PJ Lewis - 1 Samuel 17 - David's heart attitude toward God is shown as he trusts God while facing a giant.  We see what it looks like when someone really believes the battle, all battles, belong to the Lord.

PJ Lewis - 1 Samuel 16 - God begins a process with David.  Like us, God has a plan to conform David into His Servant.  This week, we find that it all depends on our heart.  God does not work with someone whose heart does not want to follow Him.  On the other hand, God can do anything with someone whose heart is His.

PJ Lewis - Philippians 4:10-23 - Paul shares how he found the secret of always being content, while laying out some principles behind worshipful giving.

PJ Lewis - Philippians 4:4-9 - If there is anything that will get an unbeliever's attention, it is when they see us calm in the midst of a storm.  Paul reveals how we can experience peace no matter what is going on in our lives.

Jeff Doolittle - Philippians 3:17-4:3 - Roman citizenship was a privilege rarely given to those that did not actually reside in the city of Rome. The residents of Philippi took great pride in their status as Roman citizens. Yet Paul raised their sights to their higher calling as citizens of heaven. This doesn’t mean that God’s people should despise our worldly citizenship. But heavenly citizenship must always always take precedence in defining our values and priorities as God’s people.

PJ Lewis - Philippians 3:1-16 - Paul would give up everything else in life for Jesus.  It is all about knowing Him and experiencing the power of His resurrection.

PJ Lewis - Philippians 2:19-30 - Timothy and Epaphroditus. Two people who are examples of people we need to honor, and two people who are example of what we can be for others. We are better together.

Coleman Diffenderfer - Philippians 2:12-18 - We frequently describe our journey with God as a walk. Our journey with God most of the time feels more like a roller coaster ride. God is busy working in the lives of His followers, busy making us look more and more like his Son Jesus. While God works on us he brings us to things that are intimidating  and scary and we need to hold on to him with white knuckles ready and willing to follow where He leads us. God is working in the people of the church for his good pleasure so that we would be a bright and shining example of Jesus to people who do not yet know him.

Grant Thiessen - Philippians 2:3-11 - Paul brings a strong challenge of leaving a life and mindset of self-centeredness and taking on humility. Humility that can only come about through a total submission of Christ. Paul shows as an example Jesus, emptying Himself in humility and service to humanity, even to the point of death on the cross. He calls us to live out this example among ourselves in fulfilling the plan of Christ. 

PJ Lewis - Philippians 2:1-2 - There is a lot in the first two verses of Philippians 2.  Paul again urges the church to be unified in mind, spirit, and soul.  But now we see our service and love for each other is based upon the service and love God has for us.  The more we understand how the Good News has brought unity between each of us and God, the more we can show that unity with each other.

Jeff Doolittle - Philippians 1:19-30 - So much of the Christian life is about perspective. We discover the very heart of the gospel in the cross of Christ: a day of tragedy and despair from one perspective, but a day of triumph and victory from God's viewpoint. In his own life, Paul demonstrates the power of a transformed perspective. How can learning to see things God's way empower us to live as citizens worthy of the gospel of Christ?

PJ Lewis - Philippians 1:12-18 - Paul is in prison, in chains, facing possible death.  He is receiving reports of people who are taking advantage of his absence in the free world and are preaching the Gospel out of secret ambition, to gain popularity, or to just get back at Paul.  And yet Paul sees all of this as an opportunity, the opportunity for the Gospel to be spread.  What if we would have the same attitude as Paul?

Grant Thiessen - Philippians 1:6-12 - Paul had a love for the Philippian church that brought him overflowing joy. Seeing the heart and attitude of this letter, it’s hard to imagine that he was in chains as he wrote it. We have a confidence as the body of Christ that the work Jesus started in all of us, will complete in us, by His power. Paul’s prayer is a mixture of love, and challenge to live a life filled with His spirit, that will bring glory and praise to God.

