Abide is a 8 week journey toward experiencing depth, direction, and delight in God. Not occasionally, but daily and intentionally. Jesus’ invitation in John 15 is simple and life-changing: “Abide in Me.” Not visit. Not check in from time to time. Not observe from a distance. Abide. Remain. Stay connected.
This series is designed to move us beyond information into transformation. Each week builds on the last, helping
you form spiritual rhythms that draw you closer
to Jesus in everyday life.
Sermon Videos
Week One- Created To Connect
February 1st, 2026 | Aaron Burke
We were created for connection with God. From Eden to
the upper room, God’s desire has always been to dwell with
His people. In John 15, Jesus gives us the foundation of the
Christian life: “Abide in Me.” Abiding means dwelling, remaining,
and living in continual communion with Christ. When we abide,
our lives become marked by peace, clarity, and fruitfulness.
Week Two – The Making of a Fruitful Life
February 8th, 2026 | Aaron Burke
The Father, as the Gardener, cultivates our lives so we can bear fruit. In John 15, Jesus reveals a divine process: we are planted in Christ, pruned by the Father, and empowered by the Spirit to produce fruit. Abiding is not passive—it is a transformational
relationship where God shapes us from the inside out. Being planted means surrendering our lives fully to Jesus. Being pruned means allowing God to remove what is unhealthy, unholy, or unfruitful. Being fruitful means becoming more like Christ internally, through our attitudes, and impacting others externally, through our actions.
Week Three – Seeing Jesus Clearly
February 15th, 2026 | Aaron Burke
Abiding begins with knowing who Jesus truly is. What you think about God determines everything about your ability to draw near to Him. In John 10, Jesus reveals Himself as the Gate, Life, and the Good Shepherd. When you understand His character—His goodness, His intentions, His protection, His leadership—you learn to trust His voice and follow His way. Abiding becomes natural when you see Jesus clearly.
Week Four – Finding God’s Will in God’s Word
February 22nd, 2026 | Aaron Burke
God reveals His will through His Word. We don’t discover God’s will by guessing or drifting through life—we find it by abiding in Scripture. Just as an instruction manual brings clarity to a complex piece of furniture, God’s Word brings clarity to the complexity of our lives. His Word is not meant to overwhelm
us, but to illuminate our next steps. Scripture is a lamp for today,
not a floodlight for tomorrow.
Week Five – Being Led by the Holy Spirit
March 1st, 2026 | Aaron Burke
The Holy Spirit is not just a power to experience but a Person to follow. Life is filled with decisions that Scripture doesn’t directly answer, but God has not left us without guidance. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come alongside us—guiding us, leading us into truth, revealing what we cannot see, glorifying Jesus through our lives, and producing spiritual fruit within us. The Spirit is our Advocate, Counselor, and Guide.
Week Six – Effective and Enjoyable Prayer
March 8th, 2026 | Aaron Burke
Prayer is not meant to be complicated, exhausting, or intimidating—it is designed to be relational, life- giving, and deeply enjoyable. In the story of Mary and Martha, we see the contrast between a distracted life with a devoted one. Mary positioned herself at the Lord’s feet—surrendered, slowed down, and fully present—while Martha was busy, overwhelmed, and missing the moment. Jesus taught that the “better way” is not found in striving but in abiding. An effective prayer life flows from posture, not pressure.
Week Seven – Freedom in Forgiveness
March 15th, 2026 | Jordan Deese
Forgiveness is not optional for a follower of Jesus—it is essential for a life of abiding. Nothing chokes out intimacy with God faster than unresolved guilt or unreleased offense. Forgiveness flows in two directions: receiving forgiveness from God and releasing forgiveness to others. Both are necessary for the life of Christ to flow through us. When we grasp how fully Christ has forgiven us, the soil of our heart becomes soft enough to forgive others.
Week Eight – Mind Games
March 22nd, 2026 | Matt Blair
As we learn to live a lifestyle of abiding with God, one of the greatest battles we face is in our minds. Doubt, fear, and shame often surface the moment we slow down to meet with God. From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, the enemy has attacked God’s people not with loud rebellion, but with subtle questions designed to distort truth and undermine trust. The solution to these mind games is not ignoring them, but renewing our minds through truth, confession, repentance, and refocusing on Jesus.
Resources
How to Study the Bible
Watch this video: How to Study the Bible
YouVersion Bible App
Free on iOS and Android
Offers many translations, audio Bible, topical plans, and daily reminders
How to use it:
- Pick a Bible reading plan
- Turn on reminders
- Highlight verses and add notes
- Share verses with friends for accountability
Blue Letter Bible
Powerful for studying original language, context, and cross-references
How to do a word study:
- Choose a word (faith, abide, grace, truth, shepherd).
