Groundwork: Biblical Foundations for Life

The gospels of Mark and Luke both tell us that Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for his death. He wanted them to know what type of Savior he would be, but the disciples had difficulty understanding and even argued with him. The season of Lent invites us into somber reflection on Jesus’ death and sacrifice on the cross. Let’s discuss the biblical sources that Lent is based on, and then we’ll study and reflect on Jesus’ words to the disciples as he turns his face to the cross. Together, we’ll see how they are an invitation to follow him in faith, sacrifice, and hope for us.

As the apostle Paul continued to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, crowds became increasingly contentious, and he was once again arrested and beaten. During the long series of trials that eventually led him to Rome, Paul seized every opportunity to share his testimony and preach the gospel. As we study Paul’s journey to Rome, we too can gain confidence and readiness to share the good news of Jesus everywhere we go.

Not long after completing his second missionary journey, the apostle Paul left Antioch again to start his third missionary journey. Luke records the events of this trip in Acts chapters 18-21. This journey was marked by faith, courage, and love. Paul spent four to five years revisiting many of the cities where he had planted churches on his previous journeys, teaching, strengthening, and encouraging the believers. By studying Paul’s incredible third journey, with all its challenges, opportunities, and heartbreaking goodbyes, we learn how to live with the same bold trust and purpose in our own lives.

On his second missionary journey, Paul carried the message of salvation and resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit led him to more than a dozen cities over the course of the four-year journey. Everywhere he went, Paul convinced Jews and Gentiles alike of the gospel message. But his work also stirred up opposition. Paul suffered ridicule, imprisonment, and physical harm as he shared the good news of Jesus. Paul’s preaching and encouragement recorded in Acts 15-18, provide us with theological clarity for our own efforts to share the gospel and remain faithful to Jesus Christ in all circumstances.

As the church grew, Jewish believers disagreed about integrating new Gentile believers into the church. Must they become Jews first? Should they abide by all the laws and traditions of Jewish culture? What about the practice of circumcision? Paul discussed important theological implications with the other apostles, including Peter and James, to guide the growing church. Together, they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit to resolve their division and seek unity. This Jerusalem Council reached pivotal conclusions that set the pattern for Paul’s subsequent missionary journeys and shaped the church's future. What they discovered about grace, unity, and God’s plan for his people guides the church to this day.

The first missionary journey of the Apostle Paul recorded in Acts 13 and 14 shows us how the gospel spread beyond Jewish communities to Gentiles. This story reminds us of the importance of the Holy Spirit and the perseverance of the early church despite persecution. Recognizing the parallels between Paul’s experiences and our modern faith practices encourages us to partner with the Holy Spirit and continue sharing the good news of Jesus Christ today.

We don’t have to look far to find examples of broken relationships. Many of us have our own stories, and almost all of us know someone with a story of brokenness, betrayal, or abuse. The Song of Songs offers us a vision of relationships in stark contrast to the self-serving models we see around us in culture. The celebration of intimacy in the Song of Song shows us that God’s design for love and sex is deeply rooted in his own character and filled with self-sacrifice, mutuality, commitment, delight, and respect.

We do not often hear sermons on the Song of Songs. But this book of love poetry in the Bible helps us understand God’s perspective on love, intimacy, and sex. As we study the passionate exchange between two lovers, we uncover themes of intense desire, the constant seeking and finding of each other, and the celebration of romantic love and physical intimacy. The Song of Songs helps us see the truth that love and sex are divine gifts from God and part of his design for us.

Before his death, Jesus prayed for himself, his disciples, and finally, all believers in the future—including all of us today. When we study Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, we witness the depth of his love for us as he prays for us to experience unity, the Father’s love, and for the world to know God through our lives. Together, let’s discuss what it means to live in the reality of Jesus’ prayer, how it shapes our relationships, and how we can reflect the transformative power of God’s love to others.

Offering his High Priestly Prayer, Jesus interceded on behalf of his disciples, praying for their protection, unity, joy, and sanctification. Together, let’s discuss what his prayer meant for his disciples then, what it means for us as his disciples today, living as sanctified people in a world that doesn’t always welcome our faith.

