Atonement: Penal Substitutionary Theory (8.4.19)

We continue our look into different theories of the atonement. This week, we look at Penal Substitutionary Theory. This theory is one of the most prevalent theories in the evangelical church today. What does it mean? Listen here to find out.

Atonement: Christus Victor

Listen here as we begin a new series, exploring the mystery and meaning of the Christ’s death and trying to find out together what it might mean for our lives. We are so glad to have Josh Vis join us for this series!

This is My Story: How Pain and Suffering Influences Our Lives (7.21.19)

Bethany DeBlaay shares with us this week about a journey she has been on in the past year. Bethany is a psychotherapist who works particularly with people who have experienced trauma in their lives. Listen here as Bethany explores the places that pain and suffering show up in all of our lives.

This is My Story :: Brian :: Reimagining Faith (7.14.19)

Today’s story is one that many people are familiar with. It’s the story of a person who grew up in the church and then started asking questions about faith as a young adult. Listen here as Brian Workman shares about the journey of his faith.

This is My Story :: CCGR and The Branch (7.7.19)

Listen here for the bilingual stories of The Branch and of Comunidad Cristiana de Grand Rapids. We have the privilege of sharing a building and today, we had that great privilege of sharing in worship. What a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God!

This is My Story :: CREATE (6.30.19)

Today, we celebrate a wonderful week of CREATE. We told stories of the week that were stories of community and relationship building, and stories of showing great love. Listen here to celebrate with us what God is doing through a week of creativity.

This is My Story :: Jason :: The Global Church (6.23.19)

As we continue our series of stories, Jason gives us a glimpse into what he sees happening in the Church across the world. Listen here for some stories that will challenge us, but also stories of great hope.

This is My Story :: Heather :: Heartside (6.16.19)

As we continue our “Stories” series, Heather Karel shares with us about her work as a physician in Heartside. Heather gives us a beautiful example of missional living. Listen here as she tells stories of her work and how that has impacted other areas of her life.

This is My Story :: Sarah :: Ghana (6.9.19)

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7
This week, Sarah Lundberg shared with us about her recent trip to Ghana. She shared stories of seeing God at work in Ghana and how that has impacted her life here.

This is My Story :: Dave & Trina :: Neighborhood (6.2.19)

“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

Each week in this series we’ll hear the story of someone at the Branch and how God is at work in their life. Their stories will not only give us perspective on our own, but in turn help shape how we live. This week, we hear a part of Dave & Trina’s story and how God is at work in their neighborhood.

The Good and Beautiful Life (5.26.19)

We wrapped up our series on The Good and Beautiful Life this week by looking at Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus’ teaching here reminds us that our actions and our words are not what will get us into God’s kingdom. Instead, when we are open to receive the love of God, we are able to truly know God. The right words and actions flow out of that.

The Good and Beautiful Life: Learning to Live Without Lust (5.19.19)

Matthew 5:37-30
Lust is defined as objectification for the purpose of self-gratification. The cure for lust, according to Jesus, is love. Not just any love, but selfless love. Over and over, Jesus relentlessly turns our attention to our heart, when talking about our actions.

The Good and Beautiful Life: Learning to Live Without Judging Others (5.12.19)

Matthew 7:1-7
Who do we judge others? It’s easy to say that we don’t judge people, but we all put others in a certain category. And when we do that instead of listening to someone and getting to know them, it is easy to judge them. But Jesus offers a better way forward.

The Good and Beautiful Life: Learning to Live Without Vainglory (4.28.19)

Sarah Lundberg continued our conversation about The Good and Beautiful Life this week, teaching us what it could look like to live without vainglory. What is vainglory? Listen here for that answer and to discover what we can learn from the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18:9-14.

Easter Sunday (4.21.19)

John 12:23-26
Death and resurrection. It’s not just something that happened to Jesus, but we see this pattern in our lives as well. When we are willing to lay down our own self for the sake of others, new life comes.

The Good and Beautiful Life: Learning to Live Without Lying (4.7.19)

“Let your yes be yes. Let your no be no.” Matthew 5:37 Listen here as Chris DeBlaay helps us learn what that looks like in our lives.

