Category Archives: Podcast Episodes

In the conclusion of a series on the seven final sayings of Christ from the cross, special guest Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church, provides some reflections on why the resurrection of Jesus Christ was such a powerful story in the first century and howContinue reading “Easter Discussion with Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced churches and pastors to do some things they had never before tried. The Rev. Gary Brooks, lead pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wichita is one of those people. His church, which has about 500 people in worship on a typical Sunday, had never livestreamed a service before theContinue reading “Adapting Church: Learning New Tools for Sharing the Gospel”

In the sixth of seven special episodes focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflection on Luke 23:36, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” The bishop shares his thoughts on how Jesus turned over His spirit to God after being beaten and mocked andContinue reading “Jesus on the Cross: “… I commend my spirit””

Designed for the youth group at Lawrence Central United Methodist Church, this online activity is meant to be completed within a two hour time frame. It must be completed by 4 p.m. Sunday, April 5. Each item is worth a point, with some questions offering opportunities for bonus points. The person who scores the mostContinue reading “Online Scavenger Hunt and Activities Sheet”

In the fifth of seven special episodes focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on John 19:28 and John 19:30, “I thirst” and “It is finished,” respectively. The bishop provides his reflections on these two verses and provides guidance of why the writer of theContinue reading “Jesus on the Cross: “I thirst” & “It is finished””

In the fourth of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on Mark 15:34, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” The bishop explains how these words from Jesus shouldn’t necessarily be looked atContinue reading “Jesus on the Cross: “Why have you forsaken me?””

In the third of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on John 19:26-27, “Woman, here is your son,” and “Here is your mother.” The bishop explains how Jesus gives us a glimpse into how ChristiansContinue reading “Jesus on the Cross: a Mother and a Son”

In the second of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on Luke 23:43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Through this statement to a criminal on the cross, JesusContinue reading “Jesus on the Cross: “Today you will be with me in paradise””

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church, is the featured guest for a special series of episodes that explores the seven final sayings of Jesus from the cross. In this first episode, Bishop Saenz explains why Lent is special to him, and he provides some reflectionContinue reading “Jesus on the Cross: “Father forgive them … “”

Where does the 46 days (40 when we subtract the Sundays) of Lent come from? We trace it back to the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the Judean wilderness following his baptism in the Jordan River. Jesus spent time preparing for the critical ministry ahead. During that time, Jesus was tempted byContinue reading “Reflection: Tempted in the Wilderness”