The Vine Austin

The Vine; a church in Austin, TX
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  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Podcast by The Vine; a church in Austin, TX

  1. 5D AGO

    Colossians: Chapter 4

    Mark closes out Paul's letter to the Colossians with a reflection on chapter 4. We unpack the subtle stories of the names toward the end, consider Paul's final charge, and remember his chains. www.thevineaustin.org Reflection Questions: 1. At the end of Colossians, Paul instructs the church to share the letter with other church communities (4:16). How might that instruction shape the view the early church had of these letters as sacred, even worthy of being a part of the Biblical canon? 2. What stayed with you from the sermon- either as confusing, curious or encouraging? 3. Verse 2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” How might watchfulness and gratitude fuel a devoted life in prayer? 4. Verses 3-4 say, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” What does it mean to proclaim the mystery of Christ? How does one proclaim a mystery with clarity? 5. Verses 5-6 say, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” What do you notice in this instruction? How might this challenge and encourage The Vine? 6. Paul finishes this letter with the phrase, “Remember my chains.” Why would Paul end with that reminder and image? 7. Paul clearly had a personal mission and challenge to the church - proclaim Jesus in word and deed. What is holding you back from living into that calling and how might you take steps towards a courageous witness?

    26 min

  2. FEB 1

    Colossians: Chapter 3

    Fabs continues with the third chapter of Colossians. www.thevineaustin.org Reflection Questions: 1. When have you had an experience that changed how you saw your life, even though nothing “externally” changed? 2. What are some earthly things your family of origin culture used to measure worth? What are some things you judge your own worth on today? 3. What stayed with you from the sermon- either as confusing, curious or encouraging? 4. Read verses 5-14. What are some old habits or reactions you most want freedom from right now? Or some new behaviors you’d love to embody more? 5. When conflict shows up in your life, which myth do you tend to fall into more easily: “I’m okay, you’re not” or “You’re okay, I’m not”? How do you see that play out? 6. Paul speaks dignity into people participating in broken systems instead of dehumanizing people within them. What do you find encouraging or challenging about that perspective? 7. What is one small, concrete way you could “set your mind on heavenly things” this week?

    34 min

  3. JAN 25

    Colossians: Chapter 2

    The cold can't hold us back! Mark shares a message from Colossians 2:1-10 as we continue in this series. This passage explores the hiddenness of Jesus, the mystery of God and the two-word phrase that is central to the spiritual life. www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Read Colossians 2:1-10. What do you see Paul doing in these verses? 2. How do you experience the hiddenness of God? How is that hiddenness a blessing? 3. Consider verse 6-7. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” How do we continue to live our lives in him? How do we continue to be rooted and built up in him? 4. Reread verse 9. Then, react to that quote from Thomas Merton. “There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace, my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God. If I find Him I will find myself and if I find my true self I will find Him.” How is discovering God and self intertwined? 5. What else has stayed with you from this message- either as confusing, encouraging or challenging?

    15 min

  4. JAN 18

    Colossians: Chapter 1

    Mark begins our series on the Letter to the Colossians with an overview of Chapter 1. www.thevineaustin.org Colossians 1:15-23 Reflection Questions: 1. What is the smallest town you've lived in? 2. Consider Paul's experience writing letters to churches and how they became Scripture. Does that inspire hope, questions, wonder, or something else? 3. Paul is writing not only to give encouragement to this small church but to warn about gnosticism. How has that heresy found its way into modern Christianity? 4. Read the poem in verses 15-18. What do you see about the nature of Jesus in these verses? 5. Read verses 19-23. What do you notice about the promise of Jesus' reconciliation? 6. Consider the causal nature of the word "if" in verse 23. What is this speaking about? 7. How is your hope quotient? What in this passage can inspire greater hope?

    34 min

  5. JAN 11

    Vision Sunday 2026

    Welcome to Vision Sunday 2026. In this message, Mark reflects upon 2025 and where God has brought us. Then, Mark shares about the upcoming year and some important plans. www.thevineaustin.org. Matthew 11:16-20

    27 min

  6. JAN 4

    New Years Liturgy - Release and Embrace

    The Vine kicked off the year with a meditative and interactive service. Here are the two meditations that were included. www.thevineaustin.org

    17 min

  7. 12/25/2025

    Questions of Christmas- Treasure and Ponder

    Merry Christmas. On this Christmas Eve, Mark concludes our Questions of Christmas series with a message from Luke 2. In this sermon, we hear how we respond to the fulfillment of Christ's birth. We treasure and ponder. www.thevineaustin.org

    16 min

  8. 12/21/2025

    Questions of Christmas: Where is He?

    Pastor Ben shares our next question in the Christmas narrative. It is a question that humanity has asked again and again. Where is he? www.thevineaustin.org Matthew 2:1-12

    24 min
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About

Podcast by The Vine; a church in Austin, TX

Information

  • Creator
    The Vine; a church in Austin, TX
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    480
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Vine Austin