The Vine Austin

The Vine is beginning a 50 Day experience called "Learning to Breathe- 50 Days with the Spirit." In today's message, Mark shares an overview of who the Spirit is and what the Spirit's role is for our lives. Ephesians 3:14-21 VineGroup Discussion and Reflection: 1. How would you describe your background with the Holy Spirit or mental construct of the Holy Spirit? 2. Review your experience with the...

We conclude our series WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN with a sermon on the topic of deconstruction. Mark shares how deconstruction can be a healthy and necessary aspect of our life with Jesus. Luke 5:33-39 www.thevineaustin.org

In this sermon, Mark shares about the role shame has played in religion, and how Jesus' story of the prodigal son upends everything. Wish I Would Have Known Luke 15 www.thevineaustin.org

We are continuing our series, "Wish I Would Have Known", by hearing from community member Rachelle Shuttlesworth. Rachelle shares a part of her journey dealing with anxiety and the gift she found in Psalm 23. www.thevineaustin.org

As we begin this new sermon series, "Wish I Would Have Known," Vine staff member Fabs Harford shared with us what she wishes she had known about suffering as we consider Romans 5:1-5.

This Sunday, VineKids summer intern Kaelin Winters shares a message on Psalm 91 and the protection we have in God's love. REFLECTION QUESTION: - As a child, where did you feel most safe? - Read the psalm. What words describe the state of your soul? - This is a psalm describing protection from God. Where do you feel insecure, vulnerable, or exposed now? - Reread verses 14-16. This psalm describes t...

Psalm 51 might be one of the more quoted and referenced psalms, but how well do we know the backstory? In this message, Mark shares the story behind this psalm, a looking into the beauty of Psalm 51, and finally at how we might use this psalm in our lives. www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: - What comes to mind when you consider the role "sin" has held in your life with God? - How can we...

We had special guest Iver Robinson, pastor of Moontower Church here in Austin, share today's message on Psalm 130. Iver shared about the hope that we have as we wait on the Lord.

In this special message, Mark is joined by Jewish scholar Sandy Kress. The two discuss Psalm 85 and the theme of returning. www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: - Who is a friend you discuss scripture with and learn from? - Read Psalm 85 and consider the three movements that are described. How would you describe these three section? - Which verse from this psalm speak the words of your soul...

Vine staff member Fabs Harford shares a message on Psalm 84 and helps us consider our longing for the presence of God.

In this sermon, Pastor Mark shares on Psalm 27; a song of faithful confidence and lament. REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Scripture provides us timeless wisdom to live by. As you read verses 4-5, what do notice the psalm is doing? What is provided by seeking God in the temple and gazing upon God's beauty? 2. There is a lot of talk about enemies in the psalms. What are the enemies in your lif...

Vine community member Jacob Lucas shares about the importance of silence, listening and stillness as we consider Psalm 4.

Staff member, Fabs Harford, shares from Psalm 22. www.thevineaustin.org/psalms WEEKLY PRACTICE As you reflect on Psalm 22, practice writing your own prayer. Set aside some times to: - reflect on the places of brokenness within or around you. Try to feel your feelings and wrap words around them in lament. - reflect on what you know is true about God. Spend some time worshipping Him for the things y...

In this message, Mark introduces our Summer Series on the Psalms through exploring Psalm One. This week's practice: Delight and meditate on Psalm One. Consider an image of your soul and take that to God in prayer. For additional resources, go to www.thevineaustin.org/psalms

In this special Sunday, VineKids Director Mary Fisher shares on the theme of being "childlike." Matthew 18:1-4 www.thevineaustin.org

In our final sermon in our series called, THIRD WAY, our pastor Mark shares his journey discerning how the Bible and the way of Christ formed his theology and relationship with the LGTBQ community. This message also details how our Third Way posture shapes our inclusion of the LGBTQ community. www.thevineaustin.org/thirdway DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Why is talking about the subject of the Christian...

As we continue through our series on The Vine's Third Way distinctive, Mark invites us to reconsider the challenging story of Sodom and Gomorrah; Genesis 19. www.thevineaustin.org/thirdway DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Discuss the quote- “What you focus on determines what you miss.” How have you seen that at work in your life? Or in your faith or religious tradition? 2. What has stayed with you from th...

In this third sermon in our THIRD WAY series, Mark talks about the experience of the early church and how it demonstrates how to hold a third way posture. Acts 2:42-47 thevineaustin.org/thirdway DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What part of the sermon stayed with you- either in encouragement or uncertainty? 2. Reflecting on the sermon and the book of Acts, does anything surprise you by how the Christian m...

In this second message of this series, THIRD WAY, Mark talks about a different kind of unity. Following Jesus includes discovering a unity of posture within the different positions we might hold. Colossians 3:12-17 www.thevineaustin.org/thirdway DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. As you consider the different points on the THIRD WAY creed, can you recall a time where you experienced one of these commitments...

This is the first message in a series called THE THIRD WAY. In this message, Mark introduces this distinctive of The Vine through Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well. www.thevineaustin.org John 4:4-26 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Review the Third Way Creed and discuss the questions on the back. - Read together John 4:4-26. What captures your attention today? - What questions or takeaways did...

Happy Easter! Mark shares from John 20:19-29. In this message, we see Jesus' interaction with Thomas and discover the importance of remembering. www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What childhood memory of Easter stands out today? 2. What questions or considerations stood out to you from the sermon? 3. Read together John 20:19-29. What do you notice about Jesus or the disciples? 4. What...

In this Palm Sunday message, Mark shares a mashup between two passages: the story of David and Goliath and Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. www.thevineaustin.org DISUCCUSION QUESTIONS: 1. What is the most exotic animal you have ridden? 2. Read together 1 Samuel 17:32-40. What do you notice today? 3. Recount the three obstacles Mark shared in the message. Which obstacle are you facing today?...

In this next message in the series, Weak & Strong, Mark shares on a parable from Jesus. MATTHEW 25:14-30 www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: If you were to sing a song at a pub in Ireland, what would you sing? Read Matthew 25:14-30. What stands out to you as you read this passage today? What is Jesus getting at with this parable? What is a God-given gift you have hidden? (a desire, dream,...

The Vine is considering the relationship between weakness and strength as displayed in the life of Jesus. In this message today, Scott Erickson (painter, speaker, author) shares a message from John 13:3-17. The life of those who follow Jesus is a life where we learn the ways of God's love and then learn to pattern our life in response. SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION: 1. What was a thought or question that...

As we continue in our Lenten series, WEAK & STRONG, Scott Erickson shares a message considering the experiences of Peter and the concept of one's identity. Mark 4:35-40 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - How would you characterize your identity (your persona or group) in high school? - In remembering or looking at Scott's visual Call to Worship, which boat are you today? - What part of Scott's message has st...