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- Galatians: Children of Promise
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Aaron LeDuc (Pastor) and Josh Elgard (Student Ministry Director) as we continue through our series in Galatians. This past week, Aaron preached through Galatians 4:21–31 a sermon titled “Children of Promise”. If you missed this sermon you can listen HERE!
- What are some ways you personally struggle with trying to fix or prove yourself by your works apart from Christ? Why do you think we’re so inclined to take matters into our own hands rather than trust what God has promised?
- There were kind of two sides to Paul’s argument: we can be enslaved by pursuing worldly things (like wealth, fame, beauty, ‘the good life’), but we can also be enslaved by trying to earn God’s favor through religious things. Both miss the message of the gospel and the freedom we have. Aaron, which of these types of slavery do you want to particularly caution Mountain View Community Church against? Josh, what are you hearing from students or your student ministry leaders–what kinds of things are students building their identity or sense of worth on?
- How do we make sure we’re encouraging one another toward holiness without creating extra rules or expectations that the gospel doesn’t require? Why do you think someone else’s freedom in Christ can actually make us uncomfortable?
- Sometimes people hear that salvation is by faith alone and wonder what place good works actually have in the Christian walk. How does understanding our salvation as a completely free gift actually change the way we pursue obedience and holiness?
- Help clarify a little bit what makes Paul’s use of allegory different here than how we think of allegory in literature (or is it different?), and what we should take away from this about how we approach reading the Bible?
- How does knowing that we’re already fully accepted by God change the way we handle our shame?
- Resources:
- “Prodigal God” by Tim Keller
- James 2
- Ephesians 2:1–10
- “The Anatomy of the Soul” by Curt Thompson
- “The Soul of Shame” by Curt Thompson
0 min - Galatians: From Slaves to Sons
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Aaron LeDuc (pastor) and Andrew Overmiller (College Ministry Director) as we continue through our series in Galatians. This past week, Aaron preached through Galatians 3:25–4:7 in a sermon titled “From Slaves to Sons”. If you missed this sermon you can listen HERE!
- If our identity is built on something that can change, we’re always at risk of losing it. Have you experienced that in your own life? Was there a season when something you thought defined you didn’t turn out the way you expected?
- College is such a formative season when it comes to figuring out who you are and who you want to be. What are some of the pressures college students are feeling when it comes to their identity?
- Paul uses the word sons to give both men and women the full status of heirs in God’s family. Do you think it’s easier for us to see ourselves as people God has forgiven than as people He genuinely delights to call His children?
- In Galatians 4:6, Paul says the Spirit cries out, “Abba! Father!” There’s something really sweet about that picture of a child calling out to their daddy. When you think about approaching God that way, what comes naturally to you, and what feels difficult? Does the way you picture God affect what you actually bring to Him in prayer?
- We should see the people around us as heirs of the kingdom, which should change how we treat them. What do you think that looks like in the everyday life of a church? Is it possible to believe all of this about our identity in Christ but still struggle to love the people sitting next to us on Sunday?
- Jesus, the Son of God, became a servant so that we could be adopted into God’s family. And when it comes to how we receive this, Aaron said, “You place your faith in the fact that Jesus secured it for you.” What would you say to someone who understands those words but struggles to actually believe they’re true for them? How would you encourage them?
- Resources:
- “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer
- Spiritual Exercise: Beholding the Goodness of God (adapted from Hilary Salvaggione)
- Set aside a few quiet minutes to practice beholding God. If it helps, play a favorite calm instrumental song as you work through these prompts.
- 1. Get still and imagine Jesus with you.
- Close your eyes and settle into His presence. Imagine Jesus sitting with you, His eyes looking into yours, and His delight in you. Imagine Him holding your face and calling you His beloved daughter or son. Rest in the truth that, through Christ, you are deeply loved by God. You don’t have to rush past this moment or do anything to earn His love. Just be with Him.
- 2. Reflect on the goodness of God in your life.
