FG Students (HS): Recent Episodes
FG Students, Fellowship Greenville, Greenville, SC
We are in a series for the summer called “Deeper.” What if we consecrated all of our summers to pursuing depth with God and others? What if we chose depth instead of distraction? Summer can sometimes be a vacation not just from school but from our faith. But what if Jesus' invitation for our souls... is to come deeper? What if He wants greater closeness and greater relationship with us than we've ever had before? This summer is an invitation from Jesus into the depths.
Speaker: Tyler Smith
The rich young ruler had questions about how inherit eternal life. His approach, however was all about doing. Jesus wanted more than his actions and desired his full heart. That’s what Jesus wants from each of us.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Alex Morin shares her story this week and reminds us that even when we don’t know, God knows. When we don’t know where to go, God knows. When we don’t know what we need, God knows. When we don’t know who we are, God knows.
Speaker: Alex Morin
Hey guys! Welcome to the Fellowship Greenville Students podcast. This week, we continued our My Story series where volunteers and student share testimonies of where God has been at work in their lives. Caleb Sundt shared his story of how God has been faithful to forgive us even when we keep turning from him. Follow along and we hope you enjoy this message.
Speaker: Caleb Sundt
Hey guys! Welcome to the Fellowship Greenville Students podcast. This week, we began our My Story series where volunteers and student share testimonies of where God has been at work in their lives. Nick Lano shared his story of how God has shown himself to be near in some of his most difficult seasons. Follow along and we hope you enjoy this message.
Speaker: Nick Lano
What hope does Jesus offer in the midst of our sadness? How does His presence meet us? What does He say to us when our soul is dark? Listen along as Matt teaches us from Luke 24 in the midst of the disciples sadness and hopelessness and how Jesus encounters them there.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Special guest speaker, Tim Wadsworth, teaches us this week that our enemy is indeed crafty in his approaches. However, we are not to fear him because he is already a defeated foe and God provides ways to walk in victory.
Speaker: Tim Wadsworth
This week guest speaker, Kevin Nunnery, teaches on Jesus as the lamb, but also the lion. We tend to gravitate towards the idea of Jesus being the innocent sacrifice on behalf of our sins, but we don’t usually follow Jesus as the commander of the armies of Heaven who will one day conquer his enemies.
Speaker: Kevin Nunnery
God is clearly stirring up significant moments in our country right now. Matt teaches about the idea of revival and observes three conclusions about what it is and how we respond to where God is moving.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Jesus brings peace to our lives and brings us into peace with God. However his message is is divisive. Listen to see how the disruption of Jesus actually brings us into deeper levels of peace.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Guest speaker, Tommy Rutt, teaches us about being where we are supposed to be, when we are supposed to be there and how to be faithful in the little things.
Speaker: Tommy Rutt
Conviction of sin can be painful in the moment, but leads to long term healing and comfort as we experience the forgiveness of God that comes through the presence of the Spirit.
Speaker: Matt Densky
One of the most important ideas to understand about the personhood of Jesus. Being fully God and fully man, Jesus is perfectly qualified to deal with our sin and heal our pain.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Jesus is love and therefore loves everyone unconditionally. However, Jesus is also holy and judges sin. Discover how these two characteristics are reconciled in the person of Jesus and what that means for us.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Salvation is free because Jesus has accomplished all the work on the cross, but following Jesus is costly because it requires full surrender.
Speaker: Matt Densky
We close our study in the book of James. As his letter comes to an end he calls us to wait upon the Lord in the midst of difficulty, speak honestly and simply, and pray in all circumstances.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Guest speaker Jason Malone teaches this week out of the book of Colossians.. He reminds us of the awesomeness of Jesus and calls us into a lifestyle where our posture is to behold Christ and exalt him.
Speaker: Jason Malone
Special Halloween edition Q&A with our students. We navigate what the Bible teaches about spiritual beings interacting with our realm, the agenda of darkness, and what our interaction with those type of things should look like as Christians.
Speaker: Matt Densky
James paints a picture of a living and vibrant faith which is seen through our works. A dead faith has no works.
Speaker: Matt Densky
James teaches us that showing favoritism to some is not the way of Jesus because the value of a person is not based on what they have, but how God sees them. Jesus invites all and includes all.
Speaker: Matt Densky
James finishes chapter 1 of his letter with the emphasis of real faith. How do we know we have real faith? There will be evidence in how we live. Listen as James focuses on the three traits of real faith.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Hey guys! Welcome to the Fellowship Greenville Students podcast. This week, we had United Night and Dallas Greenaway taught on Jesus’ famous words, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Following Jesus and adopting his lifestyle leads to an abundant life. Listen along to hear what it looks like to live these verses out in daily life.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
You will make mistakes in life. In the midst of consequences you might even begin to blame others and God. James reminds us that God is good, gives good, and does good.
Speaker: Matt Densky
The book of James is like a collection of really profound fatherly wisdom. James begins his letter by drawing our attention to his first nugget of life advice: we live in a broken world, but joy positions us to see the bigger picture of what God is doing in the midst of that brokenness.
Speaker: Matt Densky
In the midst of sin our tendency is to hide from God, but His pattern is to seek out His children. Shame can rule our life if we let it, but the story of the Bible is not just that God seeks His hiding children, but begins to work in them from the inside out.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Our kick-off to the year! Matt teaches us that everyone has a place to belong in the family of God and that Jesus created belonging as people were on the journey of discovering what it means to believe in Him. No matter where you’re at, you have a place to belong.
