Newsletter – 08/06/26

Mark Your Calendar

Youth Outing – Aug 26
Marriage Retreat – Sep 25-26

📢 Announcements

Daily Bible Reading

Join Ricky each morning as we read through the book of John together. You can find each day’s video in this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFG0Ngm_KT50 Be sure to subscribe to the Eastside YouTube channel and request notifications if you would like to be notified each morning.

You can also find the Daily Bible Reading on our website at: https://eastsidebaptistmooresville.com/daily-bible-reading/

📖 Next Steps Class – Sundays @ 10am

This is a welcoming 4-week class (started July 26) designed to help you discover who we are, what we believe, and how to take your next step together in following Jesus. You’ll hear the story and mission of Eastside, explore the foundations of our faith, and learn how community, discipleship, and serving fit into life together as a church. Whether you’re brand new or ready to get more connected, this class is your pathway into community, growth, and service.

📖 New Adult Bible Study – “How People Change”

Real change can feel out of reach, but God is at work in the everyday moments of our lives (2 Corinthians 3:18). Join us this Sunday at 10am for a new Adult Bible Study series, “How People Change,” based on the teaching of Paul Tripp. Come as you are, bring your questions, and grow with us—we’ll save you a seat.

📢 August Youth Newsletter!

❤️ Marriage Retreat – September 25-26

Strengthen your marriage at our upcoming retreat!

Cost: $200 per couple
Guest Speaker: Dr. Chris Gnanakan
Location: Camp Dogwood, Sherrills Ford, NC

Join us for a time of inspiration, growth, and connection. After the retreat, we’ll host a Saturday night outreach,

Discussion Questions for “When You See But Don’t Understand”

📖 Biblical Insight

1. Blurry Vision and Growing Faith — Mark 8:22–26

Why do you think Jesus healed the blind man in two stages rather than instantly?
What does this teach about the way spiritual growth and understanding happen gradually?
What is the difference between being “blurry” in understanding and being spiritually blind?
How does this passage encourage someone who doesn’t fully understand Christ yet?

2. Peter’s Right Answer — Mark 8:27–30

How is it possible to know right biblical answers without fully embracing their implications?
What are truths people can understand intellectually without allowing them to transform?
Why is knowing who Jesus is more important than simply knowing facts about Him?

3. Peter’s Wrong Understanding — Mark 8:31–33

Why did Peter react so strongly when Jesus explained that He would suffer and die?
How did Peter’s expectations of the Messiah differ from God’s actual plan?
What does this teach us about allowing assumptions to shape our understanding of God?
What does Jesus’ response to Peter reveal about the seriousness of opposing God’s plan?
Why are our feelings and instincts unreliable guides for determining what is true?

4. God’s Word vs. Our Perspective

What does it mean to evaluate our thoughts and assumptions through the lens of Scripture?
How or why can something sound spiritually wise while actually contradicting God’s Word?
What’s the difference between submitting to God’s truth rather than our own understanding?

🔨 Practical Application

1. When Your Vision Is Blurry

What are areas which Christians commonly struggle to understand what God is doing?
What can you do when you don’t have enough clarity to understand what God is doing?

What does it look like to remain teachable when our understanding is challenged?
How can pride prevent us from recognizing that our perspective may be wrong?
What are practical ways prayer, Scripture, church, and patience can help our perspective?
How do we cultivate a willingness to say, “Lord, what are You teaching me through this?”

🪞 Personal Reflection

1. Where Is Your Vision Blurry?

Is there an area of your life right now where you feel like you can “see” God working, but you don’t fully understand what He is doing? How have you responded to that uncertainty?
What would it look like to remain close to Jesus while you wait for greater clarity?

Is there a particular way you expect Jesus to work in your life?
Could any of your expectations be based more on what you want from Jesus than on what Scripture actually teaches about Him?
Are there circumstances where you are asking Jesus to fit into your plans rather than surrendering to His?

2. Staying Close to Jesus

What does God give to help you see Jesus more clearly?
What distractions or habits tend to make your spiritual vision “blurry”?
How could you intentionally spend time with God this week so that His voice becomes louder than your feelings and assumptions?
What is one specific step you will take this week to grow closer to Jesus?