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October 25, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Peeling Sticks Instead of Trusting God
Scripture Genesis 30:25-43 (ESV) Genesis 31:1-16 (ESV) Additional Passages Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) Matthew 6:24-27 (ESV) Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV) Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch the service Message Summary After years of working for Laban, Jacob wanted to provide for his household and return home. But Laban continued to manipulate their arrangement, making Jacob’s future feel uncertain. Jacob responded with his own schemes, including placing peeled branches in front of the breeding animals in an attempt to produce the kinds of offspring he would receive as wages. Although Jacob’s flocks increased, God later revealed that He had seen Laban’s unfair treatment and had provided for Jacob. The peeled sticks were not the source of Jacob’s prosperity. God was faithfully caring for His covenant family. The message challenges us to recognize our own “peeled sticks”—the strategies, habits, or formulas we depend on as though our future rests entirely on us. Trusting God does not mean refusing to work or plan. It means working faithfully without making money our master, manipulating others, or believing that everything depends on our ability to control the outcome. God’s grace and providence sustain us. Because He promises His presence, we can bring our concerns to Him with thanksgiving and take the next step of obedience. Small Group Questions Opening Question When something important feels uncertain, what is your first instinct: make a plan, work harder, seek reassurance, pray, or something else? Understanding the Passage How did Laban’s treatment of Jacob create pressure for him to take matters into his own hands? How does Genesis 31:9–13 explain what was happening behind Jacob’s growing flocks? What response to God’s direction do Rachel and Leah express in Genesis 31:14–16? Growth and Application What might “peeling sticks” look like in your life—something you rely on to secure an outcome instead of trusting God? When you face unfair treatment, what temptations become strongest? What would an honest, faithful response look like? How can you distinguish between responsible planning and trying to control everything? What warning signs help you recognize the difference? Read Hebrews 13:5. How does God’s promise of His presence address our struggle with money and contentment? Jay described two dangers: laziness and anxious overwork. Which are you more vulnerable to, and what needs to change? Have you ever treated prayer, giving, church attendance, or another good practice as a formula for getting something from God? How does understanding grace change that approach? Looking back, where can you recognize God’s provision in something you once credited mainly to your own efforts? Read Philippians 4:4–7. What specific concern could you bring to God with thanksgiving this week, even before you know the outcome? Is there a clear step of obedience you have delayed because you want more certainty first? How could the group support you in taking it? Gospel Connection God remained faithful to Jacob despite Jacob’s flawed efforts to secure his own future. His care flowed from His covenant faithfulness, rather than Jacob’s ability to earn it. The gospel gives us an even greater assurance of God’s grace. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we receive forgiveness and acceptance that we could never manufacture through our own performance. Our security rests in Christ. How does knowing that you are accepted through Jesus help you work faithfully without making success, possessions, or other people’s approval your source of security? Prayer Pray for: Honesty to recognize where you rely on control or manipulation. Contentment grounded in God’s presence. Wisdom to work diligently while trusting God with the results. Gratitude for His provision and grace through Jesus. Courage to obey Him when the future remains uncertain.
September 27, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Stealing What God Promised to Give
Scripture Genesis 27:1-46 (ESV) Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch the service Message Summary Genesis 27 presents a family where everyone is grasping for control. Isaac wants to bless Esau, his favourite son, even though God had already revealed that “the older shall serve the younger.” Rebekah hears Isaac’s plan and responds by creating a scheme to deceive him. Jacob agrees to lie and disguise himself so that he can receive the blessing. Esau also participates by pursuing the blessing without questioning. The family members agree with God’s promised outcome, but they do not trust Him to accomplish it in His own way or timing. Instead, they manipulate circumstances and justify sinful actions in order to achieve what they believe God has promised. Jacob does receive the blessing, but the apparent victory comes with terrible consequences. Isaac is deeply shaken, Esau becomes consumed with murderous hatred, Jacob must flee for his life, and Rebekah appears never to see her favourite son again. Human scheming did not accelerate God’s work; it damaged the family and stole their peace. The passage points us to the gospel. Jacob wore Esau’s clothing and received a blessing by pretending to be someone he was not. In Christ, sinners do not need to disguise themselves or manipulate circumstances to receive God’s favour. By faith, we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness and receive forgiveness, adoption, and every spiritual blessing—not because we grasped for them, but because God gives them through grace. Because our identity and future are secure in Christ, we can move from clenched fists to open palms: trusting God, receiving His grace with gratitude, and freely blessing others. Small Group Questions Opening Question Have you ever tried to force an outcome because you were afraid that waiting would mean losing what you wanted? Understanding the Passage What had God already revealed about Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:23? Why did Isaac want to bless Esau privately? What do Isaac’s actions reveal about the danger of allowing personal preference to overrule God’s revealed will? How did Rebekah respond when she heard Isaac’s plan? What was Jacob most concerned about when Rebekah proposed the deception? What lies did Jacob tell Isaac, and how did he even bring the Lord’s name into his deception? Why did Jacob’s plan appear successful in the short term? What consequences followed after Jacob received the blessing? How did Esau respond when he realized what had happened? What does this chapter teach us about the difference between trusting God’s promises and trying to force God’s promises? Growth and Application Where are you tempted to “help God out” because you are afraid His timing is too slow? Are there situations where you agree with what God wants but are tempted to use ungodly methods to achieve it? What are you currently holding tightly through worry, manipulation, control, or fear? How might grasping for control be damaging your relationships or stealing your peace? What would it look like for you to move from clenched fists to open palms in that situation? How can you respond to God’s grace by becoming more willing to bless and serve others rather than focusing on what you can gain? Prayer Pray for: Trust in God’s faithfulness when His timing seems slow. Repentance for ways we have manipulated, controlled, or deceived others. Wisdom to pursue God’s purposes through faithful and godly means. Peace in situations where we are tempted to grasp for control. Gratitude for the righteousness and acceptance we receive through Christ. Open hands that receive God’s grace and freely give His love to others.
