Today we celebrate how God has used our generosity to take back what the Enemy has stolen. Broken lives that were once shattered have been restored. Hope reigns where despair once did. The generous gifts of your time, treasure, and talent have made the difference. Let’s learn a few key lessons from how Joshua celebrated the ground taken in crossing the Jordan River.

I. God’s Commands Aren’t Always Practical (vv. 1-3)

II. Our Obedience Is Always Vital (vv. 4-5, 8)

III. Remembering the Past Is Inspirational (vv. 6-7)

IV. God’s Power Is Irresistible (v. 24)

Talk with God: Meditate on 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 and thank the Lord for His faithfulness to “multiply the seed” of your obedience and generosity (v. 10).

Talk with others: Ask a friend how you can pray for them this week and encourage them to look back at a time when God’s hand in their life was evident.

Talk with kids: Why did the Israelites want a king?

Jesus canceled our debt at the cross and freed us from rule-keeping and spiritual add-ons. We've been handed a bill stamped "Paid in Full"—we don't have to work for our salvation. We simply need to accept the receipt and live in the true freedom only Jesus provides. In this message from Colossians 2, we'll learn from the apostle how to anchor ourselves in Christ.

One of the most emotional debates raging in our day centers on the subject of abortion. Some see it as simply the choice of a woman over what happens to her body; some see it as far more sinister. Today, we look at the ancient practice of child sacrifice to see if there is any parallel to the modern practice. This conversation is vital because it involves the doctrines of both God and man.

I. The Ancient Practice (Leviticus 20:1-5)

II. The Modern Parallel (Psalm 106)

III. The Divine Prescription (John 3:16; Romans 12:1-2)

Talk with God: Meditate on Lamentations 3:22-24, thanking the Lord that His mercies “are new every morning,” and ask Him to renew your hope in Him this week.

Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group in refusing to conform to the world and focus on “being transformed” through the Word.

Talk with kids: What does it mean to repent?

John Calvin noted, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” Idolatry was a constant issue in the Old Testament, and Paul saw that Athens was filled with idols. But have you ever considered how false worship systems of the past have made their way into the present, but under other names? Today we’ll see how, over time, societies move away from God, His authority, and His truth.

I. Corruption in the Nation (vv. 1-6)

II. Confusion in the Home (vv. 2-5)

III. Chaos in the Heart (v. 6)

Talk with God: Take time to prayerfully assess your priorities this week and ask the Lord to reveal anything—or anyone—that’s pulling your focus away from Him.

Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group or believing friends and family members to keep Jesus at the center of their lives.

Talk with kids: Why is it right and good for God to punish sin?

Levi Lusko is the pastor of Fresh Life Church, a multisite church with locations across Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and online. He is the author of several books, including Through the Eyes of a Lion, I Declare War, The Marriage Devotional, The Last Supper on the Moon, and his latest, Blessed Are the Spiraling. He and his wife, Jennie, cohost their podcast, Hey! It’s the Luskos. Levi and Jennie have one son, Lennox, and four daughters: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven.

I. Stick to the Plan

II. Peel Away the Extra

III. Interpret Your Struggle Accurately

IV. Retool for the Current/Coming Season

V. Attack the Problem from All Angles

VI. Look for Beauty

Robert Furrow is committed to studying God’s Word and maintaining a close walk with God as he serves and shepherds Calvary Tucson. He is the general editor of The Making of a Biblical Leader: A Practical Guide to Leading Others Well, which explores the essentials of Spirit-guided leadership.

We have spent seventeen weeks covering the book of Nehemiah and have considered the many life-application lessons that these chapters provide. But today, for our eighteenth and final study, we’ll zoom out to get the bigger picture. There are five “mega-themes” from this book that we can benefit from. These great themes provide both encouragement and warning to us today.

I. Great Cities Can Fall

II. Ordinary People Can Help

III. Real Prayer Can Work

IV. Spiritual Revival Can Happen

V. Good Movements Can Falter

Talk with God: Meditate on Isaiah 6:8 this week and ask the Lord to give you His heart for your city and the people He’s placed in your life.

Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to pray for and support you as you seek revival in your walk with the Lord.

Talk with kids: How did God rescue His people through Samson?

No Christian ever plans on backsliding, that is, moving away from Christ. Yet it happens. The prophet Jeremiah even admitted, “Our backslidings are many” (Jeremiah 14:7). Sometimes, a city can be in shambles because the lives of its people are in shambles. Nehemiah left Jerusalem for a short time and returned to find the people had gone back to practicing their old ways. Let’s consider four mistakes they made and how to prevent them from happening to us.

I. Misplace Your Bible (vv. 1-3)

II. Misalign Your Companions (vv. 4-9)

III. Misarrange Your Priorities (vv. 10-22)

IV. Mismanage Your Family (vv. 23-24)

Talk with God: Prayerfully consider the people you turn to for encouragement and advice. Are you surrounding yourself with strong, healthy believers who will sharpen you (see Proverbs 27:17) and urge you to grow in your faith?

Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to hold you accountable to pray and spend time in the Word daily as you recommit to a habit or create a new one.

Talk with kids: How did Gideon test God’s words?

Last week we eavesdropped on the worship service of ancient Israel as they gathered to dedicate their city and their future to God. We noticed four characteristics of their worship: It was biblical, it was vocal, it was musical, and it was joyful. Today we continue with four more.

V. Their Worship Was Thankful (vv. 27, 31, 38, 46)

VI. Their Worship Was Communal (v. 43)

VII. Their Worship Was Powerful (vv. 42b, 43b)

VIII. Their Worship Was Physical (v. 43)

Talk with God: Meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and thank the Lord for His provision and direction in your life.

Talk with others: Encourage a friend or family member who’s recently been struggling to continue faithfully in their walk through a difficult season.

Talk with kids: Who received the praise and glory for Israel’s victory over their enemies? Why?

“The whole you needs worship—and the part of you that will live forever needs it most,” wrote Robert McIntyre. Nehemiah chapter 12 describes the worship of God’s people who had gathered to dedicate the newly rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. This week and next week we will eavesdrop on their worship service and discover how we should worship when we assemble together.

I. Their Worship Was Biblical (v. 24)

II. Their Worship Was Vocal (vv. 27-30, 43)

III. Their Worship Was Musical (vv. 27b, 35-36, 41)

IV. Their Worship Was Joyful (vv. 27, 43)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your heart that’s holding you back from authentic worship and a deeper relationship with Him.

Talk with others: Share your favorite worship album or playlist with your Connect Group or a believing friend or family member this week.

Talk with kids: How is Jesus better than the judges in the story?

Jerusalem was not the most popular place to live. Most people preferred to live elsewhere—in outlying towns and villages. It was more expensive to be in the city, and safety was a big concern. In this section there are some vital but often-forgotten principles about God’s city, God’s people, and God’s work. Let’s glean some of these important lessons from the city planners.

I. All Places Are Significant; This Place Is Sacred (v. 1)

II. Projects Are Important; People Are More Important (vv. 3-36)

III. Ability Is Good; Availability Is Better (v. 2)

IV. Work Is Practical; Worship Is Vital (vv. 22-24)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to provide opportunities for you to pour into His people this week.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer if they’ve noticed anything in your life that might hinder the Lord’s desire to work through you.

Talk with kids: How has Jesus defeated our enemies: sin and death?