Crosswalk Church Crosswalk Church is a Seventh-day Adventist, Jesus-centered community growing and learning together. https://crosswalkvillage.com Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com The Beautiful Upset (S2): WK2 - TUE https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/20/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk2-tue Tue, 20 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/20/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk2-tue
THE AUTHORITY TO REWRITE EVERYTHING
Mark 2:6–12 (NLT) "But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 'What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!' Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, 'Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man "Your sins are forgiven," or "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk"? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!' And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, 'We’ve never seen anything like this before!'"

The religious leaders in the room were technically right about one thing: Only God can forgive sins.

If a guy bumps into you on the street and a random bystander says, "Don't worry, I forgive him," you’d be confused. You can only forgive an offense committed against you. By claiming the power to forgive this man's sins, Jesus was making a jaw-dropping claim: every sin ever committed is ultimately a offense against Him.

Jesus reads their silent, cynical thoughts and poses a brilliant logic puzzle: Is it easier to say "your sins are forgiven" or "get up and walk"?

Talk is cheap. Anyone can claim to forgive invisible sins because there's no immediate way to verify it. But telling a paralyzed man to walk? That puts your reputation on the line instantly. So Jesus performs the visible miracle to prove the invisible reality. He tells the man to walk, and the guy leaps up, rolls up his mat, and shoves his way through the stunned crowd.

Here is the beautiful upset: Jesus doesn't fit into our neat little categories of "a great moral teacher" or "an inspiring guide." He claims absolute, sovereign authority to rewrite human destiny. He doesn't just offer advice; He offers complete pardon.

  1. In what ways do you tend to treat Jesus like a "helpful advisor" rather than the sovereign King of your life?
  2. What past mistake or burden do you still struggle to believe Jesus has truly forgiven and wiped clean?
  3. How does seeing Jesus demonstrate total authority over both body and soul build your trust in Him today?

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai.

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DAILY-STUDY-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf
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Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/20/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk2-tue#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2): WK2 - MON https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/19/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk2-mon Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/19/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk2-mon
THROUGH THE ROOF
Mark 2:1–5 (NLT) "A few days later Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t get to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, 'My child, your sins are forgiven.'"

Imagine it’s your 21st birthday, you’ve gathered everyone around you that you love, plus neighborhood friends,  and then four guys started literally tearing apart your ceiling with shovels, dropping dirt and dried clay all over your guests, you’d probably call security.
These four friends faced an impossible crowd. Instead of turning around and saying, "We'll try again next Tuesday," they scaled the exterior stairs, dug through a mud-and-thatch roof, and lowered their paralyzed mate right onto the living room floor in front of Jesus. They are the poster children for desperate, disruptive, defiant, faith.

In this story in Mark 2, everyone in that room was expecting a dramatic physical healing. The friends wanted a miracle for legs; the crowd wanted a show.Jesus looks past the obvious physical crisis and targets the hidden spiritual core. He doesn't say, "Get up and walk." He says, "My child, your sins are forgiven."

Back in grad school, right before getting married, I scheduled a meeting with a professor who was also a therapist for a pre-wedding emotional check-up. I walked in with my best "everything is awesome" posture. He smiled, pulled out a pen, and together we mapped out my family genogram. We uncovered patterns, had hard conversations and he gently stripped away my cheerful facade. We all too often bring God our surface-level issues or external comfort requests, but Jesus looks straight past our curated smiles to heal the deep, hidden paralysis of the heart first.

  1. What is the "surface problem" you are currently asking God to solve in your life?
  2. What deeper spiritual need (fear, resentment, need for control) might Jesus want to address beneath that surface problem?
  3. Who are the relentless friends in your life who help carry you toward Jesus when you feel stuck?

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai and Series Guide Team.

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/19/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk2-mon#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2) WK 1 - GROUP GUIDE https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/17/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk-1-group-guide Sat, 17 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/17/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk-1-group-guide
INTRODUCTION: The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN:  If you knew you only had one year left to live, what are some of the things you’d want to do in the time you had left?

SCRIPTURE READING
Read together:  Mark 1:1-20

The gospel of Mark is all about action, and puts us right into the middle of it from the very beginning. It reads more fast-paced than the other gospels, but don’t let it’s fast-paced cause you to miss the critical details Mark puts in those stories for us to pay attention to as we read. Remember as well that Mark’s primary audience was Gentiles, and his gospel was likely the first of the four, as both Matthew and Luke share content with Mark, and these three gospels are called the Synoptic (common views) gospels.

HEAD: Explore the Text
  1. Share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts you received just from listening to the text, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
  2. What was “Good News” about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God? What would you say to someone who had never heard?
  3. How do you think John the Baptist came across to people? What was the attraction that drew so many?
  4. If Jesus was without sin, why was he baptized?
  5. Mark doesn’t tell us as much detail about the temptation in the wilderness, but why do you think Jesus was sent there right after his baptism, by the Holy Spirit?
  6. For Simon, Andrew, James, and John to be fishing with their father’s at this age, meant that they had been passed up by the Jewish elite for further training in the Torah. So what do you think it meant for them to be chosen by another Rabbi?

HEART: Personal Reflection
  1. We’re told Jesus was around 27 when he began his public ministry. If you knew you only had a short time on earth to change the world, why would you spend so much time out of the spotlight of influence?
  2. When you chose to get baptized, why did you and what did that experience mean to you? Any memories that have stuck with you about that moment?
  3. John the Baptist knew who he was (the voice in the wilderness), and who he wasn’t (the Messiah). When people are coming to you in droves, people who are hoping you’re the Messiah, how do you stay focused on your call instead of trying to elevate yourself to a call that isn’t yours?
  4. Has the Spirit ever led you to places you didn’t want to go (i.e. Jesus and the wilderness - a dry, hot land)?
  5. Like the disciples, we are all called. What specific calling(s) do you find that Jesus has given you in your life? 

HANDS: Practice This Week
Spiritual Practice: Getting in-tune with your calling
  • Jesus calls each of us to follow him, to first be with him, then to go out for him. We each have a calling. Spend time this week, 5-10 mins each day, asking God to reveal the specific calling in your life. What has he gifted you to do? Where has he placed you and what opportunities are before you?
  • At the end of your time, simply ask God, “What is your calling for me life?”
  • Journal any words, thoughts, or ideas that come to mind.
  • At the end of the week, review your journey and see if you gain any more clarity on your calling than you’ve had before, or at least than you’ve had in a while.

Invite the group to check in next week about their experience.

