House of Learning Podcast: Recent Episodes
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As part of our Go Deeper: the Bible series, we had a question and response time. Here's the questions we couldn't get to on Sunday... we've got ones about authors, translations, trust and tricky verses, all chatted through with some friendly fun!
We're back! At AJC we've been in 1 John, and there's a part we can't talk about on a Sunday... so we get to chat here. John talks about spiritual conflict, and how it's affecting the church, what it means for the believers, and how to test and determine who is on which side. Enjoy!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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There's so much conflict and division around an election season - in the church as well as the nation! How can we follow God's heart through the confusion and show people the way of Jesus in the chaos? Josh Butler has written an excellent book on that question, The Party Crasher. Coming out of his experiences and pressing into this challenge in his situations, there's loads of insight and practical help on how to apply Jesus and the Bible to our context. He joins us to talk about some of the big ideas, and we get to ask himi some of our follow-up questions
You can get The Party Crasher here
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We wrestle to engage with God and find hope. Habakkuk left us a song, and connected is with a story to inspire faith. We're joined by Mike McGeoy, who has written a book of his story, and how he's discovered God speaking and engaging him in ordinary ways that have grown his faith and transformed his life. Is there more of God to pay attention to in our own story: something to to appreciate and a story to tell?
Mike's book is Is That You God: God is Always Speaking to Us...But Are We Really Listening?
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
After two laments and a litany of woes, Habakkuk bursts into a song of hope and praise... so how did he get there? This song captures some of how God has interacted with the prophet, grown him and taught him, and expanded his horizons so faith could find hope in the midst of darkness. If a song for us, to help us take the same journey, and find hope in time of need.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Woe passages can make us nervous – after all, sometimes we're on the wrong side of a woe – but God is giving these woes to comfort and encourage. We're in the woe songs of Habakkuk. Each one gives insight into God's heart, and as we thing about how each context relates to ours, we can receive comfort and encouragement too...
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Justice is a concept we are very confused about in our culture, and amidst all the options our city clamors about, God has something more. As God shows Habakkuk he cares about justice by explaining some specifics, it makes us pause to think about the framework we use. It's a big question, with a complex and nuanced answer... and we only scratch the surface! But it's a big conversation, so you''re invited to get excited about God growing you, and perhaps spotting your justice weak spot.
As we continue to learn from Habakkuk, Heather (our star therapist) joins us to talk about lamenting with others. How can we be priests, bringing God's presence into the pain of others, by our presence with them. Does biblical lament offer a framework to help us understand how to interact with the suffering and grieving? It seems like there's a connection – so we explore the practical implications...
Heather mentions the book Holy Listening, by Margaret Guenther
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
As Habakkuk continues to lament we're faced with questions like, "Does God use suffering?" "Do the righteous suffer with the unrighteous?" "Why is there suffering?" And, "How can a good God 'use' evil?" So, just a few light questions on this week's episode! There is purpose in suffering, but we have to ask some big questions to fit it into a healthy Christian perspective - something we're not good at, both as Americans and in the Western Church.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Have you ever found yourself wanting to cry out, "Why God?" Or to cry out a desperate need for God to help? That's the beginning of a lament. It's a massive part of people interacting with God throughout the Bible... but a really minor part of modern American prayer and worship. Habakkuk begins with a lament, so we talk about what it is, why it matters, and how to do it. It's a big deal, so we invite you to try it with us.
We reference a community exercise (grab a worksheet from us on Sunday of you want) - here are the common parts of a lament we talk through from this in the pod:
- Address to God
- God's past faithfulness
- Complaint
- Confession
- Request
- Statement of trust
- Vow of praise
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
It's time for a new series, and we're jumping into Habakkuk! We chat about why we're choosing this book of the Bible, how God's been leading us, and what we hope will happen as we journey through it. A lot of this has to do with faith, so we go deep exploring what faith is, what it's not, how it works and how it grows... there are even invisible chairs!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We’ve been having conversations about God’s invitation to go deeper… and there’s one conversation we haven’t had space for on Sundays: WORSHIP! But don’t fear, we’ve invited some friends from our worship crew to talk about what God is up to as he’s leading them deeper, and how he’s calling them to lead AJC deeper in our worship.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
As we catch up on all things AJC and consider going deeper we chat about the role of hospitality in the church, and how we interact deeper with teachings. So, is having a church cafe just plain cheesy, or worse something Jesus would kick over and drive out? And, how do you bake a teaching to get all the nutrition out of it? Join us as we explore...!
Welcome back!
Well, the summer break turned into a autumn hiatus. Lots happened! So, catch up with us on what God was up to, and how it's been affecting us. Plus we look ahead to what we see God leading us into at A Jesus Church, and what'll be happening on the podcast in the season ahead.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
“Hebrews might be even harder to read than Revelation!” And that’s why we’re chatting about the book of Hebrews and why it’s so rich, and matters so much for us today. Plus, we have some friends who are releasing a podcast to help guide you through exploring this book - you can check that out in the link below, or by searching for ‘Hebrews a conversation’ on your podcast apps. We hope you are inspired to dive in and read.
You can find Tim and Steve’s last project about Revelation at https://arevelationconversation.com/
And, you can find the Hebrews resources there at https://arevelationconversation.com/hebrews/
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Welcome back from summer break! AJC is doing a new thing: Family Alpha. This week is Alpha Sunday, so we wanted to dive in and chat about how God's been shaping vision for this, and why we're excited to invite everyone to join in. There's great insight from our Alpha pastor Jenny, and from the Youth team about what God's up to and the opportunity he's been revealing.
We mentioned a url for signing up - go to www.ajesuschurch/connect for all the details!
