We are all created good in the image of God, but we all face a world filled with violence, animosity, and brokenness. Inevitably like losing baby teeth, at some point we lose our sense of innocence and wonder due to the evil around us and the darkness within us. We will explore how innocence can be restored so that we can live out the new life God intends for us.
We all have a family of origin that affected how we grew up. Understanding what God intends for kids to grow up to discover helps us evaluate the experiences that shaped us. Even as we grow into adulthood, we can enjoy the joys of being children in God’s Kingdom.
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.
You matter. Your story matters. Others’ stories matter. God works in the hearts and lives of people. As you hear from a well-known tech executive and some of our young leaders during the Voices series, you will be inspired towards a deeper faith, a greater love, and more hope.
You matter. Your story matters. Others’ stories matter. God works in the hearts and lives of people. As you hear from a well-known tech executive and some of our young leaders during the Voices series, you will be inspired towards a deeper faith, a greater love, and more hope.
You matter. Your story matters. Others’ stories matter. God works in the hearts and lives of people. As you hear from a well-known tech executive and some of our young leaders during the Voices series, you will be inspired towards a deeper faith, a greater love, and more hope.
Too often, the Church has been a stumbling block for people coming to know the real Jesus. We don’t have to allow hypocrites or cultural Christians to keep us from the life God has for us. Followers of Jesus can develop a genuine faith that transforms us and enables us to create the community He desires.
On Father’s Day, some of us celebrate, and for some of us, talking about family triggers us. Dysfunction and toxicity are far too common, but they don’t have to be inevitable as we learn to navigate conflict, forgive, and chart a new path.
We all have bosses, professors, leaders in our life who let us down, how do we respond when those we trust to lead us well, do the very opposite? Even if they may not have our best interest at heart, God can use difficult people in our lives to make us better.
In the wake of a divisive presidential election, a pandemic, cultural unrest, and cancel culture, it’s no wonder we are all suffering from TRUST fatigue. Trust does not come easily for most of us, but learning to trust again can give us the strength and confidence we need (and others need from us).
God wants us to have more rather than take more from us. There are very “rich” people who are worth far less than those with a high net worth without contentment, freedom, generosity but stuck needing more. What if we began to see ourselves as God’s Investment Managers that He could trust with more and more because we will be faithful? How do you get there where God can trust you with more and more? God actually asks us to test Him in the area of finances. Money reveals how we view ourselves and...
Contrary to popular belief, God doesn’t want us to have less, but more. God is a God of abundance – not a God of need, but we must have hearts that can handle more rather than being possessed by the lust for more. God gives principles of money management that are not just wise, but also a test of whether we can handle more.
Everyone needs/wants more money, but “more” is a very subjective idea. What if the ways the world teaches us to “gain more” are not actually going to help us “experience more?” God’s ways and all God says about our money point out a pivotal concept – “more” is a matter of the heart. God wants our heart, and God gives us money and stuff as a way to help teach our hearts how to love Him and love people. Until we deal with our thoughts and attitudes towards money, we will not be free to become gene...
Moms have a unique role in our world that is not often given the importance or credit it deserves. Every human being is designed to need and depend on mom – more than any other person. God did this on purpose as we are dependent creatures who need truth and love to become the person God created us to be.
Gateway is a diverse community racially/ethnically as well with over 60 nationalities represented – just in our Austin campuses alone! When we include those connected across the United States or globally, it is even more remarkable. God’s heart has always been for all people of various tribes, tongues, races, and ethnicities, and the Church has always had to learn to see each other across cultures. In a divided world, we are uniquely called and equipped to be the unified community the world need...
We are all created and gifted by God. These gifts have to be discovered, developed, and put into action to make the world a better place. From those who are still struggling to determine what we want to do “when we grow up” to those who have started profitable businesses or led in influential industries, each of us has something important to contribute towards God’s purposes. We can all be successful in the eyes of God as we are faithful with what we’ve been given. When we take our passions, exp...
We live in a pluralistic society. Some of us come from a Catholic, Baptist, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, New Age, or irreligious background. Some of us have tried all of those experiences or made up our own. Discover the differences and similarities between these world-views and God’s heart for all who have struggled with religion. God wants us to know His true character rather than think He can be represented in idols or even man-made ideas. Instead, He creates the opportunity for us to exp...
God is taking our pasts and using them for His good purposes as a forgiven, “come as you are” community of people. God’s heart is for all people no matter how good or bad they’ve been. He brings us into a new family with a fresh start to grow into His image. This is why we say “No Perfect People Allowed.” No need to pretend to be someone you aren’t. Being honest helps us grow from where we are to where God intends us to be.
Who is Jesus, Really? Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life, and anyone who believes in Him will truly live. What if we struggle to believe there could be anything more to this life? What if we are just wanting a better version of this life? On this Easter weekend, discover a new kind of life that comes from the inside out!
Jesus claimed to be God among us and that the truth would set us free. What if we are overwhelmed with all of the differing opinions on spirituality, faith, and religion and cannot discern the truth from the rumors and the lies? Discover how a relationship with God brings clarity, purpose, and genuine freedom to life.
Jesus claimed to enable us to have fruitful lives. What if we struggle to simply survive? Discover how a relationship with God connects us to a power that transforms us into people who thrive and experience the fullness of life.
Jesus claimed He can protect those who follow Him. What if the news is filled with tragedy, and the world feels unsafe? Discover how a relationship with God helps us connect to the One who can bring us peace and protection in the midst of life’s challenges.
Jesus claimed to be able to guide us out of the darkness. What if those responsible for guiding us are corrupt, hypocritical, or self-centered? Jesus challenged the religious leaders and embraced those considered as “the sinners”. Discover how a relationship with God allows us to overcome the deception and walk in the way of wisdom.
Jesus claimed to be able to meet our greatest needs. What if you find yourself in a pandemic, a winter storm without power or water, in an unjust world, or all of the above all at the same time? Discover how a relationship with God reveals God’s provision regardless of life’s circumstances.
Proud and judgmental thoughts are destructive. These kinds of thoughts foster discrimination, division, and unfortunately we all have them. Pride and being judgmental also sabotage our souls. Discover how to take our thoughts captive and refocus them in a way that honors God, others, and ourselves.
Our relationships can be negatively affected by our thoughts, especially when we are experiencing a lot of guilt and shame. John Burke interviews Dr. Chris Thurman, a counselor and author of The Lies We Believe and The Lies Couples Believe among many others. Discover how to renew your mind, transform your life, and develop healthy relationships.
God offers us unconditional love, peace, and joy. Too often we settle for glimpses of these good gifts. We can experience the fullness of God’s transforming love on this side of eternity. Discover how God heals our hearts so we can live more fully in the mystery and wonder of who God is and help others do the same.
Too often we settle for American "churchianity," a religious version of consumerism. God is inviting us into something deeper and better. Rarely talked about in modern churches, suffering can be an important catalyst in our spiritual journey. Too often the very things we are trying to avoid may be exactly what we need for what’s next for us in life.
Balance. Security. Comfort. We long for these things, but are we looking for them in healthy ways? The self-help industry may share practical tips, but too often the results are short-lived and superficial. Discover genuine freedom from “being” rather than the trap of “doing.” We can become motivated by love rather than obligation while setting better boundaries and living with fewer resentments.
A new year gives us a fresh start to find ourselves by connecting with the One who created us and connecting with others in a meaningful way. When we are overwhelmed and lacking hope, we can borrow it from someone else. Discover how we can use moments of failure to actually help us move forward. For more resources and to connect in community with others, go to thrive.gatewaychurch.com
