On Sunday, October 26, 2025, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Navigating the Valley of the Shadows” (Psalm 23:4). Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. When was the last time you felt you were experiencing life in the Valley of the Shadow, when ‘Mr. Hardship barged into your life’? What were some of the details? What were some of your feelings?
2. Bruce talked about the main character from the movie Bruce Almighty and how he struggled with his life events and found himself shouting to heaven, Why? Why Lord?  It’s such a common response we have.  Why is it so common?
3. Bruce mentioned three things we should remember when we find ourselves in the Valley of the Shadow.  What were those three things?  Which one of those three things are you most prone to forget or lose sight of?
4. Why should God’s sovereignty be a comfort to us?
5. Can Jesus really understand and sympathize with us when we found ourselves Navigating the Valley of the Shadow?  What events from His life on earth would Indicate that He can?
6. Edith Schaeffer was quoted as saying, The most effective school to train comforters Is the school of life.  Elaborate on that idea.
7. Joe Stowell said that, “faith means grabbing hold of His character, and clinging to God’s promises.”  How can we practically do that?
8. Vance Havner was quoted as saying, God marks some of our days “will explain later.” Elaborate on what you think that “later” will be like.
9. Take some time to pray for someone you know who is currently ‘Navigating the Valley of the Shadow.

On Sunday, October 13, 2024, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Part 1” from our The Bible and your Conscience series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Have you previously heard a biblical message on the topic of conscience? When and where did it happen? And what did you learn?
2. Were you surprised (or not surprised) at how frequently conscience is mentioned in the New Testament?  Explain why.
3. How did Adam and Eve display the presence of their consciences?
4. Share a time where your conscience made you feel good about something you said or did.
5. Share a time when your conscience might have made you feel uneasy about something you said or did.
6. Bruce listed several descriptions of conscience and then gave his own summary. If someone was to ask you, what is the conscience, how would you answer?
7. Spend some time praying for neighbors, or co-workers, or friends, or family that the Holy Spirit might stir their conscience regarding the need for a Savior.

I hope you are stoked to enjoy the last three days of the month of June for 2024! The calendar flips to July on Monday!

Please be in prayer for our students as many of them are getting ready to head to camp up near Wichita right now.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to touch hearts with His Word.  Pray for the students to be reachable and teachable.  Pray for our wonderful staff and lay leaders who are investing these days with our students.

Also, a heads up:  there is an opportunity to join in on another mission trip to Casas Grandes, Mexico in mid-August. The ministry will include medical clinics, children’s ministry, and clean water. This is the type of trip for anyone to consider, and also for families!  For more info contact Tom Brewster (214-454-6476) or email him at tom@chiamissions.org

Sunday we will conclude our June sermon series on Foreshadows of the 2^nd Coming of Jesus. The message this Sunday will focus on the Emergence of a Global Mindset.  We will also draw things to a close by reflecting on how as a church family we should strive to excel still more in our ministry to others.  I’m excited.

Appreciate all of you!

See you Sunday,

Bruce

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Two Life Paths” from our Him Book series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Bruce began by stating a truism…that ultimately life is about the choices we make.
What might be an unwise choice or two that you have made?  Elaborate some.

2. Bruce cited another common truism:  “the choices you make, make you.”  Do you concur with that truism?  Why or why not?

3. It was stated that both Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 were purposefully chosen to lead the Book of Psalms.  What were the reasons cited?

4. When Psalm 1 says, “Blessed is the man” what does that really mean?  Explain.

5. Bruce cited both Psalm 16:11 and Psalm 34:8. How have those verses been displayed through God’s working in your life?

6. Psalm 1 lays out a common downward spiral that can influence any life:
* Phase 1 – walking in the counsel of, starting to listen to the world’s way of thinking
* Phase 2 – standing in the way of, stopping and beginning to buy into worldly thinking and values
* Phase 3 – sitting in the seat of, settling into and identifying with worldly attitudes and behavior
What tools does the world system utilize to influence people in this way?

7. Let’s get real…Are there currently any areas in your life where the world system seems to be “squeezing you into its mold”?

8. Read out loud Psalm 1:2-3.  Also read out loud Psalm 119:15-16. What are some ways we can put the principles of those verses into practice in our everyday lives?

9.  Bruce closed the message citing Psalm 92:12-14. Pray that God will work in your life in such a way that you can still be bearing fruit in old age, being ever “full of sap and green.

Hey Wildwood Family!

Well, June arrives tomorrow! Where did the month of May go?????

The good news is that the month of June begins with a BIG bang at Wildwood.  Monday is the training day for VBS (vacation bible school) and then some 650+ kids and some 300+ volunteers will be journeying together Tuesday thru Friday at VBS. Please be in prayer for this wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to so many children that Jesus is indeed the true superhero of the universe…the one who bled and died for our sins. There will be a lot of fun, music and worship, and clear declarations of God’s truth. Exciting stuff!

June will also be interesting as a few of our world outreach partners will be visiting this month.  You’ll be able to see some of them this Sunday!

Also, this Sunday we will be concluding the Him Book series on selected Psalms.  It will be my personal privilege to close out this series by looking at the very first Psalm in the collection—Psalm 1!  Have you ever pondered:  why was Psalm 1 selected to be the first one?  I don’t believe it was a random event or even that it was the first psalm written (especially since Moses wrote one).  In fact, I believe both Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 were selected to lead the Book of Psalms for specific reasons.

Psalm 1 sets before us the vital truth that there are two life paths that each person must choose from. Thus, the title of this week’s message is Two Life Paths.  Although Psalm 1 contains only six verses, there is plenty of practical life truth crammed into those verses.  I’m excited to take us on a journey of examining this final message in the Him Book series.  One additional treat…our closing song themed on Psalm 1 was composed by our very own Greg Hill!  You can’t miss this Sunday!

See you then!

Bruce

On Sunday, December 31, 2023, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “God is Good…”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Bruce mentioned some future predictions from the past in his message. What past new years or future predictions, if any, stand out to you as memorable?
2. Read out loud Psalm 136:1-3; 23-26.
3. Bruce cited three reasons why we can say with confidence that ‘God is good, and His love endures forever.’  The first is God’s natural blessings, blessings He gives to everyone and often every day. List a few of His natural blessings for which you are grateful.
4. The second reason is His spiritual blessings in our life. Read Ephesians 1:3-21 and highlight some special blessings from that passage that you especially appreciate.
5. The third reason is His providential plan (see Romans 8:28).  ‘God is good and His love endures forever.’ His goodness and love will outlast all the problems we will face in 2024. We should strategically plan to remember that in the days ahead when circumstances seem to be crushing us, or we find ourselves tempted to despair—no matter what happens in 2024! Brainstorm some creative ways in the days ahead of how you can remind yourself and your family of that important truth.
6. Spend some time in prayer and worship thanking God that “He is good and His love endures forever”!!