Short Teachings for Where You Actually Live
On Your Street
If God loves me, why does he lead me through hard times?
Explore why following Jesus doesn't always mean staying comfortable, and discover how God leads us forward through both green pastures and difficult valleys for our own good. Learn to recognize the Shepherd's voice, trust his direction even when the path is hard, and understand that he's always equipped to handle whatever dangers we face along the way.
What does 'the Lord is my shepherd' mean for everyday life?
Discover the deeper meaning behind Psalm 23's famous words "The Lord is my shepherd" and learn why this ancient poem offers far more than funeral comfort—it's an invitation to let God lead every part of your life. Explore who God really is, what it means to have Jesus as your shepherd, and how to move from just knowing about God to actually submitting your life to his care.
What if the secret to a better life isn't getting more?
Discover the biblical secret to "great gain" that has nothing to do with accumulating more and everything to do with godliness and contentment. Learn how to count your blessings, identify where God is calling you to grow, and find true satisfaction by staying connected to Jesus rather than trying harder on your own.
Does your life match what you say you believe?
Explore the gap between what we say we believe and how we actually live, and discover why examining your faith isn't about doubt but about building something real. Learn what it means to trust Jesus not just for eternal salvation, but for daily living, and how genuine faith shows up in practical ways in our relationships and everyday choices.
Can God use even evil things to accomplish his mission?
Discover the darker side of the Christmas story in Matthew 2, where King Herod's murderous plot reveals how God's mission outwits even what's meant for evil—and what the wise men's gifts teach us about trusting God's provision and direction. Explore why Jesus returned to Nazareth, a city of low reputation, and what that reveals about where God meets us today.
Why would Jesus choose to be born in a manger?
Discover why Jesus' birth in a manger wasn't about humble circumstances but a deliberate choice that reveals who God's mission is for—exploring how the familiar nativity story shows God prioritizing working people, outsiders, and the disrespected. Learn what Jesus' "house" tells us about his heart and how we can listen to what God is doing in the lives of people around us.
Are the old, familiar Christmas tales more meaningful than we realize?
Explore how the familiar Christmas story reveals God's pattern of briefing people for impossible missions—from Mary's virgin birth to Joseph's courageous obedience—and discover what impossible things God might be asking of you. Learn why these ancient accounts of angelic visits and miraculous pregnancies aren't just religious tales, but invitations to participate in God's ongoing work today.
Does loving someone mean never having painful conversations?
Discover what the Bible says about authentic love in 2 Corinthians 12—it's not about keeping everyone comfortable, but about being spent for others' benefit and caring enough to have difficult conversations. Learn how Paul's example challenges our culture's definition of love and what it means to actively grieve over sin while guiding people toward Jesus.
Can Jesus really be enough when life feels overwhelming?
Feeling overwhelmed by information overload and the pressure to have all the answers? Discover why our "unknowing" can actually draw us closer to God and how finding contentment in Jesus offers peace in a chaotic world.
Do I have to hide all my struggles to be welcomed in a church?
Explore why hiding your struggles in church misses the point of faith. Discover how being honest about weakness highlights Jesus' strength and what a healthy spiritual community really looks like.
What does real faith look like when everyone's faking it?
Discover how to practice authentic faith in a culture obsessed with appearances, and learn to recognize the difference between genuine spiritual leadership and manipulative influencers who are just in it for themselves.
Why do Christians talk about humility when the world rewards confidence?
Discover how the Apostle Paul handled conflict with grace and strength in 2 Corinthians 10, and learn practical ways to live with humility and integrity in a world that often rewards arrogance. This message explores what it means to seek God's approval rather than impressing others.
Where can I find hope when everything hurts?
Struggling with suffering and wondering if God is punishing you? Discover why bad theology about suffering can hurt us, and learn where to find real hope when life falls apart.
Does God care when I'm going through hard times?
Explore what the Bible teaches about suffering and why bad things happen to good people through the story of Job. Learn how to maintain faith and trust in God even when life feels unfair and your prayers seem unanswered.
What should I say when tragedy strikes someone I love?
When tragedy strikes, we often wonder if suffering is God's punishment or if life is simply unfair. Discover what the Bible teaches about God's justice, grace, and how to respond when bad things happen to good people.
Is my suffering a sign that God is angry with me?
Explore what the Bible really says about suffering and whether pain is punishment from God. Discover how Jesus redefines our understanding of hardship and why trusting God through difficult times matters more than having all the answers.
What does it mean to be sent out by Jesus?
Discover why Jesus sends ordinary people on his mission and how praying for others might be preparing you to be the answer to your own prayers. Learn practical ways to depend on God as you're sent out to love the lost, encourage fellow believers, and serve in your community through the 3-2-1 prayer practice.
Is there something I can only get from church that I can't get elsewhere?
Discover what makes church different from any other club or organization through the biblical concept of being part of Christ's body, where believers grow together in spiritual maturity and care for one another. Learn about the 3-2-1 prayer practice and how praying for spiritual companions at 2pm daily can transform your understanding of Christian community and spiritual growth.
What's the point of praying for people who don't want anything to do with religion?
This blog post explores Jesus's parables about lost things in Luke 15, showing how God celebrates when spiritually lost people find their way to faith. It includes practical steps for praying for non-believers using the 3-2-1 prayer method and encourages readers to participate in reaching people who don't yet know Jesus.
When God's blessings become our biggest temptation
This blog explores how prosperity can be spiritually dangerous, using biblical principles from Hosea 10 to show why we must choose God-dependence over self-confidence in both abundant and difficult times. Learn practical ways to avoid the spiritual trap of wealth and discover how Neighborhood Church is applying these principles through the Grove Initiative to train leaders, plant churches, and reach people for Christ in Florida.