Speaker: Matt Densky
We all want peace, but tend to think of peace as the absence of difficult circumstance. Jesus teaches it’s the presence of His Spirit. Follow along as we take an in depth look at anxiety and how to reframe our perspective when we’re in the midst of worries.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we look at the concept of dating. We learn the four cultural pillars of dating and how unhealthy they are and we learn four biblical principles of dating and how they set us up for success within our relationships.
Speaker: Matt Densky
A dinner party with Jesus and a Pharisee gets interrupted by a prostitute. Jesus offers grace, compassion, and dignity. The religious leader offers judgement, assumptions, and separation.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Jesus heals a man by the pool of Bethesda who, due to his circumstances, might be convinced that he has no hope. Jesus shows us that He and He alone is the source of true hope.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we look at the concept of fear. What does Jesus have to say to us in our fear? How should we respond when life seems terrifying? How do we move forward when we are frozen in fear? We study the disciples in the midst of a hurricane and see how even the most seasoned of fishermen were terrified, how they let their fear lead them to conclusions about Jesus, and how Jesus responds to it all.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Hey everyone and welcome back to the Fellowship Greenville student ministry podcast. This week Matt Densky is challenging us to examine our hearts and identify the one thing that we usually withhold from Jesus. We study the story of the rich young ruler and observe that often times we’re willing to give Jesus most things, but not the one thing that we place the most value on. The question on the table is, “Jesus is good, but do you consider him good enough to give him all?” We hope you enjoy this message!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week guest speaker, JJ Bunney teaches us from Philippians 2 about doing everything without complaining or grumbling. We learn that complaining and gratitude cannot exist side by side.
Speaker: JJ Bunney
Our lives can often feel dark, chaotic, and lifeless. That’s exactly where the Spirit can remain. This week we look at John 14 and Jesus’ teaching about the Spirit, but understand it through the lens of Jewish context. We first see God’s spirit in the book of Genesis 1:2 remaining in the midst of darkness, chaos, and lifelessness. It is in that context that the Spirit of God can bring light, order, and life.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week special guest Jim Thompson is teaching us about the practice of reading the Bible. In the life of Jesus, the practice of knowing Scripture was as regular as breathing. Jim gives us various snapshots from the Bible to help us understand the value and the power of incorporating Scripture into our lives as a regular practice.
Speaker: Jim Thompson
This week we look at the story of the disciples shortly after Easter. They are rejoicing about Jesus coming back from the dead. Everyone except for Thomas. Thomas has questions and doubts about the whole thing and the faith of his friends is not enough to persuade him. He needs his own questions answered. Follow along as we navigate the road of doubts and learn what to do when we have them and how Jesus responds to us in the midst of them.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Morgan, our Students Small Group Coordinator here at FGS, shares a bit about her journey through faith. She talks about growing up with a comfortable lifestyle, how she feared change and leaving her comforts, and how she found herself living complacently. Listen and be encouraged as she tells of the Lord tuning her heart to His voice and the freedom found in contentment over complacency.
Speaker: Morgan Cline
Follow along with us as we look at one of the most overlooked commandments of Scripture: the idea of stopping. This week we look at multiple places throughout the Bible and come to five conclusions on what Sabbath is meant to be. In a culture that’s as overworked, over committed, and anxious as ours, the idea of resting is one of the most appealing concepts that God invites us into, but few of us ever actually practice it. Join us as we navigate the concept of rest.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we are looking at the lost practice of fasting. Even though this one might seem unusual to us, it was actually a regular practice throughout the early church and was only lost in recent years. Follow along as we look at what it is, what it’s not, and why we would incorporate this practice into our lives.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we continue to look at the practice of prayer and what Jesus taught about it. Together, we’ll study the back half of the Lord’s prayer as we ask the question, “Is it ok to ask God for what we want?” Follow along as we continue to learn how to practice the ways of our master, Jesus, and experience life to the fullest.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we look at the practice of prayer and what Jesus taught about it. Specifically, we study what is often referred to as the Lord’s prayer, confront four common misconceptions about prayer, and arrive at four conclusions about what prayer really is. Follow along as we continue to learn how to practice the ways of our master, Jesus, and experience life to the fullest.
Speaker: Matt Densky
Hey guys! Welcome to the Fellowship Greenville Students podcast. This week we gathered for one of our United Nights. These are nights of worship where middle and high school joins together to lift high the name of Jesus. Dallas Greenaway encouraged and challenged us with a message from 1 John 4 on the love of God. We hope you enjoy the message!
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week we look at the practice of silence and solitude from the angle of emotional health. We learn from the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, that part of our emotional growth and healing includes going into the desolate places to meet God. Want to better understand your feelings? Want to better understand how God cares for you? Want to know your next step? A better clarity is gained when we regularly meet God in the silence and solitude.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we look at our first practice, silence and solitude. We discover that this was not a one off event in the life of Jesus but it was woven into the very fabric of his humanity and how he approached life. It seems like the more in demand Jesus was, the more He would withdraw into silence and solitude with the Father. This may be the most important, yet elusive of all the practices for us in our modern world of rush. Listen along as we learn how to begin this practice in our lives and begin to find stillness for our souls.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we continue to look at what it means to practice the ways of out master, Jesus. We dig into his statement found in John 10:10 about offering life to the fullest and ask questions around what it means to experience that life. What we discover is that we will never truly experience the life Jesus offers unless we embrace the lifestyle Jesus modeled. Well how do we do that? It all begins with remaining in him.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we begin a new series where we look at what it means to practice the way of Jesus. As followers of Jesus, what does it mean to orient our life around His ways of living and begin to put them into practice as our ways of living? It all begins with not just hearing the word of God, but applying it… or in other words, putting it into practice. Follow along as we study Jesus’ parable of the four soils and his teaching on what growth and fruit look like.
