the Church Podcast

Focus: Mordecai is blunt with Esther. Not doing anything will also almost certainly result in her death. But what he knew is that God would save his people. And knowing that, maybe by leaning into what she knew of God Esther would find herself in God's purpose. For such a time as this… Esther 4:7-14

Focus: Shalom. Wholeness. God's intention. Yet what we see all around us is brokenness. What if WE were placed right here to work together to build up what is broken? "Let's start rebuilding!" Nehemiah 2:11-20

Focus: Wherever many are involved, the distraction of division rears its destructive head. God Himself blesses His work with unity. God Himself blesses His workers with unity. We visibly reflect ONE God, ONE body, ONE job. Many hands, many different tasks, ONE result! Ephesians 4:1-16

Focus: The team acts, serves, loves, goes, and responds. This team does not just say nice things or think about acting. Why? Because our God is a God who acts! And we visibly reflect HIM! 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Focus: Community thrives as we build each other up, encourage each other, and meet together regularly. The good feelings that follow acts of love and kindness reinforce the value and importance we ascribe to the community and draw others to engage in the kind of community we all desire to be part of. Hebrews 10:24-25

Focus: Belonging is a gift we experience as we share life together in a Christ-centered community. Belonging in a community is a two way street of felt needs, fulfilled as we are a blessing to others, and as they are a blessing to us. As in a body, the parts of a Christ-centered community, though different, belong to each other and function together to bless each other and the whole. Romans 12:4-5

Focus: Faith in Jesus is activated as the Spirit guides us intentionally and passionately into the lives of our friends and neighbors. As we listen and follow the Spirit's guidance, we discern which friend the Lord is leading us to reach by proclaiming the Good news about Jesus. We rely on the Spirit to guide us to know who and how we can support and teach as we grow together in following Jesus. L...

Focus: Active faith that is discerning the Holy Spirit's leading requires courage. Letting go of the easy choice for an alternative can often be unsettling, and sometimes even terrifying. Of all people God could send you to, imagine it's the one person christians are actively running from. But where there is no risk, there is also little room to be surprised by God. Acts 9:10-18

Focus: Active faith that is following the Holy Spirit requires humility. We must be willing to challenge our own understanding in the face of God's word. While our understanding is used in discerning, assuming it's always right puts us at risk of missing where He leads. Are we following and learning from God, or are we limited by our own understanding and unwillingness to learn? Acts 10:9-33

Focus: Christians often suffer from indecisiveness or wishing they knew what God's will was for them in a decision. Once decided, we often suffer from tunnel vision. Sometimes God wants to change our direction even mid journey. Listening and discerning isn't limited to convenience, and it doesn't end once we start executing a plan. Acts 16:6-10

Focus: Christians often suffer from indecisiveness or wishing they knew what God's will was for them in a decision. Once decided, we often suffer from tunnel vision. Sometimes God wants to change our direction even mid journey. Listening and discerning isn't limited to convenience, and it doesn't end once we start executing a plan. Acts 16:6-10

Focus: Active faith means sharing life deeply with others in genuine friendship. We journey together, with mutual care and connection. Paul's example of authentic love shows that true friends don't just share the gospel—they share their lives. Our lives intertwine, allowing the life of Jesus to flow freely and uninterrupted. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Focus: People are constantly placing hope in all sorts of places for their current and their future. God's Missional Heart is for all people to place their hope in Jesus, the only one who delivers. As followers of Jesus, we're sent to proclaim Him. Active faith prepares to explain our hope as believers, in order to be ready when someone asks. 1 Peter 3:8-18

Focus: Sharing our faith can be daunting, from fear of harm and danger, to concerns about how it will be received and what others may think of us. God doesn't call us to have it all figured out and to be able to argue others into submission. Active faith believes Him and willingly tells others what He has done. The once blind man responded to a claim that Jesus was a sinner saying, "I don't know w...

Focus: Our lives are full of opportunities to glorify God, and to proclaim salvation in Jesus. Just living as followers of Jesus and loving as He has loved us is a great proclamation and draws people close to us to ask. Active faith prays for and seeks out every opportunity to share Jesus. Colossians 4:2-6

Focus: We teach a way of life, not just doctrinal beliefs—the relational, dynamic nature of living the Jesus Way over static intellectualism. Teaching the Jesus Way happens best as we live our lives. Discipleship is life-on-life, walking with others in the everyday moments where faith is grown and shared. Matthew 28:18-20

Focus: Teaching the Jesus Way means simplifying the message so it can be passed on with ease and confidence. Simplicity leads to multiplication, ensuring the Gospel endures through faithful, passionate, and prepared followers of Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1-15 (esp. 2)

Focus: The message of Jesus' birth is joyous news that frees us and is available to everyone. It is shared by all because such joy cannot be contained—it overflows! Luke 2:8-20

Focus: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, teaching through His presence. And, not just to show us, but to take our place…in life, in death. The evidence of His LIFE is now also experienced in how we live and dwell with others, embodying His grace and truth. John 1:1-14

Focus: Teaching the Jesus Way prepares people to stand strong against the waves of deception and the schemes of the enemy. Rooted in Christ, they are equipped to endure and thrive. Ephesians 4:1-16 (esp. 14)

Focus: Sharing life results in community, especially when we share common space, celebrations, needs, and the unity we have in Christ. Acts 2:42-47

Focus: Loving beyond boundaries requires trust—trust in God's love, trust in His provision, and trust that He is working through us to bless others. Too often, fear holds us back from fully committing—fear of scarcity, fear of the unknown, fear of not having enough. But Scripture reminds us: There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). Today, as we make our financial c...

Focus: The resurrection turns the world upside down—the grave is empty, death is defeated, and love reigns victorious. What seemed like the end was only the beginning. The first witnesses were the least expected, the risen Jesus appeared to the broken and afraid, and His command was not to retreat but to go beyond boundaries and proclaim life to all nations. In the upside-down Kingdom of God, hope...

Focus: From the upper room to Golgotha, Jesus' love remains steadfast. Betrayed, denied, and abandoned, He carries His cross through the suffering of rejection and pain. Yet, even in agony, He extends love beyond boundaries—praying for His enemies, welcoming a criminal into paradise, and surrendering His life for the world. In the upside-down Kingdom of God, power is revealed in sacrifice, and vic...

Focus: In the upper room, Jesus redefines leadership and love—not by taking a throne, but by kneeling under the towel to wash His disciples' feet. As He breaks bread and shares the cup, He invites them into a new covenant of self-giving love. The way of Jesus is not about status but sacrifice, not about being served but serving. To love beyond boundaries means humbling ourselves, washing the feet...