Neighborhood Church Podcast

Success. The right relationship. The perfect body. The paid-off house. We're all chasing some version of the golden ticket... convinced that if we just find it, life will finally start. In Part 6 of I AM, Jordan Brokaw unpacks one of Jesus's boldest claims from the Last Supper — John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life" — and what it means that the thing we've been chasing was never a destination, but a person. In This Teaching Why everyone is chasing a golden ticket, whether they'd call it that or not What Jesus meant calling himself "the way" in a culture that first called his followers "the Way" Why the narrow gate is about a countercultural life, not exclusivity Living in an age drowning in information but starving for truth The difference between mere existence and the flourishing life Jesus calls zoē What golden ticket you might still be chasing? Scriptures Referenced: John 14:1–6 Matthew 7:13–14 John 8:31–32 John 10:10

We live by an unspoken rule: forget you're going to die. Stay busy, stay young, stay distracted... anything to avoid the questions death forces us to ask. In Part 5 of I AM, Jordan Brokaw sits with the story of Jesus's friend Lazarus — the waiting, the grief, the disappointment — and Jesus's claim in John 11:25 that changes everything: "I am the resurrection and the life." In This Teaching Why our culture is obsessed with denying mortality, and what it's costing us What it felt like for Martha and Mary to wait for help that didn't come in time What "spiritual bypassing" is, and how it can quietly derail real grief Why Jesus wept at a tomb he was about to empty? The difference between resurrection as future hope and life as present reality What it would look like to live like death no longer defines you Scriptures Referenced: John 11:21–25 John 11:35 John 11:38–44

We all want the version of Jesus that only gives ... a caring shepherd, a safety net, someone in our corner when things go wrong. What we don't sign up for is the other half of what a shepherd actually does: stand between us and the wolf, even when it costs him everything. That's the tension underneath Jesus' claim in John 10... "I am the Good Shepherd." In Part 4 of I AM, Stephanie Benthin asks the question most of us would rather skip: are you following Jesus because of what he gives you, or because of who he's asking you to become? In This Teaching Why the cute-lamb version of this story isn't the whole story What separated the Pharisees from the shepherd they claimed to represent How Peter went from all-in disciple to denying Jesus three times Why every one of us starts out following Jesus as a consumer What it looks like to move from consumer to follower Why Jesus didn't come just to gather sheep, but to make shepherds Scriptures Referenced: John 10:11–13 Matthew 16:22–23 John 21:15

We're all pretty good at building velvet ropes... deciding who's in, who's out, who belongs. Even the church has done it, trading the wide-open door of Jesus for membership requirements and fine print. In Part 3 of I AM, Jordan Brokaw unpacks Jesus's claim in John 10:9 — "I am the gate" — and how the way to God was never a system to master, but a person to walk through. In This Teaching Why Club 33 says more about human nature than we'd like to admit Why loneliness is wired into your brain the same way hunger is How the Pharisees turned God's door into a gatekeeping operation What it means that the shepherd himself becomes the gate Why every add-on to Jesus is a counterfeit entrance What "inclusively exclusive" actually means Scriptures Referenced: John 10:6–10 Matthew 23:13 Matthew 27:51 Acts 15:19 Revelation 21:25

Most of us are navigating life by feel … chasing what we think we want, following what looks like the right path, hoping it leads somewhere good. But what if the direction you're looking for isn't something you figure out on your own? In Part 2 of I AM, Brian Ross unpacks Jesus's claim in John 8:12 — "I am the light of the world" — and explores what it actually means to follow someone who says that. What does it look like to base your life on Jesus's example? And what does he actually offer — and not offer — to those who do? In This Teaching Why "do what you want" is a prison, not a freedom What the physical world tells us about the nature of its Creator Everyone has a life model — the question is who What following Jesus actually costs (and why that's not the sales pitch we expected) Why modern selfhood might be part of the problem Four practical ways to interact with Jesus personally *Scriptures Referenced: * John 8:12 Luke 6:22–23, 25–26 **Special Guest: Brian Ross.