Speaker: Matt Densky
One of our very own students, Ella Grace Williams, shares her story and helps us see how the theme of perfectionism leads us to believe that we always have to do more, be more, prove more. But the grace of Jesus frees us from that mentality and reminds us that Jesus has already accomplished perfect and shared that status with us permanently.
Speaker: Ella Grace Williams
This week is a stand alone message taught by one of our former students, JJ Bunney. We navigate the topic of patience and JJ helps us see that waiting has been a theme for God’s people throughout the entire Bible and that it is in the waiting that God prepares us for that which we are waiting for.
Speaker: JJ Bunney
This week is a stand alone message focusing on anxiety. We look at a passage in Matthew 14 and we observe Jesus as a non anxious person in circumstances that would make most of us feel overwhelmed. How did Jesus maintain this sense of calm? By observing the ways of Jesus we extract 5 principles from this passage that can help us live more non anxious lives.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we conclude our Heaven and Earth series with a live Q&A. Jim Thompson, a pastor here at Fellowship Greenville, will be engaging in questions being asked about Heaven, Earth, Hell and anything in-between. This will summarize everything we’ve talked about in the series so far as well as explore topics we have not had time to navigate yet.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we conclude our series by looking at the end of the Biblical narrative. We see Jesus making a new Heaven and New Earth and the future forever with God which will be what He has always designed life to be – a harmonious friendship with Him unspoiled by the presence of evil. The imagery and language of Revelation takes us all the way back to where we began in the garden of Eden. However, the Kingdom of God is not something that we passively wait for, it is something that we actively contribute towards. Give this message a listen to understand more!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we take a deep dive into the Biblical theme of Temple – the place where people meet the presence of God. Beginning in the very first few pages of Genesis we see that God has made his presence available to His people though the means of a temple, but please don’t mistake that as simply a physical building somewhere. Take a listen to this episode and see how the location and structure of temple evolved over time and what it looks like today for people to meet the presence of God.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt explores further the story of how evil and corruption continued to spread and climaxed in Genesis 11 in the story of the Tower of Babel, but also how God gives us a solution to this in Acts 2. We will learn what God’s plan for evil is, how we are invited in to be a part of the healing process, and how we to contribute to the creation of good of this world by sharing the hope of Jesus.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week was United Night where middle and high school students come together 4 times a year for a night of worship. Dallas Greenaway taught from Psalm 46 and helped answer the question, “What do you do when you don’t know what to do?”
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
Have you ever looked at the earth and come to the conclusion that something is broken? This week we examine the origins of evil by looking at the rebellion against God, both in the Heavenly realm and the earthly. We come to understand that the serpent had a very specific strategy of temptation for Adam and Eve that he is still using today and we also see how Jesus began to heal the chaos created through the rebellion.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt opened up our new series, Heaven and Earth Collide, and gives an overview of misconceptions about Heaven, Hell, and how God creates Heaven on Earth. We look at Mark 1, Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 21 to dig deeper into these concepts.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt talks about trusting God and feeling God. We look at verses in Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 113, looking at how God creates order from chaos, defines good and evil, and created us and loves us. Matt talks about how the God who is far above us has made his home among us so that we can rule and rest with Him forever.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, JJ Bunney talks about how we have infinite desires and how no other desire can fill us like Jesus can. We look at Galatians 5:16-24 and how to walk by the Spirit, instead of walking in fleshly desires. JJ talks about how eternal desire will never settle for temporary relief, and how we have to be filled with Him to be able to pour into other people.
Speaker: JJ Bunney
This week, Matt Densky talks with one of our seniors, Emma Mitchell, about her story and how God has been growing her and teaching her in the past few years. Emma talks about putting identity in what others think about her, and talks about wrestling with an eating disorder. Matt and Emma talk about freedom from shame, comparison, and what it looks like to ask for help.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky talks about Hebrews and the truth that Jesus is better than all else. Matt interviews our 3 FGS interns, asking them how they came to know Jesus and how they’ve found Jesus to be better than all other things.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky talks about faith, looking at Luke 7:1-10 and the centurion’s faith in Jesus’ healing. Matt talks about how many times God operates not on His ability, but by our faith. Our idea of Jesus can limit how He works in our lives, and Matt digs deeper into what that looks like.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Dallas Greenaway talks about “Rethinking Your Past” at United Night, and about how we are shaped by our past. We look at Moses’ story in Exodus 2 and 3 and how God loves to take people’s stories that seem unredeemable and use them to bring Him glory.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week, Hannah Thom talks about “Rethinking Worship,” and how we worship personally and together as the Church body. She talks about how the posture of our hearts reflect how we worship corporately as the Body of Christ. We look at Romans 15:1-6 and how living in harmony and unity with one another affects our worship.
Speaker: Hannah Thom
This week, Matt Densky teaches on the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. Matt talks about how busyness and status are often times the killers of compassion in our hearts. He also talks about how Jesus poses the question, “Are you being a good neighbor” and how it applies to our lives today.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky teaches on John 8:31-47, where Jesus teaches about the devil. Matt talks about 3 things Jesus wants us to learn from this passage - that the devil is real, the devil’s goal is to murder and destroy, and his strategy is to lie. We look at how these things affect our lives and how we have to fight to believe Jesus’ truth over the devil’s lies.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Drew Reynolds teaches on Jonah 4 and feeling anger towards God. We look at God’s compassion towards Jonah, and how Jonah still struggled with anger in his heart. Drew talks about how God knows what’s the best plan for us, and how we can respond in gratitude instead of anger.
