Teaching
We gather around the scriptures to learn the unfolding story of God.
Jesus Cooks Breakfast – John 21:1–14
Too often, we expect to see Jesus only in church or during spiritual moments, but He is deeply interested in meeting us in our daily work, our failures, and our routines. Sometimes, our own shame or distractions keep us from seeing Him, but Jesus is always present, inviting us to notice Him and respond.
John's Purpose – John 20:30–31
The rise in spiritual curiosity in our culture reveals a deep hunger for meaning, but a do-it-yourself approach to spirituality often leaves us without a trustworthy guide. The story of Jesus offers not only a compelling interpretation of reality but also a path to the good life, one that is big enough to hold all the strangeness and mystery of our world, yet personal enough to give meaning and purpose to each of us.
Jesus and Thomas – John 20:24–29
In seasons of spiritual uncertainty, disappointment, or unanswered questions, doubt can often feel like a threat to faith, a sign that something has gone wrong or that belief is slipping away. But the story of Thomas, often labeled a doubter, offers a different perspective. When Jesus appears to Thomas after the resurrection, He doesn’t shame him or scold him for his skepticism. Instead, Jesus invites him to touch His wounds, meeting Thomas with compassion, patience, and personal care.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples – John 20:19–23
True discipleship is not measured by how much Christian information we can recite or by simply holding the label “Christian.” It is a whole-life apprenticeship to Jesus, where we learn to live as he would live in our circumstances. This requires moving beyond consumption and self-improvement to a deep, ongoing commitment to follow Jesus in every aspect of life.
Resurrection – John 20:1–18
Easter is a time when we find ourselves, much like the diverse crowd at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, waiting to peer into the empty tomb and discern its meaning for our lives. For some, Easter is the cornerstone of faith, while for others, it may seem like a relic of the past. Yet, the resurrection story is not a mere fairy tale; it is a narrative filled with real people, real emotions, and real encounters with the risen Christ.
Wrath – Matthew 5:21-26
Anger is a prevalent issue in today's society, often manifesting in road rage and global unrest. As followers of Jesus, we must resist the sin of anger and strive to live as He would, recognizing that anger can be both a healthy emotion and a hellish habit. Jesus equates anger with murder in Matthew 5:21-26, emphasizing the seriousness of harboring anger towards others. However, distinguishing between healthy anger and a hellish habit is crucial. Healthy anger aligns with God's anger, which is slow, rooted in love, and directed towards injustice and oppression.
Greed – 1 Timothy 6:6-19
Greed, often misunderstood as a vice exclusive to the wealthy, is an insatiable desire for more that can affect anyone, regardless of their financial status. It is a pervasive force in our culture, celebrated and encouraged, yet it leads us away from the contentment and sufficiency found in Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns against the dangers of greed, urging believers to pursue godliness with contentment, which he describes as "great gain." This contentment is not about accumulating wealth but about recognizing that life with God makes us rich in ways that transcend material possessions.
Envy – 1 Samuel 19:9-18
Envy is a subtle but powerful force that fuels comparison, competition, and resentment. It shows up in everyday moments—scrolling through social media, hearing someone else’s good news, or watching a neighbor succeed. Left unchecked, it can damage relationships, divide communities, and blind us to the goodness in our own lives. But Scripture offers a different way. As 1 Corinthians 13 says, love does not envy. Love makes space for celebration, connection, and peace. In love, there is freedom from comparison and joy in being exactly who God created us to be.
Pride – Matthew 6:1-6 & 16-18
Pride is a subtle vice that shifts our focus from God to ourselves. It is not about thinking too much of oneself but rather thinking of oneself too much. In a culture that often glorifies self-promotion and attention-seeking, pride can easily become a barrier between us and God. This self-focused pride can lead us to place ourselves at the center of our universe, imagining that we are the source of our own lives. However, true fulfillment comes from making God the center of our lives and seeking His will above our own.
Lust – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Lust, when left unchecked, deforms our view of others, our sexual appetites, our sense of commitment, and our sense of self. It reduces others to objects and distorts our understanding of relationships. However, God’s call to holiness is not about achieving perfect purity but about setting our lives apart for Him. Holiness is about reordering our lives and loves towards God and His kingdom.
