Willow Creek Weekend Podcast

Spiritual growth doesn't happen merely by accumulating Biblical or spiritual knowledge; it happens as we trust God enough to put His truth into practice. This week, we’ll explore why God's Word is not simply meant to be heard—it is meant to be lived. One of the clearest places our obedience to God's Word is revealed is in how we relate to others. As we reflect on our last series, Willow Welcomes, the question is, "How has God been inviting me to respond?" The measure of a healthy disciple is not how much they hear but how faithfully they obey.

Paul lived a life of joy—even in prison. How? Dr. Charlie Dates shares that joy is consequential, not circumstantial. Joy is the consequence of Christ being proclaimed, and when we share the Good news and have a relationship with Jesus, joy should follow. There is power in the name of God. You can have real joy when you see your circumstances as catalysts, not constraints, and enemies as encouragers, not impediments. Find the joy that comes in proclaiming the truth of Jesus.

When you learn to live out of abundance—out of a cup pointed to God, overflowing—you start living out of what you have already received. You do not need to run on empty trying to earn approval or love. Megan Fate Erickson teaches that what fills you will be what flows from you. Do not be stuck trying to earn the world's favor; seek the love that only God can provide.

What names do you allow the world to define you by? Unworthy? Unwanted? Unlovable? These are not the names that God gives us. The world will try to label us by our failures, wounds, or our past, but God sees us differently. He replaces the false names with new names—true names that speak of who we are in Him. Worthy. Chosen. Loved by God. In this message, Hosanna Wong shares why we don’t need to accept what the world says about us, but embrace who God calls us to be.

What do we do when we find ourselves in the wilderness—the in-between season where we’re not where we once were, but not yet where we are going? Whether it’s a difficult decision, a job, parenting, or just waiting on God for clarity, the future can feel uncertain and hard to navigate. But the wilderness is not wasted time; it can be formative and strengthening for our faith. In this message, Jud Wilhite shares that God uses the wilderness seasons of our lives to shape us, deepen our trust, and prepare us for what comes next.