Resources from 2020

Look Below the Surface

The Idol of Comfort

The Idol of Control

The Idol of Approval

The Idol of Power

Repentance

Your Kingdom vs. God's Kingdom

Forgiveness vs. Bitterness

Unity vs. Favoritism

Lust vs. Satisfaction

Distraction vs. Mission

Eternal vs. Temporary

Your Kingdom vs. God's Kingdom

Forgiveness vs. Bitterness

Take Up Your Cross

Kingdom of God

Worry

Prayer

Hypocrisy

Count the Cost

Worshipping the Right God the Right Way

Sabbath (Resting in Christ)

Words (Misusing God's Name & Lying)

Honor Your Father & Mother

Murder & Adultery

Contentment (Covet & Steal)

Surrender Our Terms of Blessing

By Comparison Hate Everyone Else

Empty Yourself to be Filled by God

Sin is Serious

Is Your Faith a Show?

Spiritual Rest

God's Plan

Dead to Alive

Unity in Diversity

Mature Believers

Church on Display

Radical Orientation Towards Others

Spiritual Warfare

Why Study Biblical Femininity

Both culture and religious tradition have distorted what it means to be a woman created in the image of God. This video examines the common …

Calling

What is calling? Join Chrystie as she defines the meaning of Ezer kenegdo and what it means to reflect God’s image.

Core Capacities: Invite, Nurture, Partner

God has given us a unique ability to reflect specific aspects of God’s character. These capacities go beyond personality or roles that we may have.

Individuality

A look at how understanding our individuality helps us live out our calling and how our giftings and life experiences shape our individuality.

Seasons

Understanding the uniqueness of each season of life impacts the ways in which we live out our calling. This video discusses the importance of navigating …

Identity

We cannot be strong for others until we are first secure in our identity in Christ. Our ability to reflect his image will be hindered …

Concern & Responsibility

Oftentimes, we blur the line between concern and responsibility. Sometimes, adjustments need to be made in order for us to be faithful stewards. In this …

Image of God

An in-depth, biblical look at what it means to be a woman, the dangers of autonomy, and the freedom that comes from finding our identities …

Stewarding Every Season

There are several factors that determine your season and how you steward it. In this video, we discuss the roles of concern, responsibility, energy, individuality, …

Body Matters Teaching Session

How a woman thinks about, views, and treats her body with either disempower her and hinder her growth in spiritual maturity, or it will free …

Making Peace with our Form and Function

Body Issues? We all have them. It’s time we reshape the narrative. How do we embrace both the form and function of our bodies - …

Image of God

An in-depth, biblical look at what it means to be a woman, the dangers of autonomy, and the freedom that comes from finding our identity …

Redeeming Sexuality Teaching Session

Both the culture and the church have contributed to our misconceptions about sex and sexuality and have framed our understanding. How do we reframe our …

Energy & Responsibility

What does it look like to steward our energy well? Ruthie explains the relationship between energy and responsibility and invites us to incorporate rhythms of …

Concern & Responsibility

Oftentimes, we blur the line between concern and responsibility. Sometimes, adjustments need to be made in order for us to be faithful stewards. In this …

Care for Sexual Abuse Survivors

PRAYERFUL DEPENDENCE

FAITH DURING THE PANDEMIC

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

BIBLICAL COMMUNITY

LEADERSHIP IN OUR CHURCH

WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT

Bible Insights | Read Entirely & Repeatedly

Bible Insights | Themes in Scripture

Leadership Values | Self-Awareness

Should I Take Medication When I'm Anxious?

Mourning as a Christian

Grieving the Death of a Non-Christian

Understanding Scripture can be a Test

The Gospel Motivation to Serve Others

Moving from Anxiety and Arrogance to Love

The Result of False Hope

The Sins of Self-Protection and Self-Promotion

A Son's Sexual Purity and his Father's Influence

Dating in Community

Money and Discipleship

Money Reveals our True Master

Givers are Lovers

God's Presence and the Value of Corporate Worship

Do You Believe God Loves You?

Spiritual Gifts

Ezer Encouragement from Jeff Eenigenburg

The Flash and Sizzle of False Teachers

Jesus is God's Yes

Experiencing the Holy Spirit

Be Careful Who You Listen To

Is Jesus Serving as King or Priest?

My Friends Are Worse Than Me

Engaging Holiness

We Want Heaven Now

Don't Judge Me!

Sometimes Acceptance is Not Loving

Too Fragile for Heaven's Glory

Christianity is a Bad Hobby

Godly vs Worldly Sorrow

Tears Don't Equal Repentance

God Asks You to Worship Him

Denial | Admitting | Confession | Repentance

Correction Reveals the Heart

Repentance Requires Action

The Church Brings Both Comfort and Pain

Propitiation is not a Popular Word

Therefore, it was Necessary...