Speaker: Drew Reynolds
This week, Matt Densky finishes up our series called “Follower” where we are navigating what it means to be a fully committed follower of Jesus. Matt talks about why we should follow Jesus and we look at Luke 19:1-10 where Jesus interacts with Zacchaeus. Matt gives 5 reasons from this passage of why we should follow Jesus and invites us to follow Him if we haven’t been.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series called “Follower” where we will be navigating what it means to be a fully committed follower of Jesus. Matt talks about the religious follower, looking at Luke 7:36-50 and Simon inviting Jesus to dinner. Matt talks about 3 distinct ideas about religion and how we can have true intimacy with God, regardless of how much we know.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series called “Follower” where we will be navigating what it means to be a fully committed follower of Jesus. Matt talks about the conditional follower and reminds us that Jesus doesn’t fit into the box we want him to, or follow our conditions. We look at John 12:12-15 and then John 19:14-16, comparing how the same crowd shouting “Hosanna!” Is also shouting “Crucify him!” Later, when Jesus didn’t fit into their box, and how we can do the same.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series called “Follower” where we will be navigating what it means to be a fully committed follower of Jesus. Matt talks about the 99% follower and we look at the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10:17-31. We look at how Jesus calls this man to “come and follow” him, but asks him to give up his idol of wealth. Matt talks about how as long as we hold on to the one thing, Jesus can never be our only thing.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Drew Reynolds continues our series called “Follower” where we will be navigating what it means to be a fully committed follower of Jesus. Drew talks about the curious follower and we look at John 3:1-15, where Nicodemus is curious about Jesus and the things He says. Drew talks about denying ourselves and committing to Jesus, not just being curious about Him.
Speaker: Drew Reynolds
This week, Matt continues our series “Relationship Goals” where we’ll talk about friendships, dating, and marriage. Matt and his wife Lauren talk through some different questions related to relationships, singleness, and marriage that have been submitted throughout our relationship series. They talk through the theological perspective and the more relational side of these questions.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, we are continuing our series “Relationship Goals” where we’ll talk about friendships, dating, and marriage. Matt introduces a panel of people from FG who give insight on relationships - from friendships to dating to boundaries and toxic people.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series “Relationship Goals” where we’ll talk about friendships, dating, and marriage. Matt talks about dating again this week and talks through 4 categories: How do I find “the One?” , Over Prayed / Never Prayed, How far is too far?, and singleness. Matt uses scriptures from Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and 1 Corinthians to bring us back to what God’s word says regarding these topics.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series “Relationship Goals” where we’ll talk about friendships, dating, and marriage. Matt talks about dating this week and how culture blinds us to the good that God has made within relationships. Matt talks through categories of dating that culture creates for us, and how we can change those to categories to ones that are more God honoring. Matt goes through certain verses in Songs of Solomon that relate to chemistry, communication, compatibility, and boundaries.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series “Relationship Goals” where we’ll talk about friendships, dating, and marriage. Matt talks about friendships this week, and what it means to be a godly friend. He talks about seeking belonging and problems with only connecting online, and also talks through 4 aspects of a godly friendship: being constant, aware, honest, and gives counsel.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky opens up our new series “Relationship Goals” where we’ll talk about friendships, dating, and marriage. Matt talks about not comparing our relationships to others, but deciding to let the Word of God be the standard for our relationships. We look at Genesis 2 and how God gives Adam a purpose and identity before introducing him to Eve. Matt talks about how if God is not enough for us, no one else will be. Others are put in our life to complement us, not complete us.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Jess Weinberg shares her story about God bringing her healing and a restored soul. She talks about anxiety, depression, struggling with self harm, and how God helped her navigate those darker times by bringing other people into her life and bringing her to His word. She talks about Matthew 9:1-8 and the story of the paralytic man and his friends bringing him to Jesus. Jess talks about how God kept showing up in her life and providing everything she needed.
Speaker: Jess Weinberg
This week, Matt Densky talks about the best gift ever, the gift of Jesus, at Christmas United Night! He talks about John 3:16, and how Jesus came to save us. Because of Jesus coming, we don’t have to earn His love. He will never leave us and He is still with us through the Spirit!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Sophie Pott shares her story about anxiety in an interview style with Matt Densky. Sophie talks about growing up in a Christian home and becoming aware of her need for Jesus in high school. She connects anxiety with her journey in freedom from the addiction of pornography and how she talked with her parents and dug into God’s word in that time. Sophie talks through being trapped in shame and verses that she’s clung to in the midst of anxiety, giving us hope and encouragement!
Speaker: Sophie Pott
This week, Christina Holladay shares about how God has used different circumstances to reveal purpose for her life. She talks about her trip to the Dominican Republic and God speaking to her about healing a boy’s legs! Christina also talked about God showing up and how she knew He existed and had given her life purpose. Matt comes in at the end of Christina’s story to talk through some questions for Christina to answer & continue explaining God’s work in her life.
Speaker: Christina Holladay
This week, Drew Reynolds opened up our new series, “My Story,” by telling his own story about what God has done in his life. He talked about cleanliness and how that is the major theme of his story! Drew talks about how he dealt with anger and impure thoughts, and how he was living a double life as he was dead and unclean on the inside, but putting on a nice Christian act on the outside. Drew encourages us to search our hearts and ask Jesus to cleanse us.
