In this pre-recorded episode, we sit down with Dr. Brad Young to talk about the purpose of the parables in their original context and how it affects how we apply them to their lives today. Professor Brad Young is a scholar and theologian specializing in biblical studies, particularly in the area of Jewish background of the New Testament and early Christianity. He has contributed significantly to understanding the historical and cultural context in which Jesus and the apostles lived and taught....
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Kellie and Ryan Hannah have grown up, been married, raised a family, and are now being sent out by Crossroads to pursue their calling of providing biblical counseling to missionaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We chat about their life, and how God is using their story to now impact others. We also discuss the sermon from this week on the parables of the Treasure Hidden in a Field and the Pearl of Great Price. Ryan & Kellie's blog where you can subscribe for updates and prayer requests: https:/...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 5 min
In this episode, we sit down with our Jewish friend, David Nekrutman, to dive into the meaning and significance of Sabbath. Together, we explore questions like: What is Sabbath? Who is it for? And how can we incorporate it into our lives? We’re also joined by Emilie Wierda, a Christian who has embraced a weekly 24-hour pause. Emilie shares what the practice has meant to her, and the transformative impact it has had on her life.
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 91
As Right to Life Sunday approaches, we sit down with Jim Sprague and Kim VanSolkema to hear Barb Holtzman courageously share her powerful story of healing, hope, and the transformative new creation made possible through the blood-bought gospel of Jesus Christ. We also engage the very important question: is the church a house of refuge? https://deeperstill.org https://prcforlife.org https://www.lifeinternational.com...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Join us as we sit down with Tina Watschke and dive into John 1:1-14. We talk a bit about how John differs from the Synoptic Gospels, how the language points to Genesis, how familiarity can breed unfamiliarity around the Christmas story, general vs. specific revelation, and more. Happy New Year and we're looking forward to what God will do in 2025!
Jan 03, 2025•49 min
For the next few months, we are going to be diving into the stories Jesus told and what he was seeking to do with them. For Jesus, the art of storytelling was not only an effective teaching method but also a way for him to reveal insights about the Kingdom of God, human nature, and God’s relationship with His people. In preparation for this Sunday sermon series, we sit down with Klyne Snodgrass. Dr. Klyne Snodgrass is a well-respected scholar who is particularly known for his expertise in the Go...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 43 min
In this episode, we sit down with longtime Crossroads member Dr. Brad Bengtson to dive deep into the chronology of the birth of Christ. Can we know the exact date of Jesus' birth? Does it even matter? Together, we explore these questions and more, uncovering fascinating insights about the prophetic announcement of Christ’s arrival and the historical events unfolding at that time. Dr. Bengtson takes us through the cultural and historical backdrop of the nativity story, shedding light on the signi...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, we dive into Luke 2:8-20. Often overlooked, the shepherds were the first to hear the message of Jesus’ birth—the greatest announcement in history. We explore why these humble, lowly figures were chosen to receive God’s revelation, and what this means for how we view God's message and His priorities. The episode unpacks the revelation itself: the good news of the birth of a Savior in a humble manger, and the functional gospels in our life. We reflect on the significance of the sh...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Neil Martin is a Pastor at Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Oxford, England. He is also the Director of B Less Oxford . He completed his DPhil in New Testament at the University of Oxford and is a member of the St. John Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He also previously served as a Pastor at our very own Crossroads Bible Church. Preacher: Neil Martin Passage: Matthew 1:18-25 Sermon Link: CLICK HERE Questions for The Lo...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 16 min
In this episode, we explore the Advent narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth from Luke 1:5-22, focusing on the themes of faith versus religion, waiting versus instant gratification, and silence versus noise. Zechariah and Elizabeth, despite their deep religious devotion, struggle with the tension between outward faith and inward doubt, reminding us that true faith often grows in the spaces of silence and unanswered prayers. In a culture that demands immediate results, their long wait for a child ...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 15 min
We sit down with Sam Sterk (vice-chair of Crossroads Elder Board) as we dive into the often difficult topic of forgiveness, Using the powerful story in Genesis 50 as our backdrop, we look at Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers and how it offers profound insights into the challenges of forgiveness and the healing power it can bring. But we don’t stop there. We take a step back to explore the larger meta-narrative of Scripture—the overarching story of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Crea...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 12 min
We sit down with Jason Botbyl and Jamie Bartlett as we explore the powerful themes of grief and faith found in Genesis 48 and 49. As Jacob prepares to bless his sons and share his final words, we witness a profound journey of loss, remembrance, and hope. How did Jacob confront the sorrow of his life and the painful separation from his beloved son Joseph? How did his faith sustain him through these trials? Join us as we dive into the biblical narrative to reflect on how we can process grief and t...
