The Teaching Series with Brad Gray

Episode 128 – The Journey Pt 1: It's Not About the Destinationi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-1{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-1:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-1.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Genesis 12:1-4, Hebrews 11:8, Exodus 3:9-10, John 1:35-36, 1 John 2:6Abraham is often held up as a model of faithfulness because when God told him to go, he went. No questions. No “yeah buts.” He didn't even know where he was going. But he started moving anyways. Abraham understood something about God many of us miss: God is the God of the journey, not the destination. And trusting God as we walk into the unknown is challenging for so many of us because we crave clarity. But when we bring that mentality to life with God, things don't go so well. By the end of this new series, The Journey, you'll understand how to adopt a journey mindset, what it looks like to journey well with God, and how to spot the things holding you back from moving forward in faith in the midst of the unknown. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?  What do you think are some of the main things that hold you back from journeying well with God?  We'll sometimes say things like, “I don't think I would be who I am today if I hadn't had to go through that.” That's a journey statement. What are some of the journeys God has used to change you?  How would you describe the difference between clarity and confidence?  What are some of the things you've found helpful in developing a journey mindset?  How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?  

@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}Episode 128 – Psalm 23 – Revisited@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-1{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-1:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-1.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Psalm 23Psalm 23 is one of the most well-loved passages in scripture. It’s one of those Psalms that speaks into just about any season of life that you find yourself going through. You can find each teaching in the playlist link below. Psalm 23 - Series (10 episodes) .fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;margin-top : -25px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-2{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}

@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-9{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-9{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}Episode 127 – Ask, Seek, Knock@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-10{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-10{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-5{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-5:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-5.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Matthew 7:7-11What does Jesus mean when he says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you?” When we look carefully at where and when he says these words, it becomes clear that he’s not giving us a blank check to pursue whatever it is our heart’s desire. God is many things, but a genie in a bottle isn’t one of them. Instead, Jesus is offering us a helpful way of approaching God with our requests. But prayer is more than just asking. It’s also about listening to God and discerning what we truly need, and then practicing consistent, radical dependence on the Father whose extravagant, generous love is just waiting to meet us in our place of need.  Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?  You’ve probably heard the saying, “You have not because you ask not!” In what ways have you experienced that to be true in life?  Sometimes we have no idea what we need, and we need God’s voice to help us name it. What does it look like in your life to listen to God? Where do you go? What do you do to hear God’s voice? (Silence? Going for a run? Etc.?)  How do you feel about the characterization of God as a good father who loves extravagantly?  Would you agree that practicing dependence in a culture that idolizes independence is a critical way for people to embody God’s kingdom? Why or why not?  How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?  .fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;margin-top : -25px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-10{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}

Episode 114 – Being Intentional With God’s Wordi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-51{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-51:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-51.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Deuteronomy 6:4-9Being intentional with God’s Word is essential to living a deep and meaningful life. In the biblical period, God’s people were called to not only dig into the Scriptures but also to have an ongoing discussion with their friends and family about them. For many of us, our time with God’s Word often stops with reading it and we miss out on the critical responsibility of discussion. In this episode, we explore why it’s so crucial to be intentional about our relationship with the Bible so that it permeates every facet of our lives. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? When was the last time someone spoke into your life in a meaningful way (like the letters written for Brad’s son)? How would you describe your relationship with the Bible? How would you describe the difference between devotional Bible reading and digging deep Bible reading? What are some of the barriers keeping you from discussing God’s Words with others? What is one way you’d like to grow in becoming more intentional with God’s Word? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further StudyHagah The Text – this is a longer teaching (sermon) that goes into greater detail about the concepts explored in Teaching Series Episode 020

Easter isn’t a day we celebrate. It’s a way of being in the world. It’s a posture of heart that announces, “What Jesus accomplished at the cross and empty tomb changes everything!” In this resurrection episode, we’ll look at the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus—a story only Luke records in vivid detail—and see how Luke’s subtle use of Scripture makes the bold claim that, in Jesus, everything that had been torn apart was finally being put back together. This episode will help you see connections from the resurrection story that are often overlooked. But, more importantly, Jesus’s actions at Emmaus remind us that in a world of shattered hope, we can live as people who have burning hearts of hope because He is risen!

