We've all been there. That moment of betrayal when someone takes action behind our backs, crosses a line, or when their words cut deep. We may think of “revenge” as calculated retribution, but in reality, it can be as small as snide comments or bitter hearts toward the people who wronged us. If you’ve ever felt the seemingly irresistible urge to strike back, you’re not alone, but God doesn’t want you to take that path. Join us as we learn why we should always leave vengeance to the Lord.

Have you ever experienced fear so intense it consumed your every thought? Perhaps it was the fear of losing a loved one, facing financial ruin, or confronting a life-altering diagnosis. Fear has a unique ability to take full control of who we are, often leading us down paths we never intended to go. Join us as we learn from the life of David how God wants us to respond in our moments of fear.

“In this world, you will have trouble…” This verse isn’t a suggestion, it’s a warning. Armed with this information, how should we respond when we do encounter life’s troubles? The famous story of David and Goliath serves as a great example for us, but it points to an even greater story. Join us as we explore the two and how it echoes the rest of the verse—Jesus has overcome the world.

Have you ever taken a wrong turn and ended up at a completely different location than you planned? In a broader sense, have you ever felt like you’ve gone down the wrong path and deviated from God’s plan? During the hard moments of life, it can be easy to wonder if God has abandoned us, leading us into a spiral of sin. Join us as we learn from the life of David how we can be absolutely sure that God has ordained our steps.

Christian: are you truly experiencing God, or just going through religious motions? Sometimes we can focus on things that look and feel like God, but are not really what He wants for us. As we continue our study in the life of David, we’ll learn how to know God’s heart and truly experience a relationship with Him.

How can a small, unassuming shepherd boy be anointed king over a nation? God only knows. The story of David’s life proves exactly that, and it shows us this truth: while we may care about the outward appearances of others, God looks at our hearts. Only He knows who we truly are deep down and only He knows who He has chosen for His Kingdom.

How can a small, unassuming shepherd boy be anointed king over a nation? God only knows. The story of David’s life proves exactly that, and it shows us this truth: while we may care about the outward appearances of others, God looks at our hearts. Only He knows who we truly are deep down and only He knows who He has chosen for His Kingdom.

Who would you say is your closest friend? How long have you been friends with that person? Would you say that person is a true friend who leads you to Christ? Whether your inner circle is big or small, we all were made to be in biblical community. Join as we explore how to both find true friends in the world, and be real, Christ-like friends ourselves.

“You’ve got this. Just trust yourself.” Sounds empowering, right? But it’s a lie wrapped in pride. The truth is, when we lean on our own strength and reject God’s way, we set ourselves up for a fall. Pride always leads to destruction. In this next part of Rise and Fall, we’ll look at the contrast between Saul and Jonathan—one ruled by pride, the other marked by humility.