Zach Zehnder's Blog
September 8, 2025
John Ortberg on What the Gospel is According to Jesus, Dallas Willard’s Theology in a Lutheran Frame, and Why Churches Should Be More Like AA Meetings
John Ortberg unpacks what the Gospel according to Jesus is, how Dallas Willard’s theology informs us still today, why all of us should strive to be apprentices of Jesus, and why churches need to take the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous back. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
In the conversation with John Ortberg, we address the importance of spiritual disciplines. Why not practice the spiritual disciplines of Jesus? To help you go deeper into leading yourself (and your church) to building the habits of Jesus, we’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Being Challenge.
Many Christians today aren’t great at maintaining the habits of Jesus.
Even the most “mature” Christians struggle with opening up in community, prioritizing prayer, and seeking regular solitude. But that doesn’t have to be your story.
Being Challenge guides you through 40 days of practical, simple-to-understand challenges to help you learn, develop, and grow in the five keystone habits of Jesus.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Resources mentioned in the episode
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg
The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
Renovaré & Spiritual Formation resources
Red Letter Living resources
Voices of the LCMS YouTube Videos
Key insights from the episode:
“Spiritual formation is not optional; it’s happening all the time.” – John Ortberg“Everyone is being formed by something. The question is: who are you apprenticed to?” – John Ortberg
“Transformation starts inside and naturally flows outward.” – John Ortberg
“AA got the 12 steps from the church, and now the church needs them back.” – John Ortberg
“Apprenticeship to Jesus is the best way to be human.” – John Ortberg
John Ortberg’s Challenge: Choose one practice of Jesus this week (silence, solitude, prayer, or service) and live into it daily as His apprentice.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.
The post John Ortberg on What the Gospel is According to Jesus, Dallas Willard’s Theology in a Lutheran Frame, and Why Churches Should Be More Like AA Meetings appeared first on Red Letter Living.
July 9, 2025
6 Steps to Help Your Church Crush Advent This Year
Pastors and church leaders, if you are not planning to implement a daily Advent practice at your church, your people will practice Advent somewhere else. In fact, they already are. This is a significant opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. In light of that, we’d love to partner with your church for a powerful 25-Day Advent experience called Red Letter Advent.
Advent calendars have been making a significant impact in recent years, with a staggering 1738% increase in page views for beauty advent calendars in November 2023 over just 45 days. In 2022, beauty calendars accounted for 31% of all advent calendar sales, surpassing the popularity of traditional Christmas greeting cards. This trend is not limited to beauty products, as other categories, such as beer, chocolates, wine, jewelry, Lego, and hair products, have also seen a surge in popularity.
As a church, have we seized this unique opportunity to guide our congregation’s understanding of Advent amidst the growing fascination with advent calendars? We must ensure our people comprehend the true essence of Advent, not just its surface-level appeal.
Even though the average person may not be able to define Advent, it’s attracting customers by the truckloads. One of the reasons is the routine. Each day, a surprise awaits as we countdown to Christmas. It’s not a complex concept to grasp, and it’s surface-level stuff. A 25-day numbered box with perforated-edge windows to open each day and some trinkets inside is pretty simple to figure out. Things don’t have to be complicated to be catchy. But what if we could show them the depth of meaning and the essential part that Advent plays in all our lives? Not to complicate Advent, but it’s still a simple message, after all:
“For unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given.”
But let’s give Advent some grip, some stickiness. Let’s make it more than just a ten-second activity. The real meaning and intent of Advent will provide people with some real hope behind the hype.
People Want (And Need) A Challenge!Last year, Barna shared results from a survey asking people what their most meaningful church experience was. They overwhelmingly answered that the day-to-day mentoring and studying the practice of following Jesus meant the most.
While many pastors hope people will remember the carefully crafted sermons they spent weeks crafting or the beautiful music they rehearsed for hours and hours, Barna shows us that service and discipleship are the two most meaningful acts for a Christian. You know what that means? It means people want (and need) to be challenged to actually walk out the faith they claim to have.
Your most devoted people are looking for mentoring in discipleship, and a clear path of celebrating and practicing Advent can provide that opportunity.
