YOU Podcast

YOU podcasts provide a candid overview of each YOU Bible Study session. General editor Mark Croston and content editor Christina Zimmerman casually discuss each biblical topic from a personal point of view with a strong theological and biblical emphasis. The intent of these podcasts is to provide YOU teachers with not only a time-efficient overview of each session but also creative and meaningful teaching points and ideas. These podcasts ready teachers to present a dynamic biblical yet personal teaching experience for their students.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    ESSENTIALS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING - A Servants Heart (YOU-Sum'26, Study 2, Session 3)

    Imagine a movie director working with actors, producers, and crew members to create an epic movie. Each individual has a specific role, but they all contribute toward making the movie a success, However, what would happen if an actor began to take credit for the director’s vision, or a producer tried to outshine the hard work of the crew? Each member of the team would be confused and upset if one person wanted all the glory for the successful film, in contrast to if each team member performed to benefit the greater storyline, simply fulfilling their role without seeking personal glory, Followers of Christ are called to be humble servants, not seeking personal glory, but fulfilling God’s plan for the benefit of His kingdom.” In the same way, followers of Christ are called to be humble servants, not seeking personal glory, but fulfilling God’s plan for the benefit of His kingdom. Our world emphasizes personal achievement, fame, and recognition, but in God’s Kingdom, we are to have a servant’s heart, Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:5- 15 that we are merely servants in God’s grand storyline, where each has a role. Whether it’s planting seeds, watering the seeds, or building an eternal foundation, we do our part with humility, knowing that it is God who gives the growth, and we serve with excellence to His glory. The post ESSENTIALS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING – A Servants Heart (YOU-Sum’26, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

  2. Jul 21

    ESSENTIALS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING - Fellowship with Believers (YOU-Sum'26, Study 2, Session 1)

    How is your gym membership going? Over 72 million Americans have gym memberships yet 67 percent of those gym memberships are never used. However, imagine someone who not only pays for a membership but also uses it by showing up consistently to exercise. Over time, they lose weight, have more energy, greater strength, and improved health, demonstrating the benefits of regular gym attendance. Taking advantage of what the gym has to offer, its equipment and personal trainers have made a difference in their lives. In fact, the gym community of workout partners, the friendly encouragement from others, and the pumping music inspire you to keep going. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians that Christ desires a unified body, sharing a common faith.” In the same way, Christ is calling us into fellowship with other believers to inspire us to continue living the Christian life. A life that benefits us as the body of Christ, Many people miss the benefits of fully embracing the church family, preferring to walk alone. However, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians that Christ desires a unified body, sharing a common faith. Just like an active gym membership strengthens our bodies, an active fellowship will strengthen our souls, So, join the family and reap the benefits of support, love, and spiritual growth. The post ESSENTIALS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING – Fellowship with Believers (YOU-Sum’26, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

  3. Jun 28

    CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID - Speaking Truth (YOU-Sum'26, Study 1, Session 5)

    On December 23, 2001, during a UCLA college basketball game, UCLA’s “Mistletoe Cam” zoomed in on a young couple seated in the stands. As in-game entertainment, the Mistletoe Cam put couples on the screen and prompted a mistletoe kiss. This young man had more in mind than a kiss. With all the fans in the stadium watching on the big screen, he pulled a ring from his pocket and asked his girlfriend to marry him. When the fans understood what was happening, they began to cheer, but there was an awkward silence from the girlfriend. After asking, “Are you kidding?” she abruptly stood up and walked away, making her answer obvious. Don’t be scared to speak the truth! Being a faithful witness is our job, the results belong to God.” We’ll probably never know if this was staged or the real thing, but it does illustrate an important truth regarding proposals: Not everyone will say, “Yes.” Sometimes the response is “No,” and we might hear it when we invite people to put their faith in Jesus. Knowing this should not discourage us from making the proposal, though. We need to do our part in inviting people to trust in Jesus and then trust Him to do His part in saving them. So don’t be scared to speak the truth! Being a faithful witness is our job, the results belong to God. The post CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID – Speaking Truth (YOU-Sum’26, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

  4. Jun 14

    CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID - Showing Love (YOU-Sum'26, Study 1, Session 3)

    Most of us have heard the phrase, “the proof is in the pudding.” That’s a shortened version of the original phrase, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” We use the phrase when we want to express that the goodness or quality of something must be judged by experiencing it or seeing results from it. At its core, the phrase is about integrity: what’s inside shows up outside. This goes for us as well. What’s inside us will come out eventually. In today’s session, God’s Word is going to challenge us to love God and love others-and to do it well. How can we know how well we are doing? If we apply the phrase, “the proof is in the pudding,” we’ll realize that our love for God is inextricably connected with the way we love others. In other words, if we truly love God, that love for Him will overflow in our relationships with other people. Love for God and love for people aren’t at odds and can’t be pitted against one another. Our love for God is proven by our love for people.” Love for God and love for people aren’t at odds and can’t be pitted against one another. Jesus’s parable shows it plainly: our love for God is proven by our love for people. Love without action is not love. Action without salvation from Christ is not the gospel lived out. The post CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID – Showing Love (YOU-Sum’26, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