How do you pray when you know you’re about to face something hard? Facing his imminent death, Jesus prayed to be glorified. As we begin our study of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, we’ll discuss the background and context of Jesus’ prayer and why Christians commonly refer to it as his “High Priestly Prayer.” Then we’ll examine the opening verses that record his petition to the Father to glorify him so that he might glorify the Father. Together, we’ll unpack the meaning of Jesus’ words and the implications of his prayer for our own lives.

Does God still punish us for our sins, even though through Jesus he has already forgiven all our sins? We may ask ourselves this question when confronted by the fallout of our own sins. As we continue our study of the story of David and Bathsheba, the Bible helps us understand the relationship between the consequences of sin, our repentance, and God’s forgiveness. In 2 Samuel 12, God sends his prophet Nathan to confront King David about his sins. As we study their exchange, we witness God’s mercy in action and discover important differences between punishment and consequence in the light of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

What was I thinking? How did I let this happen? These are the questions we ask when our choices lead to consequences we did not expect. In the biblical story of David and Bathsheba, we find valuable lessons that will help us lean into God in times like these. When complacency and desperation lead David to compound sin upon sin as he unsuccessfully relies on his own power and abilities to right his wrongs, there is a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and our deep need for God’s grace. Studying David’s fall from grace, the consequences of his actions, and his journey can illuminate our own path toward honesty, repentance, and a life that pleases the Lord. Ultimately, we’ll discover hope only God can provide.

Did the Christmas story really happen? Wasn’t Christmas originally a pagan holiday? Why do some churches celebrate Advent? Join Groundwork as we dig into Scripture to answer commonly asked questions about Christmas and Advent.

Have you ever wondered what will happen when Jesus Christ returns? Whether you call it the Day of the Lord, Judgment Day, or the Second Coming, all these titles refer to the time and events of Christ’s return to earth. The early Christians waited expectantly for Christ’s second coming, but when he didn’t appear, scoffers planted seeds of doubt among the believers. Concluding his second letter to the believers in Asia Minor, the apostle Peter encouraged them to view life through the lens of eternity patiently. Join us as we reflect on God’s divine timing and patience and learn from Peter how we can live holy, purposeful lives in light of the coming Day of the Lord.

We will always experience pressure to compromise our faith in Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter urged the early Christians to remain vigilant against deceptive influences and trust that God would ultimately hold false teachers accountable for their deceit. In our world today, we continue to deal with false teachers who distort the truth of the gospel and seek to lead believers astray. Together, we’ll study how Peter’s ardent defense of the gospel helps us stay rooted in God’s truth, learn discernment through the Holy Spirit, and live lives that fully align with the teachings of Christ.

Do you ever feel like God asks the impossible of us? The apostle Peter reminds us that we need to rely on God’s divine power to live godly lives. The Holy Spirit nurtures virtues like goodness, self-control, and perseverance in us, empowering us to grow in our salvation. This, and the authority of Scripture, equips us to recognize truth, resist cultural pressures, and persevere in our faith, distinct as followers of Jesus Christ.

In closing his first letter to the early Christians, Peter offers some final advice that remains valuable for us today. Peter urged his readers to remain vigilant in their faith and act with love and humility. Speaking to their anxiety, he assured them that God indeed cared and that he would ultimately have the final say. Today, we can stand firm in our faith because we are not alone; in everything, it is the God of all glory who calls us, restores us, and makes us strong.

Have you ever been tempted to hide your faith for fear of judgment or ridicule? By studying the words of the apostle Peter, we’ll find courage in the grace of Jesus Christ to remain faithful to the gospel in the face of injustice and suffering. In his letter to the early Christians, Peter reminds us that we have the strength to live this way because Christ lived this way first.

As humans, we long for significance and the sense that our lives have value. This is especially acute when we’re experiencing suffering. When we’re through challenging times, we may find ourselves wondering: “Does my life matter? Am I making a difference?” But the apostle Peter confidently proclaims that all who have put their trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ have value and purpose. As we study 1 Peter 2, we’ll see how Peter comforts Christians experiencing suffering by affirming their identities in Christ and their intrinsic value as God’s chosen people.