Flagstone Church of Christ

The problem with our day to day lives, money, and aspirations in this life is that if we're not careful, we can let those things consume us. We become unable to function due to worry, we end up purchasing things we don't need just to feel good about ourselves, and we walk paths that can lead to destruction if left unchecked. So how can we combat getting overwhelmed and choked out by these things and put Jesus in his rightful place in our lives? Maybe it's as simple as seeking first His Kingdom and letting God take care of the rest.

Disconnection and distance can take place in any relationship, including my relationship with God. I can start out feeling close to Him, consistently feeling His presence around me, and then at some point I realize I've slowly faded away from that connection. How does that happen? What causes me to drift away from God, when I used to feel so close? And how do I reverse my slow fade away from Him?

Anger is a natural way for us to react when we feel we've been wronged in some way or something hurtful has happened to someone we care about. If we deal with that anger in a healthy way, it ceases to be a problem for us. But if we hold onto that bitterness and allow that frustration to continue to grow and fester inside of us, we find ourselves slowly fading into feelings of resentment. Why is resentment such a harmful emotion? And how do I reverse the slow fade into resentment when I'm still feeling angry and hurt?

While there are some temptations we face in life that we see immediately and deal with quickly, there are other common struggles that often creep into our lives slowly. They don't seem very strong or dangerous, and we begin to allow these things to slowly take over our hearts and dictate our actions. We might even justify our choices or try to convince ourselves "it's not a big deal." Eventually these issues become big problems that impact our relationships, our families, even our faith. How do we recognize when we are slowly fading away from our values and our faith? And how do we stop the slow fade and reverse the impact it's having on our lives?

We're finishing our "Known" Series with a call to action. In light of the fact that you are fully known and fully loved by God, can benefit by trying to understand yourself better to understand others better, and see how important it is to be known by a church family, what does it mean to allow OTHERS to see and know Christ by our love? Does the world see Christ in you through your service? Is the Spirit alive in you seen visibly in your life? Are you embodying Christ's sacrificial love? Jesus says in John 15:34-35 that everyone will know you follow Christ by your love for one another. We'll find some practical ways show that love for others!

We all have an innate need to feel known, to feel seen, to feel understood. And one of the places we should be able to find that kind of connection is in the church. And yet, for many the church is a place of disconnection, a place where we feel like completely unknown, maybe even invisible. How can a church family get better at seeing those in need of connection? And if I'm feeling disconnected from my church family, what steps can I take to help me feel seen and understood?

We all have an innate need to be seen and to be known. For many of us the struggle to feel truly known by others is compounded by the fact that we don't really know ourselves. We struggle to understand our own true identity, and so we find ourselves trying to fit into other people's expectations or allowing ourselves to wear the labels other people put on us. How do I begin to truly understand the real me? And how can getting to know myself help me fill my need to be seen and known?

One of the greatest needs that each human being has is the need to feel seen, to feel appreciated, to feel known. Feeling “unknown” and “unseen” can cause significant consequences to our emotional and physical health, as well as our spiritual health and our faith. Many of us struggle with just moving through our daily routine and wondering if anyone really knows us or notices we’re even there. We’re going to spend the next few weeks at Flagstone finding out the beautiful truth that we have a God who truly knows us, and we’re going to discover how important it is for us to try to really see and know our friends, neighbors, and family members.

We are constantly surrounded by all kinds of light - lights in our homes and workplaces, streetlights, stadium lights, even lights on our phones. And yet with all these sources of light many people still find themselves fumbling in the dark - not a physical darkness, but emotional and spiritual darkness. Jesus came to be a light to our dark world, but He also challenged His followers to be a source of light as well. Why is it that God views His church as light? And how do I get better at being a light in the darkness?

Sheep are not always viewed as the most intelligent animals. They're also skittish and somewhat helpless. And yet multiple times in His word God describes His people, especially His church, as sheep. At first glance, it doesn't seem like a very positive thing that God views us as helpless, defenseless animals with questionable intelligence. Is that really what God sees when He looks at us? Or is there a deeper truth we can discover when we picture ourselves as part of God's flock?

There are a variety of buildings we encounter on a regular basis - houses, factories, warehouses, shopping malls, hospitals, and restaurants. Buildings come in different shapes and sizes and are used for different functions. But buildings are also inanimate and stationary. Some are cold and unattractive, and some sit empty and seem to serve no purpose at all. So why does God choose to view His church as a building? What do we know about buildings that can help us better understand our relationship with God?

