Journey of Faith Messages Podcast

At Journey, we believe that spiritual truth comes from God’s Word, the Bible. But reading and learning from the Bible can be challenging; it’s likely the only 2000-year-old document that any of us has ever read. So how do we develop a pattern of studying and applying God’s truth consistently in our lives? This week, we’ll talk through practical ways that we can grow through our interaction with the Bible and see how that commitment is reflected in the way we teach the Bible at Journey. Watch Full Service Discussion Guide  To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here. To view a .docx version of this guide, click here. Begin your time together with prayer  Introduction  Take some intentional time to discuss how everyone in your group was able to apply last week’s action step. Who was everyone able to talk to about Jesus? Who did you invite to church this week? Did they come? What did they think?  **Take time to pray for future conversations ** your group will have with who they connected with this week This week we will be discussing the importance of knowing and following the Bible in our daily lives.  Connect   What is something you know could or will be really good for you, but it’s still hard to stick with it?  When you think about reading the Bible, what seems life-giving or exciting about reading it? Does anything feel confusing or intimidating?  Opening We all come to the Bible with different experiences and expectations. For some, it feels confusing or intimidating. For others, it can seem distant or hard to connect with because it feels outdated to them. It can be easy to get stuck in these perspectives and miss the value that the Bible has to offer. When we take a step back and look closer, we start to see that it’s not just an old book, but God’s story, written to show us who God is and how his words give meaning and direction to life.  This leads us to our main idea for this week  We should commit to reading, understanding, and living out God’s truth in the Bible.  Unpack  Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses:  Read   1 Timothy 4:8-10  Hebrews 4:12  What stood out to you about these verses? What do you think the authors were hoping people would understand or take away from these messages?  Why do you think reading and understanding the Bible is important and challenging in daily life?  When is a time someone’s life reflected God’s truth in the Bible in a way that encouraged or inspired you?  Read   James 1:22-25  Colossians 3:14-17  Romans 15:2-4   Why do you think it’s important to not only know the Bible, but to live out what it says?   Why is doing life together with other followers of Jesus important? How could this help you follow what you learn in the Bible better?  What do you think it could look like for you to actively help others live like Jesus?   Action Step   Commit to reading the Bible, understanding it, and practicing what you learn from it each day this week.  Do this as a group! Communicate throughout the week and encourage each other in this effort.   This could be as simple as going through the Daily Devotional Verses section this week! Make a plan of how you want to apply this action step as a group and try to help each other stick to it each week.   You can also use the YouVersion Bible app’s Bible reading plans like Alex talked about during the message on Sunday.  Closing   It’s natural to have questions, doubts, or even mixed feelings about what we read in the Bible. Sometimes it feels clear and simple, and other times it can feel distant or confusing. The good news is that God’s story isn’t just meant to be read, we are meant to learn from it and live out what it teaches. As we continue to read and understand what it shows us, we begin to see how the Bible brings hope, clarity, and direction to our lives, which leads us to action. This week, spend some time experiencing the story of God and listening to how he is leading you to live out what he is teaching you.   Pray Together  Pray for the Missionary Focus this week, then take prayer requests from your group and conclude your time in prayer for your group.  Missionary Focus  Miguel Adame  Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013.  Prayer Requests:   To achieve effective local outreach.  To support the ongoing growth of their school on the church campus.  Spend a few minutes in prayer for Pastor Miguel  Reflection Verse for the Week   *Read this verse, then encourage the practice of reflection an