@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-17{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-17{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}Episode 126 – Easter at Emmaus@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-18{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-18{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-9{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-9:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-9.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 24:13-32Easter isn’t a day we celebrate. It’s a way of being in the world. It’s a posture of heart that announces, “What Jesus accomplished at the cross and empty tomb changes everything!” In this resurrection episode, we’ll look at the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus—a story only Luke records in vivid detail—and see how Luke’s subtle use of Scripture makes the bold claim that, in Jesus, everything that had been torn apart was finally being put back together. This episode will help you see connections from the resurrection story that are often overlooked. But, more importantly, Jesus’s actions at Emmaus remind us that in a world of shattered hope, we can live as people who have burning hearts of hope because He is risen! Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? In Luke’s gospel, Jesus can usually be found at a meal, on a way to a meal, leaving a meal, or telling a story about a meal. Meals were the way Jesus embodied his kingdom announcement. How have you experienced the significance of meals in your life? We experience pain and disappointment when reality doesn’t live up to our expectations. The disciples say to Jesus, “We had hoped…” Think of one or two of your own disappointments or painful seasons and finish this sentence, “I had hoped_______.” Jesus reinterprets the story of his death for the disciples in a way that’s hopeful. How has Jesus re-interpreted painful stories or experiences in your life in a way that helped you to see hope in them? What does it mean to you that Easter isn’t just a day we celebrate but a way of being in the world? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? .fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-17{width:100% !important;margin-top : -25px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-17 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-17{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-17 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-17{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-17 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-18{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}

@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-25{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-25{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}Episode 125 – Who’s the GOAT? Jesus vs. Caesar@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-26{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-26{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-13{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-13:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-13.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Mark 1:1; Luke 2:10-14, Romans 1:1-4, Colossians 1:15-20The New Testament uses all kinds of words and phrases to describe Jesus and his kingdom. Savior. Son of God. Gospel. Forgiveness of sins. But these aren’t just poetic, flowery phrases. They’re actually concrete ideas everyone in Jesus’s world was familiar with. But not because of Jesus. They were familiar with those ideas because of Caesar. What the New Testament, and especially Paul’s writings, do is they show us two competing narratives: The gospel of Caesar in which peace is imposed by a sword, and the gospel of Jesus in which peace is offered through a cross. One is strong. The other is weak. One dominates. The other is gentle. Which narrative will you allow to order your world? By the end of this episode, you’re going to hear all those poetic, flowery titles for Jesus through a completely new lens. @media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-27{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-27{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How do you feel about the fact that these ideas and titles were used by Caesar prior to the time of Jesus? The gospel of Caesar and the gospel of Jesus are very different. Using your own words, describe how the way Caesar brings peace is different from the way Jesus brings peace? What are some of the other “gospels” or “lords” that compete with the gospel of Jesus in our day and age? If the gospel of Jesus is upside-down and peculiar when compared to the gospel of Caesar, in what ways is your life upside-down and peculiar when compared to the competing “gospels and lords” of our day? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? .fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-25{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-25 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-25{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-25 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-25{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-25 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-26{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}

@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-37{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-37{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}Episode 124 – Rabbis and Disciples Pt 8: Jesus’s Yoke@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-38{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-38{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-17{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-17:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-17.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Matthew 11:28-30One of the biggest problems we have when reading the Bible is familiarity. When we’re too familiar with a passage, we start believing we already know what it means. In doing so, we forget there’s so much more it has to teach us, and we rob it of its explosive power to transform our lives. In this final episode in our series, Rabbis and Disciples, we set Jesus’s famous words about “his yoke” in their historical and cultural context, and discover Jesus making a shocking claim that no other rabbi ever made. By understanding this passage anew, you’ll experience the depth, the audacious challenge, and the compelling nature of Jesus’s invitation to life in him! @media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-39{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-39{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How did exploring the different “hints” Jesus gave in this passage change or deepen its meaning for you? What are one or two specific examples of times you’ve made life harder for yourself by trying to do it your way rather than doing it Jesus’s way? What are one or two specific examples of times you practiced the way of Jesus and it helped you to navigate the difficulty of life with a kind of ease and lightness? What does “rest for your soul” look like in your life? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? @media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-40{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:30px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-40{margin-top:10px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;}}For Further StudyNew Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus by David Bivin – Chapter 4 .fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-33{width:100% !important;margin-top : -25px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-33 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1000px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-33{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-33 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-33{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-33 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-34{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}