WORDS TO REMEMBER (2 Corinthians 5:20-21, NLT)
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Pastor Paddy McCoy

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/17/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk-1-group-guide#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2): WK1 - FRI https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/16/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-fri Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/16/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-fri
DROP THE NETS
Mark 1:14–20 (NLT) "Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. 'The time promised by God has come at last!' he announced. 'The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!' One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!' And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men."

Imagine you’re sitting at your desk on a random Tuesday, staring at a spreadsheet, mid-coffee-sip. A stranger walks in, looks you dead in the eye, and says, "Close the laptop. Come with me, I have a totally different life for you."

Most of us would pause to calculate the risk. We would ask for guarantees, a clear outline of what comes next, and proof that the move makes sense. Simon, Andrew, James, and John simply dropped what was in their hands and walked.

Why? Because those nets represented more than fishing gear, they were security. They were family traditions, predictable routines, reliable income, and the comfortable safety of knowing exactly what tomorrow was going to look like. However, Jesus wasn’t offering them a safe, predictable life, he was offering them a mission. He took their working-class skill set, patience, reading the waters, handling heavy loads, and said, "I’m going to redirect everything you already know how to do toward something that actually lasts."

In the story, notice that they had to leave their nets behind. It’s a hint to us that you can’t reach for a new direction while keeping both hands clamped onto your old security blanket.
This is the ultimate invitation of the beautiful upset: following a King who doesn't fit our plans, who asks us to win by surrendering and find life by giving up our illusion of control. Jesus doesn't ask you to have everything figured out before you step forward. He just asks if you’re willing to drop what’s familiar to discover what’s actually worth living for.

Reflect
  1. What "net" (security blanket, need for control, or comfortable routine) is hardest for you to drop right now?
  2. What personal skills or life experiences has God given you that He might want to redirect toward a bigger purpose?
  3. What is one small, immediate step of action you can take today to follow Jesus into uncharted territory?

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
View More

Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/16/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-fri#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2): WK1 - THU https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/15/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-thu Thu, 15 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/15/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-thu
THE WILDERNESS IS NOT A MISTAKE
Mark 1:12–13 (NLT) "The Spirit at once compelled Jesus to go out into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was among wild beasts, and angels took care of him."

We have this subtle, toxic idea that if we’re doing things right, life should be smooth. If we hit a season of brutal isolation, mental pressure, or relentless difficulty, our first instinct is to panic and ask: What did I do wrong? Where did I mess up?

Look closely at verse 12. Who drives Jesus into the dark, scorching desert? It wasn't the devil. It wasn't a bad decision. It was the Holy Spirit.

Immediately after the highest moment of His life, the open heavens, the voice of love, Jesus is pushed straight into a forty-day pressure cooker. Mark skips all the dramatic verbal sparring match details you find in other Gospels and leaves us with just the raw atmosphere: barren rock, wild predators circling, intense temptation, and complete isolation.
The wilderness wasn't a punishment it was a proving ground.

Here, the script flips again. We expect God’s favor to bring immediate comfort, but instead, it leads into confrontation. The cross looms at the end of Mark’s story, but the wilderness is where we first see that Jesus' victory doesn't look like escaping trial, it looks like enduring through it.

You cannot learn true resilience on a comfortable couch. You don't discover what you're actually made of when everything is going great. The wilderness is where all the fake comforts get stripped away until you’re forced to figure out what actually holds you together when the scenery gets dark.

If you are in a season right now that feels dry, difficult, or dangerously lonely, stop automatically assuming you’ve drifted off course.
Sometimes the hard season isn't evidence of God's absence; it's the exact arena where He is building strength in you that couldn't be forged anywhere else. The wild beasts might be real, but notice Mark’s final detail: angels took care of Him. You are never as unprotected as you feel.

Reflect
  1. What "wilderness" (hardship, uncertainty, or dry season) are you currently walking through?
  2. In what ways might God be using this difficult season to build resilience in you rather than punishing you?
  3. Where can you look closely to spot God’s subtle care ("angels taking care of Him") in the middle of your current stress?

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/15/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-thu#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2): WK1 - WED https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/14/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-wed Wed, 14 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/14/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-wed
STANDING IN THE WRONG LINE
Mark 1:9–11 (NLT) "One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, 'You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.'"

Imagine if you walked into a rehab clinic, sat down in a group therapy session, and then you notice that the surgeon general of the United States is next to you, as a patient. It would feel wrong, that’s the level of absurdity happening here at the Jordan River.
John baptised hundreds, and it was explicitly for people who confessed their sins, because they had blown it and needed a fresh start. And who steps into the queue? Jesus. The one person in history who had zero business being in that line.

If you or I were designing the entrance for the Son of God, we would have picked a better stage ( superbowl - half time show), a dramatic royal procession, or at least a venue with good lighting. And here, Jesus chooses a muddy river, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with broken people admitting they can't save themselves.

This is the beautiful upset in full motion: a King whose power isn't flexed by standing above us, but by stepping into the mud with us. He shatters every human expectation of what victory and royalty are supposed to look like.

And look at what happens the second He steps out of the water: the sky gets ripped open (Mark uses the aggressive Greek word schizo—the heavens literally burst), and the Father says, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." Notice the timing. Jesus hasn't performed a miracle yet. He hasn't preached a famous sermon, hasn't gathered thousands of fans, hasn't done anything to build a resume. His Father’s approval is given before He does the work, not as a reward for it.

How much of your anxiety comes from feeling like you're constantly on trial? We hustle endlessly to earn approval, from our bosses, our parents, our peers, or even God.

Reflect
  1. How does it change your view of Jesus knowing He willingly stepped into "the line for broken people" alongside us?
  2. What performance or achievement are you currently leaning on to feel valuable or worthy of love?
  3. How would your daily stress level shift if you truly believed God's approval was your starting line rather than a finish-line reward?

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
View More

Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/14/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-wed#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2): WK1 - TUE https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/13/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-tue Tue, 13 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/13/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-tue
THE ANTI-INFLUENCE IN THE DESERT
Mark 1:4–8 (NLT) "This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God to receive forgiveness of their sins. All of Judea including all the people of Jerusalem went out to see and hear John... His clothes were woven from coarse camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey..."

Picture the marketing pitch for John the Baptist: "He lives out in the dust, wears clothes that scratch like sandpaper, eats literal grasshoppers, and his core message is that everyone in power is failing."

By every modern metric, John  should have had zero followers. He had no polish, no media team, no curated aesthetic, and his event venue was a ditch near a muddy river two hours out of town. Yet Mark says everyone went out to see him. Elite city folk, working-class neighbors, religious leaders, they all trekked into the heat. Why?

