Deepening Our Faith Through Community and Theology

As we begin this new journey together, I want to honor the simple but powerful act of gathering as a church family. This rhythm of coming together is a keystone habit that shapes every other part of our lives, from our relationships to our spiritual growth. The evidence is clear: when we make space for God and his people, our lives flourish. As we celebrate the legacy of what God has done in our community over the past 20 years, we also look forward with anticipation to what he will do as we deepen our understanding of him.

Today, we set the stage for a season of learning and transformation. The heart of our pursuit is not just to fill our minds with theological facts, but to know Jesus more deeply and to let that knowledge shape every aspect of our lives. Paul’s words in Colossians remind us that our faith must be rooted and built up in Christ, not swayed by hollow philosophies or cultural trends. We live in a world full of noise, where ideas about God, truth, and meaning are picked up almost by accident—through family, culture, social media, and even well-meaning friends. Without realizing it, we can end up with a patchwork, “syncretic” worldview that is more shaped by the world than by the Word.

That’s why we’re embarking on a study of systematic theology—not as an academic exercise, but as a way to organize our thoughts about God, to ask the hard questions, and to unlearn what needs to be unlearned. We’ll explore the core doctrines of the faith: the Bible, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, sin, salvation, the church, and the end of all things. Each of these “ologies” is not just a topic to master, but a doorway into knowing God more fully. When our understanding is off in one area, it can throw everything else out of alignment—just like a car parked out of line can set the whole lot askew.

We must be vigilant about what we allow to shape our beliefs. The world offers many substitutes—superstition, moral relativism, and the blending of spiritual ideas from every direction. But the call is to return to the Scriptures, to let God’s truth anchor us, and to recognize that Christianity is not just another religion among many. It is fundamentally different: not about us reaching up to God, but about God coming down to us in Jesus. The invitation is open to all—to become not just theologians, but good ones, who love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Habit of Gathering Shapes Our Lives Regularly coming together as a church is more than a tradition; it is a keystone habit that influences every other area of our lives. When we prioritize this rhythm, it cascades into deeper relationships, stronger faith, and greater spiritual flourishing. The simple act of showing up is a declaration that God and his people matter most. [00:34]
• 2. Unlearning Is Essential for Spiritual Growth True learning often begins with disruption—challenging our assumptions and unlearning ideas we’ve picked up from culture, family, or past experiences. We must audit our hearts and ask, “Where did this belief come from?” Only then can we make room for God’s truth to take root and transform us from the inside out. [06:12]
• 3. A Patchwork Faith Is a Dangerous Substitute Many Christians unknowingly hold a “syncretic” worldview—a collection of beliefs cobbled together from various sources, rather than a coherent, biblical foundation. Even small deviations from truth can, over time, lead us far from God’s heart. We must be intentional about aligning every belief with Scripture, resisting the drift toward cultural or superstitious ideas. [35:10]
• 4. Christianity Is Fundamentally Different from Other Religions While all religions may appear superficially similar, they are fundamentally different at their core. Christianity is not about earning God’s favor or climbing a spiritual ladder; it is about God’s initiative in Christ, coming down to rescue us. This distinction is not narrow-mindedness, but a recognition of the unique hope and grace found only in Jesus. [47:43]
• 5. Knowing God Is for Everyone, Not Just Experts The invitation to know God deeply is not reserved for pastors, scholars, or the spiritually elite. Anyone who desires to know God can study, ask questions, and grow in understanding. The question is not whether we are theologians, but whether we are good ones—anchored in Christ, shaped by Scripture, and open to the Spirit’s leading. [54:03]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:34] - The Power of Church Attendance
• [01:13] - Celebrating Legacy and Generosity
• [03:03] - Launching a New Season
• [04:18] - Colossians: Rooted in Christ
• [06:12] - The Disruption of Unlearning
• [09:52] - Organizing Our Thoughts About God
• [13:39] - The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy
• [15:19] - Falling in Love with God’s Word
• [18:25] - What Is Systematic Theology?
• [19:45] - The Ten Essential Doctrines
• [27:57] - Harmonizing Our Beliefs
• [35:10] - The Dangers of a Syncretic Worldview
• [43:54] - The Lie of Moral Relativism
• [47:43] - Christianity’s Unique Message
• [52:05] - Christ at the Center
• [54:03] - The Call to Know God for Yourself
• [56:08] - Responding to God’s Invitation
• [57:23] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Reading

Colossians 2:4-8 (ESV) — I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 2:6-7, what does it mean to be “rooted and built up in Christ”?
2. In the sermon, what are some examples given of “hollow and deceptive philosophies” or beliefs that Christians might accidentally pick up from culture? [[35:10]]
3. What is a “syncretic worldview,” and how did the pastor describe its dangers for Christians? [[35:10]]
4. What does the pastor say is the difference between Christianity and other religions, according to the sermon? [[47:43]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul warn the Colossians not to be taken captive by “philosophy and empty deceit”? What might this look like in our world today?
2. The pastor said that “unlearning is essential for spiritual growth.” Why is it important to challenge and audit our own beliefs, and what might happen if we don’t? [[06:12]]
3. How can having a “patchwork faith” (a mix of beliefs from different sources) affect someone’s relationship with God and their spiritual growth? [[35:10]]
4. The sermon claims that Christianity is “fundamentally different” from other religions because it’s about God coming down to us, not us reaching up to God. Why is this distinction important for how we see our faith and our relationship with God? [[47:43]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor called gathering as a church a “keystone habit” that shapes every other part of our lives. How has regular church attendance (or lack of it) affected your spiritual growth, relationships, or habits? Is there a change you feel led to make? [[00:34]]
2. Think about a belief or assumption you have about God, faith, or the Bible. Where did it come from? Are you willing to “audit” it and see if it lines up with Scripture? What’s one belief you might need to unlearn? [[06:12]]
3. Have you ever realized that something you believed about God or faith actually came from culture, family, or social media instead of the Bible? How did you discover this, and what did you do about it? [[35:10]]
4. The sermon warns against “syncretic” or patchwork faith. What are some practical steps you can take to make sure your beliefs are shaped by Scripture and not just by what’s popular or comfortable? [[35:10]]
5. The pastor said that knowing God deeply is for everyone, not just pastors or scholars. What is one step you can take this week to grow in your understanding of God—whether it’s reading the Bible, asking questions, or joining a study? [[54:03]]
6. The sermon described Christianity as unique because it’s about God coming to us in Jesus. How does this truth affect the way you see yourself, your failures, and your hope for the future? [[47:43]]
7. Is there a “small idea” or habit in your life that might be pulling you out of alignment with God’s truth, like the parking lot illustration? What would it look like to realign that area this week? [[31:52]]