The Grove Church

In this difficult passage, James calls the people of God to live in humble dependance on God in the way we plan for our future and interact with our neighbors.

Join our communion service where Brother Joe walks us through the hope that can be ours because Jesus is Alive in 1 Peter chapter 1.

In this teaching James addresses the root of conflict within the people of God and what will put an end to the the interpersonal conflicts in the church. 

James has a lot to say about about the community of faith living wisely in chapter 3:13-18. The wisdom James speaks about is one that elevates the community of faith rather than jockeys for personal advancement.

This week Scott and Mike discuss a few things they've been watching, "Shogun", "The Wonder", Nate Bargatze, and a Black Mirror Episode, "Eulogy."  These selections of movies and shows are not endorsements, but they are things that they watched over the last few months and felt they were worth discussing.

James reveals that the content of what we say is not neutral and he warns the community that destructive and divisive words have no place among the people of God. This teaching will help us think through the what our words reveal about our walk with God and what James offers for those that want to grow closer to God in how we speak.

This week Scott and Mike discuss two books that they have found to be insightful, informative, or engaging over the last few weeks.  Scott brings up about Dallas Willard's book, "Hearing God," while Mike takes a slightly odd turn in looking at Terry Pratchett's book, "Small Gods."

Is the Christians faith only a matter of agreeing with key doctrines or is it something more? James makes the clear argument that belief alone isn't enough.

Scott and Mike discuss two albums that have been meaningful to them during this season.  Check out their conversation about Red Clays Strays "Made By These Moments" and Craig Finn's "Always Been."

Understanding what Biblical repentance is can often be shaped or misshaped by how we view the character of God. 

This week Scott and Mike look back over the series, That's Not In The Bible, and reflect on why we must address these claims of Biblical ideology with a critical eye and how to discern the truth from lies that control us.

James confronts the community for favoring those with wealth and influence over those who do not. He makes the point that favoritism has no place within the people of God.

There is a widely accepted claim that Christians are supposed to be "in the world but not of the world."  A problem arises with this idea when just about anyone gets to define what that means and hold others to their fabricated standard.  So is this standard in the Bible?  If so, what is it?  Where do we even get this idea?  Join Scott and Mike this week as they discuss if this whole idea is even Biblical in the first place.

Consider how James chapter 1:22-27 is central to understanding what it means to live as the people of God.

When people talk about "taking the Lord's name in vain" they usually are thinking about how we talk about God or reference God.  But that's not in the Bible!  Join Scott and Mike this week as they discuss what it mean according to scripture and how we might be guilty of doing it regularly without even knowing it.

In times of trouble our first response is usually not the best one.  We want to "get back to normal" or make the difficulty go away.  Anger is often our response when things get tense.  But, James gives us another way to live, another way to process conflict and it's begins with dealing with ourselves.

"To thine own self be true!"  Really?  Is that the best way to live?  What if being true to yourself is damaging to others?  Is that in the Bible?  Join Scott and Mike this week as they talk about what that means, how it gets used poorly and what a Biblical way of thinking might be.

A look at James 1:18 and the reality of who we are in Christ and our call to live lives of purpose in the midst of suffering.

The "afterlife" is a huge umbrella term that gets misrepresented and distorted constantly in general culture.  So, what's actually in the Bible and what isn't?  Join Scott and Mike this week as they talk about a couple things we often get wrong and what scripture actually does talk about.