Understandable.  Jesus-centered. Invitational.  Those are some of the ways that people in our community describe Journey of Faith.  But what, exactly, are we inviting people into at Journey?  During this first 5-week series of the Fall, we’ll explore the unique blend of values, mission, and programs that define us as a church.  Along the way we’ll find new ways to grow closer to God together and share his love with the South Bay. Watch Full Message Groups Discussion Guide  To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here. To view a .docx version of this guide, click here. Begin your time together with prayer Introduction  Take some time to discuss how everyone’s summer went! What were some standout moments for everyone?  This week we’ll be talking about what it means to share our faith in Jesus, and how we can support one another in doing that.   Connect   What is something you recommended to a friend recently, and why were you excited to share?   Has anyone ever invited you to be a part of something that turned out to be meaningful? What made their invitation meaningful to you?  Opening  When we feel strongly about something, we often want to tell other people about it. We want to tell our friends and family about the latest great movie or debate why we believe that it is, in fact, pronounced “car-mull”, not “care-a-mell.” In many ways, we may feel this same way about sharing our faith in Jesus, but it can feel more complicated. We might worry that we won’t know what to do or say in the moment or we might think, “what if I mess up?” God knows that it can be challenging to do this on our own, however, which is why he created a system of collaboration and support for his follower to rely on: each other!  This leads us to our main idea for this week  We should work together to share  the love of God in the South Bay.  Unpack  Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses:  Read   2 Corinthians 5:15-21  What stands out to you from the verses we just read?  What do you think living a “new life” in Jesus practically looks like?  What could it look like to live your life as an ambassador for Jesus?  Read   Psalms 105:1-2  John 13:34-35  Romans 15:5-6  How do these verses say we can share the love of God to the world around us?  Share how someone living these ways has affected you in your life? Why did this experience stick with you?  What do you struggle with the most when it comes to talking with others about Jesus?   How could you begin to improve in this area to share the love of God with others better?  What support do you need from the group to be able to do this well?  Action Step   Invite one new person to join you at church next Sunday.  Who is someone in your life that doesn’t seem to follow Jesus that you could invite to come to church with you? Try inviting that person, then go out to lunch after and talk with them about how it went for them.  As a group, brainstorm a couple of invitational blurbs you could use this week as a guide.   You could say something like, “Hey I’m going to church this weekend, would you want to check it out with me?” Make it casual, open, and friendly.  Next week, talk about how this went as a group and see how you can support each other to continue improving on how to sharing your faith with those around you.  Closing   Sometimes sharing our faith can feel complicated or even intimidating. It’s easy to overthink what to say or worry about how someone might respond, so we put it off or stay quiet. But God didn’t design us to figure it out alone. He gave us each other to lean on, to encourage one another, and to remind us that we don’t have to carry the weight of sharing his love by ourselves. This week, encourage each other in your group to look for opportunities to share your faith and invite someone to know Jesus.   Pray Together  Pray for the Missionary Focus this week, then take prayer requests for your group and conclude in prayer for your group. Prioritize this time well!  Missionary Focus  Miguel Adame  Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013.  Prayer Requests:   To achieve effective local outreach   To support the ongoing growth of their school on the church campus   Spend a few minutes in prayer for Pastor Miguel  Reflection Verse for the Week   *Read this verse, then encourage the practices of reflection and memorization through the week.  Hebrews 10:24  “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts

We live in a world that is broken by death and pain and evil. Sometimes we can catch ourselves longing for the next life, expecting that God will finally be rid of this earth. But we read in the Bible that God has a much different plan – rather than moving on from Earth, his ultimate plan is to redeem and recreate all that is currently lost and corrupt. In this final week of The Story Project, we’ll read the very last verses of the Bible and learn how we can join in the invitation for Jesus to arrive and make everything new. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post All Things New appeared first on Journey of Faith.

There are many perspectives on the prophetic nature of the book of Revelation. From tackling the strange and vivid imagery to parsing out the curious timelines presented, Christians have worked to unpack John’s vision for the past 2000 years. But does this type of debate about Revelation obscure what Jesus is trying to teach us through the last book of the Bible? Or is it possible to still learn important lessons that can impact our current (and eternal) life? This week we’ll look at a few key passages from Revelation and discover how we can hear Jesus clearly together. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post The Great White Throne appeared first on Journey of Faith.