Because people are exhausted by performance. We live in a world overflowing with slick branding, carefully engineered personal images, and people trying to sell us an optimized version of life. John was the total opposite: utterly unpolished, aggressively authentic, and completely unconcerned with pleasing the crowd.

He offered zero fluff. He told people straight to their faces: You are broken, you need to clean up your act, and I’m not even important enough to untie the shoes of the One who comes next.

That kind of humility is magnetic because it’s so rare. John didn't build a platform to host his own glory; he built a platform just to point off-stage.

We spend so much energy curating how we look to the world. John shows us that God doesn't use polished performances; He uses people who are bold enough to be real and humble enough to get out of the way.

Reflect
  1. In what area of your life do you feel the most pressure to maintain a polished, "curated" image rather than showing your authentic self?
  2. Why is unvarnished honesty about our flaws and failures so terrifying—yet so liberating?
  3. How can you practice John’s kind of radical humility in your relationships or work this week?

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai and Series Guide Team.

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-The-Beautiful-Upset-S2.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
View More

The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
View More

Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/13/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-tue#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2): WK1 - MON https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/12/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-mon Mon, 12 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/12/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-mon
WHERE THE STORY REALLY BEGINS
Mark 1:1–3 (NLT) "This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord's coming! Clear the road for him!"'

If you’ve ever sat through a 45-minute movie intro where you just want the title card to drop so the plot can actually start, Mark is the Gospel writer for you.

While Matthew gives us a massive genealogy list that reads like ancient tax software, and Luke walks us through the complete birth announcement logistics, Mark skips to mid-scene: This is the Good News about Jesus. He doesn’t stall or warmup he gets straight to the action.
Sometimes we stall because we convince ourselves we just need more info. A few years ago, I moved house, and I need to replace my toaster. Instead of just grabbing one from Walmart, I spent three weeks reading online reviews, comparing heating elements, and running an Instagram poll. We also love to stall under the guise of "getting prepared," in our spiritual lives. We tell ourselves that we’ll engage with God once we clear up every detail.
 
Mark’s story doesn't give us any time to hang around, he makes a decision and says Jesus is "Good News." It’s a term ancient Romans used for massive, world-altering political victories, and then quotes Isaiah yelling about clearing a highway in the desert.

Notice that image: clear the road. The wilderness isn't full of philosophical debate; it's full of overgrown brush, fallen rocks, and dead weight blocking the path. Here is the first spark of the beautiful upset: we expect a slow, manageable entrance, but God arrives like a sudden disruption. He doesn't conform to our timeline or our need for comfortable background research. The King is breaking in, and He isn't asking for permission to overturn our expectations.

Stop waiting for a full prologue before you pay attention. The main event has already started.

  1. What is one specific piece of "overgrown brush" (a distraction, delay tactic, or habit) currently blocking your spiritual path?
  2. Why do you think we naturally prefer searching for "more information" rather than taking a direct step of obedience?
  3. What would it look like for you to "clear the road" and give God focused space in your life this week?

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai and Series Guide Team.

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WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/12/the-beautiful-upset-s2-wk1-mon#comments 0 The Beautiful Upset (S2): INTRO https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/11/the-beautiful-upset-s2-intro Sun, 11 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/11/the-beautiful-upset-s2-intro

Pastor Pastor Andreas Beccai and Series Guide Team.

We began our first season of The Beautiful Upset in the middle of Mark’s Gospel. Which is an odd place to begin a story. Usually, you meet the characters before joining them halfway down the road.

But we did it on purpose. In Mark 8, Jesus begins to speak plainly about his suffering, rejection and death. His disciples have come to believe he is the Messiah. Now they must discover how little that word means what they thought it meant. We joined them there and followed Jesus towards Jerusalem.

For season two, we’re going back to the beginning. There’s something to be said for returning to the opening pages of a story when you know where it leads. You notice things you missed. A word takes on weight. An encounter that seemed ordinary turns out to have been telling you something all along.

Mark’s first words are “Good News”. Before the arguments, before the bewilderment of the disciples, before the cross, he tells us that the story we are about to read is good. We may need to come back to that when Jesus does something we don’t understand.

And he will. He will welcome people others have learned to keep at a distance. He will forgive sins, interrupt familiar religious arrangements and call people away from work they know how to do into a life they can scarcely imagine. Some will be delighted. Others will wish he had left things alone. We may find ourselves in both groups.

Over these six weeks, we’ll return to those early encounters. We’ll watch people make their first attempts to understand Jesus, and perhaps become a little more honest about our own. It is easy, after years of hearing these stories, to assume we know what he will say. Familiarity can keep us from listening.

So we begin again. With good news, a voice in the wilderness and the coming of someone we may not know quite as well as we thought.
Welcome to season two of The Beautiful Upset.

Pastor Andreas

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WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/11/the-beautiful-upset-s2-intro#comments 0 Perspective: WK6 - FRI https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/02/perspective-wk6-fri Fri, 02 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/02/perspective-wk6-fri
Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:19-21
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Romans 5:8
… God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I have spent years listening to people share their hurts, failures, pain, and shame, including stories of betrayal and abuse, and of broken relationships and separation. In the rarest cases, forgiveness is sought, grace is extended, and relationships are restored. Repair and healing in this broken world are hard work that most refuse to undertake.

What happens to Joseph, regardless of his own fault, predicts a life of bitterness, loneliness, and despair. That is, if he is left to sort things out on his own. The presence of God introduces an alchemy capable of shifting perspective, nurturing love in a desert of hate, and, frankly, making reconciliation the most unsurprising outcome.

You see, if “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and we are talking about the kind of love that sacrifices self, doesn’t keep score of wrongs, and offers reconnection to the broken, then He is the most powerful force in the universe. This power is innate, instinctual, and the core of who Jesus is. 

“The Christ” means “the anointed one.” But anointed for what? Jesus was set apart to bring us home, no matter the cost. He accepted the mission to cross the divide, close the gap, heal our brokenness, and reconcile us to our Creator. At the core of this kind of healing is immense grace and forgiveness – “no longer counting people’s sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 4:19)

Now, here is the craziest part of this story. Having carried us back home, we immediately become part of His love, not merely absorbing and consuming His tenderness. No, we are suddenly His instruments of reconciliation. “… we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

So now may you know the calming peace of forgiveness; forgiveness received and forgiveness given. May you know the joy of loving well.