We all have a hunger underneath our hunger … a soul-level ache that food, success, relationships, and endless scrolling never quite satisfy. We press the lever. We chase the next thing. And the hunger comes back. In this first message of the I AM series, Jordan Brokaw unpacks Jesus's claim that he alone is the bread of life … and what it means that true satisfaction isn't found in what Jesus gives, but in who he is. In This Teaching Why the image of Jesus we carry around might not be the real thing The story behind God's name — and why it matters when Jesus says "I AM" What the crowd that followed Jesus across the lake was actually looking for The hunger underneath the hunger — and why nothing in this world can satisfy it The law of diminishing returns and what it reveals about our restless culture What Jesus meant when he called himself the bread of life Scripture Referenced: John 6:1–15  John 6:22–35 John 6:35 John 6:49  John 10:10 Exodus 3:14 Ecclesiastes 2:10–11

Bob Wiley had a plan. Take a vacation from his problems. The only flaw? Bob came with him. Most of us do the same thing every summer. We book the flights, pack the bags, and quietly hope a change of scenery will do what only real transformation can do. But escapism and real rest are not the same thing. In Part 2 of Searching for Summer, Jordan Brokaw traces the thread of escapism through one of the Bible's most famous stories: Jonah. It’s the story about a bitter man who would rather be thrown into the sea than do the hard work of becoming a more loving person. In This Teaching The difference between escapism and real rest Five forms of escapism hiding in Jonah's story What it means to use God to run from God Why you can't grow on the run — and what to do instead Scripture Referenced: Jonah 1:1–3 Jonah 1:12 Jonah 1:17 Jonah 3:4 Jonah 3:8–9 Jonah 4:5 Jonah 4:8–9

You've been looking forward to it. Planning for it. Quietly counting on it. But what happens when summer arrives and still doesn't deliver the peace, the connection, or the reset you were hoping for? Maybe the problem isn't the season. Maybe it's the weight we put on it. In Part 1 of Searching For Summer, Forrest Jenan unpacks what happens when good things carry too much weight … and what it looks like to actually enjoy summer without needing it to save you. Scripture Referenced: Exodus 20:1–4 Mark 12:30–31

A son leaves home, makes a mess of his life, comes back, and his father forgives him. But what if you've heard it so many times that you've stopped feeling it? In this message, Forrest Jenan unpacks the story behind the song Prodigals — and shows us that Jesus isn't just telling a nice story about forgiveness. He's introducing a complete paradigm shift about what God is actually like and how God moves toward people who feel far from home. There are two sons in this story. One was lost in rebellion. One was lost in resentment. And the Father goes looking for both of them. Scripture Referenced: Luke 15:1–2 Luke 15:11–32

What does worship actually mean when the music stops? Most of us associate worship with what happens on a Sunday morning. In Part 3 of Playlist Theology, Darrin Cantrell traces the word back to its roots: worth-ship. Assigning worth to something. Darrin shares openly from his own story of addiction, loss, and the long road to recognizing that God was God and he was not. And he closes with a picture of what worship might actually look like for exhausted people in hard seasons ... when the music has faded, when everything has slipped away, and you're finally ready to stop running. Scripture Referenced: Romans 12:1-2

The name of Jesus shows up in nearly every worship song we sing — but do we know what we're actually saying when we speak it? In this teaching, Forrest unpacks the power, the history, and the allegiance behind the name of Jesus. In this teaching: Why names in the ancient world carried authority, not just identity — and why the name of Jesus was anything but impressive at first How the Roman Empire used Caesar's name to shape everyday life, and why early Christians saying "Jesus is Lord" was a direct collision with that power The story of Polycarp — a bishop who chose death over saying "Caesar is Lord" — and what his decision still means today Why speaking the name of Jesus is not a magic formula, and what the sons of Sceva learned the hard way What it actually means to speak Jesus: not a lyric, not a spell, but a declaration of allegiance Scriptures referenced: Luke 10:17 Acts 4:12 John 14:13 Philippians 2:9–11 Acts 19:11–16 Ephesians 6:12 Colossians 2:15

