Made for Mondays

Believers Church

Welcome to Made For Mondays - the source for digging a little deeper into the Believers Church Sunday messages and finding ways to apply them to our daily lives. Together, let's take a deeper look and find a way to bring Mondays back to life!

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 291 - Turbulence: Peace Through Trust: Flying by Instruments

    Got a question? Let us know! Host (Heather): Welcome to Made for Mondays—the podcast where we explore ways to bring Sunday’s message into our everyday lives. Who’s joining me today? Guests (Tyler, Jamey, and Chelle): Hey everyone! WEEKEND CHITCHAT Host: Alright—quick catch-up. What did everyone get into this weekend? Host Transition: Okay, now that we’ve established we’re real people with real lives… BIBLE READING CHALLENGE Host: How’s Jesus speaking to you through the Bible Reading Challenge this week? (Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, Luke) WHAT THE WHAT???? Host: After Easter, we got some great questions sent in—so we’re going to start digging into a few of those today, and we’ll keep that going in the weeks ahead. We’re also gearing up for a summer series called Campfire Stories, where we’ll tackle real questions about faith, life, and culture—so this is a bit of a preview. Question 1 – Relationships & Timing We heard from someone wrestling with timing, trust, and relationships—feeling behind, feeling pressure, and wondering how much is on them versus trusting God. Discussion prompts:  How do you balance intentionality in relationships with trusting God’s timing?  What does healthy discernment look like vs. being overly critical or judgmental?  How do you deal with the fear of being “behind” in life? Question 2 – Trinity & Focus on Jesus Another question asked why Christians focus so much on Jesus instead of speaking more broadly about God as a whole. Discussion prompts:  How does Jesus reveal the fullness of God rather than compete with it?  Why is focusing on Jesus central to Christian faith? Follow-up: How should we understand gendered language for God—what’s cultural, and what’s theological? SUNDAY DISH Host: Tyler, this week you continued our Turbulence series, looking at John 14–15—where the disciples wanted clarity, direction, and answers… and Jesus offered them something deeper: Himself. Q1 – Icebreaker Have y’all ever been completely lost—like truly had no idea where you were going? Q2 – Personal Connection Tyler, you shared about your journey—especially this being your last season on staff here. Can you give us a glimpse into that earlier season when you first came here—and how that’s shaping how you’re navigating what’s ahead? Follow-up: Jamey and Chelle, can you relate to that tension of uncertainty and transition? Q3 – Seeing the Father in the Son In John 14, Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” How would you help someone understand that without oversimplifying the mystery? Follow-up: Why does this matter for someone whose view of a “father” has been shaped by pain? Q4 – Trusting Without the Whole Map We often want full clarity before we trust. What does it actually look like to obey with partial light? Follow-up: How can we tell the difference between faithful waiting and fear disguised as wisdom? Q5 – Big Idea: Trusting the Pilot The big idea: Peace comes from Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    1h 10m
  2. MAR 30

    Episode 290 - Step 12. The Vocation: Helping Others

    Got a question? Let us know! Host (Heather): Welcome to Made for Mondays—the podcast where we explore ways to bring Sunday’s message into our everyday lives. Who’s joining me today? Guests (Jamey, Joe, and RaChelle): Hey everyone! Host: This week is a big one—we’re wrapping up our Steps series, all 12 steps, and it lands on Palm Sunday…which feels pretty fitting. But before we jump in—how was everyone’s weekend? Anybody get outside and enjoy the weather? WEEKEND CHITCHAT (Let it breathe—keep it human and light.) BIBLE READING CHALLENGE Host: How’s Jesus speaking to you through the Bible Reading Challenge this week? (Joshua & Luke) SUNDAY DISH Host: So today we’re holding two things together—Palm Sunday and the close of our Steps journey. We see a crowd celebrating Jesus for who they think He is…while He’s actually moving toward the cross. And at the same time, we’re talking about what it looks like to not just experience change—but actually live it out. Q1 – Wrapping the Journey Jamey, as you closed out this series—what felt most important for you to leave with people? Q2 – Step 12: Outward Movement Step 12 shifts from internal transformation to outward impact. Why is helping others such a critical part of the process? Follow-up: What happens if someone stops at personal healing but never moves outward? Why is helping others actually part of staying healthy? Q3 – Palm Sunday Tension On Palm Sunday, the crowd had expectations of Jesus that didn’t match reality. Where do you see that same tension in our lives today? Follow-up: Where do we want a “different version” of Jesus? How does that impact our willingness to follow Him fully? Q4 – “Give It Away to Keep It” If this is our Year of Practice, Step 12 feels less like an ending and more like a beginning. Jamey, you said, you have to give it away to keep it. Where have you seen that play out in real life—especially when someone feels like they have nothing left to give? Q5 – Self-Improvement vs Surrender What are some red flags that following Jesus has quietly turned into a self-improvement plan? Follow-up: What would it look like for a church to measure maturity less by what it consumes—and more by who it’s serving? Q6 – The Power of Remembering One of the most powerful moments this week was communion. How does remembering what Jesus has done shape how we live? Follow-up: Why is remembering essential to spiritual formation? What happens when we drift from it? Q7 – Practicing Through Holy Week This week we step into Holy Week—24-hour prayer and Good Friday. How do these moments help us practice instead of just move on? Follow-up: What would you say to someone who’s never done something like the 24-hour prayer experience? Why does intentional space with God matter? What have you experienced there that’s different from a typical Sunday? Q8 – Staying the Course After a season like this, it’s easy to drift. Where do people tend to slip back into o Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    57 min
  3. MAR 23