It’s been proven that people’s habits are more open to change during Christmas. So,
1) if the idea of Advent is trending in our culture,
2) if people are more likely to adopt a new habit during the holidays,
3) and if discipleship is what 70% of your faithful church attendees are looking for,
It only makes sense that you go all in on celebrating Advent.
6 Steps to Planning AdventWhile it may seem early to plan for Advent in the summer, the Christmas season is closer than we think. In fact, in a survey with more than 200 pastors responding, 86% of those churches have their Advent plans figured out by the end of Q3, so summer is the perfect time to get your Advent plans locked in. Starting early helps you avoid the stress of last-minute planning and ensure a successful Advent season.
We have six straightforward steps to kickstart your planning process.
1. PrayWithout getting too preachy, Christmas belongs to Jesus. It’s not just His day; it’s His season. So before I begin planning “my” Christmas, spend time asking Jesus how I, my family, and our church can be a part of HIS Christmas. Things suddenly become much clearer and simpler when I look at Christmas that way!
2. Pick a ThemeSure, the plan and theme are around the birth of Jesus and how it changes everything. But, how do you say this in a new way for this current year you are in? Sometimes, because of the busyness of the pastor’s job, picking a theme for Advent can get your leftovers. It sure has for me in the past. So, after praying, settle on a theme for the year. And, if you need help with a theme, this is why we created Red Letter Advent: 25 Days of Unboxing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
3. Gather Your TeamI don’t care what size church you have, whether you are on a team ministry of 50+ people or a solo pastor, it may just be you and your secretary, or your wife, or a couple of teen interns who help you out on Sunday morning…but Advent takes a team. You need other people to help you serve. And they need it, too! Begin by making a list. Then, contact each person with a specific request. Don’t just ask them to serve on a team or committee; be specific about what you need them to do. And don’t feel like you need to pitch an easy ask. Remember: the faithful want to be challenged!
4. Share the PlanLeading up to Christmas, note what dates the four Sundays of Advent are and any other Advent-related midweek opportunities at your church. Once you have a clear plan, create graphics indicating where/when you want your people to show up or be involved. Print them off and share them in your bulletins, printed pieces, and all digital communication.
5. Do Your Reading and ResearchIf you have a theme picked, begin your reading. This can be the part that takes months. If you don’t have time (many pastors don’t) consider choosing a resource that comes with a theme already chosen, and a library of FREE resources to go with it. Look for resources that you can use for midweek or small group opportunities, kids curriculum for Sunday mornings, graphics that pop, etc.
6. Write Your SermonsLastly, get your sermons written out early. You may change them later, and that’s totally acceptable. But the more you prepare ahead of time, the better you will feel! I found in the past that writing Advent sermons was the most time-consuming of all sermons to write. Maybe it was because of the busyness of the church and family calendar or because it was too similar a theme each year. Still, I had a difficult time feeling like my material was fresh. Again, this is a significant reason that we created Red Letter Advent for you.
Whether you choose to team with our newest project or not, I pray that this Advent celebration can be powerful for your church. I hope that the fascination with Advent continues to grow, but even more importantly, that you and your people will indeed receive the gifts Jesus gives you in His birthday month.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your Advent plans settled, and breathe a little bit easier knowing that your December plans are way ahead of schedule!
You can find more info about Red Letter Advent here. You can purchase your materials here. The only way to guarantee getting in the 2025 Advent Launch Group is to order your materials early. Also, if you’d like to see an 80-page sample of this work, you can go here.
Blessings!
The post 6 Steps to Help Your Church Crush Advent This Year appeared first on Red Letter Living.
May 26, 2025
Long Live Freedom: Why We Should Remember Two German Teenagers from WW2 on Memorial Day
When I think about Memorial Day, I think about sacrifice. I (Allison) think about my grandfathers Lewis Buck who served in the US Army in Belgium and Deahl Williams who served in the Air Force in World War 2. I think about Zach’s grandfather Elmer Theiroff who went from farmer to serving the US Army in the Philippines. I think about those who gave their lives for freedom, people who were brave and chose courage over comfort. In America, these are the soldiers we remember, the heroes in uniform.
