StudiesStudies are approximately 45-55 minutes in length, and are developed as discussion guides for small group leaders.
- The Christmasness of David and Goliath Luke Johnson | November 28, 2017 Notes for an Advent talk on reading David and Goliath as a Christmas story. 1 SamuelAdventLukeMatthew
- God's Anointed and the Defiant Giant (1 Samuel 17) Luke Johnson | November 21, 2017 David and Goliath is a familiar story, but when we read it slowly, listening for the careful ways the story takes shape, we'll see it's packed with punch! In 1 Samuel 17, God's anointed king shows up to defeated a defiant giant, and everything gets flipped upside down. 1 SamuelJohn
- A Tale of Two Kings (1 Samuel 9, 10, 16) Luke Johnson | November 14, 2017 From the time that Israel asks for a king, 1 Samuel deals with the two kings who emerge: Saul and David. In looking at Samuel's anointing of these two kings, and I think you'll see some important and intriguing difference between the two that tell us something about their quality of character and their suitability to be God's king -- all told in that upside down storytelling that we get in 1 Samuel. 1 Samuel
- St. Augustine of Canterbury Luke Johnson | November 7, 2017 Augustine of Canterbury was the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He led by patient example and steady resiliency. 1 SamuelAll Saints and All SoulsAugustine of Canterbury
- God Doesn't Go Away (1 Samuel 8) Luke Johnson | October 24, 2017 It's an incredible story of Israel rejecting God as their king, and God pressing on with them, despite (and even by means of!) their rejection. This is why stories about Israel's failure carry a message of great hope for us: God doesn't go away. 1 SamuelDeuteronomyExodus
- God Is Terrifyingly Alive (1 Samuel 4-7) Luke Johnson | October 17, 2017 See a picture of how God remains faithful even when his people fail to do the same. It's a weird story of miracles and plagues, destruction and renewal. 1 Samuel
- Samuel Hears (1 Samuel 3) Luke Johnson | October 10, 2017 The story of little boy Samuel in the temple. Samuel became a great prophet not because he performed a bunch of crazy miracles like Moses or Elijah, but because he got good at listening for God's voice. 1 Samuel
- God Hears (1 Samuel 1) Luke Johnson | October 3, 2017 1 and 2 Samuel are full of weird, funny, and thought-provoking characters and stories. Our job will be to think on all the pictures of Jesus we'll find all over the place. 1 Samuel
- Bread from Heaven (Exodus 16) Luke Johnson | March 7, 2017 ExodusLent
- Saul’s Epiphany Moment (Acts 9:1-22) Luke Johnson | January 10, 2017 ActsEpiphany
- The Exodus (Exodus 12:31-42) Luke Johnson | November 29, 2016 AdventExodus
- The Passover (Exodus 11:1-12:30) Luke Johnson | November 22, 2016 Exodus
- Dissing the Gods (Exodus 7-12) Luke Johnson | November 1, 2016 Exodus
- Whom Will Israel Serve? (Exodus 5:1-7:7) Luke Johnson | October 25, 2016 Exodus
- The Stage is Set (Exodus 3-4) Luke Johnson | October 4, 2016 Exodus
- Origin Story (Exodus 1-2) Luke Johnson | September 27, 2016 Exodus
- The Nations Rage (Revelation 15-16) Luke Johnson | March 29, 2016 God is love, which means that his wrath is also part of his love. This study investigates the shape of God's wrath on the nations and what the purpose of punishment might be. Revelation
- A bunch of fake Jesuses Luke Johnson | February 23, 2016 The Dragon and the Beasts vs. the Lamb in Revelation 13-14 and Daniel 7 DanielRevelation
- Gospel Epiphanies: Zacchaeus and the Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-22; Luke 19:1-10) Luke Johnson | February 2, 2016 Jesus knows who you are. When he calls to you, you can expect his call will be specific to your life. EpiphanyLukeMark
- Revelation Reminiscence (chs. 1-12) Luke Johnson | December 8, 2015 A pause after 12 chapters to consider what we've met so far, with some group activities to help you to remember together in creative ways. Revelation
- An Apocalyptic Christmas (Revelation 12) Luke Johnson | November 29, 2015 Revelation
- The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11) Luke Johnson | November 10, 2015 Revelation
- Can I get a witness? (Revelation 10) Luke Johnson | October 27, 2015 Revelation
- Reversed Thunder (Revelation 8-9) Luke Johnson | October 20, 2015 Revelation
- The Sealed Servants (Revelation 7) Luke Johnson | October 13, 2015 Revelation
- The White Rider (Revelation 6) Luke Johnson | September 22, 2015 Revelation
- The Lamb (Revelation 4-5) Luke Johnson | September 15, 2015 Revelation
- Know Your Church (Revelation 1-3) Luke Johnson | September 8, 2015 Introductory study on Revelation, and a focused discussion on a small group's designated church. Revelation
- The Power of Unity Luke Johnson | June 18, 2015 When Jesus calls us, he calls us into a life that looks like his. In Ephesians 4, Paul teaches us what mature Jesus-following is all about. Ephesians
- God's Handiwork Luke Johnson | May 26, 2015 A study on Ephesians 2:1-10, looking at God's gift of grace and our place in God's work in the world. Ephesians
