Jersey Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Matt Read and Todd Smeltzer
The Jersey Church Podcast provides practical tips to equip people to care and connect others to Christ. We look forward to sharing helpful advice as we come together to make disciples who make disciples.
In this episode, Matt and Todd interview Heidi Wilson, Jersey's Kids Minister. They discuss a variety of resources and the following topics related to kids and families:
I. How have kids and families weathered the pandemic?
II. How can families navigate busier schedules as things open up more?
III. What does it look like to be intentional with your kids currently?
IV. What does it look like to prioritize your marriage in this season?
Axis has excellent resources to help parents talk with, understand the culture of, and connect with their kids. This coupon allows you to sign up for an All Axis Pass for FREE! The code is: jerseychurchorglogin Add the Family $99 AAP to your cart and use the coupon code at checkout
Also, check out the following books:
Parenting Beyond Your Capacity: Connect Your Family to a Wider Community by: Reggie Joiner and Carey Neiuwhof
Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by: Kara Powell & Chap Clark
In this episode, Matt and Todd interview Tyler Morgan, Jersey's High School Minister. They discuss a variety of resources and the following topics related to students:
I. How have students weathered the pandemic?
II. How about parents of students?
III. How important is it for students to have adults investing in their lives?
IV. If someone feels called to invest in a student, where should they begin?
Axis has excellent resources to help parents talk with, understand the culture of, and connect with their kids. This coupon allows you to sign up for an All Axis Pass for FREE! The code is: jerseychurchorglogin Add the Family $99 AAP to your cart and use the coupon code at checkout
Also, check out the following books:
It's Not Too Late: The Essential Part You Play in Shaping Your Teen's Faith by: Dan Dupee
18 Plus: Parenting Your Emerging Adult by: Steven Argue & Kara Powell
Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by: Kara Powell & Chap Clark
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a new season focused on following Christ in a Pandemic as they continue their discussion about discovering how the Lord's calling relates to the Great Commission.
I. The Great Commission is for Every Believer
II. Connecting Our Calling to the Great Commission
III. The Great Commission Becomes a Lifestyle
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a new season focused on following Christ in a Pandemic as they continue their discussion about discovering the Lord's calling for your life.
I. From a Broken Spirit to Steps of Faith
II. Remember What Faith Is
III. Remember How Deeply God Values Our Faith
IV. Remember What Jesus Taught His Followers About Faith
Click here to check out the book Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram.
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a new season focused on following Christ in a Pandemic through discovering the Lord's calling for your life.
I. What is Calling
II. Dislocated Heart
III. Developing a Dislocated Heart
IV. Broken Spirit
Click here to check out the book Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram.
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a new season focused on following Christ in a Pandemic by looking at practical questions to consider when looking for community with others.
I. Format of Group
II. Type of Group
III. Style of Group
IV. Size of Group
If you are not currently part of a group, check out GroupConnect here.
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a new season focused on following Christ in a Pandemic by looking at God's design for His followers to be in community with one another.
I. Biblical Foundation
II. Personal Examples
III. Start Small
IV. Pray and Obey
If you are not currently part of a group, check out GroupConnect here.
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a new season focused on following Christ in a Pandemic by looking at the significance of prayer in our present circumstances.
I. Why pray?
II. Significance of praying in a pandemic
III. Listening
IV. Obeying
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a new season focused on following Christ in a Pandemic by looking at practical ways to connect with Christ in today's world.
I. Time with Him
II. What can our daily time with Him look like?
III. Importance of having a plan
Click here for our NT21 Bible Reading Plan.
In this episode, Matt and Todd begin a new season discussing practical ways to proactively live out your faith as we begin our second year of the COVID crisis.
I. Christ - everything begins with connecting with Him
II. Community - then, He invites us to walk alongside others
III. Calling - as we accomplish what He has prepared for us to do
IV. Commission - while fulfilling the Great Commission
This is our last podcast for 2020. In this year end episode, Matt and Todd share their favorite Christmas memory and why it's important to plan your year end.
I. Planning time to plan
II. Planning time for yourself
III. Planning time for your family
IV. Planning time to care for others
In this episode, Matt and Todd finish their mini-series on how people grow spiritually.
I. Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness
II. Our response and our desires
III. Spiritual growth is a process
IV. Taking an inventory
Click here for a look at How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a mini-series on how people grow spiritually, as they focus on how the Bible helps people grow.
I. The Bible anchors God as the source of all growth
II. Engaging with God's Word
III. Applying God's Word
IV. Personal examples
Click here for a look at How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a mini-series on how people grow spiritually, as they focus on how God uses people in the process.
I. The role the Body plays in spiritual growth
II. Why you must have relationships to grow
III. The importance of connection
IV. The importance of discipline and structure
V. The importance of grace and forgiveness
Click here for a look at How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a mini-series on how people grow spiritually, as they focus on the Holy Spirit's role in helping us grow.
I. The Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus
II. The Holy Spirit gives us security
III. The Holy Spirit is our counselor
IV. Practical Spirit-filled living
Click here for a look at How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue a mini-series on how people grow spiritually.
I. God's part in helping people grow
II. Viewing God through grace and not the law
III. Depending on Jesus for growth
Click here for a look at How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
In this episode, Matt and Todd begin a mini-series on how people grow spiritually.
I. Spiritual growth isn't separate from your life, it affects all of your life
II. Reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel
III. What does it look like in practice
Click here for a look at How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
In this episode, Matt and Todd share insights and details about what it means to make a commitment to a Relational Discipleship Group.
I. Offer yourself fully to the Lord as you anticipate a season of accelerated spiritual transformation
II. Meet weekly with your RD Group for approx. 60-90 min; when unable, stay involved
III. Commit to five weekly disciplines
- Scripture memory
- Prayer and Bible Reading
- H.E.A.R. Journal
- Application
- Evangelism
IV. Intentionally contribute to a climate of confidentiality, honesty, and transparency
V. Pray weekly for the members of your group and your One's
VI. Pray and look for other people to invite into your next RD Group
Click here to take a look at the RD Group Overview
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss what a person should consider if they have never experienced being intentionally discipled.
I. You are not alone
II. Don't let your past keep you from obeying the Great Commission in the future
III. Don't let thinking you can't do it keep you from praying and obeying the Lord's leading
IV. Don't let go of the Spirit's prompting to be involved
In this episode Matt and Todd interview special guest, Chris Goebel, Disciple Maker and long-time member of Jersey Church. Together they discuss the following questions:
I. What has the Lord used in the past to help you mature in Christ?
II. What was your initial reaction to RD as a potential compliment to these means of spiritual growth?
III. How did the Lord bring you to the point of giving RD a try?
IV. What makes RD different?
V. How have you seen the Lord use RD in the lives of the other people in your RD Group?
VI. What would you say to someone who senses the Lord is calling them to something more than they are currently experiencing in following Him?
RD Overview - click here
RD Starter Guide - click here
In this episode Todd interviews Matt and special guest, Cindy Taylor, the Grow Ministry Assistant and Women's Ministry Director at Jersey Church. Together they discuss the following questions:
I. What challenges have you faced in considering RD with an already busy schedule?
II. How have you overcome these challenges?
III. Describe the difference between adding RD to the end of an already long "To Do List" vs. making going deeper with the Lord your #1 priority.
IV. Yes, RD is one more thing to do each week, but what are some ways it can impact the 100 other things you have to do?
V. Final thought: What would you say to someone who gets the biblical mandate to make disciples and the value in doing so, but has initially put it off because they are too busy?
This is part 4 of a 4-part series that corresponds to a companion resource that walks RD Groups through the process of multiplying. The fourth and final conversation introduces the following two important topics:
I. Celebration
II. Commission
You can download the RD Group Multiply Guide here.
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
This is part 3 of a 4-part series that corresponds to a companion resource that walks RD Groups through the process of multiplying. The third conversation introduces the following three topics:
I. Where to start when inviting potential people
II. Overcoming the challenge of it looking different than you expected
III. Overcoming the challenge of not knowing a person well
You can download the RD Group Multiply Guide here.
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
This is part 2 of a 4-part series that corresponds to a companion resource that walks RD Groups through the process of multiplying. The second conversation introduces the following three topics:
I. Identifying potential members
II. What to look for?
III. Group Exercise
You can download the RD Group Multiplication Guide here.