The New Testament uses all kinds of words and phrases to describe Jesus and his kingdom. Savior. Son of God. Gospel. Forgiveness of sins. But these aren’t just poetic, flowery phrases. They’re actually concrete ideas everyone in Jesus’s world was familiar with. But not because of Jesus. They were familiar with those ideas because of Caesar. What the New Testament, and especially Paul’s writings, do is they show us two competing narratives: The gospel of Caesar in which peace is imposed by a sword, and the gospel of Jesus in which peace is offered through a cross. One is strong. The other is weak. One dominates. The other is gentle. Which narrative will you allow to order your world? By the end of this episode, you’re going to hear all those poetic, flowery titles for Jesus through a completely new lens.

One of the biggest problems we have when reading the Bible is familiarity. When we’re too familiar with a passage, we start believing we already know what it means. In doing so, we forget there’s so much more it has to teach us, and we rob it of its explosive power to transform our lives. In this final episode in our series, Rabbis and Disciples, we set Jesus’s famous words about “his yoke” in their historical and cultural context, and discover Jesus making a shocking claim that no other rabbi ever made. By understanding this passage anew, you’ll experience the depth, the audacious challenge, and the compelling nature of Jesus’s invitation to life in him! 

We all want to live fully and deeply, but in order to do that we’ve got to live as Jesus lived. The problem is we don’t always understand what Jesus’s life looked like. In this episode, we dig into the details of the itinerant rabbinic lifestyle and quickly realize that Jesus’s life as a traveling rabbi wasn’t glorious or easy. It was actually really, really difficult. It came with a cost. But according to Jesus and the rabbis of the day, it was worth it – costly, but worth it. It’s a message we all need to hear or be reminded of, as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus and experience life that is truly life. 

In the culture of Jesus’s day, one was forbidden to receive payment for the teaching of God’s Word. Which is why every rabbi had a trade or occupation. Jesus had one, but the term “carpenter” doesn’t nearly do it justice. In fact, Jesus’s occupation is filled with surprises that perfectly explain how his trade prepared him for his ministry. Speaking of which, the Text implies that once Jesus launches his ministry, he devotes himself entirely to his disciples and teachings. If he wasn’t working and rabbis couldn’t receive payment for teaching God’s Word, how did Jesus and the disciples pay the bills? Let’s find out, and in doing so, let’s gain a deeper appreciation for the way God uses the details to bring about His purposes in our lives. 

In the Gospels, people were always commenting on Jesus’s authority. It was clear to everyone that he had it. Some marveled at it, while others scoffed at it. The Scribes and Pharisees even questioned it. But what exactly did they mean by authority? How did Jesus understand it? And does that enhance our understanding of what happens with the Great Commission in Matthew 28? Without question! Welcome to an explosive episode where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’s biblical authority and how discipleship with Jesus’s authority leads to the life that God desires for us all. 

Storms are a guarantee in life. We lose jobs. Relationships end. Money gets tight. All of this can leave us feeling anxious and fearful. Therefore, the reason we feel those things is because storms expose what we really trust. We may say we trust God...

Jesus walking on water is one of the best-known stories in the entire Bible. But we often miss the point because we fail to see the discipleship component at play. When we see it, we learn that the story has less to do with Jesus walking on water and more to do with Peter’s actions and Jesus’s response. But the story isn’t just about Peter. It’s about you and me, and all of the ways we doubt ourselves. By the end of this episode, you’ll have deeper confidence because you’ll know God is with you. You’ll be more willing to face your fears and take holy risks because you know God believes in you. And you’ll grow in your trust that God won’t call you to something and then fail to equip you for it.  

Most of us love the idea of Jesus as savior. We’re usually less enthusiastic about him being our teacher and reorienting our lives around his. But that’s precisely what it meant to be a disciple. The goal wasn’t to know what the rabbi knew. It was to become who the rabbi was. It meant journeying with him and observing how he spoke, what he noticed, and how he interacted with others. It meant understanding how he made sense of life and then learning to do the same. It’s not the kind of learning that takes place in a classroom. Instead, it takes place on the road and in the experiences of everyday life. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what it means to truly follow Jesus, and you’ll be inspired to follow him more closely in the coming year. 