Why do we sing? It's a stranger question than it sounds — and it's worth asking. In this first message of Playlist Theology, Forrest traces worship music all the way back to its roots: an ancient hymn fragment discovered in an Egyptian trash dump, written on the back of a corn contract, sung by Christians who were being arrested for their faith. At the center of that tiny, 35-word song is a claim that was countercultural then and still is now — that God is the only giver of all good gifts. What you believe about God shapes who you become. And sometimes, the songs we sing are the best way to remind our hearts of what's true before we fully feel it. In This Teaching Why music has always been central to Christian worship — from the Psalms to the earliest church The story behind the oldest Christian hymn ever discovered, and what it meant to sing it under persecution Why your mental picture of God is the most important thing about you How Jesus describes God as a generous Father — and why that picture changes everything Why we sing: not just to express what we feel, but to form what we believe Scriptures Referenced Philippians 2:6–11 Colossians 1:15–20 James 1:17 Matthew 5:45 Matthew 7:9–11 Matthew 19:17

The Church has a reputation problem ... and it's not entirely undeserved. But what if the Church isn't broken, just sleeping? In this final message of the Sleeping Giant series, Forrest explores what it looks like when ordinary people wake up to the way of Jesus and commit to loving their neighbors on purpose, every day. From a surprising chapter of Church history to the walls of ancient Jerusalem, this is about what gets unleashed when a sleeping giant finally stirs. In this teaching: The Church is often defined more by what it's against than what it's for — and that has to change Paul's letter to the Romans describes love as a debt you never fully pay off — every person you meet, you owe them something Church history shows that when followers of Jesus took "love your neighbor" seriously, it literally created the hospital system Nehemiah's story is a blueprint for staying focused when opposition shows up after momentum builds Waking up isn't about getting louder or taking control — it's about reflecting Jesus clearly enough that people experience him through you Scriptures referenced: Romans 13:7-14 Nehemiah 1:4 Nehemiah 2:4-5, 17-18 Nehemiah 6:2-3

What does it look like when a church stays true to its mission for 78 years? Forrest traces Neighborhood Church's story — from a handwritten note about "Children and Community Friends" to a new campus and ending generational poverty in our community. None of it is random. It's what happens when a community chooses consistent, intentional generosity over time. You'll also hear from Jordan Brokaw (Kingsburg Campus Pastor) and Stephanie Benthin (Director of Neighborhood Degree) Along the way, Forrest makes a simple but clarifying distinction: we're married to our mission, but we date our model. And he unpacks what happens when a community decides to stop protecting what's comfortable and start pursuing what's impactful. And it's an invitation to ask yourself — is there a next step for me? In this teaching: Why "good" isn't the goal — impact is The difference between alleviating poverty and ending it Why prevention is always more powerful than intervention, even when it's invisible What Jesus meant when he said your treasure and your heart are connected How planned generosity makes spontaneous generosity possible Scripture referenced: Luke 12:34 2 Corinthians 9:6–8

We're living through a hinge point in history — and the data shows most of us aren't handling it well. When everything is shifting, the instinct is to find what works and hold on tight. But Paul's letter to the Romans carries an honest warning: a strong commitment to a very specific way of life will eventually lead to turmoil and cut you off from God himself. In This Teaching Why clinging to a specific way of life leads to personal turmoil — and cuts you off from God How the Hebrews in the wilderness and Israel's religious leaders both made the same costly mistake What Rick Rubin's advice to songwriters reveals about following the Spirit in a changing world Three practical ways to train yourself to discern what is higher: the Gospels, old books, and serving the poor Why the resurrection changes everything about how loosely you can hold your life Scriptures Referenced Romans 8:5-8, 11 Matthew 5:17 John 11:47-48, 53 Acts 16:22-23, 25 Special Guest: Brian Ross.

Nobody argues with the weather. You grab a jacket or you get wet — either way, you adjust. But when something that actually matters falls apart, adjusting isn't so simple. In this episode, Forrest opens the Accept It series by walking through one of the most emotionally honest stories in the Gospels — the death of Lazarus — and what it reveals about where God is when life doesn't go the way you planned. In This Teaching: Why Option B isn't the exception to life — it's the norm The moment two grieving sisters confront Jesus with the question most of us are afraid to ask What it means that Jesus wept at a tomb he was about to open The kind of hope that doesn't always look like getting what you lost back Scripture Referenced: John 16:33 John 11:3–43 Psalm 34:18

