What keeps us from meaningful connection? Bethany Allen, Elder and Associate Pastor at Bridgetown Church, talks about what obstacles we face when walking out Jesus' invitation to live like family, challenging us to face our limits and become truly vulnerable in our close relationships.

Key Scripture Passage: Mark 3v31-35

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Mary Jane from Lithia Springs, Georgia; Chloe from Lakewood, Colorado; Colton from Flagstaff, Arizona; Graham from Clarkesville, Georgia; and Sara from Cedar Falls, Iowa. Thank you all so much!

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How do you measure your spiritual growth? Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church, tracks the theme of fruit and fruitfulness through the gospel of Matthew, showing us that for Jesus, love is the goal of spiritual formation. Tyler shares common ways that we lose sight of this goal and challenges us to reorient our spiritual practices around becoming people of love.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 7v15-20, Matthew 12v1-37, Matthew 22v34-40, Matthew 20v29-33

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Sarah from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Jenny from Eagan, Minnesota; Andrew from Fort Wayne, Indiana; Kathy from Keizer, Oregon; and Kevin from Pleasanton, California. Thank you all so much!

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"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"

John Mark delves into the idea that true peace is more than the absence of conflict—it is a profound inner state offered as a gift from God. He encourages listeners to cultivate this peace of heart as a vital part of their discipleship and witness in a world filled with fear and anxiety.

Key Scripture Passage: John 20v19-22

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: John from Chapin, South Carolina; Corey from Hixson, Tennessee; Dalton from Liberty, Kentucky; Nick from San Antonio, Texas; and Rhonda from San Jose, California. Thank you all so much!

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Where does our reading of the Old Testament go wrong? Dr. John H. Walton, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, exposes some of the common missteps that we take when interpreting Scripture, encouraging us to approach Scripture as it is, and not as we'd imagine it to be.

Key Scripture Passage: Hebrews 12v1-2

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jennifer from Menifee, California; Ian from Denton, Texas; Jana from Flowery Branch, Georgia; Kyle from Prescott, Arizona; and Michele from Mooloolaba Valley, Queensland. Thank you all so much!

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What should we do when we fail? Gerald Griffin, pastor of Bridgetown Church, looks at the story of King Saul. Through this story, Gerald encourages us to remain rooted in our God-given identities, and to turn toward God for transformation when we fall short.

Key Scripture Passages: 1 Samuel 9-15

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kyle from Renton, Washington; Bryson from Atlanta, Georgia; Erin from Midland, Texas; Jac from Cardiff, Wales; and Hudson from Nashville, Tennessee. Thank you all so much!

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Are the odd stories in Scripture relevant to us at all? In this teaching, John Mark dives into the historical books, showing how these stories were written for our benefit, and encouraging us to embrace the hope of God's faithfulness in the midst of our failure.

Key Scripture Passages: 2 Samuel 2v8-28, 1 Corinthians 10v1-13

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Fiona from Columbia, Tennessee; Dakotah from Sydney, New South Wales; Alexis from Albany, New York; Heather from Bangor, Maine; and Julianne from Center, Colorado. Thank you all so much!

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"What if the instant supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and the slow formative power of spiritual practices work in complement to one another, not competition?"

In this teaching, Tyler Staton shows us the essential role that the Holy Spirit plays in our formation. He argues that formative practice and supernatural power are not conflicting ministries, inviting us to return the the roots of our faith by holding these two expressions in tandem.

The Familiar Stranger, Tyler's newest book, is available now for pre-order, releasing on January 28th. Find it here, or wherever books are sold.

Key Scripture Passage: John 14-17

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Bronwyn from Delaware, Ohio; Clint from Little Rock, Arkansas; Samuel from Auckland, New Zealand; Tamara from West Linn, Oregon; and Brandon from Waxahachie, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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Can we be happy in the midst of our suffering? John Mark argues that meaning, more than being happy or healthy, is our core need as humans, and that suffering is one of the primary ways that we live into that meaning. He challenges us to embrace suffering as the forge of our transformation into Christ-like love, where true joy can be found.

Key Scripture Passage: Job 23v1-10

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Scott from Wesley Chapel, Florida; Joshua from Cape May Court House, New Jersey; Micah from Tawin Harte, California; Sarah from Winchester, Virginia; and Craig from Crystal Lake, Illinois. Thank you all so much!

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Why do bad things happen to good people? John Mark tackles the question of theodicy and God's justice in this series covering the wisdom literature. This week, he explores the book of Job, and challenges us to embrace the mystery of God, continuing to put our faith and hope in him in the midst of suffering.

Key Scripture Passages: Job 1-42

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Julie from Woodinville, Washington; Shana from Denver, Colorado; Kaylyn from Lakewood, Colorado; Sarah from Cincinnati, Ohio; and Spencer from Bedford, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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How can we live with more joy? Ken Shigematsu explores how the good news of Jesus' birth is cause for celebration and happiness. He challenges us to draw near to the source of joy, God himself, and savor his blessings to allow his joy to saturate our hearts and minds.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 1v46-49, Luke 2v10-11, Luke 2v19, 1 Corinthians 2v9

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tone from Stavanger, Norway; Katie from Lexington, Kentucky; Bobby from Stafford, Virginia; Logan from Raleigh, North Carolina; and Tyler from Smyrna, Tennessee. Thank you all so much!

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Why are we so anxious? Ken Shigematsu invites us to reflect on what Advent teaches about peace of heart. Drawing on Scripture, personal stories, and research, he shows how recognizing and living into God's love can help us move beyond fear and into resilient peace amidst a chaotic world.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 1v30-21, Luke 2v19

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jeremy from Gaithersburg, Maryland; Rick from Anacortes, Washington; Charles from Norman, Oklahoma; Jeroen from Groningen, Netherlands; and Veronica from Austin, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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