The Waymaker's Misfit

One of the hardest lessons to learn when challenging the status quo in the church is knowing when to speak up and when to stay silent. Jesus didn’t always call out the Pharisees. Sometimes, He confronted them directly ( Matthew 23:13-36 ). Other times, He simply kept doing the Father’s work and let His actions speak for themselves ( John 5:17 ). So how do we know when to say something and when to let it go? Speak When Truth Must Be Defended There are times when silence would be a mistake . If a teaching directly contradicts Scripture , if people are being led astray, or if injustice is happening, we have a responsibility to speak. Ephesians 5:11 – “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” If false teaching, abuse, or spiritual manipulation is happening, silence can be harmful. In these cases, spe...

Theme Verse: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s come into this time with open hearts, ready to receive from the Lord. Opening Prayer: Lord, thank You for showing us perfect love through Jesus. Teach us what it means to love patiently and kindly. Help us to grow in humility and grace, and to reflect Your character in our relationships. In Jesus' name, amen. Worship Here are some songs and a psalm that speak of love and grace: “Love Like This” – Lauren Daigle “Reckless Love” – Cory Asbury Psalm 86:15 – "But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Let your worship be a reflection of the patient and kind love God has shown you. Scripture Reading Start with the theme verse , 1 Corinthians 13:4. Then consider reading the full context in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 to reflect on th...

When you step out in faith, seeking to follow Jesus more closely and rethink what church should be, you will face opposition . People will misunderstand you. Some will dismiss you. Others may even try to shut you down. It’s easy to let that hurt turn into bitterness —but if we do, we lose sight of what really matters. So how do we stand firm in faith without hardening our hearts? Keep Your Focus on Jesus, Not People It’s easy to get caught up in who hurt us and what they did wrong . But at the end of the day, our faith isn’t about them—it’s about Jesus . Hebrews 12:2 – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” John 21:22 – When Peter asked Jesus about John’s future, Jesus replied, “What is that to you? You follow Me.” The goal isn’t proving others wrong —it’s staying faithful to the One who called us. Let Go of Resentment Before It Takes Root Bitterness is like a weed—if you let it grow, it will choke out everything good. Ephesians 4:31-32 ...

Theme Verse: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s quiet our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to lead this time together. Opening Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of forgiveness through Jesus. Help us today to understand the depth of that gift and to extend it to others. Soften our hearts where we have been hurt, and teach us to forgive as You have forgiven us. In Jesus’ name, amen. Worship Let these songs and Scripture lead you into worship and reflection: “Forgiveness” – Matthew West “Mercy” – Elevation Worship Psalm 103:8–12 – A reminder of God’s great mercy and forgiveness Worship is a powerful way to let go of bitterness and open up to healing. Scripture Reading Begin with the theme verse , Ephesians 4:32. Then read Ephesians 4:25–5:2 for a fuller understanding of living as God’s beloved children—kind, compassionate, and f...

Many people believe that ministry requires a title or position —but it doesn’t. True leadership isn’t about having a platform, a pulpit, or a church role . It’s about being faithful to what God has called you to do , no matter who recognizes it. If God has put something on your heart, you don’t need permission from people to be obedient to Him. Leadership Is About Example, Not Authority Jesus flipped the world’s idea of leadership upside down. He didn’t seek a title—He served. Mark 10:43-45 – “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” You don’t need a title to be a light, to love others, to disciple, or to serve. Your life is your ministry. Stop Waiting for Permission One of the biggest roadblocks to living out faith is waiting for approval —from church leadership, from family, from peers. But if God has called you to something, He h...

Theme Verse: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:39 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s prepare our hearts to hear from God and walk in His love. Opening Prayer: Lord, thank You for showing us how to love through the life of Jesus. Help us today to grow in compassion and kindness. Open our eyes to the needs of those around us, and teach us to love selflessly, just as You love us. In Jesus’ name, amen. Worship Use these songs and a psalm to help set the tone for this week’s theme: “By Our Love” – For King & Country or Christy Nockels “The Proof of Your Love” – For King & Country Psalm 15 – A reminder of living with integrity and love toward others Let the worship point you toward what it means to live out love in action. Scripture Reading Begin with the theme verse , Matthew 22:39. For a broader understanding, read Matthew 22:36–40 , where Jesus teaches that loving God and loving others are the two greatest commandments. Discussi...

It’s easy to say we have a "relationship with Jesus." We hear it all the time. But what does it take to make that relationship real, deep, and meaningful ? How do we move beyond just words and into something alive and transforming ? 1. Ask God to Make It Real If you feel distant from God, start by asking Him to restore the joy of your salvation (Psalm 51:12). Pray for Him to reignite the fire in your heart.   “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Sometimes, we just need to ask. We need to be honest with Him— God, I want more. I want to know You deeply, not just in theory, but in reality. Help me make this relationship real. 2. Let Go of What’s in the Way Every deep relationship requires removing obstacles that keep it from growing. Think about a marriage—if one person is too distracted, too busy, or too invested in other things, the relationship suffers. Even "good things" can take priority over the most important thing —knowing a...

There is no greater love than the love God has shown us through His Son, Jesus Christ. And there is no greater gift than the one He freely offers: eternal life. Let’s walk through the simple, powerful message of salvation as revealed in Scripture. This is the Good News—the Gospel. We’ve All Fallen Short “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” —Romans 3:23 Every one of us has failed to meet God’s perfect standard. We have all sinned, and on our own, we are unworthy of the gift of eternal life. Even our best efforts cannot save us. But God Loves Us Anyway “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8 Even in our sin, God made a way. Jesus lived a sinless life, but took on our punishment. He died in our place so that we could be forgiven and restored. Eternal Life Is a Gift “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 6:23 S...

Theme Verse: “We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Take a moment to quiet your heart and invite God into your time of worship. Opening Prayer: Father, thank You for loving us so completely and unconditionally. Help us to receive that love today and reflect it in how we live and how we treat others. May Your love shape our hearts, our homes, and our words. In Jesus' name, amen. Worship Here are some songs and Scripture to reflect on God's incredible love: “How He Loves” – David Crowder Band “Your Love Never Fails” – Jesus Culture Psalm 136:1 – "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." Let the lyrics and Scripture soak in and remind you of how deeply you are loved. Scripture Reading Start with the theme verse , 1 John 4:19. Then read 1 John 4:7–21 to see the fuller picture of God's love and how we are called to love one another. Discussion & Reflection ...