GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
C = Cheerful
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6–10
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11–13
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:8–9
A =
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6–11
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16–21
S =
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1
We are stewards of things, but God owns .
Pay attention
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Proverbs 27:23–24
Work hard
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Proverbs 20:4
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Limit debt
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
Budget spending
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. Proverbs 21:17
Your will always exceed your !
Save and invest for the future
Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11
H =
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9–10
Small Group Questions
- What do you enjoy spending money on?
- What is your physical response to the topic of money in church?
- Read The Parable of the Rich Fool. What is God saying to you?
- Which of the CASH points comes most naturally to you? Which area is the most challenging?
- Are you being obedient as a steward of all that God has given you? What would need to change for you to come to a place of full obedience?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor
Mark 8:22–26
22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”
The First Touch (verse 23a)
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
“Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior. We may not always notice it, but our surroundings influence our actions far more than we realize.” – James Clear
The Second Touch (verse 23b–24)
When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
Hebrews 12:1–2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
God can’t fix what you won’t face.
The Third Touch (verse 25)
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
Philippians 1:6
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Small Group Questions
- What’s one area in your life where you wish you had more clarity?
- Why do you think Jesus healed the man in stages rather than immediately?
- Jesus uses spit to heal this man. What tends to be your response when the healing Jesus wants to do in your life is messier than you’d like it to be?
- The man in this story is honest about what he can and can’t see. What’s one struggle, doubt, or challenge you feel God inviting you to be honest about today?
- Our story is determined by Jesus’ ability to hold onto us rather than our ability to hold onto him. What does that mean to you and how you live?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
You have been following me for 50 years but now I am following you.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
Question:
In your disappointment, which direction are you traveling? Towards or away from God?
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
They have been following Jesus and now he is following them!
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.
And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
Communion
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.
There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Small Group Questions
- Let’s talk about hope and expectancy! What are you most looking forward to as spring approaches?
- What is your normal spiritual response to sadness and disappointment? Where do you run to when life just hurts?
- Read the whole story of the Road to Emmaus out loud. What is Jesus saying to you about your dusty road encounters with Him? What lessons are being spoken into your life right now?
- Jesus blessed, broke and gave the bread to His disheartened followers. How does this picture change the way you look at Communion?
- How has God changed your direction through this story? Where is your spiritual destination as of right this moment?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
Encountering Jesus in the Pain
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out… Luke 8:1–2
- Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
- Any demonic door that you have opened in your life can be slammed shut in the authority of the name of Jesus.
- Demons hate Jesus and Jesus-followers, but we have Jesus and the name of Jesus. So if you want them to go away and leave you alone, speak Jesus!
When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross… Colossians 2:13-15 (The Message paraphrase)
Encountering Jesus Continually
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. Mark 15:37–41
Encountering Jesus in the Miracle
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:11-16, 18
Small Group Questions
- What’s your reaction when someone calls you by name?
- Name a woman who has had a deep spiritual impact on your journey with Jesus. What did she do to impact your life?
- How do you continually encounter Jesus? What spiritual practices keep that encounter fresh and new?
- Has Jesus has freed you from something? If so, what is it and how do you stay free?
- Jesus calls Mary by name. Grant listed a number of names that God has given to his children (beloved, chosen, apple of his eye, etc.). What name, given by God to you, means the most to your heart?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
Luke 8:42b-48
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years…
…but no one could heal her.
44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak…
…and, immediately her bleeding stopped!
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
The God of the universe believes you are !
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.
“…
“…your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Small Group Questions
- Have you ever had an unfriendly encounter with an animal? What happened?
- Read the story from Matthew 9, Mark 5 and Luke 8. What details stand out to you in the different accounts? Why do they matter?
- What do you need to stop doing in order to authentically encounter Jesus?
- Jesus named her “daughter.” What name has God spoken over you?
- What did you see in the mural? What was God saying to you through that detail?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor
Mark 2:1-12
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Be careful what you think because your thoughts become your words.
Be careful what you say because your words become your actions.
Be careful what you do because what you do becomes your habits.
Be careful what you make a habit because what you make a habit defines your character, and your character determines your destiny.
OLD PROVERB
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Jesus’ instructions:
Small Group Questions
- Have you ever had someone bring you closer to Jesus? What did they do, and how did it impact you?
- How can we be more intentional about “carrying others” to Jesus in our daily lives? What does this story teach us about how to be good friends?
- Why do you think Jesus addressed the man’s sins before healing his body?
- What “mats” in your life are you still carrying with you, and how do they remind you of God’s grace?
- What practical steps can you take this week to help someone encounter Jesus?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
BRIAN BEHRENDS, CREATIVE PASTOR
Luke 18:18–22
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Your notes…
Luke 18:23–27
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Your notes…
Luke 19:1–10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly
. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Your notes…
Small Group Questions
- What do you think it means to “encounter” Jesus? How is this different from learning about or knowing him?
- Both the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus had wealth. Why do you think one walked away sad while the other joyfully gave away his riches?
- What do you think is the one thing that keeps most people from fully surrendering to Jesus today? Why?
- What can we learn from Zacchaeus about responding immediately and joyfully to Jesus’ invitation?
- In what areas of your life are you most longing to encounter Jesus right now? What steps can you take to invite him into those spaces this week?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
NEXT STEP FOR THIS SERIES
Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve
Wednesday, January 8
6:30–8:00 PM in Room 215 • FREE
Register by Tuesday, January 7 at ctk.link/forgive
Your notes…
Small Group Questions
- What are your New Year’s resolutions? If you don’t have any, why?
- Where is your focus right now, today, in this moment?
- What is one step you can make today to start a new journey with Jesus in 2025?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Emily Jamieson, Guest Speaker
reconcile (verb)
…from Old French reconcilier (12c.) and directly from Latin reconciliare “to bring together again; regain; win over again, conciliate,” from re- “again” + conciliare “make friendly”
Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
Isaiah 7:14 NEW KING JAMES VERSION
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 NEW KING JAMES VERSION
For unto us a Child is born,
unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 40:3-5 NEW KING JAMES VERSION
The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Malachi 3:1 NEW KING JAMES VERSION
“Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Colossians 1:21-23
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
2 Corinthians 5:18
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15
Jesus brought with him…
The Gift of
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:9–13
The Gift of
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:8–12
The Gift of
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The Gifts of the Wise Men
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1–2
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:11–12
Gold – a gift fit for a
Frankincense – a gift fit for a
Myrrh – a gift fit for a
The Gift of Jesus
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
The gift of Jesus: his and his for you
Communion Gifts
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation… Colossians 1:19–22
10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:10–11
Small Group Questions
- What’s the best or worst gift you have ever received?
- How would you describe the “indescribable” gift of Jesus?
- Reflect on the gifts offered by the characters of the Christmas story. Which one is the most meaningful to you?
- What do the body and blood of Jesus mean to you in the context of Christmas?
- What gift of reconciliation can you offer to Jesus this year?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?