Carrying Peace taught us three important truths about the peace we receive through Jesus:

1. Peace is a Gift from God
   When the angels appeared to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, their message was clear:  
   *“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).*  
   This peace is not something we earn; it is a gift that flows from God’s love. It’s the kind of peace that steadies us in the middle of life’s storms.

2. Peace Requires Trust
   Peace often feels out of reach when we’re facing uncertainty or difficulty. But as Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem reminds us, peace is found when we trust God to guide us through the unexpected.  
   - *“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1).*

3. Peace is Meant to Be Shared
   The shepherds didn’t keep the good news to themselves. After encountering the angels and finding the baby in the manger, they went out and shared what they had seen and heard. In the same way, we are called to be carriers of peace to a world that desperately needs it.

Reflection Questions

1. What is one thing that stood out to you last Sunday?  
2. When have you experienced God’s peace in the middle of a difficult situation?  
3. What steps can you take to trust God more deeply, even when life feels uncertain?  
4. Who in your life needs to hear about the peace Jesus offers? How can you share that with them?  
5. How can you create an atmosphere of peace in your home, workplace, or community during this busy season?

Carrying Peace Forward

From this point forward, let’s be intentional about receiving the gift of peace, trusting in God’s presence, and sharing that peace with others. Whether it’s offering a kind word, reconciling a relationship, or simply pausing to reflect on God’s promises, we can bring peace into our world one step at a time.  

What stood out to you from this message? Share your thoughts in the comments below or discuss these questions with your small group or family. Together, let’s carry the peace of Christ forward into the world.  

Last week, we began our journey through Advent with a message titled "The Road to Hope." As we reflect on the first week of this season, let's take a moment to revisit the powerful message of hope and its relevance in our lives today.

The Road to Hope reminds us that Advent is more than a time of preparing for Christmas—it’s a season of anticipating God’s promises fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Using the imagery of a vintage red pickup truck traveling down a snow-covered country road, we explored three key truths about hope:

The Promise of Hope
Hope begins with a promise. Isaiah’s words, written in a time of great darkness, proclaimed the coming light of the Messiah:

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

Just like driving through the night to reach the sunrise, we were reminded that hope comes as we trust in God’s promises—even when the road feels dark.

The Journey is Not Always Easy
Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem was filled with uncertainty and difficulty, but they pressed forward in faith. We, too, encounter challenges on our road to hope. But as we navigate the struggles of life, we are assured of God’s presence and guidance.

The Fulfillment of Hope
The journey of hope culminates in the birth of Jesus, but it doesn’t stop there. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection invite us into an eternal hope—a hope that carries us through every season and circumstance.

Reflection Questions
Take some time to reflect on last week’s message with these questions:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you Sunday?
2. When have you experienced hope in the midst of a difficult season?
3. How does trusting in God’s promises change the way you approach uncertainty?
4. Who in your life needs to hear a message of hope this week? How can you share it with them?
5. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Jesus as the fulfillment of your hope?

As we continue on this Advent journey, let’s hold tightly to the promises of God, trusting that His light will always guide us home. Wherever you are on your road to hope, know that Jesus walks with you, offering His peace, joy, and love.

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. How is God leading you on the road to hope this week?

Text: Exodus 35:4–9; 36:1–7
Topic: Giving, Generosity, Thankfulness
Big Idea: A thankful heart leads to a giving heart.

Application Point: As we cultivate thankful hearts for God’s goodness, provision, and presence, generosity that impacts the world will flow naturally from our lives.

Reflection on Giving and Thankfulness:
This week, we explored the powerful connection between thankfulness and generosity as we studied Exodus 35:4–9 and Exodus 36:1–7. In these verses, the people of Israel were asked to bring offerings to help construct the Tabernacle. What’s remarkable is how they responded—with willing and generous hearts. Their willingness to give was not coerced; it was an overflow of gratitude for God's goodness and provision in their lives.
We see this same principle play out in our lives: when we reflect on God’s goodness and all that He has provided for us, our hearts are moved to respond in generosity. A thankful heart leads to a giving heart, and this giving extends far beyond financial contributions—it can impact our time, energy, and relationships.

Encouraging Generosity:
As part of this season of giving, we had the privilege of giving out Christmas cards and money to everyone present during our service. The money was meant to be a tool to encourage us to pour into our community. I want to challenge each of you to consider how you can use this gift to make a positive impact in your neighborhood or in someone else’s life. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, contributing to a local charity, or supporting someone in need, this is an opportunity to extend the generosity we’ve received.
In Exodus, we see the people of Israel give so freely that Moses had to command them to stop. The people brought so much that there was more than enough for the work to be done. While we are not yet at that point here at Hillside, we are committed to giving you opportunities to give, just as the Israelites did. Our goal is to create a community where generosity flows naturally from grateful hearts, and where our giving makes a difference in the lives of others.

