A weekly gathering where participants share authentically about life's challenges, struggles with time, loss, and finding God's presence in difficult seasons
Join us this Friday for authentic community sharing and mutual encouragement
Our Friday Seminars are intimate gatherings where participants share deeply and honestly about their spiritual journeys, struggles, and discoveries. Each week explores a different theme that touches the heart - from what breaks us open with compassion, to processing pain, understanding love, recognizing God's presence, and learning about grace versus performance.
Each week, participants courageously share their personal experiences with:
"This setting is new to me and helpful. I've never been able to bounce these kinds of things off of people that understand the Spirit. It's comforting to hear others doing the same thing, living the same."
- Mark, regular participant
"I lived a shameful life with lots of regrets. The fact that God still has mercy and grace - it's hard to accept. I still want to blame myself. But He forgives it, and learning that God is greater than our condemning hearts is changing me."
"Through studying Hebrew word by word in Song of Solomon, I discover patterns within patterns. It's not just intellectual - Christ is right there opening my eyes to things I've never seen before. It gives me joy and hope even through loss and ongoing family drama."
"I was raised in strict performance orientation - you have to do things exactly right or suffer consequences. I know grace intellectually, but I can't wrap my mind around it. Learning to distinguish righteousness from holiness, striving from love, has been my journey."
Participants discover profound spiritual truths through honest sharing and Scripture study. Weekly themes have explored what breaks our hearts open with compassion, how we process pain rather than hide from it, what we're learning about giving and receiving love, the gap between knowing God's presence and living as if He's present, and the freedom found in being slaves of Christ.
Biblical references emerge organically from discussion - from Christ becoming sin on our behalf, to the Emmaus Road where Jesus opened the Scriptures, to Romans 7's war between knowing and doing, to 1 Corinthians 13's definition of love, to 1 John 3:20 reminding us that God is greater than our condemning hearts. The Hebrew patterns woven through Scripture reveal God's character and emotions in ways that bring healing and joy.
What makes these seminars transformative is the courage to share vulnerably about real struggles - not just intellectual discussions but emotional, authentic sharing about pain, sin, forgiveness, love, and the daily challenge of acknowledging God's presence. Participants discover they're not alone in wrestling with performance-based faith, struggling to forgive themselves, or feeling the tension between knowing God is present and living as if He is.
As one participant said, "This setting is new to me and helpful. I've never been able to bounce these kinds of things off of people that understand the Spirit." The seminars create space for honesty without judgment, where mental illness isn't stigmatized, where consequences of sin can be acknowledged alongside God's forgiveness, and where helping others becomes the overflow of receiving God's comfort.
"What brings me the biggest, deepest happiness is helping others. There's nothing better than somebody calling to chat about the scriptures or what's going on in their life, and praying together."
- Charlie, regular participant
Watch previous Friday Seminar sessions where participants share authentically about life's challenges, navigating difficult seasons, and finding God's presence in times of struggle. Each session is recorded and available for those who might benefit from these shared experiences.
A tender exploration of weariness that runs deeper than physical exhaustion. Ernst reflects on tiredness that seeps into your bones and learning that grace shows up quietly through small rituals. Lindy powerfully shares from Isaiah 40 about God who doesn't grow faint, connecting her family's multi-generational story of weariness and her recent health challenges. She testifies how the Mercy Journal and KJ3 Scripture songs on BiblicalTools.org became her way of waiting upon the Lord and renewing strength. Charlie shares the parallel of Martha anxiously serving versus Mary choosing the good part, opening up about anxiety surrounding his friend with ALS. Profound discussions about soul-weariness versus physical exhaustion, learning to rest and stop striving, and how intimate time with Christ restores more than frantic service.
Exploring where we discover small, unexpected moments of hope in everyday life. Ernst shares finding glimmers in creation during morning walks, Lindy describes singing Song of Solomon in Hebrew, Charlie emphasizes waiting in silence for hope from God, Mark shares about seeing validation of spiritual growth in small transformative moments. Powerful discussions about eternal hope and how hope doesn't erase pain but sits quietly beside it.
A profound exploration of holding opposing emotions simultaneously. Ernst shares about losing his son Guy and how gratitude prevents grief from turning into bitterness. Charlie reflects on not having a father but being grateful for his grandmother. Mark describes moving 3,000 miles away and living alone. Al shares about caregiving. Powerful discussions about repurposing suffering and Psalm 30:5.
A powerful exploration of the things we avoid. Ernst shares about running from success and fear of visibility. Charlie opens up about being a people-pleaser and avoiding honest communication. Mark wrestles with whether he's avoiding reconciliation with estranged children or wisely waiting on God's timing. Profound discussions about forgiveness and allowing God to meet us in our weakness.
Exploring the kind of joy that surprises and sustains us. Ernst shares about being surprised by joy and God's faithfulness. Lindy presents a profound teaching on the 'dance of two armies' from Song of Solomon. Charlie leads a scriptural journey through biblical joy and shares about his daughter's marriage struggles. Powerful discussions about joy coexisting with pain.
A powerful exploration of spiritual hunger and authentic community. From Philippians 3:10 to discovering Scripture breathes life, testimonies of freedom, and beautiful discussions about kindness and compassion.
Exploring what moves us to tears, compassion, and deep feeling through Christ's sacrifice, God's undeserved love, and testimonies of forgiveness.
Exploring the tension between knowing God's presence and living as if He's present. Deep discussions on Romans 7, the Emmaus Road, grace versus performance, and God's provision of both desire and ability.
Participants share honestly about processing pain through grief, loss, and life struggles. From hiding behind laughter to learning vulnerability with God, transformative stories about moving through pain rather than around it.
Understanding love through decades of marriage, breaking free from performance-based expectations, forgiving difficult relationships, and discovering authentic community. Heartfelt testimonies about genuine connection and transformation.
Exploring the internal narratives we run and discovering new perspectives on difficult seasons.
Sharing about navigating unexpected changes and finding stability in God during uncertain times.
How our struggles can be repurposed by God to encourage others on similar journeys.
The power of shared experience and authentic community during difficult seasons.
Discussing how our relationship with time changes through significant life events and loss.
Learning to trust God's timing and plan when life feels out of control.
Navigating family emergencies, medical diagnoses, and maintaining faith through crisis.
Learning to trust God's timing during seasons of waiting and uncertainty.
Finding hope and God's presence during life's darkest and most challenging periods.
Processing grief, loss of loved ones, and finding comfort in community understanding.
Learning contentment with God's daily plan rather than our own expectations.
Extended session with deep community sharing about life's ongoing challenges and victories.
Extended sharing session with participants opening up about major life transitions and healing.
Navigating major life transitions and finding God's guidance through change.
The power of authentic community and mutual support during difficult times.
Longest session with comprehensive sharing about life's deepest struggles and God's faithfulness.
Building authentic community and learning to share vulnerably about real struggles.
Early session establishing the foundation for authentic community sharing and mutual encouragement.
As we continue these meaningful gatherings, we seek support to expand our reach and provide accessible spaces for more people to experience this community of authentic sharing and mutual encouragement.
Your contribution helps us maintain the technology infrastructure for virtual gatherings and develop resources that emerge from these shared experiences.