Christmas is a season of hope. 2020 has been a season of grief. How do we hold hope and grief in creative tension? Because when things get hard, we feel overwhelmed. And when we’re overwhelmed, our tendency is to check out, numb out, and wish the moments or seasons away. But in our confusion, heartache, and disorientation, God is working in subtle and often unseen ways. By the end of this episode, you’ll be inspired to hold the gratitude and grief of 2020 in tension so that you don’t numb out, but instead embrace this season and the God who is with us in it.

The Jewish educational system in Jesus’s day was astounding. Growing up in that culture was about total immersion in the Scriptures. It was about learning and memorizing God’s Word so that it shaped everything you did. It was also about learning to ask really great questions and debating with your teachers. But much like professional sports, only the best of the best got to keep going and eventually become disciples. Which raises some fascinating questions: What might the Jewish educational system of Jesus’s day reveal to us about his disciples? What might it teach us about God’s intentions for our discipleship? By the end of this episode, you’ll recognize the subtle hints in the Scriptures you’d missed all along and have a deeper appreciation for Jesus’s explosive words, “Come, follow me.” Note: This is a jam-packed 25-min episode. There’s a lot of information in this one. With that said, our goal was to provide you with the single, best resource for understanding the Jewish educational system in Jesus’s day in its entirety. We think we did it. Enjoy! 

One of the biggest mistakes followers of Jesus can make is believing they have Jesus figured out. How do we resist the temptation to become too familiar with him? We believe one of the main answers is found in understanding that Jesus came as a Jewish Rabbi (or Sage). In this new mini-series Rabbis and Disciples, we’ll explore why this matters so much, and how understanding it can transform us into more effective disciples. But first, we must start by familiarizing ourselves with key aspects of the first-century world that help shed significant light on Jesus’s life and ministry.

Sometimes the Bible speaks right to our hearts by encouraging or challenging us in just the right way. Other times, we walk away uninspired and discouraged, feeling like we didn’t get anything out of it. What do we do in those moments? In this episode, we explore the practice of placing God's Word upon our hearts, so that when the time is right, and our hearts are ready, they will be available to us. Because the Bible wants to do something in us. It wants to challenge us. It wants to confront us. It wants to help us. But if we get discouraged and disengage, we will miss out on what God’s Word wants to do in our lives. And none of us want that to happen.

Being intentional with God’s Word is essential to living a deep and meaningful life. In the biblical period, God’s people were called to not only dig into the Scriptures but also to have an ongoing discussion with their friends and family about them. For many of us, our time with God’s Word often stops with reading it and we miss out on the critical responsibility of discussion. In this episode, we explore why it’s so crucial to be intentional about our relationship with the Bible so that it permeates every facet of our lives.

Storms are a guarantee in life. We lose jobs. Relationships end. Money gets tight. And we’re left feeling anxious and fearful. And the reason we feel those things is because storms expose what we really trust. We may say we trust God, but a crisis here and a pandemic there, and we’re confronted with the hard truth that our trust lies elsewhere. Which is why Jesus addresses this with a brilliant metaphor in the Sermon on the Mount that will help you diagnose what you really trust in and how to start building on a firmer, more trustworthy foundation.

Jesus was a master at navigating the polarized social context of the First Century with wisdom and skill. In this third and final episode in our teaching series, “The Dignity of Difference”, we’ll examine how to be  Christ in the chaos. There’s a lot of chaos and division right now. Racism. Politics. Wear a mask. Don’t wear a mask. How are we to respond? By watching Jesus, we’ll learn to live by leading with sacrificial love. We won’t get caught in polarizing categories. And we’ll understand the importance of diversifying our relationships. By the end of this episode, you’ll have new tools to help you navigate the complexity of your world and to be Christ in the chaos! WARNING** This episode is slightly longer than our normal length (29 minutes). However, because of the weight of the conversation, we felt it warranted the few extra moments, and we believe it will be extremely helpful to you.