How Far is God Willing to Go to Empathize with Me?

Ezer | Calling

Ezer | Why Study Biblical Femininity?

Ezer | Biblical Femininity

Ezer | Core Capacities: Invite, Nurture, Partner

Ezer | Individuality

Ezer | Seasons

Ezer | Identity

Ezer | Concern & Responsibility

Ezer | Energy & Responsibility

Ezer | Image of God

Ezer | Stewarding Every Season

Ezer | Body Matters

Ezer | Redeeming Sexuality

Ezer | Preocupación y Responsabilidad

A Marriage Redeemed

"I have been so humbled by just being able to understand the Lord's graciousness towards me and his pursuit of me. Even when I didn't …

Anxiety Brings Dependence

"It was new for us to see what does it look like to really trust God with your job, with your finances. God started to …

Overcoming Depression—Rescued by God

"It was the right people at the right time. . . . It was Ezer that I think God put up there to make me …

Fasting and Prayer Brings Needed Renewal

"It definitely drew us closer to God, it drew us closer to something greater than ourselves, it helped us to step outside of ourselves and …

The Art of Lifetime Discipleship

"Discipleship to me is walking along with another person to help them watch God make them into a godly person. . . . I have …

Learning to Trust God with a Loved One

"I became pretty distraught, and that night I remember just crying out to God and just asking him to take care of her because I …

The Hope and Renewal of Easter

"What it boils down to is the relationship I have with God, not what other people think about him. Easter has much more weight and …

The Strength of Singleness for Leadership

"One of the pastors brought up what I refer to as the energy chart, which ultimately challenges us to make sure we are expending our …

A Rule Breaker Meets the Redeemer

"I rebelled in about every way that I could. My identity was in myself and what I could get out of life. My identity now …

Replacing Lies With Truth

"I realized I need truth more than I needed anything else. It began this process of devouring God's Word. Through that process, it taught me …

Courage through Uncertain Times

"God challenges us, and a lot of times his challenges really strip us of reliance on ourselves or anything else for that matter. What stood …

Delighting in God During Difficult Times

“One day we were at school, and the next we weren’t. And just like that, it was gone. . . . I was putting all …

Hannah's Prayer

In the first chapter of 1 Samuel, we are faced with the story of Hannah’s confident trust in God and her courageous obedience. Where there …

Eli's Wicked Sons & God's Rebuke

Eli’s sons, priests who have been charged with the responsibility to stand in the gap between people and God, are living dishonorably by abusing their …

God Speaks, Samuel Hears

In 1 Samuel 3, we are left in the wake of Eli’s sons’ wicked deeds as their family of priests does not faithfully stand in …

Glory Departed

After suffering a great loss in battle, Israel’s army decides to take things into their own hands and put hope in what God provided rather …

The Lord's Heavy Hand

Even as we enter into a dark place in this story where the Israelites have overvalued the ark and undervalued God himself, we see that …

The People Demand a King

While God warns the people through Samuel that if he gives them the king they want then they will beg him for relief, they don’t …

The Fierce King

God delivered the king that the Israelites asked for as they neglected the kingship of our Creator and instead demanded the physical comforts of a …

Desperation and Disobedience

Israel accepts Saul as their king. He has proven himself victorious, and they have not yet seen his failure for what it is; however, we …

The Faith of Jonathan

Saul and Jonathan are left to fight the incoming army with 600 fragile men, two swords, an armor bearer, and a cursed priest. While Saul …

Saul's Foolish Oath

When we allow our self-regard to consume us, becoming controlling and putting ourselves at the center, we put ourselves in opposition to what God is …

Obedience Over Sacrifice

God commands Saul to destroy the Amalekites to bring justice and for no selfish gain, but Saul disobeys and keeps for himself any animal of …

Saul Rejected, David Anointed

Saul has been rejected as king by God, so God instructs Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint the next king that God has chosen. …

David and Goliath

While the story of David and Goliath is a familiar one for most of us, God’s living Word reveals new convictions and truth for us …

Saul's Jealousy and David's Success

Saul is on the decline, and David is on the rise. While it is obvious that God is with David in whatever he does, Saul …

Jonathan's Loyalty

In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan’s loyalty to God and humble submission to what he is doing in David’s life is the undertone for everything that …

David Flees from Saul

In 1 Samuel 21, David, who has shown that he is not afraid of those who oppose God, is now fearful and on the run …

The Slaughter of the Priests

In 1 Samuel 22, Saul learns that David is gaining some traction, and he becomes unhinged. Saul’s fear and insecurity flare up in this perceived …

David Spares Saul

In 1 Samuel 24, David finds himself in a position of power with an opportunity to elevate himself to the position of king. However, he …