  1. What kinds of teams have you been a part of? Which ones have you enjoyed most? Why is that?
  2. Is anything keeping you from the love of Jesus today? What do you need to say to Him about it?
  3. Who do you think of who seems far from God? How could you be used to bring them home?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/02/perspective-wk6-fri#comments 0 Perspective: WK6 - THU https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/01/perspective-wk6-thu Thu, 01 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/01/perspective-wk6-thu
Provision
Matthew 6:26-33
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

I grew up in the household of a mom who was a professional worrier. Whenever I had a plan that needed her permission, I knew I couldn’t just ask and get a quick answer. No, no. She would list everything that could go wrong and all the reasons it might not work out. But I am a hopeful optimist. I was her match. I would ask the question and then let her work through each worry without assuming the answer would end with a no. In fact, if I paid my dues by weathering the storm of worry, I nearly always got to do what I had hoped.

Some people worry without cause, borrowing trouble that never materializes. That’s not the case in Joseph’s story. A very real famine is coming, and it will be severe. However, by sending Pharaoh’s dreams and providing Joseph as interpreter and leader of logistics for Egypt, God has created a way through the famine. Purposeful planning during the years of plenty will be enough to meet the people’s needs. Not only that, but the surrounding nations will also be fed by God’s preparations. Worry would have been a fruitless distraction.

As Jesus walks among the Hebrew people, He notices the powerful grip of worry. He offers an argument that may be helpful to you and me today. Jesus points to how completely God has provided in nature. He asks, “Can you see how purposeful our Heavenly Father has been in every little detail of nature? Hasn’t He provided food for the tiniest animal or bird? Don’t the flowers have beautiful clothing to wear?” 

To this refrain, Jesus adds a reminder to consider how God has provided for His people throughout history. “If I made clothing for Adam and Eve, won’t I do the same for you? If I led Joseph to prepare for famine, can’t I do the same for your family? Don’t forget that I parted the sea, felled the walls of a city, and freed prisoners from jail cells. I have healed the leper, restored sight to the blind, made the lame walk, and raised the dead to life. I will take care of you.” 

So let go of worry about all the things that can paralyze you with fear. “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” (Matthew 6:32) Instead, refocus on the one who says, “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

  1. What is the longest you have gone without food? Why did that happen?
  2. On a scale of me to my mom, how much of a worrier are you?
  3. What is something that consumes you with worry that Jesus may be inviting you to give to Him? What would you like to say to Him about that?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/10/01/perspective-wk6-thu#comments 0 Perspective: WK6 - WED https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/30/perspective-wk6-wed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/30/perspective-wk6-wed
Forsaken
Genesis 40:23
The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

Matthew 27:45-46
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Joseph can’t seem to catch a break. He is steady, conscientious, and faithful. But just when things seem to be turning a corner, he is let down again, each time compounding the last. It is easy to think of him as jinxed, snake-bit, or ill-fated. How is it that these terrible things keep happening to him?

As we consider parallels between Joseph and Jesus, we notice an important difference. Jesus will move from hosannas to crucifixion in the span of one brief week. Like Joseph, just as things are looking up and the people would make Him king, He is captured, beaten, and killed. Jesus, too, will cry out in pain at being forgotten and forsaken. 

There is, however, a major difference. Joseph remains faithful despite every disappointment that comes his way. He endures trials, abuse, and broken promises. But the pain Jesus experiences is unique. These things aren’t merely happening to Him as circumstances beyond His control. No. Jesus chooses the pain, deliberately walking toward the cross.

In John 10:17-18, Jesus says, “I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily.” Yes, Jesus can relate to the desperation in Joseph’s life. He experienced rejection, cruelty, betrayal, false accusations, and the suffocating loss of connection to His father. But there is something that sets Jesus apart. He didn’t merely suffer these things. He chose them, knowing He must do so to rescue us.

If you are going through a day when everything goes wrong (or maybe it’s a year or a decade), take comfort in knowing that Jesus understands what it feels like. Not only that, He would rather endure torture, alienation, and death than lose you. He’s got you. 

  1. Were you ever left behind by your parents as a child? Have you ever accidentally left one of your children somewhere? What happened?
  2. What recent experience seemed to be going well but then took a sudden turn for the worse and ended badly? 
  3. What are you experiencing that could use a “rescue”? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/30/perspective-wk6-wed#comments 0 Perspective: WK6 - TUE https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/29/perspective-wk6-tue Tue, 29 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/29/perspective-wk6-tue
Temptation
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

During his time in Potiphar’s house, Joseph was hounded by daily temptation. Jesus, too, suffered under the pressure of temptation. It may be hard to imagine that it was difficult for Jesus, since He successfully resisted. He was perfect, right? But when you consider the wilderness temptations in Matthew 4 or His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22, you are left with the impression that He was pushed to the very edge of sanity, exhausted to the limits of consciousness, and that He needed the assistance of angels to recover. Hebrews says Jesus was “tempted in every way.”

Joseph’s resistance was noble, but it was short-term and incomplete. Jesus perfectly resisted throughout His life. If you feel that disqualifies Him as our example, quite the opposite is true. It is because He successfully resisted that we can follow Him. Jesus’ life is the true north that guides us. Hebrews 2:18 says, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

More than just an example, His perfect resistance to temptation makes His grace and forgiveness available. Jesus needed to face what we face in every way while remaining sinless, so He could offer His life as a substitute for ours. He paid the price for our sins and now offers forgiveness in exchange. Jesus risked failure and loss to step into the gap, suffer, and die so that we could be reconciled, forgiven, and free. Because of His sacrifice, we can live.

“He committed no sin… He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:22, 24)

Today, right now, don’t hesitate. Confess your need for a savior. Admit how often you have fallen to temptation. Accept the grace of Jesus. Live clean and free.

  1. Recall a time when you broke something. What was it? Was it able to be fixed? How?
  2. Is there someone you know you should forgive? What is stopping you? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?
  3. What do you need to confess to Jesus right now? Claim His forgiveness and His grace.

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/29/perspective-wk6-tue#comments 0 Perspective: WK6 - MON https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/28/perspective-wk6-mon Mon, 28 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/28/perspective-wk6-mon
Humility
Philippians 2:6-8
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

In this, our final week’s study of the life of Joseph, we will revisit each of the previous weeks and notice the face of Jesus reflected in these stories. At times, we will hear echoes of His character and see foreshadowing of His sacrifice. Today, we highlight the contrast between Christ’s humility and the human arrogance of Joseph’s early days. 

Genesis 37 portrays Joseph as a young man grasping for credibility, stepping on his brothers' reputations to elevate his own. He is the favored son who plays to his father’s emotions at the expense of others, willing to sacrifice character on the altar of image-building. Joseph allows hostility to grow rather than sacrifice his position of power.