Wedding ceremonies can be magical and beautiful, but they can also be stress-filled and chaotic. Husbands and wives can seem perfectly matched, and yet most marriages have some amount of mistakes and at least a few problems. In spite of its imperfections and flaws, Jesus chooses to view His church as His bride. But what does that mean? How is the church like a bride? And how does our role as a "bride" impact our relationship with our "Groom"?

Our bodies are made up of a lot of parts, and each one of those parts has a specific function. When my body and all of its parts function the way they're supposed to, I am usually more active and healthy and productive. Several times in scripture God uses "the body" to give us a snapshot of how the church can be active and healthy and productive in this world. So what is my particular "body part"? And how can my "part" help the church make a difference in my community?

"Forgive and forget" - it's a phrase many of us have heard, maybe a lot of us have tried to implement in our lives. We believe that God forgives and forgets our sins and that He expects us to do the same for others. But what if it's hard for me to "forget"? Does it mean that I'm sinning if I can't simply put out of my mind the hurt someone else has caused me? What is the real truth when it comes to forgiving and forgetting?

We all want to feel accepted - it's part of our human nature. One of the things that should cause people to want to connect with God is the fact that He loves all of us and accepts all of us. But if I believe that God accepts me no matter what, does that mean that I don't have to change anything about myself? Does that mean He approves of everything I do too? Does God really love me just the way I am, or are there strings attached to His acceptance?

God is good and wants to provide good things for His children. Any good dad ultimately just wants his kids to be happy right? But does God really just want me to be happy no matter what? What if there's something other than happiness God wants for me - something deeper, something more impactful?

BLURB - There are many words of wisdom and positive insights that people often share with each other about God and how He works in our lives. But what if some of the “truths” we’ve come to believe about God are actually myths? For example, does God really promise that He'll never give me more than I can handle? If that's not completely true, then what is the truth about big challenges in my life? And how does that impact the way I deal with hardships?

He is one of the greatest heroes in the Bible and one of the greatest examples of quality leadership combined with devotion to God. But Moses also had several flaws - he made excuses, he sometimes had a short fuse, he doubted...a lot! Even before he became the leader of Israel, Moses struggled with his own sense of self-worth. What can his flaws teach me about my value and how I view myself? And how can I get better at seeing my value through God's eyes?

Revelation is a book in the Bible that most Christians are intimidated by and often try to avoid. It is full of bizarre imagery and confusing passages. But even if we don't fully understand all the things John describes, there is one key message throughout this book of unique visions - those of us who stay true to God and keep our faith in Him are blessed. Join us as we begin this journey through the book of Revelation and as we learn together what a blessing it is to be part of God's kingdom.

There are several “father figures” described throughout scripture. Some of those dads accomplished amazing feats. Others shared words of timeless wisdom. One thing that almost all of them had in common? They had flaws. There is one dad that the Bible shows was successful in several different aspects of his life…except fatherhood. What can we learn from this dad about the character traits families need from their fathers? And what can all of us learn about our heavenly Father from this particular dad?

Over the last few months as we've walked through the book of Galatians together, we've been reminded of some important truths, and some of us have discovered new ones. Let's spend this class time today reminding ourselves of what we've learned on this journey together.

Sometimes we make some kind of blunder, but no one else sees it or notices it. Other times we mess up, and it feels like everyone sees it. When that happens, I'm not only left with the obligation of dealing with my mistake, but I also have to deal with the embarrassment of my flaws being on display for others to see. What I may not realize is that there is an opportunity in that imperfection - a chance for God to use the flaw to bring about a signficant change, not just in my life, but in someone else's life too. What can God do with the flaws in my "story"? And how can my story be beneficial for someone else to hear?

We're at the end of our journey through the book of Galatians. As Paul wraps up his letter, he still has some strong words for those he disagrees with about circumcision, but he also has some challenging words for all of us who are followers of Jesus.

Many of us to feel guilty or feel like there's some flaw in our faith when we are reluctant to do something that we sense God is putting on our hearts to do. Is it wrong for me to feel cautious about following God's plan for my life? How do I overcome my apprehension when I feel like God is calling me to do something I'm not really excited about doing?

We've discovered what freedom in Christ looks like, and we've been challenged to use that freedom to walk in step with Spirit and not satisfy our own cravings. As Paul nears the end of his letter in Galatians 6, he challenges his readers to not only recognize the needs of others but to actually move to action and help those in need.