Episode 112 – The Dignity of Difference Pt 3: Being Christ in the Chaosi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-54{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-54:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-54.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Genesis 12:2-3;  Matthew 5:14-16Jesus was a master at navigating the polarized social context of the First Century with wisdom and skill. In this third and final episode in our teaching series, “The Dignity of Difference”, we’ll examine how to be Christ in the chaos. There’s a lot of chaos and division right now. Racism. Politics. Wear a mask. Don’t wear a mask. How are we to respond? By watching Jesus, we’ll learn to live by leading with sacrificial love. We won’t get caught in polarizing categories. And we’ll understand the importance of diversifying our relationships. By the end of this episode, you’ll have new tools to help you navigate the complexity of your world and to be Christ in the chaos! WARNING** This episode is slightly longer than our normal length (29 minutes). However, because of the weight of the conversation, we felt it warranted the few extra moments, and we believe it will be extremely helpful to you. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? In 1 Corinthians 6:12, the apostle Paul writes, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.” In other words, having rights doesn’t absolve us of our responsibilities. Think about some of the rights being demanded in our culture right now. Things like the right to free speech, the right to privacy, and the right to public assembly, and then finish the following sentences: Well, yes, I have the right to free speech, but I also have the responsibility to_________. Well, yes, I have the right to privacy, but I also have the responsibility to____________ . Well, yes, I have the right to assemble, but I also have the responsibility to___________. What cultural issue(s) has made you feel the most pressure in the last 3 months? What was that pressure like? (Pressure to pick a side? To agree with someone? To disagree with someone? To take some kind of action?) If you were grading the diversity of relationships in your life on a scale of 1-10 (1 being not so good, 10 being great), what score would you give yourself and why? How has having a relationship with someone of a different background helped you to experience the fullness of God? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study A Conversation about Race, Justice and the Gospel – Interview with Bryan Loritts The Dignity of Difference by Jonathan Sacks

Things are heated right now. Tensions are high. People are on edge. And justice is the battle cry of so many. “We want justice for ________!” But what is justice? How does the Bible portray it? And who is responsible for pursuing it? Welcome to the essence of this episode. Justice and Righteousness are two of the most explosive themes in the Bible, and they’re always attached at the hip. But when we fail to understand what they mean, how they relate to one another, and why they’re at the core of Jesus’s ministry, we begin to think they’re optional. For followers of Jesus, they’re not an elective; they’re core curriculum. And they’re what’s needed to heal a broken world. Watch this episode to find out why. 

God is a God of unity, not uniformity. In this episode, Brad Gray discusses how there is a dignity to difference. As a result, diversity isn’t the aberration; it’s the expectation when it comes to the kingdom of Christ.   Our world is deeply divided right now. Whether it’s politics, race, or the latest headline, our cultural default seems to be an “Us vs. Them” mentality. What’s fascinating is that this was as true in Jesus’s day as it is in our own. For example, Brad demonstrates how Jesus’s own disciples reflected the vast diversity and difference in his world. As a result, Jesus chose such a group that grew because of their unity, not uniformity.   Furthermore, Brad shares how at the heart of the Scriptures is this idea: God wants his followers to live unified through love and respect, and welcome the diversity. This is part one in a series that will explore Jesus’s rich tradition of honoring the dignity of difference. We must come together as a human race to thrive in the world today.  Watch the previous episode. 

Life can be gut-wrenching. And when the bottom falls out, we need people who know how to hold and honor our pain. Unfortunately, most of us don’t know how to respond well to the pain of others. In this episode we explore Jesus’s response to a desperate situation in Mark 9, and how his first impulse wasn’t to fix the pain, but to feel the pain. And if we can emulate this in our lives, we’ll understand how to serve one another well, especially in difficult seasons. 

We’re often oblivious to and annoyed by distractions and interruptions because we inhabit a culture obsessed with speed, efficiency, and productivity. But hurry is trouble for the soul. “Hurry,” said Dallas Willard, “is the great enemy of the spiritual life.” This teaching explores how Jesus led an interruptible life, and how our willingness to slow down and entertain the interruptions can allow us to do the same and not miss out on the “holy interruptions” that come our way. 

