Welcome to our new weekend series, which we are simply calling The Bible Doesn’t Say That. Over the next few weeks, we will look at some sayings and concepts people think are found in Scripture but aren’t. Perhaps you heard your grandma say them, or they were given as a piece of advice that just sounded right, so you assumed they must be in the Bible. Today, we’ll look at one of the first I heard.

I. Where Did it Originate?

II. Is There Any Truth to It?

III. What Does the Bible Say?

Talk with God: Meditate on vv. 8-10 and thank the Lord that “we shall be saved by His life” (v. 10).

Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer who may be struggling right now, reminding them that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Talk with kids: What are some ways you can tell others about Jesus?

Saving anyone from death would, of course, be a noble goal. If physical death threatens someone and we can help them avert it, we should by all means try to do so. But especially if there is a risk of spiritual, eternal death, we should step in and try to stop it. Today I will share the four musts of saving a soul from death. These four ingredients are needed for every Christian life.

I. Restoration Must Be Our Plan

II. Admonition Must Be Our Call

III. Conversion Must Be Our Goal

IV. Salvation Must Be The Result

Talk with God: Pray for an unbelieving or backslidden friend or family member and take comfort in knowing God’s Word “shall not return…void” (Isaiah 55:11).

Talk with others: Sharpen another believer (see Proverbs 27:17) this week through gentle, Spirit-led correction, encouraging words, or time spent praying together.

Talk with kids: What difficulties did Paul and Barnabas have to endure while sharing the gospel?

As the war on Christianity intensifies, it is tempting to feel overwhelmed and underprepared, but believers have a powerful weapon that is always available—prayer. In this message, Nate Heitzig examines James 5:16-18 to discover who prayer is for, how we should pray, and the impact it makes.

I. What Is It?

II. Who Can Use It?

III. What’s the Impact?

Talk with God: Is there someone or something that you’ve given up praying about?

Talk with others: “Confess your faults” (v. 17, KJV) to a mentor or trusted fellow believer and ask them to pray for you and hold you accountable as you tackle these areas in your life.

Talk with kids: What’s the difference between knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus?

The son of great missionary Hudson Taylor noted of his father, “For forty years the sun never rose on China that God didn’t find him on his knees.” Someone called prayer the gymnasium of the soul. When was the last time you had a good “workout”? Today, James jumps into the mysterious cooperation of the divine with the human through prayer. When and why should we do it?

I. Pray When You're Suffering

II. Pray When You're Smiling

III. Pray When You're Sick

IV. Pray When You Sin

V. Pray For the Saints

Talk with God: Consider your prayer life—what things consistently keep you from praying (e.g. anxiety, distractions)? Surrender them to the Lord this week.

Talk with others: Invite a few friends to gather regularly to spend time in prayer together.

Talk with kids: How do you use the gifts God has given you to serve your church?