The Town Church / Fort Collins

This week, Eric, Jory, and Rex look back at Luke 6:1-11. Topics include:What makes someone a Pharisee?Why did Jesus choose to heal someone who didn't ask for it?Why does Jesus call him self "The Son of Man" so much? How can we keep our guards up against dead religion?What is the correct way to use a microphone?

When religious rules overshadow God's compassion, true rest becomes impossible. The beginning of Luke 6 contrasts the joyless legalism of the Pharisees with the healing authority of Jesus, the true Lord of the Sabbath.

This week, Eric, Vince, Kirsten, and Rex talk through the end of Luke 5. Topics include:Jesus' pursuit of those far from himWhat it means that Jesus came for the sickHow to find joy and awe as a response to JesusDutch Bros coffee

The final section of Luke 5 shows how Jesus intentionally pursues those who are far from him. Through the story of Levi the tax collector, we discover that turning away from sin and turning toward Christ naturally results in a life of celebration rather than joyless legalism.

This week, Jory, Kirsten, Vince, and Rex look further into Jesus' healings in Luke chapter 5. Topics include:Faith and healingJesus' pursuit of the outcastJesus' presence with us nowHazelnuts

Luke 5:12-26 describes the continuation of Jesus' ministry. Through the accounts of the leper and the paralyzed man, we see a Savior who offers both physical restoration and the ultimate healing of forgiveness.

Psalm 67 asks God to be gracious to us and bless us - not only for our own benefit,  but that ALL may know our good and gracious God who is worthy of praise.

In this episode, Vince, Kirsten, Ellie, and Rex talk through Luke 5:1-11. Topics include:What does it mean that Jesus invites his disciples into his mission? What does that calling look like day to day?How does this play out in community?

In Luke 5, we see Jesus invite the first disciples into his mission.

This prayer helps us to plea for protection from those who would do us evil and also serves as a reminder of God’s unmerited favor upon us - even though there is no good innately in us.

In this (late) episode of the Afterword, Vince, Kirsten, Betty, and Rex talk through the authority of Jesus. Topics include:The interplay of our faith with God's authorityHow to think about God's authority to say "No" to our prayersThe reality of spiritual evilFish and Chips

Luke 4:31-44 is all about Jesus' authority: in teaching, over demons, over sickness and affliction, and over his mission.

This prayer is David’s well-known plea to God to cleanse him after his sin with Bathsheeba. This prayer may help to give you words as you seek the Father in your own sin. 

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul gives believers what he says is of first importance: Christ died, Christ was buried, and Christ rose. What does that mean for us?

This is a prayer to express to God your anguish AND to remind your heart where your hope remains.

Jesus began his ministry by teaching in his home town. At first people loved what he had to say, but when Jesus pressed them they tried to throw him off a cliff! This week we consider:Why did the people change so drastically in their response?What happens when we "make God in our image" by only accepting the word of Jesus that we like? What does this passage show us about God?How do we apply this today?

Luke 4:14-30 marks the beginning of Jesus' teaching ministry. In this passage, those from His hometown are faced with the choice of accepting Jesus as who he says he is or rejecting him for not being who they wanted him to be. 

This prayer celebrates the goodness of confessing our sin to God and being forgiven by him! Might this psalm give you words when you feel hesitancy to confess your own sin.

The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness raises many important questions. This week, we focus on just a few:Why would God allow Satan any power?What does it mean that Jesus was tempted?Why does this text matter for us as readers?What does this passage reveal about who God is?

Luke 4 begins with Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness. As we explore this passage, we seek to answer one important question: How does the Son relate to the Father? 

This prayer celebrates the awe-inspiring glory of God, zeroing in on the power of simply God’s voice.

Luke 3 ends with Jesus's baptism and genealogy. While it seems dry, Luke uses this list of names to establish Jesus as the new Adam and as our hope for new life. 

The dominant challenging human emotion of this prayer is fear in the face of adversaries. But that challenging emotion is held in tension with the strong seemingly opposite heart posture of trust in God as our shelter.

This week, we discuss a few key questions raised by this passage and consider what it reveals about who God is.• Why does repentance matter in the Christian life? • What is God like? • Why does this matter for us?

