theprairieridge

What are the things that God has instructed the church to develop and maintain in order to stay true through the years -- to be a church that is worshiping God and making disciples in ten years, in a generation, even after we have passed on?

How can a church stay true to the mission against the forces of shifting culture, drifting tradition, and our own selfish desires? God provided a leadership structure to help churches stay true. We're going to be learning about it in the book of 1 Timothy.

Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) the tax collector to follow him, and he declares an important truth about whom he came to save.

The prophets of Baal try to get their god's attention through their fervency and sacrifice, but Elijah knows that God's attention is already on him. Do we live as the Baal-worshippers or as followers of Jesus?

God, through Elijah, asks the people to make a choice. That choice, "Will you have me as King?" echoes through the pages of scripture. It is the choice facing the world today. It is the choice facing you today, and every day, whether you already a believer in Christ or not.

When telling the truth becomes an offense... we are called as Christians to tell the truth in love, reflecting the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

Obadiah, a follower of the Lord in the court of Ahab, the enemy of the Lord, faces a struggle that reveals something he thinks about his relationship to God. Is God pleased with us? On what basis?

Christ's death and resurrection mean not only eternal salvation for the Christian, but also power for a transformed life.

What do you expect from Jesus? What are the things that you want him to do for you? Are they the things that he is offering to do? Are we looking for the right things from God?

What happens when we cast out the net, throw wide the doors of the kingdom, and people come?

Jesus, our Lord and example, spends time alone with God, the Father. Why? How does a life of prayer shape a person's life? How can I develop a life of prayer? Let's search the scriptures together.

Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and then a large crowd of people. Why did Jesus heal? Why didn't he heal the entire world? What does that tell us about our mission of mercy in the world?

Jesus teaches with authority and frees a man from a demon in the synagogue of Capernaum. Do you have a problem? An affliction? Bring it into the powerful presence of Jesus and his mighty word.

Why did the apostles so easily decide to follow Jesus? What were they following him into. We discuss the idea of "Discipleship". What does it mean for someone today to be a "disciple" of Jesus?

Jesus identified with the nation of Israel in particular, and with all of humanity in general, to take upon himself all the punishment for the sins of the world. If he was willing to identify with us, we also must be willing to identify with him.

The three baptisms mentioned in the opening of Mark. Is water baptism one of the steps leading to salvation? What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit and who receives it?

Mark begins his "gospel" by telling us that this is the beginning of the gospel. What exactly is "the gospel"? Mark's book? A type of music? Something else? Let's talk about what "the gospels" are and what "the gospel" is. This will help believers to live "gospel lives" and to be able to communicate the gospel of salvation to the lost.

God is looking for you to intercede for your family, friends, your country. He hears your prayers and works in response to them. See how God works in response to Elijah's prayer.

Elijah's miracle of food and water is taken away. Why does God seem to do this, to "give and take away?" Have you had an experience like this? How do we navigate those turbulent waters in faith?

Will the things you are seeking from God bring you closer to him?

The future and present work of faith in us.

In the New Year, how will you grow in your faith?

We read about God's judgment unfolding. Of particular interest is how people respond to this judgment. It gives us wisdom and something to reflect about as we share the gospel today.

God's judgment on the world and his salvation of his people. We Christians know this is true, but how should it affect how we live in the here and now?