Spring Hills Podcast

Spring Hills Church, Granville OH

As our church community grows, we want you to come to know our Pastor's hearts and our leader's hearts intimately. As a result, Spring Hills has created a podcast to go deeper in the hearts and stories of those loving, living, and leading like Jesus Christ. You matter and you need to know how important your heart is to us. We hope and pray that this podcast serves as an opportunity for you to go deeper in your spiritual formation journey and feel loved and cared for by our church.

  1. Sep 28

    105. Entrusted

    Abstaining from sinful desires is the central, practical focus of this episode of You Matter. Pastor Tom reads 1 Peter 2:11 and then walks us through four actionable practices for resisting the things that wage war on our souls: examine and reframe your perspective (God wants your flourishing, not your boredom), create distance from temptation, recruit a friend or trusted person in the moment of temptation, and pray for God's power. Using honest pastoral stories—about addictions that began as a “just one” choice—and a clear metaphor of life as a boxing ring (you’re the boxer; the pastor is in your corner), Tom gives listeners the posture and the playbook to stop replaying the same failures. This episode is for anyone wrestling with recurring sin, secret habits, or confusing desires and wants straightforward, gospel-centered help. Listen now to get practical next steps and spiritual encouragement for the fight. Discussion Questions: Pastor Tom says to 'examine your perspective' about temptation. How do you currently view God’s commands-do they feel like joy or restriction?Have you ever created physical boundaries (e.g., removing snacks, moving a laptop) to avoid temptation? What worked or didn’t work?Tom urges listeners to 'phone a friend' at the first stirring of desire. Who would you realistically call in a moment of temptation, and what would that conversation look like?Reflect on a season of unjust suffering in your life. Which of Tom’s three responses (accept, remember what you’ve done, remember Jesus) would have helped you most in that season?How does remembering Jesus reshape your attitude toward ongoing or chronic suffering? Share a specific Bible passage or devotional practice that helps you ‘fix your eyes on Jesus.’

  2. Sep 21

    104. Living Stones

    1 Peter 2:1-10 anchors this conversation about desire, discipline, and identity. In this episode Pastor Tom leads a close reading of the passage and then shifts to actionable coaching: take care of the basics (pray, sleep, prepare), shape your environment (habit stacking and pre-packed bags), and change how you celebrate (reward the small wins). Laura and Griffin bring real-life examples—how a short nightly prayer sparked a craving for Scripture, and how repeated effort turned fitness into delight-and the conversation lands squarely on spiritual practices you can implement this week. The hosts also unpack the cornerstone metaphor and the stunning claim that followers of Jesus are God’s treasured possession, offering pastoral hope for anyone feeling defined by past mistakes. If you want a sermon-plus-workshop that helps you actually crave God more, tune in for practical tools and warm encouragement. Listen now. Discussion Questions: When have you experienced a season of spiritual hunger? What sparked or sustained it?Which of the three practical steps discussed (basics, shape environment, celebrate small wins) could you try this week? Be specific about what you will change.How does hearing “you are God’s special possession” challenge or comfort you? What shame or pride does it surface?Who is one person you can tell about a spiritual goal this week to help you stay accountable or celebrate small wins?The episode mentions two views on predestination related to the phrase “which is also what they were destined for.” How does your understanding of God’s sovereignty and human choice affect how you share the gospel?

  3. Sep 14

    103. Redeemed

    Want a faith rhythm that actually changes your life? 1 Peter is the spotlight of this episode as Tom, Laura, and Griffin walk through how Scripture, community, and spiritual practices shape a love that’s sincere and all-out. In this episode we introduce and model the Four Pillars-daily devotions, weekend sermon, small-group discussion, and a follow-up podcast-as a repeatable system to anchor your week in a single passage. Using 1 Peter 1:22–25 the hosts explain the Greek terms behind ‘brotherly love’ (philadelphia), ‘unhypocritical’ love, and ekteno-an intense, straining love that pushes outside comfort zones. You’ll hear real stories (a young adult’s heart surgery, a caseworker’s adoption moments) that show what sacrificial, persistent love looks like in life. The group also names practical obstacles-exhaustion, selfishness, and offers rhythms to receive God’s love so you can give it away. Whether you lead a group, coach, parent, or want to grow in spiritual consistency, this episode gives theology and next steps. Listen now. Discussion Questions: What new hobby or habit have you picked up recently (like pickleball) and how did it change your routine?In your own words, what are the Four Pillars Tom describes and how do they connect together?Tom describes ‘philadelphia’—brotherly love—as love without a mask. When have you felt safe enough to take your mask off in a Christian community?Peter calls us to love ‘ekteno’—to strain or stretch in love. What is one relationship in your life that needs that kind of all-out effort right now?The hosts name exhaustion and selfishness as obstacles to radical love. Which of those (or another obstacle) shows up most in your life, and what practical step can you take this week to address it?