The book of Revelation is often considered to be a confusing and complicated book of future prophecy. But the truth is that the opening chapters of Revelation feature the risen Jesus himself giving practical insight to his followers. And his direction in those early chapters is clear: we need to stay alert and focused on following him, despite the increasing challenges we face. In this first week of our three-week walk through Revelation, we’ll hear what Jesus has to say to his Church, take his message to heart, and move toward a closer and more fulfilling relationship with him. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post We are the Church appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What kind of faith endures—and how do we pass it on? In two personal letters from the Apostle Paul to a young church leader named Timothy, we discover the key to leaving a legacy of faith: a life anchored in truth, shaped by character, and strengthened through perseverance. Real faith doesn’t just last—it multiplies. It changes us from the inside out and impacts the people we care about most. When we live with purpose and stay rooted in God’s truth, our faith can outlive us. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Leave a Legacy of Faith appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What does it look like to be the Church in a world that’s constantly pulling us in opposite directions? This week, we’ll look at two letters in the New Testament written to churches in an ancient city called Corinth – a city with a lot of similarities to Los Angeles! We’ll see how we can move from being to divided and distracted Christians, to a people known for their unity, holiness, and purpose. Let’s not just go to church—let’s be the Church. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Let’s Be the Church! appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What good is faith if no one can see it in action? This week we’ll look at a letter written to first century Christians from Jesus’ half-brother James. We’ll be reminded that faith isn’t just a belief we carry, but a life we live. Real faith shows up in real ways—through how we handle hardship, love others, and walk humbly with God. Like a fast Amazon order, faith is meant to move quickly from conviction to action. When we put our faith to work, it becomes powerful, practical, and transformative. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Faith Works! appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What if the solution to the world’s brokenness isn’t found in us, but in someone greater? This week, we begin series looking letters from the New Testament, starting with the Apostle Paul’s letter to the ancient Roman Christians. In it, we discover God’s global mission—a plan not just to save individuals, but to unite a fractured world through faith in Jesus. Beneath all our differences, we share a common need and a common hope. When we trust in Jesus, everything changes—from how we see ourselves to how we treat others. This is the good news: God’s love isn’t just for us—it’s for the world. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Good News for the World appeared first on Journey of Faith.

How can we share our faith in a way that truly connects with others? In this final message of our Pioneers series, we’ll explore how Paul, Christianity’s first missionary, engaged with philosophers in Athens. He met people where they were, using their own culture and beliefs as a bridge to introduce them to Jesus. We’ll reflect on how God can help us shift our focus from ourselves to communicating the Good News of Jesus in a way that resonates with those He wants to reach. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Know Your Audience appeared first on Journey of Faith.

How can we stay strong in our faith when life gets tough? This week, we’ll explore the New Testament story of Paul and Silas, two Christians imprisoned for their devotion to Jesus. We’ll see how they kept their faith alive during suffering and used it as an opportunity to share God’s love. Their example will encourage us to worship God even when we don’t feel like it and remain a resilient witness to those around us. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Be a Resilient Witness appeared first on Journey of Faith.

How can we help others grow spiritually without trying to force change? This week, we’ll explore the transformation of Lydia, a key leader in early Christianity. Her decision to follow Jesus came through people who recognized God’s work in her life and trusted Him to open her heart. We’ll learn how to recognize spiritual longing in others and rely on the Holy Spirit for transformation. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Trust God to Work in People’s Hearts appeared first on Journey of Faith.

How can we stay united in our mission while navigating deep cultural and theological differences? This week, we’ll look at how the first followers of Jesus worked to overcome division so they could continue to share the message of Jesus. We’ll learn how we can be grateful for God’s love for us and take practical steps toward cooperation with people who believe differently than us, without compromising our faith. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Find a New Way Forward Together appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Where do you turn when life feels uncertain or overwhelming? For our first week in this series, we’ll explore what shaped the minds and hearts of Christianity’s first missionaries. We’ll learn about the importance of Christian community, how to face hardships, and celebrating what God is doing in people’s lives. And we’ll be reminded to look for the “doors of faith” God opens all around us. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Stay Connected to God appeared first on Journey of Faith.

As the first family of Christians was beginning to grow, it turned out their perspective on who was in and who was out of God’s scope of love was incredibly limited. This week we’ll read the story of how God opened their eyes and made it possible for every to be a part of his family – including you and me. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner appeared first on Journey of Faith.

The earliest followers of Jesus were made up of people who believed the message of Jesus and chose to follow him. But there was one man named Saul, who began his journey as an ardent opponent of Jesus – even arresting and wanting to kill Christians. But God had a different plan for Saul to become one of the most influential and dynamic followers in history – the first Christian missionary. This week we’ll read the story of Saul’s dramatic conversion and be inspired to trust God to breakthrough to even the people most resistant to his love. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Blinded by the Light appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Some of the first followers of Jesus found that their finest moments were defined by how willing they were to cross cultural boundaries to share God’s love. This week we’ll read the story of a man named Phillip who faced the same challenging limitations and prejudices we still face today, but chose to follow God’s loving plan past his hesitations, with incredible results. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post A Growing Family appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What does it take to stand strong when everything is against you? The growth of the first family of Jesus-followers was full of joy and excitement – but that first family also faced extreme challenges and heartache. This week we’ll read the story of the very first Christian martyr – the first Christian to lose his life because of his faith. From the story of Stephen, we’ll learn to be humble and truthful, even in the face of adversity, and find out how we can share God’s love, against all odds. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Standing Strong appeared first on Journey of Faith.

