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Our history defines us. This is a common idea with a great deal of truth to it. But as a believer living this way, are we overlooking a far more powerful defining force, found when we look the other direction, toward the future? We'll explore this question today. Hebrews 10:23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We like options. Traveling to a new destination by car introduces the chance for the GPS to offer alternate routes. Has that mindset slid into the idea of salvation? Do we pursue holiness via various routes? We'll look at these questions today. Hebrews 10:22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever done a vocabulary check? If you were to compare the dialog you use when attending church versus your language outside the church, would there be a disparity? This study will look at the possibilities of being mired in “Christianeze.” Hebrews 10:22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Show me a single believer who hasn't been told that the best place to meet that special someone is church! Go ahead. I'll wait… Very common advice, and not without a great deal of merit! But what happens if that's as far as we go with church? What happens when we stop short of supporting a Biblical definition of the church? We'll explore that question in this study. Judges 20:12 - 21:25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keeping the main thing the main thing is sometimes not that easy. Distractions abound. Is that possible in the church as well? Are believers at risk of losing track of the core reason we gather? We'll wrestle with that question in this study. Hebrews 10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So many options as to how to spend our time on a Sunday morning. Yes, we should go to church. That's what many of us have heard over and over again. But do we have a strong handle on the “why” of church participation? We'll explore that question in this study. Hebrews 10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is one of the unifying conditions amongst us all in this hyper-speed world. Burnout. Yes, our stressors may not be the same as Elijah's on Mt. Carmel, but they are still very real. What can we learn about renewal and provision from the exhausted prophet under a broom tree? We'll look at this question in our study. 1 Kings 19:1-8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I love tests!” said no one ever. Tests can be stressful, but as we'll see in our study today, they can also be pivotal points in our faith journey. Daniel 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Unity shines out in a divided community. This is true. But is the horizontal the only plane on which unity is important? An important question is asked in this study. Philippians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Faith is an individual walk. Salvation is an interaction between one person and the Holy God. That being the case, what is the role of church? How important is the process of gathering together? We'll explore that question in this study. Judges 20:12 - 21:25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It makes sense that a unified church will make an impact on those looking in from the outside. The theoretical power of unity is easy to see. The practical application of this idea though, that's a completely different story. After being told to be unified, we need to look for the power to do so, and we'll do that in this study. Philippians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes, you just get tired of people telling you to “be happy.” Often times, not matter how hard you try, joy can seem so elusive. So, when the Bible tells us to be joyful, what's the formula that makes that possible? We'll look at this question today. Philippians 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I work hard!” Fantastic! Have you ever stopped long enough to ask if your schedule is perhaps a bit too important to you? Another honest look inward in this study. Nehemiah 13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We love a good hero story—just at the right time a sacrificial act saves the day. The problem is, even our greatest heroes can also have really bad days. Our study today reminds us that even our greatest heroes need to be looked at honestly, so that we remember the ultimate source of good in our lives. Nehemiah 13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If a carpenter knows all the best practices for construction, but never actually builds anything, is he still a carpenter? If we possess all kinds of knowledge about being a Christian, but there is no change in our lives, what does that say about the reality of our faith? We'll pursue the practical application of God's Word in today's study. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're asked to identify the root problem that has made our communities less safe, what is your de-facto response? Politics, poverty, racial division, lack of resources… all leading candidates in the answer category. Our study today suggests a different core issue for our current lack of safety. Judges 19:1 - 20:11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it mean to be a Christian? What does it NOT mean to be a Christian? Ever asked yourself these basic questions? We'll head that direction in our study today. Nehemiah 10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“You should study the Bible.” You've likely heard that. But is study of the Bible the highest form of spiritual discipline? Or is there a deeper objective that should be in front of us? And how can that higher objective lead to joy? We'll look at these questions in this study. Nehemiah 