The Bridge Churches Podcast

Everyone deals with unexpected, unresolvable tensions in life. Jesus told his followers that unavoidable trials aren't aberrations; they are expectations. His brother, James, took it a step further and said they can actually serve a beneficial purpose. In part 3 of this series, we're going to discover how God can redeem, use, and work through the undeserved, unavoidable, circumstantial trials in our lives, and what our role in that happening is.

What's the secret to being happy no matter your circumstances? Rather than simply enduring difficult seasons in our lives, it is possible to see these seasons as opportunities to experience God's power in new ways. In part 2 of this series, we're going to discover a promise that can be found in the most difficult of circumstances, even if and when they don't change.

Life often presents challenges that have no easy fix, or worse yet, no fix at all. Whether it's a health issue, financial struggle, or broken relationship, we often find ourselves in a situation where there's nothing we can do. What do you do in those moments when there's nothing you can do? In part 1 of this series, we're going to look at the life of a man who held on to hope as he was stuck in the dark.

Our anxious culture is quick to argue, and it can spill over into our relationships. Every family has its share of fights—some are icy and distant, while others are fiery and intense. Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, and disagreements happen at all ages. Things can get heated in the moment. But the real question is, how do we fight with the end in mind? How do we fight for each other instead of with each other? In this message, we're going to look at a Biblical principle around how rules and relationships work, and how to build spiritual influence in the lives of our kids for the long haul.

Current studies have identified that the younger you are, the greater your chances of experiencing loneliness and a lack of meaning in our anxious culture. How do we grow spiritually resilient kids in the face of these deep challenges? What if the answer is found in teaching our kids the power of spiritually influential adults and a caring community of people who point them to the Father who loves them? In this message, we are going to look at the Biblical practice of building community around children and how to speak life into the hearts of the kids we love.

In recent years, the evidence has become clear - screens aren't just linked to our kids' struggles; they're a driving factor. Our gut reaction is often to clamp down with strict rules around screen time – rules we just keep fighting over. But what if there's a better way? Instead of just managing screen time, what if you discovered the wider rhythm for your family life that God calls you to? In this message, we'll zoom out to explore a more positive and proactive approach. We'll focus on how to create a family dynamic where screens take their proper place—not as the main event, but as a small part of a bigger, faith-filled rhythm that brings some balance and purpose back into your every day life.

We get it—kids today are carrying around a lot of anxiety, and let's be honest, parenting isn't exactly a breeze either. In fact, sometimes the adults are just as anxious as their kids. What if a reason many of us are anxious is an ancient and timeless one? What would it mean to look at the experience of the kids around us through a Biblical lens? In this message, we'll dive into one of the biggest traps people fall into when they care deeply about a kid. More importantly, we'll unpack how breaking free from this trap can completely shift the atmosphere in your home and transform the way you love and support the kids in your life.

Religion highlights our inability to live up to a divine standard, thus creating a gap. But we don't need religion to tell us that we really aren't all that good. We fall short of our own expectations. We've all had to say, “I'm sorry” or “I was wrong.” Once we fail, there's something in us that prompts us to try and make up for all our failures with better behaviour, generosity, or promises. The problem is, while we can do better going forward, there's nothing we can do about the past. That's what makes Easter amazing grace.

Grace is like a coin. It has two sides. It is both something to be received, and something to be extended. The two are connected, but one is generally easier than the other. The challenge with grace is that God wants to so overwhelm you with the reality of his grace toward you that you find it almost impossible not to extend that same grace to the graceless relationships in your life.

Grace is like a coin. It has two sides. It is both something to be received, and something to be extended. The two are connected, but one is generally easier than the other. The challenge with grace is that God wants to so overwhelm you with the reality of his grace toward you that you find it almost impossible not to extend that same grace to the graceless relationships in your life.

Grace is the most uncomfortable and explainable of verbs. Over and over, we find Jesus mixing it up with people who were, by their own admission, far from God. Yet there they are, face-to-face with righteousness personified. If that wasn't strange enough, on occasion Jesus would issue these non-law-abiding citizens an invitation. But not the invitation we may expect. His invitation was simple: “Follow me.”

