The Vine Austin

The Vine; a church in Austin, TX
  • 4.9 (16)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Podcast by The Vine; a church in Austin, TX

  1. 1D AGO

    Stories from the Margin- Daughters of Zelophehad

    This week, Fabs shares from an unfamiliar story from scripture found in Numbers 27. Listen to the story of the daughters of Zelophehad and how God wants to reconstruct structures that support the often forgotten and overlooked. www.thevineaustin.org Numbers 27:1-8 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What about the sermon was encouraging, confusing, or challenging? 2. The sermon talked about how systems can marginalize people without anyone meaning to - just because they're built around a "norm." Where have you seen that happen? 3. What's a system you've been inside that wasn't built with you in mind? How did it shape what you believed about yourself? 4. What about God’s response to the sisters is striking to you? 5. Why do you think God works through people to change systems instead of just fixing them directly? Does this feel encouraging or discouraging? 6. Which posture do you feel closer to: waiting for God to fix it, or trying to fix it all yourself? 7. The change in this story required the daughters to resist, Moses to listen and use his power, and others to give up land they would have inherited. Which role resonates most with you right now? Which role feels hardest? 8. What did you take from the testimony shared on Sunday?

    38 min
  2. Stories from the Margin- Hagar

    APR 26

    Stories from the Margin- Hagar

    Our sermon series, STORIES FROM THE MARGIN, continues with a message about Hagar, Genesis 16, and the God Who Sees. Genesis 16:1-13 www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Read the passage above. There are many complicated, uncomfortable elements to this story- as with most stories from the margin. What elements do you notice that give you pause, discomfort or questions? 2. Consider where else in Scripture God meets with people in the wilderness? Why do you think the wilderness is fertile ground for transformation? 3. Why do you think Hagar chose that particular name- The God Who Sees Me? What about God seeing her was so transformative? 4. What do you make of the prophetic words in verse 12? 5. What about the sermon was encouraging, confusing or challenging? 6. What did you take from the testimony shared on Sunday? 7. Spend time in contemplation and conversation. Seeking to follow the One who sees Hagar in the wilderness, who has God placed in your life that you could see and listen to with compassion and mercy? Spend time in prayer - to see others in a way that can bring hope, transformation and healing.

    28 min
  3. Stories from the Margin- The Orphan

    APR 19

    Stories from the Margin- The Orphan

    Mark continues our series STORIES FROM THE MARGIN with a special message about God's heart for the orphan. Among many passages, we consider James 1:22-27. www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. Much of the sermon was an incomplete survey of God’s commandments and provisions for the orphan. Why do you think God cares so deeply for the orphan? 2. Read the passage above. Consider the imagery of the mirror and forgetting oneself. Why might inaction cause one to forget their spiritual identity? 3. What does it mean to look intently into the perfect law? How does that law give freedom? 4. Read verse 27 again. Oftentimes, the care for the orphan is paired with care for the widow. Why are they often combined? 5. What do you make of the phrase “polluted by the world?” How does that intersect with the care of the widow and orphan? 6. What about the sermon was encouraging, confusing or challenging? 7. What did you take from the testimony shared on Sunday. End in prayer for those without the care of a family system- whether orphan or widow. Is anyone feeling prompted to a particular action?

    28 min
  4. Stories from the Margin- Ten Lepers and a Second Healing

    APR 12

    Stories from the Margin- Ten Lepers and a Second Healing

    Mark kicks off our new series, "Stories from the Margin." In this sermon, we hear a story from Luke 17:11-19 and a story from the margins of Austin at Community First. Luke 17:11-19 Reflection Questions: 1. When you hear the word marginalization, what comes to mind? 2. Read the passage above. Envision the life of these ten lepers. What might their life have been like? 3. Why would the response Jesus gave them in v14 be confusing or troubling? 4. Out of the ten lepers, only one returned. Why do you think the other nine did not return to Jesus? What does it say about the one? 5. What do you make of Jesus’ statement in v19. What does it mean that his faith made him well? 6. How can gratitude be an expression of faith? 7. What about the sermon was encouraging, confusing or challenging? 8. What did you take from the testimony shared on Sunday. End in prayer. Spend your time simply giving Christ your thanks and praise. www.thevineaustin.org