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
In this episode Matt and Todd begin a 4-part series that corresponds to a companion resource that walks RD Groups through the process of multiplying. The first conversation answers the following three questions:
I. Why multiply?
II. Who will multiply?
III. When will we multiply?
You can download the RD Group Multiplication Guide here.
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
In this episode Matt and Todd discuss how RD is uniquely positioned to fly under the radar with the least amount of restrictions, and with significant impact in this season.
I. The need is great
II. RD is a place to process
III. RD is a place to pray
IV. RD is a place to prepare
To register or see a recording of the upcoming RD Interest Meeting over Zoom on Sunday, September 13 from 6:00-6:30PM email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
In this episode Matt and Todd discuss how beginning with the end in mind changes the perspective of your RD Group throughout the time you are together.
I. Helps with selecting the right people
II. Helps with setting the right expectations
III. Casts a clearer vision of the future
IV. Sets a precedence to revisit periodically
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss how to go about inviting people to join you in your next RD Group.
I. Your invitation communicates your expectation
II. What Not to do
III. What To do
Resources:
RD Overview
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss who and what to look for with inviting people to join you in Relational Discipleship.
I. Who to look for
II. Where to look
III. What to do if you're struggling to find people o F.A.I.T.H.
IV. Why not move forward with anyone who is interested
RD Overview
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss our first priority when it comes to the Great Commission, which is discipleship in our homes.
I. What does it mean to disciple your kids?
II. The connection between relationships and rules
III. Listening and responding well
IV. Practical next steps that any parent, grandparent, or guardian can take
Resources:
Replicate Bible Reading Plans for Adults, Teens, Kids - Replicate
Our Daily Bread for Kids - Daily Bread
Kingdom Family Devotions - Tony & Jonathan Evans
The Action Bible Devotional - Action Bible
Parent Cue
Dedicated: Training Your Children to Trust and Follow Jesus
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss what you will highlight during the third week of your RD Group.
I. Application
II. Evangelism - Who's Your One
III. Time Between Meetings
The companion resource for this episode is the RD Group Starter Guide. Click here to download a copy.
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
Register your new RD Group today so we can send helpful resources and celebrate what the Lord does in your group. Click here to register, then scroll to the middle of the page.
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss what you will be highlighting during the second week of your RD Group.
I. What the normal RD Group rhythm looks like
II. Praying for one another
III. Importance of scripture memory
IV. What is a H.E.A.R. Journal?
The companion resource for this episode is the RD Group Starter Guide. Click here to download a copy.
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
Register your new RD Group today so we can send helpful resources and celebrate what the Lord does in your group. Click here to register, then scroll to the middle of the page.
In this episode, Matt and Todd begin a new season focused on Relational Discipleship (RD) Groups. The first meeting of an RD Group typically consists of the following three objectives:
I. Getting to know one another
II. Setting expectations
III. Committing to one another
The companion resource for this episode is the RD Group Starter Guide. Click here to download a copy.
For more information about RD Groups email us at disciple@jerseychurch.org.
Register your new RD Group today so we can send helpful resources and celebrate what the Lord does in your group. Click here to register, then scroll to the middle of the page.
In this episode, Todd interviews Doug Pollock, author of the book, God Space: Where Spiritual Conversations Happen Naturally. Doug shares a wealth of practical advice from his personal experience in speaking, training, and helping people increase the quality and quantity of their spiritual conversations.
I. Start with where people are in relationship to God and not where we want them to be
II. What does it look like to create God Space in the middle of a pandemic?
III. Importance of being led by the Holy Spirit
IV. What do you listen for as you become more curious about others?
V. How do you overcome relationships that are dormant or appear to be at a dead end?
godsgps.com
God Space by Doug Pollock
Listening Test
Reluctant Witness article
In this episode, Matt and Todd have the privilege of interviewing the Senior Pastor of Jersey Church, John Hays. Pastor John is passionate about sharing the gospel and shares a number of helpful insights and personal examples.
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss the importance of wondering or being curious about your One.