The end is here… of Luke anyway. But actually, it’s just the beginning. Luke shows us the power of God and the power of witness so that people can encounter the risen Jesus. We are encouraged to see God’s activity drawing us to Jesus - even when it’s hard for us to see what’s real. This sets the tone for the Book of Acts, which is the next part of Luke’s writings, and it draws us into the story as those to whom Luke is a witness, and who are now in the shoes of being a witness.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Jesus arrives at the cross. We move from a series of trials full of human injustice at its worst, to the tragic but inevitable death of Jesus as he fulfills the Father’s mission. There at the cross injustice and evil look like they’ve won, but actually it’s the moment of their defeat! What looks like the end, is actually a moment of Jesus’ enthronement and victory. And around the cross, a variety of people are all being affected by Jesus…
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We’re back in Luke with chapters 21 and 22 - what a lot! Right at the end is Richard’s favorite part of Luke: how Jesus responds to Peter’s failure. But we start with Jesus talking about the end: of the Temple and Jerusalem, and the End of the Time of the Gentiles - and there’s an important lesson about what to watch out for and how while we wait for these things. We also get Jesus’ farewell moments with his disciples, where Jesus institutes the Last Supper, but also grows more marginalized, even among his followers and friends.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Happy Pentecost! This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, but what is it, and why and how should we make a big deal of it? From the Spirit hovering over the waters of Genesis 1 to Moses on a mountaintop and the traveling pillar of fire - so much in the Bible comes together to enrich our understanding of the significance of God sending the Spirit to respond to the cross and resurrection and start the church.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Part two this week is on Luke 20. We have a litany of questions fired at Jesus with the agenda of challenging and undermining his authority. Jesus shows his wisdom with some mic drops… but he isn’t threatened by them, and is able to reach out and invite them to think in a way that creates a path to the Kingdom: wisdom indeed!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Two podcasts this week - first Luke 19. The surprises of Jesus and the Kingdom continue to escalate, and they come alongside a parable warning about non-participation. Sight and blindness are big themes, and it’s surprising who sees and who doesn’t!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Coming to Jesus is a big theme in Luke 18 this week. Alongside it we have a catalog of things that either help or hinder us coming to Jesus… which is very practical! We have some provocative characters like the world's worst judge, a woman who won’t quit, and a beggar who won’t shut up. We also get a recurrence of the theme of money, and what it’s for.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
This week we have Jesus talking about forgiving those who repent, why our faith is enough, about entitlement, and a lesson about gratitude. Jesus also talks to the disciples about what to be aware of while sojourning in this world as a citizen of heaven, waiting for Jesus’ return. All this and more in Luke 17!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Luke 16 can look like Jesus affirming dishonesty, some overly black and white words on divorce, and some confusing things about Hades and the afterlife… so it's an epic long podcast this week! There’s lots to unpack as we discover Jesus has a trustworthy version of shrewdness in mind, has a reason for bold claims about divorce, and that understanding Hades isn’t the essential thing we’re supposed to get from the Lazarus parable - whew!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We’re back! It’s time to get back into Luke, and we pick things up in chapter 15, full of parables about the Father’s heart to seek the lost. We chat about how the dynamics of humility and grace play out, and how they affect us personally, and our attitudes to people around us… which has a huge impact on our ability to embody the Father’s heart to seek the lost and fill his table!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Easter can pass so quickly! How can we slow down to appreciate its rich meaning? This is especially hard for kids, bombarded with egg hunts and chocolate, it’s easy for the purpose of celebration to get minimized. Weston and Jenny join us to chat about some of their traditions, to spark our creativity as we grow in celebrating the cross and empty tomb.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
If Easter’s so special, what can we do to celebrate? Other than turning up to church, how can we make space to be drawn in, to grab ahold of the story and interact with its realities? Xylecia and Ebenezer join us to talk about some of their traditions from Tennessee and Ghana - to fuel our creativity as we think about ways we can celebrate in our season and city.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
During Lent we’re putting the Easter story in context of God’s wider story, and situating ourselves within it to be formed by that story. But why does story matter so much? Aren’t we all above being pushed around by narratives? Join us as we chat through why God’s story is so powerful, how we can get it wrong, and the difference it can make to us.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
It’s Lent: a time of preparation for Easter. We tell the story of Lent, which is a tradition stretching back to the Church Fathers. It’s traditionally associated with fasting. But what’s the difference between biblical fasting and ‘giving something up for Lent?’ We chat about fasting as a pursuit of God, as a rhythm of spiritual life, and especially as a way to prepare to celebrate.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Repentance gets a bad rap: it’s almost a dirty word. In this week’s section of Luke, Jesus elevates repentance. So, we talk about what it is, how to do it, and why it matters so much as a regular aspect of our prayers. We also have some important chat about whether we should worry about not being able to change, how the kingdom can have blurry boundaries, and what God’s heart is to those whose will is not yet repenting… which is all good news for us!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Last week Jesus dropped a massive idea about seeking the Kingdom of God, and this week we right into some warning about being ready and interpreting the times. But ready for what? And what does it have to do with prayer? Join us as we chat through the sort of preparation Jesus is talking about, how it applies to us, and the things that can get in the way of it.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
In a week where we’re talking about anxiety, how could we not have our anxiety ace, Heather, back (she’s ace at tackling anxiety… not being anxious). Heather joins us for some supplemental chat about prayer and anxiety as we join up psychological insight from the world of therapy with the theological insights we’ve seen in Luke 12.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We continue the topic of persistent prayer into Luke 12 where Jesus brings up fear and anxiety. We look at the way Jesus offers a different way from our anxiety ridden world, which is unlocked by understanding our value to the Father, and faith. We also get caught up in some chat about the unforgivable sin.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
It’s time for a new theme in the Becoming Like Jesus series: persistent prayer. As we enter Luke 11 we get the Lord’s prayer and an unusual story about banging down your neighbor’s door at midnight to get bread (something we can all associate with). Jesus weaves together warnings and encouragements about our hearts and faith that should get us moving towards praying, and sitting at his feet like Mary.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Our Becoming Like Jesus series continues into Luke chapter 10. Our conversations about simplicity, possessions and priorities culminates in the issue of knowing and following purpose. Jesus sends people out again, and as they return teaches about his own purpose - which should be reflected in them too. Then we get purpose in action, as the Samaritan shows up the religious elite, and Martha battles with the purpose of an evening with Jesus.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Our Becoming Like Jesus series continues into the second half of Luke 9. We have an interesting chat about the nature and purpose of the strange mountaintop experience called the transfiguration. What follows looks like a strange mix of scenes, but we spot the pattern of priority and purpose - which Jesus finishes the chapter by speaking two with three great warnings about disrupted discipleship.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We’re back into the Becoming Like Jesus Series, picking up Luke’s gospel again. We dive into the first part of chapter 9. There is a massive interplay between faith, and being sent on mission - a test for the disciples with a practical lesson for us. Jesus puts the issues squarely in front of us asking what we think will enhance and save our life, and what will diminish and lose it… it’s not what our culture has taught us to answer!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Happy Advent! As we marinade in the events of Jesus’ birth, anticipating and celebrating the incarnation, we focus in on two key characters: Mary and Joseph. They display some of the most surprising and profound love and faith anywhere in the Bible - join us as we explore the kind of people they were, why God chose to use them, and what it was like for them in this time and culture.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
“To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Or so said Alexander Pope. But God calls us humans to forgive and to forgiveness too. So why is it so hard to extend and truly receive forgiveness? Join us as we talk about the connections between love, forgiveness, shame and more; and get practical about growing in forgiveness.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
It’s the last week of Becoming Like Jesus! We unpack the parable of the sower and consider how the Spirit might be applying the challenges of this epic teaching to us at the point in our journey as God has been scattering seed about becoming like Jesus these past weeks.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Becoming Like Jesus continues in Luke 7 as we read along together. After the amazing Centurion’s faith last week, we see faith and expectation play out again with John the Baptist. Then Luke gives us round two of love and compassion as he turns the tables on shame when a prostitute comes to dinner.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Becoming Like Jesus continues in Luke 7 as we read along together. After lots of Jesus’ teaching we’re back to the action with two surprises: amazing faith and amazing compassion. We have surprising characters center stage too in a Roman centurion and a grieving and destitute widow.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Becoming Like Jesus rolls into the second half of Luke 6 as we read along together. Jesus is teaching about two ways, and two types of people and this week the focus shifts from self to others. We chat about whether it’s ever right to judge, the place of good fruit, and resilience.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Our Becoming Like Jesus series continues into Luke 6 as we read along together. We talk about Jesus’ method for re-forming values, identity and purpose. Jesus sets up the questions, and his teaching provides the framework in which we can discover the answers – and a high point is the beatitudes, where we see just how different God’s way is to what we might think.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Our Becoming Like Jesus series continues into Luke 5 as we read along together. This week is full of scandal and surprise… at least it was in Jesus’ time. We dig into things to appreciate Jesus the challenger, and think about how his challenges can shape us.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
As we continue reading Luke together in the Becoming Like Jesus series, we dive into some big themes from Jesus’ temptation to a breakout of healing. This week presents two influences, and two responses. The coming Kingdom of God battles against the kingdom of darkness, and people demonstrate polar opposite responses as they choose sides. Are we becoming like Jesus in the ways we are influenced, and like the response Jesus affirms?