Gluttony – Matthew 4:1-4
Gluttony is not merely about food but about seeking to fill a spiritual void with temporary pleasures. This misplaced dependency challenges us to examine what truly satisfies our souls. The practice of fasting helps combat gluttony by exposing our attachments, increasing our hunger for God, and creating space for Him in our lives. During Lent, we are invited to embrace fasting—not as deprivation, but as a pathway to spiritual growth and deeper dependence on God.
Sloth – Mark 14:32-42
Sloth, often misunderstood as mere laziness, is a deeper spiritual indifference that can lead us away from God. It is described as a "noonday demon," a temptation that strikes in the midst of our daily routines, causing procrastination and avoidance of what is good. Recognizing and naming this shadow is the first step in overcoming it, as it allows us to confront the underlying thoughts that lead us astray. By acknowledging acedia, we can begin to address the spiritual lethargy that hinders our relationship with God.
Embodied – Genesis 1:26–31
The rise of artificial intelligence and digital advancements often tempt us to reduce our humanity to mere data processing, but this is a narrow view. Our faith insists on the value of the human body, emphasizing that being human is more than just thinking or problem-solving; it is about being embodied. From Genesis, we learn that being made in the image of God means we are inherently valuable, entrusted with a royal task, and capable of embodying love. Our bodies are not just vessels; they are integral to our identity and our ability to express divine love.
Embodying Jubilee – Luke 4:16-30
As followers of Christ, we are called to embody justice, mercy, and humility, proclaiming the good news through our actions. This requires us to be agents of Jubilee, bringing hope and transformation to the marginalized and outcasts in our communities. By living out these values, we reflect the heart of Jesus and participate in His mission to bring healing and liberation to a broken world. Our actions should be a testament to the justice and mercy of God, challenging us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with those who are often overlooked.
Doubt in a Digital Age – Matthew 11:1-6
In the digital age, the constant influx of information can easily distract us from our spiritual journey. The overwhelming noise can erode our faith by diverting our attention from meaningful questions and reflections. To navigate this, it's essential to take intentional breaks from digital devices and create space for contemplation and spiritual growth. By doing so, we can engage with our doubts and questions more meaningfully, allowing us to focus on our relationship with God and our spiritual development.
Integrity – Matthew 5:27-30
In this digital age, pornography has become alarmingly accessible, affecting individuals' perceptions of intimacy and relationships. This calls for a societal shift in understanding and addressing these issues, recognizing the profound impact it has on our youth and communities. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount urges us to look beyond commandments and examine the deeper issues of the heart. This message is not about condemning sexual desire, but about valuing the sacredness of sexual relationships.
Holy Attention – Luke 10:38-42
Our daily lives are filled with distractions, especially from digital devices that always seek our focus. Research indicates our attention spans are getting shorter, hindering meaningful connections with God and others. To cultivate holy attention, we must intentionally resist digital distractions. This involves practical steps like turn off notifications, use focus features, set app limits, and create time without devices. Practicing silence and solitude helps us be present with God, allowing us to slow down, reflect on our thoughts and feelings, and deepen our awareness of His presence.
Simplicity – Luke 12:13-34
In today's digital age, technology offers both opportunities and challenges for managing finances. While there are numerous tools available to help us budget and save, the same technology can also lead to increased debt and lifestyle inflation. Social media and targeted ads often tempt us to spend beyond our means, creating financial pressures that can distract us from our spiritual goals. As faithful disciples, it is crucial to critically assess how technology influences our financial decisions and spiritual lives.
Formation in a Digital Age – Romans 12:1-2
The challenge we face is not just about managing our screen time but understanding how these digital interactions are molding us. Technology is not neutral; it has the power to transform us physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally. We are living in a "digital Babylon," a world with foreign customs and gods, where remaining faithful to our beliefs requires intentionality and discernment.
Love – Luke 2:8–21
Our understanding of love, and consequently God's love, is deeply influenced by our early attachments and family dynamics. These experiences shape our expectations of God, often unconsciously. However, God's love is not defined by our experiences but by His actions, as demonstrated through Jesus. The Apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, showing us that God's love is attentive, joyous, self-giving, and glorious.