As the earliest followers of Jesus were trying to decide how to keep his movement of love going, they landed on a surprising theme: sharing. They shared meals. They shared their time. They shared their possessions. They shared the journey with one another in order to reach new height of connection and strength. This week we’ll take inspiration from the first family of Jesus in order to become more open and generous ourselves. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post The Power of Sharing appeared first on Journey of Faith.

The first and most important thing the early followers of Jesus decided to do was WAIT; wait for the Holy Spirit to inspire and motivate and guide them. Though it may have first seemed like inaction, waiting on God resulted in a explosion of growth and miracles. This week we’ll explore the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the first followers of Jesus, and learn how we can be transformed by that same experience. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post The Ultimate Catalyst appeared first on Journey of Faith.

The spiritual life extends beyond our personal fulfillment; it is about guiding all of humanity to reconnect with God and thrive in His goodness. This profound mission calls for collective participation, which is why God invites each of us to play a part. This week, we’ll explore The Great Commission—Jesus’ final instructions to His first followers—where He calls them, and us, to embrace a spiritual life far greater than ourselves. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Share the Good News! appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Easter 2025 appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Isn’t it comforting to know that someone is praying for you? Even more amazing, Jesus Himself prays for you! He prays that we can endure life’s challenges and that our love for one another will guide others to Him. This week, in our series The Summit, we’ll explore John 17, where Jesus prays for His followers, and uncover how His prayer can shape the way we live. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Jesus Is Praying For You appeared first on Journey of Faith.

No one wants to feel alone. While we all need moments of solitude, none of us want to feel abandoned, rejected, or unsupported during life’s challenges. The good news is that Jesus promises we will never face those moments alone. This week, we’ll explore Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, our constant companion and source of help. Together, we’ll reflect on how God has been present in our lives all along and how He continues to guide us—and others—into a future filled with hope. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post You Will Never Be Alone appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Have you ever felt like what you have to give isn’t enough to matter? What if generosity isn’t about the amount we give, but about what it does in us? In this final week of our True Value series, we’ll explore Jesus’ perspective as He watches a widow offer a small yet deeply sacrificial gift at the temple. Through her example, we’ll see that true generosity is measured by the heart, not the sum. Together, we’ll invite Jesus to examine our hearts, relieve our financial anxieties, and show us how giving to God can lead to deeper spiritual growth. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Drop in the Bucket appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What if the way you handle your finances could make it easier for others to experience God? While culture often pushes us to focus on getting ahead, God calls us to help others move forward, especially toward Him. This week, we’ll explore one of the most striking moments in Jesus’ ministry—when He overturned tables to clear the temple of money-changers. Through this powerful story, we’ll be challenged to choose generosity and purpose over personal gain and discover how we can remove obstacles to create clear pathways for others to encounter Jesus. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Generosity Helps Others Come to God appeared first on Journey of Faith.

How does your faith influence the way you handle money? As we kick off our new series, True Value, we’ll dive into a conversation between Jesus and a rich young ruler. In this powerful exchange, Jesus challenges us to move from a mindset of clinging to what we have to trusting God and letting go. Together, we’ll reflect on what might be competing with our faith and discover practical steps toward trusting God more with our finances. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Let Faith Guide Your Finances appeared first on Journey of Faith.