    34 min

  5. APR 5

    Easter, A New Garden

    Happy Easter! Mark shares a special Easter message from John 20. Upon the cross, we see the compassion of God, but on Easter, we see the power of God's love. John 20:1-2, 11-18 www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What was Easter like for you growing up? 2. Interact with that opening line from Julian Barnes’ novel. “I don’t believe in God, but I miss him.” Do you think that is how people really feel? How does that longing for God get displayed? 3. What from the sermon has stayed with you- either encouraging, confusing, or confronting? 4. Read the scripture passage above and consider Mary’s experience. What stands out to you today? 5. A significant aspect of this story is about Mary’s temporary inability to see Jesus. Why do you think she couldn’t recognize Jesus? Are you experiencing anything similar in your life? 6. Why do you believe hearing her name allowed Mary to see? 7. Easter began while it was still dark. What is the darkness you are feeling today that needs resurrection hope? End in prayer. Ask for the ability to see Jesus - full of resurrection power. Ask that Jesus would give you courage and wisdom to continue Jesus’ pattern - drawing circles around all who hunger for mercy and grace.

    20 min

  6. MAR 29

    Palm Sunday Sermon - Our Surprising Savior

    Mark shares a message from the Palm Sunday story. Jesus' power was matched by a surprising characteristic. Luke 19:28-42 Reflection Questions: 1. Read the scripture passage above. What stands out to you today? 2. Why do you think the Pharisees wanted Jesus to rebuke his disciples? 3. Reread verses 41-42. What do you think was behind Jesus’ tears? 4. What from the sermon has stayed with you- either encouraging, confusing, or confronting? 5. Mark shared a quote from Voltaire. “In the beginning God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since.” How might you/we be guilty of this in our own lives? 6. Respond to that notion that transformation occurs when power is matched by vulnerability. Do you agree? How might we see this in our world? As we head toward Easter, linger with the message from Palm Sunday - Jesus is a surprising Savior. Ask for the willingness and awareness to see Jesus in the combination of vulnerability and power.

    24 min

  7. MAR 22

    PRODIGAL STORY: The Community

    The Vine concludes our PRODIGAL STORY series with Pastor Ben sharing a message from the perspective of the community. Luke 15:21-27 www.thevineaustin.org Reflection Questions: 1. What has stayed with you or stuck out in the message? 2. Where have you seen “social kickback” happen in real life—either toward yourself or someone else? What did it look like, and what impact did it have on the person or community? 3. The community in the story chooses celebration instead of rejection. Why do you think that kind of response is so rare? What makes it difficult for us to celebrate someone who has messed up? 4. In your life, what tends to guide your reactions more—your instincts, cultural norms, or Jesus’ teachings? Can you think of a recent example? 5. Who in your life right now might need support, encouragement, or advocacy to avoid being “shattered”? What would it look like to step in for them? 6. What is one specific, practical step you can take this week to align your life with what you say you care about? How can this group help you follow through? End in prayer for one another, asking that God would give you the courage to follow Jesus with an obedience similar to this community.

    25 min

  8. MAR 15

    PRODIGAL STORY- Father

    Enjoy the third sermon in this series called PRODIGAL STORY. This week, Mark shares from the perspective of the father. LUKE 15:17-24 www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Reflection Questions: 1. What do you most commonly lose or misplace? 2. Read the scripture passage (verses 17-24). Mark shared that verse 20 is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible. What is conveyed in that simple verse. What does that say about God? 3. Interact with the concept of “farsickness.” How do you see farsickness in the human experience? What does "farsickness" fuel in our lives (for good or bad)? 4. What from the sermon has stayed with you- as confusing, encouraging, or challenging? 5. How is Jesus our true Elder Brother? 6. Explore the three responses Mark suggested to this parable. This story invites us to: 1) participate in the restored family, 2) focus on the greater gift, 3) surrender to this kind of love. Which of these responses is most challenging for you? Which do you feel called towards today? End in prayer. That we might see the extravagant love of God and be compelled to participate in it.

    24 min
See All (490)

4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Podcast by The Vine; a church in Austin, TX

Information

  • Creator
    The Vine; a church in Austin, TX
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    490
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Vine Austin

You Might Also Like