Follow along with the Becoming Like Jesus series at www.ajesuschurch.org/becominglikejesus
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We're back! As we kick off a series at AJC all about Becoming Like Jesus, and reading Luke's gospel together along the way, we have a conversation about what it looks like to read the Bible for formation. How do we move from consuming more input, to a dynamic interaction with God that moves at the pace of God's leading? We also chat through this week's reading with a few tips on what to look out for.
Follow along with the Becoming Like Jesus series at www.ajesuschurch.org/becominglikejesus
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Recently on Sunday we taught about who the Spirit is – the powerful personal presence, and his role in the Trinity and in God’s work, which includes us! We promised a follow up class for this huge question, and this is part two of that recording, including some Q&A time.
There was a book recommendation you can find here: God’s Relational Presence
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Last Sunday we taught about who the Spirit is – the powerful personal presence, and his role in the Trinity and in God’s work, which includes us! We promised a follow up class for this huge question, and this is part one of that recording.
There was a book recommendation you can find here: God’s Relational Presence
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
This weekend it's Juneteenth, a holiday with a long history, but only recently with wider exposure. Because it’s about slavery, a topic that has generated some nervousness for some recently, people can be nervous about what it is and who it’s for. Actually, it’s a very Kingdom-shaped celebration. So, of all people, Christians can get excited to rejoice and reflect this Juneteenth.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
There’s a lot of talk about our current mental health crisis, with growing awareness around the issues. Shouldn’t Christians be really good at this stuff? What does ‘good’ even look like? Join us as we press into the issues around suicide with Angela and Vuong who are both involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Check out the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for more information, resources, events and more.
You can also explore more about having better conversations with people around you at https://seizetheawkward.org/
If you want to contact the crisis line
Call - 800-273-8255
Or Text TALK to 741741
Or chat online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Deacons are a prominent role in the New Testament, but not one that many churches talk much about today. We have deacons at Westside… so, who are these mysterious people and what do they do? Join a few of them as we chat about this, and how God is at work in them as they serve in this way.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
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After a Hear the Cry trip to Uganda we chat with some of the team about what is going on with our partners there (Elephante Commons and Develop Sustainability), and debrief what they learned from the people they met in Uganda and how God is using them… which means taking a quick look at why we do short term trips.
To find out more about these locations, trips, and how to get involved, check out the Hear the Cry website.
We also mentioned a great book - When Helping Hurts
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
On Good Friday we contemplate Jesus’ cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” What was going on here? Was Jesus really forsaken by the Father – did he turn his face away? How does this experience of suffering affect us? Is it part of the retribution for sin, or is it part of Jesus healing us? Join us as we discuss (not answer!) these questions and more.
If you haven’t been able to go through the stations of the cross in the building, you can go through the digital version here - an excellent tool for your Easter contemplation!
We also recommended chapters from Eleonore Stump’s book Atonement
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Dominic Done is back on the podcast! We chat about the journey he’s been on starting Pursuing Faith, engaging questions around doubt and deconstruction. Part of responding to our questions is recognizing the deep longing in our souls that invites us on a journey of becoming our true self… which is the topic of his new book.
If you haven’t taken a look, check out all the resources at Pursuing Faith
And you can pre-order Dom’s new book Your Longing Has a Name here now.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Why is there suffering in the world? This question hounds us, especially those who want to see this as a world shaped by a good God. This week we get to ask this question to Michael Lloyd from Wycliff Hall in Oxford University - who has researched and thought about this extensively.
To catch more of Michael’s great approach to things, check out his book: Cafe Theology
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
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Once again, Sunday threw up a big question... if you are going to obey the Spirit's voice, how do you hear what He has to say to you? So we wind back the clock to last time we talked about this, and chat about some of the varieties of how we hear from God and discern God's voice.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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This week we have special guest Dave from 423 Communities as we continue a conversation that came up on Sunday about pornography. This is such a nerve for many people, and statistically likely to be much bigger around us that we might think. We talk about the effects of porneia, God’s response, and how the church has a part in helping.
To find out more about 423 Communities, check out the website - https://www.423communities.org/
And to read Dave’s excellent book, take a look on Amazon here
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Are men naturally less gullible than women? Is a woman’s salvation dependent on having children? This is the last in our series on gender and ministry, and we finish up 1 Timothy 2 as Paul refers us back to Genesis - yes: once again, it’s all about Genesis!
We’ve put together a suggested reading list.
You can view the 1 Corinthians class handout here as well.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Are women supposed to be silent in church? Has God ordained women to always be in submission to men? Join us as we continue our series about gender and ministry as we dive back into 1 Timothy 2 to unpack some important, and often misunderstood, verses.
We’ve put together a suggested reading list.
You can view the 1 Corinthians class handout here as well.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Here’s the last week of our gender and ministry class - so it’s a long one! We continue in the New Testament by first taking a look at Paul’s vision for mutual interdependence in 1 Corinthians, followed by a look at 1 Timothy. We run out of time to say everything we had planned about Paul’s comments in Timothy, so look out for a top up podcast next week. There are a lot of comments from people at the end - sorry if it’s hard to hear!
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This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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Phoebe is only mentioned once in the New Testament, but we actually learn a lot about her. Who was this woman, what was her connection to Paul and Rome, and what does she reveal about the ways people were involved in the life of the church and its mission in the First Century?
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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Here’s part two of this week’s class. We take a look at what we find in the New Testament as the Spirit is poured out on both men and women, and how the gifts are distributed to these two groups. We take a look at some examples of people who are gifted to function in different areas of the life of the new church.
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This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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It’s the second week of our Gender & Ministry Class. In part one we crack open the New Testament with a look at the culture of the First Century that informs how we read, and we take a look at how Jesus interacts with the gender norms of his time in the gospels.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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How do gender roles manifest in the Old Testament? We take a closer look at whether male and female merely reflect the pattern of patriarchy in the culture, manifest God’s ideals, or reveal a journey that’s somewhere in between. This is a follow up to our class looking at gender and ministry.
Scriptures we referred to today include:
Genesis 1-3 - creation and fall
Exodus 15 - Miriam the prophet
Exodus 20 (and Prov 1) - listen and obey both parents
Numbers 27 - women inheriting property
Judges 4 - Deborah and Barak
Judges 4 - Jael the fighter
2 Sam 14 and 20 - wise women and civic leaders
2 Kings 11 - queen Athaliah
2 Kings 22 - Huldah the prophet
Proverbs 8-9 - wisdom personified as a woman
Proverbs 31 - the wise woman
Esther - the political leader
Ruth - loyalty, courage and initiation
Song of Songs - the initiator
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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Now part two of the first week of our Gender and Ministry class - if you haven’t listened to part 1… just go back an episode. In this section we talk about gender in the Ancient Near Eastern cultures, and dive into the ground zero of God’s design for male and female: Genesis 1-3.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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Something a little different for the podcast - we did a class! House of Learning just started a class on Gender and Ministry. In this first part Richard and Molly share a bit of their story, unpack a little bit of the history of feminism, and look at translation as an example of getting the narrative wrong. Not quite a podcast, but this is a good spot for the recording if you couldn’t make it - and we’ll post each week’s class in two parts… be warned it’s longer than usual!