Notice the difference in how Jesus behaves. First, He deserved the power, fame, and position. Yet He set them aside in His efforts to save us. “He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7). As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”

Secondly, Jesus devotes all His power and energy to the service of others. He trades the crowds' adulation for a crown of thorns. He refuses a political throne and chooses death on the cross. Jesus trades His freedom for ours, His life for ours. He chooses not to save Himself. Instead, He saves me.

And here is the ultimate miracle. Not only does Jesus present this bold contrast to the prideful privilege of Joseph’s early years, but embedded in that contrast is the healing required to erase the hostilities our selfishness creates. As Ephesians 2 says:

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. (v14)

Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. (v16)

Jesus is the antidote to my pride and the hostility it breeds. He brings healing to our wounds, comfort in our sorrows, forgiveness for our sins, and belonging amid our fractured relationships. Jesus is the answer to the big questions in my life.

  1. What physical injury, large or small, have you recently experienced? What was it, and how have you recovered?
  2. Who is currently suffering from something you could pray for? What would you like to say to Jesus about them?
  3. What strained relationship do you have that needs healing? How could Jesus help you with it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/28/perspective-wk6-mon#comments 0 Perspective: WK5 - FRI https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/25/perspective-wk5-fri Fri, 25 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/25/perspective-wk5-fri
Redemption
Genesis 45:25-46:1
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

So Israel set out with all that was his…

Genesis 50:15, 18-20
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

The brothers return home with quite a story to tell. They have had miles to decide how to break the news of their treachery from fifteen years earlier. How did they decide who would be the spokesperson as they admitted what they had done? My guess is that the same brother who so often stepped up to the challenge does so again. Judah is likely the one.

Jacob is one hundred thirty years old, feeble and easily confused. He struggles to process the story as the punchline is shared: Joseph is alive. This passage omits the harsh words he must have spoken as disbelief gives way to understanding. His son is alive. Not only that, he is the leader of the one country with the resources to save his family. And he is calling for them to come.

The beauty of a family reunion forms the foundation of this redemption story, but it will not be fully realized until after Jacob's death. Fear and separation still hover just beneath the surface of the relationship between Joseph and the ten brothers responsible for his exile. They must have wondered whether the only reason they were included in their family's rescue was their father's presence. What would happen after he was gone?

Mercy and grace are the capstone of this story. After burying their father, Judah and his brothers fall at Joseph’s feet in guilt and shame, declaring, “We are now your slaves.” Joseph lifts their faces and covers their shame, saying, “Yes, you meant to harm me. But God has turned it into good. He has also changed my perspective, filling my heart with forgiveness and compassion. He has used this to save many lives. He has saved my life.”

  1. Has there ever been anyone in your life you once considered an enemy who became a friend? How did that happen?
  2. Is there someone you treat well only because you share a mutual friend? Who is that person? What would happen if the mutual friend left the picture?
  3. Is there something bad that has happened in your life that, over time, you have seen God use for good? What was it? How does it make you feel that God has brought something positive out of it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
View More

Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/25/perspective-wk5-fri#comments 0 Perspective: WK5 - THU https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/24/perspective-wk5-thu Thu, 24 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/24/perspective-wk5-thu
Forgiveness
Genesis 45:1-5
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Joseph is overcome with emotion at the moment of the reveal. He is their long-lost brother. Fear washes over the group as they realize what has been going on. They are at the mercy of the one they overpowered, stripped to his undergarments, and sold into slavery years earlier. They had denied their father the truth. Now they no longer control the story. Worse, he has been toying with them. Why? Is he enjoying part one of a series of tortures? What will happen next?

Joseph asks about their father, but no one can answer. They are paralyzed with fear. There must have been mercy in his eyes as he encourages them to come closer, and slowly, like testing the water at the edge of a pool, they inch toward him. He knows they are in shock as he says, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be angry with yourselves.” Isn’t it interesting how often the injured party shows the first grace, closes the gap, and creates reconciliation? 

Over the years, Joseph has gained the perspective to see things through God’s eyes. Yahweh has used his brothers’ sins to position the Hebrew teen in the courts of Pharaoh. He sees that God’s hand has been over him, even if most wouldn’t recognize it. In that moment, standing face-to-face with his tormenters, he made a simple choice to let go of bitterness and forgive.

  1. What hobby, sport, or activity from your past no longer fits your life? Is it hard to let it go? Why or why not?
  2. What guilt or shame do you need to release? Why is it hard to do so? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?
  3. Knowing that Jesus promises forgiveness for every confession, what would you like to bring to Him today?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

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WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/24/perspective-wk5-thu#comments 0 Perspective: WK5 - WED https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/23/perspective-wk5-wed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/23/perspective-wk5-wed
Testing
Genesis 44:1-5
Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.

As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’”

Genesis 44:14-18
Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?”

“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”

But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.”

Then Judah went up to him…

Genesis 44:33
Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.”

The plan is in place, and the trap is set. Joseph frames Benjamin as a thief, caught red-handed mid-getaway. Not only has each brother, once again, left Egypt with their payments of silver stashed in the grain they had purchased, but the youngest has apparently pilfered the ruler’s silver cup. This discovery comes after the brothers boldly claim their innocence, and the declaration is made, “Whoever is found to have [the cup] will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.” (v10)

Ironically, no one in the story believes Benjamin is a criminal. The brothers, buoyed by the discovery of their own surreptitiously returned silver, don’t believe he did it. Benjamin and all of Joseph’s servants know he didn’t do it; they did. And then there is the mastermind, Joseph.

The theatrics continue as the travelers return to the palace to face the furious protagonist. Here is where it gets interesting. By now, Judah is the acknowledged leader of the family, and he steps forward to address the situation. He knows they are stuck. There is no denying the problem. The cup of Pharaoh’s overseer has been found in Benjamin’s belongings. However it got there, Judah can see no way out. “We cannot prove our innocence. We are now your slaves.” Notice how Judah throws himself and his brothers into slavery alongside Benjamin. 

In one final test, Joseph objects by appealing to Benjamin’s brothers’ self-interest, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” (v17) 

At this pivotal moment, Judah pulls Joseph aside and pleads for his youngest brother’s freedom. He proves that his promise to Jacob was not bravado or the posturing of a coward. He foreshadows the coming Messiah and offers his life in exchange for Benjamin’s. At this, the Egyptian leader buckles. The test is over.

  1. Have you ever been pulled over by a police officer? How many times? Have you ever given an excuse or reason for your actions that got you out of a ticket?
  2. Have you ever had someone take the blame you deserved? Do you know why they did that? How did you respond?
  3. Knowing that Jesus traded His life for yours and invites you to live His eternal life, what would you like to say to Him?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

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WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/23/perspective-wk5-wed#comments 0 Perspective: WK5 - TUE https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/22/perspective-wk5-tue Tue, 22 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/22/perspective-wk5-tue
Benjamin
Genesis 43:1-2
Now the famine was still severe in the land. So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

Genesis 43:8
Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.