- Search it in Blue Letter Bible.
- Select a verse that uses it.
- Open the Interlinear tool to view the original Greek or Hebrew.
- Read definitions, usage, and additional passages.
- Journal the insights.
Four Ways to Read the Bible
Systematic reading
Reading from Genesis to Revelation.
Goal: see the whole story of Scripture.
Book-by-book study
Choose one book (John, Romans, Psalms) and dive deep.
Word studies
Trace a theme through the whole Bible (grace, faith, Spirit, fruit).
Meditative reading
Sit with one passage. Ask God to speak.
Great places to start: John 15, Psalm 23, Romans 8.
S.O.A.P Journal Guide
S — Scripture
Write the verse or passage that stands out.
O — Observation
What is happening? What does this reveal about God?
A — Application
What should I do with this truth?
P — Prayer
Ask God to help you respond.
Example:
S — “Apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
O — Jesus is the source of all fruit.
A — Begin the day with connection, not productivity.
P — “Lord, help me remain in you today.”
The 3x5 Desire Exercise
A discipline that reveals how God shapes your heart over time.
How it Works:
1. Take a 3×5 card.
2. Write today’s date.
3. Write any real desire—big or small.
4. Do not filter the desire.
5. File it away.
Monthly Review
Label each card as:
Kept,
Released,
Changed,
or Fulfilled.
Questions to Ask
Did God redirect this from ego to service?
Did comfort shift into calling?
Did image shift into fruitfulness?
The Desire Test
Before asking God for a desire, ask:
1. Does this glorify God? (see John 15:8)
2. Would this bear lasting fruit?
3. Can I pray the Daniel 3 prayer: “Even if not, I will trust you”?
From Striving to Thriving
| Striving Looks Like: | Thriving Looks Like: |
|---|---|
| Trying to earn God’s approval | Rooted identity |
| Living under pressure, not grace | Joy in obedience |
| Burnout | Sustainable rhythms of rest |
| Comparison | Peace and clarity |
| Anxiety | Spirit-led decisions |
| Self-reliance | Serving from overflow |
| Fear and control | Deep connection with God |
How to Move From Striving to Thriving – A Biblical Pathway
Receive your identity in Christ • Ephesians 1-2
You are chosen, adopted, forgiven, & loved.
Rest in Christ’s finished work • Hebrews 4
Striving ends when you trust what Christ has already done.
Remain connected daily • John 15
Fruit flows naturally from abiding.
Renew your mind • Romans 12:2
Replace lies with truth.
Release control • Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust God with outcomes.
Respond in obedience • James 1:22
Obedience unlocks transformation.
How to Confirm God’s Voice
Use this four-part filter:
1. Scripture
God never contradicts His Word.
Ask: Does this align with scripture?
2. Church
Wise believers help confirm God’s leading.
Ask: Is this confirmed by godly community and spiritual authority?
3. Circumstances
God opens and closes doors.
Ask: Are circumstances aligning with this direction?
4. Peace
The Spirit’s leading will require faith but be accompanied by peace.
Ask: Am I experiencing God’s peace as I step forward?
When all four align, move forward with confidence.
If one is off, pause, pray, and seek clarity.
Abide Daily Rhythm
Slow Down
Be still for 1-2 minutes. Say, “Here I am, Lord.”
Read
Use a reading plan or SOAP.
Reflect
What is God teaching me about Himself?
What is God shaping in me?
What is He correcting or encouraging?
Respond
Pray honestly.
Ask for your assignment for the day.
Remain
Throughout the day, whisper breath prayers:
“Jesus, lead me.”
“Holy Spirit, speak.”
“I choose to stay connected.”
Abide Community Practices
Confession
Bring sin & struggle into the light. James 5:16
Accountability
Walk with one or two trusted believers.
Encouragement
Share verses, testimonies, and prayers.
Coporate Worship
We abide personally, but not privately. Community strengthens connection.
Abide Community Practices
Confession
Bring sin & struggle into the light. James 5:16
Accountability
Walk with one or two trusted believers.
Encouragement
Share verses, testimonies, and prayers.
Coporate Worship
We abide personally, but not privately. Community strengthens connection.
Spiritual Growth Checklist
Weekly Questions
Did I slow down and meet with God?
Did I read and reflect on Scripture?
Did I bring my desires to God honestly?
Am I forgiving quickly?
Have I confessed anything weighing on me?
Did I obey the assignment God gave me?
Growth indicators
You’re growing if you see:
✓ More peace
✓ More clarity
✓ More joy
✓ Less striving
✓ Less fear
✓ More forgiveness
✓ Quicker obedience
✓ Hunger for Scripture
✓ Compassion for others
✓ Fruit of the Spirit increasing