Episode 108 – Entertain the Interruptionsi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-66{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-66:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-66.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 8:40-48We’re often oblivious to and annoyed by distractions and interruptions because we inhabit a culture obsessed with speed, efficiency, and productivity. But hurry is trouble for the soul. “Hurry,” said Dallas Willard, “is the great enemy of the spiritual life.” This teaching explores how Jesus led an interruptible life, and how our willingness to slow down and entertain the interruptions can allow us to do the same and not miss out on the “holy interruptions” that come our way. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? What do you think it is about the human heart that drives us to stay so busy? Name an experience in your life where your busyness may have left another person feeling like an interruption. When have you experienced a “holy interruption?” What activities, rituals, or practices help you to slow down and be fully present? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer The Teaching Series Episode 016 – Seizing Tassels 

Too often, we live with divided hearts. On the one hand, our hearts are devoted to God. We want God’s best for our lives. We want God’s kingdom to come. On the other hand, we continue to allow places in our lives where evil and sin persist. This episode explores the life of King Asa and our deeply human tendency to be devoted to God without tearing down the high places in our lives. By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to identify the high places in your life and begin the process of demolishing them for good. 

Episode 107 – Demolishing the High Placesi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-69{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-69:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-69.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): 1 Kings 15:11-14Too often, we live with divided hearts. On the one hand, our hearts are devoted to God. We want God’s best for our lives. We want God’s kingdom to come. On the other hand, we continue to allow places in our lives where evil and sin persist. This episode explores the life of King Asa and our deeply human tendency to be devoted to God without tearing down the high places in our lives. By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to identify the high places in your life and begin the process of demolishing them for good. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? When you think about your life, what are the areas where you can say with confidence that your heart is devoted to God? What’s one high place that continues to persist in your life? Of the three ideas that often accompany high places, which has been or is most likely to be true of your own high places: Achievement, busyness, or boredom? Who is someone you trust enough to ask the question, “Do you see anything in my life that God wouldn’t want there?” How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

The idea that we don’t have enough permeates our lives. We don’t have enough money. We don’t have enough sleep. We don’t have enough time. We’re constantly looking for ways to acquire more. But “more” rarely delivers the contentment we’re looking for. And the wilderness is the place where God strips away the faulty distractions and excess that increasingly define our lives. In the wilderness, God recalibrates our understanding of what’s essential and what’s enough so we experience the contentment we were made for. 

Episode 106 – Grapes in the Desert Pt 6: Enough Is Enoughi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-72{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-72:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-72.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Exodus 16:19-2; Deuteronomy 8:2-5; Matthew 6:25-33The idea that we don’t have enough permeates our lives. We don’t have enough money. We don’t have enough sleep. We don’t have enough time. We’re constantly looking for ways to acquire more. But “more” rarely delivers the contentment we’re looking for. And the wilderness is the place where God strips away the faulty distractions and excess that increasingly define our lives. In the wilderness, God recalibrates our understanding of what’s essential and what’s enough so we experience the contentment we were made for. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? If we were to follow you around and listen in on your life what would we hear you saying you don’t have enough of? Think back on some of the wilderness experiences of your life. How did those experiences re-order your understanding of what was enough? One of the telltale signs of a scarcity mentality is that we start believing other people’s success means there’s less for us. In what ways have you experienced that in your life? How have you experienced God providing you with enough during the COVID-19 pandemic? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist The Bible and the Land by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 3 is on the desert  The Land Between by Jeff Manion – Outstanding book on navigating the deserts of our lives

There are moments in life when the path ahead is unclear or downright scary, moments when everything in us wants out of the situation or circumstance we’re in. It’s only natural to ask God to rescue us or change things. That’s part of what prayer is about. But there’s another dimension of prayer we find in the Scriptures. It’s one we often fail to pray, making our prayers incomplete. It’s the prayer David prayed. It’s the prayer Habakkuk prayed. And it’s an astounding prayer of strength and trust that God will empower us no matter where our path leads. This teaching explores how to pray more completely in the wilderness seasons of life. (Click on images to Enlarge/Download - Courtesy of Todd Bolen of BiblePlaces.com)  

Episode 105 – Grapes in the Desert Pt 5: Feet for the Pathi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-75{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-75:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-75.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Habakkuk 3:19; 2 Samuel 22:33-34There are moments in life when the path ahead is unclear or downright scary, moments when everything in us wants out of the situation or circumstance we’re in. It’s only natural to ask God to rescue us or change things. That’s part of what prayer is about. But there’s another dimension of prayer we find in the Scriptures. It’s one we often fail to pray, making our prayers incomplete. It’s the prayer David prayed. It’s the prayer Habakkuk prayed. And it’s an astounding prayer of strength and trust that God will empower us no matter where our path leads. This teaching explores how to pray more completely in the wilderness seasons of life. (Click on images to Enlarge/Download - Courtesy of Todd Bolen of BiblePlaces.com) Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? Words are often powerful because of when they’re spoken. What are some of the powerful words people have spoken into your life in the midst of a difficult season? Sometimes we have no words of our own and need to borrow the words of others to sustain us in difficult times. What are some of the words (quotes, scriptures, etc.) that you cling to in challenging seasons? How has God given you feet for the path in the past? Where do you need feet for the path in the current season? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study The Bible and the Land by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 3 is on the desert  The Land Between by Jeff Manion – Outstanding book on navigating the deserts of our lives 