So it might seem strange to have a blog on Memorial Day about two German teenagers growing up and even participating in Hitler’s regime, some of the darkest hours in human history. They were part of the group that our grandfathers were fighting. Why would we write a blog about them? Weren’t they on the wrong side?
Yes, they started off on the wrong side, but they didn’t end up there. And their faith in Jesus had a lot to do with it. Hans and Sophie Scholl were Lutherans growing up in Nazi Germany. At first glance, they seemed like most college students: idealistic, thoughtful, and excited about their future. But, when faced with evil, they decided to stand up and speak out.
They paid for that courage with their lives.
A Different Kind of BraveLike many kids in Germany in the 1930s, Hans and Sophie joined the Hitler Youth as teenagers. This was a group that exploded from 100,000 members in 1932 to 4 million youth in 1935, just three years later. At first, it seemed exciting, like joining the Boy Scouts. Community, purpose, uniforms, torch-lit rallies all felt like a fun movement. But underneath the surface, Hans and Sophie’s father Robert saw what was coming. He warned them about the Nazi ideology: “These are wolves. They are misusing the German people terribly.”
As they grew older, Hans and Sophie began to see it too. They loved reading, thinking, hiking, discussing big ideas. But Nazi Germany didn’t want young people to think for themselves. It wanted control. Uniformity. Obedience. One day Hans was caught reading the books of Stefan Zweig, the great Jewish writer. He loved Stefan Zweig’s short stories. But because Zweig was a Jew, Hans was told all of his writing was trash. That made Hans pause. What does race have to do with good writing and stories? It didn’t make sense to him.
Hans and Sophie were Lutherans, the largest protestant group (60%) in Germany at that time. They were raised reading the Bible, going to church, and believing that all people mattered to God. But they soon realized something terrifying: everything the Nazis stood for was a direct attack on the message of Jesus. Where Hans and Sophie believed the Gospel taught that every human life has dignity, Nazism preached power, race, and superiority. Where Christianity calls us to love our neighbors, the Nazis told people to hate and divide. Nazism reduced humanity to animals, and the Scholl siblings just couldn’t accept it. So they, along with a few fellow students and Christian friends, started a secret group.
The White RoseThey called themselves The White Rose. No one knows for sure where the name came from, but their mission was clear: resist the Nazi regime by telling the truth. The group read many Christian authors including Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine. In the summer of 1942, pooling their money together, they bought a typewriter, a duplicator, stacks of paper and stamps and wrote thousands of anonymous leaflets. Each one boldly called for Germans to reject Hitler’s lies and return to God.
These weren’t angry rants. There was not a single mention of violence. They were carefully written, deeply theological, and passionate. Here is a part of the very first leaflet the published,
Every individual has to consciously accept his responsibility as a member of western and Christian civilization in this last hour to arm himself as best he can to work against the scourge of humanity against fascism and every other form of the absolute state adopt passive resistance wherever you are block the functioning of this atheistic war machine before it is too late before our last city is a heap of rubble like cologne and before the last youth of our nation bleeds to death of the hubris of a subhuman.
Here is another part of the leaflets they produced,
“Every word that comes from Hitler’s mouth is a lie. When he says peace, he means war… When he speaks of God, he really means the power of evil—the fallen angel, Satan.”
They signed them “The White Rose.” And, for months, these leaflets spread quietly across Germany, hand-delivered, mailed, and even smuggled into other cities. Their voices were small, but they were speaking. They would not be silent.
The ArrestIn February 1943, less than one later, Hans and Sophie brought a suitcase full of leaflets to their university in Munich. As students left class, the siblings scattered the papers from a balcony down into the courtyard. The building’s caretaker, a loyal Nazi, saw them and called for their arrest.
Surprisingly, they didn’t run. Were they wanting to be martyrs? Did they know the jig was up? Were they tired of hiding? Who knows. But they were brave despite the worst happening.
At first the Nazi officers didn’t believe they were guilty. The young adults were well-educated, from good families, middle class, even had been part of the Hilter’s Youth group. Surely they weren’t the culprits. When Sophie was interrogated, the officer even gave her a chance to get off Scott-free by blaming her brother. She refused. “You are wrong,” she said. “I would do it all over again.”