Nov 21, 2024•59 min
We sit down with pastor and author AJ Sherill to talk about Advent and his new book Rediscovering Christmas. Are you tired of feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and empty during the holiday season? Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, are you ready to slow down, catch your breath, and rediscover the true beauty of Christmas? This captivating collection of readings explores the intersection where the ancient context meets the present moment. Pastor AJ Sherrill invites you into an e...
Nov 18, 2024•52 min
We sit down with Crossroads Staff members Stephanie Teslaa, and Jason Botbyl to dive into Genesis 45 and explore one of the most powerful moments of reconciliation in the Bible—Joseph being reunited with his brothers after years of separation. After suffering betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph’s journey comes full circle as he forgives his brothers, revealing his identity to them in a dramatic, emotion-filled encounter. We’ll reflect on the themes of forgiveness, redemption, a...
Nov 13, 2024•59 min
We sit down with longtime Crossroads member Ashlea Russ as we explore the powerful theme of repentance in Genesis 42-44. As Joseph’s brothers (more specifically Judah) face the fallout from their past actions, we watch their guilt turn into genuine remorse and a desire to make things right. From their first encounter with Joseph in Egypt to their emotional confessions, these chapters show us the messy but redemptive process of facing our mistakes and seeking forgiveness. We’ll unpack what true r...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 79
We sit down with Tracy Groot and RJ Alicea (Worship Pastor) as we dive into Genesis chapters 40 and 41, exploring the themes of disappointment and unmet expectations through the lens of Joseph’s journey. Joseph, once favored and dream-filled, finds himself in a pit of despair, forgotten in prison despite his hopes for liberation. We’ll unpack how Joseph’s resilience and faith in God shape his response to adversity, and how God humbles us to exalt us and raise us up. Join us as we reflect on the ...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 78
We sit down to unpack Genesis 39 and the themes of integrity, holiness, resilience, and the complexities of temptation. We'll discuss Joseph's rise to prominence despite his circumstances, the challenges he faces from Potiphar's wife, and the lessons about faith and character. Tune in for a deep dive into how Joseph's journey resonates with our own struggles and the importance of facing temptation with humility and wisdom. Preacher: Brian Robinson Passage: Genesis 39 Sermon Link: ...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 77
We sit down with a couple of our young adults as we dive into the complex story of Judah and Tamar from Genesis 38. On the surface, it’s an account of deception, betrayal, and scandal, but beneath the surface, we uncover profound themes of justice, redemption, and God's sovereign plans working through flawed human lives. We'll explore Judah's moral failings, Tamar’s bold actions, and the surprising twists that lead to the continuation of the messianic line. We discuss how this ancient narrative ...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 76
In this conversation, we sit down with Coach Mike Swider, former head coach of the Wheaton College Thunder football team, to discuss the powerful intersection of building a winning football culture and glorifying Jesus in the process. Coach Swider is a respected figure in college football, having spent over two decades as the head coach at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Serving from 1997 to 2021, he’s known not only for his success on the field but also for his unwavering commitment to ch...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 75
We sit down with Tina Watschke as we dive into the rich narrative of Genesis 37, where we encounter the story of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, whose coat of many colors becomes a symbol of both love and jealousy. We explore the dynamics of sibling rivalry, the first seeds of conflict between Joseph and his brothers, and the dreams that set the stage for a dramatic turn in his life. What can we learn from Joseph’s journey, and how does his story speak to themes of faith, betrayal, and God’s p...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 74
We sit down to talk with Hany Salah who is a pastor in Iraq, and partner of Crossroads through Impact Middle East to discuss what God is doing amidst the tumult and war in the region. Joining God on His mission to redeem, reconcile, and restore all creation, Impact Middle East empowers national leaders to holistically proclaim the grace and truth of Jesus in word and deed and embody the hope of the gospel through creative strategies that best fit their contexts. I.M.E. plants reproducing communi...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 73
We sit down to preview this week's "Crossroads U" Elective with Dr. Andrew Abernethy ( Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College) . Sign Up HERE In this 3 week elective, we will explore how to read the Bible better. Drawing from his experience training students to study the Bible, Andrew Abernethy provides a holistic method that helps readers listen carefully to what God was saying to the original audience and what God is saying to us today. He will guide learners using interpreting biblical...
