The "Not Yet" Time For the session to be discussed on November 29, 2015 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 The first Sunday of Advent finds us talking about hope and waiting. Where do we find ourselves waiting? Where are we tired of waiting? What does it mean to wait with hope?...

David's Last Words For the session to be discussed on November 22, 2015 2 Samuel 23:1-7 In this episode we take a look at a passage that offers the last words of King David. We discuss the glowing account it offers, and consider how even modern leaders tend to provide...

Hannah's Anchor For the session to be discussed on November 15, 2015 1 Samuel 1:1-28 In this episode we encounter the story of Hannah as she is tormented in many ways because she does not have a child. We discuss the treatment of childless women in ancient Israel, as...

For the session to be discussed on November 8, 2015 Ruth 3:1-4:21 Rabbi Seth Oppenheimer again joins us as a featured guest to help us discuss the last two chapters of the book of Ruth. We talk about the ways these women were strong and showed real initiative in...

For the session to be discussed on November 1, 2015 Ruth 1:1-2:23 Rabbi Seth Oppenheimer joins us as a featured guest to help us discuss the first two chapters of the book of Ruth. We talk about the expectations of Ruth and Naomi's time, and how they affected the...

For the session to be discussed on October 25, 2015 Mark 10:46-52 The experience of Jesus and the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, leads to a discussion of the ways we can be "blind" to the very things we need most. Are we able to speak up, as Bartimaeus does, and cry for...

For the session to be discussed on October 18, 2015 Mark 10:32-45 This week we discuss the how well we "get it" (or not) that Christian discipleship is one that leads to service rather than to power. What does it mean to say the last will be first? The team discusses...

For the session to be discussed on October 11, 2015 Mark 10:17-31 Jesus tells a young man who asks about eternal life, "...go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." The team takes a hard look at this passage that —...

For the session to be discussed on October 4, 2015 Mark 10:1-16 What is this passage really about? Divorce? marriage? power? The team discusses the kinds of abuses that could occur in the culture of the 1st Century, where women and children had very little ability to...

For the session to be discussed on September 27, 2015 James 5:13-20 Does prayer really work? How should we pray? The team discusses the ways we often approach prayer, and how prayer within a congregation can affect the health of the relationships between members. Rev....

Befriending God For the session to be discussed on September 20, 2015 James 3:13-4:8 Nikki Hardeman returns to the podcast in this episode. The team discusses how alien James' words can seem in our culture ("willing to yield"). We also look at the idea that we might...

Sticks and Stones For the session to be discussed on September 13, 2015 James 3:1-12 The team chats about the power of the tongue to curse or bless. David and Daniel share stories from their high school days, and Bert describes how colleges are increasingly taking the...

Dead Faith For the session to be discussed on September 6, 2015 James 2:1-26 The team shares thoughts about the ways congregations often separate "personal holiness" and "social holiness." We also discuss the dangers of "playing favorites" — especially when it comes...

Worthy Religion For the session to be discussed on August 30, 2015 James 1:17-27 Erin explains the phrase "Shut up and eat the rolls!" as we enjoyed a lively discussion of the dangers of speaking (or writing emails) while angry. The group also imagines what church...

Public Confessions For the session to be discussed on August 23, 2015 1 Kings 8:1-61 The text leads to a discussion of Solomon's boldness in the prayer and even some of the injustices involved in how the temple was built.We also talk about the power of memories —...

The Wisest Fool For the session to be discussed on August 16, 2015 1 Kings 2:10 — 3:1-14 The team takes a look at the rule of King Solomon — how he began as a wise ruler, yet drifted from that path as he became focused on wealth and power. We also discuss...

Terror-Go-Round For the session to be discussed on August 9, 2015 2 Samuel 18:1-33 Bert starts off the conversation with a colorful description of Absalom's hair, Nikki wonders if King David ever regretted the path he chose. Also, did Joab "read between the lines" of...

Who is Your Nathan? For the session to be discussed on August 2, 2015 2 Samuel 11:26-12:15a We discuss King David's indiscretion, wonder how a negative story about a favorite king survived to be included in the scriptures, and discuss how cool it is that real humans...