Even in jail, Sophie and Hans were brave. Sophie’s cellmate remembers how she would look out through the barred windows at the sunshine and talk to herself out loud saying, “How many are dying? How many young lives full of hope? What difference will my death make if our actions arouse thousands of people?”
A few days later, the siblings were tried, sentenced to death, and executed by guillotine. They were allowed to see their parents one last time. Their mother and father brought them sweets and spoke proudly and lovingly to them. It would be the last time they ever saw each other.
Hans and Sophie were brave to the very end. Sophie was executed first. She left a single word written on a scrap of paper on her bed:
“Freedom.”
Hans’ final words before the guillotine fell echoed his sister’s last message:
“Long live freedom.”
Lives for FreedomHans and Sophie Scholl were just 24 and 21 years old. They didn’t have guns. They didn’t lead armies. But they had something stronger: faith, conviction, and courage born from the love of Christ. They believed in a God who had already won the ultimate victory.
This Memorial Day, as we honor those who have laid down their lives for our freedom, let’s also remember that there are many kinds of courage. Hans and Sophie remind us that boldness isn’t always about being loud, it’s about being faithful. Sometimes, loving your neighbor means speaking up.
Sometimes, being a disciple of Jesus means standing apart, even when it costs everything.
We, like them, all started off on the wrong side of the tracks according to Jesus. Our sin separated us from ever having a chance at eternal life. But Jesus came and through His life, death, and resurrection brought us back to His side as His children. The stories we tell and the life we show matters. Their Lutheran roots mattered. What their parents taught them and what they learned in church made all the difference in their short lives. And their legacy is a light that still shines.
In a world that still wrestles with evil, injustice, and lies, we need people who live like Hans and Sophie Scholl. People who carry the truth in love. People who know who they are, who they follow, and what they’re willing to give for others.
That’s what Memorial Day is about, not just honoring the past, but living in such a way that the sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
The post Long Live Freedom: Why We Should Remember Two German Teenagers from WW2 on Memorial Day appeared first on Red Letter Living.
April 22, 2025
099: Zach Zehnder on How Important Happiness Actually Is, What We’ve Gotten Wrong with Giving, and What Jesus Says About Saving and Storing
Zach Zehnder is a husband, father, author, 4th-gen pastor, and speaker. He founded Red Letter Living and wrote the bestselling Red Letter Challenge. Since 2018, he’s authored 10 books, including his newest book, coming this Fall, Giving Challenge. He serves as Teaching Pastor and Multisite Director at King of Kings, Omaha, NE. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living, particularly our newest 40-day book and sermon series called Giving Challenge. This Fall, on October 5, 2025, we are launching this new 40-day series worldwide, and we’d love for your church to get in. To find out more information, to join the first wave, to order some books, and stay up-to-date, visit www.redlettergiving.com.
This 40-day challenge will inspire generosity in your church, and it is well worth your investment. Disciples of Jesus are generous and this book will feature how each one of us can become generous like Jesus. Along with the books come a sermon series, a small group series, kids books, weekly kids Sunday School or kids church curriculum, graphics, and so much more. All of it is available, get in now, at www.redlettergiving.com and let this Fall be the season where the generosity of Jesus is unleashed in your church! Have questions? Email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com.
Resources mentioned in the episode
Giving Challenge Interest Form
Red Letter Disciple Podcast Episodes
True Riches by John Cortines and Gregory Baumer
Key insights from the episode:
Your money precedes your heart. If you want a heart like God’s, give to the causes God cares about. – Pastor Zach Zehnder
A relationship is more complicated than a percentage. – Pastor Zach Zehnder
I wrote this book [Giving Challenge] to help pastors be able to talk about money in a Christ-centered way. – Pastor Zach Zehnder
The way you use your money can bring happiness. – Pastor Zach Zehnder
Donating money creates a similar amount of happiness as doubling your income. – Pastor Zach Zehnder
Some of the happiest kids live in the poorest neighborhoods. – Pastor Chris Johnson
Zach Zehnder’s Challenge: Pray about generosity and then be generous!
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.
The post 099: Zach Zehnder on How Important Happiness Actually Is, What We’ve Gotten Wrong with Giving, and What Jesus Says About Saving and Storing appeared first on Red Letter Living.
