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Movements often begin with unstoppable passion, but without intentional leadership and healthy structure, even the most compelling cause will eventually fizzle out. In Acts 6, we see how the early church navigated the complexity of rapid growth by building humble, diverse servant leadership to support the flourishing of the gospel. Rather than settling for a purely inward-focused community or a solely outward-focused mission, we are challenged to become a Jesus-focused people where community and mission are entirely inseparable.  Acts 6:1-7 Seven Chosen to Serve 6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Read Acts 6:1-7 together and take time to listen/watch the Faith Greenhouse Podcast episode, “Life Groups - Where it Started.”  2. How can we confuse being busy or passionate with producing lasting Gospel fruit? How can we make sure we’re serving Jesus’ mission rather than simply seeking a feeling? 3. Acts 6 shows that God’s mission can bring tension and complexity. How should this shape the way we respond to conflict within our own church community? 4. How do community and mission fuel each other? How does healthy, loving community inside our group make Jesus attractive to outsiders? 5. Do you see yourself as simply receiving ministry or as someone God can use to serve others? What is one step you feel called to take? Share it, pray about it together, and encourage one another to take that step. For Families with Kids 1. Read Acts 6:1–7. The early church learned that everyone has a part to play. What is one way you can serve our church family this week? 2. It’s easy for a church to get distracted, but our main goal is always to follow Jesus. How can we help each other stay focused on Him? 3. We shouldn’t only invite people to church; we should also share Jesus’ love wherever we live, work, learn, and play. This week, how can our family love one another at home and also share Jesus’ love with a neighbor, classmate, or teammate? 4. Pray the Lord’s Prayer together out loud.

We live in a hyper-connected generation. We can connect with someone across the world in a matter of seconds, and yet people are feeling increasingly disconnected. Loneliness and isolation are at an all-time high. The more connected we become technologically, the more disconnected we become relationally. But in the midst of our disconnection, the Gospel has an answer. We often think of the Gospel in terms of forgiveness of sins or healing, but the Gospel also connects us to genuine community. We see this in one of Jesus’ own healings in the Gospel of Luke. Let’s discover how the Gospel is not only about the forgiveness of sins, but also an invitation into genuine community. Luke 8:40-48 40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Acts 4:32-37 They Had Everything in Common 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Galatians 3:27-29 They Had Everything in Common 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jeremiah 29:4-7 4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Acts 2:42–47 The Fellowship of the Believers 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Reread Luke 8:40–48. What do you notice about the woman’s situation and the way she approaches Jesus? 2. Jesus could have allowed the woman to be healed without anyone knowing what happened. Why do you think Jesus stops and brings her out of the crowd? What does His response to her show you? 3. Reread Jesus’ words to the woman in Luke 8:48. What do you notice about the way Jesus speaks to her after she has been healed? 4. Read Acts 2:42–47. How does this description of the early Christian community shape the way you think about and live out Gospel community today? For Families with Kids 1. Read Luke 8:40–48 together. 2. Have you ever felt left out on the playground, or felt like nobody was playing with you? How does your heart feel when you feel lonely? 3. Jesus stopped the whole crowd just to look at the woman, tell her she was loved, and heal her. How does it feel to know that even when you feel invisible or lonely, Jesus sees you and loves you? 4. Loneliness fades when people feel seen. As a family, pick one person this week who might be lonely (a neighbor living alone, a new kid at school, or an extended relative). Together, write them a card, bake them a treat, or call them just to let them know they are thought of and loved.

