The CrossStu Podcast!

In this episode, we hear God promise to bless everyone through Abraham's family, and Paulteaches that we’re all welcome in God's family through following Jesus.Scripture: Genesis 22:1–19; Matthew 1:1–2; Romans 8:37–39, 38–39Bottom Line: We’re all welcome in God’s family.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we’ll see how Jacob dealt with some wild family shifts—running from his brother, getting tricked into marriage, and ending up with two wives. But even with all the twists and turns, God stayed faithful, showing us that when your family changes, God stays the same.Scripture: Genesis 28:10–15, 29:1–30; Acts 3:25–26; Lamentations 3:22–23Bottom Line: When your family changes, God stays the same.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we'll hear the story of Jacob and Esau from RJ Barela. We'll see how Jacob and Esau’s rivalry led to lies, stolen blessings, and long-lasting conflict, but God was still at work. Their story reminds us that no family conflict is too big for God.Scripture: Genesis 25:19–34, 27:1–45; Philippians 4:6–7; James 4:1–6Bottom Line: No family conflict is too big for God.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we'll hear the story of Abraham from Josh Carman. We'll see that along with moments of trust, Abraham's family also made mistakes—big ones. Yet God kept loving Abraham’s family and will keep loving yours because your family isn’t perfect, but God’s love always is.Scripture: Genesis 12:1–5, 10–20, 15:1–6, 16:1–15; Psalm 145:8–9; 1 John 4:11; Zephaniah 3:17Bottom Line: Your family isn’t perfect, but God’s love always is.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

It's not a goodbye, it's a see you later from our beloved volunteer & small group leader, Téa! In today's message, Téa shares how the changes that happen in life are inevitable, like a cross-country move or graduating high school. But similar to the story of Noah, when change happens, we have the opportunity to respond with obedience and trust in the Lord! Scripture: Genesis 6:22Bottom Line: How you respond to change is up to you!Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we’ll see how Daniel spent years in Babylon, staying devoted to God through prayer and obedience, even when it was risky. Because of his faithfulness, others constantly saw God at work in his life, and his story reminds us that we can show our faith consistently.Scripture: Daniel 1–3, 6; Matthew 28:18–20; Colossians 3:23–24Bottom Line: We can show our faith consistently.Download the Grow Habits App mentioned in this episode! Click HERE for the iPhone app, click HERE for Android! Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we’ll see how Daniel’s enemies set a trap for him, leading to a night in a den full of hungry lions. Daniel kept trusting God, reminding us that no matter what kind of “lions’ den” we’re thrown into, we can show our faith when things get difficult.Scripture: Daniel 6:1–23; John 20:19–22; Romans 8:26–27Bottom Line: We can show our faith when things get difficult.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we see how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s unwavering choice to worship only God—and not bow to the king’s statue—was tested in a fiery furnace. Their story reminds us that we’re never alone—God is with us, and we have each other—so we can show our faith together.Scripture: Daniel 3; Ephesians 1:15–19; Hebrews 12:1Bottom Line: We can show our faith together.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we’ll see how Jesus invited his disciples to share the good news and to shine as a light for others to see. Through Jesus’ teaching, we’re reminded that the joy we find in him isn’t something to keep to ourselves because God invites us to share our joy.Scripture: Matthew 4:18–22, 5:14–16; Romans 15:13; Isaiah 12:6Bottom Line: God invites us to share our joy. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we’ll see how Paul shared that just like our body has many parts, everyone has unique gifts designed to work together to help others. Thankfully, we’re not on our own in discovering how to use our gifts because God's Spirit helps us serve others.Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12–21; Romans 12:3–5; Psalm 98:1–2Bottom Line: God's Spirit helps us serve others.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

"Let's Chat!" is the Crosswinds Student Ministry interview-style segment where we dive deeper into topics that students want to talk more about. This is where we see how our faith interacts with the world outside of church. In this episode, Sage interviews Téa Stephenson and the two talk about mental health as it relates to our faith!If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please do not hesitate to tell a trusted adult immediately and/or call 911.RESOURCESSuicide crisis line: call 988Trevor Project crisis line: call 866-488-7386 or text ‘START’ to 678-678National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI): https://www.nami.orgNAMI Alameda County South: https://namiacs.org OR CALL 510-969-6479Love Your Story Therapy: https://loveyourstorytherapy.comCheck if your school contracts with Care Solace help you find a mental health provider!Youth mental health resources: https://www.chhs.ca.gov/youthresources/99 healthy coping skills: https://www.akronchildrens.org/files/1236652/file/ach-99-healthy-coping-skills.pdf

In this episode, we’ll hear Jesus' story about a Samaritan who immediately helped an injured man while others just walked by. Jesus made it clear that loving your neighbor shows up through our actions, reminding us that Jesus asks us to care for each other.Scripture: Luke 10:25–37; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12; Psalm 84:3–4Bottom Line: Jesus asks us to care for each other.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, we’ll see how the disciples saw a hungry crowd as an inconvenience, but Jesus challenged them to have compassion and serve the crowd by meeting their needs. Through this moment, the disciples became part of the bigger miracle, reminding us that Jesus shows us how to notice others' needs.Scripture: Mark 6:30–44; Philippians 2:3–4; Psalm 84:3–4Bottom Line: Jesus shows us how to notice others' needs.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!

In this episode, students will learn how Jesus taught that God blesses the people we wouldn’t expect, like the humble and the peacemakers. His words give us a new direction to follow, showing us that when we look to God’s words, the Bible helps us see things differently.Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12; Psalm 119:18, 105Bottom Line: The Bible helps us see things differently.Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Crosswinds_Students, or check out our YouTube, @CrossStu!