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This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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We introduce the newest member of the A Jesus Youth team - Tom - and learn a little about what God is doing amongst our students. Together we also take a look back to Martin Luther King Jr. and how he was a great example of something that ought to be core in our theology… but seems to struggle to make it into our lives.
We mentioned a favorite song: The Way of the Cross
Yes, it’s a bit old and cheesy!
We also mentioned the top notch movie: Selma
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We introduce the newest member of the A Jesus Youth team - Tom - and learn a little about what God is doing amongst our students. Together we also take a look back to Martin Luther King Jr. and how he was a great example of something that ought to be core in our theology… but seems to struggle to make it into our lives.
We mentioned a favorite song: The Way of the Cross
Yes, it’s a bit old and cheesy!
We also mentioned the top notch movie: Selma
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
In imaginative prayer we invite God to meet with us and speak to us as we allow our mind’s eye to be directed by the Spirit, often as we allow ourselves to be saturated by a biblical image and explore how God wants to connect with us through it. It can be fun and creative, and a powerful way for us to engage our responsiveness to God. (This is a re-release from 2019)
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone. And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
The last year brought so much change, and provoked so many questions. Throughout God has been leading and speaking, so we’re joined by our lead pastor and lead elder - people who listen to God for our church a lot! We look back at what God has been teaching us, how he’s been shaping this church, and what we’re sensing he has in store coming up.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Our final Advent installment: the Prince of Peace. This is a ubiquitous phrase at this time of year, but it doesn’t mean “it’s Christmas, chill out!” Instead it is a call to find our place in God’s cosmic project of shalom making. Today we focus on peace-training as part of discipleship, and some of the things that can derail being people of the prince of shalom.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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It’s week three of Advent – time to consider our Everlasting Father. Join four dads as we take a look at what type of father God is, and especially how being a dad has brought things into focus and challenged us. We chat especially about a father’s role in comforting, encouraging and exhorting. We also talk about exploring this aspect of God if you either cannot have kids, or did not have a good father yourself.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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We continue our Advent conversations by exploring Isaiah’s “Mighty God.” We focus especially on Mary, whose deep appreciation of God allows her to worship with profound prophecy and to navigate following God’s work in her life with astonishing humility and grace. Mary is definitely in the ‘trust zone’ with a mighty God - and we talk about how we can join her there.
Here is a link to Molly’s very useful list of emotions that you can use in the recommended practice: https://images.app.goo.gl/qWu4qYR5d7mCosvz6
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
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Advent is here! Our first pitstop: Isaiah’s announcement of a wonderful counsellor (not a therapist). We drill down into how we can overcome some of our cultural and personal barriers around submitting to authority to relate to God in this way, and step into the freedom that having a wonderful counselor brings.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We’re called to rest and sabbath… but adding it to your to-do list can feel like the opposite of creating space! We dive a little deeper into what the call to sabbath is, and talk practically about the obstacles to this special God-given rest.
Westside had a season of pressing into sabbath, with some great meditations and interviews to inspire creativity as we try to grow in this practice. You can find these resources at westsideajc.org/sabbath
We’ve got a couple of book recommendations if you want to dive into learning more:
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Subversive Sabbath by AJ Swoboda
What’s it like when the Holy Spirit’s power shows up? Does it come with sparkles, or does it feel ‘normal’? Being empowered by the Spirit shows up all over our lives, so we can expect a lot more than we think. Join us as we try to chat through some of that variety.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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After chatting about unanswered prayer last time… there’s an elephant in the room: disability. Once we’ve reshaped our expectations of unanswered prayer and healing, our attitudes and practices towards those with disability in their story ought to be our next question. So, we caught up with Shelbi and Ryan (in the past) to revisit the topic of theology and disability.
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This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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The Bible has some dramatic healings and answers to prayers… but our experience is not that it always goes that way. Why does this happen? Are we praying wrong? Do we need more faith? Is God out to lunch? Everyone wrestles with these questions sometimes - so join us as we do just that!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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At Pentecost, events are tripping! But what if it was more than just surprising, but was actually a coordinated plan for God to show us how he is undoing brokenness and restoring the plans he established all the way back in Genesis? I guess we’d better dive back there and have a look…
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This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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Continuing our conversations about navigating the extra challenges we’re all facing in these weird times we welcome another guest therapist. Join us as we talk through the ways God shows us a way forward with trust, hope and joy as our journey runs into things like anxiety, isolation and depression.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
It’s been a tough season: there’s a lot of pain and grief around! We tend to avoid grief, and leave those who are grieving alone. But the Bible makes a lot of space for grief and lament - in fact Jesus shows us how to grieve well. So, how can we learn to step into grief to create Kingdom health in ourselves and others?
We recommended the excellent book Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Hayley Barton.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
The Bible talks about the Holy Spirit being with people, in them, filling them… and more. So, what’s the difference? The key: the Spirit is a person, and these words all point to relationships. Join us as we unpack the varieties of relationship, and what it means for us as we follow our God.
It’s the last part of our series on biblical justice! We’ve unpacked a biblical theology of justice to give us a framework for interacting with justice issues in our culture. Today we interact with postmodern aspects of justice in culture, including critical race theory.
Here’s a couple of great books/articles to help you keep learning in this area:
Tim Keller - Generous Justice
Mae Elise Cannon - Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice
Esau McCaulley - The CRT Debate Distracts from God’s Justice
Esau McCaulley - The Racial Justice Debate Needs Civil Discourse, Not Straw Men
hanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
We’ve spent weeks unpacking a biblical theology of justice, and now we bring it all together and ask what this teaches us about justice conversations in our culture right now. This week we look at cultural and political notions of justice that center on freedom and fairness. Since this is a long conversation, part two is next week!
Here’s a couple of great books/articles to help you keep learning in this area:
Tim Keller - Generous Justice
Mae Elise Cannon - Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice
Esau McCaulley - The CRT Debate Distracts from God’s Justice
Esau McCaulley - The Racial Justice Debate Needs Civil Discourse, Not Straw Men
hanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
Today we unpack our last three characteristics of biblical justice: restoration, generosity and mercy. These three are perhaps the most distinct from secular justice, and especially important for us to pay attention to! Join us as we chat about the Father’s heart of justice.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
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Everyone has an opinion about what justice looks like right now - and Christians are disagreeing a lot! So, what does the Bible have to say? Join us as we continue to unpack a biblical theology of justice – today we look at power, mercy and advocacy.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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There are SO many statements flying around saying ‘that’s just,' ‘that’s not fair,' ‘justice means we should…’ and on and on. But why do Christians disagree on these things so much at the moment. Well, we’re diving into a short series to answer that question - unsurprisingly, the Bible has the answers we need!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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Samson was used by God – God’s Spirit came on him in mighty ways! But Samson was also more than a little chequered of a character… in fact, he was downright awful at times. Join us as we explore the role of suffering in Samson’s life as God tries to use Samson, but also reach and restore him to the Father. (This episode is an old recording, so the class noted was a couple of years ago - sorry!)
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
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We’re used to spotting the Holy Spirit as a major character in the New Testament… but is he a new character there? Does the Spirit have a big role to play in the Old Testament, and are there things to learn about him there? Of course, we think the answer is yes, but it's surprising how we often don’t treat the Spirit or our Bible that way!
We referenced a few resources today:
There’s a previous episode about Samson, no longer available on iTunes - so we’re going to rerelease it next week as he’s an amazing character to explore.
