The Locker Room

How do you define the Kingdom of God? In Luke 13, Jesus doesn’t offer a tidy definition—He gives us two surprising images: a tiny mustard seed and a hidden bit of leaven. In this episode, we dig into the earthy, upside-down, and unstoppable nature of God’s Kingdom. It begins in the smallest, humblest places—a barren womb, a poor village, a crucified King—and yet it grows into something expansive and eternal.We’ll explore how this Kingdom is not about power the way the world defines it. It’s about extravagant generosity, radical surrender, and hidden transformation. It's not a system, a nation, or a Sunday service—it's the presence of a King who is remaking the world from the bottom up. And the question that cuts through all of it: Is Jesus your King?

In this week’s episode, we dive into the Parable of the Wise & Foolish Builders and explore what it means to set your foundation of your life on Jesus and obeying his teaching. We’ll discuss the importance of true obedience, digging deep, the importance of chaverim, and more.Preacher: Jason BotbylPassage: Luke 6:47-49Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Questions for The Locker Room?email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

In this thought-provoking 1-week "Crossroads U" class, we dive deep into the Bible, examining its content through the lens of archaeology and historical context. By exploring the physical and cultural backdrop of the scriptures, we uncover fascinating surprises that offer fresh perspectives, especially on the life of Jesus during the week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection.Through archaeological discoveries and historical records, we can trace the locations where Jesus lived, taught, and carried out His ministry—without requiring a leap of faith. These tangible, historical facts help confirm that Jesus was a real historical figure and provide a richer understanding of the world He walked in.However, while we can confidently assert the reality of His existence and the key events of His life, faith becomes crucial when it comes to understanding the deeper significance of those events. It is through faith that we come to believe in the divine nature of Jesus and embrace His teachings and sacrifice. This elective doesn’t just highlight the historical Jesus; it challenges us to reflect on who He claimed to be and what His life and resurrection mean for us today.Join us as we uncover the historical and archaeological context behind Jesus' final days and explore the intersection of faith, history, and the profound impact of His life. Whether you’re a believer or simply curious about the historical Jesus, this class offers compelling insights that will deepen your faith and understanding.SIGN UP HERE: The Chronology and Coins of Christ: Passion Week

In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Bartlett, Director of Crossroads Adoption and Foster Care, and Stephanie Teslaa, Community Care Pastor, to dive into the message of Matthew 21, where Jesus challenges empty religiosity and calls for true repentance. Together, we explore how outward religious actions can sometimes obscure genuine heart change and discuss how, in both our marriages and service to the least of these, we are called to draw from a deeper, God-centered source.This conversation emphasizes how true transformation in our relationships and ministries comes from cultivating a deeper connection with God, allowing Him to shape our hearts and actions in a way that truly reflects His love and grace.Contact Stephanie for the marriage retreat audio: steslaa@crossroads-bible.orgMarriage CurriculumConnect with Jamie to learn more about serving in our foster care and adoption ministry:jbartlett@crossroads-bible.orgCarePortal Sign-Up Link

We sit down with Rod and Libby as we dive deep into the journey of becoming and making disciples, exploring the powerful invitation Jesus gives to His followers: "Come" and "Go." Jesus' first words to His disciples invite them to come and follow Him, but His last command sends them out to make disciples of all nations. But here's the key—before we can go, we must first come and be trained.Discipleship isn't just a set of teachings; it's a transformative relationship where we become just like the rabbi in every area of our lives. Yet in America, we've missed an essential piece: the role of the rabbi. A rabbi is not just a spiritual peer—just as a coach isn't a player, or a parent isn't a child, a rabbi isn't just one of the sheep. They guide and train, preparing disciples to live out their calling.So, who is your rabbi? Who is training you to walk in Jesus' footsteps? And are you training others in turn? Discipleship doesn’t just happen in church—it happens in our daily lives, in the spaces where we work, parent, and live. It’s about living out faith in the everyday, and actively discipling those around us.As we explore the Hebrew word for "come," which can be plural, we discover that this invitation is not just for you—it’s for all y’all. Discipleship isn’t a solo mission. It’s a community effort, a group of Havarim—fellow followers of Jesus, united in mission under the guidance of a rabbi.Are you discipling others? If you can't name names, this episode will challenge you to reconsider how you are living out the Great Commission.

Today Tryg sits down with Joe Stowell to talk about his latest book This Light of Mine: Living Like Jesus in a Non-Jesus World. Joe has a distinguished career in higher education and church leadership. He has served as President of Moody Bible Institute and Cornerstone University and has had the honor of pastoring several churches in the Midwest. An internationally recognized conference speaker, Joe has written devotionals for Our Daily Bread and authored several books, including Strength for the Journey, The Trouble with Jesus, Simply Jesus, and Redefining Leadership: Character-Driven Habits of Effective Leaders. He and his wife, Martie, enjoy the pleasure of three children and ten grandchildren.

Laurie Krieg is the president of Impossible Ministries, a coaching/consulting, teaching, and podcasting ministry with the mission to equip Jesus-followers with a gospel-centered approach to marriage and sexuality. Laurie serves on the Board of Directors for The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, and is earning a master’s degree from Wheaton Graduate School in Evangelism and Leadership.

In this week’s episode, we dive into the Parable of the Ten Minas and explore what it means to invest in the Kingdom of God with everything we have. We’ll discuss how truly understanding God’s character is essential for this kind of investment, what it takes to follow through, and why many of us hesitate to do so. Join us as we unpack all of this and more!Preacher: Jason BotbylPassage: Luke 19:11-27Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Questions for The Locker Room?email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

We sit down with Nathan and Jana English to discuss the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15. We explore how both sons in the parable are lost in their own ways—each misunderstanding their relationship with their father. While the younger son’s journey is often the focus, it’s the older son’s mindset that can be just as revealing. We discuss how both brothers fail to embrace their true identity as sons, instead approaching their father through the lens of a slave—believing they must earn love and approval through their actions. Tune in to explore the deeper lessons about grace, identity, and how we can all shift from a mindset of earning to one of embracing the love freely given by a father who desires nothing more than to be in relationship with us.Preacher: Nathan EnglishPassage: Luke 15:11-31Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Questions for The Locker Room?email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

Many Christians live with no understanding of the spiritual war that they exist in every single day. Today, we sit down with Glenn Dunn (founder and president of Freedom and Faith Ministries) and Matt Kenney (Crossroads Adult & Family Ministries Pastor) to discuss the reality of spiritual warfare. What is it? How do we fight in it? How does it manifest itself today? Preacher: Tryg Veker Passage: Matthew 13:24–43 Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Questions for The Locker Room? email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org