When a new church gets started, the challenges it faces are “getting on it’s feet”, after that the challenge is different–moving its feet.  How does a church avoid the common pattern of stagnating and then dying?  How does ongoing spiritual growth happen?

Study guide: 09.12.10 Stronger Branches, Deeper Roots Sermon Discussion Guide

In our society there is a debate between maintaining the freedom of speech while limiting speech that insights violence.  In the 80s and 90s college campuses instituted speech codes, yet some were overturned by courts, because they violated free speech.  It’s very hard to regulate speech from the outside, but something can from the inside–God’s grace.  How can grace shape our words?

Study guide: 09.05.10 The Shape of Grace: Doing Good by Our Words Sermon Discussion Guide

The Shape of Grace: Dealing with Race
*Please note the sermon recording begins shortly after the actual beginning of the sermon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The topic of race is current, complex, painful and divisive. The more America becomes racially and ethnically diverse, the more the tensions are seen and felt. Racism is not a thing of the past and the Church is not immune.

How does the Bible help us think about this issue? Through a controversy between the two most influential leaders of the early church, we learn how grace shapes our view of race.

Study guide:08.29.10 The Shape of Grace: Race Sermon Discussion Guide

Scott Bridges preaches from 1 John 1:9 on the importance of talking back to our own hearts, reminding ourselves that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

Study guide:08.22.10 Sermon Discussion Guide

08.08.10 How Grace Shapes Our View of Disappointment

Whether the discussion is Lady Gaga, sex on college campuses, or same-sex marriage, the meaning and practice of our sexuality is always before us. Contrary to many people’s opinions, the Bible has much to say on the topic, because it understands God to be the author of sexuality. Understanding and appreciating our sexuality means starting there.

Study Guide: 08.01.10 The Shape of Grace: Sexuality, Part I
See also: The Gospel and Sex by Tim Keller

We all want to be be influential and know that our lives matter. But what does gospel-centered influence look like? The most influential person in the New Testament might surprise you, as we learn that grace is the focus of a truly significant life.

Study guide: 07.25.10 Gospel-Centered Influence

A disciple is a follower or student of a teacher, mentor or method. In the Christian faith a disciple imitates and worships Jesus Christ, and in learning to do this God employs many people. One person helps us learn theology, another how to think about our vocation, another perhaps how to better parent. But while discipleship may involve many people and methods, Jesus says that the essential character of it is the same for every person – it is a kind of death; a dying to live.

Study guide: 07.18.10 The Shape of Grace: Death by Discipleship

Many shaping influences contribute to the kind of person we become–where we grew up, the experiences we’ve had, the schools we attended, the relationships, etc.  What does a person look like who has been shaped by the grace of God?  How does God’s free forgiveness and acceptance become THE shaping influence in our lives.  Romans 12.1-2 speaks to that critical question.

Study Guide: 07.11.10 The Shape of Grace