Willow Creek Weekend Podcast

Life stages are inevitable as we age and make our way closer to eternity. We come into the world needing those around us to care for, nurture, lead, teach, and love us. As we near the end of life, we often find we need similar things: care, nurturing, guidance, and love as our minds and bodies decline. The full-circle nature of life is inevitable. Pastor Dave Dummitt teaches from Exodus 20:12, Matthew 18:1–5, and Colossians 3:18–25 to show what God says about parenthood and childhood—reminding us how we will always retain our childhood as God’s kids.

Trad wives. Toxic masculinity. Fourth-wave feminism. The “manosphere.” Egalitarianism. Complementarianism. What do all these terms have in common? They represent ways to view or interpret what it means to be a woman or man. They have helped shape our culture both within and outside of the church. Pastors Megan Marshman and Shawn Williams unpack Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 2:15–22, and  Ephesians 5 to show the beautiful harmony that can be achieved when tradition and cultural expectations are put in their proper place, and God’s vision for manhood and womanhood is elevated.

We all have multiple roles we play in life, whether that be a son or daughter, friend, parent, or spouse. From the moment we are born, expectations are placed on us that seep into the identities we take on. Sometimes, these identities fit, and other times, they feel like clothing three sizes too big—they weigh us down. We are products of our families, cultures, and environments—often, our circumstances feed more into who we see ourselves as than anything else.Pastor Dave Dummitt opens up Genesis 1:26-28 and Luke 3:22 to show the remarkable foundation of a life lived with purpose and meaning—the truth of Jesus’ identity. If the Son of God was assured of His identity before He set out to live into His purpose, how much more do we, as His followers, need the same?

There are real and major conflicts constantly going on throughout the world. When the conflict feels far, it can feel overwhelming to the point of paralysis. How could I possibly help? We might also tune it out because, after all, it doesn’t affect our day-to-day lives. In this message, we look to 2 Samuel 19:9-15, where David builds a bridge with his enemies. When we see the reality of conflicts, prayerfully seek God for guidance, and take a step forward, we can collectively make our world a better place.

You make choices that impact those around you every day. But what happens when the internal conflict you are dealing with hurts others? How do you deal with the conflict you have caused? Pastor Dave dives into 2 Samuel 12 and narrows in on a moment in King David’s life where he mismanaged things in a way that deeply and tragically impacted the lives of those around him. King David decided to take a step back from his kingly responsibilities and instead, ended up initiating an affair with a woman named Bathsheba. A marriage is destroyed, a couple of pregnancies happen, and people end up suffering. What a mess—and one we can learn from.When we have caused the conflict around us, the best course of action is to turn to God, acknowledge our responsibility, repent, and repair the conflicts we’ve caused.

The earliest conflict between people in the Bible occurs between two brothers, Cain and Abel. All the way back in the beginning of humanity, rivalry and dissension were present—everything from sibling rivalry, failed marriages, broken friendships, arguments in the workplace, conflicts in neighborhoods, wars, and much more. Pastor Dave Dummitt uses 2 Samuel 6 to bring understanding to the cause of conflict around us and to teach different strategies that help move us toward healing in those relationships.

We want to eat healthy, but we grab the donut. We want to stay focused, but we grab the phone and mindlessly scroll. We commit to prioritizing our friends and family, yet work obligations continuously win out. We experience trauma or grief, but avoid it instead of healing from it. We pictured our life one way, but we’re living another reality. Our lives are filled with internal conflicts. Megan Marshman teaches out of 1 Samuel and Psalm 13 to remind us that when we’re faced with conflict in our hearts and minds, we can find healing by surrendering to Jesus.

What is worship? We often think of singing, the worship band, or worship artists that lead us through songs praising God. That is a part of worship–but not all of it! Worship can be a much larger part of our lives than we might think. It can be extended into our prayers, our service, and even through Christian meditation. Put simply, worship is a way to remember what God has done for us, to thank Him for it, and to demonstrate to those around us what a relationship with God looks like; all while acknowledging His power and help. Pastor Thomas explores Romans 12 as he explains how worship extends into every part of our lives—from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep again—and how we can live our lives in worship.

Christmas might not always be “the most wonderful time of the year.” For some, it really is wonderful. But for others, it can be the hardest time of the year. Mourning of the life we thought we’d have or experiencing the first holiday without a loved one—Christmas can be filled with more anxiety than joy. In the midst of the challenge, Luke 1:46–55 points us to Jesus—the Prince of Peace—who is making all things right. Jesus, as the Prince of Peace, reminds us that this is only a glimpse of the goodness He ushered in at His birth and continues to unfold.

We learn through imitation well into childhood. We acquire so much from our parents—for better or worse—and often view God through the lenses of those experiences. In Matthew 19:13–14, we see Jesus rebuking His disciples as they turn away eager parents longing for Jesus to pray for their children. Pastor Dave Dummitt reminds us that no matter our earthly experience, our Everlasting Father is the unchanging Father we all long for.