  4. Sep 8

    102. Set Your Hope

    Training vs trying is the central theme of this conversation as Dr. Tom Pound and Joshua Meyer explore how spiritual transformation happens by disciplined practices rather than intermittent effort. Starting from John Ortberg’s distinction and moving into the practical four-pillar plan used at Spring Hills (daily devotions, weekend sermons, small-group discussion, and follow-up podcasts), the episode models a training loop you can join. The hosts unpack 1 Peter 1:10–17 with special attention to verse 17 and its tension: God as approachable Father and impartial Judge, and the invitation to live as temporary residents with holy carefulness. You’ll hear pastoral stories, counseling applications, and cultural perspectives that help the passage speak into parenting, marriage mentoring, battling consumerist prosperity teachings, and honoring elders. If you want spiritual habits that last, this episode gives both theology and actionable next steps for groups and individuals. Listen now. Tell about a time you trained for something (a race, instrument, or skill). What did consistent practice change?In your own words, what is the tension in 1 Peter 1:17 between God as Father and God as Judge?Do you tend to relate to God more as a loving Father or an impartial Judge? Why?What one spiritual discipline could you commit to for the next 30 days to move from 'trying' to 'training'?How could your small group use the four-pillar plan (devotion → sermon → discussion → podcast) to deepen spiritual formation?

  5. Aug 31

    101. Living Hope

    1 Peter 1:3-9 is a life-changing promise - are you listening as a co-host? In this episode Pastor Tom Pound goes solo and makes the listener the co-host, leading a candid conversation around 1 Peter 1:3-9 that blends pastoral stories, practical mental-health research, and spiritual formation. You’ll hear a funeral anecdote that lands a surprising reminder about ministry’s power, a Gallup-backed case for how faithful church patterns protect mental health, and a simple but powerful adult-learning frame (power-load margin) to evaluate whether your life requires more energy than you have. Pastor Tom then unpacks verse 5’s promise that believers are “shielded by God’s power” and draws out three practical protections faith provides - assurance of our eternal inheritance, emotional stability and purpose, and healthier relationships shaped by humility. Finally, he wrestles with verse 9’s tense - how salvation is past, present, and future - and reads C.S. Lewis to invite you into the ongoing work of being made like Jesus. This episode is for anyone ready to take inventory and step into a new season of spiritual growth. Listen now. Discussion Questions: Pastor Tom asks, “Does your life require more energy than you have?” Where would you place yourself on that question today, and why?Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 together. Which phrase stands out most to you and why?Pastor Tom describes the power-load margin theory (load vs. personal energy). What are two practical ways you could either increase your energy or lighten your load this season?The episode cites research that consistent church attenders were more resilient during COVID. How has your faith community helped you during hard seasons, and where might you need more connection?Pastor Tom unpacks verse 5’s promise that believers are “shielded by God’s power.” What does that protection look like in everyday life - what are we protected from and what are we still vulnerable to?

  6. Aug 24

    100. Set Apart

    First Peter sermon series — Start your week anchored in identity: In this episode Pastor Tom Pound and young-adult leader Griffin Richards introduce a 13-week walk through First Peter designed to move you from hearing the Bible to living it. Griffin shares a raw testimony of encountering the Holy Spirit on the operating table at 18 and how that moment led him into church, seminary, and leading a purposeful young-adult ministry. Pastor Tom explains the four pillars of the series—daily devotionals, a weekly sermon, small-group discussions, and this Going Deeper podcast—and why adult learning theory matters for spiritual growth. You’ll hear practical tools for mastering your morning through Scripture, prayer prompts, and journaling, plus pastoral teaching on the twin truths that God chooses us and we live as “chosen foreigners” in culture. Whether you’re new to faith, returning, or leading a small group, this episode gives conversation starters, mission clarity, and spiritual practices you can try tomorrow. Listen now to join the study and start the week with purpose. Discussion Questions: Share a moment you felt unexpectedly supported or at peace in a high-stress situation. How did that experience shape you?Griffin described sensing God’s presence before his surgery. How do you respond when someone shares a miraculous or unusual faith experience?Read 1 Peter 1:1-2. What strikes you about the phrase “chosen foreigners”? How does that idea land in your life right now?Pastor Tom said, “God knew you, loved you, and chose you before the creation of the world.” How does that truth affect your identity and daily choices?The series recommends a scripture-for-the-week rhythm (daily reading, sermon, discussion). Which of these three (deliberation, hearing, discussion) is hardest for you and why? What small step could you take this week?

  7. Aug 17

    099. Get To Work

    This episode takes a pastoral and counseling-focused look at Jesus’ parable to help listeners bridge belief and behavior. Tom and Josh emphasize how questions shape the brain (prefrontal cortex activation, serotonin and dopamine benefits) and why asking God-centered, practical questions like “How can I bless my spouse today?” or “How can I stay connected to God all day?” changes behavior. The hosts distinguish internal work (healing, scripture, prayer) from external work (serving, leading, using spiritual gifts) and remind listeners that coming from salvation compels meaningful labor — not to earn favor, but to live it out. You’ll leave with simple habits for attuning to others, practical counseling resources, and a renewed focus on discovering and doing God’s will in everyday life. Ideal for busy Christians wanting soulful formation and actionable steps. Listen now. Discussion Questions: In your own words, what are the two contrasting responses to the father’s command in the Parable of the Two Sons?How does understanding Matthew as a gospel (a kind of ancient biography) and the historical setting of Jerusalem help you read this parable differently?Where have you said “yes” to God in words but then failed to follow through in action? What held you back?What internal work (healing, prayer, scripture) do you need to pursue so your actions align with your stated faith?The hosts emphasize ‘attuning’ to others. How could you practice attuning this week with your spouse, child, or friend?

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

As our church community grows, we want you to come to know our Pastor's hearts and our leader's hearts intimately. As a result, Spring Hills has created a podcast to go deeper in the hearts and stories of those loving, living, and leading like Jesus Christ. You matter and you need to know how important your heart is to us. We hope and pray that this podcast serves as an opportunity for you to go deeper in your spiritual formation journey and feel loved and cared for by our church.

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