Summer is a time for family. For some, family time is fun and fulfilling. For others, thinking about family can be uncomfortable or even painful.

We all wish we had a picture-perfect family. But we all have stories that we'd rather not tell and some level of dysfunction. In the stories of Genesis, we discover God's chosen family had struggles, secrets, sibling rivalries, and even threats of murder. As we explore these rich and ancient stories, we see how God works in us and through us—despite family dysfunction—to bring about God’s perfect will for the world. The good news is that we can find hope for God’s presence and activity in our own families today.

“You will be my witnesses.” These simple words of Jesus represent a big mission for the Church. The Book of Acts is a collection of small steps and true stories. It tells how the church continued the ministry of Christ into all the world through their faithful work. Each faithful witness in Acts is empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission of Jesus. These stories give us hope that we too may experience God’s presence as we continue the ministry and work of Jesus Christ. The story continues through us, His Church. 

Jesus was a master storyteller. He used common subjects and everyday experiences to share deep truths about God, kingdom values, and ourselves. 

You are invited to listen to Jesus Christ tell us stories about the Kingdom as we continue in the Gospel of Matthew.