September 8, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Welcome to Small Groups at Oxford!
Growing Together: The Purpose and Goals of Small Groups At Oxford Baptist Church, a relationship with Jesus Christ is a lifelong journey full of intentional next steps. Small Group Ministry is one of the primary ways we walk out that journey together, living out our core mission to glorify God by making disciples who love one another and share Jesus with our community. While our Sunday gatherings bring us together as a whole church family, small groups offer the close-knit setting where deep spiritual growth and authentic community happen. The Main Goals of Our Small Groups Engaging in God's Word: Small groups provide an approachable space to open Scripture together, dig deeper into truth, and discover how God's Word guides daily life. Reinforcing Sunday Sermon Truths: Group discussions allow us to review, discuss, and practicalize the biblical truths preached on Sunday morning, taking sermon points from the pulpit into our weekly routines. Building Authentic Relationships: Faith was never meant to be lived in isolation. Small groups help us form genuine friendships, build trust, and share life honestly with fellow believers. Caring and Loving One Another: In obedience to Scripture's commands to care for one another, small groups serve as our primary network for mutual support, prayer, encouragement, and practical love during all seasons of life. Small groups are where you can grow in relationship with God and fellow believers. Whether you are new to faith or have been following Christ for years, finding a small group is a meaningful next step in your spiritual walk. Click below to get connected to a small group.Small Group Sign Up
October 28, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Honour Your Father & Mother
Week 6 Devotional Scripture Exodus 20:12 (ESV) Lesson Summary God commands us to honour our father and mother: to treat them as significant through our words, attitudes, listening, obedience, and practical care. Families have different circumstances, and students may also be cared for by guardians. Honour continues throughout life, though the ways we express it change as we grow. Jesus challenged people who used religious commitments as an excuse to avoid caring for their parents. Our faith should shape ordinary life at home. Listening before reacting, helping without excuses, and showing gratitude are practical ways to honour God. Parents also have responsibilities: they must not provoke or discourage their children. Honour never requires obeying an instruction to sin or concealing harm. Jesus honoured His earthly parents and is the sinless Saviour who died and rose to rescue sinners. We cannot earn God’s acceptance by being perfect children. When we fail, we can confess, trust His forgiveness, and ask for grace to change. One act of kindness, a sincere apology, or a faithful response to a responsibility is a good place to begin. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage What makes you feel that someone values you? How could that help you understand what it means to honour a parent? When a rule frustrates you, what usually happens to your listening and tone? What would a respectful response sound like? What is one unnoticed way someone at home cares for you? How could you show gratitude for it? Jesus challenged religious excuses for neglecting parents. What excuses might we use to avoid helping at home? Read Colossians 3:12–13. Which quality in these verses would make the biggest difference to your responses at home, and why? How is admitting a wrong and asking forgiveness different from just trying to look like a good child? How does Jesus help us begin again? Choose one ordinary act of listening, help, or kindness for this week. What might make it difficult, and how could you ask God for help?
October 28, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
I Will Never Deny You
Week 6 Devotional Scripture Mark 14:26-72 (ESV) Lesson Summary Peter insisted that he would never deny Jesus, even if everyone else fell away. Yet in Gethsemane he slept instead of watching and praying, and later he denied knowing Jesus three times. His strong intentions could not protect him from fear and temptation. We too need humble dependence on Christ rather than confidence that we could never fail. Before Peter’s failure, Jesus told him that He had prayed for his faith and spoke of his return. Peter would sin seriously, but his failure would not be the end of his faith. When Peter recognized his denial, he wept. After the resurrection, the message to the disciples specifically included Peter: Jesus had not forgotten him. Our hope rests in the crucified and risen Saviour and His sustaining grace. We neither earn salvation nor keep it through flawless obedience. Grace leads us to take sin seriously, confess honestly, and turn back to Jesus. Watching, praying, making wise choices, and seeking Christian support express dependence on Him and help us follow Him as Lord. Small Group Questions Understanding & Application Why can feeling certain that we will never fail make us less alert to temptation? Where do you recognize that danger in yourself? What warning signs tell you that you need to stop, pray, or seek help before a familiar temptation grows stronger? Read Luke 22:31–32. How does Jesus’ prayer change where Peter’s confidence should rest? What does that mean for your own confidence? What pressures make it tempting to hide that you follow Jesus? What might a truthful and respectful response look like? When you fail, are you more likely to make excuses, withdraw, or confess? What would help you turn towards Jesus honestly? Why might Peter have needed to hear that the resurrection message specifically included him? How does this challenge the idea that failure means we should stay away from Christ? How does salvation by grace encourage serious obedience? What practical step of prayer, wise action, or Christian support will you take this week?
