In this episode, Pastors Matt and Brian reflect on the recent winter storm that forced them to pre-record their church service, sharing how God sometimes changes our plans to provide needed rest. Matt introduced the major sermon series called "The Bible in a J.A.R.," covering the books of John, Acts, and Romans over the next several months.

Pastor Matt explains that these three books perfectly illustrate the discipleship journey: John shows us who Jesus is (meeting Jesus), Acts demonstrates how to live out our faith in mission (joining His mission), and Romans provides the theological foundation for why it all works (growing in truth). He emphasizes that Jesus is the central figure of all Scripture - the Old Testament points toward Him, and the New Testament explains who He is and what He accomplished. Pastor Matt also encourages listeners to continue their Bible reading plan, particularly as they enter Leviticus, explaining that even the detailed sacrificial laws and rituals described there point forward to Jesus as our perfect sacrifice and great high priest.

Pastor Matt begins this foundational message by sharing "A Tale of Three Bibles"—a personal story illustrating his spiritual journey from keeping his Bible on the shelf to becoming fully engaged with God's Word. He introduces Hope Church's 2026 theme based on Joshua 1:8, emphasizing the importance of daily meditation on Scripture for life transformation. The "Bible in a JAR" series will spend 70% of the year's Sundays studying John, Acts, and Romans—books that collectively answer the essential questions of who Jesus is, what His followers should do, and what disciples should believe.

Pastor Matt provides a 60,000-foot overview of the entire Bible, explaining how it tells one continuous story through four major themes: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. This story ultimately demonstrates God's great love for us, summarized perfectly in John 3:16. He establishes that Jesus Christ is the central figure of all Scripture, with the Old Testament anticipating Him and the New Testament explaining Him. Using the "New Triangle" framework of knowing, becoming, and doing with the Bible at the center, Pastor Matt shows how these three books work together: John reveals who Jesus is (God and Savior), Acts demonstrates the church's mission to take Jesus to the world, and Romans explains the theological foundation and practical application of our faith. The message concludes with 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as the memory verse, emphasizing that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

In this podcast episode, Hope's Associate Pastors reflect on their congregation's Bible reading plan, having completed Genesis and started Exodus. They discuss how reading through Genesis reveals God's incredible mercy and patience with broken people, noting that the heroes of faith were "mildly screw ups" whom God used for great things. The conversation shifts to personal testimonies as Pastor Meyers shares his journey from physical therapy to ministry, describing how God's call became undeniable during a quiet moment in his clinic.

The discussion centers around the "3C's" of discipleship that their church has been teaching: commitment to Christ, connection to His followers, and contribution to His mission. The pastors share how their upbringing in families that prioritized ministry and opened their homes to missionaries and church leaders shaped their understanding of faithful living. They emphasize that while not everyone is called to vocational ministry, the same three principles apply to all believers. The episode concludes with reflections on how genuine connection with other believers is essential for spiritual growth and victory over temptation, noting that simply attending church is different from being truly plugged in and connected to the community.