Speaker: Drew Reynolds
This week, Jim Thompson finishes up our series, “Splinters of Doubt,” and talks about the problem of evil in our world. He talks about 6 unhelpful answers to give people when asking about why bad things happen in our world, and then gives 3 responses we SHOULD have when talking about the problem of evil. Jim encourages us to think about how we don’t have an answer that solves the problem of evil, but we do have a relationship… a relationship with Jesus who defeated evil and brings us peace.
Speaker: Jim Thompson
This week, Matt Densky continues our series, “Splinters of Doubt,” and talks about the current of culture and how we can easily be swept away by things of our culture if we aren’t firmly planted in our faith. We look at Daniel 1:1-8 and how the culture and the king wanted to change Daniel and his friends. Matt talked about how we can maintain our faith in Jesus and still be in the world, but not of the world. He talked about how we can follow Daniel’s lead in being anchored in the Word of God, anchored in God’s presence, and anchored to God’s people.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series, “Splinters of Doubt,” and talks about conditional faith and disappointments when Jesus isn’t who we expected. Matt challenges us to think about if our faith in Jesus depends on our conditions we’ve placed on him. We look at Luke 24:13-35 when the two men are on the road to Emmaus and have a conditional faith for who they thought Jesus should have been. They were sad and disappointed, and Matt reminds us that we will never truly see Jesus if we’re only looking through the lens of our conditions.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our series, “Splinters of Doubt,” and talks about personal pain and doubts that can stem from that. We look at Matthew 11:1-6 where John the Baptist is in prison, and the personal pain he experiences that brings doubt about Jesus. He struggles to believe God is still who he thought he was, and we can go down this path in our minds, too, throughout painful circumstances. Matt reminds us that Jesus loves the doubter, He invites questions, and He provides answers.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Dallas Greenaway teaches a message on encouragement from Ephesians for our United Night with middle school and high school. He walks us through Ephesians 1:3-14 and the encouragement we receive as Christ followers from this passage. Dallas gives us three takeaways from this passage: that “thank you” can sometimes be the best prayer we can pray, daily spending time with God and walking worthy of the gifts that you’ve been given.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week, Matt Densky continues our new series, “Splinters of Doubt,” and talks about self doubting. We look at Matthew 3:13- 4:11 and how Jesus is tempted - physically, emotionally and spiritually, just like we are. Matt talks about how doubting ourselves can lead to doubting God, a dangerous slope to go down. But we can remember who God says we are and who God says He is.
Speaker: Matt Densky
In session 3 of EPIC, Matt Densky talks about the Origin of the Villain. We look at Acts 7-8 and the story of Saul. Matt talks about how God’s plan has always prevailed, even when people have tried to stop what God was doing. He also talks about how control and comfort can become idols that distract us from what the Lord is doing - the same way control became an idol for Saul as he tried to stop people from talking about Jesus. Matt challenges us to set these idols aside and pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is doing in us.
Speaker: Matt Densky
In session 1 of EPIC, Matt Densky talks about the Origin of Power - the power of the Holy Spirit. We look at Acts 2:1-5 and verse 8, and how we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on us. Jesus gives us power through his spirit in us to accomplish the works of God and proclaim the words of God.
Speaker: Matt Densky
In session 4 of EPIC, Dallas Greenaway talks about the Origin of the Mission. We look at Acts 9:1-6 and how God is in the business of saving even the hardest of hearts, even Saul’s. God has a plan for Saul, taking him from the villain of the story to growing the Kingdom. Dallas talks about how God uses places, people, and passions in our lives to send us on mission and grow the Kingdom through our lives!
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
In session 2 of EPIC, Dallas Greenaway talks about the Origin of the Heroes. We look at Acts 4:1-8 and how the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to believe in Jesus and then gives us the strength to live the life He’s called us to live. Dallas encourages us to make space for the Holy Spirit to work, just like the heroes in Acts did.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week, Matt Densky opens up our new series, “Splinters of Doubt,” and talks about independence and pride. He talked about Genesis 3 with the Fall, and how Satan gets us to question God, to doubt Him. Matt gives us three ways to combat independence and pride in our relationship with God.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky talks about how Jesus makes a relationship personal with us and how we can have hope in that. Matt talks about Luke 19 verses 1-10, and the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus placing so much value on making a personal relationship with him. Matt talks about how Jesus knows your name, what matters to you, where you live, what you’ve done, and who you have the potential to be.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, our guest speaker Tyler Smith continues our summer series, “Disciple,” and talks about Life on Mission. Tyler talks about knowing and enjoying and pursuing Jesus, and inviting others along, too. We looked at Mark 2:1-12 and how the paralytic man’s friends were willing to get their friend to Jesus, no matter what. That was their mission! Our walk with Jesus should overflow with us wanting to invite others into that love and relationship with have with Him.
Speaker: Tyler Smith
This week, Matt, Dallas, Rachel and a few guests wrap up our summer series, “Disciple,” and talk through questions related to this series! This panel answers the question, “What did you wish you had known in middle or high school?” and then talks through what life with Jesus, life in community, and life on mission looked like in their lives back then and what it looks like now.
