A Heart for the House

Have you ever stopped in the middle of something and asked, “What am I doing? Why am I doing this?” As a church, we must ask those same questions. If our direction is unclear or our ambition ungodly, our destination will be unbiblical.

Nehemiah 2:18 says, “Let us rise up and build.” But what are we building, and why are we building it? At West Side, we long to be a people shaped by Scripture, sustained by prayer, marked by hospitality, multiplying disciples, and fueled by generosity—a house with a heart that beats for the Lord.

  • Biblical

    2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

    Under the authority of Scripture.

  • Prayerful

    ISAIAH 56:7

    Dependent on the sovereign God.

  • Hospitable

    1 PETER 4:8-9

    Eager to welcome others in.

  • Multiplying

    ROMANS 10:13-17

    A culture of disciple makers.

  • Generous

    2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-7

    The fuel that helps us go.

We will be a biblical church.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

There are two houses—the first is built on sand and the second is built on stone. One has sturdy foundation; the other has a shaky one. As we consider the architecture of our church, Scripture is and ought to be the stone-like base upon which we build all things on. When we live under the authority of Scripture, we willingly allow God’s word to teach, correct, train, and rebuke. A biblical church is one that agrees that Scripture is the sweetest truth, the supreme authority, and the moral standard. Every decision we make, every emotion we feel, every ambition we chase, every opinion we hold; all of it held under the authority of Scripture.

  • Final Word: Why We Need the Bible by John MacArthur

    This book reminds us that Scripture is God’s inerrant and authoritative Word. This concise book equips the church to stand firm when others waver, showing that only by trusting God’s Word can we fulfill our calling and proclaim his salvation to the world.

  • The Doctrine of Scripture by Kevin DeYoung (15 min) | This video is helpful to understand what the Bible is and why it should matter to us.

    Inspiration, Infallibility, and Inerrancy by R.C. Sproul (27 min) | In this lecture, Dr. Sproul teaches through the serious reliability of God’s spoken, perfect, and trustworthy word. While this is a bit nerdy, it is still understandable.

  • Bible Reading as a Blessing, Not a Burden by Jeff Medders | In this short article, we are reminded that reading the Bible is a delightful privilege, not a dreadful duty. There is also a helpful acronym to help you pray through your Bible reading.

    Read the Bible with Your Heart by Desiring God | In this short article, we are reminded that the Bible is meant to reach not just our minds but our hearts. Rooted in Psalm 119, it calls us to engage Scripture with deep affection and delight, not detached analysis.

    Can I Trust the Bible? by AJ Garcia | In this very article, Pastor AJ shares four quick reasons why you should align your lives to Scripture.

  • Read:

    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    • Acts 17:11

    Discuss:

    • What are the four uses of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16? How do they shape our life? Teaching (what to believe), correcting (what not to believe), training (how to behave), and reproof (how not to behave).

    • What does the phrase “All of Scripture for All of Life” mean to you?

    • In what ways do you struggle with submitting to the authority of Scripture or trusting the sufficiency of Scripture?

    • If you’re honest, do you live like the Bible is authoritative and sufficient? What needs to change?

    Challenge:

    • Meditate on Psalm 119 this week. The most concentrated portion of Scripture on Scripture. It will take 15 minutes to read.

We will be a prayerful church.

“These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
— Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)

If Scripture is the foundation, prayer is the rebar. To pray is to talk to God—simple as that. It doesn’t need to be complicated; in the same way breathing is not complicated. Martin Luther once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” As we consider our church, is prayer the glue or glitter? Is it essential, whether or not it’s seen, or is it an ornate decoration? A house of prayer is one that recognizes the sovereignty of God and the dependency of man. A prayerful church is one that seeks the Lord in all things at all times.

  • A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World by Paul Miller

    This book calls us back to the simple, powerful practice of praying together. Paul Miller shows how corporate prayer fuels ministry, strengthens the weak, and unites believers in the Spirit’s leading. This book is a compelling vision for a church alive through prayer.

  • How Can I Improve My Prayer Life? by Don Whitney (6 min) | In this short video, Dr. Whitney shares a few tips on how to cultivate a sweet and repeatable prayer life.

    A Praying Church by Paul Miller (43 min) | This is a seminar on the importance of a meaningful prayer life for both pastors and for churches.

  • An Open Letter to the Prayerless Church by Paul Miller | In this article, Miller warns against prayerlessness and provides some helpful tips on how to pray. It’s good.

    Charles Spurgeon’s Boiler Room | The Prince of Preachers, Spurgeon, credits the effectiveness and reach of his preaching to the prayers of his congregation.

  • Read:

    • Isaiah 56:3-8

    • Proverbs 17:3

    Discuss:

    • How would you define prayer and why does it matter?

    • What posture should we approach God with when praying?

    • What are the seven types of prayer? Explain each.

    • Do you agree that most people neglect prayer until some kind of tragedy happens? Why is that?

    • If West Side is going to be a prayerful church, what must first happen? How do we become a praying people?

    Challenge:

    • Spend 15 minutes to pray each morning/evening. If you need help getting started, find a psalm and pray that.

We will be a hospitable church.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
— 1 Peter 4:8-9 (ESV)

What good is a house without people to fill it? Four walls and a roof may be a building, but it certainly is not a home. In her book The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Rosaria Butterfield writes: “Radically ordinary hospitality is this: using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and neighbors family of God.” Being hospitable does not equal being friendly, although that is helpful. Being hospitable is being selfless. A hospitable church will be marked by their willingness and eagerness to invite others into community, especially brothers and sisters in Christ.

  • The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World by Rosaria Butterfield

    This book shows how God uses ordinary homes and meals to draw people to Christ. Through her own story, Rosaria Butterfield invites us to practice radical, ordinary hospitality—opening our lives and tables so neighbors can see the gospel lived out with clarity, warmth, and truth.