Questions for Discussion (chapter 6)

  1. James Bryan Smith gives an insightful list of lies we often tell:
    • Yes, I have read that book (or seen that movie).
    • Yes, let’s definitely get together soon.
    • He’s in a meeting.
    • She’s not home.
    • No, that outfit doesn’t make you look fat.
    • Add to this list by brainstorming lies we tell that seem harmless.
  2. Read the first 5 paragraphs from the section titled “How Living in the Kingdom Can Cure Lying” on pages 112-13. Note the ways the kingdom of God sets us free from lying. Discuss how your experiences of God’s kingdom have reduced lying in your life.
  3. Read Colossians 3:9-10. In this passage, Paul refers to the “new self,” which can be seen as indwell by Christ and as residing in God’s kingdom. The “old self,” which Paul invites us to take off, is isolated from God and God’s resources. As we put on the new self, lying is less necessary and less attractive because of who we are and where we are. What soul-training exercises (spiritual practices) have helped you to take off your “old self” and put on the “new self” that Paul speaks of?

The Good and Beautiful Life: Learning to Live Without Worry (3.31.19)

There’s no podcast for this day because there was no sermon! Instead, we engaged in 4 prayer stations designed to help us take steps toward trusting God instead of worrying. Chapter 10 of The Good and Beautiful Life is a great place to start. Resources are listed below if you would like to engage in these practices with us. Slowly read Matthew 6:25-33 and then move into one or more of these options.

Option 1: Pray the news. Grab a newspaper or scroll through a news feed. Stop when a story grabs your attention and causes you to worry, or that feels hopeless. Pray over that story, and begin to “trust that God can and will work in them.” (Smith p. 178)

Option 2: Reflect on God’s past, stead provision and care in our lives. Prompts for writing and reflection can be found here.

Option 3: Reflect on God’s provision and care in creation. Take a walk outside and pick up a leaf or acorn, or hold a flower. Reflect on the beauty of creation and of God’s good care of it all.

Option 4: Mindful breathing allows us to awaken our own spirit, acknowledge the gift of life that God has provided, and turn that breath of life into prayer; joining our spirit with God’s. A step-by-step guide to prayer using mindful breathing can be found here.

Questions for Discussion (chapter 10)

  1. God has instituted prayer as a means of caring for us. We are invited to turn our cares into prayers. And when we do, we put the matter into God’s hands. This does not take away our responsibility in dealing with our concerns, but it places the concerns in the larger context of the kingdom. In what ways do you see the kingdom of God at work in the areas you pray about?
  2. Review the section titled “Jesus’ Narrative: Things Not to Worry About” (pp. 175-178). Reflect on the various points from this section that you find either challenging or helpful.
  3. The author tells us that Matthew 6:33 “is the key to the entire Sermon on theMount” (p. 178). Go to section “One Day at a Time” (pp. 180-81), and highlight points that are especially helpful or challenging to you. Then prayerfully engage Matthew 6:33.

The Good and Beautiful Life: Learning to Live Without Anger (3.24.19)

Listen here as Josh Wall continues our series on The Good and Beautiful Life.

Questions for Reflection from Chapter 4:

  1. The author opens the chapter with the author’s honest account of getting angry during a trip. What aspects of the author’s story can you relate to?
  2. The author gives us multiple “false imperative narratives” (FINs) (p. 73). Which FIN is most common in your life? How does it lead you to anger?
  3. “Jesus’ narrative is that God permits nothing to happen to us that He cannot redeem and use for good. In the kingdom of heaven God is always near. We are never alone and never needed to be afraid. When I live with this reality deep in my mind and heart anger cannot get a grip on me” (p. 77). Do you have any evidence in your life of anger diminishing as you come to know that God is near to us and working for our good? (my addition): If an example doesn’t come to mind, consider taking 2-3 minutes in your group to quietly reflect on something you are (or have been) angry about. As you reflect on that anger, bring in God’s provision and proximity? Can you sense the anger changing as you reflect on the reality that God is with you?


The Good and Beautiful Life: The Grand Invitation (3.17.19)

Because we have been invited by God, we are called to be people who extend lavish hospitality. Listen here as Deborah McCreary tells stories of receiving lavish hospitality and encourages us to do the same.

Questions for reflection:
1. How can you offer hospitality to someone this week (a coworker, a neighbor or someone you disagree with)?
2. Review the section “Jesus’ Narrative: The Beatitudes Are Invitations of Inclusion,” on pp. 55-62 of The Good and Beautiful Life. How does the author’s interpretation resonate or differ from what you have been taught about the Beatitudes?
3. How can we, as followers of Jesus, live out the message of invitation to those who are seen by the world as ‘cursed’?