    Episode 289 - Step 11. The Connection: The With-God Life

    Got a question? Let us know! Host (Heather): Welcome to Made for Mondays—the podcast where we explore ways to bring Sunday’s message into our everyday lives. Who’s joining me today? Guests (Jamey and Tyler): Hey everyone! WEEKEND CHITCHAT Host: Alright, before we jump in—what did y’all get into this weekend? Host Transition: Okay, now that we’ve established we’re real people with real lives… BIBLE READING CHALLENGE Host: How’s Jesus speaking to you through the Bible Reading Challenge this week? (Deuteronomy, Joshua, Mark, Luke) SUNDAY DISH Host: Tyler, this week you walked us into Step 11 by reminding us that connection with God grows through practice, not pressure. From Philippians 4, you showed us that prayer, meditation, gratitude, and steadying our thoughts aren’t ways to earn closeness with God—they’re ways to live with Him. Q1 – Personal Entry Point When you think about your current connection with God, what word or phrase comes to mind—and why? Follow-up: Has that felt consistent lately, or has it been shifting? Q2 – Joy Before the Change Paul talks about rejoicing—even while under house arrest. How does that challenge the way we tie joy to circumstances instead of closeness with Jesus? Follow-up: What might change in our prayer life if we focused on being with God before asking Him to fix things? Q3 – Practice, Not Pressure Our big idea is: connection with God grows through practice, not pressure. The Jewish people built their lives around rhythms with God, while we often try to “fit Him in.” What does that difference reveal about how we view our relationship with Him? Follow-up: How might even a few intentional rhythms reshape that connection? Q4 – When Noise Wins We talked about both external and internal noise. What tends to drown out God most in our lives right now? Follow-up: How can community help us notice when life feels full—but our souls are running dry? Q5 – The Next Right Thing Tyler, you tied connection with God to simple obedience—doing the next right thing. For someone who feels stuck, what’s one small step they could take this week? Follow-up: Why does God so often meet us in ordinary obedience instead of big breakthrough moments? JOIN US SUNDAY! Host: That’s all we’ve got for today! We’ll see you and your guests this Sunday at 9 and 10:45 as we take the final (yet ongoing) step together. If you can’t make it in person, join us on YouTube at 1PM. We know these Steps have been challenging—but we hope they’ve also been deeply rewarding. Remember—it works if you work it. Until next time… go BE LOVE! Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    52 min
  4. MAR 16