Today we're talking about something almost everyone of us carries some anxiety about: raising kids. We won't be handing out a five-step formula; instead, we're going to look at two passages in Genesis most people never think to connect to parenting. There’s something a lot more freeing than better technique: the truth that our kids were never actually ours in the first place. Whether you're in the thick of parenting right now, have adult children, or are nowhere near parenting yet, come ready to trade some of the pressure of "getting it right" for the peace of simply being faithful. Genesis 22:1-18 The Sacrifice of Isaac 22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Growing up, what’s one “rule” in your house that you didn’t understand until you were older (or maybe still don’t)? 2. In what areas do you struggle to see God as Father? 3. In Genesis 22, God stopped Abraham’s hand and provided a ram so he wouldn’t have to carry the cost himself. Read Romans 8:32. How does knowing that God already gave up His own Son change the weight you feel about controlling outcomes you were never really in charge of? 4. What’s one way that you can love your children or others around you this week the way our Heavenly Father has loved us? For Families with Kids 1. Read Genesis 22:1-18 together.  2. Isaac went on a long walk with his dad into the mountains. How do you feel when you have to go somewhere new or do something you’ve never done before? 3. God surprised Abraham and Isaac by providing a ram in the bushes right when they needed it. Can you think of a happy surprise God or your parents gave you recently? 4. In this story, Abraham’s greatest test was letting go of his child. Knowing how much parents worry about your safety, your future, and your choices, how does that shape the way you view the rules or boundaries at home? 5. “Dear God, sometimes the world feels big and scary, and I don’t know what will happen next. Thank you for giving me parents who love me and a Heavenly Father who always watches over me. Help me to trust You when I feel worried. Amen.”

Anxiety can leave us grasping for control, trying to manage circumstances that were never ours to control in the first place. But when Jesus calls us not to be anxious, He doesn't simply say, “Stop being anxious,” or “Pray more.” He points us to the tangible reminders all around us that God cares for His creation, and then reminds us how much more He cares for us - how important we are to Him and how deeply he loves us. Jesus allows us to lean into Him with our anxieties and move from a place of control to a place of trust that He is in control. The commands of Scripture don't condemn us for being anxious. Instead, they invite us to cast our cares and anxieties on the One who is truly in control and, at the same time, truly loves us. Matthew 6:25-34 Do Not Be Anxious 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Romans 8:18-23 Future Glory 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 1 Peter 5:6-7 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Phil 4:6-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. John 14:16-18 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Revelation 7:9-17 A Great Multitude from Every Nation 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.       15    “Therefore they are before the throne of God,    and serve him day and night in his temple;    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.       16    They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;    the sun shall not strike them,    nor any scorching heat.       17    For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,    and he will guide them to springs of living water,          and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Reread Matthew 6:25–34. What tangible reminders does Jesus point to as evidence of God’s care? What does Jesus want us to remember about our value to God when we are anxious? 2. Reread Philippians 4:4–7. What does Paul invite us to do with our anxieties? What does God promise as we bring our concerns to Him? 3. Reread 1 Peter 5:6–7. What connection do you see between giving up control, humbling ourselves before God, and casting our anxieties on Him? What reason does Peter give us for trusting God with them? 4. Reread Romans 8:28. How does trusting that God is at work, even when you cannot see or control what is happening, change the way you approach the things causing you anxiety? For Families with Kids 1. Read Matthew 6:25–34 together. What is one small thing that made you feel worried or nervous this week? If you could instantly erase one everyday worry, what would it be? 2. Jesus tells us to look at the birds and the lilies. Do birds wake up stressed about finding breakfast, or do flowers worry about what they are wearing? Jesus says we are worth much more to God than birds and flowers. How does knowing your true value to God help change the way you view your problems? 3. The word “anxious” can mean having a divided or distracted heart. What are some things that distract us from remembering that God loves us? 4. Grab a jar or a small box. Have each family member write down one current anxiety on a piece of paper, pray over it together, and drop it in the box as a symbol of handing it over to God.

We live in a world that constantly tells us to find our identity in our accomplishments, relationships, appearance, careers, or what others think about us. But Scripture gives us a different starting point. Our identity begins with God. In Genesis 1, we discover that we are created by God, made in His image, given purpose, and called “very good.” Before we accomplish anything, God gives us dignity, value, and purpose. This week, take time to consider what God says about who you are and allow His Word, not the opinions of others, to shape your identity. Genesis 1:24-31 24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. For Adult Homes and Groups Read Genesis 1:24-31, then reflect on these questions: 1. When someone asks, “Who are you?” how do you typically answer? 2. What people, accomplishments, roles, or circumstances most influence how you see yourself? 3. What stands out to you about how God created humanity in these verses? 4. What does it mean to you personally to be created in the image of God? For Families with Kids 1. Read Genesis 1 together. Main point: We do not have to guess who we are or earn our value. God already decided our identity: we are made in His image to reflect His love to the world. 2. What does it mean to be a “reflection” of someone? How can we reflect God’s kindness and love to our friends or siblings this week? 3. God gave humans the job of taking care of His creation (v. 28). How can we, as a family, better reflect God’s care and responsibility in our home and neighborhood? 4. Look at the person next to you. What is one specific way you see God’s creativity or goodness reflected in them? 5. Pray the Lord’s Prayer together.

In a world of deepfakes, artificially generated content that looks real, and algorithms quietly shaping the way we think, our culture is wrestling with a deeply important question: What is real, and what is true? As the world changes rapidly and truth becomes harder to recognize, the heart of the Christian faith reminds us that the source of all truth put on flesh and blood, broke into our broken world, and walked among us. Jesus came not only to save us, but to give us the clearest picture of truth we could ever ask for. Truth has a name: Jesus. In a world of shifting voices and competing versions of reality, we can hold on to the truth that has existed since the foundation of creation—a truth that remains unchanged in a world that never seems to stop changing. When truth feels harder and harder to recognize, we can hold on to the unchanging truth of Jesus. Colossians 1:15–23 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. For Adult Homes and Groups Read Colossians 1:15–23, John 14:5–7, Hebrews 1:1–4, and Hebrews 13:7–9, then reflect on these questions: 1. What do these passages tell you about who Jesus is and why He can be trusted as the clearest picture of what is real and true? 2. Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” How does that change the way you think about truth - not simply as something to understand, but as someone to know and follow? 3. Hebrews 13 reminds us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Where are the changing voices, messages, or influences around you making it difficult to recognize or hold on to what is true? 4. If “Truth has a name: Jesus,” what would it look like for you to hold more firmly to Him this week? For Families with Kids 1. Read Colossians 1:15–23 together as a family. Fun fact: this is known as the Christ Hymn in Scripture. 2. Look around the room. What do you see that will eventually break or go away? Verse 17 says Jesus holds all things together. How does it feel to know Jesus is keeping the whole world safe in His hands? Since Jesus is always real and never changes, how can we talk to Him when we feel scared or sad? 3. We spend a lot of time on “virtual” things like video games, social media, or screens. How do those things compare to the permanent truth of Jesus? 4. Pray this prayer together: “Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Creator and keeper of everything we see. When the world around us changes, help us remember that You are the only real, unchanging foundation for our lives. Keep our eyes fixed on You this week. Amen.”

Ever felt frustrated because life - or even God - didn't meet your expectations? In a time that often feels like everything is getting worse, Jesus gives us powerful stories to show that His Kingdom is actively growing right in the midst of the brokenness. Discover how a delayed judgment is actually proof of God's radical patience and grace for your life. Let's realign our expectations and find unshakeable hope in the living Christ together. Matthew 13:24-43 The Parable of the Weeds 24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” The Mustard Seed and the Leaven 31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” Prophecy and Parables 34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables;     I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” The Parable of the Weeds Explained 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Read Matthew 13:24-43 together. 2. When have your expectations of God clashed with reality? Share a time you did “all the right things” (prayed, read Scripture, attended church) but still faced a frustrating “weed” (lost job, a breakup, or a disappointing season). 3. Are you currently focusing more on the weeds or the wheat? Is it easier for you to spot where evil and chaos are growing, or where God is quietly moving? 4. How does God’s “delayed judgment” change your view of difficult people? Jesus allows the weeds and wheat to grow together to show patience. How can you extend that same radical grace to someone who opposes your faith or frustrates you? 5. Pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud with each other. For Families with Kids 1. Read Matthew 13:24-43. What is something you expected to be super fun, but it ended up being a bummer? Think about a rainy beach trip or a toy that broke right away. Talk about how we handle it when things do not go our way. 2. If you look at the world, do you think it is getting better or getting worse? Talk about the good things God is doing (people helping each other) and the bad things we see (weeds in a garden). Why are both happening at the same time? 3. Why do you think God doesn’t just zap all the bad stuff away right now? Discuss how God is being super patient because He loves people and wants to give everyone time to turn to Him and join His family. 4. Pray together: “Dear Jesus, thank You for being alive and in control, even when the world feels messy. Help us to stop worrying about the bad things around us and trust that You are working. Give us patience like Yours so we can show Your love to others every day. Amen.”

