The Gospel of John: Love or Fear

What Christians Do: Gather

Where can we reliably experience a tangible expression of God's love? We see glimpses of it throughout our lives, but none that can replace the gathered church. Scripture affirms that God has chosen the church to be the sign, instrument, and foretaste of his Kingdom. By virtue of this choice, we are called to be an embodiment of the salvation Jesus offers.

What Christians Do: Discipline

The church is called to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. That work takes on many forms, but none of it is possible without discipline. Discipleship, Justice, and Witness are only possible where Christians decide to act with intention and honesty. Discipline is the means by which God shapes us into ourselves.

What Christians Do: Forgive

When the world looks upon the church, does it see something unique? Is there any feature of the community of believers that stands out - that makes Christians appear different from their unbelieving neighbors? Scripture tells us that a central mark of our new identity is: forgiveness. We are a forgiven and forgiving people. When we walk the way of Jesus, this means making forgiveness a regular part of our life together - no matter how uncomfortable or vulnerable it makes us.

What Christians Do: Love

What unites Christians all over the world and throughout history? Most would say that we are united by a common faith - we are united by what we believe. But is this true? This summer we will explore the idea that evangelism - being a Christian in public - is primarily shaped by what Christians do, not what we believe. Fundamentally, Christians are called to love. This is the first thing we do, and from this act comes every other.

The Gospel of John: Twin Trials

Before his journey to the Cross, Jesus is tried before the religious authorities and the civil authorities to the same effect. In both cases, he is found guilty without evidence. According to John, this is all the evidence we need to find the institutions, themselves, guilty. Instead, he offers a crucial reminder: Jesus did not come to serve the government or religious authorities - he came to replace them. The Church is not called to be an institution, but a faithful group of followers living as Christ lived.