Episode 104 – Grapes in the Desert Pt 4: Trusting Godi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-78{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-78:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-78.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #101018, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Exodus 13:21; Exodus 14:10-12You’re not where you were, and you’re not where you’re going to be. You’re in between. Welcome to the wilderness. It’s in these ambiguous spaces where we either become who God is inviting us to be or we shrink into the smaller, more manageable stories we write for ourselves. Because it’s easier to be a slave in Egypt than to trust God in the desert. But no one aspires to be the person who shrinks. We want to learn to trust well and become all God intended for us to be. This teaching will give you practical ways to grow your trust in God in hard times. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How do you feel about the statement, “It’s easier to be a slave in Egypt than to trust God in the desert?” In what ways have you experienced that to be true in your life? What are one or two moments from your life where you felt like you really trusted God? What made your trust level so high in those moments? What are some of the small, daily ways you choose to trust in yourself instead of in God? What sliding door moments are before you now? How will you engage them? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study The Bible and the Land by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 3 is on the desert  The Land Between by Jeff Manion – Outstanding book on navigating the deserts of our lives 

You’re not where you were, and you’re not where you’re going to be. You’re in between. Welcome to the wilderness. It’s in these ambiguous spaces where we either become who God is inviting us to be or we shrink into the smaller, more manageable stories we write for ourselves. Because it’s easier to be a slave in Egypt than to trust God in the desert. But no one aspires to be the person who shrinks. We want to learn to trust well and become all God intended for us to be. This teaching will give you practical ways to grow your trust in God in hard times.

The practice of grounding yourself in gratitude is essential to a life well-lived. But in the wilderness experiences of life, gratitude isn’t enough. In those times, we need to identify, name, and express our losses. The Psalms are a case in point. Filled with both songs and prayers of praise, they’re also packed full of songs of lament. Because being grounded in gratitude and lamenting the loss are deeply human and deeply biblical. This teaching will give you a new perspective on how to hold both the gratitude and the loss. 

In Hebrew, the root word for midbar (desert) is the Hebrew word davar, which means to speak. While God is always speaking, we usually hear God best in the desert experiences of our lives. Why? Because in seasons of hardship and challenge, busyness and distraction are stripped away, and we become more present and open to God’s voice. When that happens, God often speaks exactly what we need to hear. What if the COVID-19 pandemic is a desert experience in which God is inviting us to pay attention and listen for His voice? If so, we might just receive a davar in the midbar that could change everything.

When things go wrong in life, one of the first things we feel is that we’re alone. And the social distancing and stay-at-home orders of the COVID-19 pandemic only amplify our sense of isolation. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the wilderness is the primary metaphor for challenging seasons of life. But what if the challenges and limitations of the wilderness actually call forth the richness of our creativity? This episode explores how creativity can help us overcome isolation so we can experience grapes in the desert. 

The number 40 is hugely significant in the Scriptures. Noah. Moses. Israel. Elijah. Jonah. Jesus. It shows up again and again, and for good reason. The number 40 represents testing, trial, opposition, challenge, and refinement. But all the challenge and struggle are in service of the wisdom and newness that’s seeking to be born. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, may we not give way to fear, anxiety, and self-preservation, but instead, embrace the hope of what life in the 40 will turn into.

Honor and shame played a significant role in the cultural context of Jesus’s life and ministry. Like a stain, shame diminished a person’s worth in the eyes of the community, and shame continues to have this crippling effect on countless people. From start to finish, this parable is saturated with shame, and Jesus seems to have designed it this way on purpose. Why? Because Jesus is telling us something about Himself and what happens to shame on the cross.

