The Known Podcast: Mars Hill Church

DRIVE TIME | Episode 8: God’s House

What makes a house strong? It all starts with a solid foundation! 🏠 In this episode of Drive Time, Brad and Carrie explore 1 Corinthians 3:9–17 to discover why Jesus is our foundation, and together we are God’s house.

Join us as we learn that the church is more than a building—it’s God’s people, brought together through Jesus! We’ll discover why our foundation matters, how we can build one another up in love, and why we don’t have to earn our place in God’s family. Through a fun building-themed joke, the Build It or Break It game, and family discussion questions, kids will learn practical ways to encourage others and live out what it means to be ALL IN TOGETHER.

This week’s ALL IN Challenge: Thank someone who has helped you follow Jesus, and tell them specifically how they’ve encouraged you!

📖 Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:9–17
💡 Big Idea: Jesus is our foundation, and together we are God’s house.
📌 Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV)
🤝 Series Movement: ALL IN TOGETHER

Gather the family, press play, and discover how we can build each other up because we’re not just a little bit in… WE’RE ALL IN!

In this episode of Mars Kids Drive Time, we kick off our new series, ALL IN TOGETHER! Looking at 1 Corinthians 3:1–9, we discover that God has given us the church—a family of believers who serve Him together. We don’t have to compete for attention or recognition because we’re all on God’s team! Join us for Scripture, a fun game, family discussion questions, and an ALL IN Challenge to encourage someone this week and celebrate what God is doing through them.

ALL IN: Jesus Is the Main Thing

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18
Movement: ALL IN ON JESUS

What happens when we make the wrong thing the main thing?

In this episode of Mars Kids Drive Time, Brad Hill and Carrie Wiley continue the ALL IN series by looking at Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 2:1–5. The Corinthians were impressed by people who were smart, persuasive, and important—but Paul reminds them that following Jesus isn't about being impressed by the person telling the story. It's about knowing Jesus.

Paul didn't come to Corinth trying to prove how smart or impressive he was. Instead, he wanted the Corinthians' faith to rest on the power of God. He knew that the gospel isn't powerful because of how well we explain it or how impressive we appear. The gospel is powerful because of Jesus and what God has done through Him.

Families will have fun with the "What's the Main Thing?" car game, talk through questions together, and discover how ordinary things like school, sports, chores, and friendships can become opportunities to honor Jesus.

The challenge this week is simple: Choose one ordinary thing you do every day and ask, "How can I honor Jesus in this?"

Because following Jesus ALL IN means putting Jesus at the center of everything.

• Why Paul didn't try to impress the Corinthians with fancy words or human wisdom
• Why Jesus—not us—is the Main Thing
• How the power of the gospel comes from God
• Why our faith shouldn't depend on how impressive someone else seems
• Playing the "What's the Main Thing?" car game
• How everyday activities can become opportunities to honor Jesus
• This week's ALL IN Challenge: Make It About Jesus!

1 Corinthians 2:1–5

Paul reminds the Corinthians that when he came to them, he didn't rely on impressive speech or human wisdom. Instead, he determined to focus on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, so that their faith would rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

The gospel isn't about being impressive; it's about Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:18

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Use these questions to keep the conversation going with your family:

1. Why didn't Paul want the Corinthians to be impressed with him?
2. What are some good things in our lives that can accidentally become the Main Thing?
3. What's the difference between doing something to get attention and doing something to honor Jesus?
4. What's one ordinary thing your family does that you could do in a way that honors Jesus?

Pause the episode and talk about it together!

Choose one thing you do almost every day—going to school, playing sports, doing chores, spending time with friends, or something else.

Then ask:

"How can I honor Jesus in this?"

Maybe that means showing kindness when you're frustrated, telling the truth when it would be easier not to, encouraging a teammate instead of trying to get all the attention, or helping someone even when nobody notices.

Making Jesus the Main Thing doesn't mean you have to talk about Jesus every second of the day. It means you want to honor Him with your whole life.

Who is at the center?
JESUS!

