Sources and Further Reading
Follow the biblical, confessional, liturgical and scholarly sources behind Grace First, with links for further study.
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Follow the biblical, confessional, liturgical and scholarly sources behind Grace First, with links for further study.
Open resource →Explore the Reformed conviction that God acts before we respond, with careful attention to Scripture, Calvin, the Heidelberg Catechism and Presbyterian worship.
Open resource →Discern the fruit growing from our practices and imagine Christian communities formed by joy, honesty, courage and repair.
Open resource →Experiment with letting assurance speak before confession, then notice how grace changes the quality of truth-telling.
Open resource →Distinguish grace from avoidance by practicing accountability, repair and honest attention to those who have been harmed.
Open resource →Explore how assurance creates enough safety to tell the truth without minimizing harm or defending ourselves.
Open resource →Examine what our worship practices teach us about God, sin and grace—and whether their order tells the story we actually believe.
Open resource →Receive the promise that God’s mercy moves toward us before we find the right words, and notice what becomes possible when grace speaks first.
Open resource →The Ordinary Work of Christian Leadership In Mark 6, Jesus and the disciples are confronted by an enormous crowd. The day is growing late,…
Open resource →Focus, Flexibility, and the Work Before Us Scripture Facilitator note: The bold questions are the primary conversation prompts. The additional questions are optional. Let…
Open resource →for December 24, 2026 Let’s begin with the opening introduction. Tonight we hear the Christmas story through the eyes of the shepherds—some of the…
Open resource →for December 20, 2026 Opening Prayer Note to leader: this prayer invites the congregation to slow down and notice God’s presence in the ordinariness…
Open resource →for December 13, 2026 Opening Prayer Note to leader: invite the congregation to settle their bodies and breathe deeply before beginning. God of wonder…
Open resource →for December 6, 2026 Opening Prayer Note to leader: before the prayer, invite people to settle into their seats and take a slow breath.…
Open resource →for November 29, 2026 Opening Prayer Note to leader: before the prayer, invite people to settle their bodies and notice their breath. Opening Prayer…
Open resource →for November 22, 2026 Opening Prayer God of abundance and grace, you sow the seeds of generosity in our hearts, inviting us into the…
Open resource →for November 15, 2026 Opening Prayer Gracious and ever-faithful God, whose abundance knows no bounds, we gather as your people, grateful for your steadfast…
Open resource →for November 8, 2026 Opening Prayer Generous God, who created all that is, you have filled our lives with your boundless grace and mercy.…
Open resource →for November 1, 2026 Opening Prayer God of abundant grace and inexhaustible love, you have provided all things and filled creation with your goodness.…
Open resource →for October 25, 2026 Opening Prayer Holy and Infinite God, beyond our knowing and greater than our understanding, we gather in the mystery of…
Open resource →for October 18, 2026 Opening Prayer Holy and ever-present God, in whom we live and move and have our being, open our hearts to…
Open resource →for October 11, 2026 Opening Prayer God of boundless grace and relentless invitation, you call us from places of comfort into the wide embrace…
Open resource →for October 4, 2026 Opening Prayer God of mystery and revelation, you are ever-present and always at work among us. In your grace, you…
Open resource →for October 4, 2026 Opening Prayer God of mercy and wisdom, You speak through unexpected voices, revealing truths buried beneath our defenses. You invite…
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