We often look at characters in the Bible, especially the ones we label “Bible heroes,” as almost perfect people. We assume they all had unshakeable faith and very few if any character flaws. The reality is that many of the people we read about in scripture were far from perfect. They made mistakes. They doubted. They got things wrong. And yet, despite their flaws God used them to do incredible things. Who are some of these imperfect followers of God? And what can their stories teach us about our own potential to be used by God in powerful ways?

Imagine hosting a party and planning every detail only to have that one person show up that wasn't invited. Not only that, but they mess everything up for everyone else. How would you handle it? What do you do with an uninvited guest? That's what a man named Simon had to figure out when he invited Jesus for dinner. We'll discover together how Jesus used an awkward social situation to teach His fellow party-goers about compassion and grace.

How do I know if the Holy Spirit is working in my life? How do I know if the Holy Spirit is guiding me? How do I know if the Holy Spirit is even real? Paul says in Galatians 5 there's a simple way to determine whether the Holy Spirit is active in my life or not. Let's find out together what that is!

On this Mother's Day, we want to focus on a meal Jesus shared with His mother. There are countless numbers of meals they shared together as Jesus grew up in Mary's home, but there was one meal in particular that gets mentioned in scripture. This wasn't any ordinary meal though - it was a wedding reception. And this wasn't any ordinary party - it was a moment when Jesus' mother helped Him launch into His mission here on earth. How did she make that happen? And can Jesus' actions at a wedding reception teach me about my relationship with Him?

With freedom comes responsibility. We can't just use the freedom we have in Christ as a license to make any choices we please. So what do I do with the freedom I have? Maybe even a tougher question to answer: what do I not do?

As we celebrate our 2023 graduating seniors, we're unpacking what it means to reclaim that childlike faith that we all once had. Children seem to be so curious and in awe of the world. They rest in the complete dependence of their parents. As adults it seems we have lost both of these incredible qualities. Is it possible to become like a child again?

To this point in his letter to the Galatians, Paul has been debating whether or not following the rules of the "old law" and adopting a checklist mentality is what makes a person righteous or whether it's simply faith that brings us closer to God. In chapter 5, Paul gives another reason why faith matters more than checklists...it's all about freedom.

It would difficult to determine how many times Jesus ate supper with His disciples. And many of those occasions probably didn't seem that significant at the time. But there's one supper that Jesus shared with His disciples that had a lasting impact on them. And what might be just as important is what took place around that same table a few days after that particular meal. What was it that made this supper so special? And how can a table in a random room 2000 years ago still make an impact in my life today?

Have you ever tried to rake leaves when a strong wind is blowing? Or how about washing your car just in time for the rain to start pouring down? It's frustrating when we put effort into things and then feel like nothing was gained by all the work we did. Paul had that feeling with the Galatians too. Was it a waste of time for him to preach freedom in Christ? Was all his effort pointless?

Most of us want to have clean hands before we eat, especially if our hands are going to actually be touching our food. But we probably have different methods of pre-meal handwashing (just rinsing with water, a dab of soap, completely lathering both hands, etc.). We can argue about the level of cleanliness and probably feel justified in defending our opinion. There was a time mentioned in scripture when Jesus and His followers were criticized for not washing their hands "correctly" before they ate. Jesus responded by pointing out a bigger issue with his critics than just having dirty hands. What was this more significant problem? And is it something I still need to concern myself with today?

We need to continue in our journey to understand what it means to be adopted, what it means to be heirs, and what it means to be "one." There are some powerful truths Paul shares in this part of his letter to the Galatians.

Most of us have a certain person or maybe a handful of people that we would just love to spend all of our time with if we had the opportunity. Most of us also have a certain person or maybe a handful of people that, for a variety of reasons, we would rather have nothing to do with at all. But when Jesus went to eat at Matthew's house, He showed us that everyone is invited to spend time building a relationship with Him...and with His followers too. But what do I do if I am really struggling with even being nice to that other person, much less building a connection with them? And how do I get better at letting go of my own prejudices and pre-conceived ideas when it comes to helping others find Jesus?

Mealtimes provide opportunities to get to know someone or connect with someone in a relaxed atmosphere. At the dinner table is when I tend to let my guard down and allow others to get a better glimpse of the real me, and I get a chance to get a clearer picture of them as well. Multiple times in scripture Jesus is shown enjoying a meal with others. These often become teachable moments for both His disciples and His critics. Let's take advantage of the opportunity to "eat" with Jesus and get a clearer picture of His message and His mission.

