The Town Church / Fort Collins

This week, we explore Jesus' presentation at the temple in Luke 2:22–40. As we consider the faithfulness of Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna, we center our discussion around three questions:What stands out to us from this passage? What is God like according to this text? Why do the truths of this text matter? 

Our study of Luke 2:22–40 is shaped by Galatians 4:4–5. Using these verses as our framework, we see how Jesus is the true fulfillment of the law and the One sent to redeem all people.

This prayer rejoices in the joys and benefits of being kept by God - of being in relationship with him.

Welcome back to the AfterWord! Even though we are in the middle of February, we look at the story of Jesus' birth with a fresh perspective. What did we notice about the text that we haven't before? What is God like? If the birth of Jesus demands a response, how should we respond in light of who God is?

The events of Luke 1 all lead to this moment: the arrival of Jesus, the promised Messiah. In the story of His birth, we see God's perfect timing, true humility, and the reality that the gospel is for all people. 

A prayer to remember God's holiness, what he calls his people to, and the grace of God in Jesus.

This week, we dive deeper into the ways God's mercy is on display in this text and explore what it reveals about who He is.What stood out to you from the text this week? What is God like and why does that matter? 

Luke 1 concludes with the birth of John the Baptist. Through John's birth and Zechariah's prophesy, we see clear evidence of God's mercy at work. This leads us to the question guiding our time in the passage: What does the birth of John show us about God's mercy?

The theme of this week's prayer is a plea for God to answer us and act when it feels like he has been distant and unresponsive for an incredibly long time. 

Joy and faith can be difficult to fully grasp, yet they are essential to the Christian life. In our discussion of Luke 1:39–56, we explore how these two themes and more shape the lives of God's people.Other questions: What stood out to you from this passage? What is God like and why does this matter? 

Luke 1:39–45 highlights the responses of Mary, Elizabeth, and John as God's work continues to unfold through the arrival of the Messiah. 

A prayer for justice from God's hand.

Our new host, Rex, leads us through some helpful questions as we dive deeper into this week's passage. How can we walk alongside those who are struggling to trust that God is still at work when their prayers seem impossible?What do we learn about Mary through her response to Gabriel's message? What is God like according to this text? Why does that matter?

Mary, an unlikely and undeserving choice, was used by God to reveal His promises to the world. Through Gabriel's visit, we see that God chooses to extend His grace to the humble and invite them into His redemptive plan.

A prayer of praise rooted in the All-Mighty Creator caring for us who are the not-all-mighty created. 

Rex is back! As we look at the context of this passage, we ask what it really means that Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as blameless and how that shapes the way we think about God giving or withholding good gifts.Once again, we focus on these three key questions: What parts of the context need closer attention?What is God like according to the text? And what difference does that make? 

Luke begins by setting the stage for the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah God's people had long been waiting for. Through the angel's visit to Zechariah, we see that God is preparing the way for the One who will meet the deepest needs of all people.

A prayer for protection and salvation from overwhelming enemies.

The AfterWord is back with a new season! We kick back off with three questions that will be central to our discussions moving forward: Is there anything about the context of the passage to explore? What is God like according to the text?What difference does that make? 

The gospel is for everyone. As we begin our journey through Luke, this truth sets the tone for everything that is to come.

God has graciously given us many means of grace to help us know Him more deeply. One of those gifts is prayer. This week, we consider what God truly desires from us as we come before Him in prayer.

We wrap up our Advent series by looking at the hymn O Holy Night. Though it was written by unexpected authors, it beautifully proclaims the reality that on this most holy night, our Savior came to earth.

Jesus offers us true, eternal joy. Joy to the World turns the truths of Psalm 98 into a hymn that proclaims who Christ is and what He offers to the world. So we should respond in one way: with joy!

Inspired by the angels' appearance to the shepherds in Luke 2, Charles Wesley composed this hymn about the Savior King. We zoom in on this hymn with one important question in mind: How does it help us see Jesus?

This Advent hymn has withstood the test of time, sung for centuries and still echoing here in Fort Collins, Colorado.The main theme it proclaims is that Jesus, our Savior, has come to release us from the captivity of sin and from Satan, our enemy. And our response is simple: rejoice! 