Two significant (but often overlooked) moments in the parable reveal there’s more than one way to be lost. It’s just as possible to be lost in the Father’s house as it is to be lost in the far country. Countless people end up lost not as prodigals, but by believing they’re earning God’s love and acceptance with their obedience. This is not how the Father runs the house. And this episode explores how joy is the litmus test that keeps us from getting lost on the inside.

Sometimes people walk away from God, but few things are as painful as seeing your children walk away. Jesus’s words strike a deep chord with parents who’ve felt helpless as their children walk their own path. Parenting is a sensitive issue and addresses the most tender place within us: our deep love for our children. In this episode, we examine the Father’s posture of heart towards a son he knows is lost in his own home. Unlike other characters in the parable, the Father doesn’t pursue his son, leaving us wondering, why doesn’t he do more? Jesus offers us a picture of risky love that doesn’t coerce, or force or control, but instead let's go and waits expectantly with open arms.

It’s easy to forget how much we’ve been forgiven. And when we do so, our relationship with God and others suffers greatly. In this episode of the parable of the lost son, we key in on the younger son and unpack his journey of being lost and then found. And in doing so, we get to marvel at the extravagant grace of God who embraces us despite our faults and failures. But until we allow ourselves to be embraced and changed by this grace, we’ll seek to manipulate and connive in our relationship with God, and we’ll also fail to extend to others the kind of grace God expects from us. Haven't seen The Parable of The Lost Son (Part 2) yet? Click Here Visit Our YouTube Channel: Click Here Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?  How have you traditionally understood this parable with respect to the younger son? How did this teaching confirm or change your prior understanding?  Is there any way in which you’ve forgotten how much you’ve been forgiven? If so, how is that negatively impacting your relationship with God? Your relationship with others?  Where do you need to embrace God’s grace anew today?  Where do you need to extend that kind of grace to others?  How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?    

Right before Jesus told the Parable of the Lost Son, he told the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. That’s because these three parables go together. And in order to understand what Jesus was challenging his hearers with in the Parable of the Lost Son, we must first understand what Jesus was communicating with the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. Hence, this episode. And as we’ll be questioned with, if all people are worth pursuing, and God is passionately pursuing all people, shouldn’t followers of Jesus be doing the same? Let’s find out. 

Traditionally known as the “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” this story of Jesus has captured the hearts and minds of people for two thousand years. It’s among his most famous teachings, and it highlights the essence of his mission. And like every story of Jesus (and of the Bible), it has a context that is often lost on readers. Which is why in this episode, we begin laying out that context by looking at the reason Jesus tells the parable in the first place. And as we’ll discuss, too many are content knowing the stories of Jesus. But we’re not just called to know the stories of Jesus; we’re called to live the stories of Jesus. 

92% of New Year’s resolutions fail. Clearly, there’s something wrong with the way we execute our goals. But the biggest problem isn’t with the execution; it’s with the goals themselves. Many of us are setting bad goals, and we don’t even know it. They’re having a negative impact on us, and we’re totally unaware. In this final part on the Parable of the Rich Fool, we’re going to challenge the way we think about goals, assess the ones we have, and ensure that we’re setting the right kind of goals. Because if we don’t set the right goals, we’ll pursue the wrong ones, and find ourselves in poverty to the purposes of God. 

We are not the sum total of our possessions and accomplishments. Nor are we the sum total of our faults and failures. And yet, we often live as if that’s the case. We believe our worth and our value comes from what we have or what we do. Jesus confronted this toxic perspective in the Parable of the Rich Fool. But even more than that, he obliterated it in his coming at Christmas. And until we’ve understood and embraced the Christmas identity, we’re going to struggle significantly, and miss out on one of the most foundational and freeing truths in life. 

One of the biggest mistakes we make is believing that what we have, we actually own. In God’s eyes, we don’t own anything. Everything we have – our accomplishments, our possessions, even our lives – all belong to God. We’re simply called to steward what we have on God’s behalf. The rich man in this parable failed to see this, and many of us do as well. Until we recognize this, we’ll struggle with our possessions and we’ll fail to live as generous as God would like. As we move into this Christmas season of giving, this is a teaching we all need to hear.

Possessions can be tricky. On the one hand, many of them are needed and incredibly useful. But on the other hand, they can possess us in ways that we may or may not realize. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus warns, “Watch out! Be on your guardagainst all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” His point is easy to understand. But then the question becomes, “Do we actually live as if what he said is true?” Let’s find out.