Previous Studies
Previous Studies
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- Ended May 2025 -
- Ended May 2025 -
Mere Christianity explores the core beliefs of Christianity by providing an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. A brilliant collection, Mere Christianity remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C. S. Lewis’s reputation as one of the leading writer and thinkers of our age.
The book brings together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War II. Lewis discusses that everyone is curious about: right and wrong, human nature, morality, marriage, sins, forgiveness, faith, hope, generosity, and kindness.
BACK COVER: One of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide. The book brings together C. S. Lewis's legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to "explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times." Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many de-nominations, Lewis provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. It is a collection of scintillating brilliance that remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C. S. Lewis's reputation as one of the leading writers and thinkers of our age.
Ended December 2024
Ended December 2024
Progress never comes easily! If you want to see improvement and concrete results, in anything you do, you will need to embrace discomfort. Yet it’s the discomfort that prevents men from pressing on toward the goal.
The book of James, which was written by the half-brother of Jesus, serves as a call to action for those who are hesitant to push through discomfort. And for those men who like a challenge, James is the book. This book will spur you toward righteous action.
In The Book of James For Men, author and speaker Vince Miller explores vital spiritual elements which are important for men of all ages and stages of life. This book addresses the tough issues we all encounter and teaches us to face them head on in a godly way. This study can be used for personal growth, one-on-one mentorship, or a group study.
Ended November 2024
Ended November 2024
- Digital Course Book
The Practicing the Way Course.pdf
We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice.
To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him.
This introduction to spiritual formation is full of John Mark Comer’s trademark mix of theological substance and cultural insight as well as practical wisdom on developing your own Rule of Life.
These ancient practices have much to offer us. By learning to rearrange our days, we can follow the Way of Jesus. We can be with him. Become like him. And do as he did.
Book Website:
Additional resources can be found on the dedicated website to help guid your development of a "Rule of Life" [https://www.practicingtheway.org/resources]
Ended April 2024
Ended April 2024
In 2024, we will create a ‘Rule of Life’ that expresses and invites us into the practices we see in Scripture that leads to the ‘Abundant Life’ found only in ‘abiding’ in Jesus. | John 15:1-17
In 2024, we will center our church culture & practices around the core value of ‘Community’. | Acts 2:42-47
In 2024, we will continue to align our culture and ministry practices towards ‘equipping people for ministry’. | Ephesians 4:11-13
In 2024, we commit to being a ‘Sending’ community – intentionally ‘sending’ our resources and our people into the call of the Great Commission. | Acts 1:8
In 2024, we will purposefully care for, and use, our facility to facilitate community within the HRAC family, and to bless the Hood River community around us. | Matthew 5:14
Ended March 2024
Ended March 2024
Ecclesiastes is for people who have their doubts about God, but can't stop thinking about him. The author of Ecclesiastes had his doubts, too, and these have enabled him to speak to skeptics as well as believers down through the centuries.
Ecclesiastes is a book rich in literary artistry and multi-layered depths of spiritual meaning. Philip G. Ryken explores this wonderful Old Testament book, and reminds us again of the need to trust God with the questions, even when we do not have all the answers.
Week 1 (Jan 9): Preface / Why Bother?
Week 2 (Jan 16): The Ultimate Quest
Week 3 (Jan 23): Meaningful Hedonism
Week 4 (Jan 30): Working Things Out
Week 5 (Feb 6): All in Good Time
Week 6 (Feb 13): Death and Injustice
Week 7 (Feb 20): Satisfaction Not Guaranteed
Week 8 (Feb 27): The Crook in the Lot
Week 9 (Mar 5): Don't Forget!
Week 10 (Mar 12): The Final Analysis
Book of Ecclesiastes Summary: A Complete Animated Overview
Book of Ecclesiastes Summary: A Complete Animated Overview
Watch The Bible Project's overview video on the book of Ecclesiastes, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This book forces us to face death and random chance, and the challenges they pose to a naive belief in God’s goodness.
There are four powerful truths—four beautiful realities that the season of Advent prompts in our hearts. They are: Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. For those not familiar with the liturgical calendar used by many Christians throughout the centuries, Advent has historically been a period of four weeks, leading up to Christmas, that the church has set aside to help focus our hearts on the coming of our Messiah—specifically through the lens of these four themes. Then we reach the pinnacle of the season as we arrive at Christmas Eve and rest our eyes on Jesus Himself.
Week 1: Hope
Week 2: Peace
Week 3: Love
Week 4: Joy
Christmas Reflection: Christ
* NOTE: Group Hiatus Fall 2021-Fall 2023 *
* NOTE: Group Hiatus Fall 2021-Fall 2023 *
It is absolutely clear from Scripture that God passionately desires supernatural unity within His Church. Unity is what Jesus prays for, what He commands, and what He says will be our greatest witness to the world.
If unity is so important to the heart of God, why is the Church one of the most divided groups on earth?
In his newest book Until Unity, New York Times-bestselling author Francis Chan calls for believers and churches everywhere to align our hearts with God and start taking seriously His numerous commands to unify. While many believe doctrine is at the root of the problem, Francis argues that the real problem is the shallowness or non-existence of our love for each other—rooted in a shallowness in our understanding of the gospel. This is what desperately needs to change.
The reason that God gifts the Church with leaders is so they can equip God’s people in a way that leads to “unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13). We have done a poor job at this, but it can all change. Those who are believers will hear the call and be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (v. 3). There will be opposition, but we cannot allow anything to discourage us from giving everything we have to the pursuit of a unified, restored Bride.
Study Reading Plan
Study Reading Plan
Week 1 (June 8) - Introduction
Week 2 (June 15) - Chapter 1: It's What the Trinity Wants
Week 3 (June 22) - Chapter 2: It's What You Want
Week 4 (June 29) - Chapter 3: It's What the World Needs
Week 5 (July 6) - Chapter 4: It Starts with Repentance
Week 6 (July 13) - Chapter 5: It Comes with Maturity
Week 7 (July 20) - Chapter 6: It Survives with Love
Week 8 (July 27) - Chapter 7: It Requires a Fight
Week 9 (August 3) - Chapter 8: It Must Start Small
Week 10 (August 10) - Conclusion: A Return to Childlike Faith
Be Committed (Ruth & Esther): Doing God's Will Whatever the Cost (Ended June 2021 - Amazon Link - 192 pages)
Be Committed (Ruth & Esther): Doing God's Will Whatever the Cost (Ended June 2021 - Amazon Link - 192 pages)
One was a foreigner and a peasant. The other, a reluctant queen to a man she hardly knew. But their stories have one thing in common: A remarkable faith committed to doing God's will.
For both Ruth and Esther, God used stressful circumstances to bring about his eternal purposes. Ruth's commitment to the God of Naomi affected every generation to come, as she became an ancestor of King David and more importantly, Jesus Christ. Esther's obedience led to the preservation of her people at a moment in history when all seemed lost.
The stories of Ruth and Esther will make you contemplate: Would I trust God enough to do what they did? Go chapter by chapter through the books of Ruth and Esther to see how the lives of these two remarkable women epitomize the type of faith that glorifies God.
As you read, ask yourself: How does God want to use my faithful commitment? Will he use your life to affect the generations to come, or will he use your life to impact the current generation? Either way, author Warren Wiersbe helps you to be prepared and be committed to God's will no matter what the cost.
The book of Ruth is a beautifully-crafted look at how God’s good purpose interplays with human decision. It’s a tale of love, loss, faithfulness, and redemption. (EXPLORE MORE)
A classic story of good versus evil, the Book of Esther is a unique account in the Bible. It gives us a glimpse of the Jews who remained outside their homeland after the Exile, particularly the Jews living in the Persian Empire. (EXPLORE MORE)
Study Reading Plan
Study Reading Plan
Week 1 (Mar 23) - Ruth Prelude / You Can't Run Away (Ruth 1)
Week 2 (Mar 30) - The Greatest of These (Ruth 2)
Week 3 (Apr 6) - The Midnight Meeting (Ruth 3)
Week 4 (Apr 13) - Love Finds A Way (Ruth 4)
Week 5 (Apr 20) - Reflections of Ruth / Esther Prelude
Week 6 (Apr 27) - The Queen Says "No!" (Esther 1)
Week 7 (May 4) - The New Queen (Esther 2)
Week 8 (May 11) - An Old Enemy With A New Name (Esther 3)
Week 9 (May 18 ) - A Day of Decision (Esther 4)
Week 10 (May 25) - A Day in the Life of The Prime Minister (Esther 5)
Week 11 (June 1) - Warning Signals (Esther 6)
Week 12 (June 8) - The Mask Comes Off (Esther 7)
Week 13 (June 15) - From Victims to Victors (Esther 8)
Week 14 (June 22) - God Keeps His Promises (Esther 9)
We've all heard the phrase: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. What about faith? Will your faith thrive in tough times? Do you desire a more resolute faith?
The book of Daniel relates the familiar Sunday School stories of the lions' den, the fiery furnace, and some remarkable prophecies, but take some time to investigate these stories more closely. How did Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego possess such a fearless faith? Perhaps no one in the Bible possessed a more resolute faith in God than these individuals. Daniel and his peers never took the easy way out, but stood their ground, even in face of death.
There's a lot to be learned from Daniel about unshakable faith. Study this extraordinary Old Testament book. Even more importantly, apply what you learn as respected Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe unfolds both the explicit and implicit teachings to lead you to a more resolute faith.
Study Reading Plan
Study Reading Plan
Week 1 (Oct 27) - God Rules and Overrules (Daniel 1)
Week 2 (Nov 3) - The God of Dreams and Destinies (Daniel 2)
Week 3 (Nov 10) - Faith and the Fiery Trial (Daniel 3)
Week 4 (Nov 17) - Learning the Hard Way (Daniel 4)
Week 5 (Nov 24) - Numbered, Weighted, and Rejected (Daniel 5)
Week 6 (Dec 1) - Liars, Laws, and Lions (Daniel 6)
Week 7 (Dec 8) - "Thy Kingdom Come" (Daniel 7)
Week 8 (Dec 15) - Beasts, Angles, and the End Times (Daniel 8)
SKIP For Christmas & New Years
Week 9 (Jan 5 ) - The Prophetic Calendar (Daniel 9)
Week 10 (Jan 12) - A Remarkable Experience & Interlude (Daniel 10)
Week 11 (Jan 19) - A Remarkable Prophecy - Part 1 (Daniel 11:1-35)
Week 12 (Jan 26) - A Remarkable Prophecy - Part 2 (Daniel 11:36-12:13)
Week 13 (Feb 2) - A Resolute Man God Greatly Loved (A Review of Daniel)
The story of Daniel inspires faithfulness and hope that God will bring all nations under his rule.
How can Israel have faith in the midst of darkness, rebellion, and exile? In Daniel, we see an exemplary man of faith. This remarkable piece of Scripture has encouraged the faithful for centuries and given us a glimpse of the hope of God's Kingdom yet to come. (EXPLORE MORE)
See what a God-shaped life looks like when it gets lived out. Using memorable images and poetic turns of phrase, Proverbs describes what our everyday lives look like when we’ve put our spiritual lives in order. Find help for every decision, and apply life-giving insights to the broad range of challenges you experience in your life―family, friendships, injustice, desire, goodness, conflict, and more.
LifeChange Bible studies will help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again.
