Mom Guilt

Mary Beth Gladwell

Mom's often feel unreasonable guilt for perceived shortcomings in their parenting. To break free from this, we need to focus on our Christ-given identity as well as our priorities and values in parenting. 

Lost and Found

Scott Risley

Luke 15:1-32

What is often missed in the story of the prodigal son is that there were two prodigals, the younger wild-living son and the self-righteous older son.  Luke shows us how both sons' hearts were far from the father's heart and how we as prodigals can return home to the Father and receive a joyous welcome.

Tension Under Grace

John Ross

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

John discusses how leaders can foster healthy, biblical tension in a home church that "...motivates people to productive action, but not so much that their behavior becomes nonproductive."  Life-giving leaders help people see a positive future where they understand their role and participate in taking ground from the enemy.

How God Responds to Our Failures

Conrad Hilario

John 21:1-25

God is not looking for servants who never fail. In fact, it is our failures that God uses to make us into the servants He can use mightily.  He responds to our failures by using them to help us see our need for Him, He gives us another chance and He uses them to grow our love for others.

Life Together

Jim Leffel

Colossians 4:7-:18

As Christians share their lives together, we should aim to stray on the side of grace, remembering God's power to heal, redeem, and change the lives of those around us. 

Charitable Judgments

Liz Sweet

John 7:24

Liz compares critical, necessary and charitable judgments.  Although judging critically comes naturally to us, God's way is to judge charitably.  If we do not, we risk losing our unity, our transformation, and our witness.

Protect the Treasure

Mike Woods

2 Timothy 1:13-2:2

The Gospel, the Word of God, is a great treasure that is always under attack. In it, we have the "original" measure of life-giving teaching.  We need to guard this treasure and the best way is to be "strong in grace" and to pass it along.

The Message

Jim Leffel

Colossians 1:12-22

Jim Leffel emphasizes the importance of consistently reflecting on God's message of grace and forgiveness. This gratitude for God's gift should be the foundation for who we are and what we do as Christians.

The Revolution Within

Jim Leffel

Colossians 1:9-12

Paul talks about gratitude for the Colossians and what God has done for them. Through this passage, we see that we are never too far off from God and we can always be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus.