Who is Jesus?

Our church is all about Jesus – and everything we do is to help people find their way home in His love. Jesus perfectly reveals God’s heart of love for people – love that is not based on our performance but on God’s character. Jesus came to show how to have an authentic relationship with God – one that transforms a person’s whole life.

The life and teachings of Jesus are recorded in the Bible, in books that are called “Gospels,” which means “good news.” The good news is that we do not (and cannot) earn our way into God’s love or heaven – God gives us salvation as a gift in Jesus. We humbly accept this gift and live in relationship with Jesus - the fulfillment of our deepest longings. A devoted relationship with Jesus brings peace, joy, freedom, and love. See Matthew 11:28-30, John 10:9-11, and Ephesians 2:8-10.

We love talking about Jesus. If you have more questions, contact us.

The True Story (video) Uniqueness of Christianity
Why do bad things happen?

If God is all-loving and all-powerful, then why do bad things happen? Jesus is God’s answer to this tough question. Jesus was perfectly good, but He was condemned by religious leaders, shouted down by an angry mob, deserted by His closest friends, and sentenced to death by political power. God gives humans the ability to choose – good or evil.

Most bad things happen because of human choices, yet God’s goodness is still at work to overcome evil. Jesus died to forgive human sin so that His Spirit could live inside of people and change their will (desires) to want what God wants (= the good) and join Him in healing the world. This transformation happens through a reconciled relationship with Jesus (and ourselves and others). See Mark 8:31-36, John 12:24-26, and Romans 8:28-39. 

Our church appreciates questions and doubts. If you want to talk through a question, need prayer, or just need someone to listen, we want to help. Please contact us. 

CS Lewis on the Problem of Evil Jesus Understands Our Pain
What is the Bible?

The Bible is God’s revealed Word for us as humans – pointing us to Jesus as the solution to our deepest problems and fulfillment of our deepest longings. It is our Creator’s love story to us as His lost children (full of tragedy and victory), showing us the way back home. See Matthew 7:24-29, John 6:67-69, Psalm 19, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

When you love someone, you want to know their story – and so we study the Bible to know God’s Story in Jesus. If you have more questions about the Bible, we would love to talk with you. Feel free to contact us.

Here are some basic tips for understanding the Bible.

  1. Get a translation you can understand. We recommend the New Living Translation (NLT) or New International Version (NIV) - but any translation works if you can understand it. Check out the YouVersion Bible app here.
  2. Get some help. Pray and ask God for guidance. Study the Bible with others. And write down questions to ask a strong believer.
  3. Go deeper. Get a Study Bible (here), Bible Dictionary (here), and learn how to do inductive Bible Study (here). And keep asking good questions!
About the Bible (Bible Project) How to Understand the Bible
Why Church?

Jesus was hurt by religious people – and many of us have been too. Yet Jesus still started the Church – a worldwide collection of imperfect yet called people to share His love and forgiveness in the world. When we read the Bible, we see Jesus’s own disciples constantly making mistakes. They admitted when they were wrong because Church is not about people, but Jesus.

Going to church does not save you (only Jesus does that), but it gives you support in your walk with Jesus – and we all need support. That’s why the Bible tells us to meet together regularly and why Jesus sent His disciples out in teams. We are not made to make it on our own, and we can accomplish much more together.

No church is perfect, but there is a church that is perfect for you. Whether that is our church or another church, we hope you will find a church home. Life is better together. See Matthew 4:18-20, Luke 10:1-2, Acts 2:42-47, and Hebrews 10:25.

If you want to talk more to see if Covenant Grove is the right church for you, please contact us.

NT Wright on Church Our Larger Church Family
How can I grow?

True faith is not a set of rules but a relationship with Jesus. In any good relationship, you want to grow closer to the person you love. Jesus taught that the first thing we do is to accept His love for us – you don’t earn it but accept it. We grow by responding to His love.

We respond to this undeserved love by loving Jesus in return, by loving His family (called the Church), and by joining Jesus in the mission to heal the world. At Covenant Grove, we call these the three “Roots” of Discipleship, Fellowship, and Mission – a tree bears fruit by having deep Roots (see John 15:5). Deep Roots grow resilience for the storms of life. See Ephesians 3:17-19 and Colossians 2:7. 

Roots grow deeper through rhythms or habits. Jesus lived a rhythm of life that He passed on to His followers. We offer teaching, support, and tools to help everyone grow closer to Jesus at their own pace. In our church, we emphasize seven habits that lead to spiritual and emotional health:

  1. Worship and Rest
  2. Prayer and Bible Reading
  3. Financial Generosity
  4. Connecting in Groups
  5. Serving in Church
  6. Serving the World
  7. Telling Others about Jesus
Biblical Justice Questions about Visiting

Have more questions?

There are so many good questions! If you have more questions, check out the YouTube and podcast links listed above – they are filled with a lot of great content. Or contact us – we would love to talk with you. Or best of all, read your Bible with a strong Christian and ask your questions – the best answers are not just mental but lived in life with Jesus.