What do you do when God seems silent? We all know what it's like to pray for healing, restoration, or justice and wonder if our prayers are making any difference. In Luke 18, Jesus tells a simple but powerful parable with one purpose: "Always pray and do not lose heart." Let’s explore what persistent prayer looks like in a broken world through Scripture, honest stories of both answered and unanswered prayer, and the hope we have in Christ, who entered our suffering and promises to make all things new. Whether you're celebrating God's faithfulness or struggling to keep praying, this message is for you. Luke 18:1-8 The Parable of the Persistent Widow 18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Read Luke 18:1-8. 2. What is one prayer God has answered in your life that you still remember and thank Him for? 3. How do disappointment or suffering tempt us to stop praying altogether? 4. The resurrection reminds us that Jesus didn’t come merely to explain suffering but to defeat it. How does the promise of the resurrection give you hope in the middle of present struggles? 5. Who in your life needs persistent prayer right now? Spend a few moments sharing those requests with one another. For Families with Kids 1. Read Luke 18:1-8 together as a family. 2. Can you think of a time when God answered one of your prayers? How did it make you feel? 3. Sometimes we pray, but the answer doesn’t come right away. Have you ever had to wait for something? Was it hard? How can we keep trusting God while we wait? 4. Jesus died and came back to life so that one day sadness, sickness, and pain will be gone forever. How does that help you when you’re scared, sad, or having a hard day? 5. Who is someone you can pray for this week? Take turns sharing one person or one need, and then pray together.

All of us are plagued with an identity crisis from birth: an identity of sin. This identity crisis puts us at enmity with God. Jesus Christ, however, has freed us from this identity crisis and given us an irreplaceable identity: an identity in Christ.  Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house - 28 for I have five brothers - so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” For Adult Homes and Groups 1. What is the greatest gift you have received? 2. Read Romans 5:12-21. What is the result of this one man’s (Adam’s) sin? How does that compare to the free gift of Christ? 3. Now in our parable, Luke 16:19-31, compare the identities of the rich man and Lazarus. Where do you see the effects of Adam’s sin? And where do you see the effect of the new identity we have in Christ?  4. What will you do with the gift of a new identity in Christ? For Families with Kids 1. What is the best gift you have ever received? Why was it special?  2. Read Romans 5:12-21 together. What happened when Adam disobeyed God? How did Adam’s sin affect all people? 3. What did Jesus do for us that Adam could not do? What gift does Jesus give to everyone who trusts in Him? 4. The Bible says God’s grace is a free gift. What does it mean that we cannot earn God’s forgiveness, but Jesus gives it to us anyway? 5. When you remember that Jesus has forgiven you and loves you, how can you share His love with your family, friends, or classmates this week?

Today we continue our Upside Down Kingdom series with one of Jesus' most familiar parables - the Good Samaritan. Jesus tells this story to answer a much deeper question than, "Who is my neighbor?” Let's discover how this parable exposes our tendency to justify ourselves, reveals the surprising mercy of Christ, and invites us to see and love the neighbors God has already placed along our path. Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan 25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Reread Luke 10:25-37. Who is someone God has placed in your life that is difficult or different for you to love, and why do you think that is? 2. How does the lawyer’s desire to justify himself reveal our own tendency to limit who we consider our neighbor? 3. How does this parable point us to Jesus as the One who fulfilled the Law and came near to us in our helplessness? 4. What is one practical way you can make room this week to love the neighbor God has already placed along your path? For Families with Kids 1. Read Luke 10:25-37 as a family. Is there someone it is hard to be kind to at school, on your team, or in your neighborhood? Why? 2. How has Jesus been like the Good Samaritan by loving and helping us when we needed Him? 3. Who is one person you can show kindness to this week? What could you do for them? 4. Why do you think God wants us to love everyone, even people who are different from us? 5. How would you want someone to treat you if you were the hurt man on the side of the road? 6. What are some simple ways you can be a good neighbor at home, at school, or at church this week?

