Living Hope

Ben Foust

1 Peter 1:1-12

Peter writes to Christians scattered throughout the Roman empire and facing persecution. He urges them to put their hope in their future eternal inheritance. Christians today should have a mindset of being "resident aliens" on earth, whose true citizenship is in heaven, resulting in a refined faith.

The Woman at the Well

Ben Foust

John 4:1-42

Despite many personal, cultural, and religious barriers, Jesus approaches a woman at a well to demonstrate that he is the only one who can quench her spiritual thirst. The Gospel has the same effect today when we turn to God to restore the relationship we were created for and allow Him to meet our deepest needs.

The Meaning of Faith (Part 1)

Ryan Lowery

Hebrews 11:1-6

The author of Hebrews defines true faith as a combination of trust and action, citing figures from the Old Testament to illustrate his point. Following Jesus won't necessarily make us happy and can be costly, but it is evidence-based, faith-centered, and relationally and eternally rewarding.\r\n

Blindness

Jim Leffel

Jonah 4:2

This passage contains three scenes describing three types of blindness. The first describes the king of Aram and deals with being blind to the plans of God because of ambition ? seeing is a condition of the soul. The second is directed at Elisha's servant and relates to being blind to the presence of God ? God is always present and works at times we do not expect and in ways that we cannot see until later. The third is being blind to the grace of God and describes Israel's king ? how easily we can forget who we are, why we are here, and that God loves all people.\r\n

Why and How to Memorize Scripture

Ryan Weingartner

Jonah 4:2

There are many benefits to memorizing Scripture that are referenced in the Word itself and that we can observe ourselves. Memorizing scripture can impact our lives in many areas in ways that other forms of study might not. Ryan explains many different helpful strategies for memorizing Scripture along with their advantages and disadvantages. He also give suggestions of verses to start with that will help to begin memorizing Scripture.

The Ways of Knowing

Jim Leffel

Deuteronomy 6:4-8

Two Lepers

Jim Leffel

2 Kings 5:1-27

Jim Leffel discusses a tale of two lepers, Naaman and Gehazi, which reveals elements of Biblical irony. Naaman was an honorable Aramean army captain and far from God while Gehazi was Elisha's servant. Naaman eventually humbled himself and trusted in God's grace. His life was transformed and he sought God's reputation over this world, while Gehazi's life was destroyed as he sought the world and misrepresented God.\r\n

Crossing the Jordan

Josh Benadum

Joshua 4:8-24

In order to continue to conquer the land of the Canaanites, the Israelites had to cross the Jordan River, which was a dangerous prospect and a great unknown. It represented a defining moment--something that all of us experience as we are faced with the choice to invite Christ into our life, deciding to live for Him, facing major opposition, speaking up for God, or making a major life decision. This passage teaches us strategies for dealing with these times, including preparing ourselves, letting God lead, taking the first step of faith He asks, and then remembering and sharing what you learn.

Elisha and the Widow

Jim Leffel

2 Kings 4:1-7

An impoverished widow cries out to Elisha while she is in crisis. In general, poverty has deeply personal, spiritual, and communal dimensions; thus, a millionaire can have an impoverished inner life. Like the widow, we can present all we have to God and take steps of faith to allow Him into our poverty and find help. Like He did with the widow, God uses community (i.e. the church) to help those without material and/or spiritual resources.\r\n