October 21, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Remember the Sabbath
Week 5 Devotional Scripture Exodus 20:8-11 (ESV) Lesson Summary God created a good world and rested after His completed work. People were made for life in His presence, but human rebellion brought painful toil, death, and separation from the garden. Our deepest need for rest reaches beyond a less busy schedule: we need to be brought back to God. After rescuing Israel from slavery, God commanded His people to stop their ordinary work every seventh day. That rest included their households, servants, visitors, and animals. Sabbath, sabbatical years, and Jubilee pointed towards trust in God's provision, freedom, and restoration. Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for people's good and declared Himself Lord of it. Jesus invites weary people to come to Him for rest for their souls. Through His death and resurrection, He brings sinners into relationship with God. We receive His rest by faith while awaiting its fullness. We can also make time to stop, remember God, and enjoy our Maker, Saviour, and King without turning rest into another burden. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage What do you usually do when you want to rest? Does it leave you refreshed, distracted, or something else? Why might it be hard to stop being busy, even when you are tired? What would trusting God look like then? How could rest help you remember and enjoy God rather than simply fill time? Jesus said the Sabbath was made for people. How could we turn a good gift from God into a burden or competition? Read Matthew 11:28-30. What might make someone hesitate to bring their burdens to Jesus? What do His words show about how He receives us? What is the difference between taking a break and trusting Jesus for forgiveness and rest for your soul? What practical change could help you make time to rest and remember God this week? Who could help you follow through?
October 21, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Listen to Him
Week 5 Devotional Scripture Mark 9:2-13 (ESV) Lesson Summary After calling His followers to take up their cross, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain. His appearance was transformed, revealing His glory, and Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. The Father's voice identified Jesus as His beloved Son and commanded the disciples to listen to Him. The One who calls for costly discipleship is worthy of their trust. The Father's command challenges us to consider the voices shaping our thinking. Listening to Jesus means giving attention to Scripture, seeking understanding, and obeying. We must receive His words about suffering and surrender as well as His words of comfort. Even after the mountain, the disciples had questions, and Jesus continued teaching them. A powerful experience cannot replace the Holy Spirit's transforming work. We need new birth, not simply more information or stronger feelings. The lesson calls us to trust Jesus as Saviour and Lord, bring difficult questions honestly, and depend on the Spirit to change us from within as we hear and follow Christ. Small Group Questions Understanding & Application How does seeing Jesus' glory affect the way you think about His call to costly discipleship? Read Mark 9:7-8. What might it look like to admire Jesus without actually listening to Him? Which voices most shape your thinking about identity, success, or happiness? How do you compare their messages with Scripture? What usually distracts you when you try to read the Bible? What realistic change would help you give it focused attention? Are there words of Jesus you welcome and others you avoid? What makes the difficult parts harder to receive? How could someone confuse an emotional experience or knowing Christian facts with the Spirit's work of giving new life? Where should our confidence rest? What hard question have you been avoiding? What could help you explore it honestly while responding to what Jesus has already made clear?
October 14, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
God’s Name
Week 4 Devotional Scripture Exodus 20:7 (ESV) Lesson Summary A name represents a person. God’s name represents who He is, so the way we use His name matters. The third commandment calls us to honour Him rather than use His name carelessly, claim His approval for things He has not said, or pretend to follow Jesus while deliberately living a lie. Jesus teaches us to pray that God’s name would be treated as holy. We put that prayer into practice through truthful words, trustworthy promises, kindness, and courage to do what is right. Our lives should reflect the character of the Saviour we claim to follow. When we fail, we do not need to pretend we are perfect. Jesus offers forgiveness through His death and resurrection. We can confess our sin, apologize to those we have hurt, and make things right where possible. Honouring God includes being honest about our need for His grace. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage How would you feel if someone used your name to tell a lie or make fun of you? How does that help you understand why the way we use God’s name matters? What makes it easy to use God’s name without thinking—in conversation, messages, jokes, or online? What could help you change that habit? Why might someone say that God agrees with them when they are really sharing their own opinion? How could you check whether something is actually taught in the Bible? Jesus says our yes should mean yes and our no should mean no. When is telling the truth hardest for you? What would help you be trustworthy in that situation? If a classmate knew you followed Jesus, what might they think about Him after watching how you treat people? Where could your actions give a clearer picture of His kindness? What is the difference between pretending to be a Christian while living a lie and following Jesus but honestly admitting when you sin? How does Jesus’ forgiveness help us stop pretending? Read Matthew 6:9. What is one practical way you could honour God’s name this week through your words or actions?