April 15, 2025
098: Drew Formsma on Learning to Be a Speaker at 14 Years Old, and How He Teamed up with Candace Cameron-Bure to Help Kids Become Generous
Drew Formsma is a Gen Z speaker who connects with peers like no adult can. He began speaking globally on generosity at 14 and is now CMO of “I Like Giving.” He co-leads the Generous Kids Book Club with Candace Cameron-Bure and wrote Everyday Generosity at 16. Based in Nashville, TN, Drew is one to watch when it comes to learning more about generosity. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living, particularly our newest 40-day book and sermon series called Giving Challenge. This Fall, on October 5, 2025, we are launching this new 40-day series worldwide, and we’d love for your church to get in. To find out more information, to join the first wave, to order some books, and stay up-to-date, visit www.redlettergiving.com.
This 40-day challenge will inspire generosity in your church, and it is well worth your investment. Disciples of Jesus are generous and this book will feature how each one of us can become generous like Jesus. Along with the books come a sermon series, a small group series, kids books, weekly kids Sunday School or kids church curriculum, graphics, and so much more. All of it is available, get in now, at www.redlettergiving.com and let this Fall be the season where the generosity of Jesus is unleashed in your church! Have questions? Email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com.
Resources mentioned in the episode
Brad Formsma’s Giving resources
Everyday Generosity: Becoming a Generous Family in a Selfie World
Generous Family (Generous Kids Book Club)
Key insights from the episode:
Jesus did not give 10% of his blood. – Drew Formsma
Generosity is love in action. – Drew Formsma
Generosity is messy. – Drew Formsma
MEE: Model Generosity, Encourage, Engage in conversations. – Drew Formsma
Churches that are thriving start with the why. – Drew Formsma
Typically, generous churches are also thriving. – Drew Formsma
Jesus was extremely busy, but he was also interruptable. – Drew Formsma
Drew Formsma’s Challenge: Become aware of what your definition of generosity is, then give without expectation.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.
The post 098: Drew Formsma on Learning to Be a Speaker at 14 Years Old, and How He Teamed up with Candace Cameron-Bure to Help Kids Become Generous appeared first on Red Letter Living.
April 8, 2025
097: Grant Skeldon on Raising Up Disciples in the Next Generation, Why Pastors Chase Celebrity Status, and if Platform Gospel is the New Prosperity Gospel
Grant Skeldon is the Next Gen Director for Thinq Media, helping bridge faith and culture. He’s on the preaching team at Way Church in Nashville, where he and his wife, Cheyenne, also serve as Directors of Culture. They love discipleship, Spikeball, Smash Bros, and burgers at Jack Brown’s. Grant is one of the leading voices when it comes to raising up disciples in the next generation. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest. Being a church partner with HopeChest is an amazing two-way transformational experience for your whole church. Not only do you and your church get the joy of knowing you are making a difference, but you also get to experience the love of a community and learn from their community through multiple mission trips to your community overseas.
HopeChest’s model gets into a community, they establish a multi-year partnership, and then build up local leaders in the areas they work with. They develop community plans with clear exit strategies, focusing on empowerment of the local people, not a forever dependence on those of us who want to help. It truly is the “helping without hurting” model that I know as a pastor I looked for a long time in my global mission work. In my mind, they check all the right boxes.
Take a first step and get to know this organization more by going on a vision trip. They are getting ready for some summer vision trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia. You can find out about them and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. Thanks again to HopeChest for being our Season 8 Sponsor.
Resources mentioned in the episode
Key insights from the episode:
We treat salvation like it is the finish line; instead, it’s the launching pad. – Grant Skeldon
Mentorship is adding something to your calendar, but discipleship is adding someone to your calendar. – Grant Skeldon
If you want to be mentored by someone, find out what they like to do and join them.
Young people are more motivated to make a difference in the world. – Grant Skeldon
Don’t use Jesus as a stepping stone to build your wealth, platform, and purpose. – Grant Skeldon
Get the most influential young people to hang with the most influential older folks and do a retreat. – Grant Skeldon
Grant Skeldon’s Challenge: Text the older person who had an impact on you, and say thank you.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.