Two billion people gathered this Easter weekend to celebrate the name of Jesus. But how does a carpenter from a tiny corner of the Roman Empire become the most remembered person in human history — two thousand years later? In this message, Forrest Jenan makes the historical case for the resurrection of Jesus. You'll hear about the women who showed up at the tomb expecting to prepare a body — and found it empty. The disciples hiding behind locked doors, convinced the whole thing was over. And how those same frightened people, just forty days later, poured into the streets of Jerusalem declaring that Jesus was alive. Scriptures Referenced John 20:2 Luke 24:11–12 Luke 24:38 Luke 24:44–48 John 20:19

What does it look like to stay on mission when the road gets hard? In this message, Brian Ross traces the journey of the Apostle Paul — from zealous persecutor to faithful witness — and asks what made him effective. Using Paul's account in Acts 22 and the sweeping arc of his ministry through Acts 27-28, Brian shows that mission begins when you live into the reality of Jesus as Lord, pursue what is good, and channel that goodness to the people around you. Paul's road to Rome ran through shipwrecks, assassination plots, and prison cells. He kept going anyway. His story is an invitation to do the same. In this message: What drove Paul before his encounter with Jesus How the Damascus road experience reoriented everything What mission looks like in ordinary, everyday life Why opposition is a normal part of a life on mission Scriptures Referenced: Acts 22:1-21 | Acts 27-28 | Galatians 1:10-14 | Matthew 20:25-28 | Matthew 10:34-36 | 2 Timothy 3:12Special Guest: Brian Ross.

In 2026, every philosophy, lifestyle, and spiritual path is a finger tap away. So how do you know which one actually leads somewhere good? This week, Brian Ross steps into Acts 17 — where Paul walked into one of history's most pluralistic cities and raised a deeper question about truth, character, and what ultimately defines a life well lived. Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or you're not sure what you believe, this conversation is for you. In This Episode: Why Christian faith is just one option among many in 2026 — and why that's actually an important starting point The dangerous gap between "Christianity" and Jesus himself — and why history makes that distinction impossible to ignore What false spirituality looks like in everyday life Why divine judgment might be the best news you've heard all week What Einstein, Gandhi, and Richard Dawkins all had to say about Jesus What it means to engage with God as a person, not a set of doctrines Scripture Referenced: Acts 17:16-34 Matthew 5:44 Acts 20:35 Luke 14:13-14 Luke 23:33-34 Acts 17:27-28 Quotes Featured: Benito Mussolini (1932) Richard Furman (1755-1825) Adolf Hitler (1928) Anne Rice Miroslav Volf Albert Einstein (1929) Mahatma Gandhi (1941) Richard Dawkins (2004) YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/uX10YOGVVo0Special Guest: Brian Ross.

Everywhere you turn, someone is telling you what it takes to belong. Have the right views. Follow the right rules. Fit the right mold. In Acts 15, the early church faced a question that still matters today: Who gets welcomed in? YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/2THo13eHNmM

What if the most influential movement in history began with a handful of ordinary, uncertain people? The Book of Acts tells the story of how a small group, convinced something extraordinary had happened, carried a message that reshaped cultures and lives. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/N7U9MBwm9uE

Many people long for connection, purpose, and a place to belong. What if the next step isn’t finding the right place, but helping create it for someone else? In It’s Our Turn, Forrest Jenan explores how simple acts of service open the doors for hope, community, and faith to grow in real, everyday life together for everyone.

Life can feel steady one moment and unravel the next. Plans shift, news arrives, pressure builds, and suddenly you’re navigating waters you never expected to face. In Surviving Mayhem, Darrin Cantrell recounts the powerful moment between Jesus and Peter, and uncovers a steady presence in the middle of life’s storms.

We don’t rise to the occasion; we default to our training. When life gets heavy, we rely on what has been shaped inside us. In Part 2 of Beyond the Playbook, discover how simple, daily rhythms create the right conditions for a life of purpose, allowing deep transformation to take root so you can play the game with confidence. YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49560801

Life often feels like being thrown onto a field without knowing the plays. We try to play the game and follow the rules, yet we still feel overwhelmed when the ball snaps. In Part 1 of Beyond the Playbook, discover how to move beyond religious performance and internalize a rhythm of grace that makes love your second nature.

