Explore at Hillside Church

Explore is a four-part pathway designed to help you discover what Christians believe, ask honest questions, and learn what it means to follow Jesus.

Whether you’re new to faith, returning after time away, exploring Christianity, or simply wanting to better understand what you believe, Explore is a welcoming place to learn, ask questions, and grow alongside others.

Across Explore, we take some of the biggest questions of Christian faith and look at what Scripture teaches, why Christians believe it, and what it means for the way we live.

You don’t need to arrive with all the answers. Questions are part of the journey.

The Explore Pathway

Explore: Hillside — 1 Session

A welcoming introduction to who we are, what we believe, and how you can find your place in the Hillside Church family.

If you’re new to Hillside—or have been around for a while but want to understand who we are—Explore Hillside is the best place to start.

Together, we’ll walk through:

• The story and heart of Hillside Church

• Our mission, vision, and values

• Our denomination and core beliefs

• Practical ways for you and your family to get connected

Whether you’re exploring faith, looking for a church home, or simply curious, this is a warm and pressure-free space to learn more about the Hillside family.

Explore: Foundations — 3 Sessions

Three big questions that help us understand the story at the heart of Christian faith.

Christianity begins with more than a list of rules or religious practices. It begins with who God is, who we are, and what God has done for us through Jesus.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Who Is Jesus?
  Who is God? What do Christians mean when they speak about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? And why does the identity of Jesus matter so much?

• What Went Wrong?
  If God created the world good, why is there so much brokenness? What does the Bible teach about humanity, sin, and our need for God?

• Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
  What happened at the cross? Why does the resurrection matter? And what does it mean to receive God's grace through faith?

These sessions introduce some of the foundational beliefs Christians have held throughout the centuries while leaving plenty of room to ask questions and explore what those beliefs mean.

Explore: Following Jesus — 3 Sessions

A practical exploration of how a relationship with Jesus begins to shape everyday life.

Following Jesus is more than believing certain things about Him. It is learning to know Him, listen to Him, and allow Him to shape who we are becoming.

Together, we’ll ask:

• How Can I Know God?
  What does it mean to have a relationship with God? How do prayer, worship, and learning to recognize God's leading become part of everyday life?

• Can I Trust the Bible?
  What is the Bible? Why do Christians believe Scripture carries authority? And how can we begin reading and understanding it for ourselves?

• How Do People Really Change?
  What does spiritual growth actually look like? How do grace, repentance, obedience, and the work of the Holy Spirit help form us into the people Jesus is calling us to become?

These sessions help connect what we believe with the ongoing journey of becoming more like Jesus.

Explore: Living the Faith — 3 Sessions

Discovering the life Jesus invites us to share with His people, His Spirit, and His mission.

Following Jesus was never intended to be a private journey. God brings us into a community, gives us His Spirit, and invites us to participate in what He is doing in the world.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Do I Really Need the Church?
  Why does Christian community matter? What are baptism and communion about? And what does it mean to belong, serve, worship, and grow alongside other followers of Jesus?

• Who Is the Holy Spirit?
  Who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do? What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit, to experience His presence, and to be empowered and gifted to follow Jesus?

• What Am I Here For?
  Where is God's story going? What does the Bible teach about God's Kingdom, the return of Jesus, resurrection, and new creation? And how does that future shape the way we love, serve, work, and share our faith today?

These sessions help us see that following Jesus is not simply about what we believe—it is an invitation into a whole new way of life.

Explore isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking good questions, discovering what Scripture teaches, and learning together what it means to follow Jesus.

Wherever you’re starting from, there’s a place for you here.