PJ Lewis - Philippians 1:1-5 - Philippians was essentially written as Paul was thanking this church for their support, primarily financial support.  And he begins the letter with thanking them for their partnership in the Gospel.  The finances we give mean more than we sometimes think.  We are not just supporters when we give.  We are partners, working along side the people and organizations we are giving to.  And we are partners together, sharing the gospel in our individual neighborhoods, so that together we are helping people connect to God in every neighborhood.

PJ Lewis - Acts 16:25-34 - This week, we celebrate baptism as some followers of Jesus proclaim the new life they now have in Christ.  And as we remember what God has done in these people's lives, we will also take a look one more story, in Acts 16, of a jailor who placed his faith in Christ, was baptized, and displayed a new life in Christ.

Coleman Diffenderfer - Jeremiah 31:31-34, Luke 22:14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Matthew 28:16-20, and Romans 6:1-4 - Communion and Baptism have been given to us by Jesus so that we can; celebrate, remember, and proclaim who Jesus is and what he has done in our lives and in the people he has placed in our lives.

PJ Lewis - Hebrews 19-25, Acts 2:41-47 - Why did the church gather together at the temple and then in smaller groups in people's homes?  They valued what God valued: community and relationship.  This week, we look at Hebrews 10 and see once again that God did whatever it took to bring us back into healthy community with Him.  And then we see that He wants us to be in healthy community with each other, to gather and spur one another on to love and good deeds.  Smaller gatherings with people you build relationships with seem to be the best context for this.

PJ Lewis - Luke 11:1-4, Acts 2:42, Acts 1:12, Acts 4:23-31, Acts 12:12, 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, James 5:14-16 - Why pray?  The Bible is filled with commands and examples of the importance of prayer.  Jesus taught His disciples to pray.  The church was devoted to prayer.  But do we also see the importance of praying TOGETHER?  The Bible is also filled with examples of corporate prayer, especially as the church is gathered together.  What's so special about praying, not only privately, but corporately?  Let's find out.

PJ Lewis - Ephesians 5:18-19, Colossians 3:15-16 (also, Job 38:4-7, Ex. 14-15, book of Psalms, Song of Solomon, 1 Chron. 25:1-7, Luke 1-2, Rev. 14:1-5, Rev. 19) We were created to worship God.  And just reading the book of Psalms shows us that music and song is an important way to express praise and worship to our God.  But are we to do this only privately, or is there value and added purpose in singing to God with others?  Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 suggest God has a reason for us to not only sing praise to God individually, but to do it corporately.  Let's find out why together.

PJ Lewis - Nehemiah 8:1-12, 1 Timothy 4:13 (also Ex. 24:7, Deut. 31:11, Josh. 8:35, 2 Kings 23:1-3, Luke 4:16, 1 Thes. 5:27) - In our Christian culture, there is great value for a personal devotional time, a "quiet time", a time where we read the Word or listen to a message for ourselves.  But this focus has sometimes diminished the importance of the value of hearing the Word corporately.  As we look at all the scripture and the history of the church, the Word is meant to be shared and taught in public, in larger groups, not just personally.  There is something that happens when we all hear the Word together that cannot happen when we study the Word alone.

PJ Lewis - Acts 2:41-47 - We begin a new series this week called "The Gathering", where we will be looking at the reasons why we gather together on a regular basis.  In our culture, individualism is praised.  And we see a God who lifts up and promotes community far more than individualistic thinking.  He is a God who has always been in community, and has created beings who are meant to live in community, including the establishment of the church.  Individualism tends to breed self centeredness and consumerism.  Interdependence breeds selflessness and service.

PJ Lewis - Luke 24, Ephesians 2 - As we celebrate Easter and the Resurrection, we find that Jesus went from death to life in order for us to go from death to life, in order for us to show and share with the world around us how they can do from death to life as well.

PJ Lewis - Matthew 13:24-43 - We wrap up the Parable Series with answering an age old question: If God is so good, why does evil still exist?  Jesus actually answers this question with a parable in Matthew 13.  As we examine the passage, the question changes from "why does God allow evil people and things to be around me?" to "Why does God allow me to be around evil people and things?"  The answer may surprise you.

