By David Faust The first time I saw Mike, he stayed a safe distance away—not just from me, but from everyone who attended our church that Sunday. I was part of a team of leaders planting a new church in an urban neighborhood near the University of Cincinnati. We rented a community center for $50 […]
By Christy Barritt University Reinstates Official with Opposing Views The chief diversity officer at Gallaudet University in Maryland will be reinstated after being put on leave for signing a petition to put Maryland’s gay marriage law on the ballot. The administrator, Dr. Angela McCaskill, signed a petition while at her church, but hasn’t openly […]
By Dan Lentz 1. Ask group members to share pictures from their purse, wallet, or phone of a person or event that’s been meaningful to them recently. Ask, “What made you take this picture or keep the picture with you?” Read Ephesians 5:18—6:4. 2. What does it look like in practical terms […]
By Sam E. Stone Key passages from the book of Ephesians have been considered this month, following the theme, “Victory in Jesus.” Chapter 5 contains guidelines for Christian behavior in a pagan world. Today’s background Scripture begins in v. 15. Even before this, however, Paul warned about dangers such as sexual immorality, impurity, greed, […]
By David Faust Oswald Chambers said, “The surf that distresses the ordinary swimmer produces in the surf-rider the super-joy.” Hardship can make us wiser and deeper, but it feels like a high price to pay. “The testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:3), but honestly, most of us would rather apply that lesson to […]