The life and ministry of John the Baptist are meant to reveal Jesus to the world. In the opening passage of Luke 3, we see that John’s mission, message, and ministry are all about Him.

A prayer asking God to treat his people differently than those who are not his own.

This week, we dive deeper into the story of 12-year-old Jesus at the temple and consider what it reveals about who He is.What stood out to us from this text? What is God like? How should these truths impact the way we live? 

Luke 2:41–52 gives us a glimpse of Jesus at twelve years old. As we study this passage, we consider what it means that He is fully God and fully human, living in submission to earthly parents. This truth shapes how we understand His actions and the interactions in the story.

This well-known prayer celebrates God's care for his people.

This week, we explore Jesus’ presentation at the temple in Luke 2:22–40. As we consider the faithfulness of Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna, we center our discussion around three questions:What stands out to us from this passage? What is God like according to this text? Why do the truths of this text matter? 

Our study of Luke 2:22–40 is shaped by Galatians 4:4–5. Using these verses as our framework, we see how Jesus is the true fulfillment of the law and the One sent to redeem all people.

This prayer rejoices in the joys and benefits of being kept by God - of being in relationship with him.

Welcome back to the AfterWord! Even though we are in the middle of February, we look at the story of Jesus' birth with a fresh perspective. What did we notice about the text that we haven't before? What is God like? If the birth of Jesus demands a response, how should we respond in light of who God is?

The events of Luke 1 all lead to this moment: the arrival of Jesus, the promised Messiah. In the story of His birth, we see God’s perfect timing, true humility, and the reality that the gospel is for all people. 

A prayer to remember God's holiness, what he calls his people to, and the grace of God in Jesus.

This week, we dive deeper into the ways God’s mercy is on display in this text and explore what it reveals about who He is.What stood out to you from the text this week? What is God like and why does that matter? 

Luke 1 concludes with the birth of John the Baptist. Through John’s birth and Zechariah’s prophesy, we see clear evidence of God’s mercy at work. This leads us to the question guiding our time in the passage: What does the birth of John show us about God’s mercy?

The theme of this week’s prayer is a plea for God to answer us and act when it feels like he has been distant and unresponsive for an incredibly long time. 

Joy and faith can be difficult to fully grasp, yet they are essential to the Christian life. In our discussion of Luke 1:39–56, we explore how these two themes and more shape the lives of God’s people.Other questions: What stood out to you from this passage? What is God like and why does this matter? 

Luke 1:39–45 highlights the responses of Mary, Elizabeth, and John as God’s work continues to unfold through the arrival of the Messiah. 

A prayer for justice from God's hand.

Our new host, Rex, leads us through some helpful questions as we dive deeper into this week's passage. How can we walk alongside those who are struggling to trust that God is still at work when their prayers seem impossible?What do we learn about Mary through her response to Gabriel's message? What is God like according to this text? Why does that matter?

Mary, an unlikely and undeserving choice, was used by God to reveal His promises to the world. Through Gabriel’s visit, we see that God chooses to extend His grace to the humble and invite them into His redemptive plan.

A prayer of praise rooted in the All-Mighty Creator caring for us who are the not-all-mighty created. 

Rex is back! As we look at the context of this passage, we ask what it really means that Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as blameless and how that shapes the way we think about God giving or withholding good gifts.Once again, we focus on these three key questions: What parts of the context need closer attention?What is God like according to the text? And what difference does that make? 

Luke begins by setting the stage for the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah God’s people had long been waiting for. Through the angel’s visit to Zechariah, we see that God is preparing the way for the One who will meet the deepest needs of all people.

A prayer for protection and salvation from overwhelming enemies.

The AfterWord is back with a new season! We kick back off with three questions that will be central to our discussions moving forward: Is there anything about the context of the passage to explore? What is God like according to the text?What difference does that make? 

The gospel is for everyone. As we begin our journey through Luke, this truth sets the tone for everything that is to come.

God has graciously given us many means of grace to help us know Him more deeply. One of those gifts is prayer. This week, we consider what God truly desires from us as we come before Him in prayer.