Grant Thiessen - Matthew 25:14-30, 31-46 - What is it that God has entrusted to your life? Your Time, Talents, Treasures. In reality, everything we are, all our accomplishments, the place in life we’ve arrived, are by God and for God. Does your life reflect that by what you are doing with your life? When we recognize and respond to the depth of grace poured out upon our lives, it is seen by a life of faith, trusting in God not in ourselves.

PJ Lewis - Luke 7:36-50 - What is our response when we finally realize the forgiveness that only Jesus can give?  And what is the answer if our response is not what we know it should be?  The answer may surprise us.

Sam Freshwater - Luke 18: 9-14 - How is your heart spiritually? Are you ready and able to stand before God unafraid? This parable addresses what one must do to be accepted into the kingdom of God.

PJ Lewis - Mark 4:1-20 - Sometimes we can fool ourselves into thinking we are okay when we really are not.  This parable addresses one of the most common areas where people have fooled themselves.  Is the way I'm trusting Jesus and His Word really okay?  The parable of the four soils forces us to look at the way we respond to Jesus and His Word, and we find that there is only one way that is really okay.  Which soil are you?

PJ Lewis - Luke 15:11-32 - This week we look at the parable of the Prodigal Son, or should we say, the "Lost" Son, as it follows the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin.  This parable shows us the nature and demonstration of the unbelievable forgiveness and grace God provides.  It also shows us how uncomfortable accepting this forgiveness and grace can be. It cannot be earned.  It isn't deserved.  We aren't entitled to it.  And we all have a desperate need for it.

PJ Lewis - Luke 10:25-37 - The Word itself says that it could be summed up with one command: Love God and Love Others.  But what does it really mean to love, and who should we love?  In this passage, an expert in the Law had similar questions.  And as Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to challenge his love for others, that same challenge may be for us.

Luke 6:46-49 - Coleman Diffenderfer - What is your life built on? Join us as we look at Jesus’ parable of the two builders and see the stability that is available in a life that is built on Christ!  

Luke 14:1-33 - Jeff Doolittle - What real difference has following Jesus made in your life? The parables confront us with that question. They present an accurate picture of Jesus and his Kingdom to counteract the false images offered by the world; and that we create for ourselves. Ultimately, they challenge us to examine our hearts and ask whether we are aligned with the Jesus way, or our own way. How might God use the stories in the parables to impact your life?

James 5:13-20 - PJ Lewis - As James wraps up his letter, he reminds us that we are not meant to do this alone.  Our lives with Christ are definitely personal, but never meant to be private.  God has meant for us, as a body of believers, to lean on others when we are hurting, and even when we are sinning.  Some of us might be missing out on what God has planned for us because we are still trying to handle sin on our own.

James 5:7-12 - Jeff Doolittle - James' goal has been clear from the beginning of his letter. His desire is for Christians to learn perseverance in the face of trials so they may grow toward maturity in Christ. As he nears the end of his letter, he returns once again to the concept of steadfast faith. James shows us that we will grow a steadfast faith when we learn to endure with patience, guard our speech, emulate godly examples, and maintain an eternal perspective. Are you developing a steadfast faith in your life?

Coleman Diffenderfer - James 5:1-7 - 

Over the last few weeks through the book of James we have seen multiple things in our lives that can either have the potential to unite us or divide us. This week we will look specifically at how money and finances, what James calls “riches” can divide us.  Finally James closes his discussion on the importance of unity by giving us the key to achieving it. James calls the church body to be patient with one another until our role as the church is completed and Jesus our Lord returns.  

James 4:11-17 - Troy McComas - A crooked and perverse generation. That's what the Bible calls the day and age we live in. Our conversations are saturated with evil, slandering and speaking of one another in a way that diminishes the value of others as God's image bearers. We make lofty plans for our lives apart from the God who gave us life. The truth is, we need a reality check. We need to see the pride and the arrogance of our boastfulness. We need to see how our pride tries to put ourselves in the place of God and pit ourselves against the plans of God. And we need to see the remedy to our pride in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

James 4:1-10 - Jeff Doolittle - According to James, it's impossible to be fully devoted to God while still valuing the things the world values. In fact, when we do so, we put ourselves in a position of opposing God and even facing off as his enemies! This terrifying truth isn't meant to push us into a response of guilt. Instead, it's meant as a gut check to bring us to our knees in repentance and humility before a holy God. Are you ready to check your pride at the door and draw near to God?

