YOU Podcast

Lifeway Christian Resources
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
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 an urban perspective with a strong theological and biblical emphasis. The intent of these podcasts is to provide listeners with a time-efficient overview of each session and creative tips for study group leaders.

  1. APR 20

    ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God's Hand in Calling us to Serve (YOU-Spr'25, Study 2, Session 1)

    I receive invitations on a regular basis. Not the big invitations such as, “The President and First Lady invite you to spend Christmas at the White House.” The invitations I receive are more mundane. This past week I received a number of invitations in the mail. The local car dealer invited me to look at their new inventory and maybe even spend thousands of dollars on a vehicle. I’ll pass. I also received an invitation from the county to pay my property taxes in a timely fashion and avoid jail time. I might take them up on that one. God invites us to join Him in His work, and the primary way He delivers the invitation is to reveal what He’s doing.” One is God’s invitation to join Him in His work, and the primary way He delivers the invitation is to reveal what He’s doing. Elisha sets the example for how we should respond to God’s call to join Him and serve.

    21 min

  2. APR 13

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Ultimate Sign (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 8)

    Celebrated African American writer, poet, and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, found profound purpose and meaning in her life’s journey. Born in 1928, Angelou faced a tumultuous childhood marked by trauma and segregation, but she transformed these experiences into a source of strength and inspiration. Her autobiographical work, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” vividly chronicles her struggle and resilience, and has touched the hearts of readers worldwide. Angelou’s powerful narrative voice became a beacon for those fighting for equality and justice. Through her multifaceted career, Maya Angelou discovered and imparted a powerful sense of meaning and purpose, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and empower people around the world. Explore the signs of who Jesus is and proclaimed to be. Each piece is a nugget of truth that helps us further understand the power, humanity, and divinity of Jesus, all wrapped up in who He is. However, it’s when we come to the resurrection that we get the punchline, meaning the ultimate purpose and sign for why Jesus came. The resurrection of Jesus inspires and empowers us to live on purpose.” For the last several weeks, we’ve explored the signs of who Jesus is and proclaimed to be. Each piece is a nugget of truth that helps us further understand the power, humanity, and divinity of Jesus, all wrapped up in who He is. However, it’s when we come to the resurrection that we get the punchline, meaning the ultimate purpose and sign for why Jesus came. The resurrection of Jesus inspires and empowers us to live on purpose.

    17 min

  3. APR 6

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Power Over Death (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 7)

    Charles Richard Drew, MD, known as the “father of blood banking,” revolutionized blood preservation techniques, saving countless lives. His doctoral research on blood banking and transfusions laid the groundwork for creating the first large-scale blood banks. During World War II, Drew spearheaded the Blood for Britain project, delivering crucial plasma to England. He also organized the first American Red Cross Blood Bank and introduced mobile donation units, known today as bloodmobiles. Despite his groundbreaking work, Drew faced challenges and resigned from the Red Cross, protesting their policy of segregating blood by race. But his work continues to save lives. When Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, was gravely ill, the family wanted Jesus to be there for them. When his death occurred, the family wrestled with what Jesus could have done if only He had been present in those moments. Yet, there was a far greater truth to be demonstrated in the death and resuscitation of Lazarus.” In today’s passage, we’re going to read about a time when a friend of Jesus was gravely ill, and the family wanted Jesus to be there for them. When his death occurred, the family wrestled with what Jesus could have done if only He had been present in those moments. Yet, we will soon see there was a far greater truth to be demonstrated in the death and resuscitation of Lazarus.

    19 min

  4. MAR 30

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Light (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 6)

    Thomas Wiggins was a talented Black American pianist and composer from the 19th century, known for his extraordinary skill on the piano. Born blind and into slavery in Georgia, Thomas, also possibly autistic, was bought by the wealthy Bethune family. He wasn’t made to do typical slave labor due to his disability, and it wasn’t long before General James Neil Bethune noticed Thomas’s innate talent for music. Due to his young age, status as a slave, and his emotional vulnerability, Thomas was particularly at risk. Despite these challenges, he grew to become one of the most sought-after musicians in America. Renowned writers like Mark Twain and John Steinbeck attended his performances and documented his life and work. His talent was so impressive that by the age of 11, he was invited to play at the White House by President Buchanan. During the Civil War, he even created a piece called “The Battle of Manassas,” capturing the sounds of a battle through music. Thomas Wiggins passed away in 1908 in Hoboken, New Jersey. His musical brilliance and significant contributions remain undeniable. There are some who look at disabilities as being a hindrance. Then there are some who see it as just experiencing the world differently.” There are some who look at disabilities as being a hindrance. Then there are some who see it as just experiencing the world differently. In today’s session, we’re going to see a blind man who was hindered not by himself but by the society in which he lived. Yet, Jesus was going to use this man’s disability to show a more profound condition, not of the man, but of the society surrounding him. Of course, true blindness occurs when we miss seeing who Jesus truly is!

