We’ve heard this story so many times that it doesn’t surprise us like it ought to. And what boy hasn’t dressed like a shepherd for a Christmas play? But what was an ordinary workplace for these blue-collar sheep farmers became holy ground on this particular night. They were in for five surprises that would stay with them forever. Let’s try to put ourselves in their sandals.

I. The Audience (v. 8)

II. The Angels (v. 9)

III. The Announcement (vv. 10-12)

IV. The Anthem (vv. 13-14)

V. The Accuracy (vv. 15-20)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord for opportunities to turn your workplace into holy ground this week.

Talk with others: Invite a friend or family member to join you for a Christmas Eve service.

Talk with kids: What does it mean to worship Jesus as King?

In this second message of our Holy Ground series, we come to an unnamed city in the hill country of Judah, where Mary’s cousin lived. But I hope you realize that the real emphasis shouldn’t be on holy places where God once moved, but holy people in whom God now dwells. Mary was one of them. She is our sister in Christ and a great example to us. Let’s notice five attributes.

I. She Was Hopeful (vv. 39-45)

II. She Was Worshipful (vv. 46-55)

III. She Was Scriptural (vv. 46-49)

IV. She Was Needful (v. 47)

V. She Was Helpful (v. 56)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for those around you this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

Talk with others: Encourage your friends or Connect Group to stay grounded in the Word through the holiday season.

Talk with kids: Why is it important to understand that Jesus is not just a baby born two thousand years ago?

During this Advent season, we want to look at the familiar Christmas story through a different lens: the actual places these events happened. They were common—even unremarkable—places. Yet, because of what happened there, they became Holy Ground. Through our short journey together, perhaps we’ll become more appreciative of the places and circumstances God has placed us in.

I. An Ordinary Place (v. 26)

II. An Unordinary Person (vv. 26-29)

III. An Extraordinary Prediction (vv. 30-34)

Talk with God: Reflect on your walk with the Lord over the past year and thank Him for the mundane places in your life that He chose to make holy ground.

Talk with others: Reach out to friends or family who may be struggling with loss or grief this holiday season and pray with them.

Talk with kids: Why do you think God chose ordinary people to be Jesus’ parents?

The last two years have seen a massive chasm in every country of the world over the Israel/Palestine issue. Since October 7, 2023 and the subsequent invasion of Gaza by Israel, people are divided. But this is not a recent debate. Anyone who knows the history of the region understands this dispute is ancient. But today I want to go back “behind the curtain” to get the real story.

I. The Incessant Competition (Philistine History)

II. The Invisible Conflict (Spiritual Hostility)

III. The Irrevocable Covenant (Divine Treaty)

Talk with God: Pray for the people of Israel and Palestine as they continue to deal with the conflict in their everyday lives.

Talk with others: Share what you’re thankful for this season with your Connect Group.

Talk with kids: Why is it important that these prophecies came true?

Some people insist that in our post-modern (or even meta-modern) age, we only believe in science, not metaphysics. That’s not quite true. At the heart of the transgender movement, people believe they are what they claim to be regardless of biological evidence. None of this is new. Something similar happened in the ancient worship of Asherah. Let’s examine it more carefully.

I. The Practice of Debased Idolatry (Jeremiah 7)

(Three Notable Characteristics)

II. The Proclamation of Divine Wrath (Romans 1)

(Three Notable Reasons)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for the lost, confused, and hurting people in your family, community, and city.

Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group or believing family and friends how you can support them in boldly and lovingly sharing the hope of Jesus with someone this week.

Talk with kids: Pick up some poster board from Calvary Kids and create a banner to share what you’re thankful for as a family at our Thanksgiving Banner Service this Wednesday.

If you think the Sexual Revolution began in 1960s America, think again. It’s been going on since ancient times. Today we look at three texts which outline God’s standard for human sexuality and how a competing system, the worship of Asherah, blurred the lines of gender and sex. The worship of this ancient demon tampered with three distinct areas.

I. Identity (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25)

II. Clarity (Deuteronomy 22:5)

III. Intimacy (Leviticus 18:19-23)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord for clarity as you root your identity in Him and walk in the path He’s prepared for you (see Ephesians 2:10).

Talk with others: Talk about what it looks like to honor your God-given sex in today’s world with your Connect Group or believing friends.

Talk with kids: How does God see people differently than we see them?