Richard Hays’ book Reading Backwards
Christopher Wright’s book Knowing the Holy Spirit Through the Old Testament
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
At Westside, we value living life together in community and in light of this past year and a half, it's exactly what we need. Join us this week as we talk about the Bible says about community and doing life with other followers of Jesus.
Resources referenced:
Philemon 4-8
https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/phm/1/1/s_1133001
Titus 2:3-5
https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/tit/2/3/s_1131003
N.T Wrights Commentary on Philemon
https://www.amazon.com/Colossians-Philemon-Testament-Commentaries-Numbered/dp/083084242X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nt+wright+commentary+on+colossians+and+Philemon&qid=1565217853&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Quote by N.T Wright: “I am praying that the mutual participation which is proper to the Christian faith you hold may have its full affect in your realization of every good thing that God wants to accomplish in us to lead us into the fullness of Christian fellowship, that is of Christ.”
James 5:19-20
https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/jas/5/19/s_1151019
Acts 2:42-47
https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/act/2/42/s_1020042
Podcast on Translations
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/translations/id1459899032?i=1000443068186
Podcast on Alpha
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alpha/id1459899032?i=1000436922588
Communities Website
https://westsideajc.org/communities
As we follow Jesus, men should be biblical men, and women biblical women...right? Or is that even a thing? Join us to chat through how the bible approaches male and female, masculine and feminine, and just how different this can be from the culture we live in!
We recommended Preston Sprinkle’s excellent book Embodied, which has some great discussions about gender.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at hol@westsideajc.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Here’s a conundrum you might have thought of during lockdown while you do communion at home… does it matter how you do it? Join a theologian, philosopher and biblical studies scholar as we chat (and disagree) about the answer (well, a bit).
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
We take communion every single week - and it’s a beautiful moment of encountering God as he presents himself to us in the bread and the cup. But… we don’t often get the time to unpack what it looks like for God to show up in communion. Today is part two of a conversation about what it looks like to appreciate this amazing God moment!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
We take communion every single week - and it’s a beautiful moment of encountering God as he presents himself to us in the bread and the cup. But… we don’t often get the time to unpack what it looks like for God to show up in communion. Today is part one of a conversation about what it looks like to appreciate this amazing God-moment!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Baptism is something we do pretty regularly at church… so it seems important. But you often get baptized when you are new to following Jesus, and you might have a lot of questions! So whether you are looking back on your baptism to enrich your appreciation of God meeting you there, or wondering about it for your future, join us as we dive a little deeper (pun intended!).
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
When Jesus said, “follow me” it came with expectations: being a disciple was a special, well-defined relationship in the first century. So when Jesus left and said, “go and make disciples” this once again came with some specific expectations. Join us for some chat about what this would have been like, and what it means for us today if we are disciples.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
When Thomas utters the immortal words, “My Lord, and my God” it reveals a moment of encounter, transformation and worship. So what can Thomas teach us about worship? Join us as we bite off more than we can chew, but still manage to have some great chat about some of the answer!
We mentioned a piece of music to listen to alongside reading Luke 1:46-55. It was Arvo Pärt’s Magnificat. Here’s a link to a recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04XKjal0grI
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
The gospel story reaches a climax with the realization that the tomb is empty - Jesus has risen! This is everything to Christians, and the reality of this event was the foundation of the church. But is it an article of faith, or an event of history… how does it stand up to scrutiny?
There are a ton of great books on this, here are a few to get you started if you enjoyed this topic:
- F.F. Bruce - The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?
- Lee Strobel - The Case for Christ
- Richard Bauckham - Jesus and the Eyewitnesses
- N.T. Wright - Jesus and the Victory of God
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
We’re all familiar with phrases like ‘Jesus died for me on the cross’ and ‘Jesus died to save me.’ But the million-dollar question is… how? Join us as we delve into the most common Western answer — penal substitution — and juxtapose this with insights from other parts of Christian history and culture.
Lots of books to recommend this week:
Approaching the Atonement by Crisp
The day the Revolution Began by NT Wright
Recovering the Scandal of the Cross by Baker & Green
The Mosaic of Atonement by McNall
Atonement by Stump
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Churches don’t always do a lot of Bible teaching about giving and tithing… but the Bible has a lot to say! Giving is a massive part of Christian life, so we often miss out on the encouraging stuff the Bible lays out about its importance and benefits. Join Richard, Amber and Greg as they unpack some key verses, and share their own experiences of how God used giving in their lives.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
“Do not be afraid” is a frequent phrase in the Bible, but we all encounter fear. Is something wrong? No… then how can we understand fear and respond well – especially as Jesus followers! Join Richard, Dave and Heather as they chat through this emotion called fear, it’s effects, and what you can do when it comes knocking.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
In an age where culture can be dominated by fear, we’re going through a season ripe with even more! So what does the Bible say about fear: is it all bad? Join us as we use the Bible to get a handle on the complexities of fear, and pick up some big themes about responding to fear.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Have you ever felt like perfect Christians spend all of a sabbath day, once a week, locked in solitude praying and fasting… or something else equally daunting? Well this week we unpack what God says about sabbath, and begin a season of exploring what it can look like to different people in different seasons.
To follow with us as we explore sabbath, check out this page where we’ll be posting Scripture meditations, testimonies and more every week - westsideajc.org/sabbath
We’ve got a couple of book recommendations if you want to dive into learning more:
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
- Subversive Sabbath by AJ Swoboda
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
It’s time for our last act of the story – Jesus arrives! So, how does Jesus affect the ruts humanity are trapped in? And if Jesus is so amazing, how come lots of the world is still really crummy? Join us as we chat through the difference Jesus makes when he comes… and the rest of the difference he’ll make when he comes again.
If you are journeying through this with us at Westside: A Jesus Church, make sure you check out https://westsideajc.org/storyofgod to make the most of the resources we have for exploring what God wants to show you in this season!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Adam and Eve were exiled from the garden, and things got bad fast! Where does that leave humanity – are things as dark as dark can be? Is God still in the frame, or have humans walked away? This week we talk about the human condition, and how God keeps on chasing broken humans down… but it never quite works right, and we’re left waiting for more.
If you are journeying through this with us at Westside: A Jesus Church, make sure you check out https://westsideajc.org/storyofgod to make the most of the resources we have for exploring what God wants to show you in this season!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
When Eve and Adam take a piece of fruit the story of God takes a massive twist. But, is it all doom and gloom? Do Humans become enemies of God? Or is there still a redeeming light of goodness burning bright in this act of the story? Join us as we explore some of the details of the Fall.
If you are journeying through this with us at Westside: A Jesus Church, make sure you check out https://westsideajc.org/storyofgod to make the most of the resources we have for exploring what God wants to show you in this season!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
There are so many versions of God’s story… well, there’s one Bible – but so many wrong ways of telling the story contained in it! Join us for a new series where we explore who God says we are in this great story we live in, and rethink our expectations of God and ourselves.
If you are journeying through this with us at Westside: A Jesus Church, make sure you check out https://westsideajc.org/storyofgod to make the most of the resources we have for exploring what God wants to show you in this season!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
We’ve explored the theology of calling, but what’s it actually like to ‘be called?’ From punk rock to sales, philosophy to ministry, and church to academia, join Richard, Amber and Tim as they chat through their experiences of wrestling through questions of vocation and calling, what God had to say, and what it looked like to respond.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Portland has some rich Black history, but also some terrible examples of the injustice and trauma that race in America can mean. Join us for part two of our discussion as we follow the story in Portland, and allow the Bible to provoke us to think afresh about what to learn from this history. (If you haven’t already listened to part one of this discussion, check out last week first - or it’ll be confusing!)
