Bible Studies
Before the Cross, After the Cross
Before the Cross. After the Cross. is a journey through John 13–20, the final hours before Jesus' crucifixion and the first days after His resurrection.
Together we'll slow down, open our Bibles, observe what the text actually says, ask honest questions, and follow where Scripture leads. As we listen to Jesus' final conversations with His disciples, we'll watch how He prepares them for life in a world where He will no longer be physically present.
Along the way we'll explore themes of identity, love, abiding, the Holy Spirit, prayer, suffering, the cross, and resurrection life—all while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the One John wrote his Gospel to reveal.
"These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." — John 20:31 (NASB 1995)
Life in Christ - Part 1: The Law
This is part 1 of a 5-part series focused on seeing the Christian life more clearly. It explores why trying harder so often leads to frustration instead of freedom—and why the Law, while holy and good, was never meant to produce spiritual life. Scripture reveals that the Law exposes sin but cannot free us from it; it points beyond itself to our need for Christ. The Christian life is not sustained through performance, self-effort, or rule-keeping, but through a new source entirely: Christ in you by the Spirit. The question is no longer “How do I try harder for God?” but “What was the Law actually meant to reveal?”
Life in Christ - Part 2: Identity
This is part 2 of a 5-part series focused on seeing the Christian life more clearly. It shifts the focus from behavior to identity—showing that the Christian life is not about improving who you are, but understanding what has already happened to you in Christ. Scripture reveals that you are no longer “in Adam” but fully “in Christ”—crucified with Him, raised with Him, and made new. This isn’t about becoming something over time, but seeing what is already true—Christ now lives in you. The question is no longer “How do I become this?” but “Do I believe what is already true?”
Life in Christ - Part 3: Forgiveness
This is part 3 of a 5-part series focused on seeing the Christian life more clearly. It addresses forgiveness—not as something fragile we maintain, but as something fully secured through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Many believers still live as though forgiveness must be repeatedly restored through confession, repentance, or better behavior, but the New Covenant reveals something deeper: sin was dealt with once for all at the cross. Forgiveness is not a revolving door between failure and restoration—it is the settled reality of your union with Christ. The question is no longer “How do I stay forgiven?” but “Do I believe I already am?”
Life in Christ - Part 4: Power of Sin + Performance
This is part 4 of a 5-part series focused on seeing the Christian life more clearly. It explores why the struggle with sin can feel so powerful even after coming to Christ—and why many believers begin questioning their identity, sincerity, or salvation because of it. Romans 7 reveals that sin is not passive; it works through self-effort, law, and striving, turning the Christian life into an exhausting cycle of frustration and self-focus. But the deeper issue is not “Which version of me is winning?”—it is what I am living from. The conflict is real, but the New Covenant reveals a different source: not self, but Christ in you by the Spirit. The question is no longer “Why am I still struggling?” but “What am I living from?”
Life in Christ - Part 5: Christ as Life
This is part 5 of a 5-part series focused on seeing the Christian life more clearly. It brings the series together by asking a deeper question: if the Christian life cannot be produced through law, self-effort, or striving…then where does it come from? Romans 8 reveals a radical shift in source—not self trying to live for Christ, but Christ Himself living in and through the believer by the Spirit. The New Covenant is not about external improvement or performance, but participation in a new life already given in Christ. Transformation is real, but it is not self-produced; it flows from a new source. The question is no longer “How do I become more like Christ?” but “What does it mean that Christ is already my life?”
Church History: The Big Picture
This one goes deeper.
A one-night, big-picture look at church history…
Galatians - Back to Basics
This is a short, clear walkthrough of Paul’s letter to the Galatians—designed to be read in one sitting, but worth thinking about much longer. Paul writes to a group of believers who started with a simple trust in Christ but were quickly drifting back into rule-based living. His message is direct: being right with God doesn’t come from effort or performance, but from what Christ has already done. This isn’t a deep dive into every detail—it’s a straightforward look at the heart of the letter, so you can see the message clearly without getting lost in it.
Colossians - Chapter 1
This is Chapter One of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Paul writes to believers who were being tempted to look beyond Christ for fullness, security, and spiritual growth. In response, he presents a breathtaking vision of Jesus as Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, and the source of life itself. The result of looking elsewhere was fear, striving, and performance. Paul’s answer is not more effort, but a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He has already accomplished.
Colossians - Chapter 2
This is Chapter Two of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Paul warns believers against being taken captive by teachings that promised deeper spirituality through rules, rituals, special experiences, and human effort. In response, he points them back to the sufficiency of Christ. Because believers are already complete in Him, true spiritual growth is not found in performance or self-denial, but in living from the fullness that is already theirs in Christ.
Colossians - Chapter 3 & 4
This is Chapters Three and Four of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Building on Christ’s sufficiency, Paul shows that the Christian life flows from identity, not performance. Because believers have died with Christ and been made new in Him, their renewed lives are expressed in everyday relationships, work, conversations, gratitude, and community. The letter closes by reminding us that Christ’s life is revealed through ordinary people.