  • When Hospitality Hurts by John Piper (7 min) | A fiery testimony of generosity and compassion.

    The Practice of Hospitality by John Mark Comer (5 min) | A quick invitation for any and all Christians to practice radically ordinary hospitality.

  • Table Conversations by Practicing the Way | Okay, this is a great resource. Free questions to spark sweet and deep conversations. Highly recommend using as a group or family dinner.

    How to Practice Hospitality by Ian Wildeboer | This short article gives five tips to practicing hospitality in your life.

  • Read:

    • 1 Peter 4:8-11

    Discuss:

    • Why do we show hospitality?

    • One definition of hospitality is “love for a stranger.” When was the last time you expressed love, in a tangible way, for a stranger?

    • There are two main contexts for hospitality in the New Testament, (1) to fellow believers, and (2) to strangers. Sometimes we are good at one and not-so-good at the other. Or we need to grow in both. Where are you?

    • We know that Jesus was the perfect example of love for people who did not love him or even know him (Philippians 2:5-8; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:8-10; Luke 14:12-23). Can you think of examples in the Old or New Testaments, not mentioned in the sermon, where God demonstrates love for the stranger? Or Israelites or followers of Jesus in the New Testament demonstrated love for a stranger?

    Challenge:

    • Share a meal, conversation, or cup of coffee with the someone this week.

We will be a multiplying church.

“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
— Romans 10:13-17 (ESV)

A seed is small and unimpressive but is pregnant with potential. When that seed is planted and watered, it will sprout. Then the sapling matures to the point where it becomes fruitful. This is the natural lifecycle of a seed. The seed became a tree that produced fruit filled with seeds. The same is true for believers. A healthy tree multiplies; a healthy church does the same. To have a bigger church? No. To be obedient to Christ, to offer hope to our neighbor, to become a better disciple. Remember: Success is not measured by our seating capacity but by our sending capacity. A multiplying church owns the Great Commission by planting and watering. We make disciples who make disciples.

  • Walk With Me: Simple Principles for Everyday Disciplemaking by Bill Mowry

    This book invites us back to the simple, relational disciplemaking of the New Testament. Instead of programs or systems, this book shows how to share the gospel and help others grow in Christ through everyday relationships—heart to heart, simple, slow, deep, and Spirit-led.

  • Effective Methods of Evangelism (7min) | Two pastors share very helpful and practical tips for sharing the gospel with the people around us.

    How Do I Disciple Others? (30 min) | A podcast interview about what it looks like to be a good disciple who makes disciples that make disciples.

  • 7 Heart Postures to Cultivate in Your Discipling Relationships by J. Garrett Kell | Discipling isn’t just about what we do, but also how we do it. If we aren’t careful, we can become overly programmatic in our approach to discipling, and our relationships can become robotic. In this article, Kell shares seven heart postures he’d urge us to cultivate in our discipling relationships.

    The Courage to Disciple by Justin Gravitt | This article is a gentle nudge for people who are at the edge of the pool but won’t jump in. Potential disciple makers need to be courageous in order to reproduce. Gravitt shares three realities that fuel courage.

  • Read:

    • Romans 10:13-17

    • Matthew 28:18-20

    Discuss:

    • What is a disciple? It is a student/follower of Jesus. That means that we learn from him and become like him.

    • Think of your testimony and spiritual formation. How has the work of disciple making impacted your life?

    • How can you become a better disciple maker? Is there anyone in your life that you could invite to meet regularly?

    • Share at least one person/group that you want to intentionally come alongside with the hope of sharing the gospel with them.

    Challenge:

    • Identity one person to pray for, purse, and begin discipling them.

We will be a generous church.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)

A car cannot drive without gas; nor can a meal cook without flame. In the same way, we cannot do all that God has laid before us to do without money. In other words, fuel is essential to help us go. Lord willing, you now have a sense for the kind of people God is forming us into. That is the destination. Wealth is not the end; it is a means to the end. The end is the glory of God. Money is not the main thing; mission is. But money is the fuel that will fund the mission. A generous church is one that gives, not out of begrudging obligation, but out of abundant joy.

  • Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn

    This book helps us see wealth through God’s eyes. Randy Alcorn challenges materialism and points us to eternal treasure, showing how generosity frees us to use God’s provision for his glory and others’ good. This book offers a biblical, practical vision for living open-handed.

  • This Lie Can Keep You from Living Generously (5 min) | This short and helpful teaching reminds us that the scarcity mindset is dangerous because God gives in abundance.

    8 Lessons about Church Budgets (54 min) | This is a conference talk on the significance of budgeting. It is definitely in the weeds though. The church budget is much more than a way to keep the IRS off your back, it is a spiritual tool.

  • What is the Difference Between Tithes and Offerings? by GotQuestions? | This is a biblical answer for an important question.

    Give Thanks and Give More by Joe Rigney | In this article, we read about the Christian virtue of generosity. Rigney covers both the vice of greed that we flee from and the biblical virtue of generosity we should gladly receive.

  • Read:

    • 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

    Discuss:

    • What does it mean to say: “If Christ is Lord over my life, he is Lord over my wallet”?

    • Why do you think money is such a sensitive topic for many Christians and churches?

    • Read 2 Corinthians 9:6. What does Paul mean by “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly”? How is this different from the “prosperity gospel” interpretation?

    • Which area of spending (staff, missions, ministries, facilities, etc.) excites you most? Which challenges you?

    Challenge:

    • Be “above and beyond” generous this week. Look for ways to lavish love on someone.

A Heart for the House: Becoming the People God Wants Us to Be

Watch our 2025 Vision Series—A Heart for the House—where we discuss five attributes we believe God is forming us into for his eternal glory and our highest good.