May 22, 2026

Friends,

Before we dive in, I want to say a huge thank you to Susan DeWyngaert and Dave Householder for leading our "Just Jesus" class. Check out a link to the original video, plus a very helpful summary report of the class to go back and review.

When Tim talked about the difference between a rowboat church and a sailboat church in his sermon on Sunday (I encourage you to go back and listen if you missed it!), it made me wonder: do we approach theology and Bible study the same way?

Sometimes, we open scripture looking for neat, tidy answers, operating under the assumption that if we just work hard enough, we can completely figure God out. We grab the oars of our intellect and paddle furiously, treating Bible study like a rowboat, believing that our own human effort, strict methodologies, and sheer determination will produce the "right" answers.

But when we reduce scripture to a series of intellectual problems to be solved, we risk missing the entire point of the journey. In our rush to map every coordinate and secure every conclusion, we easily neglect the beauty of holy mystery. The deep things of God are not a puzzle to be mastered, but a reality to be encountered.

When we insist on rowing, we also tend to close our ears to the wind. We miss where the Holy Spirit is actively trying to take us. A "sailboat" approach to studying scripture requires a posture of surrender. It means letting go of the need for total control, hoisting the sails of faith and curiosity, and allowing the Spirit to breathe fresh insights into our hearts. Our study ceases to be a grueling exercise in self-reliance and becomes an adventure of divine movement, one where we are carried into deeper waters than our own strength could ever reach.

My question for us: The next time you open your Bible, notice your posture: Are you gripping the oars of your own understanding, or are you hoisting a sail to see where the Wind will take you?

We also request your feedback on summer Bible study ideas. Please reach out to Eric Robinson, Dave Householder or Doug DeCelle!

Adult Classes At-A-Glance

Sunday

Lost Screwtape Letters

When? May 24 (10:05-10:55) | May 31 (9:00-9:45)

Where? The Library

Also, please consider contributing an article, devotional, poem, or to share your thoughts. I'd love to include you!

Blessings!

Eric Robinson

A recent archaeological dig uncovered four lost Screwtape Letters. At least, that's one story. The more likely story is that these are four letters, written by Eric Robinson, in the voice and style of C.S. Lewis.

The letters offer a provocative look into the Book of Revelation and the highly relevant questions that emerge. Join us for two weeks as Eric leads us to unpack these letters!

When? May 24 (10:05-10:55) | May 31 (9:10-9:55)

Where? The Library

Want to Join Online? Join us on Google Meet

First Connect Summer Bible Study!

Feedback Requested

As we look ahead to the summer, we are planning to meet together on Sundays from 9:00-9:45 in the Library in June and July.

We’d love to get your feedback on a book of the Bible or topic of study! All ideas are welcome!

Please reach out to Eric Robinson, Dave Householder, or Doug DeCelle to share your thoughts. 

Check out this very helpful summary review of the Just Jesus class!

ICYMI, learn more about Roman Associations and Guilds through the infographic and slide deck below!

ARE YOU TECH SAVVY AND WANT TO DIG DEEPER?

Don't forget to visit our FPC First Connect Digital Resource Library.

Also, check out the NotebookLM notebook for Just Jesus, Revelation and The Screwtape Letters. You'll need to log in with your Gmail to view. When you get there, try the "chat" feature first (middle tab). Ask a question and see what happens! For example, In the Revelation notebook you might ask, "What are some of the most important symbols in Revelation?" or "What does the dragon represent?" Or you might open the Screwtape Letters notebook and ask, "Give me a brief introduction to the book."