We've had to obey rules at different times in our lives - house rules, traffic laws, workplace policies, etc. But have we kept all of those rules perfectly all the time? Probably not. If I try to determine my value based on how good of a rule-follower I am, I'm setting myself up for major disappointment, because I'm never going to perfectly follow all the rules all the time. In Galatians 3, Paul addresses this rule-following / checklist mentality when it comes to being a Christian. His words leave us with a question to answer - is it more important to try to do everything right, or it is it more important to rely on grace?

Everyone likes a good story. We like to see how different characters and events are woven together, and we appreciate a strong storyline that runs through the story itself from beginning to end. However many of us fail to see scripture as a story. We might see a collection of stories, or we might only see a list of rules and regulations. But we often miss the fact that scripture itself is a story - a true story - that reveals the centuries-long connection between God and His people. But how do I start seeing the Bible as a continuous story? And what do the stories in scripture have to do with the story of my own life?

Peter gets personal! In these verses we see Paul give a defense for his ministry and the gospel that the Galatians have set aside. He shares of a moment where he even rebuked the apotle Peter in a spicy argument giving way to one of the most famous verses in the letter: Galatians 2:20.

Many of us don't like boundaries and guardrails. We don't enjoy being given limitations or having rules dictated to us. So it's only natural for many of us to be uncomfortable with what we perceive as "regulations" in scripture. It causes to have a negative view of God's guidelines for our lives and to balk at "being told what to do." But the boundaries God sets for us in His Word are actually for our benefit - they're there to make our lives better. So how do I change the negative perception I have about the "rules" I see in scripture? And how do I become more consistent in living within those boundaries?

Many of us have had to deal with our own measure of disappointments - plans that fell through, promises that were broken, expectations that led to let-downs. Enough disappointing experiences can cause us to become cynical and to think that there's nothing worth really believing in. But when it comes to God's Word, we find something we can trust because the promises made in scripture are promises that God keeps. So what are the things scripture tells me I can expect from a relationship with God? And how do I grow in my hope that God will actually do the things He has promised?

People are often either like thermostats or thermometers. Thermometers are constantly changing with whatever the temperature of the room is. People who consistently change their opinions based on whom they are currently listening to are "thermometers." But thermostats stay consistent; they actually affect the temperature of the room. People who know what they believe and are able to influence others are "thermostats." In this first section of Galatians, we find Paul airing his frustrations toward a bunch of "thermometers" in Galatia.

It seems that our society as a whole has become convinced there is nothing in our culture that is absolutely true. There's no black and white - only gray. There's no absolute right and wrong - there's just "my truth" and "your truth." There's nothing that's actually real - everything is fake or "staged." It makes it difficult to believe that there are some things in this world that are true, that there are some things that are real and that I can put my trust in. The reality is that scripture reveals what's real in this world - it shows me what I can rely on and where to place my trust. But how can building a better connection to God's Word enable me to see truth and to know what things I can actually count on?

When the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, there were many former slaves who didn't know what to do with their newly-granted freedom. Some even returned to enslavement because they were so uncomfortable being "free." A similar spiritual struggle was taking place centuries ago with new Christians in Galatia - they had been set free through Christ but had no idea how to live in that newly found freedom. Join as we begin a journey through this amazing letter and discover together what it really means to be "set free."

Maybe I've never actually read the Bible before. Maybe I've read bits and pieces but never really let the words sink in. Maybe I used to read it often, but now it's a book I rarely pick up. No matter what your past experience with God's Word has been, we invite you to join us on a journey to revisit scripture (or maybe dive in for the first time) as we discover why the words of this ancient book are still so relevant for us today.

We all have past mistakes and failures, words we wish we wouldn't have said, and choices we wish we wouldn't have made. We deal with enough guilt and regret on our own, but that burden can be made even heavier when someone we're connected to continues to bring it up. Whether it's a friend or a family member, when that person consistently reminds me of my shortcomings, that's a warning sign that something is unhealthy in our relationship. So what are some of the dangers of having my past mistakes revisited again and again? And what do I do when this other person can't seem to let the past go?

God's people followed 70 years of captivity with 20 years of half-hearted devotion and effort. God had allowed His people to suffer the consequences of centuries of sin and injustice, and almost immediately they were returning to old habits. So God used Zechariah to let His people know how He felt about their attitudes and actions.

Almost every relationship has its share of disagreements, conflicts, and misunderstandings. However, when it seems like every time I try to have a conversation with this particular friend or co-worker or family member the end result is an argument, or when one of us seems to never really listen to the other, those are red flags. Those are warning signs that something in this relationship needs to be addressed. How do I recognize communication red flags in my relationships? And what can I do to improve how I listen to this other person and improve how clearly I communicate my perspective with them?