Isaiah 8:20-9:7 - Jeff Doolittle - With God you have to expect the unexpected. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. When God prepared to send a King into this world, people thought they knew what that meant. They took their ideas of kingship and drew their own conclusions about what God would do; about what God should do; about what God must to, at least in their own minds. But God will not be tamed or put in a box of our own design. What does true Kingship mean to you? Who is King over your life?

Troy McComas - Isaiah 7:10-25 - The Kingdom of Judah is in trouble. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, along with their northernly neighbor Syria, join forces in an effort to thwart the plans of an Assyrian takeover. When they try to bring Judah on board, King Ahaz refuses to cooperate. So the Syria-Israel alliance decides to overthrow Judah and put their own puppet king in place. So Ahaz, rather than trusting in God's timing and in God's will, decides to appeal to Assyria for help. And that's where the problems begin. 

But God still promises them salvation. He still promises us salvation, fully and finally. It will come, says the Lord. But will Judah trust His promise? How often do we trust His promises? God's Word reassures us that the promise of the King trumps the promise of any other creating thing. 

Psalm 110 - "A picture of a King" 

What does your Christmas Jesus look like? during this time of year, it's often challenging to keep in perspective what its all about. And even for those who recognize that Christmas is really all about Christ, we often minimize who and what Jesus is by viewing Him through the lens of being a little Innocent baby in a manger. King David for tells of a coming Divine King, who will come in power and save the world from their sin. the real question is, what does your Christmas Jesus look like? Is he really the KING over every part of your life?  

James 3:13-18 - David Greenwell - James continues his quest of pressing believers to seek maturity in the faith. This week, he challenges us to showcase our faith through good conduct, while warning us that harboring a "me" attitude is unspiritual, and even demonic. Godly wisdom will be evident by our actions, and will produce a harvest of righteousness sown in peace. To portray an authentic faith, you must live out what you live for. 

James 3:1-12 - Jeff Doolittle - James continues to challenge believers to live up to their higher calling of maturity in Christ. Many in his day would look down on each other and speak ill of one another; even of their fellow believers. Has anything honestly changed in our day? What do we learn about ourselves by simply listening to what we say, and how we say it? Want to know what is in your heart? Listen to the words that come out of your mouth.

Coleman Diffenderfer. James 2:14-26

A workless faith is a worthless faith! James encourages us to examine our faith in Christ not by what we say we believe but rather by what we do! Our faith should be more than mere declarations of belief. Our faith should be something that is living vibrant and active that displays our love for Jesus and our love for others.

James 2:1-13 - Troy McComas - In keeping step with the series, the book of James kicks off chapter two by unfolding the practicality of a life lived as doers of God’s Word. That as followers of Christ, His church, we would not be partial towards one another, or judge one another based upon class or ethnic or any other distinctions, but rather love one another and show mercy towards one another as God has shown mercy to us. Partiality kills the church. But mercy triumphs over partiality and puts the Gospel of Jesus Christ on display to a divided and decaying world.

James 1:19-27 - Jeff Doolittle - Trials reveal our true heart condition. The way we speak and the way we act under difficult times reveals what is going on in our hearts. It really comes down to a question of authority. Those who submit to the authority of God’s Word in their hearts will demonstrate it in their speech and conduct. Ultimately, the condition of your heart is revealed by what you are submitting to. What is the authority in your life?

