the Church Podcast

Focus: Before we can hear the heartbeat of our neighbors, we must learn to recognize the still, small voice of God, especially when conflict, weariness, and isolation cloud our calling. In the quiet, God re-centers us, not just with comfort, but with renewed direction. 1 Kings 19:9-16

Focus: As we live reconciled with each other we're called to live to the unity God made in us. We're called to clothe ourselves with the fruit of the spirit, and above all to clothe ourselves with love, because love binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:11-14

Focus: As we experience reconciliation in Christ we are called to share the message with others. That God in Christ is no longer counting people's sins against them. So He calls us to “Come back to God” and to share the invitation with everyone. As we walk the bridge we invite everyone to join us on the bridge and experience life reconnected to God and each other. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Focus: If a son or daughter of a King needed something, many would jump to action at the chance to help, knowing that they were helping the King's family. How fully do we believe that other people are brothers and sisters of Christ? Matthew 25:31-46

Focus: Faith in action includes using our God-given gifts with confidence and purpose, that is, confidence in God and in His purpose for the gifts He has given us. All Glory to Him! 1 Peter 4:8-11

Focus: As we seek to be part of bridging differences we first deal with the truth that Jesus destroyed the differences that were based on the law. In Him all believers are brothers and sisters, all are forgiven sinners, and all of us are at peace with God, and so also at peace with each other. So we first walk the bridge and experience life Christ gives us, without those divisions. Ephesians 2:14-18

Focus: What treasures did the wealthy man forfeit when he turned away from Jesus with a heavy heart? What blessings do we forfeit when we prioritize our possessions over our relationship with Him? What burdens do we bear when we exalt the fleeting pleasures of this world above the eternal riches of Jesus' Kingdom? Matthew 19:16-26

Focus: Mob mentality is strong. God's promise is stronger. The pull to come up short in the face of the enemy is relentless. God's will is stronger still. And, He is with us! Numbers 13:17-14:9

Focus: When asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray, Jesus gave us perhaps the most familiar prayer of all time. In Christian worship services every week, spanning the denominations; in funeral homes, bedsides, and family gatherings you will hear, “Our Father who art in heaven…” And yet, there is much more going on here with Jesus' teaching about prayer than meets the eye! Matthew 6:5-15

Focus: Steadfast love and righteousness are the hallmarks of our God! We can pray believing. We can pray with confidence. He listens. He delivers. Psalm 5

Focus: As disciples follow Jesus we learn to Love from Love incarnate. As we Obey Christ, we learn how to obey God. We learn our Purpose as we follow Christ's mission and He sends us out. And as Christ gathers us together and sends us out together with that common purpose we experience being part of Christ's Team. The result is that disciples are Visible Reflections of Jesus. Matthew 7:24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” John 13:12-17

Focus: When we love only those who are easy to love, what are we reflecting? God is love, and He loved us even when we were enemies. Love comes from Him, and He is the reason we love others, whether they are easy to love or not. Everyone is important to God, and so, everyone is important to those who love God. 1 John 4:7-21

Focus: We see Jesus' love in big and small ways as He lives with and teaches the disciples. Jesus loves His disciples as the Father has loved Him. And He is explicit in this, disciples are to love as Jesus has loved them. I am to love others as Jesus loves me. John 15:9-17

Focus: Obedience to God's commands leads to a deeper relationship with Him, filling us with His love and complete joy. This passage encourages believers to see obedience not as a burden but as a pathway to experiencing the fullness of joy in Christ. Loving God and others is intrinsically linked to obeying His commands, which are not burdensome but are given out of love. This perspective helps believers shift from seeing obedience as a duty to embracing it as an expression of love. joyful obedience comes from a deep love for God, a desire to be in His presence, and an understanding that His commands are life-giving and not burdensome. By focusing on the joy, love, and transformation that come from obeying God, believers can move from a sense of obligation to a sense of wonder and joy in representing Him in the world. Psalm 19:7-11

Focus: Representing Jesus in the world begins with God's gracious intervention. God speaks. He invites. We respond. This is the way to a become a visible reflection of Jesus. Think of it as “prompt-response.” Acts 8:26-40

Focus: When we receive a command from God to go and represent, how do we move from weight and obligation to wonder and anticipation? The answer is more simple than we think. And, it is way more fun, too. Luke 10:1-24

Focus: Good works, like giving the food and clothing that someone needs, speak louder than words. We confess our faith together with words, but evidence of our faith is seen in our actions. James 2:14-17

Focus: Joshua was given a purpose and the encouragement to see it through. Our God-given purpose is to glorify God and make disciples. Since we have this God-given purpose, what can stand in the way? Joshua 1:1-9

Focus: Having a purpose without intentionally living toward it is like having a bow and arrow, and a target, but not ever firing toward it. So, how are we doing what we are made, blessed, and sent to do? 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

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. Luke 10:1-7

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: 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 whether he is a sinner,”… “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” John 9:8-17, 24-25

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 commitments for the year, we do so without fear, knowing that our generosity is an expression of love beyond boundaries. Our giving is not just about sustaining a church; it is about participating in God's mission, ensuring that His love flows freely into our neighborhoods and beyond. Because He first loved us, we can give boldly, trusting that His grace is always more than enough. 1 John 4:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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 is born from despair, power is revealed in humility, and victory comes through surrender. Because He lives, we are sent to love beyond all limits, carrying the message of resurrection to a world desperate for new life. Galatians 3:26-28; Matthew 28:1-10, 18-20

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 victory comes through the cross. Philippians 2:5-11; Isaiah 53

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 of friends and betrayers alike, and embracing the way of the cross. John 13:1-17; Luke 22:14-20

Focus: As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, the crowd celebrates Him as King, yet within days, many will turn away. The way of the Kingdom is not about power and dominance but about crossing the road to show mercy, just as the Good Samaritan did. Jesus challenges us to love beyond comfort, moving across the road to serve, even when it leads to suffering. His path to the cross was an act of boundary-breaking love—one that invites us to walk in His footsteps. Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 21:1-11

Focus: Love begins at the well, where Jesus invites us to draw from His limitless grace and pour it into the lives of others. Matthew 22:37-40

Focus: The early Christians' in Acts gathered daily for worship and made a habit of breaking bread and praying together in their homes. The work of the Spirit through these actions fostered a joyful, generous community and a lifestyle of devotion. Acts 2:46-47

Focus: God's Word shapes our lives. Repetition, teaching, talking about His Word before, after and during, and making visible reminders are all ways of learning, remembering, and forming patterns and habits. This is what wholehearted commitment looks like. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Focus: How do we respond to God's presence in our homes? Do we create space for Him and treat Him as an honored part of our household? 2 Kings 4:8-10

Focus: As Jesus lives in our homes it's most common that we are used to it, that we take it for granted, and that when we are intentional, it's about doing things for Jesus instead of with Him. Instead, Jesus reminds us to choose the “better part”, and to prioritize spending time at His feet. Luke 10:38-42

Focus: Wealth, comfort, self-sufficiency, and complacency are all characteristics of the church and community Jesus describes. Jesus tries to help all who are in those situations clearly see what is important and valuable. Jesus is knocking, and he wants to come in to share a meal together as friends. Will you open the door? Revelation 3:20

Focus: Jesus is the life-giving water. He still offers everyone water that truly satisfies and even becomes a spring giving eternal life. His is the fountain of life. This is the water that gives life and makes our homes into household WELLS where all can gather to experience Jesus' offer. John 4:13-14