8-9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the focal point of your church? What's the center? What's the driving energy? Seems like a simple question. Our study today highlights the importance of understanding what should be at the core of any assembly. Nehemiah 8-9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're constantly worried about how or what to pray, do you really understand prayer, or God? Is there a right and a wrong way to pray? We'll explore this very important question in this study. Nehemiah 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you adamantly claimed the integrity of a footbridge across a ravine, but never used that bridge, would your faith in it be creditable? In the spiritual realm, does our faith really come to the forefront when we face challenges? Our study explores this question. Nehemiah 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when you get rid of the king? Or any other authority figure? There's a lot of energy behind that idea these days. In today's study, we'll look at an example of what happens when authority is done away with. Judges 19:1 - 20:11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Confusion about what's possible is easy to understand. You may at times say, “I can do anything.” The reality is you can't. Or perhaps you say, “How could I possibly make a difference in this situation?” Have you limited yourself? Our study explores the difference between our potential and our potential with God. Nehemiah 1-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's sad but true. Humanity, every single one of us, have moments of desperation. We don't anticipate it. We don't want it. But we all experience it. Our study today reflects on how an Old Testament prophet dealt with an unexpected and desperate situation. Nehemiah 1-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you want to get a message across to someone you care about, do you find yourself repeating that message? That's what Paul is doing here as he wraps up his letter to the church in Galatia, and by extension, to us. Galatians 6:11-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Using all caps in messages today is considered shouting. If this passage were shouting, we might consider that motivated by the importance of what's being said. But could it perhaps be more about compassion? We'll look at the conclusion to Paul's letter in this study. Galatians 6:11-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever been given a house plant? If you think about it, you're also being given a task. Put a plant on the kitchen table and ignore it, and rather soon, the plant will expire. It needs occasional water. We've been talking about sowing. In this study, we'll get a bit more insight into what's involved in that sowing. Galatians 6:6-10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conform. Ever heard that? Have you ever been told that conformity is how we keep the peace, especially in a church setting? While each situation is different, our study today looks at a character who embodies the complete opposite of conformity. And a character used by God. Judges 15:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“You reap what you sow.” A familiar phrase, and one perhaps associated more commonly with bad seed or wild oats. Now that we've celebrated the work of faith alone in our salvation, Paul now circles back to address the place of sowing in our Christian walk. Galatians 6:6-10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The selfie… a photo, or a hint at one of the challenges of maintaining a vibrant church community? The Apostle Paul sets an agenda for a grace-filled church, and we'll explore that agenda in this study. Galatians 6:1-5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We evaluate peoples' character in numerous ways. One factor with strong influence is whether or not an individual follows through on promises made. If someone says they're going to provide, and then fails to provide, our opinion of them is affected. Today's study explores the danger of that skepticism leaking into our spiritual life. Galatians 5:19-26 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On stage versus backstage… You've probably experienced it. Someone says one thing, but once the spotlight is turned off, that person is completely different. Our study today helps us check out our walk to make sure it's genuine. Galatians 5:19-26 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I see you have a lot of electrical outlets in your house, but nothing is plugged into them.” “Oh, yeah, well… I don't understand electricity so I figure it's best not to use it.” Calling that interaction “odd” would be an understatement. But do we do that very thing with the Holy Spirit? We'll explore that question today. Galatians 5:16-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It all worked out for the good.” You've heard that, right? A guaranteed outcome? Not by a long shot. But, with God, there is always the possibility of the worst pain being used for good. Our study will explore this possibility. Judges 15:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your assignment: describe oxygen. What color is it? What's its shape? What does it remind you of? An odd assignment, right? Easier just to move on? Similar to if you were asked to describe the Holy Spirit? The Apostle Paul wants to make sure we don't just move on when it comes to the Spirit, and provides an analogy that we'll look at in this study. Galatians 5:16-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever hear of fake freedom? Perhaps you can bring to mind a personal experience with “freedom” that really wasn't free. Our study of Galatians continues with Paul continuing to exhort us to