Oct 03, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 72
We sit down to discuss the theme of idolatry as depicted in Genesis 35. As Jacob and his family journey to Bethel, they confront the remnants of their past, including the foreign gods that have infiltrated their lives. We’ll examine the significance of Jacob’s call to his household to put away these idols and what this act symbolizes in terms of spiritual renewal and commitment to God. Preacher: Rod VanSolkema Passage: Genesis 35-36 Sermon Link: CLICK HERE Questio...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Today we sit down and chat about the topic of being a disciple with Jeff Vanderstelt. Crossroads Bible Church celebrated its 20th-anniversary last year, and we continue to be dedicated to our mission of being a church of disciples who make disciples. As we reaffirm our commitment to this vision, we are excited to partner with Jeff Vanderstelt. While there’s no substitute for the hard work of disciple-making, we find joy in knowing we are secure in our relationship with Jesus. Jeff has a rich bac...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 70
We sit down to explore Genesis 34 and the Dinah debacle. What happens when we or someone we love has been sinned against grievously? What should we do and how do we respond? We dive into the differences between justice and vengeance and how our feelings aren't always the greatest barometer for measuring our righteousness. Preacher: Tryg Veker Passage: Genesis 34 Sermon Link: CLICK HERE Questions for The Locker Room? email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 69
We sit down with Brian Medaglia ( Community Life Pastor ) and Jen Schmid ( Community Groups Associate Director ) to chat about Jacob's fateful night wrestling with God, and how our pain often meets God's purposes. What does this wrestling match signify about Jacob's journey and his relationship with God? How does this story reflect broader themes of struggle, identity, and divine intervention? We’ll discuss the historical and theological perspectives, and consider how this ancient story resonate...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Do you want to know more about how to stay grounded in your faith in the chaos of our 24/7 media cycle, and polarizing politics? In this 2 week elective with Dr. Scott Gustafson, we will explore the stories and liturgies that shape us in this polarizing cultural moment and discuss the politics of the Kingdom. How can we be spiritually formed after the pattern of Jesus and resist the polarizing politics, idolatries, and ideologies swirling around us? We will draw upon church history, geek out a l...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 64
We sit down with Jason Botbyl ( Pastor of Multiplication ) to talk about Paul's conclusion of his letter to the Ephesian church. As Christians, we are in a war. Even though we may rarely think about it, and at times hardly notice it, we must be aware of it. We break down what it means to stand in the face of spiritual battles every day, and how God has equipped us to handle them. Think of it like gearing up for a fight—only this time, with truth, faith, righteousness, and the Word of God as your...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 66
In this episode, we delve into Ephesians 6:1-9 with Matt Kenney ( Adult & Family Ministries Pastor ), where Paul addresses the crucial relationships between children, parents, and servants. We explore the call for children to honor and obey their parents, the responsibilities of parents to raise their children in the Lord, and how these principles extend to our work and service today. Whether you’re a parent, a child, or someone navigating their daily work life, these verses offer timeless g...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 65
In this episode, we unpack the wonderful mystery of marriage in all of its explosive beauty and difficulties. We explore Paul's comparison of the relationship between husband and wife to that of Christ and the Church and what that metaphor teaches us about sacrificial love, mutual respect, and submission in marriage. Preacher: Tryg Veker Passage: Ephesians 5:22-33 Sermon Link: CLICK HERE...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 64