    19 min

  5. MAR 23

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Presence (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 5)

    When you’re a kid, having a parent around can change everything. Parents figure this out quick when teaching their kid to ride a bike. At first, the kids want Mom or Dad holding on and running alongside them. They keep saying stuff like, “Don’t let go!” or “Stay with me.” They just feel safer knowing you’re there. Same thing goes for us in life. We all hit those moments when having Jesus around takes the edge off our fear, and we don’t want Him to leave. The incredible truth? No matter what goes down, Jesus is always by our side, walking with us through it all. Many today try to focus only on the human side of Jesus to the point that they reduce Him to being just another good teacher who lived and died. However, in the Bible, we read about the power and authority of Jesus as the Son of God. We see that even in the worst of our storms, Jesus’s promises and His compassion don’t waver. Jesus truly sees us through our doubts and fears.” In today’s passage, we’re going to see another powerful and unique sign of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Many today try to focus only on the human side of Jesus to the point that they reduce Him to being just another good teacher who lived and died. However, in the passage we read today, we read the power and authority of Jesus as the Son of God. We see that even in the worst of our storms, Jesus’s promises and His compassion don’t waver. Jesus truly sees us through our doubts and fears.

    12 min

  6. MAR 16

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Provision (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 4)

    Craig Randall was just doing his thing, driving a garbage truck in Peabody, Massachusetts. While on his route, he spotted a Wendy’s drink cup with a contest sticker in the trash. Earlier, he’d won a free chicken sandwich, so he thought he’d try his luck again, hoping for maybe some fries or a drink. But this time, he hit the jackpot – the sticker was worth $200,000 for a new home. Craig wasn’t expecting to get much, but he ended up with way more than he could’ve imagined. The same is true for us when it comes to bringing our needs to Jesus. He may not give us what we think we want, but we can be sure He will provide us with exactly what we need when we seek Him in our lives. Jesus may not give us what we think we want, but we can be sure He will provide us with exactly what we need when we seek Him in our lives.” In this session, we’ll see yet another miracle recorded in the gospel accounts. The significance of this miracle became a formative moment for those who followed Jesus, especially those closest to Him. It’s a significant lesson for understanding how Jesus meets our needs. Let’s sit down on the hillside with Jesus to see what we can learn.

    21 min

  7. MAR 9

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Authority (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 3)

    When we watch TV, especially religious channels, we often come across infomercials. Some infomercials now boast about using an object to receive a “miracle” from God. The infomercials are filled with testimonials of people receiving healing or money using miracle objects. Then the focus at the end of the infomercial is that if you send in a monetary gift, you will receive a miracle object, as well as begin to receive the blessings that will surely follow. It’s sad to see how many people (even some Christians) fall for these gimmicks to gain some temporary “blessing” while missing the greater truth: God calls us to have faith in Him alone. In today’s passage, we’ll read about a man who believed in the gimmick of a pool of water, and how people thought it to be a source of healing. It’s sad to see how many people (even some Christians) fall for these gimmicks to gain some temporary “blessing” while missing the greater truth: God calls us to have faith in Him alone.” Yet, when he met Jesus, his life was truly changed forever. This man’s healing became one of the signs used to demonstrate the nature of Jesus’s relationship with God the Father.