In 1744, Charles Wesley published the hymn Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.This hymn, rich with theological truth, reminds us of the King who came and who will return, bringing true rest and freedom for His people.

It's our final AfterWord of 2025! This week, we wrap up our series, The Common Thread, by looking at the Minor Prophets. What struck you this week? What was surprising about our look at these books? What will stick with you about tracing the thread of Jesus in the Old Testament?What is God like according to the Minor Prophets?

Our final week in the Old Testament brings us to the Minor Prophets.These twelve books speak against the rebellion of God's people, yet they also reveal God's heart to draw His people back to Himself.

The Major Prophets can feel confusing or intimidating to read. This week, we walk through some practical pointers for how to read through these books. Questions we explore: • How do we see more of Jesus through lamenting and grief (Lamentations)? • How has God responded to situations in our own lives? • According to the Major Prophets, what is God like?

In the Major Prophets, God speaks with authority about His character, His judgment, and His plans for redemption.From Isaiah to Daniel, we see God's longing for His people to turn from sin, and each book points forward to the coming Messiah who will ultimately deliver His people.

The wisdom books teach us a lot about human emotion. We often swing between two extremes: ignoring our emotions or letting them rule our lives. Today, we talk about how to avoid those two ditches and explore a few other helpful topics.What is the "fear of God" mentioned in Proverbs?How do we read through Proverbs devotionally? What resonated with us from Sunday's sermon? Listen until the end for our new outro music!

God intentionally created us as emotional beings.From Job to Song of Solomon, the wisdom books of the Old Testament give voice to those emotions and show us how to bring our whole selves to God. 

In this big picture overview of the History books, we see the continued pattern of a deep longing for Jesus. Is every failing or disappointment in life meant to point us to Jesus and His promised return? How do we counsel someone enduring hardship, knowing that restoration may not come until Jesus returns? What is God like according to these books? 

The History books of the Old Testament continue to reveal that something is missing for God's people—something only Jesus can fulfill.Through the stories of promised lands and imperfect leaders, we see the ache for a greater King and a true place of rest. Every victory, failure, and longing points us to Jesus—the one who fully satisfies.

This week, we zoom out and look at the big picture. How do the first five books of the Bible show us our need for Jesus? What generally struck you from this sermon? Have you always viewed the Bible as one cohesive story? Why is the Old Testament still valuable today? 

All of the Old Testament points forward to the coming of Jesus.This week, we're looking at how Christ is revealed in The Law -- the first five books of the Old Testament. In these pages, God shows us His character and His will for His people. At the same time, The Law exposes our inability to perfectly live out that will. These books stir in us a longing for someone greater someone who will fulfill the Law on our behalf and bring the restoration and redemption our hearts desperately need.

In our 1 Corinthians wrap-up, we explore the themes of chapter 16—how saints give together, serve together, endure together, and love together. Of these themes, which one resonated with you the most? How has God shaped your perspectives around giving? What has that looked like for you? What are current ministries to be involved in at our church (and are there any that you would like to see one day)?Who in our body has helped you endure? What are tangible examples of love you've experienced through the church? 

Our journey through 1 Corinthians ends with Paul's closing words in chapter 16. He ties together the heart of his message—our unity in Christ—and shows what that looks like in practice. It's a fitting conclusion to this letter and to our series, reminding us again that we are called to be saints together.

In the resurrection, we will finally be completely free from sin and its consequences. Is it harder for us to think about having bodies that are physically restored or bodies that are unaffected by sin?What effect of sin are we most looking forward to being destroyed? What could it look like for each of us to remain steadfast and immovable in our own lives? 

Jesus is victorious over sin and death. Because of His victory, we will one day no longer feel the sting of sin.In the final verses of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul proclaims this triumphant truth that should move our hearts to worship.

Resurrection bodies?! This subject can bring up a lot of questions that we may never be able to answer. Rather than venturing into the weeds, we consider a few different questions: How does the reality of death before life hit our hearts? How does this influence the way we share the gospel with others? How does this increase our hope in what is to come?