The Kingdom of God can begin right now as we choose to let Jesus lead our lives. But Jesus also promised that he would return someday, wrap up history, and establish his full Kingdom. Are you ready? What would Jesus find in us if he returned right now? How should we live our lives if he waits another 2000 years? How do we operate without knowing his timing? This week we’ll explore Jesus’ descriptions of his second coming and take to hear the challenges he gives his followers to stay ready, invitational, and faithful. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Thy Kingdom Come appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Even Jesus used multiple illustrations to help people grasp the idea of the Kingdom of God. This week, we’ll explore several of the powerful images he used—a treasure, a seed, and a fishing net—to reveal what life looks like under his leadership. Each of these examples gives us a clearer picture of God’s love and his desire for us to live in deep connection with him. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post “How Can I Illustrate It?” appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, but on one special day, he gave three of his disciples an in-person demonstration of his true power in that Kingdom! This week, we’ll read the story of “The Transfiguration,” witness Jesus’ glory for ourselves, and learn how we can invite him to bring powerful transformation to our own lives. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post The Ultimate Transformer appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Have you ever faced a situation so hopeless that it felt beyond repair? The good news is that nothing is beyond Jesus’ power to change. In our hopeless situations, Jesus shares in our pain and can transform even the most irreversible circumstances. In our third and final message of our series It’s a Miracle, we’ll witness Jesus’ miraculous ability to overcome the most hopeless situation of all… death itself. And learn to invite Him into our unmet expectations and struggles. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post May Hope Arise appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life’s storms, wondering if your faith is enough? In this second message in our series It’s a Miracle, we’ll explore Jesus’ miraculous power over what overwhelms us, showing that He helps us even when our faith falters. And we’ll discover even when we are struggling to have faith, that Jesus responds graciously to our needs despite our doubts. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Jesus Calms the Storm appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Have you ever wondered if God cares about more than just your religious life? When we read about the life of Jesus, we discover that he has a deep concern for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This concern is seen so clearly in his miraculous and holistic care of people. In this first week of our three-week series called It’s a Miracle! We’ll explore Jesus’ desire to heal every part of our lives. And invite him to meet us in practical and unexpected ways. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Jesus Cares For Every Body appeared first on Journey of Faith.

As we gather a spiritual support team for 2025, it may be exciting to think of all of the ways we can encourage and challenge each other. However, we may quickly recognize that our efforts to help others are limited – we’re busy, we’re weak, and we don’t know any more answers than anyone else. Before those moments come, it is important to recognize that our true benefit to others comes from a deep faith in God. As we close out the first message series of the new year, we’ll see how the faith of an unexpected biblical character amazes even Jesus, and learn the power of fully trusting God to make us a powerful part of his team. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post When Jesus Was Amazed appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What kind of people would help us the most as we commit to growing spiritually in 2025? Who would be the perfect members of a spiritual growth team, and how to we find those people? In this second week of our 4-part series, we’ll look closely at the qualities Jesus was looking for as he assembled his first disciples and learn how we can build the best team for our own spiritual journey. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post What Makes The Dream Team? appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Pursuing God cannot be a journey we take on our own. For as much as we’d like to fly solo, none of the personal and spiritual growth goals we may have for 2025 will be reached without the support, challenge, and encouragement of other people. But who should be on our support team? What does it look like to assemble the spiritual friends and family we’ll need to focus on God and get closer to him this year? In this first week of our 4-week series, we’ll see that Jesus started his own team-building journey by making sure he was rooted in a relationship with God. We’ll follow his lead and set some God-focused goals together to launch into a vibrant new year! Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post God As Team Captain appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Ever feel anxious about the unknown? The story of 12-year-old Jesus getting ‘lost’ at the temple is surprisingly relatable. His actions show us how to navigate uncertainty with confidence, trust, and a sense of purpose. It’s a powerful reminder that even in life’s most confusing moments, there’s a way to grow and find peace. The post Sabbath Sunday 2024 appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary are three people who responded to life-changing news with heartfelt songs of faith and joy. These ancient songs remind us to pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness, even in silence, and to open our hearts to His mission with joyful anticipation. Join us as we uncover how their stories invite us to trust God’s plans and embrace hope this Christmas season. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post A Tale of Two Songs appeared first on Journey of Faith.

What should we do when we see injustice all around us? This is the question asked by the ancient prophet Malachi. He saw his country worn down immoral leadership, financial recklessness, and abuse of power. God answered him with the promise of a brighter future. This week, we’ll explore God’s promise of a coming “Sun of Righteousness” and look at what we can do to be part of the solution to the problems we see. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Here Comes the Sun appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Isaiah, an aged Hebrew Prophet, is gazing into the horizon and sees his nation and people facing a dark future. He knows he won’t be there to remind them of God’s presence and love. Weighed down by the darkness before him, Isaiah is given a message for God’s people: “Comfort my people.” This week, we’ll look the pinnacle of Isaiah vision for the future, the role of a coming Suffering Servant and King who will carry the sins of the world and bring about God’s good plans for the world. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Our Servant King appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Sometimes things appear to be at their worst, right before they get better. There’s an old saying that ‘it’s always darkest before the dawn.” We live in a dark world, full of disappoints, hurts, and fears about the future. What helps you have hope when the world is looks dark? How can we face this darkness with hope of a coming dawn? This week, we begin a four-week series where we’ll explore what the ancient Hebrew Prophets said about the light they saw on the horizon, their promised Messiah and Savior of the World. We’ll see how their words can help us look with hope and celebrate the arrival of Jesus, our coming dawn! Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Our Hope for the Future appeared first on Journey of Faith.