    25 min

  8. MAR 4

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Grace (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 2)

    Singer and dancer Chris Brown was ascending the pop charts with his 2005 hit “Run It!” and was in a high-profile relationship with the beautiful Rihanna when things took a drastic turn for the worse. In February 2009, an incident left Rihanna bruised and battered on the side of the road. As a result, Brown was charged with felony assault and making threats. He eventually pleaded guilty to these charges. Instead of asking for help with his anger issues, he ignored them. How bad does it have to get before we ask for help? In our culture, we celebrate independence, especially when it comes to receiving help. But it’s sad to see when someone maintains their independence to the point where they’re willing to experience pain before asking for help. Pride then is on full display to maintain the perception of being independent. The situation may change, though, when someone else is involved, like a spouse, child, parent, or friend. In those moments, we’re willing to get whatever help we can to see someone we love to receive the help and care they need. In our culture, we celebrate independence, especially when it comes to receiving help. But it’s sad to see when someone maintains their independence to the point where they’re willing to experience pain before asking for help. Pride then is on full display to maintain the perception of being independent.” In this session, we’ll read about a moment when someone was willing to break down his personal pride to receive help for his child. In this particular time period and culture, it would have been unexpected for this person to come to Jesus for help. Yet, the news had begun to spread about Jesus and His ability to help those in need, even to this official. Jesus stands ready to help us also.

    22 min

  9. MAR 3

    ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Glory (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 1)

    How many followers do you have? This seems to motivate our social media posts, likes, and shares. According to Brandwatch, Beyonce is ninth with followers on Instagram, with 318 million followers, while only following one. Ariana Grande is seventh with 378 million followers while following only 742. Social media has revolutionized how we connect, with individuals showing off their creativity to gain more likes and followers. The truth is that social media continues to play a significant role in shaping perceptions and influencing decisions. Whether it’s staying updated with global trends, reconnecting with old friends, or discovering new interests, the impact of social media is undeniable. Why? There is an undeniable connection between social media and pursuing pride and personal glory. We often seek validation and admiration as we share clips and pieces of our lives, accomplishments, and unforgettable moments. But the joy of accumulating likes, comments, and followers can become a measure of our worth, pushing us to present only the most polished and impressive versions of ourselves. How often do you pick up your phone to see how many likes you have received from your last post? The self-centered side of our human nature continually seeks to enhance our image and garner personal glory. However, as flawed and sinful beings, any glory we achieve is inherently imperfect and transient. There is, nevertheless, One whose glory is incomparable and eternal. Jesus embodies true glory, and the actions He undertakes on our behalf illuminate this. Instead of seeking our own fame, we should be pursuing His glory.” The self-centered side of our human nature continually seeks to enhance our image and garner personal glory. However, as flawed and sinful beings, any glory we achieve is inherently imperfect and transient. There is, nevertheless, One whose glory is incomparable and eternal. Jesus embodies true glory, and the actions He undertakes on our behalf illuminate this. Instead of seeking our own fame, we should be pursuing His glory. This week, we’re diving into a moment that went down at a wedding—a powerful miracle that most folks didn’t even realize at the time. Jesus wasn’t trying to grab the spotlight or show off with what happened. He wasn’t seeking likes. Instead, it was all about revealing His true power and glory. This miracle kicked off Jesus’s public ministry, setting the stage for everything that followed. Get ready to uncover how this miracle played a huge role in showing the world who Jesus really is.

    24 min

  10. JAN 19

    THE HEART OF WORSHIP: The Attitude in Worship (YOU-Win'25, Study 2, Session 3)

    “Can you tell a bird to just go chirp, chirp, chirp?” One of the things I love about our church is the support the choir receives during worship. We’ve all experienced the enthusiastic but off-pitched singer rendering worship from their heart but a bit off-key. Then someone from the audience would yell out, “its okay baby, take your time!” To some this would be a distraction. When it comes to worship, distractions are everywhere, but our singing isn’t the problem. Today we will explore why inward-focused thinking reveals a deeper problem with our worship. Focusing on ourselves, our work, our hobbies, along with a host of other distractions, are symptoms of a worship problem. God deserves our worship. Whatever occupies our minds instead of Him only leads us away from giving Him the worship He deserves. He put a song in our mouths to sing. It’s time for us to block out the noise and sing it. “It’s okay, take your time!” God deserves our worship. Whatever occupies our minds instead of Him only leads us away from giving Him the worship He deserves. He put a song in our mouths to sing. It’s time for us to block out the noise and sing it. “It’s okay, take your time!”

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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 an urban perspective with a strong theological and biblical emphasis. The intent of these podcasts is to provide listeners with a time-efficient overview of each session and creative tips for study group leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Lifeway Christian Resources
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lifeway Christian Resources Copyright 2020
  • Show Website
    YOU Podcast

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