What am I doing with my life? This questions usually shows up around big moments—birthdays, transitions, burnout—or late at night when everything finally quiets down. Deep down, there’s a desire to believe our lives are pointed toward something meaningful—something worth the energy we’re giving to it. In Part 4 of Being Human, Forrest Jenan leans into a simple but challenging idea: our lives are already being given away, one day and one decision at a time. The real question isn’t if we’ll give them away, but what we’re giving them to. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/pgEUX7gNmn4 YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49557621

Most of us feel the pressure to explain who we are—what defines us, what makes us matter, and how we should be seen. In a world where everything feels fluid and constantly changing, that pressure can be exhausting. When identity becomes something you have to build, edit, and defend, it never really feels finished. In Part 3 of Being Human, Forrest Jenan explores a deeper question beneath all the noise: Who gets to define you? Through an ancient story and an honest look at our cultural moment, we’ll consider what it means to be known before we perform, valued before we prove, and grounded in something more stable than shifting labels. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/GfrAzAC19HI YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49555150

Most of us answer the question “Who are you?” with job titles, family roles, or interests. But somewhere along the way, those answers stop feeling solid. Careers shift, families are complicated, and interests change. Underneath the small talk is a deeper tension: If all these labels disappeared, would I still know who I am—and would it matter? In Part 2 of Being Human, Brian Ross explores the grounding idea your worth isn’t something you earn or defend, but something you carry into every room you enter. And if that’s true, it reshapes how you see yourself, how you let others treat you, and how you show up for people who are different from you. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/fBR_IX4Cw_ISpecial Guest: Brian Ross.

For many, living in a human body feels less like a gift and more like a daily battle. Whether it is chronic pain, anxiety, or body image struggles, it is easy to feel betrayed by your own skin. This reality can leave you wondering if your physical self—limitations and all—actually matters, or if it is just an obstacle to endure. In Part 1 of our series Being Human, Forrest Jenan explores the idea that your body is not a mistake to escape. Forrest uncovers an Jesus-centered perspective that validates your physical experience and offers a way for making peace with your humanity. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/8D5s_jQdhI8 YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49548181

Most of us walk into a new year with pressure to do more, achieve more, or finally “be better.” What if the biggest thing holding you back this year … is you — getting out of your own way and letting go of the constant need to prove, defend, and outperform? You can’t step into the new year if you’re still carrying the old you. In this message for the new year, Jordan Brokaw explores how forgetting yourself might be the most life-giving thing you do in 2026. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/x1i6cq0V_IE YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49546292

What do you do when you can’t see what’s next—and the waiting starts to wear you down? Most of us carry a quiet how question into Christmas: How will this work out? How do I get through this? How long can I keep waiting? We don’t always say it out loud, and we’re not always sure who to ask. Yet that feeling of being disoriented, stuck, or unsure is more common than we admit. This Christmas Eve, we explored what it means to find direction when clarity is missing. Not by pretending life is tidy or offering quick fixes, but by telling a story of presence, trust, and hope that holds even when the path forward isn’t obvious.

It is possible to survive the hardest days of our lives yet still feel lost when the crisis is over. When we are stuck in the past or weighed down by how we’ve been hurt, we might be physically present, but we aren't truly free. In Part 3 of The Way Home, Forrest Jenan looks at how Jesus’ way of love—often dismissed as soft or impractical—is actually the most powerful, pragmatic strategy for navigating a chaotic world and healing deep fractures. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/8RRp4X2Rl2s YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49540289

A life that feels meaningful, connected, and whole is something we all want—especially at Christmas. But somewhere along the way, relationships can fray, distance grows, and we’re left wondering how to fix what’s broken without making it worse. In Part 2 of The Way Home, Forrest Jenan invites us to see reconciliation as a way of life—one that restores what’s been separated, heals division, and helps us move through the world with the same grace we celebrate in the Christmas story. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/qBNNEWs6r4k YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49535552

Life rarely falls apart all at once; usually, we just drift until we wonder, "How did I get here?" Willpower alone often fails to get us back on track, but Christmas offers a different hope: help comes to find us. In Part 1 of The Way Home, Forrest Jenan explores the "quiet drift" of life and the Christmas promise of a God who comes to the rescue. If you feel lost or stuck, this message offers a powerful reminder: you don’t have to navigate your way back alone. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/-4nmRduRNZM YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49533403