October 14, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
You Are the Christ
Week 4 Devotional Scripture Mark 8:27-38 (ESV) Lesson Summary Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is, then makes the question personal: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter correctly identifies Him as the Christ, God’s promised King. Yet when Jesus explains that He must suffer, die, and rise again, Peter resists. He has the right title but expectations that need correcting. We can also want Jesus to fit our plans. We may welcome forgiveness, comfort, or belonging while resisting His authority. Jesus calls us to receive Him as He reveals Himself: the suffering and risen Saviour who is also Lord. Following Him means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and surrendering our claim to control our lives. This does not earn salvation; it expresses genuine faith in the One who saves us by grace. Jesus challenges us to consider whether temporary success or approval is worth forfeiting our souls. His identity demands a response: will we trust Him and let Him lead? Small Group Questions Understanding & Application What views of Jesus do you encounter outside church? Which are most appealing to people your age, and what might they leave out? Read Mark 8:29–33. Peter gave the right answer about Jesus but resisted His mission. Where might we use the right Christian words while still wanting Jesus to follow our plans? Finish this sentence honestly: “If I follow Jesus, I expect Him to…” Which expectations come from Scripture, and which might come from your own desires? What is the difference between trusting Jesus as Saviour and treating Him as someone who offers forgiveness while leaving you in charge? How does receiving Him as Lord affect ordinary decisions? What would denying yourself and following Jesus look like in a situation you currently face? What might obedience cost you? Jesus asks whether gaining the whole world is worth forfeiting your soul. What version of success most attracts you? How could pursuing it compete with following Christ? When are you most tempted to hide your faith or distance yourself from Jesus’ words? What would help you respond faithfully? How is costly obedience a response to salvation rather than a way to earn it? What next step would express your trust in Jesus as Saviour and Lord?
October 11, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
The Deceiver Is Deceived
Scripture Genesis 29:1-30 (ESV) Additional Texts Proverbs 26:27 (ESV) Ecclesiastes 7:15 (ESV) Galatians 6:7-10 (ESV) Romans 8:28 (ESV) Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch the service Message Summary Jacob arrives in Haran after fleeing from Esau. Although Jacob’s deception has caused great pain and forced him to leave home, God is still working in his life. At a well, Jacob meets Rachel, Laban’s daughter, and God’s providence becomes evident. Jacob obeys his parents’ instructions not to marry a Canaanite woman and begins working for Laban. Jacob agrees to serve Laban for seven years in order to marry Rachel. Because of his love for her, the seven years seem like only a few days. However, Laban deceives Jacob and gives him Leah instead. The deceiver has been deceived. Jacob then agrees to work another seven years to marry Rachel as well, creating a deeply troubled family situation. The story raises the question of whether people always reap exactly what they sow. Proverbs describes the general pattern that evil actions often bring destructive consequences, while Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is not always simple. Righteous people sometimes suffer, and wicked people sometimes prosper. We cannot always identify the exact reason for every hardship. Nevertheless, Galatians 6 reminds us that God is not mocked. We should not grow weary of doing good, even when the results are delayed or difficult to see. Ultimately, sin is the problem in Jacob’s family and in our own lives. Sin creates relational damage, injustice, favouritism, and suffering, but God has defeated sin through Jesus Christ. We can bring the mess created by sin to Him. Small Group Questions Opening Question Have you ever experienced a situation where doing the right thing seemed to bring difficulty while someone doing wrong appeared to benefit? Understanding the Passage Why had Jacob left home, and what was he hoping to find in Haran? What did Jacob agree to do in order to marry Rachel? How did Laban deceive Jacob? What consequences began to develop because of the decisions made by Jacob and Laban? How do Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Galatians together help us understand the idea of “reaping what we sow”? Growth and Application Where can you see God’s providence at work in Jacob’s life, even though Jacob was dealing with the consequences of his own sin? Have you ever assumed that your past failure placed you outside of God’s purposes? How does Jacob’s story challenge that assumption? How should God’s sovereignty encourage us when our own sin or mistakes have made life more difficult? Are there consequences from past decisions that you need to accept rather than continue trying to escape or deny? Where are you tempted to believe that immediate results are the best measure of whether you are doing what is right? How do you respond when someone who has acted dishonestly or selfishly seems to prosper? What is the danger of assuming that every hardship is a direct punishment for a specific sin? Are there any ways you are currently sowing to the flesh rather than sowing to the Spirit? Where are you tempted to grow weary of doing good because you do not see results? How can you continue doing what is right when the outcome seems unfair? What relationships in your life may be suffering because of favouritism, comparison, resentment, or unresolved sin? Is there someone you need to treat with greater honour, patience, or compassion? What mess created by sin do you need to bring honestly to Jesus? Gospel Connection Genesis 29 shows how sin creates a tangled web of deception, broken trust, manipulation, favouritism, and pain. Jacob’s sin affected not only him but also Esau, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, and eventually the next generation. Our own sin also creates a mess that we cannot repair through our own efforts. Yet God sent Jesus Christ to defeat sin, death, and the grave. At the cross, Jesus took the judgment we deserved so that those who trust in Him can receive forgiveness and restoration. How does the gospel give you hope when you see the damage caused by your own sin or the sin of others? Prayer Pray for: Humility to recognize the damage sin creates. Wisdom to learn from the consequences of past decisions. Patience when doing good does not seem to produce immediate results. Strength to continue sowing to the Spirit. Grace to treat others with honour rather than comparison or favouritism. Forgiveness and restoration through Jesus Christ. Faith to trust God’s providence even when life seems unfair or confusing.