As the period of exile came to a close for God’s ancient people in the Bible, they were reminded of how God had walked them through even their darkest of times. How can we do the same? How can we root ourselves in God’s love and guidance, and celebrate his presence with others? This week we’ll read a famous story of a prophet named Ezra in the Bible as he and his people are overwhelmed by God’s goodness – and learn how we can have that same experience. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Read It and Weep appeared first on Journey of Faith.

One minute, the things of life are falling into place and you’re gaining momentum. The next, a curveball comes your way that forces you to rethink your whole life plan. Where is God in those moments of unexpected complication? How does he respond to the breakdowns and pitfalls of our lives? Can God use us, even when we’re facing situations and challenges, we didn’t plan for? This week we’ll read the inspiration story of Esther from the Bible and learn that God isn’t held back by our unexpected challenges; instead, he wants to use you exactly where you are today. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post For Such a Time as This appeared first on Journey of Faith.

In a world where disagreement is common, it can be easy to use our morals and values as a tool to insulate ourselves from others. God’s plan for his people is quite the opposite: his desire is that by living out his values, we’d be able to share his love and comfort with everyone. This week we’ll see how an ancient young prophet from the Old Testament, Daniel, went from being a scholar in captivity to a blessing to an entire nation because he lived and shared God’s values. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Prepare to be an Influence appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Have you ever had the feeling that you’re a stranger living in a strange land? Have you ever felt like you’re not quite at home in today’s culture? These feelings can be small annoyances, but they can also lead to major worry and anxiety as we seek to live in a world that can seem hostile or uncaring. During this 5-week series, we’ll explore a period of biblical history in which God’s people were conquered, removed from their homeland, and forced to live in exile, under the thumb of foreign rulers. They experienced, first-hand, what it meant to wrestle against their surroundings, yet still feel and share God’s love and hope. Though every feeling of exile is challenging, we’ll learn how it’s also an opportunity for followers of God to embrace their true connection to him and grow the ability to see themselves as citizens of God’s Kingdom Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Instructions for the Exile appeared first on Journey of Faith.

How quickly do you respond to good advice? In this final week of our GET WISE series, we’ll look at the story of King Josiah – a sixteen-year-old who had a heart for God and a quick response to wisdom.  We’ll see how he prioritized God in his life and how we can do the same. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Respond Quickly to Wisdom appeared first on Journey of Faith.

We are people who like to be prepared and in control. In fact, there’s almost nothing that will interrupt our lives as much as situations that turn out to be different than our expectations. How, then, do we process God’s directions that might look different than our life plan? How can we navigate the moment when God’s instructions shake up our expectations? This Sunday we’ll learn from the story of an ancient warrior in the Bible who overcame his own self-protective instincts to let God completely transform his life. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Be Open To Wisdom appeared first on Journey of Faith.

Making decisions is challenging! And the bigger the decision, the more pressure! How can we learn to grow in our decision-making ability? This week, we begin a new series of messages called Get Wise. We’ll be looking at three leaders in ancient Israel who responded to advice in very different ways and the impact they had. And we’ll start this Sunday with the story of King Rehoboam. We’ll see how his rejection of wisdom brough division and how we can welcome wisdom in ways that bring unity! Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Don’t Reject Wisdom appeared first on Journey of Faith.

When we think of the benefits of successful leadership, the list seems obvious: money, fame, power, control. But what if there was something even more valuable, more life-giving than any of the worldly rewards we usually chase? This week, we’ll finish up our exploration of the greatest kings of the Bible and see how they pursued wisdom above all other goals. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post How to Get Rich appeared first on Journey of Faith.

The are many dangers that can tank our leadership: bad decisions, pride, over-extension, even bad luck. But what if the greatest danger to our leadership was something completely avoidable? What if it’s the comfort and idleness that our growing leadership brings that could be our greatest undoing? This week we’ll explore a famous biblical leader’s fall from grace, what seemingly-insignificant problem caused his fall, and how God eventually restored him. We’ll find out that God can help protect us from that same danger, and offers us that same forgiveness. Watch Full Service Story Project Discussion Guide The post Idle Hands appeared first on Journey of Faith.