Weekend Scripture: Acts 8

Resilience is the capacity to maintain core purpose and identity in the face of dramatically changing circumstances.

Scott dives into Acts 8 to explore flexibility as we finish our series on Resilience. Persecution scattered the early church, but God leveraged changing circumstances to spread the Gospel as Philip faithfully obeyed and shared Jesus. A resilient church stands firmly on the Word of God, the power of God, and the mission of God to reach one more person with the life-changing news of Christ.

How do we build true spiritual resilience when life throws unexpected obstacles our way? What does it actually look like to step out of "playing church" and move into a bold, active faith?

This week on Off Script, Neil is joined again by Carl Kuhl to process his kickoff sermon in the series on resilience. Together, they peel back the curtain on sermon prep, explore leftover insights that didn't make the Sunday stage, and discuss what happens when we prepare for a river but end up facing a mountain. The guys dive into why simple spiritual disciplines like groups, serving, and giving are so critical, while tackling the danger of treating church routines as a checklist. From practical tools like five-year journaling to remaining a warrior in the spiritual battles of life, this conversation will challenge you to step up with boldness and take your next step in faith.

The Challenge: Reflect on your current spiritual routines this week. Are you just "showing up" and checking boxes, or are you approaching your faith, groups, and worship with genuine vulnerability and expectancy? Identify one area where you've felt hesitant - whether taking a bold step in conversation, serving, or opening up - and commit to stepping into it with courage.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Carl Kuhl

What We Discuss

• Inside sermon preparation: Narrowing down a message from thousands of extra words

• Why spiritual resilience requires compassion, not just tough exterior strength

• The danger of "playing church" vs. authentically engaging in community and scripture

• Keeping faith simple: Why we tend to overcomplicate God's straightforward truth

• What to do when you prepare for a river and get a mountain

• Training for the storm: Why spiritual disciplines matter before the crisis hits

• Pushing past the "pit in your stomach" when having tough, loving conversations

• Leaning into God's mission: Lessons learned from the life and missteps of King David

• Measuring spiritual growth through the fruit of the Spirit and a 5-year journal

• The basic spiritual checklist: Why the system works if you are willing to work it

⸻ About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Acts 3-4

Resilience is both strong and flexible.

Carl Kuhl joins us to kick off our series on Resilience. We need the strength of resilience to resist temptation. In Acts 3 and 4, we see that resilient strength is ready at unpredictable times, grounded in Scripture, and unwavering in proclaiming the full truth of Jesus. Resilient strength is formed in the Church, so get in the Word, get in community, give, and serve.

Are you trusting God to see to the nitty-gritty details of your life, or are you letting fear keep you from stepping into what He's calling you to do?

This week on Off Script, guest teacher Ben Foot joins Neil to wrap up our series on Abraham and dive into the challenging story of Genesis 22. From computer crashes and wedding mishaps to the literal Hebrew translation of "The Lord will provide," Ben and Neil unpack what it really means to cultivate an unwavering trust in God. They discuss why we so easily freak out over life's "ant hills" despite God's past faithfulness, practical ways to study Scripture by slowing down, and why true faithfulness always costs something—including Ben's personal journey of bringing hidden struggles like depression into the light to find freedom.

The Challenge This week, identify one area where you know God is calling you to act, confess, or surrender, but fear or pride has held you back. Stop carrying the weight alone - rip the band-aid off, share it with a trusted friend or church community member, and take that terrifying yet freeing step of obedience.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Ben Foot

What We Discuss

• Ben's chaotic week: A crashed computer, lost sermon notes, and his 17-year history with Scott Nickell

• Unpacking the Hebrew behind Genesis 22: Why "The Lord will provide" literally means "The Lord sees to it"

• Grappling with the sacrifice of Isaac and understanding Abraham's radical faith in resurrection

• The Jamaica ant hill story: Why we panic over small obstacles even after seeing God move mountains in our past

• A practical framework for reading Scripture: Small Picture, Big Picture, and Ultimate Picture

• Why reading the Bible slowly and intentionally yields deeper transformation than rushing through chapters

• The difference between simple belief and active faithfulness, which always requires sacrifice and dying to self

• Ben's personal story of struggling with depression and the freedom found in bringing hidden battles into the light

• Ripping off the band-aid: Taking steps of obedience without trying to walk through them alone

⸻ About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give.

Weekend Scripture: Genesis 22

Do you have unwavering trust in God's character and promises?

Ben Foote joins us to wrap up our series on Faith. In Genesis 22, we see God test Abraham's faith by stretching it to its absolute limits. Yet, Abraham demonstrates faith, an unwavering trust that God would remain faithful to His character and to His promises. May we make the sacrifices our God is commanding us to make, and trust His promise that life waits for us on the other side.

What does true, long-term obedience look like over decades of ministry, and how do you stay open when God asks you to pivot?

This week on Off Script, Neil sits down with long-time Southland team member Mike "Vandee" Vandemark to reflect on 70 years of Southland's ministry. Vandee shares his 28-year personal journey from playing drums at college ministry to overseeing multiple departments across the church, offering a front-row seat to how Southland has evolved while staying anchored to its core mission. Together, they discuss the danger of taking spiritual shortcuts, the power of trusting leaders who see potential in you, and how an attitude of availability can transform a simple life decision into a lasting legacy.

