Without a doubt, the biggest threat to ancient Israel’s worship of Yahweh was the rival demon-god Baal, regarded as the chief of all Canaanite deities. The allure of Baal worship was the promise of profit and prosperity. I’ve chosen four words that tell the story of the showdown between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and frame our role in modern culture.

I. Courage (vv. 16-17)

II. Contest (vv. 20-40)

III. Confrontation (v. 21)

IV. Cause (v. 36)

Talk with God: Meditate on Matthew 6:24 and ask the Lord to reveal the areas of your life in which you’re trying to “serve two masters.”

Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer to keep their eyes on Jesus, no matter what they’re walking through this week.

Talk with kids: Why was it wrong for Saul to make the burnt offering?

Today we celebrate how God has used our generosity to take back what the Enemy has stolen. Broken lives that were once shattered have been restored. Hope reigns where despair once did. The generous gifts of your time, treasure, and talent have made the difference. Let’s learn a few key lessons from how Joshua celebrated the ground taken in crossing the Jordan River.

I. God’s Commands Aren’t Always Practical (vv. 1-3)

II. Our Obedience Is Always Vital (vv. 4-5, 8)

III. Remembering the Past Is Inspirational (vv. 6-7)

IV. God’s Power Is Irresistible (v. 24)

Talk with God: Meditate on 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 and thank the Lord for His faithfulness to “multiply the seed” of your obedience and generosity (v. 10).

Talk with others: Ask a friend how you can pray for them this week and encourage them to look back at a time when God’s hand in their life was evident.

Talk with kids: Why did the Israelites want a king?

Jesus canceled our debt at the cross and freed us from rule-keeping and spiritual add-ons. We've been handed a bill stamped "Paid in Full"—we don't have to work for our salvation. We simply need to accept the receipt and live in the true freedom only Jesus provides. In this message from Colossians 2, we'll learn from the apostle how to anchor ourselves in Christ.

One of the most emotional debates raging in our day centers on the subject of abortion. Some see it as simply the choice of a woman over what happens to her body; some see it as far more sinister. Today, we look at the ancient practice of child sacrifice to see if there is any parallel to the modern practice. This conversation is vital because it involves the doctrines of both God and man.

I. The Ancient Practice (Leviticus 20:1-5)

II. The Modern Parallel (Psalm 106)

III. The Divine Prescription (John 3:16; Romans 12:1-2)

Talk with God: Meditate on Lamentations 3:22-24, thanking the Lord that His mercies “are new every morning,” and ask Him to renew your hope in Him this week.

Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group in refusing to conform to the world and focus on “being transformed” through the Word.

Talk with kids: What does it mean to repent?

Paul showed Jesus as the Maker and Maintainer of all things, the Head of the church who reconciles us by His cross and continues His work in us until completion. Like a building, your life needs both a cornerstone and a blueprint—Christ is both. He will align every room of your life to His design. This teaching from Colossians 1 will help you build on what lasts.

John Calvin noted, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” Idolatry was a constant issue in the Old Testament, and Paul saw that Athens was filled with idols. But have you ever considered how false worship systems of the past have made their way into the present, but under other names? Today we’ll see how, over time, societies move away from God, His authority, and His truth.

I. Corruption in the Nation (vv. 1-6)

II. Confusion in the Home (vv. 2-5)

III. Chaos in the Heart (v. 6)

Talk with God: Take time to prayerfully assess your priorities this week and ask the Lord to reveal anything—or anyone—that’s pulling your focus away from Him.

Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group or believing friends and family members to keep Jesus at the center of their lives.

Talk with kids: Why is it right and good for God to punish sin?

In Colossians 1, Paul reminded the church that Jesus holds all things together—He’s the center of creation and the anchor of our faith. When Christ is at the center, everything else in life will fall into place. As believers, we find true direction only when our focus is on Christ, who reconciles us to God and gives purpose to all we do.