Faith Oakville

What if the reason you feel stuck in your faith isn’t that you’re doing something wrong, but because you’ve been asking the wrong question? Through Jesus, you are already 100% in - fully loved and part of God’s family - but new doesn’t mean finished. Like a newborn, you belong completely, yet still have room to grow. Faith is a process, and it can be messy, with real tension between the old life and the new life God is leading you into. Often, we trust God with forgiveness but hesitate to trust Him with our relationships, time, or finances, and that’s where growth stalls. But what if the breakthrough isn’t about trying harder, but trusting deeper? Because every step of growth is really a step of trust, and we are all striving to live more like Christ in every area of our lives. So what is your next step?2 Corinthians 5:1717 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.Colossians 1:21–2321 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.For Adult Homes and GroupsTake time to reread 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Colossians 1:21–23, then reflect on these questions:1. Where did you place yourself on the spiritual growth line and why?2. Where do you currently feel tension between your old life and your new life in Christ?3. In what area of your life are you trusting God the least right now?4. What is your next best step to continue growing in your faith?For Families with Kids1. Read Colossians Chapter 1 together, then focus on verses 21-23.2. What does it mean to be “holy and blameless” because of Jesus, even when we make mistakes?3. What are some things that make it hard to keep trusting Jesus (school, friends, worries)?4. What is one “habit” (like praying together) we can start to help our family stay “steadfast” in faith?5. Draw a tree on a large piece of paper. Have each family member write one way they will grow spiritually this week (e.g., read the Bible, pray, help someone) on a paper leaf, and tape it to the tree.

We all feel it right now. Division seems to be everywhere. Conversations get tense, relationships feel strained, and even small disagreements can quickly turn into something bigger. But what if the church was meant to be different? This weekend, we’re diving into Galatians 3 to see how the Gospel gives us a deeper identity that cuts through division. We will explore what it really means to be in Christ, how God’s grace brings unity, and how that same grace drives out fear - fear of judgment, fear of rejection, even fear of one another. Come hear how being rooted in Christ changes the way we live, relate, and love in a divided world.Galatians 3:26-2926 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.For Adult Homes and Groups1. What is something small you strongly disagree with others about that doesn’t really matter?2. How has pride or identity in something other than Christ shaped the way you view others?3. How does knowing your identity is secure in Christ change how you view yourself and others?4. How can you practice staying present in a difficult conversation this week?For Families with Kids1. Read Galatians 3:26-29 together.2. In v26, how do we become children of God? Is it by being perfect, or by something else? When we disagree, does it help to remember that we are all loved children of the same Father?3. From v27, what does it mean to “clothe yourselves with Christ”? If we are wearing Jesus like a coat, what should other people see when they look at us during an argument (e.g., love, patience, gentleness)?4. Paul says there is “neither Jew nor Gentile... male nor female,” but we are all one. What are some things that make us feel different from each other (age, interests, personality)? How can God’s grace help us agree to disagree about small things (what to play, what to eat) while staying united in big things (loving God)?5. Draw a picture of a bridge. When someone is angry or disagrees strongly, what are “bridge-building” words (grace, forgiveness, “let’s try this”) compared to “barrier-making” words (shouting, demanding, “no”)?

We all come to God seeking something - a better marriage, help for a child, healing, provision, or answers. But what if the very thing that brings us to Him isn’t actually our greatest need? Again and again, Jesus shows us that He looks past what we think we need in order to give us what we truly need most. While we’re focused on immediate problems, He sees the deeper need underneath it all and moves to restore what matters most - our relationship with God. Join us this Sunday as we discover how Jesus meets us in our requests, but refuses to stop there, offering something greater than what we came asking for.Mark 2:1-11Jesus Heals a Paralytic2 And when He returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And He was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” - He said to the paralytic - 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”For Adult Homes and GroupsRead Mark 2:1-11. As you read, discuss these questions:1. What were the obvious needs and expectations of the paralytic and his friends? How did Jesus respond differently than they likely anticipated?2. Why do you think Jesus chose to address the man’s need for forgiveness before healing his physical condition? What does this suggest about Jesus’ priorities?3. Can you identify an area in your life where you are asking God for something specific, but He might be inviting you to trust Him for a deeper purpose?For Families with Kids1. Read Mark 2:1-11 together.2. What did the man need healing from? Why did Jesus first forgive the man’s sins?3. What did the friends expect Jesus to do first?4. What is sin, and why is it a bigger problem than not being able to walk?5. We often ask God for big things like healing or help with school. Do we ever forget to ask Him first for the most important thing (forgiveness)? How does it feel to know that Jesus cares about your “inside” (spiritual health) just as much as your “outside” (physical health)?6. Heart wash activity: Draw a large heart on a paper towel using a permanent marker. Use washable markers to draw small spots or “yucky things” inside the heart. Each spot represents a “deeper need” or a sin (e.g., being unkind, lying). Dip the paper towel into a bowl of water and gently agitate it. The washable marker spots will disappear, but the heart remains. Just like the man’s legs were healed on the outside, Jesus wanted to wash the man’s heart clean on the inside first.