Many people sum up prayer as, “It's just talking to God.” Is it?

When you think about your prayers over the last few months, or the last year, if you're like most people who believe there's a God, your prayers are likely consumed with the minutia of life. Have you ever stopped to consider how much you care about your prayer? A famous evangelist once said: “Prayer is almost the greatest human privilege that we have.” We've all been given this privilege and opportunity to connect with our Heavenly Father in prayer, and yet for many of us, there's a frustration that comes with prayer. We've told God what we want, what we need, but it rarely, if ever works out the way we want. At one time or another, we've all been asked to pray, thought we should pray, and even tried pray. But how should we pray? Jesus's disciples had the exact same question, and in part 3 of this series, we're going to unpack Jesus's answer and learn to pray like him.

There was a time in the ministry of Jesus where his disciples saw him praying, and apparently, the way he prayed and the way they prayed was different. These were young Jewish boys who had grown up praying. They knew the scriptures and had heard and lots of prayers, but when they saw and heard Jesus pray, they felt compelled to say, “Jesus, would you teach us how to pray?” What an odd request. Few people have ever asked someone, “Would you teach me how to pray?” Why? Because prayer is just talking to God isn't it? Apparently not. After being asked, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, and in part 2 of this series, we're going to unpack Jesus's answer and learn to pray like him.

We've all been given this privilege and opportunity to connect with our Heavenly Father in prayer, and yet for many of us, there's a frustration that comes with prayer. We've told God what we want, what we need, but it rarely, if ever works out the way we want. What if none of that was the point of prayer to begin with? What if we were to discover that the point of prayer really had very little or nothing to do with getting God to do stuff? What if we were to suddenly discover that what we thought, and what, for many of us has been modeled to us, was wrong? Very few ask how to pray, we just kind of mimicked what we saw and heard other people do. What if we've gotten it wrong? And if so, how should we pray? Jesus's disciples had the exact same question, and in this series, we're going to unpack Jesus's answer and learn to pray like him.

Your time is one of your most valuable resources. When you invest it in the right places, it creates incredible returns—not just for others, but for you. The generations before you invested in the local church and spread the message of God's love. Now, it's our opportunity to pour into the next generation. Join us this Sunday as we talk about the future of the Bridge, and how you can play a pivotal role in seeing it happen.

We've all been given this privilege and opportunity to connect with our Heavenly Father in prayer, and yet for many of us, there's a frustration that comes with prayer. We've told God what we want, what we need, but it rarely, if ever works out the way we want. What if none of that was the point of prayer to begin with? What if we were to discover that the point of prayer really had very little or nothing to do with getting God to do stuff? What if we were to suddenly discover that what we thought, and what, for many of us has been modeled to us, was wrong? Very few ask how to pray, we just kind of mimicked what we saw and heard other people do. What if we've gotten it wrong? And if so, how should we pray? Jesus's disciples had the exact same question, and in this series, we're going to unpack Jesus's answer and learn to pray like him.

The vast majority of us started 2025 with really good intentions, but we haven't followed through. The sad news is that so many of us had our goals, but by the end of this year, we'll still weigh more than we wanted to weigh, or we'll still spend more money than we actually make, or we'll still want to read the Bible daily…but we won't. As frustrated and hopeless as you may feel, it's possible to find the power to change so you can start living the life you want. Join us as we conclude this practical series, and discover together that the key to lasting change is counter-institutive: we all need to stop trying so hard.

Nobody plans to mess up their lives. But people mess up their lives all the time. When they do mess up their lives, a lot of times, other people look on and will summarize what could be months, years or decades of unwise decisions in one sentence. How do people mess up their lives? They do it one bad decision, they do it one wrong step, and they do it one harmful habit at a time. One unwise decision, one wrong step, one bad habit at a time. Few things in life are more frustrating than knowing you need to change, trying to change, but not actually changing. You may feel like a hamster on a wheel, but in part 4 of this series, we're going to discover how to get off the wheel and that it's possible to find the power to change so you can start living the life you want.

