Wednesday | January 7th, 2026 | Read time: 8 min 06 sec

This Week at a Glance

Wednesday (1/7)

Saturday (1/10)

Sunday (1/11)

Tuesday (1/13)

  • 6:30p Tuesday Night Small Group **NEW TIME!**

Wednesday (1/14)

Daniel Lathrop is hosting a D.O.G. Ministry group hike at Red Top Mountain! Bring your dog, bring the family, or just come as you are for some fellowship, fresh air, and a little Jesus + pup lovin’. We’ll meet at the visitor center at 10 AM for an easy 1-mile hike on paved, even terrain. Dogs must be on a leash. Kids are welcome! Parking is $5.

Ladies, mark your calendars! Women of Hope Night is happening this Sunday at 5 PM, and we’re starting the new year together with connection, encouragement, and purpose. This is a relaxed, welcoming evening—perfect to bring a friend and settle into meaningful conversation as we step into the year ahead. No need to bring anything this time around—we’ll have chicken Caesar salad and great conversation ready for you. Just come as you are. We can’t wait to see you there!

At Hope Church, small groups help more people get closer to God by living out our faith together beyond Sunday morning. As we continue our sermon series, NO Accidental Disciples, this is your invitation to be intentional about growing as a follower of Jesus—because discipleship happens best in community.

Here’s what’s launching this season:

Alpha Course Starts Thursday, January 22 at 6:30 PM
Alpha is a limited-time small group (approximately 10–12 weeks) designed for those who are exploring faith, asking big questions, or new to Christianity. It’s a welcoming, discussion-based environment where no question is off-limits, no pressure is applied, and there’s food. Alpha is a great on-ramp to faith and community at Hope Church. [Click here to watch an Alpha testimony video]
[Click here to learn more or join Alpha]

Tuesday Night Small Group Starts back Tuesday, January 13 | New time: 6:30 PM
A weekly adult small group for married and single adults who are ready to grow as followers of Jesus. This group focuses on learning how to read and understand the Bible, asking honest questions, and growing in confidence with God’s Word. This semester, the group will be walking verse by verse through the Gospel of Matthew together.
[Click here to learn more or join]

Thursday Night Small Group Starts back Thursday, January 15 at 7 PM
A bi-weekly adult Bible study for those seeking greater spiritual depth and maturity. This group is designed for believers who want to be challenged, strengthened, and grow deeper in their understanding of Scripture and their walk with Jesus. The group will continue its journey through the Gospel of John and meets in the home of Eric and Jessica Jones (Kennesaw/Acworth).
[Click here to learn more or join]

Men’s Bible Study Wednesdays at 6:30 AM
An ongoing weekly gathering where men study Scripture together, build brotherhood, encourage one another, and grow as disciples of Jesus.
[Click here to learn more]

Young Adults Small Group Starts back Sunday, January 18 at 5:00 PM
For young adults ages 18–25. This bi-weekly group includes dinner and discussion in the home of Nick and Rachel Mikell (Woodstock/Acworth). It’s a space for meaningful community, faith conversations, and following Jesus together in this season of life.
[Click here to learn more or join]

You don’t have to grow alone—and you weren’t meant to. Take your next step and find your group this season.

Save the Date

  • D.O.G. Hike: Saturday, Jan 24 at 10a (Red Top Mountain)
  • Men of Hope Night: Sunday, Jan 25 at 5p
  • SUPER Big Game Night Chili BOWL Cookoff: Sunday, Feb 8 at 6:30p
  • Blood Drive: Tuesday, Feb 10 from 1p to 6p

Email hello@HopeChurchATL.com for information on all upcoming events!

Kick off the new year in prayer! Visit our Online Prayer Wall to see requests from our church family and community, and add your own so we can stand with you in faith.

Need more focused prayer? Request a Prayer Room—a private, guided time with two trained leaders to pray, listen, and invite the Holy Spirit to bring encouragement and clarity.

A little more hope…

NO Accidental Disciples: Rough Marble Meets Intentional Masterpiece

Think about Michelangelo and David for a second. That masterpiece didn’t start with the perfect shape. It started as a big, rough block of marble. And here’s the fun part—he didn’t add anything to make it beautiful. Nope. Every single strike of the chisel was about taking something away. Every chunk he removed got him closer to the image he already saw in his mind.

That’s exactly how God works with us in discipleship. He’s not just sprinkling life lessons or spiritual confetti on top of us and calling it good. He’s actively removing the things that don’t belong in the masterpiece He’s creating. Sometimes that’s obvious stuff—anger, pride, fear. But sometimes it’s sneaky: habits, attitudes, relationships, or even “good” things we thought were part of who we are.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Becoming a disciple isn’t passive—it’s active. Every choice to follow Jesus is like letting Him strike the marble in just the right spot. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, even painful, and sometimes God removes pieces that feel familiar or useful—but it’s not punishment. It’s preparation, clearing away the extra stuff so the true image of Christ in you can shine through.

A Response for the Week:
Take 10 minutes this week—maybe with your coffee, maybe hiding from the chaos, maybe in your car—and ask God to show you what He’s chiseling away in your life. What’s that piece you thought belonged, but doesn’t actually belong in the masterpiece He’s creating? Surrender it, let Him do His work, and watch the masterpiece start to emerge.

Need to catch up on any of our Sunday messages? Find past sermon series here…

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