This week, Dallas Greenaway continues our summer series, “Disciple,” and talks about Life on Mission. Dallas talks about God’s mission and how our lives should bring God glory through everything we do. We look at 1 Corinthians 10:31 and how everything works together for the glory of God. Dallas challenges us to live a life worth imitating and to look at our lives to see if we are bringing God glory in all areas.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week, Matt Densky continues our summer series, “Disciple,” and talks about Life in Community. Matt talks about John 13:34-35 and how Jesus models agape love. He talks about how Jesus calls us to love others as He has loves us, and then walks through four ways we can have agape love in our relationships: trust, communication, commitment and integrity. Matt challenges us to put these four into practice in our own friendships and relationships!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Dallas Greenaway continues our summer series, “Disciple,” and talks about Life in Community. Dallas talks to us about Philippians 2:1-11, and how in Godly community we should be united together, count others higher than ourselves, and do nothing from selfishness. He talks about how this is countercultural, and asks how our lives would be different if we were more concerned with serving God and others, rather than ourselves.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week, Matt Densky continues our Summer series, “Disciple,” and talks about Life with Jesus. Matt opens up with an activity that relates to how we can see our relationship with Jesus as monotoned and boring, and how we commonly ask, “Is this all there is?” We look at Acts 4:1-13 where Peter and John went from fear filled to faith filled. They were recognized in verse 13 as “having been with Jesus” by their actions and words and Matt challenges us to ask if others say this about us. Do our words and actions show that we’ve been with Jesus?
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Dallas Greenaway opens up our Summer series, “Disciple,” and talks about Life with Jesus. Dallas talks about how you are a disciple of the people and things that influence you and asked who or what is influencing US right now? We looked at Matthew 4:18-22 and looked at the disciple’s life with Jesus. Dallas talks about how a disciple of Jesus is someone who accepts the invitation to: follow Him, become like Him, and pass on to others what you’ve learned from Him.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week, Matt Densky continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Matt talks about responsibility this week and how we can make the most of the time we have now when we see how much time we have left, and encourages us to use our time responsibly. We look at David in 1 Samuel 16:5-13 and how he was faithful in the little things, and how we can be, too!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky finishes up our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Matt talks about gratitude this week and how important it is to thank God daily for what He’s blessed us with. We look at Luke 17 verses 11-19, where Jesus heals ten lepers, and only one returns to give Him thanks. Matt talks about how giving thanks daily brings our posture: back (remembering where we came from), up (giving worship to God), down (humbling us) and forward (bringing contentment and joy moving forward).
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Dallas Greenaway continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Dallas talks about restraint this week and how we all have to practice restraint daily with different things. We look at Genesis 3 and how Adam and Eve should have practiced restraint in the Garden of Eden. Dallas invites us to consider our days, consider how those daily things affect ourselves and those around us, and ask God where we need to practice restraint.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week, Rachel Bailer continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Rachel talks about worship this week, specifically encouraging FG Students to join in on times of corporate worship! Jesus and his disciples give an example of corporate worship / singing together in Mark 14:26, and we should follow this example of pausing in our busy lives to worship God the Father. She talks about how worship renews our faith and restores our joy!
Speaker: Rachel Bailer
This week, Brentley Williams continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Brentley talks about creation this week and how creation brings healing to our minds and souls and reveals the character of our Creator! We look at Romans 1:19-20 and Psalm 19:1-4 and how God reveals Himself through what He has made. Brentley talks about the 3 benefits of creation: a sense of calm, a sense of scale, and a better understanding of God.
Speaker: Brentley Wiliams
This week, Matt Densky continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Matt talks about solitude this week, looking at different times in the gospels where Jesus takes time to intentionally be alone and focus on God. Matt also talks about how solitude might be a time for God to give us direction, to focus in on the will of God for our lives. We challenge you to intentionally separate yourself from things and others once a week to foster a time of listening, reflecting, and being still with God.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky opened up our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. As circumstances in life change, our practices might need to as well and we believe that these 10 were modeled by Jesus and the early church, as we look at Acts 2:42-47. This week, Matt will give an overview of all 10 of the practices, and why we believe practicing all 10 will help you engage and thrive in your faith more during this season! We challenge you to pray and ask this week, “Jesus, what does it look like to follow you in this season?”
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Matt talks about reading Scripture this week, looking at John 1:1-3 and how Jesus is the living Word. As we engage with the written word of God, we come to understand the living word of God even better. We challenge you to read a chapter of the Bible every day to discover Jesus through the Word.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Matt talks about prayer this week, looking at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, where Jesus teaches us how to pray. Matt also discusses “waiting on the Lord” through prayer! We challenge you to spend 5 minutes a day praying, to start incorporating this practice into your daily life.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Matt talks about building relationships this week, as we look at creation in Genesis 2 and how we are created to be in community. We also look at the fall in Genesis 3 and how Satan tries to separate us from community with one another and with God. We challenge you to create a practice of reaching out to 3 people every day - could be the same people, could be different people, but we want you to invest in the lives of others during this time!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week, Matt Densky continues our “10 Practices” series, where we will be talking about 10 daily and weekly practices that can define our faith and bring growth in our life. Matt talks about resting this week, looking at Genesis and God resting after creation, and then Matthew 11:28-30 and finding true rest for our souls when we rest in Jesus. Rest is no longer a rule of law, but a rhythm of life that Jesus models, and one we should engage in, too! We challenge you to create a special rhythm for one day in the week that looks different than all others, where you participate in the things that connect you with God.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Hannah Thom opened up our new series, “Highs and Lows,” where we will talk about different mountain top or valley experiences seen in the Bible, and how to navigate those in our own lives with faith and hope in Jesus. We looked at Luke 9:28-36 and the story of the transfiguration, where Peter, John and James all have a literal mountain top experience with Jesus. Peter begins to worship Jesus as a prophet and for what He can do, and worship that mountain top experience. Hannah talked about how often we can do this too, but Jesus deserves our true worship, regardless of our situation. She challenged us to invite Jesus into our valleys and be careful to not just live in those mountain tops.
