As Grace DC grows its ministries we must remember our primary purpose.  It’s so very easy for individuals or churches to ‘miss the forest for the trees’; to look back and realize your life was just a series of latest trends.  In the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus (a city much like Washington, DC), we’re called back to our chief calling.

Study Guide: 01.10.10 The Ministry of Grace DC Part I

Sometimes a gift is left unopened under the Christmas tree because someone couldn’t make the celebration. But how strange it would be if a gift remained unopened for 6 months… a year… 3 years – because gifts were made to be opened. The gift of God’s grace may go down in history as the gift most left unopened. Psalm 103 offers a chance to unwrap God’s loving kindness

* Unfortunately, we had some technical difficulties this week and were not able to record the sermon. We apologize for the inconvenience!

Understanding the original setting of the first Christmas songs help us to really appreciate what it’s about. The songs came to and through people who were oppressed, politically occupied, aching with longing and smarting from shame, yet who saw a marvelous promise come true – the birth of God’s Savior. And the scope of the salvation He came to bring invites us into a comfort much bigger and deeper than the holiday songs offer.

Study Guide: 12.13.09 Songs for the Suffering

Songs about snow, family gatherings, and gift-giving have their place; they help us celebrate the beauty of winter, community and generosity. However, they do not speak to those questioning, waiting or even doubting. You have to go the original songs of Christmas for that. As we listen in on Zechariah’s song, we learn that Christmas is a season for those who long and wait and wonder: Will God be gracious?

Study Guide: 12.06.09 Christmas Songs: Song for the Waiting

Christmas has undergone a makeover in the past decades,  from a story of salvation to nostalgia. The music reflects it: “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your hearts be light” vs. “Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.” And, in this way, Christmas has become exclusive. If you don’t have a light heart, a happy family around a festive table, someone to smooch under the mistletoe or presents stacked high, it’s hard to get in on the joy. However, the origin of Christmas was never meant to be for the already joyful, rather it has always been for people in the low places.

* Please note: If your Community Group did not meet last week due to Thanksgiving, use the Study Guide from Nov 22 (A New Community for the Neighborhood) for your discussion this week.

Study Guide: 11.29.09 Christmas Blessings: Humbled

If you have been around this church for a while, you have heard us talk about Grace DC starting a new congregation in the city with Duke and Paula Kwon as its leaders. This is a several step process that is now being kicked it into high gear. This really is a celebration of a dream realized. From the start, we have desired to be a church planting church – that is a church that will start other congregations. Listen and begin to think and pray about what part you will play.

Study Guide: 11.15.09 It Takes Faith To Start A Church

The highest command of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is found in the call to love one’s enemy. It is perhaps the defining mark of a follower of Jesus. We may be able to pull off being religious, moral, self-disciplined, and even kind to those like us. But the will and ability to love your enemy is evidence of something special – something which God’s enemy-love alone can produce.

Study Guide: 11.01.09 Living Like Royalty: Enemy-Love

One person has said that this part Sermon on the Mount is the ‘most admired and most resented’ of Jesus’ teaching. Not only is it a hard teaching for us, it also raises all sorts of questions. Is Jesus a pacifist? Is Jesus opposed to self-defense or the state using force? What we find is Jesus leading us beyond vengeance.

Study Guide: 10.25.09 Living Like Royalty: Beyond Vengeance (The Restraint of Love)

“He’s got commitment issues!” “She’s got commitment issues!” This is a common complaint in dating culture. But the truth is, all of us have commitment issues. As Jesus talks about the practice of people taking oaths/vows he gets to the heart of commitment.

Study Guide: 10.18.09 Living Like Royalty: Commitment Issues

While divorce rates have gone down among a select group of people, everyone would agree there are far too many divorces. Yet the solutions to reduce divorce don’t seem to help. As Jesus teaches on divorce, he points us to a solution: the oneness of marriage.

There is no Study Guide for this week’s sermon. Instead, please do our What Are Community Groups Study.