Do you have something specific in your life that you are hoping to change? Hope is good. But hope alone won't change your life. Habits will. Transformation doesn't happen because of hope, intention, or even prayer. Transformation happens when we focus on what we want most instead of what we want now. Spiritual discipline, paired with dependence on the Holy Spirit, empowers us to break free from short-term desires and align our actions with long-term goals. This message is for those who want to change, hope to change, have tried to change, but you're not even sure that change is possible

Have you have ever stopped to ask yourself, “why do you do what you do?” Maybe you wanted to make a change in your life but just couldn't stick to it. You're not alone. The problem many face is, not only do we not experience the change we long for, but we begin to believe things about ourselves that aren't true as a result. Identifying and rejecting the lies we tell ourselves and believe about ourselves is a vital part of breaking through the destructive patterns keeping us from the change we long for. This message is for those who want to change, hope to change, have tried to change, but you're not even sure that change is possible

The vast majority of us started 2025 with really good intentions, but we haven't followed through. The sad news is that so many of us had our goals, but by the end of this year, we'll still weigh more than we wanted to weigh, or we'll still spend more money than we actually make, or we'll still want to read the Bible daily…but we won't. As frustrated and hopeless as you may feel, it's possible to find the power to change so you can start living the life you want. This message is for those who want to change, hope to change, have tried to change, but you're not even sure that change is possible.

As we begin 2025 Scott shares a message that has been on his heart for many months and challenges us to become more than just textbook Christians. He challenges us to look within us to see if we're taking up our crosses and to what extent as we learn to become true followers of Jesus.

At Christmas we sing, “God and sinner reconciled,” because that's what Christmas did. Christmas represents reconciliation between God and people. But what about between person and person? Christmas is the time we're reconnected with our family, and reminded of unresolved issues within our family. Christmas is the time where for an hour or two, or maybe day or two, you have to pretend that everything is fine. Pretending that what actually happened didn't happen. Pretending that your family is the perfect family everybody thinks you are, not the dysfunctional family you know you are. It's Christmas. You're supposed to be cheerful. As we close this Christmas series, we're going to unwrap how to demonstrate what we celebrate.

At a time where family create spending caps for Christmas gifts, we're reminded that is the only thing fair about Christmas. Christmas is the time where for an hour or two, or maybe day or two, you have to pretend that everything is fine. Pretending that what actually happened didn't happen. Pretending that your family is the perfect family everybody thinks you are, not the dysfunctional family you know you are. It's understandable to repay hurt for hurt, but if and when you do, you will write a pretty predictable story. Christmas is an invitation to write a remarkable story instead. That is the heart of Christmas, and in part 2 of this Christmas series, we're going to unwrap how to do that.

Christmas is stressful because of the people. The ones you love. The ones you're supposed to love. The ones that are difficult to love. The ones who would make Christmas more merry if you didn't have to see them. Christmas is the time we're reconnected with our family, and reminded of unresolved issues within our family. Christmas is the time where for an hour or two, or maybe day or two, you have to pretend that your family is the perfect family everybody thinks you are, not the dysfunctional family you know you are. It's Christmas. You're supposed to be cheerful. In part 1 of this Christmas series, we're going to unwrap treating someone that hurt you the way you want to, and have every right to, makes you like the person you dislike.

The Fruit of the Spirit isn't just a set of virtues; it's the outward evidence of Christ actively working in us. It's how we reflect His character to the world—not to make ourselves look good, feel superior, or judge others, but to offer those around us a glimpse of who God truly is.

The Fruit of the Spirit doesn't just appear; it grows slowly as we remain connected to Christ. In a world that craves instant results, we often feel frustrated and inadequate, struggling to embody the qualities we know should define us as followers of Christ. Yet, like anything of true value, this growth takes time. God is at work within us; we just need to keep cultivating our relationship with Him.

Have you ever felt frustrated in your walk with God? Whether you're new to faith or have been following Jesus for years, you've likely experienced the gap between who you want to be and the reality of falling short time and again. But what if living a Christ-centered life isn't about trying harder, but much more about staying connected to Him?