understand real freedom. Galatians 5:13-15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Set it free! If you're referring to water, and you take the container holding that water and tip it over, you've set the water “free,” if you will. The problem is, that water has far less usefulness spilled out on the ground than contained and accessible for cleaning, drinking, or a myriad of other purposes. What does it mean to be “free” in a Gospel sense and how does that relate to service? We're exploring those questions in this study. Galatians 5:13-15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul tells Timothy to correct others with gentleness. And yet in this passage, Paul demonstrates a bit more of a punch in his rebukes. What's the balance, and what's the admonition to us? We'll explore those questions today. Galatians 5:7-12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boldness versus loving our neighbor. We're heading into a passage where Paul demonstrates the use of such powerful language that some question if he even said what's found here. What does this passage have to say regarding political correctness in our society? We'll look at language, love, and truth in this study. Galatians 5:7-12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the surface, you may automatically reject the idea that “bigger is better.” But what happens if we stop and look at our value system? What if we look at how we regard those around us? Is it possible that “bigger is better” can use a back entrance and sneak its way into our thinking? Another study ahead of us today on the fascinating Old Testament character of Samson. Judges 14:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“No cost, nothing you need to do, free.” Is freedom an absolutely hands-off luxury? Or is there a responsibility we have to protect our freedom? We'll look at these questions in this study. Galatians 5:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“My freedom requires you to give up what you consider your freedom.” While you might not hear it verbalized that way, that's the essence of what is happening around us. Our society has what could be considered a twisted view of freedom, especially when compared to the freedom that is offered to us spiritually. We'll explore the richness of that freedom in our study today. Galatians 5:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Birth order studies are fascinating. Older brothers, younger sisters, only children… there's a good bit of consistency in the characteristics ascribed to each category. So, what is the spiritual equivalent to the sibling that gets blamed for everything, run over, or just plain ignored? We'll look at spiritual family parallels in today's study. Galatians 4:21-31 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Offer the phrase “identity crisis” to five different people and you will generate five different stressful scenarios. The search for identity transcends age, career, status or family. In today's study, Paul steps up and tells us believers to make sure we are clearly aware of what our identity is. Galatians 4:21-31 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Becoming a pastor is easy, right? Do some studying, find a church, and you're good to go! Obviously that's not the case. But is it perhaps even more complicated than we might imagine? We'll look at the complex layering making up a Gospel pastor in this study. Galatians 4:17-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is just no possible way the main character is getting out of this mess. Despite racking your brain, doom is pretty much guaranteed. But then, the most unlikely solution pops up, surprises everyone, and our hero drives away. There are a number of instances where the Old Testament character Samson fits this model. We'll look at one of those in this study. Judges 14:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zeal is good! But clearly, it's not always right. Imagine you're part of a group who are very zealous about your belief that the earth is flat. Get as zealous as you want during your monthly meetings, but the astronauts are still going to look at you sideways. Spiritual zeal also has its positives and its negatives, and we'll look at that continuum in this study. Galatians 4:17-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good news! You're in! You've been welcomed into an incredible relationship full of joy, hope, and a future. So… why don't you feel any joy? It's certainly a valid question. We'll look at the diagnostics in this study. Galatians 4:8-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you were shopping for a car, and upon popping open the hood, saw a gaping hole where the engine was supposed to be, the deal would lose its luster rather quickly. What are the signs that our faith might be looking good on the outside, but we're lacking any power under our spiritual hood? We'll offer up some diagnostic tools in today's study. Galatians 4:8-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the highest form of spirituality sacrificing what we want and who we are? Or is there a component of God being worshipped when we fully use the skills and follow the ambitions He has planted within us? The question of what true holiness is will be explored in today's study. Galatians 4:1-7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Structure is good, right? When you enter a building, you trust that it is structurally sound. But what happens when the structure starts becoming more important than the reason you've entered that building? Does structure make its way into how we address the Gospel? We'll look at these questions in this study. Galatians 4:1-7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices