Deeper Conversations

Profound biblical truths relevant for small groups

Cross Purposes

The cross of Christ is more than a symbol. The death and resurrection of Jesus changed the course of human history and continues to impact our relationship with God, ourselves, and others.

Cross Purposes uses simple language and analogies to explore the deep meaning of the cross from multiple perspectives.  Engaging questions stimulate conversations about profound human concerns, such as guilt, shame, addiction, alienation, suffering, and the reality of evil powers and death

Elisha: Meeting God in Unexpected Places

God has been pushed out of daily life. Politicians claim him for their own benefit Alien cultures and religions flourish. True believers are marginalized and afraid. Even worship is corrupted for convenience and ambition. 

That is Elisha’s world, and maybe ours as well. Yet God shows up through his prophet, in strange and unexpected ways. The extraordinary life of Elisha stimulates conversations of how God uses us to help people encounter God.

Ephesians: In Christ, We are . . .

If Jesus joined your group, what would change? Would you be overwhelmed that he chose to join you? Would you see yourself and your friends with new eyes? Would your conversations be deeper, touching real life and speaking the truth with love? Would his wisdom, love, and strength transform your family, work, and worldview?

Instead of joining your group, Jesus invites you to join him in a profound way! Throughout Ephesians, Paul reminds us that we are in Christ. In him, we are enfolded into God’s glorious plan for the cosmos. In him, we experience grace and receive his Spirit. In him, we take on his character. In him, we are united to
build each other up and serve him together.

Jacob: God's Promises for Imperfect Families

Families can be messy, and Jacob’s family had it all: sibling rivalry, dysfunction, unfulfilled desires, lies, and conflict. Yet the family inherited God’s covenant promises, which are fulfilled in Christ.

The struggles of the family stimulate conversations about parental influence, nature and nurture, family dynamics, forgiveness and reconciliation, healthy boundaries, cultural influences, and passing on faith to the next generation.

Praying with Jesus: The Lord's Prayer

If the Lord’s Prayer were not so familiar, it would shock us! It redefines our relationship with God and redirects our lives to God’s kingdom values. It challenges us to lay aside our pride and seek God’s will above our own. It honestly confronts our struggles to forgive people and resist evil.

In conversations around the Lord’s Prayer, group members will gain insight into God’s character and values and be challenged to orient their lives  around kingdom values. 

Road to Freedom: The Ten Commandments

“I am the LORD your God . . . who brought you out . . . of slavery.”

The Ten Commandments are not a bunch of dos and don’ts. They are God’s guide to freedom, in our personal lives, our families and communities, and even national life.

The life principles behind the commandments are surprisingly relevant to the complexities of life today. 
Group conversations will be both interesting and challenging, as the group wrestles with God’s values and perfect will for his people. 

Ruth: Getting Life Right in a World Gone Wrong

More than a nice love story, Ruth is a gritty account of life gone wrong and life made right by ordinary people trusting God’s way of righteousness.

Ruth puts flesh on key aspects of God’s righteousness: covenant, social justice, faithful love, and redemption. Those same themes guide us today, as we seek to get life right in a world gone wrong.