  5. Jun 7

    CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID - Making Others a Priority (YOU-Sum'26, Study 1, Session 2)

    In March 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. People were advised to distance themselves by six feet or more to avoid exposure to the virus. When a positive diagnosis was made, the sick individual was quarantined initially for 14 days; later, the quarantine period was reduced to five days. The aim of all of this was to isolate the virus and those infected by it. The unintended consequence was that it isolated people. Churchesfaced concerns of isolation as well. As worship services were modified and became solely virtual in many cases, opportunities for a handshake or a hug became rare. Years later, many churches are still trying to get things back to the way they used to be before the pandemic, to varying degrees. Unfortunately, believers can import an isolation mindset into relationships with unbelievers, keeping so much distance that there’s no meaningful contact. This was not the way Jesus related to others. In Luke 7, we see Jesus teaching a master class in making others a priority in our lives, even those who are different or spiritually sick.” Unfortunately, believers can import an isolation mindset into relationships with unbelievers, keeping so much distance that there’s no meaningful contact. This was not the way Jesus related to others. In Luke 7, we see Jesus teaching a master class in making others a priority in our lives, even those who are different or spiritually sick. Let’s watch the Teacher and learn from Him. The post CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID – Making Others a Priority (YOU-Sum’26, Study 1, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

  6. May 31

    CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID - Meeting Needs (YOU-Sum'26, Study 1, Session 1)

    The Bible makes it clear that believers should meet the needs of others. Yet we sometimes hesitate, unsure of who has a need that should be met. Did you know there is a test to see if a person has unmet needs? There is! Simply hold a mirror directly under a person’s nose and watch what happens. If, after a few seconds, the mirror fogs, that means they have unmet needs. The point is that every living, breathing person has unmet needs. Now we don’t need to carry a mirror around in our pockets every day, much less place it under the noses of the people we meet, but we can begin to develop a willingness to help others by seeing and meeting their needs. Keep this in mind as you interact with the people you encounter each day. Did you know there is a test to see if a person has unmet needs? There is! Simply hold a mirror directly under a person’s nose and watch what happens. If, after a few seconds, the mirror fogs, that means they have unmet needs.” In our session today, we see Jesus modeling this for us, He connects with two men who had unmet needs. Jesus demonstrated both awareness of their needs and concern about those needs. Through His willingness to meet their needs, their lives were changed dramatically. Believers can do the same by meeting needs and pointing others to Jesus. The post CONNECTING WITH OTHERS LIKE JESUS DID – Meeting Needs (YOU-Sum’26, Study 1, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

  7. May 24

    Don't Forget to Remember (YOU-Spr'26, Special Focus Study, Session SF)

    It’s amazing how the memories from our childhood can shape the course of our lives. I still remember being picked up, along with my cousins, by a kind woman named Ms. Hughes. She would load us into her station wagon every Sunday morning and take us to Sunday School. Before then, I had never attended. Because of her dedication to the Lord, she saw the value in planting seeds of faith in young hearts—mine included. It’s amazing how the memories from our childhood can shape the course of our lives. I still remember being picked up, along with my cousins, by a kind woman named Ms. Hughes. She would load us into her station wagon every Sunday morning and take us to Sunday School. Before then, I had never attended. Because of her dedication to the Lord, she saw the value in planting seeds of faith in young hearts—mine included.” I grew to love my Sunday School teacher, Ms. Jamison, and the lessons she shared with us. To this day, I can still recite the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments she made sure we memorized. I even remember her teaching us the song “Deep and Wide.” Recently, I had the chance to return to my home church. As I shared a few remarks, I was able to express how the people there laid the spiritual foundation of my walk with Christ. I stand today on their shoulders, deeply grateful for their obedience to the call. Sometimes we don’t see the fruit of our labor right away. But like Moses preparing the way for Joshua, we too are called to lay a foundation for others to grow in the Lord. The post Don’t Forget to Remember (YOU-Spr’26, Special Focus Study, Session SF) appeared first on YOU.

About

YOU podcasts provide a candid overview of each YOU Bible Study session. General editor Mark Croston and content editor Christina Zimmerman casually discuss each biblical topic from a personal point of view with a strong theological and biblical emphasis. The intent of these podcasts is to provide YOU teachers with not only a time-efficient overview of each session but also creative and meaningful teaching points and ideas. These podcasts ready teachers to present a dynamic biblical yet personal teaching experience for their students.

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