Discover the Jewish writings between the Testaments, known as the Apocrypha, and why they still matter for Christians today.
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The books in the Apocrypha may be a mystery to us, but when we consider that they played a role in shaping Judaism during Jesus’ time and the apostle Paul’s life and that they would have influenced the early church, it may be worth learning about these ancient texts. Perhaps by being familiar with these writings, we’ll get a better understanding of the culture and teachings of the devout Jews who wrote them during the “silent years” between Malachi and Matthew, and we will discover how the writings may still influence us today.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear God, thank You that I can learn about You and Your Son Jesus through the Bible. I also give thanks for writings that can help me learn about the culture and context of the years when You seemed to be silent. Help me to draw closer to You as I seek to learn more about You and Your marvelous ways.”
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What are you conquering—or being conquered by? Explore how God’s surprising plan for His people to both conquer and be conquered is revealed throughout the Bible!
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The word “conqueror” may make you feel uncomfortable for various reasons. But what if the Bible’s idea of conquest is better than we could ever imagine? As we ponder what it means for us to be more than conquerors through Him who loves us, let’s look to Jesus’ example of what it means to overcome. And let’s remember that His story isn’t over. May we be encouraged and remain confident that when it’s all said and done, Jesus will still be victorious.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear God, thank You that You have made me more than a conquer through Your perfect love! Help me to remember that You have the ultimate victory and that You can help me through every battle that comes my way.”
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Conquerors can be scary—but God’s power is different. Discover from Genesis to Revelation how He makes us more than conquerors!
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The word “conqueror” can stir up many mixed feelings and rightfully so. But the idea of conquest is found in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. What if instead of avoiding the complicated topic, we pondered how the Bible points to a better idea of conquering? As we ask God to help us overcome various trials and obstacles in our life, we can take courage knowing that we are more than conquerors though Him who loves us.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear God, thank You that You are with me in every trial and battle I face. Thank You that I am more than a conqueror through You! Help me overcome any temptations or sin I’m struggling with in my life.”
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Overwhelmed by life’s headlines? 1 Corinthians 15 points to the news that truly matters: Jesus is risen!
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Even though we live in an information-saturated world, we don’t have to be overwhelmed and distracted by all the news and headlines fighting for our attention. The apostle Paul wanted to remind the Corinthian church not to lose sight of what truly matters in life. The greatest good news of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection is “Of First Importance”! No matter what time of the year it is, it’s always a good time to ponder and rejoice that Jesus overcame sin and death. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear Jesus, thank You that You died for my sins, rose from the dead, and You conquered sin and death. Help me to remember and celebrate Your glorious resurrection all throughout the year. Help me to be Holy Spirt–led as I share Your good news with others.
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Come along with us as we continue tracing Jesus’ final steps in Scripture toward the crucifixion. Remember what He did for you by exploring where He stopped to speak with women and criminals, where He cared for His mother, died on the cross, and was buried. Follow our Savior’s journey to save us—and embrace how this can impact our lives today.
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Christians once retraced Jesus’ final steps, pausing at “stations” to remember His sacrifice. In “Cross Stations,” we follow that path through Scripture. In part two, linger at the cross and the tomb as we reflect on the moment Jesus’ body is taken down and laid in the darkness, and consider what His death means for your faith today.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear Lord, You have shown us through Scripture that even small faith can be used for Your glory. Reveal to me where my faith is lacking and help me to surrender my disbelief to Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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Have you ever traced Jesus’ final steps in Scripture toward the crucifixion? Come along with us as we explore where Jesus prayed alone, was betrayed and arrested, tried and condemned, mocked, and carried His cross with Simon’s help. Let these moments in the Bible help you experience our Savior’s journey to save us.
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Early Christian pilgrims once walked the path Jesus took to the cross, stopping at “stations” to remember His suffering and love. In “Cross Stations,” we slow down with Scripture and reflect on those moments together. In part one, follow Jesus from Gethsemane through His trial to the moment He carried His cross—and take time to consider how His sacrifice speaks into your own faith and life today.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear Lord, You have shown us through Scripture that even small faith can be used for Your glory. Reveal to me where my faith is lacking,and help me to surrender my disbelief to Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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Friendships are an essential part of our lives but many of us struggle to build healthy ones. Rediscover how friendships can be nurtured by exploring Jesus’ friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
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Jesus demonstrated the importance of friendship throughout the Gospels. His relationship with the Bethany siblings—Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—provides a great example of how much we need friends in our own lives, and how much we need to be a friend. Engaging in healthy communication, being dependable, growing with each other, and sharing celebrations can help our friendships flourish!