James 1:1-1:18 - Grant Thiessen - Trials and Temptations. James speaks to a people who have become defeated and in conflict with each other from the troubles they have faced. He challenges them to "count it all joy." This doesn’t mean all things are joyous, but their approach to trials should be an opportunity to build their faith. James challenges their thought process to move from, "it has to make sense to me" to "through faith in Jesus I can have joy even though I don't understand." James emphasizes the idea that “Faith in God comes at the cost of faith in yourself.” Ultimately, we have to know the difference between trials, and temptation. Trials happen to us, but temptations come from within us. God allows trials to happen to bring out the best in us, but the devil sends temptation to bring out the worst in us.

James 1:1-5:20 - Jeff Doolittle - James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ and the pastor of the church in Jerusalem in the mid-first-century. His heart was for the people of God to not merely hear what God has to say, but to put it into practice. How are your actions revealing the fruit of your faith? How is God calling you to obedience and submission to his authority in your life?

John 4:1-45 - Coleman Diffenderfer - What does it mean to be neighborly? Being a neighbor for us can be something that is reduced to proximity of living rather than someone that influences lives.  As we take a look at Jesus example of being a neighbor we see that he is present in people lives, engages in quinine relationship and is comfortable with being uncountable. We see that for Jesus a neighbor is anyone how has need and he is able to recognize these needs weather they be physical relational or spiritual because he unashamedly and unrelentingly pursues live giving and live changing relationships. Who are the neighbors in our  lives and how can we enter into to similar live giving and changing relationships for the glory of His kingdom.

Hebrews 10:22-25 - Jeff Doolittle - Our mission is "Helping people connect to God and to each other in every neighborhood." Once people are connected to God, the biblical assumption is that they will begin connecting to each other. Our culture promotes individualism and consumerism. In contrast, the biblical model teaches that we need each other and can't fulfill our spiritual calling in isolation. What does your current lifestyle reveal about your priorities in life? How are you helping people connect to God and to each other?

Ephesians 2:1-10; John 4:1-30 - Jeff Doolittle - As the people of God, we are called to live on mission for God. At The Well, we define our mission as "Helping people connect to God and to each other in every neighborhood." But who is this God we're called to help people connect to? Do we understand who he really is, and who we are in light of that reality? And once we do, are we ready to live on mission for him in every area of our lives?

Malachi 1:1- 4:6 - Grant Thiessen - Many of us would say we want to hear from God and that when he speaks, we would be ready to listen attentively. But the people in Malachi's time found themselves arrogantly questioning God's perspective on their lives. Instead of hearing God's words to them, they sought to justify themselves by asking whether God's perspective was legitimate. As we come to the end of our series in the Minor Prophets, will we allow God to speak His truth into our lives? Or will we seek to justify ourselves and our behavior in spite of his clear call to us to set aside our self assessment and embrace his assessment of our lives?

Zechariah 1:1-14:21 - Jeff Doolittle - Sometimes in life we feel like a ship at sea without an anchor. We look for something we can rely on. Anything that might give us hope. Oftentimes we find ourselves relying on something that promises to fulfill our desire for security, but ultimately falls short. When God’s people were returning from exile in Babylon, they needed assurances that there was a real and true hope they could rely on. God revealed to the prophet Zechariah that all of their hopes could rest on God’s sure and secure promise of a Messiah. Where do you place your hope?

Haggai 1:1-2:23 - Troy McComas- The prophet Haggai is commissioned in by God on the heels of the exile. It's fifteen years later, and the temple rebuild has yet to resume. The people of God are charged with seeking first the kingdom of self, over the Kingdom of God. 

Obadiah 1:1-21 - Jeff Doolittle - God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. It's easy to see pride in others, but often we fail to see it in ourselves. The book of Obadiah calls out the nation of Edom for their pride in particular, but it also calls on all the nations to consider their standing before God. Are we trusting in our human wisdom and strength? Or do we trust in God alone for our wisdom and security? Pride causes us to look to ourselves, but God calls us to humble ourselves before him and put our pride to death.