October 7, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Worship the Living God
Week 3 Devotional Scripture Exodus 20:4-6 (ESV) Lesson Summary The first commandment teaches us to worship God alone. The second teaches us to worship Him as He has revealed Himself. God’s command against carved images does not forbid art; it forbids making images to worship. The living God cannot be reduced to something we create or imagine. Idols are not always statues. Money, popularity, possessions, comfort, or success can draw our hearts away from God. These things cannot give us the lasting hope and security He provides. God’s jealousy expresses His holy, protective love: His people belong to Him, and He calls them to undivided worship. We learn what God is like through His Word and, most clearly, through Jesus, the image of the invisible God. Although our families’ choices can influence us, we do not inherit their guilt—or their faith. Each of us needs to trust Jesus personally and follow Him, knowing that God is faithful and merciful. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage What are some good things that can become too important? How can you recognize when something is starting to take God’s place in your life? Have you ever discovered that something you thought about God was different from what the Bible teaches? What can help us know God as He really is? The Israelites made a golden calf while waiting for Moses. When you feel impatient, worried, or unsure, what do you turn to for comfort? What could trusting God look like instead? God’s jealousy expresses His protective love for His people. How does knowing that God loves you change the way you hear His command to put away idols? Read Colossians 1:15–17. What does this show you about Jesus? How can knowing Him better help you trust and worship God? Having Christian parents does not automatically make someone a Christian. What does it look like to trust Jesus personally? Who could help you work through your questions? What might be drawing your heart away from God? What is one practical step you could take this week to follow Jesus more faithfully?
October 7, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
To Whom Shall We Go?
Week 3 Devotional Scripture John 6:60-71 (ESV) Lesson Summary After Jesus taught that He is the bread of life, many who had followed Him found His words difficult and turned away. His imagery of eating His flesh and drinking His blood points to receiving Him by faith and trusting His sacrifice for sinners. Jesus offers eternal life, not simply teaching we find comfortable or useful. When Jesus asked the Twelve whether they also wanted to leave, Peter answered that Jesus had the words of eternal life and confessed Him as the Holy One of God. Peter’s trust rested on who Jesus is, rather than on having every question answered. True discipleship rests on who Jesus is, not on whether His teaching feels acceptable. Judas remained among the Twelve, yet did not genuinely believe. Being close to Christian people or activities is not the same as personally trusting Christ. The passage calls us to examine the foundation of our faith, bring honest questions to Jesus, and continue following Him when His words challenge us, or others walk away. Small Group Questions Understanding & Application What is the difference between trusting Jesus and simply liking His teaching? How might that difference show up in everyday life? When you encounter a difficult teaching in the Bible, how do you usually respond? What could help you explore it honestly rather than avoiding it? Jesus called Himself the bread of life. What do you look to for lasting satisfaction or security? How is receiving Jesus by faith different from admiring Him? Read John 6:68–69. Peter stayed because of who Jesus is. What gives you reason to trust Jesus when you do not understand everything? When friends or people you respect question or leave Christianity, how does that affect you? What support would help you keep exploring your questions and following Jesus? Judas remained among the Twelve without genuine faith. How could someone be involved in church or youth without personally trusting Christ? What does this invite us to examine in ourselves? Where is Jesus’ teaching challenging you right now? What step of obedience could you take while continuing to work through your questions?
September 30, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
No Other Gods
Week 2 Devotional Scripture Exodus 20:1-3 (ESV) Lesson Summary Before giving Israel the first commandment, God reminded them that He had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. Their obedience was a response to His rescue. The LORD alone was their God, and they were to worship Him without giving their allegiance to another god beside Him or instead of Him. God deserves our whole heart because He alone is the true God. Elijah’s confrontation with Baal showed the difference between the living God and a powerless idol. Psalm 115 reminds us that idols cannot hear, act, or save—and that what we worship shapes us. We may not bow before statues, but possessions, popularity, friendships, or success can still take God’s place. These can be good gifts, but they cannot give us the life and lasting satisfaction that God provides. Jeremiah compares turning from God to leaving a fountain of fresh water for a broken container that cannot hold water. God calls us to worship Him alone because He is our greatest treasure. Three Main Ideas God saves: Israel’s rescue depended entirely on God. God calls us to obey: Obedience follows salvation; it does not earn it. God sets His people apart: God’s people belong to Him and are called to show His goodness to others. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage Why does God remind Israel of their rescue before giving this command? How does that help us understand why we should obey Him? Read Mark 12:28–30. Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. What would that look like in your everyday choices? How should loving God affect the way you treat others? Read Matthew 4:8–10. What was Jesus being asked to put before God? When might you be tempted to disobey God to gain something you want? What we trust and worship shapes us. How might making popularity, possessions, or winning most important change the way someone treats other people? Do you recognize any of that in yourself? Why is a broken water container a good picture of things we expect to satisfy us instead of God? What is one practical way you can turn toward God this week?
