Act 11:19–26, 13:1–3

Roman 8:12–25

As we talk about various “tools” for growing in our faith (Bible, prayer, relationships, service), we might start to feel like God is calling us to do more, more, more—adding to our already busy and hurried lives. There’s good news. Jesus invites us out of crowdedness to solitude with him, and out of noisiness of life and heart into stillness before him. We can’t grow without this essential but often overlooked ingredient.

Mark 6:30-46

Discussion Guide: Solitude & Stillness

What do you need to grow in your faith? More obvious: spending time with Jesus through prayer, reading the Bible. Less obvious: spending time with people. We cannot grow apart from community—there are certain things of God and the gospel that you will grasp only in the mindst of “gospel friendship” – authentic, face-to-face relationships, in which you know one another, serve one another, love one another.

Ephesians 3:14–19; 4:14–16

Prayer becomes a burden when we pray to perform, aiming to impress others or God. Jesus shows us a different way: Praying as a child would to a father. When we’ve been spiritually “adopted” into God’s family through a relationship with his unique Son, Jesus Christ, it profoundly and practically changes the way you talk to God: boldly, helplessly, fearlessly, babblingly, expectantly, honestly, imperfectly. You might even start to enjoy prayer.

Matthew 6:5–13, 7:7–11

How do we grow by grace? Here’s one tool/ingredient God has given us: the Bible. These passages tell us that Scripture, the word of God, is personal, delightful, meditational, and transformational. What does that mean? How can you engage with God through his Word?

Psalm 119:9-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Discussion Guide: Scripture & Meditation

This time of year (New Year), we often rededicate ourselves to growing physically (a new exercise routine) or personally (a new hobby). How about growing spiritually? In our new New Year’s sermon series, “Growing By Grace,” we’ll be looking at different ingredients and tools for spiritual growth: scripture, prayer, relationships, Sabbath, etc. But first: How do we grow? How do you experience deep, lasting change? This passage tells us, as it points us toward a new identity in Jesus and power experience of his grace.

Colossians 3:1–17

Discussion Guide: How We Grow

As you look to the New Year, what do you feel you really need to tackle the challenges of 2012—what resources, what abilities? Things that might come to mind: a better workout routine, a nanny, more self-discipline, a job, friendship. One thing that may not come to mind: Wisdom. Wisdom? Maybe that doesn’t sound like much, but the Bible tells us that wisdom is one of the most indispensable spiritual resources we’ll want to cultivate for the new year—for life! What is wisdom? Why do we need it? How do we get it? The book of James tells us.

James 1:2–8

We hate being weak—emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually. It’s why we have trouble saying “no”; it’s why some of us live in isolation, pretending we’re okay when we’re really not. But God entered into our humanity—into our weakness. He’s sympathetic toward us in our frailty and flaws. This is the Incarnation. This is the story of Christmas.

Hebrews 4:14–16

Sorry, there is no sermon audio recording this week. Why? We got locked out of our building this Sunday, so we instead held a short impromptu service on the sidewalk of 14th Street. While unexpected and inconvenient in some ways, in other ways it turned out to be a unique blessing — a warm, energetic, community-building time together. Something only God could come up with.

(Click here for a video of part of our sidewalk service.)

Scripture Passage: Luke 2:1-20

Discussion Guide: A Baby Among Shepherds