We referred to an excellent article you might want to check out at
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/racist-history-portland/492035/
We also recommended checking out the Racial Justice Community’s resources at:
https://racialjusticecommunity.com
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Portland has some rich Black history, but also some terrible examples of the injustice and trauma that race in America can mean. Join us as we tell some of the story in Portland, and allow the Bible to provoke us to think afresh about what to learn from this history and what it means for us now. (This is part one, catch us next week for part two of what turned out to be a long discussion!)
We referred to an excellent article you might want to check out at
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/racist-history-portland/492035/
We also recommended checking out the Racial Justice Community’s resources at:
https://racialjusticecommunity.com
Check out the marriage course at:
https://westsideajc.org/events/2021/03marriage-momentum-online
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
We often say that insights from other cultures and groups are not just good… but necessary! In Black History Month we put some meat on the bones of this claim by talking about some of our favorite Black theologians and what we have learned from them: Carl Eliis Jr., Emmanuel Katongole, and Esau McCaulley.
We highlighted these works this week:
Carl Ellis Jr., Free at Last
Emmanuel Katongole, Born from Lament
Esau McCaulley, Reading While Black
And Esau’s NYT article, The Bloody Fourth Day of Christmas
For more resources, especially some more Black thinkers to follow and learn from, check out the Racial Justice Community’s page, or follow them on Facebook.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Calling can be exciting, but calling questions can immobilize us too. Richard and Dominic chat though some of the key questions to help us keep moving forward in our calling. Is ‘calling’ something we share in common, or individual to each of us… or both? How do you go about discovering it? And how do you step into it?
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
It’s impossible to answer questions about our common purpose and unity without agreeing on the story we’re supposed to be living. So we go back to Genesis to ramble through creation, the garden and the fall to look for answers about the story we’re living in and what trajectory our life is (supposed to be) on.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Join a couple of theologians as they try to convince you that not only should you practice doing theology as a spiritual discipline, but whether you know it or not you already are a theologian… but will you be a good one?
This week we recommended the following books:
How to Read Theology for All Its Worth, Stetina
Practicing Christian Doctrine, Jones
Theology: The Basics, McGrath
A Short History of Christian Doctrine, Lohse
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Current events have stirred up passionate debates about Trump, religion, the church and the nation. A central issue is Christian Nationalism… so we unpack what it is, and how the Bible might help us navigate the issues.
This week we recommended lots of interesting books:
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? by John Fea
Taking America Back for God by Whitehead and Perry
The Myth of a Christian Nation by Gregory Boyd
American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion by Wilsey and Fea
America's Religious History by Kidd
Divided by Faith by Emerson and Smith
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Happy New Year! In an epic changeover from 2020 to 2021 we chat about the anticipation of Jesus showing up this year. But we also want to capture what God has done this year as well. We walk through an Examen prayer exercise for this season, and invite you to join us as we launch into what 2021 has for us!
(This is a practice by Vinita Hampton Wright from Ignatius Spirituality)
Step One: Become aware of God’s presence.
One way of doing this is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you review the year with a holy perspective—with wisdom, grace, and faith. Ask for the grace to tear yourself away from your own patterns of thinking and seeing so that you can see your life more as God sees it. Of course you will see your failings—but God sees you as a beloved daughter or son who has a future and a hope. Of course you will see your accomplishments—but God sees your deeper self, the person behind all the activity, a person made in God’s image.
Step Two: Review the year with gratitude.
As you use this holy perspective to review the year, pay attention to the good gifts from the year ending. Name specifically those that come to memory now, and thank God for them.
Step Three: Pay attention to your emotions.
Think over the year again, and notice your emotional reactions. What memories speak most loudly to you? What events, conversations, relationships, or activities bring up the most emotion now, as you remember them? Ask God to help you linger with these emotions, whether they are pleasant or disturbing. Ask for help in understanding why you feel as you do. What can you learn about yourself or about your situation as you dwell in your emotional responses?
Step Four: Choose one feature of the year and pray from it.
While you are lingering with your memories and emotions, settle on one feature. Perhaps it is a single event, or maybe it’s a pattern of your own behavior that has come to mind as you reviewed the year. Whatever it is that has emerged, allow it to fuel your prayer. Don’t worry about the many other aspects of the year that you could think about right now; stay with the one thing that has come to you with the most power and pray from those thoughts and emotions.
Step Five: Look toward the new year.
Imagine what challenges and blessings might await you in the coming year. Think of important relationships, major (and minor) decisions to be made, skills to learn, habits to build, healing to seek, good work to accomplish. Make a simple list of highlights—matters that you expect to take prominence in your life in the new year. Bring them to God now, and ask for the graces you will need.
End your prayer, thanking God for love and life and holy possibilities.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Merry Christmas! As Advent reaches its destination we celebrate the arrival of God’s Son incarnate by discussing joy. Is there a distinct biblical kind of joy, why is this the climactic Advent theme, and how can you get more of it?
Catch more Advent goodies at westsideajc.org/advent
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
God sent His son because He loves us (John 3:16)... but does Christmas show us God’s love in a special way? Join Richard, Shelbi & Weston as they unpack God’s love through shepherds, Magi and new parents, and what they teach us about walking in God’s love ourselves.
Catch more Advent goodies at westsideajc.org/advent
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Advent invites us into peace - something we need this year! Richard, Shelbi & Bryan chat about how the Christmas story shows us God’s peace at work, and dig into the key question of how we can receive God’s peace when we feel in turmoil.
Catch more Advent goodies at westsideajc.org/advent
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
It’s Advent time! Join us as we chat about anticipating Christmas, why a season of Advent is important in our Christian rhythms, and as we unpack the first traditional theme: hope.
Catch more Advent goodies at westsideajc.org/advent
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
It's the last week of 21 Days of Prayer! We’ve had a week of doing battle with God… not against him! But alongside him. We’ve talked a lot about forgiveness and intercession, so join Richard, Molly and Crooksy as we debrief pushing into these areas, and think about where these 21 days may have led us.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
We end week two of our 21 Days of Prayer by reflecting on what we’ve learned about Asking God. Jamie, Molly, and Richard chat through petition, intercession, and how unanswered prayer has looked in their lives and what God has taught them throughout their journey.
Bible Verses Mentioned: James 4:2-3, 2 Corinthians 12
Resources: westsideajc.org/21days
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
After our first week of ‘21 Days of Prayer’, and especially trying to listen to God, we have some chat about what it’s like to try and hear God and the questions this throws up for us. Join Molly, Shelbi and Richard as they unpack their experiences and what they’ve been learning.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
We often think this parable is about not being wasteful or seizing opportunity… but is that just our American culture talking? Join Richard, Tim and Keithen as they discover a message of loyalty and risk in this well-known parable.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
The parable surprises us with an offer of grace and reconciliation, right at the moment we’re expecting judgement and vengeance. It paints a beautiful picture of God’s way of redemption! Join Richard, Crooksy and Tim as they chat through the challenges for us to receive God’s offer, and step into God’s way.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
The first in a series unpacking the Lord’s prayer, which is not just as a rich theological teaching about prayer, but also as a powerful, beautiful and simple prayer we can pray. Join Molly, Richard and Ryan as we chat through the first piece: ‘Our Father’.