September 30, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Struggling, Stammering, Stepping, Starting
Week 2 Devotional Scripture Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) Lesson Summary The disciples obeyed Jesus by crossing the lake, yet they still found themselves struggling against the wind and waves. When Jesus came walking on the sea, He revealed His authority over creation. Peter stepped out of the boat because Jesus commanded him to come. His confidence rested in Jesus, not in his own abilities. Faith is trust in action, based on who Jesus is. It means recognizing Jesus, listening to His Word, and acting in obedience. Faith is not reckless behaviour or a way to make God fulfil our wishes. It trusts His sovereignty even when circumstances remain difficult. When Peter became afraid and began to sink, he cried, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately rescued him and challenged his doubt. Following Jesus does not require flawless faith; it involves growing trust and returning to Him when we stumble. The account ends with the disciples worshipping Jesus and confessing that He is the Son of God. His identity calls us to trust, worship, and obey Him. Small Group Questions Understanding & Application The disciples encountered the storm while obeying Jesus. How does this challenge the idea that following Him should make life easy? Peter waited for Jesus to say, “Come.” What is the difference between acting in faith and taking a reckless risk? How can Scripture help us recognize the difference? What might your “boat” represent—comfort, control, reputation, or something else? What clear act of obedience could require you to leave that security? When Peter began sinking, he cried out to Jesus. When fear, doubt, or failure grows in your life, where do you usually turn? What does Jesus’ response encourage you to do? The disciples ended by worshipping Jesus as the Son of God. How should recognizing His identity change the way you approach one situation you are facing this week?
September 23, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Floating, Fishing, & Following
Week 1 Devotional Scripture Luke 5:1-11 Lesson Summary Peter had encountered Jesus before, but Luke 5 records a moment when he begins to understand more clearly who Jesus is. After an unsuccessful night of fishing, Peter allows Jesus to teach from his boat. Jesus then commands him to return to deep water and lower his freshly cleaned nets. Although the command conflicts with Peter’s experience, he responds, “At your word I will let down the nets.” The resulting catch is so large that two boats begin to sink. The miracle reveals more than Jesus’ ability to provide fish—it reveals His authority. Peter falls before Jesus, recognizes his own sinfulness, and calls Him Lord. Jesus does not reject Peter but tells him not to fear and calls him into a new mission. Peter and his partners then leave everything behind to follow Jesus. Peter’s response moves through three stages: Floating—Listen: Peter hears Jesus speak the words of life. Fishing—Obey: Peter follows Jesus’ command even when it challenges his experience. Following—Surrender: Peter recognizes Jesus as Lord and values Him above everything he leaves behind. Jesus is not only the Saviour who forgives sinners. He is the Lord who calls us to trust, obey, and follow Him with our entire lives. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage What detail from Peter’s encounter with Jesus stands out to you most, and why? Why do you think Peter obeyed Jesus after explaining that they had worked all night and caught nothing? What does his response teach us about obedience? Why did the miraculous catch make Peter aware of his sin rather than simply excited about the fish? What is the difference between wanting Jesus as Saviour and recognizing Him as Lord? Why should we not separate the two? What could “leaving everything and following Jesus” look like in the life of a student? Is there an area of your life that is difficult to place under His authority?
October 18, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Days of Desperation
Scripture Genesis 29:31-35 (ESV) Genesis 31:1-24 (ESV) Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch the service Message Summary Jacob’s household was filled with tension, competition, and desperation. Leah longed to be loved by Jacob, while Rachel desperately wanted children. Their responses reveal how easily we can try to control circumstances, interpret God’s actions according to our desires, or rely on superstition and human effort. Although Rachel used mandrakes and Leah viewed children as wages or rewards, the passage repeatedly shows that God is the One who gives life. Rachel eventually conceived because God remembered her and listened to her—not because her schemes had succeeded. The message challenges us to reject the illusion of control, study and apply God’s Word, give up our need to predict outcomes, rely on God’s grace rather than our performance, and exchange anxiety for prayer. True peace comes when we stop trying to force God’s timing and trust Him with the outcome. Small Group Questions Opening Question When you feel desperate or anxious, what are you most tempted to do? Understanding the Passage What do Leah and Rachel’s words and actions reveal about what each woman desired? How do the names given to the children reflect the way Leah and Rachel interpreted their circumstances? What does Genesis 30:22 teach us about why Rachel eventually had a son? What examples of control, superstition, or human striving appear in this passage? Growth and Application Where are you currently tempted to control a situation that you need to entrust to God? Have you ever assumed that God was doing something because of your performance—or withholding something because of your failure? How does the gospel correct that thinking? What kinds of statements such as “God told me” or “This must be a sign” can become ways of justifying our own desires? How can studying and applying Scripture help you respond more wisely when you feel desperate? What outcome or timeline are you having difficulty surrendering to God? What would it look like this week to exchange anxiety for prayer in that situation? How does 2 Timothy 1:7 challenge the way you respond to fear and desperation? How can Philippians 4:6–7 shape your prayers when you are tempted to force an outcome? Gospel Connection Leah, Rachel, Jacob, and Laban all reveal the brokenness that sin brings into human relationships. Yet God continued to work through this messy family to accomplish His covenant promises, ultimately bringing the Saviour into the world. Our hope does not rest in controlling our circumstances or earning God’s favour. Through Jesus Christ, we receive grace as a gift. How does the gospel help you trust God when your circumstances remain difficult or uncertain? Prayer Pray for: Wisdom to recognize and reject the illusion of control. Faith to trust God’s timing and purposes. Freedom from relying on superstition, performance, or manipulation. Grace to bring anxiety honestly to God in prayer. Peace that comes from trusting God with the outcome.