Every one of us has been entrusted with something. Time. Gifts. Abilities. Opportunities. Relationships. Faith itself. The question isn't whether you've been given enough. The question is what you'll do with what God has already placed in your hands. In Jesus' Parable of the Talents, one servant invests what he has been given. Another buries it out of fear. The difference isn't how much each received - it is how each responded. This week, we'll discover that God isn't asking us to compare what we've been given with someone else. He's inviting us to faithfully invest what He has entrusted to us for the sake of His Kingdom. Because the greatest tragedy isn't having too little. It's burying what God intended to use to bring life to the world around you. Matthew 25:14-30 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’   Romans 12:4-8 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.   1 Corinthians 12:4-11 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.   1 Peter 4:10-11 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.   Romans 10:14-15 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”   Matthew 6:19-21 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  For Adult Homes and Groups Before next Sunday, reread Matthew 25:14–30 and reflect on these questions: 1. What gifts, abilities, relationships, or opportunities has God entrusted to you that you sometimes overlook or take for granted? 2. What fears or excuses are most likely to keep you from using those gifts to serve God and others? 3. In what ways can comparison distract us from faithfully using what God has uniquely entrusted to us? 4. What is one specific way you can invest one of God’s gifts this week to bless someone else and advance His Kingdom? For Families with Kids 1. Read Matthew 25:14-30 together. In this story, who does the master represent, and who are the servants? 2. How did the first two servants use their talents, and what did the master say when he returned? What did the third servant do with his single talent, and why? 3. What are some gifts, talents, or abilities that God has given you?  4. Have you ever felt like what you have isn’t as much as what someone else has? How does this parable teach us to be happy with what we’ve been given? 5. Take turns writing down two or three unique things you are good at or blessings your family enjoys. Choose one of those to actively use to bless a neighbor or serve your community this week.

True spiritual treasure is rarely found on the surface. Diving into Matthew 13, God's Kingdom isn’t meant to be a supplement to our routines; it completely transforms our entire existence. Jesus invites us to look past life's competing distractions, rediscover the "pearl of great price", and find the lasting joy that only comes from trusting Him above all else. Matthew 13:44-52 The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The Parable of the Net 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. New and Old Treasures 51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Read Matthew 13:44-52 together. 2. Jesus is not a “supplement” or a “life coach” to add to an already smooth life; He is our Savior who demands complete transformation. Honestly evaluate your current relationship with Him: Are you treating Him as a helpful add-on, or are you allowing His Kingdom to remake and rule over every area of your life? 3. Both men in the parables sacrificed everything they had to obtain the treasure, driven by joy rather than guilt or obligation. When you think about your spiritual disciplines, obedience, and service to God, are you driven to “try harder” out of duty, or “trust deeper” because of who Jesus is? 4. What competing “pearls” (success, relationships, financial security, or comfort) are currently vying for the top spot in your heart, and how can you refocus your allegiance onto Jesus this week? For Families with Kids 1. Read Matthew 13:44-52 together as a family. 2. Read v44 again together. Why do you think Jesus says His love and His Kingdom are like a hidden treasure? How can we “look beneath the surface” to find joy in Jesus even on normal, boring days? 3. The men in Jesus’ stories gladly sold everything they owned because they found something way better. Following Jesus sometimes means giving up things like selfishness, bad attitudes, or our own way. Why does finding Jesus make those sacrifices feel easy and full of joy? 4. What are some good things in our lives (like sports, screens, or hobbies) that try to take up all of our time and attention? How can we work together as a family to keep Jesus as our number one prize? Write or plan a goal list for the next month to make Jesus the priority?