Accepting Jesus's invitation to follow him doesn't cost anything, but it demands everything. It demands that we go, “all in.” A term that simply means placing all that you are, and all that you have, into God's hands. Pushing it all in. The generations before you went “all in” on the local church and spread the message of God's love. We have benefited from what they did, and now it's our opportunity to go “all in” on the church for the sake of the next generation.

Accepting Jesus's invitation to follow him doesn't cost anything, but it demands everything. It demands that we go, “all in.” A term that simply means placing all that you are, and all that you have, into God's hands. Pushing it all in. And that's where we get stuck — spiritual no man's land. We're afraid that if we go all in that we might miss out on what this life has to offer. It's not true. The only thing you'll miss out on is everything God has to offer.

This Thanksgiving, Scott shares about some of the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday, specifically dating back to that very first thanksgiving in an upper room thousands of years ago.

What you naturally want is often in conflict with what you ultimately value. The good news is your heavenly Father knows what you need. He wants for you what you really want. So, how do you put aside those natural wants and pursue what you ultimately value? That's what we're going to talk about in the final part of this series because the icing on the cake is: you'll never get what you really want until you discover what you really value.

What do you want? What do you really want? You'll never get what you really want until you discover what is most valuable. What you naturally want is often in conflict with what you ultimately value. So, in order to figure out what you really want, you have to figure out what you value. That's what we're going to talk about in part 3 of this series because the icing on the cake is: you'll never get what you really want until you discover what you really value.

We'll never get what we really want until we discover what is most valuable. But choosing what's valuable isn't natural. We've all had the experience of getting what we naturally wanted only to discover it wasn't what was most valuable—it wasn't what we ultimately wanted. How do we avoid being deceived by our short-term desires? That's what we're going to talk about in part 2 of this series because the icing on the cake is: you'll never get what you really want until you discover what you really value.

What do you want for yourself? Is it a what? Is it a who? Are you sure it's what you really want? We all have wants. But actually getting what we want can be tricky... and even dangerous. It usually leaves us wanting more and more. If this is true, maybe we want the wrong things. That's what we're going to talk about in part 1 of this series and do you know what the icing on the cake is? You'll never get what you really want until you discover what you really value.

A historical event? An iconic painting? However you view it, you can't deny that a recent portrayal of the Last Supper at the Olympics has made waves. Does it matter? Should it matter? How should you respond to the Last Supper? That is what we're going to talk about this Sunday as we gather around the table and remember Jesus.

In our fast-paced, digitally connected world, many of us still find ourselves battling feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is an interesting dichotomy, we are more connected than ever while simultaneously feel more lonely than ever. This week, we will explore the profound need for community and genuine connections in our lives.

Do you ever find yourself longing for a different time in your life? Maybe you can't wait to get married or have kids. Perhaps, you're looking forward to a promotion or climbing the corporate ladder. Or, maybe you find yourself reminiscing about days gone by, like when your kids were young and would rush to greet you at the door when you got home. Maybe you're struggling to figure out what to do now that you're finally retired. The secret to a happy life might not be in wishing it away, but in appreciating the season you are in right now.

When going through difficult circumstances or painful seasons of life, people have the tendency to say the most ignorant and hurtful things. They don't mean to, but they do. Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever done that? Have you ever noticed that the best of intentions don't always result in the greatest form of action? Forrest Gump had a lot to say in the film that bears his name. As we're going to discover this week, Forrest spoke to this reality in our lives - not by what he said, but what he did. Join us this week “At the Movies” so you can learn how to do the same.

1 bullwhip and an iconic hat has led to: 5 films over a 42 year span and over 1 billion dollars in box office revenue. While most critics agree that the third installment of the franchise is the best film within the franchise, this week “At the Movies” we're going to focus on something within this film that reveals why there is an “Indiana Jones” franchise. Join us this week “At the Movies” and discover what you and Henry Jones Jr. have in common.

Sermon series by Craig Groeschel of Life.Church PRAYER ISN'T OUR LAST LINE OF DEFENSE. IT'S OUR FIRST LINE OF OFFENSE. WORRY IS NOT OUR MASTER. OUR FAITH IS IN GOD AND GOD ALONE. BUT YOU CAN CONTROL HOW YOU FRAME IT.