Grace 412

"There is NO scenario where we practice the way of Jesus without consistent interactions with Scripture." As things in our life become more immediate and more automated, it can be tempting to do the same with our time in Scripture. In this study, we look at 5 ways we can interact with Scripture:Read it, study it, meditate on it, memorize it, and practice it. (As always with this series, many of the ideas are taken from practicingtheway.org. )

We've talked about this more than just about any other topic, but it's something we all still struggle with... Living in Biblical community. 65% of young adults report feeling lonely regularly. Vivek Murphy calls loneliness "The #1 health concern in our world today." But Jesus models a different way for us to live. He left His followers, not with a business plan or marketing strategy, but with a simple call: "Love one another." This episode dives into the personal and practical side of community and service.

It's one of those things we do fairly often, but do we really know what we're doing? The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray... not because they didn't know "how" but because they didn't know how to pray like JESUS. This lengthy episode dives into the specifics of what made Jesus' prayers stand out, and what will impact ours today.

One of the very last things Jesus tells His followers before leaving this earth is "You will be my witnesses..." But what does it mean to be a witness?What does it look like for US to follow the example of Jesus today in this area? This episode is one that talks about an idea that is very simple but not always easy.

It's one of the LEAST observed practices from Jesus' teachings, but it can be life-changing for those willing to go for it. FASTING. In this almost 30 minute (extended) episode, we look at the history of fasting, we look at why we would actually practice it, and what happens when we do. DISCLAIMER (included in the podcast) - This is NOT a call to self-harm or self-punishment, and it is not a permission or encouragement for those with genuine eating disorders or body-image struggles. If you have questions or need help, please reach out.

How did Jesus take time in solitude? What is the difference between this and isolation?Why was the wilderness such an important location in Scripture? How can we learn from the quiet? All these questions and more are answered in this content-filled study on solitude and silence.

We relaunch the podcast and this series studying through the examples Jesus set in the way to live. This week, we talked about Sabbath and simplicity. Many of these ideas and resources are taken from Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer and the same website:practicingtheway.org

5.15.2024 Weekly Recap This week we discussed a challenging topic: Anger. What does Jesus teach about anger? Are what He says (Matthew 5) and what He does (Matthew 21) different? How do we reconcile the teaching of Jesus, and how do we live in light of them today?

5.1.2024 Weekly Recap This week we continue our series looking at what Jesus had to say about generosity and sacrifice.

4.24.24 Weekly Recap. We have had 3 "foundational" studies to prepare us for this practical training. This week we dove into the idea of forgiveness... How did JESUS talk about it, what did that mean for those He was speaking to, and what does it mean for us today?

3.14.24 Weekly Recap. We finish up our series talking about what it means for Jesus to be the "New Adam." There are 3 main things that we tackle this week: 1.) Have you believed the Gospel? 2.) Do you rest in the forgiveness you've been shown? 3.) Do you still live for the things you've died to?

3.6.2024 Weekly Recap. This lesson covers parts of Hebrews 4, Hebrews 7, and Hebrews 9. In these passages, we see what it means for Jesus to be our High Priest. We see that He walked where we walked, He is King and Lord of all, and He has made us one with Himself.

2.28.24 Weekly Recap We talk about God's holiness, our sinfulness, and Christ's perfect sacrifice for us. This series will set the stage for Easter Sunday, as we reflect on what some of these things actually mean.

1.11.24 Weekly Recap. We look at the Sermon on the Mount, The Last Supper, and The Fruit of the Spirit..... and we see what all of it has to do with us today. It's always important when studying Scripture to do so in CONTEXT. This lesson is a helpful look into what that means and how to do it.

1.4.24 Weekly Recap. We launch the year and the semester off doing a full overview of the Bible. We look at God's approach to "abundance" and what it means for us as followers of Jesus.

11.8.23 Weekly Recap. We have talked about the need for purity, unity, and humility in the midst of this broken world. The reality is that we will not have those things without a supernatural working of the Spirit within our hearts and without an intentional decision within our minds. This study looks at I Corinthians 9 and 10.

10.26.23 Weekly Recap We continued in our series "Life in Corinth" talking about the need for purity. While Paul specifically addresses sexual immorality that is going on within the church, he also gives some extremely important instructions for them on DEALING with sin - both inside and outside of the church. We talk through all of that this week.