Features
Cover the entire book of Proverbs in 15 lessons
Equip yourself to lead a bible study
Imagine the Bible’s historical world
Study word origins and definitions
Explore thoughtful questions on key themes
Go deeper with optional projects
Add your notes with extra space and wide margins
Find the flexibility to fit the time you have
Study Reading Plan
Study Reading Plan
Week 1 (Feb 18) - How to use this study / Introduction to The Book of Proverbs
Week 2 (Feb 25) - Wisdom's Benefits (!:1-7; 1:20-2:10)
Week 3 (Mar 3) - Wisdom's Benefits Continued (3:1-4:27)
Week 4 (Mar 10) - The Futility of Folly
Week 5 (Mar 17) - God & Man
Week 6 (Mar 24) - Friendship
Week 7 (Mar 31) - Sexual Purity
Week 8 (Apr 7) - The Blessings of Righteousness
Week 9 (Apr 14) - Humility vs. Pride
Week 10 (Apr 21) - Hard Work vs. Laziness
Week 11 (Apr 28) - Proper Speech
Week 12 (May 5) - Emotions
Week 13 (May 12) - Wealth & Poverty
Week 14 (May 19) - Life & Death
Week 15 (May 26) - Looking Back (Challenge & Review)
BibleProject | Proverbs
BibleProject | Proverbs
Tim and Jon talk about the ancient wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. The author of Proverbs is this incredible teacher who offers guidance for just about everything humans will encounter in their lives, but is it just a book of wisdom sayings that we can memorize and put on our walls? The guys will go on to explain that wisdom, and the Hebrew concept of “chokmah,” is much more than that.
These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) “Gospel Glimpses” highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) “Whole-Bible Connections” show how any given passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) “Theological Soundings” identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture.
This 12-week study invites us to take an honest look at the agony and pain experienced by Job, which are immediately relevant to the suffering we all experience while on earth. However, it takes us beyond the suffering and into the sovereignty and trustworthiness of God in the midst of our trials. Eric Ortlund helps us see God's purposes in suffering as we look ahead to the restoration of all things in the new creation.
The Bible Project video overview of the Book of Job:
The Bible Project video overview of the Book of Job:
How do you trust God even when life isn’t fair and you suffer for no good reason? Job’s story invites us to consider what it means that God runs the world by wisdom, and how this truth can bring peace in dark times.
Auxiliary Podcast Material:
Auxiliary Podcast Material:
Job Podcast #1: Suffering Well - Why do good people suffer? Why is there evil in the world? Why can’t God make it so that everyone always gets what they deserve? Many people turn to Job to learn about how to deal with suffering as it is a very realistic portrayal of someone dealing with circumstances that are unfair. But is that all the book of Job is about?
Job Podcast #2: Where on Earth is "Uz"? - This is part two of The Bible Project's three part conversation on Job. The question in Job is if God is just does that mean that the universe ought to always be run by the principle of strict just compensation. In this way the book of Job is a perfect thought experiment to explore this question. Job has done nothing to deserve the suffering that is inflicted on him. God acknowledges there was no reason. But even though Job doesn’t deserve it, he is still human and he reacts to the suffering in a myriad of ways. Sometimes trusting and praising God, sometimes accusing God of being cruel and untrustworthy.
Job Podcast #3: Job vs. Elihu - This is our third and final conversation about the book of Job. First we talk about Elihu, a character that seems to pop up out of nowhere. Then we talk about chapter 28 in Job, how it stands apart from the rest of the speeches and gives us a clue as to what the point of the whole book is. Then we talk about the final showdown. God responds to Job’s accusations of being unjust and unfair.
Ecclesiastes is for people who have their doubts about God, but can't stop thinking about him. The author of Ecclesiastes had his doubts, too, and these have enabled him to speak to skeptics as well as believers down through the centuries.
Ecclesiastes is a book rich in literary artistry and multi-layered depths of spiritual meaning. Philip G. Ryken explores this wonderful Old Testament book, and reminds us again of the need to trust God with the questions, even when we do not have all the answers.
Follow discussions between Tim & Jon as they prepare to write scripts for our three videos on the wisdom books. Dive into Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job now!
Extra Content:
Extra Content:
As goes the man, so goes the family—the church—the nation—and sadly, it’s not going well. Every statistic, from porn to paternity, from divorce to detention rates, shouts with astounding clarity: "Men are in trouble!"
Men are struggling not to slip into superficial, self-indulgent secularism when so many on every side are running in that direction. The need is urgent and the time is now for real revival in the hearts of men. If you are seeking a path forward—an action to get some traction in a better direction—Act Like Men is that path.
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