Discussion Questions for Reflection:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
   • Reflect on the part of the sermon that spoke most to your heart. Was there a particular verse, idea, or challenge that resonated with you?
2. What does it mean to give with a willing and generous heart?
   • Think about what it looks like to give freely and without hesitation. How does that contrast with giving out of obligation or pressure?
3. How does forced or required giving compare to willing giving in your life?
   • Consider your own experiences with giving. Have there been times when you gave out of duty rather than desire? How did that feel?
4. Briefly describe a time you gave willingly and generously and the impact it had on your life. (Perhaps it was financially, but it might be with your time, resources, or possessions.)
   • Share a personal experience where you gave from a heart of generosity. How did that act of giving affect you and others around you?
5. Knowing that a thankful heart leads to a giving heart, how can you incorporate this into your life? Into the lives of others?
   • Consider practical steps you can take to cultivate a heart of thankfulness and generosity in your own life. How can you encourage others to do the same?

As we continue to grow in our relationship with God, let’s challenge ourselves to allow gratitude for His goodness to fuel a spirit of giving that extends beyond ourselves. May we become a community known for our generous hearts and the impact our giving has on the world around us.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s easy to focus on the familiar traditions—gathering with family, sharing a meal, and reflecting on the blessings in our lives. But the Bible challenges us to take thanksgiving beyond just one day. Instead of thanksgiving being a holiday, it should become a lifestyle. This week, we explored how to embrace a life of “thanksliving,” rooted in God’s will for us, as described in **1 Thessalonians 5:16–18**:  

*"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."*  

God’s Will: Thelēma and a Grateful Heart
The Apostle Paul calls us to give thanks *in all circumstances,* not just the good ones. The Greek word for “will” in this passage is *thelēma,* which means God’s desire, purpose, or intent. This isn’t a casual suggestion—it’s part of God’s plan for our lives. When we live with gratitude, we align ourselves with God’s purposes and reflect His heart to the world.  

But let’s be honest: giving thanks in all circumstances is not always easy. Life can be filled with challenges—pain, loss, and uncertainty. Yet, God calls us to gratitude, not because He denies our hardships, but because He is present with us through them.  

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
Notice Paul doesn’t say, “Give thanks *for* all circumstances.” There’s a big difference! We’re not called to be thankful for injustice, pain, or suffering. Instead, we’re called to give thanks *in* those circumstances because of who God is and what He promises us:  

• God is present: In Deuteronomy 31:6, God promises, *“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”* Even in the darkest seasons, we can give thanks for His constant presence. 
• God understands: Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, understands our struggles because He faced suffering Himself.
• God comforts and strengthens us: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls God the *“Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”* Through the Holy Spirit, He encourages and strengthens us during trials.  

When we embrace this perspective, thanksgiving becomes more than words we say—it transforms our hearts and minds. Gratitude shifts our focus from our struggles to God’s faithfulness.  

Moving from Thanksgiving to Thanksliving  
So, how do we live this out? Thanksliving means carrying a heart of gratitude into every moment of our lives. Here are a few practical steps:

1. Start your day with gratitude: Before you even get out of bed, thank God for the gift of a new day. 
2. Look for blessings in every situation: Even in hardships, ask God to help you see His hand at work.
3. Turn worries into prayers of thanks: When anxiety rises, respond by thanking God for His promises and faithfulness.
4. Encourage others with your gratitude: Share how God has been faithful in your life. Gratitude is contagious!  

Discussion Questions
As you reflect on this week’s message, consider the following questions to help you put these truths into practice:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What are ways you can move from thanksgiving to “thanksliving”?
3. What is the difference between giving thanks *for* all circumstances and giving thanks *in* all circumstances? How does giving thanks in all situations transform your attitude and perspective?
4. When you go through difficulty and hard times, how can you move your heart toward giving thanks in your trials and pain?
5. How has God been faithful to you during a very challenging season?  

Living in God’s Will
As we prepare for Thanksgiving this year, let’s remember that God’s will for us is not just to give thanks on one day but to live lives of continual gratitude. Through His presence, His understanding, and His comfort, we can move from occasional thanksgiving to daily thanksliving.  

Let’s take this journey together, embracing *thelēma*—God’s will—and walking forward in gratitude, joy, and trust.  

Application Point
Thanksgiving leads us into the presence of God, but ungratefulness always leads us away from God.

Scripture Text
Luke 17:11-19

Last Sunday, we read the story of the 10 lepers.  Only 1 returned to give thanks to Jesus.  What happened to the other 9?  We may never really know.  However, perhaps these 9 reasons not to give thanks influenced them:

• Taking Blessings For Granted
• Busyness
• Self-Sufficiency
• Bitterness & Hardship
• Comparing With Others
• Forgetfulness
• Feeling Entitled
• Lack Of Intentional Practice
• Not Recognizing God As The Source

I don't know about you, but I can relate to nearly all of these "excuses."  Unfortunately, these things lead us away from Jesus.  Thanksgiving will lead us to Him.  And that's where I want to be.

On the continuum of thanks, only giving thanks will suffice.  We can be ungrateful and we can even be grateful without giving thanks, but that does not help our relationship with Jesus.

