First Champaign-urbana

Imagine you were out to eat at a diner and a child ordered a glass of milk. Pretty standard, right? Now, think about a grown man who ordered a glass of milk - and only milk - every day for his meal. What would come to mind? Probably - he needs to grow up! In week 3 of our study through Hebrews, we see how Jesus calls us to grow up in our faith.

Which weighs more: a pound of feathers or a pound of rocks? I bet you instantly thought rocks, but a pound of each would weigh the same! In week 2 of our series through Hebrews, we talk about the role of Levitical priests, the weight of sin, and how Jesus changed it all!

Do you have a friend that you don’t keep in touch with as much anymore? We say things like, “well, we just drifted apart.” What if, without realizing it, that happens in our faith in Jesus? In week 1 of our series through Hebrews, we look to find a point of reference in our walk with Jesus.

Have you ever prayed and then halfway through, you ended up thinking towards God, or your mind wandered elsewhere? We all have! If someone believes in prayer, the next question should be: what should I pray for? As we close out our Prayer series, we will take time to consider the purpose of our prayer lives.

A missionary once attributed the “success” of his mission to the power of prayer. When asked about this further, he responded, “what would you do if you knew your prayers had the power to succeed?” In week two of our series on Prayer, we look at the reason for the power behind our prayers.

How would you describe prayer to someone who had never prayed before? Is it giving God a to-do list? Or maybe the formal thing you must do before God moves in your life? However, beyond knowing what prayer is, resides the question—How is your prayer life? In week one of our Prayer series, we seek to answer that question.

In the fairy tale “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” the young lad would claim a wolf was coming to attack his sheep. But, after many false alarms, no one trusted him anymore—even when the actual wolf came! In many ways, the same can apply to our discipleship journey. In week three of Christian Atheist, let’s see why it’s essential to put action behind our belief and trust in God.

Ever have one of those things that you think you love - that is until you meet someone whose exponential appreciation shadows yours? Sometimes that’s a good thing! And other times, it feels a little overboard. So, what about our faith in Jesus? Does the same apply? Find out more with us in week 2 of Christian Atheist.

An athlete, an entrepreneur, or perhaps an activist? Chances are, there was someone whose life you marveled at when you were young. Maybe you knew the details, facts, statistics, and story of their life. Sure, you knew about them - but you didn’t really know them, right? In week one of Christian Atheist, we look at the ways in which we know about God, but might not actually know Him personally.

Studies reveal we are busier today than we ever have been. Most of us know this. And yet, we try to add more to our plates. As we wrap up this series, Handle with Care, we learn a hack to juggling the weight of life.

What’s more challenging than navigating life?: Trying to navigate life alone. In week 2 of Handle with Care, together, we will see how God designed us to handle life best with others.

Everyone’s got baggage. It’s a real and unavoidable part of life. So, how do we handle the tensions of life? In week one of Handle With Care, we will look to God’s promises to us about the various weights of life.

Let’s say you believe in God. Nothing groundbreaking there; lots of people do. But, understanding God’s purpose for our lives is where transformation happens. Is He a genie? Spiritual vending machine? Or the Lord of our life? In other words, what’s the purpose of our faith in Jesus? Let’s find out together as we discuss discipleship in the final week of Doctrine: Part 2.

Let’s say you believe in God. Nothing groundbreaking there; lots of people do. But, understanding God’s purpose for our lives is where transformation happens. Is He a genie? Spiritual vending machine? Or the Lord of our life? In other words, what’s the purpose of our faith in Jesus? Let’s find out together in weeks 2 and 3 of our Doctrine: Part 2 series.

From the Creation of the world to the end of all things, it all comes down to one thing: God’s plan. When it comes down to it, the Gospel becomes the hinge point to almost every matter of life. Thus the question becomes, do you believe it or not? In week 1 of Doctrine: Part 2, we concisely unpack the Gospel message of Jesus to bring life through death.

What would you say is more valuable - a plant or a human life? Pretty easy answer without thinking about it. Our story comes to a quick and concise conclusion, but not without first baiting us all into considering if we are truly compassionate people.

Have you ever had an arch-enemy? Maybe even back in 2nd grade there was that classmate you couldn’t stand. Now imagine you were asked to deliver them good news… would you still go through with it? For week 3 of 72 Hours, we see how God calls us to answer that question.

What would you do if you were swallowed whole by a whale for like three days? Stumped? Yeah, us too. For week two of our 72 Hours series, we catch some insights on a crucial aspect of following Jesus.

We’ve all been there before—running from God. And it’s never a good feeling when the irreligious people act more religious than the religious. So what’s the solution when we disagree with God’s will for our life? Let’s find out together in week 1 of our study through Jonah - 72 Hours.

See-saw. Play catch. Go on a date. What do these have in common? It takes two people to do them! Yet, why do we convince ourselves one person can make a relationship better? As we wrap up our Relationship Goals series, we see how it takes two to tango.