David & Abigail

In 1 Samuel 25, we see David in a time of weakness. When he is rejected and demeaned by Nabal, he acts rashly and takes …

The Death of Saul and His Dynasty

In 1 Samuel 31, we come to the conclusion of the book, which ends with Saul’s tragic death. As Saul’s battle for control reaches its …

Holy Week: Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, publicly proclaiming that he is the Messiah. As our Savior makes his way through the …

The Resurrection: Our Living Hope

The resurrection of Jesus gives us freedom—its victory gives us new life, hope, and an eternal inheritance that reaches far beyond our life here on …

Advent: Like Me

As we consider the first Advent of Christ—the incarnation—we stand in awe of the powerful empathy of Jesus. The Son of God took on blood …

Listening and Doing

In this passage, James speaks to fellow believers about what it really means to be a Christian—we must both hear and respond to God’s leading. …

Timeless Hope

Paul calls the believers at Rome to spiritual maturity, encouraging them to please one another, stay grounded in Scripture, and strive for unity in the …

Lydia

We begin our Lives of Faith series with the story of Lydia. A successful, independent Gentile woman, Lydia’s life change begins with a posture of …

Mary of Magdala

After Jesus’ death and burial, Mary Magdalene is faced with loss and confusion over Jesus’ missing body. In the midst of this chaos, we see …

Rahab

This week, we meet Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho who says “yes” to God in an extraordinary way. When Joshua sends spies into Jericho, Rahab …

Naaman

During a tense period of Israel’s history, a powerful pagan commander—Naaman—finds himself in a place of need. Stricken by leprosy, Naaman is led by a …

Ezra

A humble and capable man of God, Ezra journeys from exile back to Jerusalem, determined to teach the Law of the Lord to the people …

Stephen

Full of God’s grace and power, Stephen gives us an image of what it truly means to be like Jesus. In the face of conflict, …

The God of All Comfort

The leaders of the Corinthian church have rejected Paul in part because of his suffering, believing that God has abandoned him. In order to correct …

Hurt in the Church

In this deeply personal passage, we see Paul defending himself to the Corinthian church. As many have turned aside to false teachers, Paul reminds them …

Ministers of the New Covenant

As Paul continues the defense of his ministry to the church at Corinth, he explains what it means to be a minister of the New …

A Glorious New Way

Believers in the church at Corinth are being swayed by the lure of human power and credibility. In response, Paul points them to the power …

Jars of Clay

In this passage, Paul unpacks the counter-intuitive nature of the gospel. Following Jesus does not promise ease and prosperity. Instead, we must be willing to …

New Bodies

Looking forward, Paul points us to a day when every believer will stand before Jesus. This day will be one of resurrection, judgment, honor, and …

A Message of Reconciliation

What is our mission and why? Paul answers this important question by unpacking the gospel. As believers, we should be motivated by both the fear …

A True Minister

Marked by humility, Paul defends the credibility of his ministry and encourages the Corinthians to renounce false teachers who are challenging his leadership and creating …

Holiness in the Temple

In this passage, Paul cautions the Corinthians against over-identifying with the culture around them. He reminds them that as God’s chosen people, they are holy …

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow

At this point in 2 Corinthians, Paul acknowledges a previous “severe” letter he sent the Corinthian church to correct some sinful patterns. Although this letter …

Generosity and Joy

In this passage, Paul exhorts the believers at Corinth to be courageously generous. A faith-filled Christian can be both physically impoverished and abundantly joyful, for …

The God of Provision

As Paul encourages the Corinthians to fulfill their commitment to give to the persecuted believers in Jerusalem, he unpacks the gospel core of generosity. Just …

Spiritual Authority

In this challenging passage, Paul not only defends his authority, he also explains the power and nature of authority from God. Unlike worldly influence, godly …

A Suffering Servant

Paul is deeply concerned that the believers at Corinth are being deceived and taken advantage of by false teachers. As he refutes their arguments, he …

A Thorn in the Flesh

In this passage, Paul addresses the issue of suffering. Our innate response—especially in our culture—is to avoid suffering if at all possible. However, Paul explains …

Spiritual Discipline

As Paul explains the redemptive nature of corrective discipline, he urges the believers at Corinth to humble themselves. Sin is powerful, destructive, and has far-reaching …

Spiritual Testing

As Paul continues to urge the believers at Corinth to repent of their sins and come back under God’s authority, he explains the value of …

Joy, Peace, and Maturity

Throughout this letter to the church at Corinth, Paul has exposed and corrected their sin. As he concludes, he exhorts the believers to be joyful, …

We Choose Update Year 2

At the beginning of 2019, we introduced our two-year ministry plan, We Choose, across all of our campuses. Using our Core Values as a framework, …