- Like a movie montage, let memories begin to come to mind. Maybe it’s laughter with a friend, a hug with someone you love, a beautiful sunset, or a moment when you felt God’s comfort in the middle of a difficult season. Picture the faces, remember the details, and linger in the feelings of joy, love, and gratitude.
- As you remember, consider how these moments reveal God’s goodness. Thank Him for what He has done, what He is doing now, and what He has promised to do.
- 3. Linger in His goodness.
- Don’t feel the need to rush to the next thing. Sit in the delight of God. Notice what happens in your heart as you remember His goodness and turn your attention toward Him.
- Reflect: What came to mind as you practiced beholding? Was there a particular memory, person, or moment that reminded you of God’s character or His delight in you?
- Psalm 73:28 says, “But for me it is good to be near God.” What a gift that we can draw near to Him and delight in His presence!
41 min - Galatians: Transformed by Grace Through Faith
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by pastors Aaron LeDuc and Kevin Wolfe as we continue through our series in Galatians. This past week, Kevin preached through Galatians 3:1–14 in a sermon titled “Transformed by Grace Through Faith”. If you missed this sermon you can listen HERE!
- “O foolish Galatians!” is a pretty intense way to start a chapter. Why do you think Paul felt so strongly about this particular issue and used such strong language with the Galatians?
- Where do you personally find yourself tempted to turn faith into performance? Is there an area where you have to remind yourself, “I don’t have to earn God’s love or prove myself to Him”?
- The connection to Abraham was really interesting. Paul goes all the way back to Genesis to show that faith has always been God’s way of saving His people. Why is it important for Paul to make that connection?
- What does “walking by faith” look like on a random Tuesday? What does trusting the Holy Spirit actually look like in those everyday moments of life?
- If we’re saved by faith and not works, how do we reconcile that with all the places in the Bible we’re told to obey, grow, pursue holiness, and do good works? Where do works fit into the Christian life without turning them into a way of earning God’s favor?
- If someone listening feels like they can’t get off the treadmill of trying to earn God’s grace, what’s one practical step you would give them to get off that treadmill?
- Resources:
- Pathways of God’s Grace sermon series
- “The Whole Christ” by Sinclair B. Ferguson
- “Union with Christ: The Ways to Know and Enjoy God” by Rankin Wilbourne
- “Hidden in the Gospel” by William P. Farley
34 min - Galatians: Not Man’s Gospel
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by pastors Aaron LeDuc and Nick Cistola to kick off the second week of our newest series in Galatians. This past week, Aaron preached through Galatians 1:11-2:10 in a sermon titled “Not Man’s Gospel”. If you missed this sermon you can listen HERE!
- There are plenty of things Christians can disagree about, but that the Gospel itself is non-negotiable. Why do you think it can be so easy to let other voices influence what we believe about God?
- If our conception of God never challenges us, then we may actually be serving our own idea of God rather than who God truly is. What are some ways that can happen?
- If the Gospel really is something we receive from God rather than something we accomplish for God, how should that affect the way we worship? Does understanding grace change the way we sing, pray, or even come into a Sunday morning service?
- We have to guard the Gospel and pass it on to the next generation. As parents, that’s obviously something we all care a lot about. But there’s also this tension: we can teach our kids, pray for them, model the Gospel, and point them toward Jesus, but ultimately we can’t make them believe or follow Jesus. How do you guys think about that tension as dads?
- Why is it so hard for us to actually invite other believers into our decisions? And how do we know when we’re seeking wise, Spirit-led counsel versus just letting too many voices make us more confused?
- When you think about the fact that the Gospel isn’t man’s idea but God’s good news, that just like Paul, God graciously pursued us rather than us somehow finding our way to Him—what are you personally most grateful for?
45 min - To the Praise of His Glory: Sealed
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Aaron LeDuc (Pastor) and Calder Marriott (pastor at Boulder Community Church) as we finish up a 3-week mini series “To the Praise of His Glory” going through Ephesians 1:3-14. If you missed Sunday’s sermon—Sealed— you can listen HERE!
