The Teaching Series with Brad Gray

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Episode 068 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 4: Holy Be Your Name May 28, 2019

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Episode 068 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 4: Holy Be Your Namei.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-184{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-184:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-184.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Matthew 6:9; Exodus 3:15; Ezekiel 36:23, 26-27Hallowed be your name. What in the world does it mean to “hallow” someone’s name? And what is the significance of God’s name? Furthermore, why does Jesus tell us it needs to be hallowed in the first place? As with every aspect of the Lord’s Prayer, this one is loaded with meaning and rooted in Old Testament stories in order to help us understand the absolute necessity of God’s name being recognized in the world, and how our lives bear witness to the holiness of His great name. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? When was the last time someone spoke into your life in a meaningful way (like the letters written for Brad’s son)? How would you describe your relationship with the Bible? How would you describe the difference between devotional Bible reading and digging deep Bible reading? What are some of the barriers keeping you from discussing God’s Words with others? What is one way you’d like to grow in becoming more intentional with God’s Word? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Teaching Series Episode 004 – You Are The Message The Lord and His Prayer by N.T. Wright LORD, Teach Us by William H. Willimon & Stanley Hauerwas The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard – Chapter 7 deals specifically with the Lord’s Prayer

Episode 067 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 3: Always Near Us May 21, 2019

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Episode 067 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 3: Always Near Usi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-187{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-187:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-187.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Matthew 6:9; Psalm 113:4-6; Deuteronomy 31:1, 6When Jesus told us to pray, “Our Father who is in heaven,” it is literally recorded in Greek as, “in the heavens.” Why would Jesus be talking about God being “in the heavens?” What did this mean to the people first hearing Jesus say this? And what does this mean for us in our relationship with God and in our understanding of “Heaven?” All of this and more is addressed in this teaching as we explore not only the God who rules and reigns over all, but the God who is ever present to us in the midst of our circumstances and our lives. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? Was it helpful learning how the ancients viewed the cosmos? Does this help you to better understand any other passages in the Bible that weren’t discussed in this teaching? Being reminded that God rules and reigns the world, what comfort, joy, or challenge arises in you? When you think of heaven, do you think of a place far, far away? Has this negatively shaped your view of God in some way? In this teaching we learned that God is present and always near us. How will this change the way you pray, if at all? How does this change the way you live? How can you begin walking out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study The Lord and His Prayer by N.T. Wright LORD, Teach Us by William H. Willimon & Stanley Hauerwas The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard – Chapter 3 deals with “the heavens” and Chapter 7 deals specifically with the Lord’s Prayer

Episode 066 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 2: Our Father May 14, 2019

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Episode 066 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 2: Our Fatheri.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-190{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-190:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-190.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Matthew 6:9; Exodus 4:22-23; Isaiah 63:16The Lord’s Prayer begins with “Our Father.” Whoa! In Jesus’s day, you couldn’t begin a prayer more explosively than that. It’s been said that when Jesus told us to address God as “Our Father” that he was introducing a new way to approach God. Nope! The notion of God as “Father” had been deeply rooted in Israel’s story for fifteen hundred years. What Jesus was doing was calling for revolution, and that revolution would begin as a result of his ministry. The revolution is still underway, and Jesus’s invitation for us is to join it. And it all begins by saying the words, “Our Father.” Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How did this episode help you better understand the explosiveness of what Jesus was communicating when he called his followers to address God as “Our Father,” knowing the history of God as “Father” beginning with the Exodus? Knowing that this prayer begins with “Our Father,” how does the communal nature of this prayer affect how you will approach this prayer going forward? When you pray, do you take into consideration how the answering of your prayer could affect someone else’s life? Is it challenging for you to address God as “Father?” Why or why not? Where do you need to reformat or enhance your view of God as Father as a result of what you learned in this teaching? How can you begin walking out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study The Lord and His Prayer by N.T. Wright LORD, Teach Us by William H. Willimon & Stanley Hauerwas The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard – Chapter 7 deals specifically with the Lord’s Prayer

Episode 065 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 1: Daily, Boldly, Collaboratively May 07, 2019