The ChallengeThis week, reflect on your own level of availability to God and the trusted leaders in your life. Is there an open door or a new responsibility you've been resisting because it stretches you outside of your comfort zone? Choose to step out in faith, trust where God is leading, and say "yes" to being used wherever you are needed.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Mike "Vandee" Vandemark

What We Discuss

• Vandee's origin story at Southland: playing drums for the "Encounter" college service to leading music, production, and facilities
• Reflecting on Southland's 70-year history and the constant flexibility of methods while keeping the Gospel mission unchanged
• Conversations with former senior minister Wayne Smith about reaching central Kentucky
• Why avoiding shortcuts in ministry means choosing long-term obedience and flexibility over "the way we've always done it"
• How Gary Black's perspective on video tools shaped Neil's heart for ministry 15 years ago
• A life-changing conversation with Vandy's dad about stepping into leadership and trusting trusted mentors
• Overcoming the fear of stepping outside your comfort zone to step into unexpected "God moments"
• Reencountering a man in Richmond whose life was impacted by a simple parking lot prayer two decades ago

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About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Genesis 16

Where do you turn when you feel like God is not operating on your timetable?

This week, Scott dives into Genesis 16 to look at what happens when we try to outrun God's timetable. Weary of waiting a decade for the heir God promised, Abram and Sarai chose a shortcut, introducing bitterness and chaos that rippled across generations. Taking shortcuts around God's clear plan always brings pain, but true faith requires trusting His timeline and remaining obedient in the waiting room. The waiting may be difficult, but God has not abandoned us.

Are you tired of trying to control every detail of your own life, or are you ready to hand over the pen and let God write your story?

This week on Off Script, Neil and Scott Hatfield dive deep into the messy reality of faith, what it means to drop our self-made plans, and how we can learn to trust in God's relentless covenant. The guys discuss the grueling seasons of questioning God through life's deep valleys, why frustration expressed in prayer is still an act of faith, and how to cultivate eyes to see the quiet "God moments" hidden in our daily routines and surrounding community.

The Challenge

This week, create intentional space to look back and audit your life for "God moments." Take a long drive, open a journal, or sit down with a friend and write out 2–3 specific times where God showed His faithfulness to you in the past, choosing to actively remember His track record instead of getting paralyzed by the what-ifs of your current season.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Hatfield

What We Discuss

• Unpacking the true depth of a biblical "covenant" as a waiverless, relentless, dogged faithfulness

• Navigating the exhausting emotional, physical, and relational toll of infertility, and playing "mind games" with God during the waiting

• Why Abraham's raw frustration with God is still an expression of faith, and why gut-wrenching prayers are still prayers

• The power of Christian community and why stepping "off the island" of isolation into group life is vital for gritty discipleship

• A sneak peek into the upcoming launch of Fight Club Online, shifting the men's ministry curriculum into a high-impact, 10-week format

• Details for the upcoming Fight Club group leader interest meeting on August 10th at the Nicholasville campus

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About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Genesis 15

Faith is not polished and pristine. Faith is messy, gritty, and raw.

Scott Hatfield walks us through Genesis 15 as we continue our series on Faith. Coming out of warfare, Abraham gets radically honest with God about his deep disappointments, grief, and unmet expectations. Instead of shaming him, God meets Abraham with grace, steps in as his personal shield, and provides an undeniable reminder of His covenant promise. Hard, gut-wrenching prayers are still prayers, and our frustrations do not disqualify our faith. You were never meant to take the pen and write your own story. God, the Author, is personal, and He is inviting you to a life of faith. Let Him write your story.

When everything in life becomes chaotic and disorienting, where do you place your daily trust? Are you anchoring your faith in your own gifts and credentials, or are you ready to completely rely on the faithfulness of Jesus?

This week on Off Script, Neil is back from Ireland to dive into the life of Abraham and explore what it truly means to walk by faith. Neil and Matt break down how easily good things can become destructive when we turn them into ultimate things , and they look at the profound challenges of maintaining a persistent faith when traveling through the valley of tragedy. This conversation serves as a powerful reminder that the true strength of our faith is determined by its object, Jesus, rather than its size.

The Challenge this week, look closely at where you are placing your daily confidence. When you face an unexpected circumstance or tragedy, actively resist the natural urge to look inward or fixate on the "why". Instead, look for Jesus in both your circumstances and in Scripture, and focus on what you can learn about His character in the midst of the struggle.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Matt Williams

What We Discuss

• Unpacking Abraham's relationship with Lot and the spiritual implications that text has further down the road in Genesis

• The hidden spiritual testing that comes with abundance and how it can easily breed apathy or lethargy in our faith

• Matt's reflection on writing this specific sermon twice to look at faith through two completely distinct angles

• Moving from a mountaintop baptism celebration directly into a heavy season of officiating a celebration of life service

• Distinguishing between Paul's instruction to be thankful in all circumstances versus being thankful for all circumstances

• The danger of letting good things become ultimate things, transforming them into destructive things in our lives

• Why the object of our faith is vastly more important than the actual size of our faith

• A powerful generational legacy of faith summed up by a grandmother's simple advice to always "look for Jesus"

• Embracing the compound interest of faith by intentionally looking back to recognize God's past history of faithfulness

About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give