There are moments when we wonder why we keep tripping over the same patterns—repeating choices that hurt our relationships, our future, and even how we see ourselves. There’s a built-in drift toward self-destruction and shame that shapes more of our decisions than we realize But there’s real hope. Jesus doesn’t enter our lives to point out what’s wrong—He comes to lift the weight we’ve been carrying: regret, secrets, and the parts of ourselves we avoid. In Part 4 of Hardwired, Forrest Jenan invites us to see Jesus as the One who carries what we cannot, leading us into healing, freedom, and a new way to live. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/guOFHg8qUeU YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49529882

We all feel the pull toward what’s easier—avoiding the hard conversation, putting off the change we know we need, staying comfortable. Jesus understood this wiring long before science named it. In Part 3 of Hardwired, Forrest Jenan looks at the two paths we all choose between every day: the one that feels easy in the moment and the one that leads to the kind of life we deeply want. Why do we fight against the very choices that bring growth, peace, and real transformation? How does Jesus offer the strength we need to take the harder, better path?

You probably know someone who needs to change but won’t—someone stuck, hurting, or repeating choices that damage their life and the lives around them. But we rarely stop to ask a harder question: what if we’re doing the same thing? In Part 2 of Hardwired, Brian Ross invites us to consider a different path—one where openness becomes the doorway to healing. Drawing from Psalm 95 and the story of a God whose nature is deeply and relentlessly good, Brian gives an honest look at how we get stuck, how we stay stuck, and what becomes possible when we finally loosen our grip and allow God’s goodness to reshape us from the inside out. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/3vG2PAAattg YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49523239Special Guest: Brian Ross.

Many of us move through life with a quiet ache for connection. Even with full calendars and constant activity, we still long to feel known and to belong — because we were made for it. The need for relationship is built into who we are. In Part 1 of our Hardwired series, we’ll look at the moment Jesus meets a woman who felt on the outside of everything and makes space for her with dignity and compassion. Her story shows that belonging isn’t accidental or earned — it’s created when we make room for one another. When we do, connection begins to heal what loneliness has worn down.

Most of us have tried reading the Bible and walked away thinking, “I don’t get it.” That’s because we all read the Bible through a particular lens — and sometimes those lenses make it harder to see what’s really there. In this message, we discover a better way to read the Bible — one that brings clarity instead of confusion. When you see it through the lens of Jesus, the story comes alive, and you might just see yourself differently too. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/IlMJa3DcXzk YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49516406

We all have something we’re trying to stop—an unhealthy pattern, a habit gone too far, or a thought that won’t let go. Most of the time, we tell ourselves, “Don’t.” But no matter how strong our willpower is, the “don’t” cycle rarely works for long. It keeps us stuck, exhausted, and ashamed when we can’t hold it together. In Part 2 of How to Stop What’s Stopping You, Forrest talks about what to do when willpower runs out. There’s a better way to move forward: surrender. When you reach the end of “don’t,” and finally whisper “help,” that’s where freedom begins. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/Zoy6YCBDR_Y YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49511849

Denial has a way of keeping us stuck. It can damage relationships, weigh on our conscience, and quietly rob us of peace. What if the first step toward healing isn’t fixing everything, but simply being honest about what’s broken? In Part 1 of our new series How to Stop What’s Stopping You, Darrin Cantrell explores what happens when we stop pretending everything’s okay and finally step into the light God offers—a light that doesn’t shame or expose us but helps us breathe again. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/5e4rseRiUEo YOUVERSION NOTES: https://bible.com/events/49507909

Most of us know what it feels like to run on empty—busy, distracted, and worn out. We keep trying to catch our breath, but nothing seems to refill us for long. In the final installment of our Thirty Words series, Forrest Jenan talks about staying connected to the source of life itself. Jesus invites us to make our home in Him—not to try harder, but to live with a steady awareness that He’s with us, giving us what we need to truly breathe again.

