Aren’t all religions good? | Shawn Williams

At a time when our world is so divided and strained, it’s important for us to remember that, as Christians, we’re commanded by God to pray for our leaders; no matter who they are, or if we like them! In the lead-up to the general election in the USA, we’re bringing you an important series about leadership, praying for leaders, and how we might incorporate some of the qualities that matter to God into our own lives and leadership. In week 1, Pastor Megan Marshman uses the story of Deborah in the Bible, an inspiring judge and prophetess in the book of Judges. Biblical Deborah is an example of a leader who retains her integrity throughout. What does it look like in our own lives to retain our integrity in leadership? Let’s explore that.

It’s likely that at some point in your life as a Christian you have wondered how to pray. Perhaps it’s how to pray for something specific, how to pray a more powerful prayer, or simply “how can I pray to God and will He hear me?” When you have a relationship with God, just like any relationship, communication is an essential part of it. God wants you pray and speak to Him. Yes, He already knows everything that is on your mind and heart; but communicating that to Him helps your own heart and partnership with your loving Heavenly Father. This week, Pastor Thomas shares how to pray, and listen to, God. How to pray privately, regularly and genuinely. And it’s really not complicated! We look at Matthew 6:5-13.

When we think about all the religions in the world, what makes Christianity the one we want to be a part of? Perhaps you’re wondering if all religions ultimately teach about the same God - and how many gods are there? Don’t all religions basically teach about love and are equally good (or bad, depending on your POV)? There are so many questions. But that’s what we’re here to answer today: how Jesus makes the biggest difference in our lives because of the relationship with God He offers us. We seek to address the heart of this question: our desire to see everyone get into Heaven. Let's look at the book of John, chapters 14 and 15, to help us understand and answer this question.

What does the Bible say about sex? Let’s talk about it! American culture and the American church have missed the mark on what our sexuality is for and how to use it. From the falsely liberating sexual culture of the modern era to the condemning and damaging messages of purity culture, no wonder the students and young adults in our church are confused because, if we’re honest, a lot of Christian adults are too. It might seem odd, but God really does care about who you sleep with and gives us all great guidance on how to be wise with our sexuality. Advice designed to help us live fully into our potential and purpose, caring for our entire being; mind, body and soul. Pastor Shawn teaches this week on what the bible says about sex.

How familiar are you with the phrase “do as I say, not as I do?” Almost all of us have heard that said at least once, right?! Now how do you think you do with saying one thing but living another way? Think about how you present yourself to others and how you really live. Many people are critical of Christians, and for good reason. Christian hypocrisy is responsible for countless hurts to masses of people throughout history and even now. How can we claim to love others when so many who represent Jesus use the Bible or their faith to inflict pain? In week two of our series exploring and answering questions our kids are asking, pastor Megan Marshman addresses questions about hypocrisy in the Bible and the church. We walk through Matthew 23:1-7 and Romans 3:21-24 to see what the Bible says about the danger of hypocrisy and how we all need Jesus to help us.

Welcome to our new series, which seeks to shed light on and answer the hard questions kids and young people are asking about Christianity. We start with a question that is seen as divisive but shouldn’t be: What role do Christians play in justice, specifically in pursuing racial justice and racial equality?  Some people don’t feel this is an area Christians should be concerned about. But God created everyone and loves us all, so we should reflect Him and love everyone, too. In our love, we want everyone to enjoy equality at all levels, even if it means sacrificing something ourselves. We are living in the post-George Floyd, post-Covid Asian racist attacks era. Racial justice concerns all of God’s children, beginning with the cultural mandate in Genesis 1 (26-28), where God commands humankind to care for the earth and all that is in it.  Pastors Dave and Thomas demonstrate God’s heart for justice, how the early church promoted and lived into this life of justice, and how we, as followers of Jesus, can engage in justice now.

Have you ever considered your spiritual gifts? Are you wondering what spiritual gifts even are?! God has given each person unique skills and talents, including you! But why has God given everyone spiritual gifts? So that you, and each person in the church, can contribute in unique and awesome ways to live out the mission–the purpose–of God’s Kingdom on earth. Pastor Dave explains why volunteering in church community, also known as serving, is so important to God’s plan for your life, and how you make a real difference in the world. Learn about how you can discover and use your own spiritual gifts to play your part in the church, your community, and the world!

This week, we’re asking: What good is knowing the Good News if we’re not sharing it? We’re often hesitant to share our faith with others because it seems too hard or too tricky to navigate, or we worry about how we will be perceived. Pastor Dave shows us how we can practically begin sharing faith with those around us through the B.L.E.S.S. model; an easy-to-follow way to live out the “great commission”, sharing the Good News, and relieving our fears around sharing faith.

New to Willow? Go here to find out more about our church and to see more great teaching: https://www.willowcreek.org/visit/ Do you want to discover new joy, set aside shame and guilt, and live relaxed in the midst of stress, mistakes, and fatigue? Sounds pretty good, right?! In the final week of our Summer Book Club series, we hear from our very own teaching pastor, Megan Marshman, who shares brilliant insights from her new book, Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing.

New to Willow? Go here to find out more about our church and to see more great teaching: https://www.willowcreek.org/visit/ We’re so excited to welcome best-selling author, transformational speaker and leadership coach, Ryan Leak! In our Summer Book Club series this week, Ryan teaches from his new book, How to Work with Complicated People. His book provides strategies for effectively collaborating with nearly anyone - and who couldn’t use that?! Let us know what you learn in the comments below!