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. FEB 1

    SHARING JESUS IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Jesus Saves (YOU-Win'26, Study 2, Session 3)

    When my wife and I were on a mission trip to Rome, we were introduced to a man who grew up Catholic. At the age of twenty years old, he experienced a crisis due to those in the Catholic faith saying one thing but doing another. So, he decided to become an atheist, one who believes that there is no God. At the same time, he decided to go to the university to study philosophy. He pridefully wanted to use the tools he learned from philosophy to write a book against God and the Bible. First, he thought he would start with reading theology books, but those books were what others said about the Bible. So, he decided to read the Bible starting with the book of Matthew. When he finished reading Matthew, with a new understanding that he was a sinner, he fell down on his knees with tears in his eyes, and gave his heart to Jesus. After he rose to his feet, he felt great joy because he was born again.  For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 This story is a testimony to Jesus having the power to save those who seek to disprove Him. In this lesson, we will see that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever put their faith in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). The post SHARING JESUS IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Jesus Saves (YOU-Win’26, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

    22 min
  2. JAN 18

    SHARING JESUS IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Truth Matters (YOU-Win'26, Study 2, Session 1)

    There is a famous parable about six blind men and an elephant that originated in ancient India. In the story each blind man touches a different part of the elephant’s body. One touched the side of the elephant and said, “An elephant is like a wall.” The next touched the tusk and said, “An elephant is like a spear.” The third blind man touched the elephant’s trunk and said that it was like a snake. The next touched its leg and said it was like a tree. Another held the ear and argued that an elephant is like a fan. The last blind man grabbed the tail of the elephant and described the animal as a rope. These men where correct in their description of the various parts of an elephant but their experiences limited them. Each of them was limited by their individual experience. They could not see the whole truth. We have limited experiences, knowledge, and understanding. We need someone who not only can see everything but knows it all. As we study the Bible, we’ll see the striking contrast between human understanding and true wisdom. Join me in discovering why truth matters and is necessary to navigate life’s challenges and to live a meaningful life.” Likewise, we have limited experiences, knowledge, and understanding. We need someone who not only can see everything but knows it all. As we study these verses together, we’ll see the striking contrast between human understanding and true wisdom. Join me in discovering why truth matters and is necessary to navigate life’s challenges and to live a meaningful life. The post SHARING JESUS IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Truth Matters (YOU-Win’26, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

    26 min
  3. JAN 11

    COMPELLED TO ACT (YOU-Win'26, Special Focus Study, Session SF)

    I wasn’t ready for that! You may find yourself repeating those words in your mind as you confront an unexpected challenge. Hearing the words “cancer,” or a spouse saying “I want a divorce,” or a job stating “We are eliminating your department,” can be overwhelming. Far too often, we hear words for which we are just not ready. Hearing news you’re not ready for can feel like the ground has suddenly shifted beneath your feet. It’s as if time momentarily freezes while your mind races to catch up with the new reality presented to you. There’s a rush of emotions—confusion, disbelief, shock, and often fear—all competing for attention. Your heart may start to pound, and you might feel a knot forming in the pit of your stomach.In that instant, there’s a desperate search for clarity and understanding, grappling with how this news fits into your world. It disrupts your sense of control and forces you onto an uncharted path, leaving you to navigate through the tumult of feelings and the enormity of what lies ahead. God sees all people everywhereas His handiwork. Biases—rooted in race, politics,or nationality—can create barriers that preventus from extending help to others. However,Jesus invites us to recognize these barriers andchallenges us to rise above them. He encouragesus to act with compassion and courage, reachingout to support the unborn, orphans, widows, andthe vulnerable—embracing our responsibility tostand up and step in when help is most needed.” You may not be ready for the Bible passage for this session. Why? Studying the passage will bring into view the truth that God sees all people everywhere as His handiwork. Biases—rooted in race, politics, or nationality—can create barriers that prevent us from extending help to others. However, Jesus invites us to recognize these barriers and challenges us to rise above them. He encourages us to act with compassion and courage, reaching out to support the unborn, orphans, widows, and the vulnerable—embracing our responsibility to stand up and step in when help is most needed. The post COMPELLED TO ACT (YOU-Win’26, Special Focus Study, Session SF) appeared first on YOU.

