Studies

The Christmasness of David and Goliath

Notes for an Advent talk on reading David and Goliath as a Christmas story.

God's Anointed and the Defiant Giant (1 Samuel 17)

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.

A Tale of Two Kings (1 Samuel 9, 10, 16)

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.

St. Augustine of Canterbury

Augustine of Canterbury was the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He led by patient example and steady resiliency.

God Doesn't Go Away (1 Samuel 8)

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.

God Is Terrifyingly Alive (1 Samuel 4-7)

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.

Samuel Hears (1 Samuel 3)

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.

God Hears (1 Samuel 1)

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.

Bread from Heaven (Exodus 16)

Saul’s Epiphany Moment (Acts 9:1-22)

The Exodus (Exodus 12:31-42)

The Passover (Exodus 11:1-12:30)

Dissing the Gods (Exodus 7-12)

Whom Will Israel Serve? (Exodus 5:1-7:7)

The Stage is Set (Exodus 3-4)

Origin Story (Exodus 1-2)

The Nations Rage (Revelation 15-16)

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.

A bunch of fake Jesuses

The Dragon and the Beasts vs. the Lamb in Revelation 13-14 and Daniel 7

Gospel Epiphanies: Zacchaeus and the Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-22; Luke 19:1-10)

Jesus knows who you are. When he calls to you, you can expect his call will be specific to your life.

Revelation Reminiscence (chs. 1-12)

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.

An Apocalyptic Christmas (Revelation 12)

The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11)

Can I get a witness? (Revelation 10)

Reversed Thunder (Revelation 8-9)

The Sealed Servants (Revelation 7)

The White Rider (Revelation 6)

The Lamb (Revelation 4-5)

Know Your Church (Revelation 1-3)

Introductory study on Revelation, and a focused discussion on a small group's designated church.

The Power of Unity

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.

God's Handiwork

A study on Ephesians 2:1-10, looking at God's gift of grace and our place in God's work in the world.

God's God-soaked Mission

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.

Gospel Epiphanies (John 2:1-11; 5:1-18; 8:1-20)

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").

Epiphany of the Word

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.

Psalm 106 - God's Great Mercy

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.

Psalm 85 - Waiting and Trusting

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.

The Beatitudes of the King

Where does Jesus' nickname ("Christ") come from, and what does it have to do with Jesus' message about the kingdom of heaven?

All Saints and All Souls (Ephesians 1)

The Boy Who Gived (The Feeding of the 5,000 in John 6)

Jesus invites us into his mission. We need only to be willing to give what we have.

Trusting in God's Reality (2 Kings 6)

Living in the Reign of Christ

St. Elizabeth's life of self-giving

Learning from the life and sacrifice of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)

Living Rememberingly (Hebrews 12)

Christian Friendship: David and Jonathan

Unbinding (John 11)

A look at Jesus' interactions with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in John 11. Jesus is on a mission of unbinding.

Community in the Early Church

Community is essential for Christian life. It goes all the way back to the beginning.

Resurrection in Media

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.)

Paul in the World

Being a Christian doesn't mean hiding from the world. Paul is a good example for how to engage the world as a Christian.

St. Augustine of Canterbury and Gideon

Augustine of Canterbury and Gideon have something in common: they both feared the mission God wanted them to complete.

Ascension and Pentecost

St. Patrick

A guided walk through exerpts from St. Patrick's "Confessio". Both the study and "Confessio" text are included.

Reconciliation (Luke 15:11-32 and Colossians 1:21-23)

Easy Yoke (Isaiah 55 and Matt 11:28-30)

The Storm and the Legion (Mark 4:35-5:20)

Jesus Revealed (Mark 1:9-45)

Advent Celebration

Thinking about Advent themes, "waiting," and instructions for building Advent wreaths.

Christmas Party Reflection (outline)

What is significant about the Christmas season? What is the hope Jesus brings to the world?