September 10 & 11, 2021
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” Hebrews 6:19
All of us know what it feels like to experience disappointments and failed expectations. After all, life lived this side of eternity presents many occasions for our hopes to be dashed, our spirits to be crushed, and our hearts to be broken. When situations in life don’t go the way we think they should, it can be tempting to slip into despair—even as Christians. And yet, the Scriptures tell us that in Christ, we’re anchored in hope. So, how can this be true when sometimes our circumstances seem to suggest otherwise? What difference does faith in Christ make when life feels so hard, so heavy, and so…hopeless?
As Pastor Charles Spurgeon once preached, “hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” During this conference, speaker Christine Chappell guides women by the light of God’s Word, exploring how the gospel of Jesus Christ offers them realistic hope, meaningful help, and redemptive purpose in the midst of life’s letdowns.
Remembering Our Hope: Examine the nature of our hearts’ hopes and see how Jesus serves as the true and better hope. Examine what it means to put our hope in Christ alone, and learn how to preach the gospel to ourselves when the world around us appears to be falling apart.
Engaging Our Emotions: Explore a biblical perspective on human emotions, viewing them as helpful indicators yet terrible navigators. What do our emotions reveal about our hopes and affections? Are all negative emotions really bad? Are all positive feelings really good? Ddive into the gospel of grace to find practical help in addressing overwhelming emotions in spiritually fruitful ways.
Stewarding Our Stories: Explore God’s good design for genuine Christian community. By taking a long hard look at some of the reasons we hesitate to bravely share our life stories with others, we’ll discover how the gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us to steward past hurts and sorrows into redemptive opportunities for genuine meaningful fellowship.