Fall 2026 Worship Series: Villains in the Bible
Every great story needs a great villain. The Bible is no exception. The stories of these villains help us learn how to discern evil in the world and find ways to respond to abuses of power with liberation and love.
Join us this fall for a new six week series “Villains in the Bible” starting Sunday, September 20.
8:30 am at Christ the King in Port Washington or 10:30 am here at Living Hope in Saukville.
Week 1: The Serpent - September 20
The serpent distorts God's gifts into withholding, inviting us to focus on what we don't have, rather than on the abundance God has given us. God’s words are twisted: “Did God really say...?”
Scripture Readings:
• Genesis 3:1-7
• Psalm 119:105-112
• John 3:13-21
Week 2: The Pharaoh - September 27
Afraid of losing power, afraid of others prospering, Pharaoh enslaves others. His heart hardens. He sees the Israelites as objects and threats, not people. But God hears, and God acts.
Scripture Readings:
• Exodus 1:8-14
• Exodus 5
• Mark 10:35-45
Week 3: The Fallen - October 4
Every villain has an origin story. David was on the right track, worshiping God. He saw Saul grow corrupted by power and fear, but when he became king, the power warped his sense of entitlement. If it can happen to David, it can happen to any of us. But unlike Pharaoh or Herod, David repents. And his relationship with God is restored.
Scripture Readings:
• Psalm 23
• 2 Samuel 11:1-27
• Psalm 51:1-12
Week 4: The Crown - October 11
King Herod is insecure, ruling a kingdom by force. He’ll do anything to hold on to his power. Jesus offers another vision of a kingdom, a kingdom built on humility and love. In Christianity, the cross is transformed from a tool of oppression and fear to a symbol of love. How do we recognize and stand against oppression?
Scripture Readings:
• Philippians 2:3-8
• Psalm 146
• Matthew 2:1-18
• Matthew 14:6-11
Week 5: The Devil - October 18
Satan works by tempting Jesus to question the identity given at baptism, offering earthly power and glory. But Jesus succeeds where Adam & Eve failed. Jesus does what we cannot do and stands firm against Satan.
Scripture Readings:
• Romans 5:12-19
• Psalm 119:89-96
• Matthew 4:1-17
Week 6: The Crowd - October 25
The most unsettling villain in Scripture is not something external; it’s us. How easily do we simply go along with evil? We stop paying attention and go along with the crowd. Today is also Reformation Day, which calls us back to the gospel truth that God loves each of us anyway. Jesus doesn’t replace the disciples who scattered; he forgives them and calls them anew.
Scripture Readings:
• Exodus 32:1-14, 30-35
• John 19:4-16a
Thanks to Church Anew for producing this “Villains in the Bible” series!