<------------ Ungratefulness --------------- Gratefulness --------------- Thanksgiving ------------>

Only thanksgiving leads us to Him.  Give thanks.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What are some practical ways you can be intentionally thankful to God?
3. What are some possible ways you can incorporate spontaneous thanksgiving in your life?
4. How has a grateful person affected your life? How does someone with an ungrateful attitude influence your life?
5. Pray out loud by completing this single sentence, “Father, I thank you because… ”

Sunday, October 2, 2022
Discussion Questions:

Due to the cookout and celebration of 61 years of ministry at Hillside, we did not have our normal Sunday night discussion.  However, I wanted to go ahead and post the questions here.  The end of Ezra and Nehemiah is somewhat anti-climactic and, to some, maybe confusing or disappointing.

I find it an honest look at humanity.  We are fickle.  We are wishy-washy.  We talk big but often don't back it up.  That's exactly what happened to Israel.  They talked big.  I even thing they had good intentions.  They just didn't follow through.

So here are the questions for this week.  I would love to hear your thoughts.  I shared mine yesterday.  Will you share some of yours today?  I promise I won't pull a Nehemiah 13:25 (if you know, you know.  Otherwise, you may need to look it up).
 

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What are your thoughts on the end of Nehemiah? Does it surprise you? Disappoint you?
3. Do you think Jesus’s followers were disappointed with how Jesus’s ministry seemed to end?
4. How does the new exodus of Jesus bring us into the promised land of eternal life? Look again at Luke 11:22; Ephesians 1:8; and John 1:29 again.
5. How does the gospel comfort you when your best efforts fall short?
6. How can we pray for you?

Have a great week!

Sunday, September 25, 2022
Discussion Questions:

Yesterday we learned that joy is an integral part of worship.  More than mere happiness, joy is a deeper characteristic of God's people.   It is a fruit of the Spirit.  Therefore, our joy is not dependent upon our current circumstances.
 
If joy is that important (and it is), what can you do to make worship a time of joyful anticipation, even in the bad times?

Consider the following discussion questions for this week:

1.   What is one thing that stood out to you in our services today?
2.   What do we learn about joy in worship from Nehemiah 8?
3.   What is one thing you look forward to on a regular basis?  Is worship one of those things?
4.   How do you show respect to God in worship?  What if someone does something differently than how you show respect?  Is that OK?
5.   Do you describe your worship as joyful?  Why or why not?
6.   How does communal engagement play a part in a life of faith?

As always, we had a great discussion at Hillside last night as we contemplated the answers to these questions.  We focused on how our private worship empowers our corporate worship.  Our corporate worship then empowers our private worship.  Before long, it is hard to tell where one begins and the other ends because our worship is a lifestyle, not a mere religious activity.

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!  Where?  Down in my heart!

We invite you to consider these questions and contemplate on how you can demonstrate joy in your life this week.  And we invite you to join us on Sunday nights at 6pm as we "debrief" the events of the day and learn how to incorporate the lessons into our daily lives.  It is interactive.  It is engaging.  It is fun.  And it only lasts an hour.

We would love to see you! 

Sunday, September 18, 2022
Discussion Questions:

Yesterday, we learned that both Nehemiah and Ezra faced opposition.  In fact, opposition is not all that uncommon for the Christian.  It happened to Jesus.  It happened to the prophets.  It happened to the disciples and apostles.  It will happen to you, too.

But take heart!  There is an opportunity in the opposition!  You just have to stay steadfast.  Read Ezra 4, Nehemiah 4, and Nehemiah 6.  Also, I recommend reading 1 Samuel 30.  David encouraged (strengthened) himself in the Lord.  You can, too.  Consider the following discussion questions for this week:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you this week (sermon, teaching, fellowship, etc.)?
2. When you encounter opposition to your faith, what is your immediate reaction? Defensiveness?  Anger?  Prayer?  Fear?  Peace?  Others?
3. How does your response line up with what the Bible says to do?  List chapter and verse.
4. What is (or was) a big obstacle to you living your faith publicly?  What did you do about it
5. What is a modern-day example of a Samaritan?  How can we love others while avoiding the intermingling or blending of our faith with false religions and teaching?
6. How can we pray for you?

We had a great discussion at Hillside last night as we contemplated the answers to these questions.  We invite you to do the same.  And we invite you to join us on Sunday nights at 6pm as we "debrief" the events of the day and learn how to incorporate the lessons into our daily lives.  It is interactive.  It is engaging.  It is fun.  And it only lasts an hour.

We would love to see you!

Sunday, September 11, 2022
Discussion Questions

Following last Sunday's message, we held our small group discussion on Sunday night at 6pm. We generally use Sunday nights to debrief and discuss what we have learned on that particular Sunday.

As a guide to help our discussion, we often have questions outlined and ready to go.  Here are the questions from this past Sunday:

1.   What is one thing that stood out to you today (message, Sunday School, fellowship, etc.)?
2.   How did Ezra and Nehemiah focus on God in times of opposition?  How did worship help?
3.   When you find yourself facing an obstacle, how do you handle the stress?  What role does worship play in that process?
4.   Why should we put God first?
5.   Have you ever had to say no to something you really wanted because you had to put God first?  What was that experience like?  How did it go for you?
6.   How can we pray for you?

We invite you to answer these questions, too.  We also invite you to join us at 6pm on Sundays as we discuss all the events of the day and how to put what we learned into practical application throughout the week!