- Why does it matter that we understand the Spirit as someone we receive at salvation—not something we’re still waiting to receive later?
- How do we know when it’s helpful to examine our lives and when we’re just getting stuck in our own heads?
- Do you think our experiences with people breaking promises can make it harder for us to trust God’s promises? And if so, how do we learn to depend and trust that His promises really are different?
- How can we tell the difference between the Holy Spirit lovingly convicting us, condemnation from the enemey, or just the reality of living in a broken world?
- When you put all of this together (being adopted, redeemed, and sealed) what should our response be? How should those things change the way we worship, the way we live in community, and the way we live on mission as a church?
We also took a little time to catch up with Calder as he’s just days away from the launch Sunday for Boulder Community Church. Listen to the end for that interview and look below for information about their launch weekend! You can also click HERE to watch an invite from Calder.
Launch: Sunday, September 20 at 11am 368 76th St. Boulder, CO 80303 Join us for a celebration of the launch of Boulder Community Church! Or join another Sunday in the coming months to experience BCC and encourage our church partners there!
Prayer Walk: Saturday, September 19 at 9am 368 76th St. Boulder, CO 80303 Join us in a prayer walk around the city of Boulder praying for the city and Boulder Community Church!
35 min - To the Praise of His Glory: Adopted
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Aaron LeDuc (Pastor) and Shane Rasch (Discipleship Director) as we kick off a 3-week mini series “To the Praise of His Glory” going through Ephesians 1:3-14. If you missed Sunday’s sermon—Adopted— you can listen HERE.
- If adoption is more than just being forgiven sinners and means we actually belong to God’s family—how should that fuel our worship?
- What makes it difficult to receive God’s love and really live like we’re deeply loved by Him?
- What are some ways you’ve seen that “employee mindset” show up in your own relationship with God? And what does it look like to approach Him differently as a child who already belongs?
- What do you think would change about the way we relate to one another in the context of community with the family of God if we were truly living from God’s love instead of for God’s love?
- How do these reminders change the way we approach Him when we pray, when we sin, or when life is difficult? And how might that same security shape the way we live out on mission in the world?
- What would you want to say to someone listening right now who knows these truths in their head (that God loves them and that they belong to Him) but still feels like they have to earn His love, approval, or place in His family?
- Resources:
- ch. 19 of Knowing God by J.I. Packer
- Tim Keller quote
38 min - Family of Promise: The Reverse Exodus
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Drew Abel (Assistant College Director), Mack Elliott (College Resident) and Brooke Layman (College Resident) as we continue through our current series “Family of Promise”. Shane Rasch taught on Genesis 46-47 this past Sunday on a sermon titled “The Reverse Exodus”. Listen HERE!
- Shane’s main point was that “the presence of God + the providence of God = the peace of God”. Which of those is harder for people to actually believe—the fact that God is present with us, or the fact that He’s actually in control?
- Why do you think it can be hard for us to recognize that God can be at work even when we don’t know where a particular season is going?
- What are some ways you see college students (and really any age) treating this life like it is home? And how do you help students distinguish between God blessing them and God simply making their lives comfortable?
- We talked about how we’re not home yet, but the gospel reminds us that God hasn’t just left us wandering. How has Jesus changed what it means for us to live as exiles? (These are truths whether you’re 18, 40, 60 or 80!)
- If someone listening right now feels like they’re in an “exile” season—maybe they’re lonely, disappointed with where life is, or wondering what God is doing—what would you want them to remember about God’s presence and providence?
- Resources:
- Evangelism as Exiles by Elliot Clark
- What is College Residency??
40 min - Family of Promise: The Journey of Reconciliation
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Shane Rasch (Discipleship Director) and Kevin Wolfe (Pastor) as we continue through our current series “Family of Promise”. Kevin taught on Genesis 42-44 this past Sunday on a sermon titled “The Journey of Reconciliation”. Listen HERE!