We mentioned The Prayer course, a great resource we love, at https://prayercourse.org/sessions/
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Join us as we chat through fairness, privilege, comparison, and the Kingdom of God. Molly, Ryan, and Richard step into another parable this week as we unpack the secrets of the Kingdom as taught by Jesus.
Verses We Mentioned: Matthew 20:1-16
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
This week, Richard, Hakeem and Ryan discuss a new and timely book, “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope,” by Dr. Esau McCaulley. We take time to discuss a little bit of how we came to know about Dr. McCaulley and his work, why it has us so excited, and some of our favorite parts of each chapter. McCaulley’s book has a vital message about the importance of being honest about interpreting the Bible from our own social and cultural location and how the Bible has something to say about our own cultural moment when we ask the right questions.
Esau McCaulley also hosts “The Disrupters Podcast” where he interviews other Christian authors such as, Jemar Tisby, N.T. Wright, Sho Barka and others. You can find that here.
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Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
The Great Banquet Honor and Humility
The parable of the great banquet teaches us about how we treat others as we pursue honor and value, Join Richard, Amber and Ryan as they discuss the challenges Jesus throws down about God’s preferences for the outsider.
We mentioned Kenneth Bailey’s excellent book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, and the messianic banquet found in Isaiah 25.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
The Good Samaritan is a classic parable that has often been used generously for philanthropic work as well as other niceties, but what did Jesus mean when he taught this parable? Join Richard, Molly, and Amber as they unpack this parable from different perspectives.
Verses we mentioned: Leviticus 19, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 10
Resources we mentioned: Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Back in our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we get to sit down with Hakeem Bradley. We discuss his passions, his background, his new role at Westside, and what lights his heart on fire. We also take a moment to grieve the tragic shooting of Jacob Blake, giving space for lament over these circumstances.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
The desire to meet again in person is burning in all of our hearts, so we take some time to unpack what the Bible has to say about whether we should gather. Join Molly, Richard, Ryan, and special guest Keithen Schwahn as we unpack what the Scriptures can teach us about loving our neighbor, our city, and our world.
Verses we mentioned: Jeremiah 29:7, Matthew 5-7, Matthew 28:19, Romans 14:15, 1 Corinthians, Philippians 2
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
This pandemic has taken a toll on our spiritual and emotional health. Some even say the lockdown may affect our personality. This week, Molly, Hakeem, and Richard chat through what it means to reestablish rhythms, take time to let go of the false self, and how quarantine might be a great place to unpack it all.
Resources we mentioned: The Gift of Being Yourself by David G. Benner, Drama of Scripture by Bartholomew and Goheen, Goals vs Rhythms article by Jefferson Bethke, How Lockdown may Affect Personality article.
Verses we mentioned: Psalm 69, Philippians 2:4-12
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Responding to Racial History
Copy: This week, we take a look at Oregon’s history and formation as a state that considered itself a white utopia. We introduce and explore an unpopular topic: the history of racism in Oregon. Join Hakeem, Molly, and Richard as we chat about this reality in Oregon, and how the ripple effects are still in place today.
Resources we mentioned: Bible Project: Biblical Justice, The Racist History in Portland
Verses we mentioned: Exodus 19, 1 John 1:9
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Parables were one of the primary ways Jesus taught and unpacked the secrets of the Kingdom of God. Are they relevant to us today? Is there more than one meaning? Is there more than one meaning? Join Molly, Richard, and Hakeem Bradley as we talk through the Parable of the Tax Collector.
Verses we mentioned: Luke 18:9 , Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 31, Gen 12, Romans 4, Gen 6:9
Resources we mentioned: Kenneth Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Continuing on in our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we get the chance to sit down with Executive Pastor Tim McDonald to chat through what lights his heart on fire for the Kingdom of God. We get to hear a bit of his story, his passions, and about how the AJC College went from a dream to a reality.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Parables were one of the primary ways Jesus taught and unpacked the secrets of the Kingdom of God. Are they relevant to us today? Is there more than one meaning? Join Molly, Richard, and special guest Greg Wright as we talk through the Parable of the Sower
Verses we mentioned: Isaiah 6:8-20, Psalm 135, Jeremiah 4 & 31, Ezekiel 36, Hosea 2, Isaiah 55-60, John 15
Resources we mentioned: Kenneth Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Passions are contagious, and we took some time this week to sit down with one of our team members, Amber Dillion, to hear about hers. From Biblical literacy to the gospels, the Greek language to Jesus as the Son of God, Amber unpacks her passion for the Word of God with us. Be warned, you might fall in love with the Bible all over again after this.
Resources we mentioned:
Readers Bible, Learn Biblical Greek with Bill Mounce
Verses we mentioned: Luke 16 (15-17), Romans 12:1-2, Philemon 1:17
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share it with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20-second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Our Spiritual life can feel a bit dry and dull during Covid season. Molly and Richard take time to unpack the Spiritual Rhythm of Lectio Divina, or “Divine Reading” of Scripture. This takes simple practices such as Bible reading and prayer, and gives opportunity for fresh life to be infused into your relationship with Jesus.
Resources we mentioned:
Biblical Meditation by Cambell McAlpine
Lectio Divina with Teresa of Avila
Psalm 1
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Conversations about racial justice are top of everyone’s minds, so we sit down with guests Berley and Grace White to unpack the reality of racial injustice and empower our listeners on what it means to raise the next generation differently.
Resources we mentioned:
Prophetic Lament
Raceconcious.org
Embracerace.org
Bible Verses we mentioned:
Deut 10:14-30, Acts 2, Book of Exodus, Book of Ezra, Book of Nehemiah, Book of Ruth Revelation 7:9
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Conversations about racial justice are top of everyone’s minds, so we sit down with guests Timi, Berley, and Hakeem about searching for Jesus’ heart for reconciliation. They unpack the reality of racial injustice that has permeated the media over the past few weeks (though has been going on for centuries here in America). We get to hear a bit of their story, how they're feeling, and some calls to action that are practical for Westside and beyond.
Resources we mentioned
Westside AJC's Racial Reconciliation Resource Page
Westside AJC's Racial Justice Community Page
White Fragility by Robert J. DiAngelo
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby
Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah
Bible Project Video: Biblical Justice
Verses we mentioned
Job 38, Ezra 10, The Gospels
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Gender seems to be a divisive topic in the Church these days. We get a chance to interview one of our regulars, Molly Inman, about a topic shes extremely passionate about Justice, Gender, and Formation. Join Richard and Amber as they put Molly in the hot seat, asking her the tough questions regarding the church, culture, equality, the MeToo movement, and more.
The main Scripture we referred to was 1 Corinthians 12, about the church as a body.
Molly recommended this article on the Me Too movement
We also talked about the following books:
Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian, by Michelle Lee-Barnewall
Paul and Gender by Cynthia Westfall
Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof
Other Formation Books
Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton
Sacred Pathways by Ruth Haley Barton
Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser
Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Do humans have free will? Where does our spirit stop, and the Holy Spirit start? What about the problem of evil? Molly and Ryan get a chance to put the expert in the hot seat, Richard Tamburro, as he shares his passion for philosophical theology and the topic of free will.