The post 097: Grant Skeldon on Raising Up Disciples in the Next Generation, Why Pastors Chase Celebrity Status, and if Platform Gospel is the New Prosperity Gospel appeared first on Red Letter Living.
April 1, 2025
096: Chad Bird on His Journey from a Truck Driver to Theology Writer, Why Some People See Jesus As An Intern, and What Jacob can Teach Us About Discipleship
Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517 Publishing. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest. Being a church partner with HopeChest is an amazing two-way transformational experience for your whole church. Not only do you and your church get the joy of knowing you are making a difference, but you also get to experience the love of a community and learn from their community through multiple mission trips to your community overseas.
HopeChest’s model gets into a community, they establish a multi-year partnership, and then build up local leaders in the areas they work with. They develop community plans with clear exit strategies, focusing on empowerment of the local people, not a forever dependence on those of us who want to help. It truly is the “helping without hurting” model that I know as a pastor I looked for a long time in my global mission work. In my mind, they check all the right boxes.
Take a first step and get to know this organization more by going on a vision trip. They are getting ready for some summer vision trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia. You can find out about them and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. Thanks again to HopeChest for being our Season 8 Sponsor.
Resources mentioned in the episode
The Christ Key: Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament by Chad Bird
Key insights from the episode:
The Psalms saved my life. – Chad Bird
In our limping, we learn how to steward our pain. – Chad Bird
Discipleship is all about following in the footsteps of our Lord. – Chad Bird
When you’re with Jesus, you’re always safe. – Chad Bird
Imagine all the heroes of the Bible as your next-door neighbors. – Chad Bird
Chad Bird’s Challenge: Pick a short book of the Bible and read or listen to it every day this week. (Bonus challenge: strike up a conversation about Jesus!)
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.
The post 096: Chad Bird on His Journey from a Truck Driver to Theology Writer, Why Some People See Jesus As An Intern, and What Jacob can Teach Us About Discipleship appeared first on Red Letter Living.
March 25, 2025
095: Jonathan Anderson on Winning the Little League World Series Championship, How Faith and Coaching Intersect, and How He Balances Church with Kids Sports
Jonathan Anderson, volunteer coach of the 2024 LLWS champion Lake Mary All-Stars, led his team with faith, passion, and sportsmanship. His viral final-inning speech inspired millions. He proved that respect for God and love for the game—not money—fuels true champions. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest. Being a church partner with HopeChest is an amazing two-way transformational experience for your whole church. Not only do you and your church get the joy of knowing you are making a difference, but you also get to experience the love of a community and learn from their community through multiple mission trips to your community overseas.
HopeChest’s model gets into a community, they establish a multi-year partnership, and then build up local leaders in the areas they work with. They develop community plans with clear exit strategies, focusing on empowerment of the local people, not a forever dependence on those of us who want to help. It truly is the “helping without hurting” model that I know as a pastor I looked for a long time in my global mission work. In my mind, they check all the right boxes.
Take a first step and get to know this organization more by going on a vision trip. They are getting ready for some summer vision trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia. You can find out about them and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. Thanks again to HopeChest for being our Season 8 Sponsor.
Resources mentioned in the episode
Little League Baseball World Series
Disney Honors Little League Team/Coach Video
Key insights from the episode:I tell the boys, “Take that pain and use that pain in your training.” – Coach Anderson
This was my calling, and I was taking every step to do that. – Coach Anderson
This is more than coaching baseball, it’s mental and character coaching. – Coach Anderson
You can fail 70% at bat and still succeed in baseball. – Coach Anderson
Jonathan Anderson’s Challenge: Train yourself with the Lord this week.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.
The post 095: Jonathan Anderson on Winning the Little League World Series Championship, How Faith and Coaching Intersect, and How He Balances Church with Kids Sports appeared first on Red Letter Living.