Genesis 43:29-30
As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

The hunger in Jacob’s family is temporarily staved off by the grain from the returning expedition. But as the supplies dwindle, discussion turns to going back for more. It hasn’t seemed to matter much to Jacob that his son Simeon is still held captive in Egypt on the condition that the family return, this time bringing his youngest son Benjamin. The patriarch will hear nothing of it, as the stench of favoritism wafts back through this story. 

There is no relief from the famine, and the last of the grain is gone. As Tony Robbins said, “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” So discussions of returning to Egypt resume. Driven by starvation, Jacob finally considers allowing Benjamin, the last link to his love for Rachel, to join the mission to save his family.

Central to this part of our tale is Judah’s role. He emerges as the family leader, urging his father to send them to seek grain and pledging his life as a guarantee of Benjamin’s safety. This fourth-born son of Jacob and Leah negotiates the family’s return to God’s path of rescue and will become the line through which salvation comes, not only for his immediate family during the famine but also for all humanity in the promised Messiah. We will keep an eye on this throughline in the days to come.

Eventually, the Hebrew caravan returns, arriving before the Egyptian prime minister. Seeing his younger brother softens Joseph’s heart, and sends him weeping to another room. Is it conceivable that the ache of betrayal can be vanquished? Have his brothers truly changed? Would they repent? Can his own resentment and anger be fully set aside and healed? Is reconciliation possible? Over the years, God has been melting the bitterness in Joseph’s heart. Every hardship has turned to success by the powerful presence of Yahweh. Shifting perspective has allowed this slave-turned-ruler to see the beauty of God’s plan emerge.

The arc of our story reaches intermission as Joseph eats on one side of the room at the Egyptian table, with his brothers on the other at the foreigners’ table. His mind whirs as threads come together to weave the cloth of a plan. He knows what he will do. And if these brothers have truly changed, he will see his father once again.

  1. What is something you have had to guarantee? What have you used to secure that guarantee?
  2. Who has been especially difficult to forgive? Why is that? What helped you embrace forgiveness?
  3. Which relationship of yours could use reconciliation? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
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Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/22/perspective-wk5-tue#comments 0 Perspective: WK5 - MON https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/21/perspective-wk5-mon Mon, 21 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/21/perspective-wk5-mon
Week 5 - Monday: Famine
Genesis 42:1-3
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons… “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground

Genesis 42:8
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.

Genesis 42:18-24
On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”

Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.

He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

The famine has reached the point that Jacob’s family can no longer rely on their reserves. They must travel to Egypt to bargain for grain. Jacob holds back his favorite, Benjamin, while sending ten of his sons on the journey.

The scene unfolds like a movie as Ruben and his crew of betrayers arrive to buy grain. They don’t recognize the man standing before them, but Joseph identifies them immediately. Feigning ignorance of their language, he uses an interpreter to speak with the Hebrew negotiators, maintaining his disguise as an Egyptian.

The Scriptures say that Joseph’s immediate response is to “speak harshly to them” (Genesis 42:7). I’ve always read this as a good strategy for determining whether their character has grown or if they are still the same vindictive, mean brothers he last spent time with. But I wonder if this isn’t just an honest reaction to seeing them. Is he struggling with wanting to help? Considering outright rejection?

Before the chapter ends, Joseph has accused them of spying, held them in custody for three days, imprisoned Simeon indefinitely, and framed them for theft by having his servants hide their silver payments in the grain they had bought. Maybe this is all strategy. But it smells like the fumes of the last embers of anger and resentment, a famine of its own. 

Somehow, as thirteen-year-old images of home disappearing behind distant sand dunes flash across his mind, God is planting flowers in the desert. The famine will not last because God’s love can sprout forgiveness where we thought nothing could grow.

  1. Would it be more difficult for you to go without technology for a month or to go a week without seeing another person? Why do you think that is?
  2. Is there someone you have been avoiding lately? Why have you been doing this? Is there something different you should do about it?
  3. Have you been wronged by someone you feel you cannot forgive? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
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WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/21/perspective-wk5-mon#comments 0 Perspective: WK4 - FRI https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/18/perspective-wk4-fri Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/18/perspective-wk4-fri
Influence
Genesis 41:33-41; 46
“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”

Something about his interaction with Pharaoh’s dreams gives Joseph the confidence to shift from interpreter to consultant. Inspired by God’s Spirit, he outlines a several-point plan, and Pharaoh loves it. His advisors are astute enough to see the momentum in the room and agree willingly. But who could they find with this kind of discernment? Hmmmm. 

I am entertained by the thought that Joseph is oblivious to how this will turn out. Pharaoh couldn’t find meaning in his dreams among the smartest advisors in his court. Then Joseph steps up to clarify. And now he counsels the king to find a man of discernment to implement a plan he has just outlined. If only there were such a person with that kind of wisdom. Are eyes slowly locking on Joseph as he makes this recommendation? 

Pharaoh turns to his officials and asks, “Do we know anyone capable of this? Can you think of anyone possessing this kind of discernment? Maybe someone God speaks to, who can interpret dreams and such? Someone who says, ‘I cannot do it, but God can’? Hmmmm. Of course, it would need to be someone with a free schedule. Who could we find? Say, Joseph…”

What a difference a day makes. It began with a prisoner receiving a good shave and ended with the full transfer of power. The slave boy, accused, sentenced, and forgotten, is elevated to opportunity and influence. Has he had time to reflect on his teenage dreams? Has it clicked that the prophecies from long ago were true, even if they hadn’t mentioned the tragedy and trials of the past thirteen years? Perspective. This story, at times most typified by tears trailing across sand-blistered cheeks, is turning. Over the next ten years, it will shift from misery to providence, from betrayal to reconciliation. Perspective. He may not understand it yet, but he can certainly feel the shift. The higher ways of God are redefining his life. He is moving from abandonment to redemption, from being left out and alone to belonging, from worthlessness to purpose.

Whatever you are going through today, take heart from Joseph’s story. In the darkest days, hear God’s voice reverberate through confusion or pain: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5) Feel the shift in perspective as He says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

  1. Have you ever been surprised by a promotion or a job offer? What was it? How did it make you feel?
  2. What need in your workplace or community of faith has God made clear to you? Have you considered that he may be asking you to step up to that challenge?
  3. What calling has God placed on your heart that you haven’t pursued yet? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/18/perspective-wk4-fri#comments 0 Perspective: WK4 - THU https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/17/perspective-wk4-thu Thu, 17 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/17/perspective-wk4-thu
Providence
Genesis 41:28-32
“It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.”