- God's God-soaked Mission Luke Johnson | May 19, 2015 A look at the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-24, 32-33 and Ephesians 1:11-23. The gift of "the promised Holy Spirit" is the sign of God's work in the world, and the means by which God animates us to join with him in his work. ActsEphesians
- Gospel Epiphanies (John 2:1-11; 5:1-18; 8:1-20) Luke Johnson | January 27, 2015 Study questions to lead a group through 3 episodes of the revelation of Jesus in the gospels: John 2:1-11 (turning water into wine), 5:1-18 (healing the paralytic), and 8:1-20 ("he who is without sin cast the first stone"). EpiphanyJohn
- Epiphany of the Word Luke Johnson | January 22, 2015 This study pulls together thoughts about God's act of speaking. In Isaiah 55, John 1, and Mark 4:35-41, we're confronted with a living God who speaks and acts. EpiphanyIsaiahJohnMark
- Psalm 106 - God's Great Mercy Luke Johnson | December 10, 2014 Old Testament Israel has a memory problem -- constantly forgetting the things God has done, and quickly getting into trouble all over again. Psalm 106 helps us to think about how easy it is for us to get distracted and wander away from God, but how relentless God is in bringing us back. Our ability to screw up is no match for God's ability to save us. Psalms
- Psalm 85 - Waiting and Trusting Luke Johnson | December 2, 2014 Waiting for God to act is hard! Psalm 85 meets us in the trenches and helps us to pray when God's answers seem far off and the future seems uncertain. To reinforce the message of Psalm 85, the study includes a reflective "New Year's Prayers" sheet for use at the start of Advent: think about hopes, worries, and dreams you have about the coming year, and write them down to commit them to God's care. AdventPsalms
- The Beatitudes of the King Luke Johnson | November 18, 2014 Where does Jesus' nickname ("Christ") come from, and what does it have to do with Jesus' message about the kingdom of heaven? EpiphanyMatthewPsalms
- All Saints and All Souls (Ephesians 1) Luke Johnson | November 6, 2014 All Saints and All SoulsEphesians
- The Boy Who Gived (The Feeding of the 5,000 in John 6) Luke Johnson | October 26, 2014 Jesus invites us into his mission. We need only to be willing to give what we have. EpiphanyJohn
- Advent Celebration Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 Thinking about Advent themes, "waiting," and instructions for building Advent wreaths. Advent
- Ascension and Pentecost Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 ActsEasterLukePentecost
- Christian Friendship: David and Jonathan Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 1 John1 SamuelJohn
- Christmas Party Reflection (outline) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 What is significant about the Christmas season? What is the hope Jesus brings to the world? Christmas
- Community in the Early Church Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 Community is essential for Christian life. It goes all the way back to the beginning. ActsPentecost
- Easy Yoke (Isaiah 55 and Matt 11:28-30) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 IsaiahLentMatthew
- Jesus Revealed (Mark 1:9-45) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 EpiphanyMark
- Living in the Reign of Christ Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 Daniel
- Living Rememberingly (Hebrews 12) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 Hebrews
- Paul in the World Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 Being a Christian doesn't mean hiding from the world. Paul is a good example for how to engage the world as a Christian. ActsPentecostPhilippians
- Reconciliation (Luke 15:11-32 and Colossians 1:21-23) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 ColossiansLentLuke
- Resurrection in Media Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 How does the idea of "resurrection" show up in books and movies? And how do these resurrections pale in comparison to the resurrection of Jesus? (Small group discussion sheet is included.) Easter
- St. Augustine of Canterbury and Gideon Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 Augustine of Canterbury and Gideon have something in common: they both feared the mission God wanted them to complete. Augustine of CanterburyJudges
- St. Elizabeth's life of self-giving Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 Learning from the life and sacrifice of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) Elizabeth of HungaryFor All the Saints
- St. Patrick Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 A guided walk through exerpts from St. Patrick's "Confessio". Both the study and "Confessio" text are included. Patrick
- The Storm and the Legion (Mark 4:35-5:20) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 EpiphanyMark
- Trusting in God's Reality (2 Kings 6) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 2 Kings
- Unbinding (John 11) Luke Johnson | January 1, 2013 A look at Jesus' interactions with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in John 11. Jesus is on a mission of unbinding. John