Kelly is joined by FOCUS GWA staff Toddy Hyman to talk through Luke 1, where we see the promise of John the Baptist gives us a blueprint for how God is at work even when it seems like he is silent. 

FOCUS Raleigh alum Thomas Sigmon joins Ryan to discuss the story of the disciple Thomas (and his two unfortunate nicknames) and why doubt happens in isolation while faith needs community to help it flourish. 

Ryan is joined by Spencer Hathcock of Neighbor to Neighbor to unpack the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, where in a conversation with Jesus one man slowly realizes he isn't supposed to identify with the good guy (and, spoiler alert: we aren't either). Spencer challenges us to not just look away from everyday needs around us, and not shy away from admitting our own neediness as well. You won't want to miss this one.

To learn more about Neighbor to Neighbor or get involved in their work, check out www.n2noutreach.org.

In this episode of Conversations with Jesus, we look at a woman in Luke 7 who didn't even have to say a word to communicate exactly how she felt about Jesus. While those who looked couldn't understand, Jesus spells it out for us in a parable that helps us think about how we ought to follow in the woman's footsteps today. What are you willing to risk to be in the presence of Jesus?

This week, we welcome not just one guest but THREE as Caroline, Caroline and Gracie - three roommates at NC State who all also happen to be FOCUS leaders - talk about what it actually means to care for one another as Christian friends. Tune in to hear why Jesus-centered friendships are so crucial to helping you grow in your faith, and what it looks like to live out loving one another day by day when you're in the same house. 

We don't often think of Jesus' words on the cross as a "conversation," but this week's Conversation with Jesus highlights what we can see about his character even as he interacts with people in the moments before his death. Volunteer Jack Tanner takes us through Luke 23, as we see a suffering king still working to save those around him as he's crucified - and what does seeing him this way mean for the way we can interact with Jesus ourselves? 

Wondering how you can get from old school Disney to talking about nasty Birkenstocks and Jesus on the cross all in less than 10 minutes? Kelly Vine has you covered in this discussion of John 13, where Jesus shows just how far he will go for the people he loves, and how it inspires us to do the same. 

Want to hear how a giant carrot relates to having a loving heart? You picked the right episode! Ryan Collier takes us through the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18, where a man who seems to be asking the right questions and doing the right things turns out to just be in it for himself. Unfortunately it's all too easy to recognize that tendency in ourselves, too - this week Ryan offers us a chance to reflect whether our conversations with God show that we're just in it for ourselves, or we recognize the goodness of the one we're talking to and His desire for us to be with him.

In this conversation with Jesus, we hear former FOCUS Raleigh staffer Danny Howard unpack Jesus' encounter with a paralyzed man in John 5. Jesus' direct questions to the man almost seem insensitive, but he's actually engaging in a way that we often fail to in the world. Of course all of us want to get well... but how willing are we to enter in to others' suffering when we see someone who needs help to get well? 

Taking a little break from our usual Monday podcast format, this week we have Kelly Vine interviewing Caroline Kunkel, who as a college student and FOCUS Raleigh alum still vividly remembers what the various pressures of senior year feel like. Caroline shares her perspective on struggling through your reality looking different than what you wanted and trusting God through it all. Even if you're not a Senior, this will help give you perspective on the journey towards graduation and how the Gospel reshapes the way we can think about the college process!