    Episode 288 - Step 10. The Repetition: Continual Inventory

    Got a question? Let us know! Step Ten: Ongoing Inventory This week on Made for Mondays, Heather is joined by Jamey, Tyler, and RaChelle to talk about Step 10 — continuing to take personal inventory and promptly admitting when we’re wrong. Before diving into the conversation, the group catches up about the weekend and reflects on the Bible Reading Challenge, continuing through Deuteronomy and Mark. Then the conversation turns to Sunday’s message. SUNDAY DISH The reaction to “taking inventory” When people hear the phrase take inventory, reactions vary. For some it sounds freeing and clarifying. For others it feels exhausting or intimidating. The group reflects on why honest self-examination can feel uncomfortable—even though it’s meant to lead to freedom. The illusion of “arriving” Jamey pointed out that following Jesus doesn’t make us sinless—it makes us forgiven. Yet many Christians quietly assume maturity means we should eventually stop struggling. That expectation can create pressure to hide our struggles instead of bringing them honestly before God and trusted community. “When,” not “if” Step 10 uses the phrase when we were wrong, not if. That small word reminds us that spiritual growth doesn’t eliminate mistakes—it teaches us how to respond when they happen. Honest acknowledgment of failure doesn’t lower the bar for holiness; it keeps us grounded in humility and grace. Living one day at a time Jamey shared the illustration of eating a lifetime’s worth of food one day at a time. In the same way, spiritual growth becomes overwhelming when we try to think about the entire journey at once. Focusing on today helps us stay connected to Jesus in the present instead of discouraged by the past or anxious about the future. Honest community The group reflects on a story shared Sunday about an older man who openly admitted his ongoing struggles. Moments like that show the power of honesty in community. When people feel safe enough to tell the truth about their lives, it creates space for real growth without pretending we’ve already arrived. Practicing Step 10 Jamey described three ways to practice this step: Spot-check inventory — pausing in the moment when something feels offDaily inventory — reflecting on the day with GodPeriodic inventory — stepping back occasionally for deeper reflectionFor someone feeling overwhelmed, the best place to start may simply be a daily moment of reflection with God—asking where things went well, where we missed the mark, and where grace is needed. Final Reflection Regularly admitting when we’re wrong doesn’t push us farther from Jesus—it keeps us close to Him. Honest reflection reminds us that growth isn’t about perfection, but about continually returning to grace. Join Us Sunday That’s all we have time for today, friends! Join us THIS Sunday at 9 and 10:45 AM as we continue taking the next step toward healing and freedom together. If you can’t make it in person, watch on YouTube at 1 PM. These Steps may be challenging, but they’re shaping something good. Remember: it works if you work it. Go be love, everybody—we’ll see you next week! Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    51 min
  5. MAR 9

    Episode 287- Step 9. The Preparation: Make Amends

    Got a question? Let us know! Step Nine: Making Amends This week on Made for Mondays, Heather is joined by Doug, Tyler, and Jamey to talk about Step 9 — making direct amends whenever possible. Before diving into the conversation, the group catches up about the weekend and reflects on the Bible Reading Challenge, currently in Deuteronomy and Mark. WHAT THE WHAT??? Listener Sarah Beth wrote in with a thoughtful question after reading the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25). She shared how the passage seems to highlight the difference between outward association with faith and genuine readiness for Christ’s return. Her question connects this parable with other passages like Matthew 7:21–23 and James 2:19, asking how we understand the tension between believing in God and actually having a relationship with Jesus. More personally, she shares the heavy burden many Christians feel for loved ones who claim faith but don’t seem to pursue a relationship with Christ. The group acknowledges that tension—we can’t see anyone’s heart, but love naturally makes us care deeply about the spiritual lives of the people around us. SUNDAY DISH The conversation then turns to Step 9: making amends. Why apologizing feels so hard Doug shares a vulnerable moment about scrolling through old text messages and realizing how many apologies existed in his conversations. It sparked reflection on why apologizing can feel so difficult—even when we know we were wrong. Often the biggest hurdle is moving from feeling bad to actually taking responsibility. The deeper weight of the Prodigal Son story Looking at the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, Doug explains that asking for an inheritance early in that culture wasn’t just reckless—it was deeply offensive and relationally damaging. Understanding that helps us see why honest acknowledgment of harm matters before we try to repair relationships. Real repair vs surface apologies Doug shares a quote from John Ortberg: “It’s one thing to make repairs on the outside, it’s another thing to be repaired on the inside.” Surface apologies often focus on restoring peace quickly, but real repentance allows God to address the deeper patterns that caused the hurt in the first place. A practical framework for making amends Doug introduces the CRAFT framework for approaching difficult conversations: ConversationRecalling the harm honestlyApologizing clearlyForgiveness (asking, not demanding)Taking responsibility through follow-upThe group also highlights an important caution from Step 9: sometimes direct contact could cause further harm, so wisdom and discernment matter. When amends don’t lead to reconciliation Even in the Prodigal Son story, the older brother remains angry. That reminds us that sincere apologies don’t always bring immediate reconciliation. Healing can take time, and a healthy community makes room for both repentance and wounded people processing their pain. Where to begin For anyone who already knows the name on their Step 9 list but feels anxious or unsure, the first step might simply be preparation—prayer, reflection, humility, and pacing the process wisely. Final Reflection How does Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    1h 2m
  6. MAR 2

