Menlo Church Podcasts

Crossroads: Spiritual Formation | Cheryl Fletcher

Who are you becoming? We’re all becoming something. For example, doctors don’t finish their residency and stop changing; they either become better and more specialized, or perhaps lose focus and backslide. Similarly, spiritual formation is the path to your truest self. This week, we explore practical steps to enter the process of becoming our truest selves.

Set an alarm to help you remember that God is doing something in every ordinary moment of your day. When the alarm goes off, pause for 5 seconds to say, "Thank you God for being here, in this moment."

Crossroads: Life of the Mind | John Crosby

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.” Christians are often portrayed as anti-science or the enemy of culture. This week, we explore how the church practices loving God with all our mind, and how this can put us at odds with culture and society.

 

Discussion Questions:

* What word came to mind when you heard Francis Collins' story? Is there an attribute that struck you in his integration of faith and the mind?

* What point of tension do you feel between "the Christian mind" and our culture? What would improve your next discussion of that tension?

* The life of the mind is rooted in Scripture. As you think of how you read the Bible, is it: daily with a plan; occasionally with a group; rarely or never; or a good idea that you don’t have time for?

 

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: http://menlo.church/studyguide102421

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Crossroads: Hospital for Sinners | Adam Hendrix

The world is for winners: those who achieve, perform, and climb the ladder of success. But who is the church for? This week, we dive into a story that Jesus told, and we discuss what kind of people should be most valued at our church.

Do you have a friend or group that you can be totally authentic with? If not, commit to finding at least one person to share your burdens with. Let this person see the messes in your life.

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Crossroads: First Steps at the Crossroads | John Crosby

As we look forward after a year like no other, in this talk we will kick off a series when we affirm Menlo Church's foundational values. We'll look to Menlo’s past and at God’s faithfulness to explore who we have been and who we continue to be as a church community. Specifically, this week we'll dive into what it means to be a Jesus Church.

This week, consider what feels life-giving about your faith right now. Also, read Luke 4, and as you hear Jesus proclaim his mission, think about which element met you emotionally.

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: menlo.church/studyguide101021 Volunteer with our Online Campus: http://menlo.church/connectcard

The Land Between: Someone Should Do Something About That | Adam Hendrix

In the land between disaster and redemption, we often point at things that are wrong, unjust, or imperfect and we say, “someone should do something about that.” What if that someone is you? This week, we examine the challenges that God invites you to meet head-on. For his entire life, Joshua could rely on Moses to lead the Israelites and solve their problems. But after Moses died, the vision was still not realized, the Israelites were not in the promised land, and someone should do something about that.

What is an opportunity or decision that you feel God is calling you to, but you keep waiting for someone else to handle it? This week, open your hands and surrender this opportunity to God, trusting that he will supply the courage and power.

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: menlo.church/studyguide100321

The Land Between: Not a Twinkie God | Laura Crosby

As the Israelites discovered in the desert between slavery and the Promised Land, God's provision often looks different from what we expect. This week, we discuss the transformative power of letting go and looking for God's assistance.

Recall a time when God provided, and thank him. Identify areas of your life where you may be demanding Twinkies at the gas station instead of accepting the nourishing manna God offers. Ask yourself if you really trust God to guide you, and if not, pray for help trusting him.

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: menlo.church/studyguide92621

The Land Between: Grumbling in the Wilderness | Samantha Littlefield

The longer we stay stuck in a rut between disaster and transformation, the easier it is to complain. When the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, despite some grumbling, God offered his presence and guidance during the crisis. This week, we examine the attitude of our complaints, and how God still graciously invites us into relationship with himself to guide us through.

Ask God for eyes to see his loving presence in areas where it feels easy to complain.

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: menlo.church/studyguide91921

 

The Land Between: Between Crisis and Promised Land | John Crosby

Our faith changes most in times between disaster and realignment with "the Promised Land." This week, we discuss how God's presence develops the hope and endurance that propel us on our journey of faith.

Locate yourself spiritually; do you feel in the midst of crisis (Egypt) or happy and stable (the Promised Land)? In your "Land Between," what are your places of biggest strain, where you pray God will help? Can you recall times when God already proved faithful, or when he transformed your expectations?

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: menlo.church/studyguide91221

Jesus Church: What the Jesus Church Does | Cheryl Fletcher

How does being a Jesus Church impact how we live? What does a Jesus Church do? This week, we examine Jesus's invitation to make him the cornerstone of our church and personal identities.

Read a passage about Jesus and emulate his behavior in a problem you're facing.

Towards the end of this message, Cheryl reads through Colossians 1:15-20. Read along here: http://menlo.church/scripturecard

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: http://menlo.church/studyguide09521

Menlo Labs are fun, interactive gatherings designed to help us investigate and grow in our understanding of God and his guidance by examining a variety of important topics. Go to http://menlo.church/labs to get all the details and register!

Jesus Church: What Happens When the Church Goes Wrong? | Matt Stephan

What happens when the church goes wrong? What tools does Jesus give us to process wrongdoing? In week three of our Jesus Church series, we tackle the mystery and the mess of church and how to rededicate ourselves to Jesus.

Menlo Labs are fun, interactive gatherings designed to help us investigate and grow in our understanding of God and his guidance by examining a variety of important topics. Go to http://menlo.church/labs to get all the details and register!

Find a sermon-based study guide for this week: http://menlo.church/studyguide82921

Volunteer with our Online Campus: http://menlo.church/connectcard