- Joseph’s brothers had been carrying the guilt of what they did to him for all these years. Why do you think guilt has such a powerful ability to follow us, even years after we’ve sinned?
- What is it about actually confessing what we’ve done that begins to change a relationship?
- Why is genuine repentance so important when it comes to rebuilding trust? Is saying “I’m sorry” enough?
- Why does mercy have the power to change us in a way that “getting even” never can?
- How do we pursue reconciliation without pretending that the other person’s sin doesn’t matter?
- How would you distinguish between forgiveness and reconciliation? Are there situations where someone can genuinely forgive another person even if full reconciliation isn’t possible or wise?
- Most of us probably have at least one relationship in our lives that is broken or strained in some way. How do we know if/when God is calling us to pursue reconciliation? What might be one small first step someone could take this week?
- Resources:
- “The Peacemaker” ministry and books
- “Called to Obedience” ministry and resources
- LifeGroups!
40 min - Family of Promise: Our Frailty, God’s Fortitude
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Shane Rasch (Discipleship Director) and Marc Emery (Executive Director and NEW Pastor) as we continue through our newest series “Family of Promise”. Jacob Chacko taught on Genesis 35 this past Sunday on a sermon titled “Our Frailty, God’s Fortitude”. Listen HERE!
- When you think about your own frailty (those moments when you feel weak) how has God met you there in a surprising way?
- When you hear the phrase ‘God’s fortitude,’ what comes to mind? What aspect of God’s character are you most grateful never changes?
- Jacob’s story is messy. There’s sin, family dysfunction, grief, and yet God remains faithful. Why is it important for us to remember that God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on us getting everything right?
- Genesis 35 is packed with loss, but God keeps reaffirming His promises. Why do you think God so often reminds His people of His promises in seasons of grief?
- One of the challenges from the sermon was rethinking what blessing really means. How has your definition of blessing changed as you’ve gotten older? What’s a blessing in your life today that your younger self probably wouldn’t have recognized as a blessing?
- Marc, as you’ve stepped into a pastoral role, have you found yourself relying on God’s faithfulness in new ways?
- As we close, if someone listening today is really feeling their frailty right now (whether that’s through sin, grief, disappointment, or just feeling worn out by life) what would you want to encourage them with this week?
- Resources
- “Lead” by Paul David Tripp
- “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
Descend Podcast is going to take a little summer break! We’ll be back at the end of July 2026 with a new episode!
46 min - Family of Promise: Jacob Wrestles with God
Welcome to another episode of the Descend Podcast! If you’re new here, welcome! Every two weeks, we take Sunday’s sermon and descend into what it looks like to live it out in our everyday lives as we share the love of Christ with those around us. Our prayer is that this podcast would encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness throughout your week.
This week, Haley is joined by Shane Rasch (Discipleship Director) and Jacob Chacko (Pastor) as we continue through our newest series “Family of Promise”. Jacob taught on Genesis 32 this past Sunday on a sermon titled “Jacob Wrestles with God”. Listen HERE!
- Jacob’s story shows how easy it is to chase after good things (even God-given blessings) and slowly make them more important than God Himself. What are some signs that we’ve started doing that in our own lives? And how does that shape our understanding of what it really means to be “blessed”?
- In American Christianity, we often associate blessing with comfort, success, or ease. How does Jacob’s story challenge that assumption?
- Jacob’s limp became a lifelong reminder of his encounter with God. Have either of you experienced a season where something painful, disappointing, or humbling became one of the primary ways God deepened your faith?
- God “lost intentionally” because His goal wasn’t to defeat Jacob but to reshape his heart. What does this reveal about God’s character, and how does it help us understand the way God meets us in our own struggles?
- Throughout Scripture, significant encounters with God are often accompanied by a new identity or a new name. Why do you think identity is such an important part of God’s work in our lives? How does remembering who we are in Christ help us fight against old patterns of self-reliance or a need to control?
- “Who am I fighting? Why am I wounded? Where is my true blessing?” Which of those questions do you think people are most resistant to asking themselves, and why?
34 min
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