DISCOVER MORE : TOGETHER
Our weekly devotional content ties back to the worship themes and scriptures from the previous Sunday. Dig deeper into what the Word and the message mean to you, and explore how you can deepen your walk with Christ through these resources.
In addition to the devotional resources, the "5 Minutes with God" sections are like spiritual snacks; small, quick, easy connections you can make as you go about your busy life.
Weekly Devotion
6-8-25
Intro to the Readings: In today’s letter to the Romans, Paul speaks about the mystery of baptism: through the Holy Spirit we are claimed, gathered, and welcomed into Christ’s body, the church. In today’s gospel, the disciples receive the promise that they too will be identified with God and God’s mission and we all receive the promise of an amazing gift in the Holy Spirit. Our first reading comes from Romans, the 8th chapter…
Romans 8:14-17 Life in the Spirit
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
John 14:8-17 Jesus the Way to the Father
8 Philip said to [Jesus,] “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
Opening Discussion:
1. What have you eagerly expected during this past year or two that did not come off as planned? How did you express your disappointment?
2. What is one pleasant and one painful memory you have of experiencing or witnessing childbirth?
Digging Deeper:
3. From 8:17, what type of suffering does Paul have in view here? What do you think he means by the Glorie to come? How does this relate to what he says about creation verse 19–23?
4. What would a world like ours be like if there were no decay or death? No expectation or delay? How is this a picture of glory?
Reflect:
5. What frustrates you most about living in a fallen world? How can the hope in versus 22–25 help you during times of trial?
6. What is the difference between Hope and wishful thinking? How has your hope in Christ aid you this week?
7. When was the last time you did not know how to pray? How did the Holy Spirit help you?
Weekly Devotion
June 1
Intro to the Readings: We continue our series And Now the Good News with John’s vision of a new Jerusalem coming out of heaven provides continuity with God’s past actions. In the gospel Jesus talks of returning to the Father and promises to send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will help us experience a peace that overcomes fear. Our first reading comes from Revelation, the 21st chapter...
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Epilogue and Benediction
12 “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
16 “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. 20 The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
John 14:23-29 The Promise of the Holy Spirit
23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.
25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe.
Opening Discussion:
1. If you could give yourself a new name, symbolizing, the legacy of your family gave you, the God-given potential you have, or some hidden aspiration you have yet to realize, what name would you choose? Why?
Digging Deeper:
2. What words of Christ are repeated three times in this closing (verse 7, 12 and 20)? How do these words sum up the theme of revelation?
3. What significance do you attribute to Jesus claims and names and versus 12–17? Regarding these claims, how is the final state of humanity determined: by some arbitrary reward system, fixed from eternity? By what we have done in this present life? Or buy our response to his universal “whoever thirsts” and undeserved “free gift” invitation to simply “come?”
4. What then do you make of God‘s summary of human destiny? Is it ever too late for people to change their ways and come to Christ? Why or why not?
5. In the contrast between those “inside” the city and those “outside” verse 14–15 what is implied about the basis for our salvation and judgment? What does it mean to “wash” ones “robe?”
6. What is the meaning of God‘s final curse and versus 18–19? Knowing what you know, now do about the seven plagues, the tree of life, and the holy city, how seriously do you take this warning?
Reflect:
7. How have you prepared yourself for Christ’s second coming? Do you feel more (or less) ready for it, after reading the Book of Revelation then you did beforehand?
8. How have your perceptions of Jesus, Satan, heaven, and hell changed? Why? How are these new perceptions affect your worship? Your lifestyle?
9. How would you sum up the central truth of this book?
