicity, gratitude and contentment last week? 2. What has been your experience with The Unhurried Life podcast?...

In this third week of our Unhurried Life series, Mark explores how materialism and consumerism fuels a life of hurry. To help us, we can turn to two passages where Paul encourages others to find the secret way of simplicity and contentment. PHILIPPIANS 4:11–13 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What has been your experience with The Unhurried Life podcast? Is there an episode that ha...

This is the second sermon in our series The Unhurried Life. In this sermon, we consider why hurry is so dangerous, and we explore Jesus' surprising solution. www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What has been your experience with The Unhurried Life podcast? Is there an episode that has stayed with you? 2. Dallas Willard shared this advice, "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in o...

The Vine is kicking off a new series- The Unhurried Life. In this first sermon, Mark introduces the series, explores Ephesians 5, and invites us to begin with an honest assessment. For additional resources, the daily devotional podcast, and other information, go to www.thevineaustin.org/unhurried DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What has been your experience with The Unhurried Life podcast? Is there an ep...

In this final sermon within our Parables of Jesus series, community member Andrew Forrester shares from Luke 15:1-7 and Jesus' story of the lost sheep. www.thevineaustin.org

In this sermon our very own Fabs Harford, director of ministry operations at The Vine, shares from Luke 15:11-32 and Jesus' parable of the lost son.

In this sermon, Pastor Mark shares from Matthew 22 and Jesus' parable of the wedding banquet. www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. After reading this parable, what do you find comforting? 2. What do you find disconcerting? 3. In what ways does this parable connect the previous two? 4. In the tension between the two messages, which do you most commonly neglect?