October 4, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Leaning into the Promises of God
Scripture Genesis 28:1-22 (ESV) Genesis 25:23 (ESV) John 1:51 (ESV) John 14:6 (ESV) Ephesians 1:3 (ESV) Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch the service Message Summary After deceiving Isaac and taking Esau’s blessing, Jacob leaves home and begins his journey to Paddan-aram. Isaac sends him to find a wife from Rebekah’s family and repeats the blessing God had given to Abraham. Jacob is reminded that God’s covenant includes land, descendants, and blessing to all the families of the earth. While Jacob is travelling, God meets him at Bethel through a dream. Jacob sees a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. God repeats the covenant promises and gives Jacob a personal assurance: “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” God promises that He will not leave Jacob until He has accomplished what He promised. Jacob’s response reveals both faith and spiritual immaturity. He recognizes that God has met him, but his vow may sound like an attempt to make a deal with God: “If God will be with me…then the Lord shall be my God.” Whether Jacob is bargaining or beginning to respond in faith to God’s promise, his spiritual growth is still incomplete. God is graciously leading Jacob from a life of manipulation toward deeper dependence and trust. The dream also points forward to Jesus. In John 1:51, Jesus applies the imagery of Jacob’s stairway to Himself. Jesus is the true connection between heaven and earth and the only way to the Father. We do not need to search for a special location or depend on dreams for direction. God’s promises and purposes are revealed definitively through Jesus Christ and the written Word of God. Small Group Questions Opening Question Have you ever been in a situation where you felt alone or uncertain about the future? What helped you remember that God was with you? Understanding the Passage What promises did God make to Jacob in Genesis 28:13–15? Why would these promises have been especially meaningful to Jacob as he left home? What did Jacob recognize about God after waking from the dream? What does Jacob’s vow reveal about his faith and spiritual maturity? How does John 1:51 connect Jacob’s dream to Jesus? What does this passage teach us about God’s faithfulness to His promises? Growth and Application Which promise of God do you most need to remember in your current circumstances? Where are you currently feeling alone, uncertain, or fearful about the future? How would trusting that God is with you change the way you respond to that situation? Are there areas where you are trying to make a deal with God rather than trusting Him? Do you tend to obey God only when you can see what you will receive in return? What does this reveal about your heart? When you need guidance, where do you usually turn first? How can you grow in relying on Scripture rather than dreams, feelings, or impressions to direct your decisions? What role should prayer and wise counsel play when you are trying to discern God’s direction? Are there ordinary situations where you fail to recognize God’s presence? How could you become more spiritually attentive? How does knowing that Jesus is the true way to the Father give you confidence when you feel spiritually distant? What would it look like this week to “lean into” one of God’s promises instead of trying to control the outcome? How could your confidence in God’s presence and faithfulness affect the way you encourage or serve someone else? Prayer Pray for: Greater confidence in God’s promises. Faith to trust God’s presence when we feel alone or uncertain. Wisdom to seek direction through Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel. Repentance for treating God as though our relationship with Him were a transaction. A deeper awareness of God’s presence in ordinary places and circumstances. Greater dependence on Jesus, the true way to the Father.
