Wednesday | January 14th, 2026 | Read time: 7 min 46 sec

This Week at a Glance

Wednesday (1/14)

Thursday (1/15)

Sunday (1/18)

Tuesday (1/20)

Wednesday (1/21)

As we continue our NO Accidental Disciples series, this season is all about being intentional—because following Jesus doesn’t happen by accident, and it definitely doesn’t happen alone. Many of our groups start back this week, and it’s not too late to join in. Whether you’re growing deeper, getting grounded, or just getting curious, there’s room for you.

Alpha Course — Starts Thursday, January 22 at 6:30 PM

If you’re curious about faith, taking your first steps toward Jesus, or looking to grow in what you believe, Alpha is for you. A 12-week small group built around honest conversation, thoughtful questions, and meaningful community, Alpha includes food, a short teaching, and open discussion.

Alpha is one of the best next steps at Hope Church for those who are exploring, returning to faith, or wanting to strengthen it in community. [Click here to watch an Alpha testimony video] [Click here to learn more or join Alpha]

Other Groups Meeting This Season

Hope Church is hosting a Parents’ Night Out on Thursday, February 13, serving local foster and adoptive families in our community. This special evening is designed to give parents—who pour out so much every day—the opportunity to enjoy a Valentine’s night out and feel the love, care, and support of their community.

We’re looking for volunteers from Hope Church to help us host the evening, approximately 6–10 PM. We need adults—and student volunteers (8th grade and older)—to help lead and support dinner/snacks, games, crafts, and movie time.

This is a meaningful way to serve families right where they are and reflect the love of Jesus in a practical, tangible way. Volunteer sign-ups and additional details are coming soon, so keep an eye on the newsletter and Sunday announcements.

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!

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: New Wine Requires New Containers

Most of us love the idea of new things. New year. New habits. New prayers. New faith goals. We’re very into the new wine part. What we’re less excited about? New wineskins.

Jesus once said, “No one puts new wine into old wineskins” (Luke 5:37). Not because the wine is bad—but because the container can’t handle what’s coming. New wine expands. Old wineskins crack. And nobody wants wasted wine.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: sometimes the biggest barrier to growth isn’t our sin—it’s our familiarity. The ways we’ve always thought. The spiritual rhythms we’ve outgrown. The “this worked once” faith that quietly resists transformation. We don’t mean to get stuck. We just get… comfortable.

Paul puts it this way: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, CSB)

New creation. Present tense. Ongoing reality. Which means discipleship isn’t about stacking more spiritual information onto an old framework—it’s about allowing God to reshape the framework itself.

That takes humility. The kind that says, “Lord, maybe I don’t have this as figured out as I thought.” The kind that admits mental agreement without heart transformation doesn’t actually change anyone. The kind that lets God say, “We’re going somewhere new—but you can’t bring that mindset with you.”

Peter’s story reminds us this is normal. Jesus didn’t wait until Peter had it all together. He called him in the middle of his mess. And instead of discarding him when he failed, Jesus kept shaping him—through obedience, correction, failure, restoration, and intentional following.

Discipleship is learning to live flexible enough for God to keep expanding us.

Peter later wrote: “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13, CSB)

That phrase—minds ready for action—is intentional discipleship language. Growth doesn’t happen by accident. Neither does transformation. God supplies the grace, but we choose the posture.

So here’s the question this week isn’t “Do I want new wine?”  It’s “Am I willing to become new wineskin?” Because God isn’t finished with you yet—and what He’s pouring out next is worth making room for.

A Response for the Week:
Set aside 10 intentional minutes this week—no multitasking, no scrolling. Ask God: “Is there a mindset, habit, or assumption You’re inviting me to release so I can grow?” Listen. Write it down. Pray over it. And choose one small, obedient step that creates space for what God wants to do next.

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

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