Most of us know what it feels like to get burned by religion — the pressure to perform, the guilt that never quite lifts, the endless cycle of trying harder to be “good enough.” Maybe you’ve felt the weight of it, or maybe you’ve just watched how it can twist something beautiful into something heavy. What if the spiritual life you’ve been searching for isn’t about trying to reach God at all, but realizing He’s already come close? In Part 5 of Thirty Words, Forrest Jenan explores one of Jesus’ most surprising missions: to bring an end to the exhausting systems people built to find God. In a story that starts at a wedding with empty jars and ends with joy, we’ll see what happens when grace replaces guilt, and how Jesus reveals a way of life that actually feels like rest. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/RI_1izj_oX4 YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49503130

We all feel the pull to have it our way—with our families, our schedules, our futures. But if we’re honest, even our best attempts at self-rule often leave us tired, anxious, or frustrated. Deep down, most of us long for a bigger story, a wiser way to live, and a community that helps us flourish rather than compete. In Part 4 of our Thirty Words series, we’re exploring Jesus’ most frequent topic—the Kingdom of God—and what it means for everyday people right now. The “kingdom” Jesus talked about isn’t castles and crowns but a living reality you can step into today—a new way of life where God’s wisdom, love, and justice take root in real time and begin reshaping your world from the inside out. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/s32DIWPTu4A YOUVERSION NOTES: https://bible.com/events/49498189

Everywhere we look—headlines, workplaces, even our own relationships—we see patterns of harm that keep cycling. We call it brokenness, dysfunction, injustice, self-sabotage… but whatever the name, it leaves people trapped and hurting. Deep down, most of us sense there’s more to life than this and wonder if there’s any real way out of the damage we’ve caused or inherited. In Part 3 of our series Thirty Words, Jordan Brokaw explores how Jesus stepped into the heart of that problem to rescue and restore, and how His rescue opens a path to freedom and new life for anyone who wants it. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/fgCqQLYLHuw YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49494795

Deep down, every person wonders if love can actually be trusted. We all long for a kind of love that isn’t just talk but shows up, steps in, and proves itself when it costs something. That ache for real, reliable love is at the heart of human experience. In Part 2 of our Thirty Words series, we’re looking at how Jesus embodies that kind of love. Forrest Jenan explores the claim that God came to show us what love looks like in action. Whether you’re skeptical or curious, this is an invitation to discover a kind of love that can shape not only what you believe but how you live. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/f55HRgA0g_A YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49490834

Every generation longs for good news—something strong enough to break through fear, grief, and confusion. The Christian story begins with just that: God stepped into our world in Jesus to show us what He is really like. In Part 1 of our series Thirty Words, Forrest Jenan explore the simple announcement at the heart of faith and discover how thirty words can carry hope powerful enough to change everything. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/QhbgR9e-ZjA

There are few questions that unsettle us more than the one that surfaces in the quiet of the night: What happens when it’s over? Whether it’s sparked by a childhood prayer, a funeral, or visiting a hospital room, the thought of death leaves us wondering what comes next and if anything lies beyond the silence. This week in Staring at the Ceiling, we’ll listen closely to how Jesus spoke about life beyond this one. His words don’t remove every mystery, but they offer a vision of presence, renewal, and love that can steady us in the face of the unknown and give us courage to live with hope now. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/1ASwoK6P_Lk YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49484691

At some point, most of us find ourselves staring at the ceiling, wondering if our lives really matter. We get caught in endless routines, distracted by busyness or numbing out with screens, but deep down we long to know that our days add up to something bigger than ourselves. That quiet question … Why am I here? …isn’t just about existence, it’s about significance. This week in Staring at the Ceiling, we’ll look at a moment from Jesus’ life where he uncovered what gets in the way of living with purpose. What if the meaning you’re searching for isn’t found in what you gain, but in the way your life flows outward into the lives of others? Ordinary choices like our words, our time, even the small ways we show up can leave a lasting mark and build a legacy that matters. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/T1CeW_iGcAs YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49482340

You try to live a good life. You want to make choices you can feel proud of. But the more voices you hear, the harder it gets to know what “doing the right thing” actually means. That tension of wanting to live well but feeling overwhelmed by competing voices can leave you lying awake at night asking, Am I doing the right thing? In Part 2 of our series Staring at the Ceiling, Jordan Brokaw talks about the simple but profound answer Jesus gave to one of life’s most complicated questions. It’s not a checklist, and it’s not a loophole. It’s a way of living that can guide every decision, even in life’s grey areas. You don’t have to have the whole map. You just need a compass. And if what Jesus said is true, that compass always points in one direction: love. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49477734