Today’s Reading: Read Psalm 84 Do you remember what we learned about Adam and Eve in Genesis 3?  (Go back and read it if you need a reminder!). Adam and Eve were able to walk with God and talk with God until they chose to sin.  That sin separated Adam and Eve (and us) from God.    Do you remember what we learned about God’s plan to be with His people even though there was sin that separated them?  (Read Exodus 25:1-22.)  God created a way for his presence to be with His chosen people by establishing the tabernacle- a place for His presence to dwell.  The ..read more

Today’s Reading: Read I Chronicles 1-6; Psalm 44:1-10, 17-18, 26 (Today’s reading from 1 Chronicles includes a long list of genealogy.  As a family, look at the verses and the names that are listed.  Look for Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Esau, Israel, Joseph)  Do you know the name of your great, great, great grandparents?  Do you know where they were born or what they did for a living?  Parents, share what you know about your heritage.  If you have a meaningful or humorous story about a grandparent or family member, take the time to share it with the family. Imagin ..read more

On this episode of Sermon Notes, Jay Strother and Brian Ball embark on an enlightening journey through the biblical narrative of David. The conversation delves into the themes of shepherding as a metaphor for leadership, the vital role of obedience to God’s word, and the divine selection that elevates David above Saul’s crumbling reign. They explore the complexities of David’s relationship with Jonathan, the embodiment of selfless, Christ-like friendship, and the spiritual discipline of Sabbath rest. Through the course of the discussion, the speakers challenge listeners to evaluate their desi ..read more

Today’s Reading: Read 2 Samuel 2:5-10; 3:1; 3:17-21; 2 Samuel 5:4-5 If you were going to write in a journal, what would you write about?  Writing out our thoughts and prayers is a great way for us to remember all that God has done for us.  The book of Psalms gives us a picture of what David’s prayer journal might have looked like.  Scholars believe David wrote many chapters of the book of Psalms.  In Psalm 9, David thanked God for all He had done.  He recognized that God was the one who made David’s enemies retreat.  God ultimately destroyed the wicked.  And ..read more

The Church at West End in downtown Columbia, Tennessee faced a crossroads as its congregation aged and struggled to retain young families, reflecting a wider issue where many churches may vanish without new direction. In this transformation story, the church revitalized its community presence by becoming a campus of Brentwood Baptist through a two-thirds majority decision. Brandon Abbott and Rick Elsey reflect on the journey as they approach the one-year anniversary of the merge, highlighting the infusion of life and renewed mission to not only be a place of worship but also a center for disc ..read more

Today’s Reading: Read Psalm 124; Psalm 130 Have you ever heard the word “testimony” before?  It’s a big word that means telling others something that has happened. When Christ followers talk about sharing their testimony, it is when they are telling other people how they met Jesus and how He has provided for them.  Think about all that we have learned about David’s life.  He had a lot that he could tell others about how God provided for him.  But, as an Israelite, one of God’s chosen people, he had more he could share because he could remind people how God had provided for ..read more

Today’s Reading: Read Psalm 121 Grab a chair and put it in the middle of the room.  Have each family member take a turn sitting in the chair.  Ask, “When you sat in the chair, were you scared it wouldn’t hold you? Or do you sit confidently in the chair trusting that it has held you before, and it will hold you again?  Kind of a silly thing to think about, isn’t it?  Sitting in a chair is something we probably do without even thinking twice about it.  That’s the kind of faith David had in God.    David had confidence that he would be able to find God in h ..read more

Today’s Reading: Read Psalm 63; Psalm 18:1-3; 18:30-36; 18:49 Before you read today, challenge the members of your family to do something for someone else in the family.  Remind them of the importance of saying thank you when someone helps us.  Saying “thank you” is so important, isn’t it?  When someone does something for us or gives us a special gift, the kind thing to do is to say, “Thank you.” David was very thankful for all that God had done for him.  David used the Psalms to say thank you to God for his provision and protection.  Psalm 63:3, “My lips will glorify ..read more

Today’s Reading: Read Psalm 17 Sometimes knowing how to pray in difficult situations is a challenge. What do we ask for? What words do we use to talk to God? We may not feel like we can always find the right words to tell God what we are feeling or thinking.  Psalms 17 gives us a great example of how David talked to God honestly about everything he was facing.    David opens the Psalm asking God to listen to him, “pay attention to my cry.”  (v.1). He also spends time asking God for forgiveness for any sin in his heart or anything that might separate David from God.&nbs ..read more

From Priests to Kings: Navigating God’s Truth Through 1 Samuel In this thought-provoking episode of Sermon Notes, host Jay Strother and guest Brian Ball delve deep into the pivotal transition of Israel from a tribal confederacy to a nation under a king as depicted in the historical narratives of the first and second books of Samuel. They navigate through the complexities of Biblical characters, emphasizing the importance of a God-centered life, the powerful roles of prophets like Samuel, and the consequences of Israel’s desire for a human king. The conversation explores the authenticity of sc ..read more