I wonder who was allowed to hear Joseph’s interpretation of these dreams. Was it just Pharaoh? Was the court filled with onlookers straining to catch every word? Were the king’s magicians and wise men watching and thinking, “Yeah, that makes sense.” Was the cupbearer there, quietly smiling, thinking, “That’s my boy.”

Led by the Holy Spirit, Joseph methodically explains the two dreams, point by point. Seven years and seven years, plenty will be followed by famine. Then Joseph’s final sentences provide the exclamation point. The events of the next fourteen trips around the sun are not up for discussion. They are decided and set. God has sent you, oh Pharaoh, these dreams because He wants you to do something about them. Sure, you have been warned. But more importantly, you have been chosen as an agent of God’s power. 

Across time, God has repeatedly chosen to use feeble, imperfect people as instruments of salvation. Whenever something good comes of the partnership between God and one of us, it begins with awareness. This is just such a moment.

Maybe the court was filled with onlookers that day. If so, did they see the lowly prisoner speaking with the most elevated person on the planet and realize they were equals? Were they impressed by the awareness that Yahweh cared enough about the lives of the Egyptians, the Hebrews, and all the surrounding nations to create a way through the famine? Maybe their eyes were opened, and they caught a glimpse of the providence of the God who has loved them since eternity past.

  1. Who are two or three people you turn to when sorting through a problem? What about them gives you confidence?
  2. What current problem or challenge in your life is weighing on your mind? Which element(s) concern you most? How could God bring blessing from this situation?
  3. What is happening in your life that shows evidence of God’s love for you? What would you like to say to Him about it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
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WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
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Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/17/perspective-wk4-thu#comments 0 Perspective: WK4 - WED https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/16/perspective-wk4-wed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/16/perspective-wk4-wed
Self-Awareness
Genesis 41:14-16
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Isn’t it amazing how something you have prayed for can be stalled and at a standstill, leaving you hopeless, and then, with the tripping of one domino, everything falls quickly into place? It is unclear what Joseph understands about his hasty summons to the palace. Does he realize the cupbearer has finally come through on his promise? In any case, he fully understands the solemnity of his opportunity to appear before Pharaoh. Joseph models a principle we do well to follow.

Not every moment carries the same weight. Some are “high-value targets.” While it can be hard to notice when the mundane becomes an opportunity for eternal impact, sometimes it’s just plain obvious. In my profession, a call to come to the hospital or a text asking to meet for coffee to talk about committing one’s heart to Jesus signals high importance and high value. In those moments, whether at a funeral or when someone reaches out for help, my spiritual pulse quickens, and I find it easy to focus.

Joseph may not realize what’s about to happen, but he can tell it’s big. He shaves (how long has it been) and puts on his best clothes. Pharaoh’s face is etched with frustration and intensity as he explains, “I can feel I’m at a crossroads. Something important is about to happen, and I can’t figure it out. I’ve racked my brain, challenged my staff, and tried to let these dreams go, but I can’t. And then I heard that YOU can help me. Please. Tell me what it all means.”

Joseph’s reply drips with self-awareness as he says, “I’m sorry, but I cannot do it.” This is definitely not what Pharaoh hoped to hear. The prisoner hurries to add, “But it’s going to be okay. The God I serve will give you an answer.” Joseph wants to make sure everyone listening knows who to credit for what is about to happen. The glory belongs to Yahweh. What a spiritually mature perspective.  

So often, we wrestle for praise and admiration that belong to someone else. The irony is that there is usually enough to go around when we are honest and stop scrambling to grab it for ourselves. God Himself is generous, allowing His glory to shine across our lives when we humbly make space for Him to work.

  1. Have you ever underestimated the importance of a moment and shown up underdressed? When was that, and what happened?
  2. What is one of the most important opportunities you have had recently to show up for your family or a friend? How did you respond to that moment?
  3. Have you ever been given credit that belongs to God? When that happened, how did you respond?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/16/perspective-wk4-wed#comments 0 Perspective: WK4 - TUE https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/15/perspective-wk4-tue Tue, 15 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/15/perspective-wk4-tue
Troubled
Genesis 41:1-9
Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.

I really struggle to remember names. People are gracious and often express empathy for the challenge of keeping track of so many community members. But it doesn’t matter. I feel my ears burn when I blank in the middle of greeting someone I’ve already met and can’t remember their name. Recently, in the middle of a one-on-one prayer with a team member (yes, that means it’s someone I’m around regularly), my inner voice interrupted my thoughts with two possible names for my prayer partner. I was in the middle of thanking God for (fill in the name here)’s friendship when my memory offered up both Melissa and Jessica. Ouch. I was already committed, so I confidently inserted the name I was 75% sure of and waited for the tension of a mistake, eyes tightly closed. Thankfully, I guessed correctly and wasn’t exposed for my confusion. But I almost wimped out and inserted something generic and noncommittal.

Forgetting names embarrasses me. Worse yet, forgetting an appointment. I am mortified when I realize I have overlooked a commitment and left someone hanging. It is tempting to feign ignorance or make up an excuse. Anything to sidestep the shame, even over small things.

Today’s passage takes us to Pharaoh’s dreams. Often, when we dream, we struggle to remember them by morning. Not these two dreams. These visions stuck with the supreme monarch and troubled his mind. He asks for help from interpreters and discusses them publicly enough that the chief cupbearer hears about them. That’s when it happens.

Like that moment when you wake with a start, look over, and realize you have overslept and are expected somewhere in the next five minutes, the cupbearer bolts to attention. He suddenly remembers a promise he made 2 years earlier to a friend who offered help and asked to be remembered. Surely his face flushes with blood as embarrassment and shame wash over him. He has been consumed with his own freedom and has forgotten his promise. Now, confronted with embarrassment and shame, the cupbearer swallows hard and admits his fault, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.” He tells Pharaoh about his friend, who seems to understand dreams and can help interpret the monarch’s troubled visions. But where is he? The cupbearer stammers, “His name is Joseph. He is a Hebrew ward of the prison of the palace guards.” Rather than shrink back to preserve his pride, he summons the courage to admit his failing, unwittingly making way for God’s plan of salvation.