Speaker: Hannah Thom
This week Matt Densky finished up our series, “The Disrupter,” talking about how Jesus disrupts the distance, or the shame in our lives that causes us to feel distant from God. We looked at Luke 5:1-10 where Simon Peter puts distance between himself and Jesus because of the shame he felt. Matt talked about how a lot of times we get this out of order, but the Bible shows us that God loves us in the midst of our sin and that there is grace given for that sin. We finished up the night looking at John 21:1-14, another interaction between Simon Peter and Jesus, post resurrection. Matt talked about how Jesus asks Simon Peter 3 times if he loved him, and wanted Peter to fight the shame he was feeling with truth of God’s love.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky continued our series, “The Disrupter,” talking about how Jesus disrupts evil. We looked at Mark 5:1-20, where Jesus restores a demon-possessed man. Matt talked about how even demons know who Jesus is and the power He has over evil. He also talked about how no one is out of Jesus’ reach or vision. Jesus sees this man in Mark 5 as a person, not an inconvenience and He sees us that way, too. Matt challenges us to decide how we respond to this story - like the people begging Jesus to leave or the man begging to go with Jesus.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky continued our series, “The Disrupter,” talking about how Jesus disrupts our fear. We looked at Mark 4:35-41, when the disciples are afraid of the storm and intimidated by Jesus. They were filled with great fear, no faith, and we still do the same today. Matt talked about some different ideas in culture that create fears and anxieties in us today and how we need to continually renew our minds, giving Jesus room to calm the storms in our own lives. Matt challenges us to limit the distractions, really understand who Jesus is, and change our fear into faith.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky continued our series, “The Disrupter,” talking about how Jesus disrupts our participation - meaning our participation in the world of being separated from the world versus being immersed in the world. We looked at Daniel 1:1-8, when Daniel has to hold his ground against the king, being the model for how we should approach faith. Matt talked about how our faith puts us against the values of the world, and we are constantly in a balancing act of having grace for others and obeying God’s truth.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky continued our series, “The Disrupter,” talking about how Jesus disrupts the box - the boxes that we end up putting God in. We looked at Luke 24:13-32, when Jesus encounters the two men on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection. They thought Jesus was going to do more than He did when He was alive, and they were upset and didn’t know how to trust HIm. Matt encouraged us to think about all of the times we do this in our lives, limiting Him to our “box” ideas of what we want from Jesus. We will never see Jesus for who He truly is as long as we contain Him to the box.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Dallas Greenaway continued our series, “The Disrupter,” talking about how Jesus disrupts our brand - our purpose and influence on others. We looked at Matthew 5:14-16 and how we can be salt and light in this world, influencing others for the kingdom. Dallas talked about Jesus’ brand and purpose and how He was always concerned with the person right in front of Him. Dallas challenged us to think about how well we are loving those closest to us with our: speech, attitude, actions and “private” life (thoughts, heart, etc). We hope you enjoy this message!
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week Matt Densky continued our series, “The Disrupter,” talking about how Jesus disrupts our religion, especially toxic beliefs in religion. We look at Luke 15 and how the religious Pharisees accuse Jesus of hanging out with sinners. Matt goes over 5 signs of a toxic religion that can affect how we view Jesus: preferring distance, creating good/bad categories, behavior earns God’s love, anger and jealousy coming out when others are forgiven, and being numb to others who are far from God. We hope you learn from this and enjoy this message!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky opened up our new series, “The Disrupter.” In this series, we will be looking at how Jesus acts as a disrupter, changing up the comfortable lives we like to live. Matt talks about how a lot of us want Jesus to have our hearts, but we don’t want Him messing up our normal lives in the process. Matt talks about part of his story and how he became a believer, looking at Matthew 7:21-23, the verses that changed his life. Jesus brings healing, victory and hope, but we have to allow Him to disrupt our normal.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky talked about peace at Christmas and how our first response as humans is fear, not peace. Even in Luke 2:8-14, the shepherds first response was fear when the angels came to them. Because of the coming of Jesus, God replaces our fear with joy and trades our shame for peace. This is such a great truth going into the busy Christmas season and remembering the good news of Jesus!
We hope you enjoy this message and have a Merry Christmas!
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Stephen Whitacre talks to us about forgiveness and how it relates to Jonah’s story, especially in Jonah 4. We look at what forgiveness is and how God’s forgiveness empowers us to forgive others. Stephen challenges us to think about who Jesus wants us to forgive and what relationships in our lives need to be restored.
We hope you enjoy this message!
Speaker: Stephen Whitacre
This week Brentley Williams tells her story as it relates to our “Peace and Pain” series. As she shares her story, Brentley focuses on “Identity,” talking about her experience with anxiety, depression, and perfectionism over the years. We look at Mark 10:17-22 and the story of the rich young ruler, whose focus was on performance and money, not fully surrendering these things to God. Brentley asks us to think about what we are holding back from Jesus and challenges us to fully surrender to Him and find our worth and identity only in Jesus.
Speaker: Brentley Williams
This week Matt Densky finishes up our series, “Peace & Pain,” where we talk about pain in life and how Jesus is our source of true peace. Matt and Rachel sit down to have a conversation about suicide, a heavy topic but very relevant today. They talk through some common questions about suicide, talk through Elijah’s own struggle with suicide and depression in 1 Kings 19:1-8, and talk about what to do if struggling with these things. We hope this conversation will clear up any misconceptions about these topics and provide helpful support moving forward.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Rachel Bailer continues our series, “Peace & Pain,” where we talk about pain in life and how Jesus is our source of true peace. Rachel talks about loneliness, how we all experience it, and how Jesus can relate to us in our loneliness and rejection. We look at Matthew 27:45-50 and how Jesus is fully separated and abandoned by God on the cross. We talk about how we will never be separated from God since Jesus was for us, and how we can trust and have peace from that truth.