    Episode 286 - Step 8. The Damage: Name Those We've Harmed

    Got a question? Let us know! Made for Mondays | STEPS Step Eight: The Damage: Name Those We've Harmed This week on Made for Mondays, Heather is joined by Tyler, Jamey, and RaChelle for a conversation around one of the most stretching steps yet: Step 8 — making a list of people we’ve harmed and becoming willing to make amends. After some light weekend catch-up (including dinner at Lofay’s 👏), the group reflects on the Bible Reading Challenge, walking through Numbers and Mark, and noticing themes of new life in Jesus—especially how Paul and other Jews wrestled with what transformation actually meant. Then they step into Sunday’s message. And let’s be honest—Step 8 hits differently. Because it’s one thing to talk about personal growth.  It’s another thing to start naming the people impacted by our brokenness. Here’s where the conversation goes: • The first reaction When you hear, “Make a list of people you’ve harmed,” what rises up first? Resistance? Fear? Defensiveness? Maybe even relief? The group unpacks why that reaction is so common. Naming harm confronts the image we prefer to manage—the version of ourselves we’re most comfortable believing. • Why we remember our hurt more clearly than our harm Drawing from Tyler’s “two lists” tension, the conversation explores why it’s easier to recall who hurt us than where we’ve hurt others—even unintentionally. It reveals something deeply human: we instinctively experience life from the center of our own story. Step 8 gently invites us to shift perspective. • Zacchaeus and dignified shame (Luke 19) Luke includes the detail that Zacchaeus climbs a tree—an undignified act for a grown man in that culture. Why does that matter? The group reflects on how shame isolates, but Jesus moves toward him anyway. Even more powerful: Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name before repentance or repair happens. Being seen with grace makes honesty possible.  Grace doesn’t excuse harm—it creates the safety to face it. • Grace and responsibility belong together Heather repeats a key line: “Grace doesn’t make responsibility unnecessary—it makes it possible.” The group discusses why grace is often misunderstood as the removal of accountability instead of the empowerment to embrace it. What would change if a church truly believed conviction and compassion could coexist? They also name the important distinction between conviction (which invites growth) and condemnation (which attacks identity). • Cleaning up our side of the street Step 8 asks us to own our part—even when we’ve also been hurt. That’s a hard tension. The conversation makes space for the reality that acknowledging harm we’ve caused doesn’t minimize wounds we’ve experienced. Both can be true. The key is resisting comparison and scorekeeping, which only delay freedom. • Beginning, not finishing (Year of Practice) In alignment with The Year of Practice, the focus shifts from completing Step 8 to simply beginning it well. A healthy first attempt might look like: Choosing posture before productivityPacing the process instead of rushing itExercising safety and wisdomDistinguishing willingness from full readinessBecause Step 8 isn’t about speed. It’s about sin Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    1 hr
  7. FEB 23

    Episode 285 - Step 7. The Petition: Humbly Asking

    Got a question? Let us know! Made for Mondays | STEPS Step Seven: The Petition This week on Made for Mondays, Joe is joined by Heather, Jamey, and Tyler for a conversation centered on Step 7 in the STEPS journey: The Petition. After some weekend catch-up (yes, Olympics enthusiasm makes an appearance 👀), the group reflects on the Bible Reading Challenge, having just stepped into Numbers and Mark, before diving into Sunday’s message. And before things get too serious? An Olympic icebreaker. Favorite sport. Strong opinions. No medals awarded—just bragging rights. Then the conversation turns toward the heart of Step 7. Pastor Heather framed this step around a powerful idea:  Humility begins when asking feels safer than hiding. Step 7 invites us to humbly ask God to remove what we cannot—to stop performing and start trusting. Here’s where the conversation goes: • Asking vs. hiding The group reflects on a simple but revealing question: Are you more likely to ask for help—or hide what you’re dealing with? For many of us, hiding feels easier. Safer. More controlled. But hiding also keeps us stuck. • The Samaritan Woman (John 4) Heather revisits the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus asks her for a drink before addressing her story. He doesn’t shame her. He doesn’t expose her. He creates safety first. The timing—noon—suggests she was avoiding people. And yet Jesus meets her there. The group explores what this shows us about how Jesus approaches our shame—and what it might look like for us to create that same kind of safety for someone else. Where do we choose isolation over community? And what would one small, honest “ask” look like this week? • Pride vs. humility Referencing Dallas Willard, Heather highlights that humility grows when we stop pretending, stop presuming we’re already in the right, and stop pushing our will over others. The group wrestles with an important distinction: humble asking isn’t passive resignation. It’s active trust. It’s choosing dependence over self-protection. • Safe enough to be honest If humility begins when asking feels safer than hiding, what would it take for our church to truly be that safe? The group discusses the culture, language, leadership posture, and everyday practices that help a room feel safe enough for someone to say, “I’m not okay,” and still be lovingly moved toward healing. • The OWN practice: Observe, Welcome, Name Heather unpacks a practical tool for Step 7 in real time. Instead of enthroning our emotions—or ignoring them—we can: Observe what we’re feeling.Welcome it without panic or shame.Name it honestly before God.The group walks through a real-life example—hurt leading to withdrawal—and what it looks like to pause in the moment, name the emotion, and ask God for help instead of hiding behind it. Because Step 7 isn’t about pretending we’re stronger than we are.  It’s about admitting we’re not—and asking anyway. The big idea stays simple and challenging: Humility begins when asking feels safer than hiding. And that kind of humility doesn’t grow overnight. It grows through small, honest prayers. Through noticing when the umbrella goes up. Through choosing to ask ins Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    1h 3m
  8. FEB 16