Even if you've never opened a Bible, you've probably heard the word prodigal. Most people think this story is about a son who wandered far from home. But what if that's not the real focus? What if this parable is really about a father pursuing both of his sons - the one who ran away and the one who stayed? What if it's about a Father's love that reaches farther than either of them could imagine? Today, we explore one of Jesus' most famous parables and discover how it can transform the way we see God's love. Whether you feel far from God or you've been in church for years, this story has the power to challenge, encourage, and change the way you see yourself - and Jesus. For Adult Homes and Groups Reread Luke 15:11–32 and reflect on these questions: 1. Which character do you most identify with right now - the younger son, the older son, or the father? Why? 2. What does the father’s response to both sons reveal about the heart of God? 3. Where do you see yourself trying to earn God’s love, approval, or acceptance rather than simply receiving it? 4. How is Jesus inviting you to respond to the Father’s love this week? For Families with Kids 1. Read Luke 15 together. 2. If you left home and spent all your money, how would you feel about coming back to ask for help?  3. The older brother was angry (v.28). Have you ever felt jealous or resentful when someone else received grace or a reward you felt you deserved? 4. Which character do you relate to more right now - the one who messes up and needs grace, or the one who struggles to extend grace to others? 5. The older brother had lived with his father all along, but he didn’t know his father’s heart (v.31). How can our family live with more joy and celebration instead of keeping score? Luke 15:11-32 The Parable of the Prodigal Son 11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”  Proverbs 14:12 12 There is a way that seems right to a man,  but its end is the way to death.  Isaiah 64:6-7 6 We have all become like one who is unclean,  and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.  We all fade like a leaf,  and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.  7 There is no one who calls upon your name,  who rouses himself to take hold of you;  for you have hidden your face from us,  and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. Ephesians 2:1-10 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Have you ever lost something valuable in your own house? Not somewhere far away, but right under your nose? This Sunday we'll explore Jesus' Parable of the Lost Coin from Luke 15:8-10. While it may sound like a simple story, it raises some surprisingly deep questions. What does it mean that the coin was lost in the house? Is it possible to drift from God without even realizing it? And what does God's relentless search for the lost reveal about His heart for us? Whether you've walked closely with Christ for years, feel spiritually distant, or know someone who seems to have drifted away, I think you'll find both challenge and encouragement in this text. Most importantly, we'll see a God who notices when one is missing, searches until He finds, and rejoices whenever sinners are brought home. I hope you'll join us this Sunday. Text: Luke 15:8-10  8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Discipleship Questions For Adult Homes and Groups 1. What is something valuable you have lost and spent a long time searching for? 2. Have there been seasons in your life where you have felt yourself becoming spiritually distracted, complacent, or further from God than you wanted to be? 3. Why is it important to distinguish between feeling lost versus being abandoned by God? 4. How can our church become more intentional about noticing and caring for people before they drift away? For Families with Kids 1. Read Luke 15 together. 2. Have you ever lost something that was really important to you, like a favorite toy? How did you feel when you finally found it? 3. Why do you think Jesus compares us to a lost coin instead of something else? Hint: Does a dirty coin lose its value? No! It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do, our worth to God never changes. 4. God loves to seek out and rescue people. What is one way we can show that same love to someone at school or in our neighborhood who might be feeling left out or “lost”? 5. Activity: Hide a specific number of coins (or small objects) around your living room. Give the kids a time limit to find them. When time is up, celebrate finding them together as a family. Remind your kids that God searches just as carefully and rejoices even more when He finds us!

We kick off a series within a series with the "Lost Trilogy" in Luke 15. No other parables fully display God's heart like these three. We're starting with the Parable of the Lost Sheep: a committed Shepherd refusing to give up on just one missing sheep. It's a beautiful picture of God's grace and a wake-up call to anyone who resents His mercy toward outsiders. Luke 15: 1-7 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. For Adult Homes and Groups 1. Read Luke 15:1-7. In verses 1-2, the religious leaders are angry that Jesus is eating with “sinners”. Who are the people today that the modern church might be tempted to keep at arm’s length? 2. How does the shepherd physically rescue the sheep in Luke 15:5? How does this illustrate the way Jesus steps into your life to carry you through difficult seasons or rescue you from sin? 3. Jesus states in Luke 15:7 that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people. Does this surprise you? 4. Do you naturally identify more with the wandering sheep, the seeking shepherd, or the grumbling Pharisees who struggle to accept that “undeserving” people are receiving grace? 5. Who is one person that you desperately hope will find or return to their faith? Take a moment to write down their name and pray for them. For Families with Kids 1. Read Luke 15:1-7. If you wandered off and got lost, who would come looking for you?  2. Does leaving the 99 sheep behind mean the shepherd didn’t care about them? Why or why not? Who are the “lost sheep” in our world today? How can we show them God’s love? 3. Who does the shepherd call together to celebrate when he gets home? What does this story tell us about how valuable each individual person is to God? 4. Who is one specific person you know who needs to experience God’s love this week? How can you pray for or encourage them? Write the name(s) down and write out a prayer to pray every day this week for that person(s).