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Episode 065 – The Lord’s Prayer Pt 1: Daily, Boldly, Collaborativelyi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-193{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-193:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-193.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-2; 1 Chronicles 29:10-11The Lord’s Prayer is the most well-known and well-loved prayer in history. But how well do we know the Lord’s Prayer? Sure, most of us can recite it off the top of our heads (and probably in the King James with its “thy’s” and “art’s”), but do we really understand what Jesus was saying and teaching us when he gave this prayer? I know I sure didn’t. But when I began to understand this prayer in context, I was awestruck by how deep and significant it was. And it compelled me to pray more intentionally, live more faithfully, and love Jesus more fully. My hope is that this series will help you do the same. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? What has been your history with the Lord’s Prayer? Did you grow up saying it? Prior to this teaching, what have been your thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer? Which aspect of the prayer are you most excited to learn more about? Do you find prayer challenging? How so? With the suggestion for praying this prayer daily, boldly, and collaboratively, how will engage the prayer differently going forward? Are there any other truths from this teaching that you want to begin living out this week? For Further Study The Lord and His Prayer by N.T. Wright LORD, Teach Us by William H. Willimon & Stanley Hauerwas The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard – Chapter 7 deals specifically with the Lord’s Prayer

Episode 064 – Bread of Life Pt 8: The Holy Spirit and Pentecost Apr 30, 2019

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Episode 064 – Bread of Life Pt 8: The Holy Spirit and Pentecosti.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-196{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-196:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-196.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Exodus 19:16-19; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:3-5; Acts 2:1-16The most monumental event following the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus was the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It was a day that changed things forever. And yet, most people don’t know how deep and significant this event was. For example, did you know that Pentecost wasn't a new festival? Or that it didn’t take place in the Upper Room? Or that it was connected to the Exodus? These details and much more are the subject matter for this episode as we conclude our “Bread of Life” series and comprehend the implications of Acts 2 in light of the resurrection! Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? What surprised you most about the conversation on Pentecost? Where were you reminded anew of the importance of understanding the Old Testament when reading the New Testament? It was mentioned that salvation is never the end game, but the beginning. Shalom is the end game and discipleship is what we’re called to do as faithful followers of Jesus? How did this hit you? What are the implications if this is true? How can you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Jesus and the Jewish Festivals by Gary M. Burge Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg – Chapters 8 and 9 deal with the content of this episode. Back to the Future – Yes, I did this as a Teaching Series episode, but it was originally a sermon I did that encompasses last week’s and this week’s Teaching Series episodes.

Episode 063 – Bread of Life Pt 7: Firstfruits of the Resurrection Apr 23, 2019

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Episode 063 – Bread of Life Pt 7: Firstfruits of the Resurrectioni.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-199{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-199:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-199.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): John 12:23-24; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 1 Peter 1:18-19In this episode, we’re celebrating the Resurrection, and we’re going all out! God raised Jesus from the dead on a Sunday. But it wasn’t just any Sunday. It was a Sunday where people were celebrating a significant festival in conjunction with Passover and Unleavened Bread. And the implications of why Jesus rose on this Sunday will astound you, as there is another whole other level of meaning that God was communicating through the resurrection and its timing. Buckle up, Friends, because what God did will leave you speechless, grateful, and exceedingly hopeful! Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How did this teaching bring more significance and understanding to the resurrection for you? In the midst of the resurrection plan, there was a Sabbath. Aside from the Sabbath’s connection to the Festival of First Fruits, what significance can we draw from the fact there was a Sabbath in the middle of the story? God raised Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. We learned that those who are in Christ Jesus share the same fate (i.e. will be resurrected to new life and have access to the same Spirit who raised him from the dead now). How does this change how you live now? Where do you need the power of the resurrection in your life? Now knowing the intricacy and timing of God’s plan for the events surrounding Jesus’s death and resurrection, how does this change your perspective on God’s ability to guide the events of your life? How can you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Jesus and the Jewish Festivals by Gary M. Burg Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg – Chapters 8 and 9 deal with the content of this episode.

Episode 062 – Bread of Life Pt 6: Took, Blessed, Broke, Gave Apr 16, 2019

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Episode 062 – Bread of Life Pt 6: Took, Blessed, Broke, Gavei.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-202{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-202:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-202.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): John 6:51-59; Matthew 26:26One of the most challenging passages to understand is Jesus’ “Bread of Life” teaching in John 6 where he tells his audience they must “eat his flesh and drink his blood.” And then he goes on to say that if they don’t, they have no life in them. What is up with that? And then John, who spends more time on the Last Supper than all of the other gospel writers combined, doesn’t even mention Jesus’ discussion about the new covenant or the instituting of communion. What? Astonishingly, these stories, along with the feedings of both the five thousand and four thousand are all linked together! Marvel at how all of the pieces come together as we understand what Jesus was proclaiming with the bread at the Last Supper and the eternal hope we have as result of his sacrifice. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? What was most meaningful to you about this teaching that helps you enter well into the recognition that Jesus went to the cross on our behalf? At times, Jesus asks us to do things that don’t make sense. Where in your life are you finding Jesus asking you to do something difficult right now (if any)? Are there any ways in which you are striving to earn God’s love or grace, and today you just need to sit deeply in the reminder that our hope and love and grace from Him is entirely a gift? Jesus’s body was given for us to find hope. In what ways can you offer your life so that others can find hope and experience the love of Jesus? How can you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Grumble or Eat – this is a sermon I did that brings together all of the content from this episode as well as the last one (and more).

