Real Life
Real Life is an intergenerational group of people who are, open-minded and flexible, at various stages of their faith/spiritual journey, curious about God and the Bible, and unafraid to learn new ways to view each. We are from diverse places, careers, backgrounds and religious traditions, hungry for discussion that challenges the mind, spirit and pre-existing belief structures, respectful of differences in belief and opinion. We share a collective value of wanting to be (as an individual) better reflections of Christ in the world and we desire to build a community of peace and love at Grace and in Mount Juliet.
Winter/Spring Group Discussions
Love Matters More by Jared Byas (January 5th-March 2nd)
A biblically-based Christian life is not grounded in having all the answers but in a living relationship. This ultimately shifts our focus from collecting the "right" answers to loving others deeply and authentically. With stories and insights drawn from his years as a pastor, professor, and podcast host, Jared Byas calls us back to the heart of the Bible: that truth is only true when it's lived out in love.
Fight Like Jesus: How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week by Jason Porterfield (March 9th-April 20th)
At the start of Holy Week, tears streamed down Jesus’ face as he cried out, “If only you knew the things that make for peace." From that moment, until a week later when he triumphantly declared, “Peace be with you,” Jesus spent each day confronting injustice, calling out oppressors and contending for peace. But what if—despite all our familiarity with the events of Holy Week—we still don’t know how Jesus makes peace? We desperately need to recover the radical vision of peacemaking that Jesus embodied throughout Holy Week. And we urgently need to be trained in his way of making peace.
Wrestling with Doubt by Adam Hamilton (April 27th-June 1st)
Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a heaven? How can we know? Often we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God.
It’s A Wonderful Life by Alan Vermiyle (December 1st-December 29th)
t’s a Wonderful Life is one of the most popular and heart-warming films ever made. It’s near universal appeal and association with Christmas has provided a rich story of redemption that has inspired generations for decades. It’s a Wonderful Life Study Guide examines this beloved holiday classic and reminds us how easily we can become distracted from what is truly meaningful in life.