We did it! Together, we raised more than $215,000 to show the love of Jesus to our city: providing 10,000 meals, free haircuts, dental and medical services, family portraits, and shoes for kids. That’s what it means to look like Jesus, to see needs around us and meet them with love. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Pickup Party this weekend, we’re preparing our hearts as we turn to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to learn how to do the things Jesus would do and act the way Jesus would act. Because in order to look like Jesus, we have to love like Jesus—with patience, kindness, and compassion for a world that desperately needs Him.

I. Do the Things Jesus Would Do

A. Be Patient in Gratitude for His Patience with You

B. Be Kind, Remembering His Kindness Toward You

II. Act the Way Jesus Would Act

A. Don’t Be Rude: Treat People the Way Jesus Treats You

B. Don’t Be a Cynic: See People How Jesus Sees Them (Sheep Without a Shepherd)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for those around you this week.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or a believing friend if they’ve noticed an area of your life where you aren’t reflecting Jesus.

Talk with kids: What was Saul’s excuse for disobeying the Lord?

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?