Episode 061 – Bread of Life Pt 5: Grumble or Eat Apr 09, 2019

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Episode 061 – Bread of Life Pt 5: Grumble or Eati.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-205{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-205:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-205.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): John 6:25-43What happens when our expectations and our realities do not align? How do we respond when there’s a gap between what we hoped God would do and doesn’t? Answering that is the essence of this episode as we explore Jesus’s bold proclamation in John 6 that he is the “Bread of Life” and that he desires to provide for us in the midst of our circumstances, especially when there is a gap between our expectations and realities. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? Where are you experiencing a gap between your expectation and reality? Are there any areas in your life where you are grumbling, and you need to resort to gratitude? Is there any area in your life where the answer is to grieve appropriately, rather than denying it and resorting to grumbling? In what ways may Jesus be reaching out to you with bread in the midst of the season? The people wanted Jesus on their terms, not his. Where are we making demands of Jesus that are seeking to align him to our agenda, rather than orienting ourselves to his? Where do you need to hold onto the hope that whether our situations happen the way we expect, Jesus has conquered the grave and has the final say? Where could you be a source of bread for someone who is struggling right now? How can you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

Episode 060 – Bread of Life Pt 4: Yeast of the Pharisees Apr 02, 2019

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Episode 060 – Bread of Life Pt 4: Yeast of the Phariseesi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-208{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-208:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-208.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Mark 8:9-26Following the feeding of the four thousand, Jesus and his disciples get into a boat and discuss the “Yeast of the Pharisees” after the disciples forget to bring bread. And then Jesus appears to heal a blind twice outside of Bethsaida, making one wonder if he made a mistake. And we’re left asking ourselves, “What is up with these bizarre stories?” Well, they’re bizarre if you lack knowledge of the feedings of the five thousand and four thousand. But since we’ve already tackled those, it’s time to put all of these pieces together and reveal what Jesus is teaching his disciples, and what he wants to teach us as well. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? What was Jesus’ point in saying that “the Kingdom of Heaven was like yeast?” And how did that factor into what he said about “watching out for the yeast of the Pharisees?” Where have you been like the disciples where you thought you saw clearly on something, but found out you didn’t? What happened that changed your perspective and allowed you to see more clearly? Many of the Pharisees believed that God’s love was only reserved for certain people. Where has that perspective infiltrated your life in how you view yourself or others? How are you doing in loving ALL people well? How could you love people better? Are there any areas in your life where you’re “affirming” God’s Word but “not living” it out as intentionally as you should or desire? How can you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels – see Chapter 25: The Geography of Forgiveness by John A. Beck Teaching Series Episode 015 – Loving God By Loving Others

Episode 059 – Bread of Life Pt 3: Feeding of the 4,000 Mar 26, 2019

Show notes

Episode 059 – Bread of Life Pt 3: Feeding of the 4,000i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-211{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-211:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-211.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Mark 8:1-9We read of Jesus feeding the five thousand. And then shortly thereafter, we read of him feeding the four thousand. What gives? Of all the stories to choose from, why would two of the gospel writers include stories that seem nearly identical? The answer is that they’re not. The difference is in the details, and the implications of those details are astounding! Without an understanding of the geography around the Sea of Galilee or how numbers are being used in this story, we miss one of the most critical proclamations Jesus was making about his ministry. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? After witnessing Jesus feeding the five thousand in Mark 6, why do you think the disciples respond the way they do in Mark 8:4? In what we ways do we “forget” what God has done in our past and therefore, we live with a lack of faith or perspective in the present? We see from this story that Jesus was intentional about ministering to the Gentiles (i.e. pagans and non-Jews). What does this tell us about the heart and mission of Jesus? What hope does this understanding of Jesus bring to our own lives? Do you find yourself in awe of Jesus? Why or why not? If not, how could you regain your awe of Jesus? How can you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels – see Chapter 23: The Feedings of the Multitudes: When, Where, and Why? by Gordan Franz A Visual Guide to Bible Events by James C. Martin, John A. Beck and David G. Hansen – see “Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand in the Decapolis” (p. 180-181). A Visual Guide to Gospel Events by James C. Martin, John A. Beck and David G. Hansen – see “Seven Baskets in the Decapolis” (p. 98-99).

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