September 20, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Lessons from a Nomad
Scripture Genesis 26:1–35 Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch Here Message Summary Genesis 26 shows Isaac facing many of the same troubles his father Abraham experienced. There was a famine in the land, and the natural response would have been to go to Egypt for security. However, God specifically told Isaac not to go. Isaac was called to follow God’s direction rather than simply doing what seemed normal or copying the crowd. God then repeated His covenant promises to Isaac: He would be with him, bless him, give him the land, multiply his offspring, and bless the nations through them. These promises were not based on Isaac’s perfect behaviour. Isaac soon repeated the same sinful pattern Abraham had modelled by claiming that Rebekah was his sister rather than his wife. Yet God protected Isaac, preserved the covenant family, and continued to bless him. Isaac’s prosperity led to envy and conflict with the Philistines. Rather than responding with bitterness or fighting for every well, Isaac continued moving until the Lord made room for him. Eventually, even Abimelech recognized that the Lord was with Isaac. The message reminds us to follow God rather than the crowd, trust His promises, learn from the examples we have received, avoid bitterness and envy, and live in such a way that others can see the Lord’s presence in our lives. Small Group Questions Opening Question Have you ever felt pressure to respond to a difficult situation in the same way everyone else was responding? What made it difficult to choose a different path? Understanding the Passage What circumstances did Isaac face at the beginning of Genesis 26? Why would going to Egypt have seemed like a reasonable or normal response to the famine? What specific instructions did God give Isaac, and what promises did He make to him? What does this passage teach us about the difference between following God and simply following the crowd? How did Isaac repeat the sinful pattern previously seen in Abraham’s life? What warning does Isaac’s example give us about the behaviours and attitudes we model for others? What does Abimelech’s response reveal about the seriousness of Isaac’s deception and the importance of marriage? How did God continue to bless Isaac even though Isaac did not always act faithfully? Why did the Philistines envy Isaac, and how did Isaac respond to their opposition? What did Abimelech and his companions recognize about Isaac in verse 28? Growth and Application Where might you be tempted to do what seems normal or secure instead of obeying God? Are there sinful patterns in your life that you may have learned from your family or past influences? How can you respond through repentance rather than simply repeating them? What does it mean to trust God’s promises when obedience seems costly or inconvenient? How can you guard against envying the blessings God has given to someone else? Is there any bitterness currently consuming energy or attention that could be redirected toward faithfulness and obedience? If people observed your life closely, what evidence might they see that the Lord is with you? Prayer Pray for: Faith to follow God when His instructions differ from what seems normal or safe. Wisdom to recognize and repent of sinful patterns we have learned from others. Gratitude for God’s undeserved and unearned blessings. Freedom from envy and bitterness. A life that clearly demonstrates that the Lord is with us. Greater confidence in God’s promises fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
November 1, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Slave to God
Scripture Titus 1:1 (ESV) Additional Passages 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) Galatians 2:20 (ESV) Luke 9:23 (ESV) Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch the service Message Summary Paul begins his letter to Titus by identifying himself as a servant of God. This description expresses more than a willingness to help: Paul belongs to God and lives under His authority. Meeting Jesus changed the direction of Paul’s life, and his purpose became serving the One who had saved him. This calling belongs to every Christian. Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Our time, money, words, thoughts, bodies, and ambitions all come under His lordship. Following Jesus involves surrendering our right to direct life entirely around our own desires. The reason for this surrender is the grace of the gospel. Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live and bore our sin and judgment on the cross. He has redeemed us, freeing us from slavery to sin and making us His own. We respond to His love with gratitude, trusting Him and offering our lives in service. We will not all serve in the same way. Some are called to missionary or pastoral ministry; others serve Christ through family life, work, church, and everyday relationships. Each believer can offer what God has entrusted to them for the advancement of His kingdom. Remembering that we will meet Christ helps us live faithfully today. Small Group Questions Opening Question Think of someone who has served you generously. How did their kindness affect your desire to respond? Understanding the Passage What does Paul’s description of himself as a servant of God in Titus 1:1 tell us about his identity and priorities? Read 1 Corinthians 6:19–20. How does belonging to Christ change the way believers should use their bodies and live their lives? Read Galatians 2:20. How does this verse connect living for Christ with His love and sacrifice for us? Growth and Application Which area of your life is hardest to surrender to Jesus right now: your time, money, ambitions, relationships, habits, or something else? What is the difference between serving Christ out of gratitude and trying to earn His acceptance? Which motive do you notice most often in yourself? Read Luke 9:23. What would denying yourself and following Jesus look like in one ordinary decision this week? What good thing can become so important that it distracts you from obeying Christ? How could you put it back in its proper place? Hugo encouraged us to live the gospel as well as explain it. Where do your family, friends, or coworkers most need to see Christ’s patience, humility, or forgiveness in you? What gifts, opportunities, or relationships has God already given you that you could use to help someone know Jesus or grow as His disciple? How could remembering that you will meet Christ change the way you approach your responsibilities and priorities this week? Hugo described the importance of prayer in his ministry in Quebec. How could you participate more intentionally in making disciples through prayer, encouragement, giving, or personal involvement? What specific step of obedience will you take this week, and how can the group support you? Gospel Connection Jesus gave Himself for us to free us from sin and bring us into a new life that belongs to Him. Our surrender does not purchase salvation; it is our grateful response to the salvation He provides. We follow Him by faith, depending on His grace and the power of His Spirit. When obedience feels costly, how does remembering that Jesus loved you and gave Himself for you help you trust Him? Prayer Pray for: Thank Jesus for redeeming us and making us His own. Ask for willing hearts and the Spirit’s strength to obey Christ in every area of life. Pray that our homes, work, and relationships would reflect the gospel. Pray for Hugo, his family, and the work of evangelism and disciple-making in Quebec. Ask God to show each member one faithful next step in serving Him.
