Why does reading the Bible feel so difficult? John Mark invites us to rediscover Scripture as a place of encounter with Jesus, not just a source of information. He challenges us to engage with Scripture not just a book we read, but as a practice to form us. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v17-19 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tedra from Austin, Texas; Kent from Pleasanton, California; Hannah from...
May 26, 2025•51 min
What does it actually mean to be holy—and is it even possible? John Mark explores the biblical meaning of holiness, and how we grow in it. He invites us to begin the journey toward holiness not with striving, but by recognizing our powerlessness, listening for the Spirit’s quiet invitations, and taking one small step at a time. Key Scripture Passage: Philippians 1v1 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to:...
May 19, 2025•20 min
What is our formation supposed to do in and through us? Tyler Staton concludes our series by talking about the humble love of Jesus and his invitation for us as his followers to do the same. He challenges us to lean into the practices of Jesus as a way to transform us from our false self into our true self, establish a new social order based on the Kingdom of God, and saturate our lives with God's presence. Key Scripture Passage: John 13v1-17 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The...
May 12, 2025•54 min
Should we always forgive? Tyler Staton explores the forgiveness of God through Jesus's teachings, focusing on the parable of the unmerciful servant. He shows us how forgiveness and justice run together in the Kingdom of God, challenging us to forgive and surrender to God's justice. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 18v21-35 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 Monmouth, Oregon; Lacie fro...
May 05, 2025•53 min
Can we practice joy? Tyler Staton explores Jesus' parable of the wedding feast, showing how Jesus embodied the compassion and inclusivity of God through his teaching and practice, and challenging us to lean into God's joy through this practice of celebrating and feasting with the lost and least. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 14v1-24, Matthew 9v9-13 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...
Apr 28, 2025•52 min
Is the world getting worse? Or better? John Mark explores how the world is progressing materially and technologically, but regressing psychologically, relationally, and spiritually. He shows how, even in the midst of the good and the bad of the human condition, the resurrection of Jesus opens the door for us to live the life we're longing for. Key Scripture Passage: Romans 8v18-25 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for th...
Apr 21, 2025•40 min
What does it mean to be fruitful, and how do we do live fruitful lives? Gavin Bennett, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Bridgetown Church, talks about the theme of fruitfulness throughout the Gospels, challenging us to steward our entire lives as gifts from God – even the areas that we feel aren't worth stewarding. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 25v 14-30, Matthew 21v18-22 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this epis...
Apr 14, 2025•38 min
"Compassion isn't convenient or easy." Christian Dawson, Pastor of Worship at Bridgetown Church, explores the parable of the Good Samaritan, challenging us to embody love and lean into compassion for others, even when it's inconvenient. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 10v25-37 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Adam from New Braunfels, Texas; Liz from Tihiotonga, Rotorua; Melissa from Has...
Apr 07, 2025•48 min
How can we live out Jesus' vision for our cities amidst the complexities of modern life? In this teaching, Tyler Staton offers us a compelling vision for loving our neighbors and communities, both acknowledging the obstacles we must overcome in living that vision and challenging us to reorient our values and priorities around the Kingdom of God rather than our broader culture. Key Scripture Passage: Romans 12v2-3 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of mont...
Mar 31, 2025•50 min
"Wealth quickly becomes destructive for those who don't respect its power." Tyler Staton, Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church, examines Jesus' teaching that "you cannot serve God and Mammon." He shows us how wealth promises what it can't deliver, and encourages us to defy the deformative power of money by serving the poor, practicing generosity, and dying to our false selves. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v19-24 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle,...
Mar 24, 2025•51 min
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; C...
Mar 17, 2025•49 min
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...
Mar 10, 2025•50 min
"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 epis...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min
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 De...
Feb 24, 2025•45 min
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 M...
Feb 17, 2025•44 min
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; Dakota...
Feb 10, 2025•52 min
"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 ...
Jan 17, 2025•31 min
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...
Jan 10, 2025•52 min
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...
Jan 03, 2025•58 min
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 Stav...
Dec 27, 2024•31 min
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, Ma...
Dec 20, 2024•27 min
How do we remain hopeful in a world that's falling apart? Ken Shigematsu reflects on the paradox of Advent, where light meets darkness and hope confronts despair. He challenges us to look honestly at our realities, confront the brutal facts, and find unshakable hope in Christ's first coming and promised return. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 21v25-28; Isaiah 9v1-2, 6; Mark 13v7-8, 24-26 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thank...
Dec 13, 2024•31 min
Changing our relationship with money is one of the first and most important steps of living as followers of Jesus. In this episode, John Mark explores Jesus' teachings on generosity to the poor. He challenges us to reexamine our preference for accumulation and offers practical ways to share our resources with those in need. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 12v13-34 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: P...
Dec 06, 2024•50 min
"What does it mean to steward God's resources?" John Mark explores Jesus’ countercultural teachings on generosity and stewardship, challenging us to view everything we own as a gift from God, meant to be managed with wisdom and love. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 12v13-48, 2 Corinthians 9v7-11 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Farzad from San Diego, California; Abigail from Tahlequah, Okl...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr
John Mark explores Jesus and the New Testament authors warning against the love of money and greed, showing us that money is often an obstacle, not a boon, to the good life. He argues us that true happiness is found not in more money, but in being content with what we have. Key Scripture Passage: 1 Timothy 6v6-19 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 Fountain Valley, California; Ian from Melbo...
Nov 22, 2024•57 min
Does more money mean more happiness? John Mark walks through some of Jesus's surprising teachings on money, showing us how social science affirms the fact that generosity, not accumulation, leads to joy. He challenges us to reflect on whether we have an abundance or scarcity mindset, and invites us to deepen our trust in God's generosity. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v19-24, Acts 20v35 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special t...
Nov 15, 2024•55 min
Why is there such a disconnect between who we want to be and what we actually do? In this second of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger discuss the practice of contemplation. John Mark argues that we overestimate the ability of willpower and insight to change us. Instead, he offers us three doorways into the practice of contemplation and practical suggestions for integrating this practice in our lives. You can read more in the expanded hardcover edition of Jo...
Nov 08, 2024•40 min
Do we project our own ideas onto God? In this first of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger explore the significance of God having a name and how God's self-disclosure often contradicts our assumptions. They challenge us to re-examine and adjust our implicit knowledge of God by reckoning with God's character revealed in Scripture. You can read more in the expanded hardcover edition of John Mark’s book God Has a Name , now available wherever books are s...
Nov 01, 2024•51 min
Do you represent God well? John Mark explores God's final characteristic: jealous, like a passionate husband protecting his bride. As he tracks this theme throughout the Scriptures, he leaves us with a prophetic invitation to carry the name of Yahweh into every sphere of our lives. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-14, Deuteronomy 28v1-10, Exodus 19v1-6, Leviticus 19v1-18, Exodus 20v1-7, Ezekiel 36v16-23 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly giv...
Oct 25, 2024•51 min
Does God punish children for their parent's sin? John Mark explores the final section of Exodus 34v6-7, highlighting the beauty of God's justice, the gravity of sin, and God's overwhelming proclivity towards forgiveness and mercy over wrath and judgment. Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Numbers 14v11-23, Matthew 18v21-35 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Camie from Roswell, Georgia;...
Oct 18, 2024•49 min
