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.

What’s the longest time you’ve ever waited for something? A few hours? Days? Years? It seems like the longer we wait, the more likely we are to get frustrated and impatient. Yet, there are dozens of examples in the Bible where God intentionally keeps His people in seasons of waiting. Why should we wait on God and how does it transform our hearts? Join us as we learn how to wait on the Lord, even in times of immense pressure.

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.

Moms make things look easy. Whether it’s cooking your favorite meal, preparing the home for guests, or finding the perfect gift, mothers often make it their goal to make everyone feel welcomed and loved. But with the efforts to be perfect usually comes the feeling of burnout. God sees your hard work, Mom, and He has a unique encouragement for the ones who think they have to do it all.

“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.

“As long as you’re happy, nothing else matters.” The world might often tell you this, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although we are saved by grace through faith and not as a result of works, God still calls us to be holy and obey His commands. What’s in it for us? In our next part of Rise and Fall, we’ll learn why obedience to God matters more than we may think, and why even partial disobedience can still cause us a whole lot of hurt.

We’ve all had moments when we felt like God had forgotten about us. What our own minds can forget, however, is that the heart of our relationship with God is His promises. What are these promises, and how can we guarantee that they're true? Join us as we dive deeper into the story of King Saul and hear the encouragement that Samuel gives God’s people.