Idols seem like a thing from the very distant past. People aren’t bowing to wooden statues that much these days. But what our modern day idols are more “idols of the heart?” In what says do we make good things become ultimate things in our lives?

As we wrap up our series on Colossians, we are encouraged to be people who carry the message of hope in Jesus to all people. This is a message that changes lives, still! How can we make the most of every opportunity to share this hope with others?

When we think about family, we get a variety of feelings, thoughts, and memories. Some are good, some are painful, all seem to be powerful. What does the Bible have to say about the family who is following Jesus together? How can God use the family as a way to bring hope and love not only to our family members, but also to others in our community?

How are we growing in faith? This passage in Colossians encourages us to let go of all the extra stuff we try to add, and to keep the focus on the simple message of Jesus. As we let go of faulty thinking, sin, and whatever else holds us back we can truly lean into Jesus. And one of the greatest ways to let go of all that is to move towards faith community. In true Christian community we can grow together, challenge each other, and encourage each other!

In order to truly embody the message of the Gospel we will find it necessary to live sacrificially. If Jesus lived sacrificially, there is no way for us to truly communicate His message without doing so as well. This teaching will challenge you to see that it’s the kindness of God that invites us to sacrifice for others.

In this passage Jesus is spoken of in the highest terms. He is the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Redeemer of all things. If Jesus literally has the blueprints for all of creation, certainly we can trust Him to have the blueprints for our lives!

It can be tempting to think that our spiritual growth is all about the work we put in. And while it is true that we have work to do, we cannot replace the work that God by His grace does in our lives. Can we learn to see God working in our lives, and find the fruit that comes from Him?

Why do we read the Bible? We read so that we may know Jesus better. The Word of God is meant to draw us closer to the Son of God. Knowing His Word and loving Him are inseparable realities. However, it can be easy to forget this. How can we read for relationship?

As we read the Word of God, are we reading for information only, or are we allowing the Word to transform us. Are we letting the Word into our hearts to change our lives? Are we becoming new people because we interact with God’s Word regularly?

The Word of God has been assembled over 1500 years, with 40 authors in three different languages. The key that holds it all together is that God is speaking through the words to us. We can trust this book, because God has spoken. The words aren’t meant to just inform us, but to transform us. To change us. To change our lives. And to change the world.

Have you ever wondered where the Bible came from? How did we get it? Why should we trust it? Is it authoritative? This week we tackle some of those questions as we begin our series on the Word of God!

What gets in the way of you saying “yes” to Jesus in your life? Is it time? Insecurity? Opposition? We all face obstacles and roadblocks, but how can we learn to overcome them and a big yes for Jesus in our hearts?

Often we say “yes” to many things we think are important in life. At times, these commitments take the place of the path God truly wants us to be on. We fill our lives up with so much that we tend to neglect the opportunities to serve, lead and build ourselves up in the Lord. As you listen to this teaching, ask yourself, ”What do I need to let go of so I can “fan the flame” God has placed on my heart and in my life.”

When God asks us to do something, do we lean YES or NO or MAYBE? In this teaching we talk about how to have a YES in our heart for Jesus!

The Biblical picture of the church is one of a group of people “called out” to work together towards a common goal. It is a picture of unity and diversity, where everyone has a place and a role to fill, but these roles are not all the same. Do you know what gifts God has called you to share in the church?

In this teaching, we look at three quotes from Jesus that every Christian should take some time to consider. The quotes invite us to look at our relationship with Jesus. They challenge us to grow closer to Him, to follow Him more fully, and to share our lives with Him and those around us.

We all deal with worry, stress, and anxiety at some level in our lives. There are times when it is more pronounced—stressors in our lives arise that can take away our peace and leave us feeling vulnerable. What if there were things we could do on a regular basis—“spiritual practices”—that could raise the threshold of where anxiety breaks through our peace?

Last week we talked about “What If” Anxiety - the anxiety we carry in us about things that might happen. This week we talk about “What Is” Anxiety - the anxiety we carry about stuff that is actually happening in our lives! What causes you anxiety, and how does your faith in Jesus help you?

We spend a lot time being anxious about things that haven’t even happened yet. "What if" this or that happens? In a beautiful teaching in the book of John, Jesus offers some profound insight on how to trust Him in our anxiety. How we can not only find peace but live in a place of peace that truly changes our lives.

The #1 cause of anxiety for most people is financial stress. In this teaching, we look at the book of Proverbs to find lessons we can apply to our lives to live in peace financially.