Speaker: Rachel Bailer
This week Matt Densky continues our series, “Peace & Pain,” where we talk about pain in life and how Jesus is our source of true peace. Matt talks about what true peace looks like this week, looking at Philippians 4:4-7 and how it tells us to rejoice and be thankful in our pain and anxiety. Matt talks about how peace doesn’t remove the pain or circumstances in life, but guards our hearts and minds in Christ.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky continues our series, “Peace & Pain,” where we talk about pain in life and how Jesus is our source of true peace. Matt talks about anxiety this week, looking at 1 Peter 5:6-7 and what it looks like to humble ourselves and cast all our anxieties on God, because he cares for us. We also look at Jesus in Mark 14 as he becomes overwhelmed with facing death, and Jesus’ example of facing anxiety with others surrounding him.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Justin Best opens up our new series, “Peace & Pain,” where we will talk about pain in life and how Jesus is our source of true peace. Justin talks about worry and what Jesus says about worrying in Matthew 6:25-34. He encourages us to seek God’s kingdom, as God provides what we need, not what we want. When we seek first the kingdom, our priorities in life change, and we start to find true peace.
Speaker: Justin Best
This week Matt Densky finishes up our series, Puzzle Piece Jesus. We look at Matthew 10:34-39 and how Jesus brings a divisive message. We see that the message of Jesus is good news, but sometimes it’s hard to hear. In this passage, Jesus talks about wanting control over our lives. Matt challenges us to recognize anything in our lives that is more important than Jesus.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky continues our series, Puzzle Piece Jesus. We look at Luke 10:38-42 where Jesus goes to visit Mary and Martha. Martha was distracted with serving and getting things done while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him teach. Matt challenges us to look at our own lives and ask ourselves if we ever get too busy doing things FOR God that we miss out on things FROM God. We see in this passage that good things become bad things when they distract us and cause us to miss the best thing… Jesus.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week we have a guest speaker, Stallion, who talks about freedom we have in following Jesus. He talks about how we can forget the hope we have in Jesus and how we desire to go back to our old lives. We look at Exodus 16 when the Israelites are complaining and want to go back to Egypt, even though that means going back to slavery. We can be the same spiritually when we grumble and complain, not allow our wounds from the past to heal, and when the future is unknown. Stallion challenges us to look at the ways we need to take a step forward into freedom with Jesus.
Speaker: Stallion Stevanus
This sermon is from our EPIC retreat, and in Session 1, Matt Densky talks about God’s breath giving us life. We look at Exodus 3:14 and Genesis 2:7, learning about God breathing life into Adam and the formal name of God, Yahweh. Matt challenges us to consider what we need to breathe in in life and what we need to breathe out.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This sermon is from our EPIC retreat, and in Session 3, Matt Densky talks about the Holy Spirit in the form of wind. We look at John 3:1-15, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that the wind blows where it wishes, meaning there is not always a true pattern or certainty to the Holy Spirit. Matt also teaches out of Numbers 21:7-9, looking at how God’s judgement is always paired with His mercy. Matt challenges us to put our hope fully in Jesus, orienting our lives around Him.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This sermon is from our EPIC retreat, and in Session 2, Matt Densky teaches from Ezekiel 37:1-10 and talks about what it looks like to live life in a graveyard. Matt talks about how God is just as present in the dark valleys of our lives as he is on the mountain top, and how life can come from the valleys! Matt challenges us to invite God in to these times and speak truth in it.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This sermon is from our EPIC retreat, and in Session 4, Dallas Greenaway teaches from Acts 2:1-13 about how the Holy Spirit came as tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost. Dallas talks about how the Holy Spirit is now within us, and all of the different things the Spirit does when we let the Spirit work in our lives. Dallas challenges us to dig in and see how we sense the Holy Spirit leading us as we move out from the retreat.
Speaker: Dallas Greenaway
This week Matt Densky continues our new series, Puzzle Piece Jesus. He teaches from John 18:1-11 with the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, talking about how the disciples didn’t have control of the situation. Peter thinks he knows what to do better than Jesus and doesn’t surrender to His ways - something we often do in our spiritual lives. Matt talks about how love is the motive to trust and trust is the cure of control, and challenges us to trust the One who is in complete control.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky opens up our new series, Puzzle Piece Jesus, where we will dig deeper into the pieces of Jesus we don’t understand, getting into the truth of who He was and what He taught. We look at John 6:25-36, and 47-66 as Jesus teaches about being the bread of life. Matt clarifies some confusing things in this passage and challenges us to ask ourselves why we are personally seeking Jesus.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week our guest speaker, Tyler Smith, talks to us about temptations when we are feeling pressured. Tyler teaches on Jesus being tempted in Matthew 4:1-11. He talks about how Jesus understands the pressures we go through every day and how to navigate the stress in ways that honor and worship Jesus.
Speaker: Tyler Smith
This week Matt Densky finishes out our series on “Parables.” Matt teaches on the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21-35. He talks about how forgiven people forgive other people, and he tackles some of the myths people believe about forgiveness.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week Matt Densky continues our series on “Parables.” Matt teaches on the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value in Matthew 13:44-45. He unpacks these two parables and talks about how following Jesus is worth it and how WE have great value to God.
Speaker: Matt Densky
This week one of our interns Chas Martin continues our series on “Parables.” Chas teaches on the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16 and how they relate to us. We can become comparison-driven and very judgmental towards the people around us. When we take a step back and realize who our Master is, we realize He gives us all we could every need.
Speaker: Chas Martin