Chapin Christian Community Church

Many Christians wonder why some believers radiate Christ-like character while others remain unchanged despite years of faith. The difference lies in how we engage with God's transforming grace. Grace isn't just forgiveness that gets us to heaven—it's God's active power working in our lives to empower spiritual growth. Too often we settle for belief without transformation, confusing church attendance with true discipleship. God's ultimate goal isn't getting you into heaven, but getting heaven into you by conforming you to the image of Jesus. Transformation happens as we look at Jesus and participate with God's work in our lives, taking steps of obedience rather than resisting His ways.
Resources:
5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Formed_-Week-2_-Becoming-Like-Jesus_-5-Day-Devotional.pdf
Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Formed_-Week-2_-Becoming-Like-Jesus_-Discussion-Guide.pdf 

Easter reveals that the risen Jesus is actively working to transform your life today. Spiritual formation is the process of becoming like Jesus for the sake of others, happening slowly over time rather than instantly. Everything in your life is already forming you—your habits, relationships, technology use, and daily routines. The key question isn't whether you're being formed, but who you're becoming. Romans 12:1-2 teaches that transformation begins with receiving God's mercy, not trying harder. True change happens through mind renewal, where God's truth replaces the lies we believe about ourselves and life. Grace and effort work together—you're already accepted in Christ, which enables you to participate in the transformation process through small, consistent steps.
Resources:5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FORMED_-Week-1_-Who-Are-You-Becoming-5-day-devo.pdf 
Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FORMED_-Week-1_-Who-Are-You-Becoming-Discussion-Guide.pdf 

Through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, Jesus reveals three biblical certainties about life after death. First, we are spirit beings temporarily housed in physical bodies, and death is simply when our spirit leaves this earthly tent. Second, we will immediately know our eternal destiny upon death with no waiting period or second chances. Third, our eternal destination is unchangeable and final. For believers, death leads to paradise and unhindered fellowship with Jesus, while those who reject Christ face eternal separation from God. The message is clear: we must choose to trust Jesus while we're still living, as forever truly means forever.
Resources:Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kingdom-Stories_-Week-3_-What-Happens-After-I-Die_-Discussion-Guide.pdf 
5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kingdom-Stories_-Week-3_-What-Happens-After-I-Die_-5-Day-Devo.pdf 

Check out Episode one of Leading by Following, a new podcast hosted by Pastor Jody Flowers. This podcast is for leaders, and we all are leaders. For episode one, Pastor Jody sits down with Pastor John Dukes for a conversation about transitioning to Lead Pastor at Chapin Christian, discussing John's vision, and a bit of his personal testimony. Give it a listen!
This podcast will be available on all streaming platforms as audio only.
Watch on: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvgjgkb2AR8
Pastor Jody's Blog: https://jodyflowers843.org/

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a parable about two builders who both heard His words but made different choices about their foundations. The wise builder constructed his house on rock through obedience, while the foolish builder chose sand by hearing without acting. When storms inevitably came, only the house built on rock remained standing. The difference wasn't in the storm's intensity but in their foundations. True hearing means more than just listening to sermons or reading scripture—it requires knowing God personally, recognizing His voice, and acting on what He says. Building on the rock means choosing obedience over convenience in daily life, while sand represents anything unstable we might build our lives on like our own strength, financial security, or religious activity without surrender.
Resources:5 Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kingdom-Stories_-Week-2_-What-Are-You-Building-Your-Life-On_-5-Day-Devo.pdf 
Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kingdom-Stories_-Week-2_-What-Are-You-Building-Your-Life-On_-Disscussion-Guide.pdf 

Jesus began His ministry with a powerful announcement: the kingdom of God has come near. This wasn't just another religious message, but a declaration that God's reign was breaking into our broken world through Jesus. The kingdom represents God's reality intersecting with ours, offering hope in the midst of our deepest longings. While we live in the tension between Christ's decisive victory and the final restoration to come, we're called to respond with repentance and belief. Repentance means releasing control of our lives, while belief means putting our full trust in the King. This Gospel invitation isn't just information to consider but a daily relationship with Jesus that transforms how we live.
Resources: 
Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kingdom-Stories_-Week-1_-The-Story-You-Are-Longing-For_-Discussion-Guide.pdf 
 
5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kingdom-Stories_-Week-1_-The-Story-You-Are-Longing-For-5-day-devo.pdf