    24 min
  4. JAN 4

    LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Confidence Falls Short (YOU-Win'26, Study S1, Session 6)

    Cliff Young, an Australian potato farmer and shepherd had never competed when he signed up for the Sydney to Melbourne Ultra-marathon in 1983. At the age of sixty-one, Cliff ran a 544-mile race—and won! What made Cliff Young’s story even more extraordinary was that he showed up to the race without professional gear and even beat the second-place runner by ten hours! How could an old guy like Cliff, with no experience or quality sneakers, perform such an impossible feat? While others slept, he kept on going.” At the age of sixty-one, Cliff ran the 544-mile race—and won! What made Cliff Young’s story even more extraordinary was that he showed up to the race without professional gear and even beat the second-place runner by ten hours! How could an old guy like Cliff, with no experience or quality sneakers, perform such an impossible feat? While others slept, he kept on going. Accustomed to herding two thousand sheep on his family’s farm for days at a time, Cliff stayed on his feet and refused to give up. Sometimes, life can feel like an ultra-marathon as we press on through careers, raising kids, grandkids, and a few eyebrows along the way. If we have the perseverance and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Christ, we can overcome every challenge, obstacle, and treacherous mile. This was John’s encouragement in his first epistle. We can have confidence, faithfulness, and renewed strength as we run our race accompanied by our ravelingcompanion, Jesus. The post LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Confidence Falls Short (YOU-Win’26, Study S1, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

    18 min
  5. 2025-12-28

    LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Finances Fall Short (YOU-Win'26, Study S1, Session 5)

    The story plays out repeatedly. The multimillionaire lives in a beautiful home right on the beach. Wow! That’s living! But he’s diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and suddenly all the externals can’t cure what’s happening inside him. A young lady has a portfolio that soared to heights she never thought possible. But a pirate on a computer across the ocean gets her personal information and passwords. In a matter of hours, it’s all gone. There are so many things that can change our status––wildfires, market crashes, bad choices, addictions, illnesses, or even just plain ignorance. There is one certainty. At the end of our lives, we all leave this earth with empty pockets. The only account that matters is your connection to God. People see money as an asset. Jesus views money quite differently. How we manage our money reflects our values, motives, and even our faith. It’s not a money issue; it’s a heart issue.” There are so many things that can change our status––wildfires, market crashes, bad choices, addictions, illnesses, or even just plain ignorance. There is one certainty. At the end of our lives, we all leave this earth with empty pockets. The only account that matters is your connection to God. People see money as an asset. Jesus views money quite differently. How we manage our money reflects our values, motives, and even our faith. It’s not a money issue; it’s a heart issue. The post LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Finances Fall Short (YOU-Win’26, Study S1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

    25 min
  6. 2025-12-21

    LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Provisions Fall Short (YOU-Win'26, Study S1, Session 4)

    Steven Callahan survived seventy-six days in the Atlantic Ocean after his sailboat sank. He managed to escape on a life raft, surviving in the open water on fish that he speared, some rainwater, and the basic equipment he managed to salvage from his boat. Seventeen-year-old Juliane Koepcke was the sole survivor of a plane crash in an Amazon rainforest. She trekked the jungle for eleven days, dealing with wild animals, insects, and hunger. Both people understood the desperation of survival when provisions fell short. It takes a certain kind of person with strong instincts and a relentless will to live to survive the elements in solitude and uncertainty. Those with less tenacity would surrender to certain destruction, but these two kept struggling, clinging to the hope that they would persevere. Steven Callahan survived seventy-six days in the Atlantic Ocean after his sailboat sank. He managed to escape on a life raft, surviving in the open water on fish that he speared, some rainwater, and the basic equipment he managed to salvage from his boat.” Rewind a few thousand years and you’ll find an obscure prophet of God living through threats, a divine drought, and devastating circumstances. This prophet burst onto the Bible scene as quickly as he departed on a chariot of fire. His name, Elijah, wouldn’t be obscure for long. This first chapter of his story gives us a glimpse of how we can trust God when provisions fall short. The post LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Provisions Fall Short (YOU-Win’26, Study S1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

    15 min
  7. 2025-12-14

    LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Understanding Falls Short (YOU-Win'26, Study S1, Session 3)

    “I can’t do everything. But I can do something to help somebody. And what I can do I will do.” These are the simple words of a humble servant by the name of Oseola McCarty from Hattiesburg, Mississippi.8 She lived her entire life in poverty. She spent most of her life doing laundry by hand. Despite earning very little, she lived frugally, saving all she could. In 1995, after her retirement at age eighty-six, Oseola shocked her community when she donated $150,000 of her life savings to the University of Southern Mississippi. Her gift was aimed at providing scholarships for deserving African American students in need. Oseola, who never set foot in a college class, gave her best so that others could succeed. Mary’s life reminds us once again that God will use anyone who surrenders completely to Him, no matter how small or insignificant they might see themselves.” As we celebrate Christmas every year, we are reminded of another woman. She, too, grew up in obscurity, but because she was willing to put her life on the altar of God’s sovereignty, she found herself in the middle of God’s greatest brushstroke of grace. Mary’s life reminds us once again that God will use anyone who surrenders completely to Him, no matter how small or insignificant they might see themselves. The post LIMITED RESOURCES, LIMITLESS GOD: When Your Understanding Falls Short (YOU-Win’26, Study S1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

    18 min

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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