10.18.23 Weekly Recap. We start a new series through the book of I Corinthians looking at how we can be eternally minded in a broken and fallen world. The concept is simple, really, but the practice is far from easy. Unity changes everything. We look at what it takes to have spiritual unity in the broken place we find ourselves.

10.4.23 Weekly Recap. We finish out our study on the themes laid out in Genesis. This week, we discussed what sin does and the salvation that we are offered through Jesus.

9.27.23 Weekly Recap. We look at the difference between God's design and man's way, and we look at the impact it has on God's creation. More importantly, we look at the hope that we still have through the Gospel.

9.20.23 Weekly Recap. We look at the Genesis account of God creating Adam and Eve and what it means to be MADE in the image of God. We then parallel the covenant of God with Adam, Abraham, and Moses all the way over to I Corinthians 15 and look at what it means to BEAR the image and name of God.

9.13.23 Weekly Recap. We start a new series through the story of Genesis, and we see how this story plays throughout the whole of Scripture and even to our lives today. In this episode we explore the story that Genesis (and the Bible) tells about God.

8.31.23 Weekly Recap. Ephesians chapters 1-3 show us how we can be in the family of God. Chapters 4-6 help us to recognize that we are in a spiritual battle. The WAY we fight this battle seems counterintuitive to how we've been conditioned to think. What does it mean to be "in the fight for our faith"?

10.23.23 Weekly Recap. We start a mini-series with a fly-over view of the book of Ephesians. This week, we specifically look at what it means to be a part of the family of God. What does it mean to believe the Gospel? What does it mean to have a loving Heavenly Father? What does it mean to be a "Child of God"? Next week, we'll look at what it means to be in the "Fight for Faith."

5.4.2023 Weekly Recap What does it mean to "talk to God"? What does that look like practically? How SHOULD we pray? WHAT should we pray? WHY should we pray? We unpack all of this in this episode.

4.26.23 Weekly Recap What does it mean to "walk in the Spirit" or "be led by the Spirit" or "by baptized by the Spirit"? This isn't some mystical, weird thing we just hear about and ignore, but this is a transforming work of God in our lives. Check out this study from Galatians 5 (and more.)

4.19.23 Weekly Recap. Many have grown up hearing the phrase, "Believe the Gospel." But many of us are either confused by or numb to it... In this episode, we looked at what The Gospel is, why the Gospel is good news, and how we can respond to the Gospel.

4.12.23 Weekly Recap We celebrate "412 Night" by starting a new series "Back to the Basics." We answer the question: "Why are we called Grace 412?" We look at I Timothy 4 and look at 4 ways that we can be an example.

3.22.2023 Weekly Recap. We ended this semester considering "A God Who Has Felt Our Pain." In this episode, we talk about the Gospel and why Jesus would choose to endure our punishment.

3.15.2023 Weekly Recap. We do a little study into this idea of "Ecclesiology." - In II Samuel 7, David wants to build God a physical temple. God promises David instead that not only will the TEMPLE be built through David's line (Solomon), but God's KINGDOM will advance through David's line (Jesus.) There are so many practical takeaways for us from truths like this. We discuss them in this episode.

3.8.2023 Weekly Recap We look at I Samuel 24 and see how David was gracious to Saul, and we consider how this is a picture of God's grace toward His enemies. We then study how we can better be a person of integrity, a person of peace, and a person of empathy.

3.1.23 Weekly Recap. We continue in our series seeing Jesus through the life of David with one of the most told stories in history. We recognize WHO GOD IS, WHO WE ARE, and HOW that should change the way that we live. Spoiler alert: We're not David, and the Bible isn't about us. (TM: Matt Chandler.)

2.22.23 Weekly Recap. We start a new series this week: Seeing Jesus Through the Life of David. In this first week, we look at a lesser known character in Scripture, and we see (and celebrate) a God Who gives us a seat at His table.

2.8.2023 Weekly Recap. We finish out our "What are you thinking series" talking about our circumstances. There are certain mindsets that can impact the way that we see our circumstances.. In this study of Colossians 1 and 2, we study these thoughts: A positive mindset takes intentionality. A proactive mindset takes initiative. A people-first mindset takes an investment.