Christ is risen from the dead. It's the eternal game changer. It means that whenever we approach God in faith, we always expect the same thing over and over again: grace. And the crazy good news is, anyone can get in on this. Who is this grace for? Anyone who would believe. Romans 3:21-26The Righteousness of God Through Faith21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.For Adult Homes and Groups1. Read Romans 3:21-26 together.2. What’s familiar about this passage? What’s something new that stuck out to you in this section of Romans?3. Since verse 24 says we are justified “freely” (as a gift) by grace, why is it often harder for us to accept a free gift than to work for it?4. Verse 22 states righteousness comes through faith, “to all who believe.” In what areas of your life are you still trying to be “good enough” for God, rather than relying on His righteousness?5. What does it look like in your daily life to trust that your faith is enough, rather than relying on your accomplishments or religious routines?6. Take time to encourage, pray over one another, and ask the Holy Spirit to pour His assurance into each other’s hearts and minds.For Families with Kids1. Read Romans 3:21-26 out loud together.2. According to vv22-23, what is the only thing that separates people, and what is the one thing they all have in common?3. If salvation is a free gift, why do people often try to earn it by being “good enough”? How does this gift change how we look at our own mistakes?4. If faith is “enough,” does that mean we just do whatever we want? How does trusting in Jesus’ work on the cross help us follow Him more than just trying to follow rules?5. Give everyone a piece of paper and ask them to write down something they feel they “must do” to be a good person. Then, read Romans 3:24 together and cross out those items, writing “PAID BY JESUS” in large letters over the top to visualize that faith in His work is what truly counts.

Today, we continue our Gripped by Grace series with a powerful message centered on the life-changing reality of the resurrection. Through Scripture and a real-life story, you’ll see how God meets us in our brokenness, not after we’ve fixed ourselves, but right in the middle of it. If you’ve ever wondered whether real change is possible, this message is for you. Come and discover how Jesus ' resurrection means you can live a transformed life.Ephesians 2:1-10By Grace Through Faith2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - 6 and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.For Adult Homes and Groups1. What’s something people often try to change about themselves (a habit, routine, or goal) but struggle to stick with? Why do you think real change is so hard?2. Ephesians 2 says we are “dead in our sins,” not just struggling or broken. How does that challenge the way people usually think about their condition?3. Romans 5 says that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What stands out to you about the timing of God’s love?4. As a group or church, what would it look like to be “a place where dead people come to life”? What’s one practical way you can help create that kind of environment?For Families with Kids1. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 together.2. According to verse 4, why did God save us? 3. If salvation is a gift (v. 8), can we ever brag about being “good enough” for heaven?4. Imagine trying to talk to or play with someone who is asleep or not responding. According to these verses, what was our spiritual life like before Jesus rescued us?5. If someone offers you a gift, do you pay for it? Why is it important that our resurrection/new life is a gift from God and not something we earn by being “good”?6. Pray the Lord’s Prayer together

Every Easter, we dress up, fill the church, celebrate the empty tomb, and say, “He is risen.” But what does that mean for everyday life? Easter isn’t just a tradition - it’s the reality of a Savior who lived, died, and rose againfor you, offering grace and abundant life. It’s an invitation to stop seeing God as distant or demanding and to discover His life-changing grace. Grace is here for everyone - including you.John 21:1-19Jesus Appears to Seven DisciplesAfter this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.Jesus and Peter15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”John 20:1919 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”Mark 14:26-3126 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.Mark 14:66-7266 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.John 21:1-7a.Jesus Appears to Seven DisciplesAfter this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”Luke 5:1-11Jesus Calls the First DisciplesOn one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.John 21:7b-9When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.John 18:15-18Peter Denies Jesus15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. John 21:15-19Jesus and Peter15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”1 Peter 1:3-43 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,