March 18, 2025
094: Jed Mullenix on How to Start a Citywide Jesus Movement Where Churches Work Together to Help a City Flourish
Jed Mullenix is the President of Within Reach, dedicated to uniting the church for the good of the community. With 15 years in church leadership across New England and Omaha, he’s passionate about developing leaders and teams for mission. He and his wife, Beth, have five children and enjoy the outdoors, travel, and gathering with friends. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest. Being a church partner with HopeChest is an amazing two-way transformational experience for your whole church. Not only do you and your church get the joy of knowing you are making a difference, but you also get to experience the love of a community and learn from their community through multiple mission trips to your community overseas.
HopeChest’s model gets into a community, they establish a multi-year partnership, and then build up local leaders in the areas they work with. They develop community plans with clear exit strategies, focusing on empowerment of the local people, not a forever dependence on those of us who want to help. It truly is the “helping without hurting” model that I know as a pastor I looked for a long time in my global mission work. In my mind, they check all the right boxes.
Take a first step and get to know this organization more by going on a vision trip. They are getting ready for some summer vision trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia. You can find out about them and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. Thanks again to HopeChest for being our Season 8 Sponsor.
Resources mentioned in the episode
State of the City Book by Within Reach and Barna Research
To Transform A City: Whole Church, Whole Gospel, Whole City by Eric Swanson
Key insights from the episode:How can we create strategic intersections for pastors running in their own lanes? – Jed Mullenix
It can be easier to ask church leaders for their money than their time. – Pastor Chris Johnson
We learned to listen rather than do. – Jed Mullenix
People want to experience Jesus as good before they believe Jesus is true. – Jed Mullenix
The school is the greatest portal into the community. – Jed Mullenix
Be a chief celebrator of your city. – Jed Mullenix
Jed Mullenix’s Challenge: Abide where you are. Live out Jesus’s most basic command wherever you are.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.
The post 094: Jed Mullenix on How to Start a Citywide Jesus Movement Where Churches Work Together to Help a City Flourish appeared first on Red Letter Living.
March 11, 2025
093: Peter Greer on Devoting His Life to Eradicating Poverty, How to Flip from a Scarcity to Abundance Mindset, and Why Hungry Hungry Hippos is the Worst Model for Life
Peter Greer is the president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered economic development organization. With experience in microfinance across Africa and Asia, he holds degrees from Messiah University and Harvard. Passionate about serving entrepreneurs, he has co-authored over 10 books on faith, leadership, and poverty alleviation. He lives in Lancaster, PA, with his wife and children. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living, particularly our newest 40-day book and sermon series called Giving Challenge. This Fall, on October 5, 2025, we are launching this new 40-day series worldwide, and we’d love for your church to get in. To find out more information, to join the first wave, to order some books, and stay up-to-date, visit www.redlettergiving.com.
This 40-day challenge will inspire generosity in your church, and it is well worth your investment. Disciples of Jesus are generous and this book will feature how each one of us can become generous like Jesus. Along with the books come a sermon series, a small group series, kids books, weekly kids Sunday School or kids church curriculum, graphics, and so much more. All of it is available, get in now, at www.redlettergiving.com and let this Fall be the season where the generosity of Jesus is unleashed in your church! Have questions? Email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com.
Resources mentioned in the episode
Ep 28 Red Letter Disciple Podcast Dr. Brain Fickert: When Helping Hurts
Rooting for Rivals by Peter Greer
Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter
Key insights from the episode:We invest in the dreams of people as we proclaim the good news of Jesus. – Peter Greer
Business and finance are incredibly important tools in helping communities break the cycle of poverty. – Peter Greer
Business requires extreme creativity. – Zach Zehnder
Poverty isolates us, so our answer is community. – Peter Greer
We have loaned out 1.8 billion dollars and have a 98% repayment rate. – Peter Greer
You wanna know how to destroy joy? Become obsessed with comparison. – Peter Greer
There’s still a rival, but it is not among Christian sisters and brothers. – Peter Greer
Your success does not come at my expense. – Peter Greer
The way we make decisions is what is best for the collective Christian movement, not our company itself. – Peter Greer
Peter Greer’s Challenge: Read John 17 and go actively find ways of living that out!
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here.Ser
The post 093: Peter Greer on Devoting His Life to Eradicating Poverty, How to Flip from a Scarcity to Abundance Mindset, and Why Hungry Hungry Hippos is the Worst Model for Life appeared first on Red Letter Living.