  1. Can you recall a time you were late for an appointment because you overslept? What happened?
  2. What system do you use to remember appointments? Are you good at it? Why or why not?
  3. What is something you are tempted to ignore, minimize, or fib about to avoid shame? What would you like to do about it? Who should you confess this to?
  4. What is going on in your life that you find confusing or troubling? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
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The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
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The Abide Daily Podcast

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Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
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RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/15/perspective-wk4-tue#comments 0 Perspective: WK4 - MON https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/14/perspective-wk4-mon Mon, 14 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/14/perspective-wk4-mon
Remembered
Genesis 41:1, 14
When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream…

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph…

“When two full years had passed…”

I have to admit, I’m not a very patient person. I like to make things happen, pull the trigger, get things going. It drives me a little crazy to sit in a committee or among a group of people for the second or third time, only to discuss the same problems and brainstorm the same solutions, while no one has done anything about them in the meantime. What are we waiting for, people?

Even harder for me? When someone has made a commitment that affects a range of decisions I’m considering, it’s hard to resist acting on that promise and moving forward on the assumption they will follow through. Wisdom and experience tell me to wait until the “chickens are hatched” before acting. But it’s hard to resist. Oh, the waiting.

We’ve all experienced dark days when the job offer doesn’t materialize as promised, the pay raise is derailed, or the offer on the house falls through. Maybe the challenges you’ve faced include a fiancé changing their mind, a spouse walking away, or a baby lost before birth. Beyond being painful, these experiences teach us to view the world through cynical eyes, minimize hope, and check out on faith.

Today’s passage in Genesis 41 echoes a pattern repeated throughout Scripture. The pain and problems of today may seem insurmountable, but “when two full years had passed…” something happens. Abraham might be unsure of where he is going, but “when two full years had passed,” God showed him the land of promise. Moses might be pinned between the Egyptians and the Red Sea, but “when two full years had passed,” the sea parted, and a path was made. The walls of Jerusalem may have crumbled, and depression may have taken hold of Nehemiah’s heart, but “when two full years had passed,” the king sent him with the time, money, and authority to rebuild the walls. Jesus may be buried in a tomb, but “when two full years had passed,” the stone rolled away, and he arose again.

Maybe you are at the beginning of this cycle, when a promise fills you with hope, and you haven’t had time for disappointment. Others of us have waited so long since the promise was made that despair and hopelessness have taken over. For yet others, today is the day the message comes, “the king has had a dream and is sending for you.” Wherever you fit in this predictable story, I invite you to adopt the perspective and faith of Joseph. Hold fast to the promise that God loves you and is working on your rescue.

“When two full years had passed, Pharaoh sent for Joseph.”

  1. When someone tells you they have a surprise for you and asks whether you want to know what it is before it arrives, how do you respond? Why do you think you react that way?
  2. What have you wished for that took so long you gave up hope, only to have it turn out well in the end?  What have you learned from that experience?  
  3. What are you in the middle of right now that feels discouraging and makes you wonder whether you will ever find relief? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?

Written by Pastor Pastor Dave Ferguson

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
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CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
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Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

]]> https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/14/perspective-wk4-mon#comments 0 Perspective: Wk3 - GROUP GUIDE https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/12/perspective-wk3-group-guide Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://crosswalkvillage.com/blog/2026/09/12/perspective-wk3-group-guide
INTRODUCTION: The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN:  Have you ever had to watch someone close to you go through something horrific, yet the way in which they chose to navigate their circumstances inspired you? Share what impacted you and what choice or choices they made that helped them face those times in such an inspirational way.

SCRIPTURE READING
Read together:  Genesis 39:20-41:1, Romans 15:13, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 6:9

Consider how Joseph might have been developing his inner life even when facing difficult circumstances in his outer life.

HEAD: Explore the Text
  1. Share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts you received just from listening to the text, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
  2. Again, in bad circumstances, Joseph quickly rises to the top. Do you think this happened immediately or did it take time? And how did Joseph continue to make this impact wherever he went?
  3. What insight can you take from the way Joseph impacted others even though he was just a prisoner, a person of little to no importance? Does this attitude remind you of anyone else in Scripture?
  4. Do you think the teenage Joseph would have even noticed the dejection of another human being? Describe what you think he has learned along the way that has helped him become a better man, stripped him of his pride and ego, and even able to identify with those suffering.
  5. Why do you think Joseph felt confident in being able to interpret the dreams of the baker and cupbearer? What does he say in verse 8 of chapter 40?
  6. At the end of this story, again, Joseph is forgotten about. How do you think that must have felt, and how does Joseph survive yet another blow (Remember, he doesn’t know where his life is heading)?

HEART: Personal Reflection
  1. In Romans 8: 28, it says that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.” How have you seen this work out in your life, or in the life of someone near to you?
  2. How can you and I, as followers of Jesus, continue to follow Him even when life throws us blow after blow after blow?
  3. Joseph gives credit where credit is due when it comes to interpreting dreams. How can you and I keep from getting big heads when God blesses and uses us to bless others?
  4. Joseph, like Jesus, impacted others by being a servant. Jesus calls us to serve and love others, like He served and loved us. What are some practical ways we can live out this call in our homes, at work, in our faith community, and along the ways of life?

HANDS: Practice This Week
Spiritual Practice: Personalizing God’s Why
  • Right out and compare the desires of our sinful nature as described in Galatians 5:19-21, with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
  • Then, write out ways to help cultivate each fruit of the Spirit in your life.
  • Do an inventory of the things you’re spending your life with right now. Which of those things are helping produce the fruit of the Spirit, and which are pushing you to your sinful nature? Ask God to help you be rooted and established in His love, His fruit, over that of the worlds.

Invite the group to check in next week about their experience.

FINISH WELL: Bring It Home
  • God sent Himself to us, and sent us to others. Do you sense an area in your life where God is sending you to be a blessing, share his love, carry his peace, etc…?
  • Is there something holding you back from answering that call and if so, what, and what would it take for you to let go and say along with Isaiah, “Here I am, send me!”

WORDS TO REMEMBER
“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:37b-38, NLT)

Written by Pastor Paddy McCoy

Download PDF Versions of our Series Guides

DAILY-STUDY-Perspective.pdf
GROUP-GUIDE-Perspectives.pdf

Daily Study Podcast

WK2-Tue | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 20, 2026
WK2-Mon | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 19, 2026
WK1-Fri | The Beautiful Upset (S2)
Oct 16, 2026
View More

CRSWLK Kids Daily Devotional

The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2 Tuesday
Oct 20, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W2, Monday
Oct 19, 2026
The Beautiful Upset S2: Kids - W1, Friday
Oct 16, 2026
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The Abide Daily Podcast

Mark 2:1-12 | My Child Your Sins Are Forgiven
Oct 20, 2026
Mark 4:1-9 | The Sower
Oct 19, 2026
RETURNING | Mark 1:1-3
Oct 18, 2026
View More

Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk

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