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Noticing
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Serving
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Listening
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Wondering
Resources:
- God Space by: Doug Pollock
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss what it can look like to find common ground with your One.
- Where do we stand with culture currently?
- Meeting your One where they are, and not where you want them to be
- Finding agreement
- Questions to ask
- Actions to take
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss the importance of being intentional with your One.
- Not a project or a program, but a person
- Friendship
- Compassion
- Sacrifice
- 4 Questions to ask yourself about your One:
- What can I say or do for my One that I would want done for me?
- What is one way I can be a friend to my One?
- How is the Lord moving me to have compassion for my One?
- What is the Lord leading me to sacrifice next for my One?
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss different ways we can make Gospel Conversations more difficult than they need to be.
- Working out of shame and guilt
- Dealing with false expectations
- Acting as if it is all up to you
- Misplaced focus
In this episode, Matt and Todd talk about what it means to have a Gospel Conversation.
- Why share the gospel?
- Definition of a gospel conversation
- Examples of sharing: spontaneous and relational
In this episode, Matt and Todd talk about what it looks like to refocus on Who's Your One.
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Recognize change is constant
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Restart with praying and caring
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Acknowledge challenges, and seize opportunities
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Remember you are not alone
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue discussing what we could be learning from COVID-19 (Part 5 of 5):
I. Trusting in our own competence
II. Lack of competency brings shame
III. Secure in God's love for us as His children
IV. Application
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue discussing what we could be learning from COVID-19 (Part 4):
What is control?
What about the Sovereignty of God and the Goodness of God?
Four steps to help us surrender to the Sovereign King:
- Ask the Lord to reveal what you are trying to hold onto other than Jesus
- Pray for forgiveness and ask what area He would have you focus on first
- Repent and believe the good news
- Use this time to learn to follow Him in this area of your life
In this episode, Matt and Todd continue discussing what we could be learning from COVID-19 (Part 3):
Limit exposure to the news
Practice taking every thought captive
Dispute worry with God's Word
Stop imagining and deal with reality
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss more about what we could be learning from COVID-19 (Part 2):
Biblical Perspective
Personal Perspective
Practical Advice
- Reflect on how your new structures are working
- Evaluate how your new routine is going
- Schedule time for relationships
- Enduring AND Growing through the crisis
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss what we could be learning from COVID-19; such as:
- Set your mind on the things of God, not the things of man
- Lean into what God wants to show you about yourself
- Remember, we were designed for relationships
- With our Heavenly Father
- With one another
Email us and let us know:
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Who you could help connect to an online group
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What God is teaching you
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What you would like us to talk more about during COVID-19
tsmeltzer@jerseychurch.org / mread@jerseychurch.org
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss ways to make the most of Good Friday, Easter, and beyond during the Coronavirus.
- Inviting people to join you:
- Online for a brief time of worship and the Lord's Supper on Good Friday
- For our Drive Up & Call In Services on Easter Sunday
- Online for one of our Easter Sunday Services
- For an online study of the book of Mark after Easter
- Ways to celebrate Easter with your immediate family
In this episode, Todd and Matt discuss the Coronavirus from these perspectives:
- Inward
- What if a person is overwhelmed?
- Using our time wisely
- Outward
- Broad approach - Facebook Watch Parties
- Narrow approach - specific ways to serve others
In this episode, Matt and Todd discuss ways to respond to the Coronavirus:
Revisit the Great Commission
Examples from the First Century Church
Value of Solitude
How to have Community in the midst of Social Distancing
- For assistance with finding a group contact us at grow@jerseychurch.org
Episode NotesIn this episode, Matt and Todd talk about the following aspects of praying for your One:
How to Pray now that you have your One
The importance of the Lord leading you to your One
Asking the Lord about your One
Importance of having other people praying for your One
In this episode, Matt and Todd talk about the following aspects of finding your One:
Persevering in prayer
Finding someone you can care for
Connecting with people in your sphere of influence
Can you have more than one?
How can you know the Lord is leading you to your One?
In this episode, Matt and Todd share the purpose behind the Jersey Church Podcast. They also share a portion of their stories and what listeners can expect from the podcast moving forward.