1.25.22 Weekly Recap. We continue in our series talking about the way we think about others. There are really two types of people: those that have believed the Gospel and those that have not. Do we have empathy toward those that have not believed, and do we have unity with those that have believed?

4.11.2023 Weekly Recap. This week, we continued our "What are you thinking" series as we looked at the reality of who we are, and we discussed the hope of who God has made us to be.

1.4.23 Weekly Recap. We start a new semester, a new year, and a new series all about our thoughts. Many of us want to change our behavior, but it's what we THINK that shape who we BECOME. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." This episode is all about what we *should* think about when we think about God.

10.5.22 Weekly Recap. We look at what it means to be faithful in the waiting, in the process, and in the unknown. We unpack this statement: It's hard to be faithful without patience.

9.28.22 Weekly Recap. We start a new series and unpack a simple but important statement: You won't be faithful without faith.

9.7.22 Weekly Recap. What grabs your attention will gain your affection; what gains your affection will get your allegiance. On this episode, we look at what worship looks like in action. We establish what we're aiming for. We discuss worship as a way of life.

8.31.22 Weekly Recap. What does it mean to "pray without ceasing"? We look at Colossians chapter 1, and we study: How we should pray, why we should pray, and what we should pray for.

8.24.22 Weekly Recap. We look at the second part of "Kavanah - to aim and hit the bullseye." Paul gives Timothy instruction in II Timothy 2, not just to read Scripture but how to read Scripture. We unpack what that means in this episode!

8.17.22 Weekly Recap. We being our study through "Kavanah" - "aiming and hitting the bullseye." We look at Romans chapter 8 and consider the first thing we're aiming for: Recognizing we have been extravagantly loved in order to extravagantly love others.

7.28.22 Camp Prep part 3. We talk about the HOW behind our time with in disciplemaking relationships using this word KAVANAH (to aim and hit the bullseye.) We study the 4 things we're "aiming for" in our disciplemaking friendships: 1. Study Scripture to know God. 2. Prayerfulness. 3. Loved extravagantly to love extravagantly. 4. All of life is worship.

7.21.22 - Camp Prep part 2. We dive into the first "irreducible minimum" of Jesus-like relationships: TIME WITH. We ask the following questions: Who do you spend time with? Who are you close with? Who can I pull close for disciple making friendships? What does disciple making look like in my every day life? For more information, check out Cadre Ministries and Bill Alison online, facebook, or instagram!

7.14.22 - Camp Prep part 1. Camp 412 is August 8 - August 10 this year, and our goal is to lay a foundation for Jesus-like, disciplemaking friendships. The theme is MULTIPLY. Leading into this, we'll be studying the book "The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus" by our camp speaker Bill Alison. Jesus WAS God in the flesh. He set the example. He paved the way. He gave us a way of life. We're going to look at what it means to live like Him, love like Him, and lead like Him.

Weekly Recap 6.22.22 We look at the end of I Corinthians chapter 1, and we talk about a few things that Gospel centered perspective will destroy. Gospel-centered perspective destroys: Our desire to be right // Our desire to have control // Our desire to be praised.

6.15.22 Weekly Recap. We look at the second part of I Corinthians chapter 1, and we discuss how Gospel-centered perspective changes our relationships.

6.8.22 Weekly Recap We start a new series this week, and we're talking about Gospel-Centered Perspective. Gospel centered perspective makes us thankful: for God's grace in our lives, for chances to grow, and for chances to glorify God. How we see things matters. Our perspective will largely determine the type of person we become. Let's have a Gospel-Centered Perspective.

5.25.22 Weekly Recap We look at the end of Luke chapter 18, and we see a blind man who was healed and "immediately followed Jesus and glorified God." We look at 3 simple, practical qualities of a follower.

From Kyle Idleman's book "Not A Fan" we begin a 2 week mini-series on this exact idea: ARE YOU A FAN, OR ARE YOU A FOLLOWER? We looked at the rich young ruler with some of these thoughts in mind: Fans are passionate, but they misplace priorities. Misplaced passion leads to pride, and misplaced priorities lead to pain. Only following Jesus brings lasting joy.