    Episode 284 - Step 6. The Preparation: Become Entirely Ready

    Got a question? Let us know! Step Six: Becoming Entirely Ready This week on Made for Mondays, Heather is joined by Jamey, Tyler, and RaChelle for a conversation about one of the most honest—and quietly confronting—steps in the STEPS journey: Step 6, becoming entirely ready for God to remove our defects of character. After catching up on all things Night to Shine and Valentine’s Day, the group reflects on what stood out from this week’s Bible Reading Challenge (hello, Leviticus… and wrapping up Matthew 👀), before leaning into Sunday’s message. Step 6 sounds hopeful at first. Who doesn’t want change?  But it also sounds slightly terrifying. Because it’s one thing to want freedom. It’s another thing to be entirely ready for God to actually change us. This episode lives in that tension—the space between desire and readiness. Here’s where the conversation goes: • The gap between almost and entirely Jamey names the deeply human space between being almost ready and entirely ready. The group reflects on why that gap is normal in spiritual life—and why growth so often unfolds in that in-between place. • It’s not laziness—it’s division Drawing from James 1’s image of being double-minded, the conversation explores what it looks like to pray sincere prayers while still rowing toward something else. The problem isn’t usually effort. It’s divided trust. We don’t often tell God “no”—we just quietly say “not yet.” • Our modern “not yet” prayers Referencing Augustine’s famous, “Lord, make me chaste… but not yet,” the group laughs—and then gets honest. Where do we postpone change today? Comfort, habits, relationships, control? Resistance rarely sounds rebellious. It usually sounds like “tomorrow.” • Identity is the deeper issue The heart of Step 6 isn’t behavior modification—it’s identity transformation. Jamey revisits three common identity lies: I am what I have.I am what people think of me.I am what I do.If we believe those, then letting God change us can feel like losing ourselves. But if we are already God’s beloved, then change isn’t loss—it’s freedom. • What didn’t make it into Sunday’s message The group creates space for what couldn’t be said in the sermon—clarifying that readiness isn’t about emotional hype or dramatic surrender. It’s quieter than that. More honest. More patient. • What becoming ready actually looks like For the listener who feels resistance, the group makes it practical: Becoming ready might look like noticing where you say “tomorrow.” Naming your excuses honestly in prayer. Sitting with God before trying to fix yourself. Letting willingness be smaller—and slower—than you expected. • Encouragement for the not-yet-ready heart If you’re thinking, “I want to be entirely ready… but I’m not there,” the encouragement is simple: stay. Stay honest. Stay with God in that space. Readiness isn’t forced. It’s formed. Step 6 reminds us that transformation doesn’t begin with trying harder.  It begins with becoming honest enough to admit where we’re not ready—and trusting God enough to stay there with Him. That’s not failure.  That’s preparation. Join Us This Sunday We’re continuing Stay Connected  Website: https://believerschurch.org/  Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/ Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/  Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/ Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

    1h 3m
4.8
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Welcome to Made For Mondays - the source for digging a little deeper into the Believers Church Sunday messages and finding ways to apply them to our daily lives. Together, let's take a deeper look and find a way to bring Mondays back to life!

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