Reflect
Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you?
How does John 15:9-16 help you better understand Jesus’ plan for friendship?
Martha and Mary demonstrate their friendship with Jesus in Luke 10:38-42. How can this nurture your friendships?
Martha and Mary depended on Jesus to save their brother in John 11:1-6, 21, 25, 32. How can this inspire you to be a dependable friend?
John 12:1-3 describes a celebration shared with friends (Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus). How might you share a celebration with friends in the near future?
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Jesus, thank You that You made us to live in friendship—with You and with other people You place in our lives. Help me to live into Your plan for friendship in my life. Help me to be a dependable friend and to take opportunities to share celebrations with my friends.”
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The battle for contentment is one of life’s biggest challenges—even for followers of Christ. And that battle for contentment runs headlong into how we view money. What we use to purchase things. The phrase “silver and gold” appears in the scriptures no less than 58 times and we want this week to examine a handful of those texts to try and get some wisdom about money in general and silver and gold in particular.
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Money touches so much of our daily lives, but the Bible helps us see it in the right perspective. Scripture reminds us that while money can meet needs and bless others, it was never meant to define our worth or secure our future. God cares more about shaping our character than growing our bank accounts. As we earn, spend, give, and save, we’re invited to trust Him as our true provider—knowing that our ultimate security isn’t found in money, but in Jesus.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Jesus, help me have the right attitude about money and use it well in my life. Help me focus more on growing my character in Your image than on growing my bank account. And help me see the opportunities in my life to help others with the money You’ve entrusted to me.”
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Several times in the Bible, we read that what is impossible for man is possible for God. What does this mean in various settings? Is making the impossible possible a matter of faith? Character? God’s power? What might be dangerous about the possibility for humans? How can we understand and fully live within the boundaries of the possible while stretching to experience God’s power in the impossible?
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When life feels uncertain, it helps to remember who God truly is and that the Bible says repeatedly that nothing is too hard for God. But... the Scriptures also tell us there are things God cannot do—He cannot do evil, He cannot lie, and He cannot be overcome by death. That means His character is completely trustworthy. When we face fear, confusion, or disappointment, we can rely on His goodness, believe His promises, and trust that nothing—not even death—has the final word.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Thank You Jesus that some things are impossible for You. Because You cannot do evil, cannot lie, and cannot be bound by death—let that help me trust You even more and encourage me to walk closer with You.”
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Being afraid of something doesn’t sound preferable, but throughout the Bible we see benefits from fearing the Lord. Find out what that can look like for us today and what we’ll experience when we do!
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The fear of the Lord is the starting place for wisdom and it leads to a never-ending friendship with a loving God. Scripture reveals that fearing the Lord is intended to comfort us not to scare us. Because the more we understand God’s character, the more we are compelled to revere Him. God’s Word guides us to express our fear of the Lord through right living, rejecting evil, and clinging to what is good.
Reflect
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Jesus, help me demonstrate my reverence for God by living in His freedom, respecting others, loving fellow believers, and honoring the authorities He has placed in my life. Help me see how putting God first in these kinds of ways leads me to live well.”
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What happens when people “fear the Lord” in a healthy way? Explore how this can lead to wisdom and relationship with God!
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The Bible’s wisdom books remind us again and again that the fear of the Lord is where real wisdom begins—and that’s the kind of wisdom we need for everyday life. From big decisions to ordinary moments, we all need God’s perspective to help us navigate what’s in front of us.
Proverbs offers that wisdom with a hopeful, “glass half-full” lens, giving practical guidance for daily choices. Ecclesiastes meets us in the tension, naming life’s frustrations and uncertainties with a more “glass half-empty” honesty. And Job takes us deeper, showing that a healthy fear of the Lord isn’t about being afraid—it’s about being drawn into a real, trusting relationship with God as we learn to revere all of who He is, even when life doesn’t make sense.
Reflect
Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you?
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Jesus, help me have a healthy fear of God that allows me to live with wisdom throughout my life. Enable me to revere God for who He is and not for what He does so that I may deepen my relationship with You. Open my eyes to see more clearly the wonder and awe of who You are.”
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