Zephaniah 1:1-3:20 - Coleman Diffenderfer - The book of Zephaniah describes God’s judgment on both the nation of Israel and the kingdom of Judah, as well as his judgment on other nations. What makes Zephaniah unique is the prophet’s call to leaders in those nations. Zephaniah was a messenger for God during a time of spiritual revival led by the leaders of Judah, namely the young king Josiah. Where has God placed you as a leader? How are you using the influence you have to be an ambassador of God’s love in the places you live, work, and play?

Habakkuk 1:1-3:19 - Mike Slayden - What to you do when the world you is unraveling & you’re in the eye of the hurricane? How do you find solace when God seems indifferent to your requests & insensitive to sin & suffering happening around you? 2,600 years ago, the prophet Habakkuk found himself in a similar situation & provides us with a great example of how to walk with God in seasons of difficulty.

Nahum 1:1-3:19 - Jeff Doolittle - God is angry. People may not want to hear it or believe it, but if we're going to allow the scriptures to speak, we have to contend with the fact that God is angry. But God's anger isn't like human anger. It is always holy and pure. God waits with patient endurance until all other options have been exhausted. The anger of God toward sin and evil is meant to bring comfort to God's people and repentance to those who oppose God. Will we worship a God in our own image? Or accept him the way he truly is, as revealed through the prophets?

Micah 1:1-7:20 - Grant Thiessen - As we continue our series in the Minor Prophets, we're seeing again and again, that God is a God who judges those who live contrary to his will. We aren't typically fans of judgment, but we need to learn to see things as God sees them. He calls us to live humbly in his sight, not in pride and arrogance. Those who humble themselves see that God is not only a God of judgment, but is primarily a God of mercy. When we experience God's mercy, we begin to see things as he does and to develop a heart like his. Does your life reflect that fact that God has shown you mercy, and now desires that you would give mercy to, and seek justice for, others?

Hosea 1:1-14:9 - Troy McComas - It’s easy to tell someone that you love them. But it’s difficult to actually love someone. To stay stay faithfully committed to a loving relationship, even when the person we love is unfaithful, requires enduring loving-kindness. That’s what Hosea is about. Though Israel has forgotten God, and turned aside to worship idols of every sort, God still intends to allure His people to Himself, and give them an opportunity to repent and return to Him. God, through Hosea, shows His great love for His people, even when His people aren’t so lovable.

Joel 1:1-3:21 - Coleman Diffenderfer - Joel speaks powerfully about the Day of the Lord - the day when God intervenes in history to judge and to save. The Day of the Lord reminds us that God is sovereign in judgment and in redemption. What will our response be to our God who has the right to judge, but chooses to primarily reveal himself as a God of love and patient endurance? Will we respond with repentance as he desires us to?

Jonah 1:1-4:11 - Troy McComas - Jonah says he "fears God" and yet goes his own way, putting his opinions and preferences first in priority over God's perspective. We can learn much about ourselves by comparing ourselves to Jonah. Do we see others as God sees them? Or are we clinging to our own viewpoints and judgments? The ultimate lesson of the book, however, is not so much about Jonah as it is about God. Salvation belongs to the Lord, and he has chosen to make his salvation available to people from every tribe, tongue and nation.

Deuteronomy 4:25-31; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Jeff Doolittle - There are familiar parts of the Bible, and then there are the parts that we often neglect. Many Christians forget Paul's words in 2 Timothy 3:16 that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable." But as people of the book, we're called to seek God's heart in every portion of the scriptures. As we begin to familiarize ourselves with the Minor Prophets, we'll begin to learn more about who our God is. The words of the prophets speak with conviction and relevance not only to their day, but for our day as well.

Amos 1:1-9:15 - Jeff Doolittle - Most people equate justice with fairness, but true and comprehensive justice is rooted in the character of God. We can get caught up seeing justice in terms of getting what is best for me and those close to me, but God's desire is that we would seek justice for all kinds of people, especially those who are the most vulnerable. In Amos's day, the people of God got caught up in worldly endeavors that led to idolatry, immorality, and injustice in their midst. God continually called them to repent, but the calls went unheeded. If God is the same yesterday, today and forever, then how can and should we reflect his justice in our world? And what should our expectations be if we don't?