Gateway Church Austin

What would it be like to have a life-changing encounter with Jesus? This sort of brush with greatness led to great things for people like Simon Peter of the Bible. And for each of us, although possibly challenging, having Jesus step into our ordinary lives could be the best experience we’ve ever had.

Are you a doubter? Do you struggle with believing things that seem too good to be true? Thomas, a follower of Jesus, struggled in the same way. But in the end, Thomas became a powerful messenger for Jesus, sharing His teachings wherever he went. How can we welcome doubt in a way that leads us to a deeper sense of faith?

When you consider the vastness of the universe – not to mention the seven billion people currently living on our planet – it’s easy to believe that our individual lives lack meaning, purpose and significance. Yet each of us seems hard-wired with a deep sense of hope in something more. Is there anything truly worthy of our hope?

In times of crisis, those of us who believe in God turn to Him for rescue, asking Him to save us from our suffering. Sometimes, Jesus swoops in and changes everything, delivering us and displaying His great power. Other times, He makes us wait, or even tells us no. Can we trust in a Savior who doesn’t always save us from our circumstances? Can we live our lives by faith instead of by sight?

Backstage pass access can often reveal the inner workings of a production, team, or organization. It becomes evident in many cases that there are a great number of people you may never actually see who are crucial to the success of all that goes on. The same is true both in the Bible and at Gateway. There are “hidden figures” or unsung heroes that are invaluable. But such roles come at a cost, as they require sincere commitment. What would it look like to re-order your priorities and be on mission with God?

Having a backstage pass can offer an amazing opportunity to get a glimpse of things we deem as great —bands, actors, organizations, and the like. But God shows us that true “greatness” comes from knowing Jesus and working towards strong character. What would it look like to pull back the curtain and snag a backstage pass to the creation of followers of Christ who seek great character through Him?

God doesn’t owe us anything. Our God is immeasurably superior to us, yet He so loves us, He doesn’t give us what we deserve when we rebel or do wrong; He offers us grace and mercy. This message of grace is woven throughout the Bible, but sometimes it’s hard for us to believe it applies to us. How do we connect with this God that loves so powerfully and radically?

When most people think about following Jesus, they think about all the “rules” and perhaps about a God who only wants us if we’re good enough. Whether it’s preachers on the streets, people yelling with signs, or even the whisper in our own minds that God isn’t interested in us or the messes we’ve made, we’re sometimes afraid to trust in a God who may reject us. Are we going to believe what people, our pasts, and our emotions tell us about God, or will we believe what God tells us about Himself in His Word (the Bible)?

Often times the picture we have of God is one that has Him condemning us for any mistakes and temptations in our lives. We fear such condemnation, which may lead us to try to hide from God. But the true nature of God is one of compassion and mercy. He loves and understands us, but He also wants what’s best for us. How can embracing the graciousness of God rid us from the heaviness of shame and turn us toward a better version of ourselves?

To fire God is not to kick the one true God out of your life; it’s to eliminate the false image of God we all have in our heads. You know the one we mean. Maybe it’s God as a traffic cop, aiming the radar gun at everything you do. Or maybe it’s God as a standoffish stranger, satisfied to leave you alone as long as you just don’t bother Him. How we perceive God determines how we perceive ourselves and how we live our lives. How can we know God’s true character?

In the various areas of our lives, we often confront situations that require wisdom to respond in the best way possible for us and those around us. Sometimes we need wisdom at work with a difficult coworker, at home with an angry spouse or rebellious child, or with friends and other family members. To whom do we turn for wisdom, and is that source actually wise? What would it look like to seek and find wisdom from the God who desires to lead us each and every day?

A tiny seed, receiving consistent watering over time, can emerge into a massive sequoia tree. The choice to humble ourselves, when watered with the active, steady practice of listening, can grow into something strong and enduring – wisdom. Where do you find yourself in the process of cultivating wisdom that comes from humility? Work through the following questions and Scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.

The world sees life as a challenge in which we discover who can achieve the most the fastest. There doesn’t even seem to be much focus on determining if the things you strive for are worth achieving. Hard work is a part of life, but as Christ-followers, we aren’t meant to go it alone or make decisions without careful consideration. How can we begin to live like we understand that we’re not working hard to prove our worth to society, but we’re working hard because we know God sees us as worthy?

For most of us, ringing in the new year involves a lot of honest reflection around how to do life differently going forward. Thankfully, there is no shortage of resources to help us! There are more books, seminars, Ted Talk videos, and podcasts than anyone could digest in two lifetimes. But how do we sift through all the knowledge out there in order to tap into the wisdom that can lead to a lasting change?

A new year is here, and we all want to be better. But perhaps moving forward means looking back, reflecting, and seeking input from the people closest to us. How can we find community that helps us learn from the past and gives us honest feedback, so we can be a better version of ourselves in the new year?

As an adult, how does it feel to give the perfect gift? Now imagine how God must have felt Christmas night—His sense of excitement. Think of all God did preparing for us to see and anticipate the best gift there ever was. Could you imagine leaving such a gift and never unwrapping it? Would you open it but then leave it under the tree unused? What will you do with the Gift this year?

As an adult, how does it feel to give the perfect gift? Now imagine how God must have felt Christmas night—His sense of excitement. Think of all God did preparing for us to see and anticipate the best gift there ever was. Could you imagine leaving such a gift and never unwrapping it? Would you open it but then leave it under the tree unused? What will you do with the Gift this year?

God is changing the world, life by life, as He builds His Church and works through all of us together. He makes epicenters of impact that ripple out from every life—your life and our lives connected to other lives around the world. But when you hear the word “church,” is that what you picture?

Jesus is the ultimate hero. He left the comfort of heaven for a new land on Earth, began working miracles at age 30, and He sacrificed His life for all of humankind—present and future. Jesus’ story is the best story ever told, but did you know each of us has a role in that story? Depending on our decisions, we can be a character who disappears after the first chapter, the villain or the hero of our own story, or friend and family to the ultimate hero, Jesus Christ. How will your story intersect with God’s?

The Bible is an epic story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration, but it’s also an intimate story describing God’s pursuit of a love relationship with each of us as individuals. We need to understand the big picture so that we don’t miss the personal application. Where do we fit into God’s big picture?