Resources we mentioned: God, Freedom, and Evil by Alvin Plantinga
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Join Richard, Molly, and Ryan as they take some time to hear about Ryan’s Masters Thesis and one of his favorite topics; theological anthropology. We ask questions, clarify ideas, and are ultimately challenged in our understanding of personal identity.
Podcast Resources
Communities
Resourcing Theological Anthropology: Marc Cortez
Known by God: Bryan Rosner
Who God says you are
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Join Richard, Molly, and special guest Tim Reed as they unpack the Spiritual Discipline of Scripture Memorization. As Dom has called the church to memorize the book of Philippians, we thought we would share some helpful tools and resources to help with this new practice.
Verses we mentioned: Deuteronomy 6, Numbers 6, Matthew 5-7, 2 Corinthians 10:5
Resources we mentioned: Charlotte Mason System, Verses App
Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast.
This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church College, based at Westside: A Jesus Church in Portland Oregon.
AJC College train and mobilize the next generation of Kingdom leaders through an accredited four-year degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Formation, combining classroom learning with mentoring and ministry apprenticeship, for a third of the cost of traditional college.
To find out more, go to ajccollege.org, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook, to find out if this is where God could be calling you to explore your calling.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone.
And if you have a question you’d like us to chat about, please let us know!
You can email us at podcast@ajccollege.org. If you can, send us a 20 second audio recording saying who you are and where you are from, along with your question, and we’d love to include it in a future episode.
Guests
Richard, Molly & Christa Jackson
Join Molly and Richard chat with special guest Christa Jackson about her life in quarantine. She unpacks some creative ways she and her husband have been nourishing their marriage. We also take some time to unpack 1 Peter 4-5, discussing the unique way the Scriptures have been encouraging us lately.
Verses we mentioned: 1 Peter 4-5, Romans 12:10
Resources we mentioned: https://bibleproject.com/explore/1-peter/
The House of Learning podcast is produced by the AJC College team for House of Learning, a ministry of Westside: A Jesus Church
05-01-20 Responding to Suffering
Guests
Richard, Molly and Special Guest Karen Lopez
Join us as we chat with Karen Lopez about her life in quarantine and ways shes staying joyful and grateful. As we dive into 1 Peter 1 on Sundays, we thought we’d take the time to walk through the rest of Peter and his response to suffering as well!
Verses we mentioned: John 15, Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:23
The House of Learning podcast is produced by the AJC College team for House of Learning, a ministry of Westside: A Jesus Church
04-24-20 Encountering Lockdown Lull
Guests
Richard, Molly, and special guest Heather Harrison
As the shock of this pandemic starts to wear off and we still find ourselves at home, most of us are starting to hit a wall when it comes to our emotional well-being. Psychologist and Therapist Heather Harrison unpacks why that is, some tools to help the process, and some encouraging ways we can bring this to God.
Verses we mentioned: Psalm 46, 2 Kings 19, Matt 8:23-27, Phillipians 4:7,
The House of Learning podcast is produced by the AJC College team for House of Learning, a ministry of Westside: A Jesus Church
Guests
Richard, Ryan & Amber
We are having to get creative with how we do church at the moment! Join Amber, Ryan and Richard as they debate whether it matters whether we use wine or orange juice for communion, along with other related issues.
Verses we mentioned: Matt 26:17-30
The House of Learning podcast is produced by the AJC College team for House of Learning, a ministry of Westside: A Jesus Church
Join Richard, Molly, and Ryan as they chat through the importance of the cross as we approach the end of Lent and head towards Easter Sunday. We unpack not just the celebration of resurrection because of the cross but take time to travel through the holistic importance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and what it means for the Story of God.
Verses we mentioned: Isaiah 53, Hebrews 4:15, Rev 22
Resources we mentioned: Tree of Life Video by the Bible Project, The Crucified God by Moltmann
Richard and Molly connect virtually as they unpack this thing called Revival. Come join us as we dive into the Scriptures and what they have to say about Revival. We discuss patterns of revival throughout history, and how to hold it in tension with lamenting the reality of the moment we find ourselves in.
Verses we mentioned: Isaiah 32-33, John 11, 2 Chronicles 7, Psalm 44, Psalm 86, Isaiah 57,
Resources we mentioned: Article by N.T. Wright from Time Magazine: https://time.com/5808495/coronavirus-christianity/
For our podcast this week, Molly learns to navigate without her fellow regular, Richard! We are continuing on in our Spiritual Rhythms series, unpacking the practice of Imaginative Prayer. With all the burdens we are carrying in this season of Covid-19 and social distancing, Molly leads us through how to cast those burdens on to our friend and King Jesus.
Verses we mentioned:, Isaiah 26:3, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 1 Corinthians 8:2.
This practice was unpacked using a variety of resources, some of them being the Imaginative Prayer Practice from Practicing the Way, and How to Pray; A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig.
Join Richard, Molly, and special guest Greg Wright chat through the story of Gideon as he wrestles with fear, isolation, and trusting God. We discuss some similarities to our own cultural moment, as well as some creative ways to step outside of fear and into participation in serving God's kingdom practically during Covid-19.
Verses we mentioned: Judges 6, Mark 5, Ephesians 2, 1 Cor 1
With all that is going on in the world right now, it is easy to allow fear to rule. Join Richard, Molly, and Dominic Done as they chat through Corona Virus, and what it looks to respond as Jesus would during a world crisis.
Verses We Mentioned: 1 John 4:18, Matthew 6, 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 28, Hebrews 6:19,
Continuing on in our Spiritual Rhythms Series, Richard, Molly, and special guest Ruth Weller chat through the heart of Fasting. Westside has intentionally called the church to fast for our Seek Nights each month, so we spent time diving into the heartbeat behind why we abstain from food to create space to seek the face of God together as a community.
Verses we mentioned: Psalm 35:13, 1 Kings 18-19, Matthew 6:16
Resources we mentioned: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Join Richard, Ryan, and Shelbi as they chat through the theological and practical implications of disability, and how the Church can better support the uniquely abled communities.
Podcast Notes
Theology and Disability Class on March 11th and 18th. Register at westsideajc.org/learn
John 18: Peter’s Denial
Continuing on in the gospel of John, Richard, Molly, and special guest Jake Inman unpacks the humanity of Peter. Join us as we talk about the moments of weakness for Peter as he denies his allegiance to Jesus three different times.
Verses we mentioned: John 18:12-27, Luke 22
Classes we mentioned: Prayer Course: Register Online at westsideajc.org/hol
Friendship
Continuing on in our Spiritual Rhythms Series, Richard, Molly, and special guest Tim McDonald unpack the Spiritual Rhythms of Friendship. Friendship can be tough to navigate, but it turns out that the Bible has a lot to say about the importance and blessing of friendship.
Verses we mentioned: Exodus 17:12, Proverbs 27:6, 17,
Resources we mentioned: The Relational Soul by Richard Plass and James Cofield
John 18: Judas Betrays Jesus
We’re back in the book of John as we dive into the section of Scripture before Jesus goes to the cross. Join Richard and Molly as they unpack Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in the Garden.
Verses we mentioned: John 18:1-11, Matthew 6, Ezekiel 34
Classes we mentioned: The Book of Hebrews. Register online at westsideajc.org/hol
Join Richard, Molly, and Weston Brock as they answer questions YOU asked!
Verse we mentioned: Genesis 1, Exodus 34, Ezekiel 37
Join us for our upcoming class on the Book of Hebrews! Registration can be found at https://westsideajc.org/events/2020/02/book-of-hebrews