Who is the Main Thing?
JESUS!

How much of our lives?
ALL OF IT!

How do we follow Jesus?
ALL IN!

See you next time on Mars Kids Drive Time!

Episode SummaryIn This EpisodeScripture SpotlightBig IdeaMemory VerseDrive Time DiscussionThis Week's ALL IN ChallengeMAKE IT ABOUT JESUS!Remember

Nothing to Prove | 1 Corinthians 1:26–31

In this episode of Mars Kids Drive Time, we continue our ALL IN journey through 1 Corinthians and talk about something every kid—and every adult—can struggle with: the desire to impress others.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that God didn’t choose them because they were the smartest, strongest, coolest, or most important people in the room. Their value wasn’t something they had to earn or prove. The same is true for us.

Because we are in Christ Jesus, our wisdom, righteousness, and rescue come from Him. We don’t have to build our identity around being impressive or being better than someone else.

Big Idea:
We don’t have to prove ourselves because Jesus is enough.

In this episode, your family will:

• Explore 1 Corinthians 1:26–31
• Talk about the things we’re good at and how they can become a source of pride
• Play “Impressive… or Not That Impressive?”
• Review the ALL IN memory verse, 1 Corinthians 1:18
• Discuss how our abilities can point people toward God instead of ourselves
• Consider what it means to live with “nothing to prove”

1. When are you most tempted to try to impress other people?
2. How does knowing Jesus is enough change the way you think about yourself?
3. How can you use the things you’re good at to point people toward God instead of yourself?

This week, catch yourself when you start trying to prove how good, smart, funny, talented, or important you are. Stop and remind yourself:

“I have nothing to prove. Jesus is enough.”

Then look for a way to point away from yourself and toward God.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18
Movement: ALL IN ON JESUS

Drive Time Discussion QuestionsALL IN Challenge

Drive Time — Episode 3: God’s Wisdom

In Episode 3 of Drive Time, we continue our ALL IN journey through 1 Corinthians and discover that God’s wisdom is greater than human wisdom. Through 1 Corinthians 1:18–25, we explore how the cross may have looked like foolishness to the world, but was actually God’s powerful plan to save us through Jesus.

Along the way, we talk about what it really means to be wise, play a fun game of “Wise or Not Wise?”, learn our memory verse from 1 Corinthians 1:18, and discover how we can trust God even when we don't understand what He is doing.

Our challenge this week is to use the “Wisdom Filter” when making choices: What does God say? What would honor God? Who can help me?

The big reminder for this week is simple: God is wiser than me, and I can trust Him.

Big Idea: God’s wisdom is greater than human wisdom.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18
Movement: ALL IN ON JESUS

DRIVE TIME — EPISODE 2: Who’s On Your Team?

In Episode 2 of Drive Time, we continue our journey through 1 Corinthians as part of the ALL IN series. This week, we discover what it means to be on the same team because we belong to Jesus.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth because they had begun dividing into groups based on which church leader they followed—Paul, Apollos, or Cephas. But Paul reminds them that their identity isn't found in a particular leader, talent, personality, or preference. Jesus is the One who died for us, saves us, and brings His people together.

Through a fun “Same Team or Different Team?” car game, kids discover that following Jesus means we don't have to be exactly alike to belong to the same family. We can have different personalities, interests, abilities, and opinions while still being united in Christ.

This episode challenges kids to choose unity over competition by including others, celebrating someone else's success, and looking for opportunities to encourage rather than compete.

Big Idea: We're on the same team because we belong to Jesus.

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:10–17
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18
ALL IN Movement: ALL IN ON JESUS

This Week's Challenge: Choose unity over competition.

ALL IN: Welcome to 1 Corinthians

Welcome to the first episode of our new ALL IN series!

Over the next several months, we’ll be exploring the book of 1 Corinthians and discovering what it looks like to follow Jesus with our whole lives—not just on Sundays, not just at church, and not just when life is easy.

1 Corinthians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to Christians living in the city of Corinth. They weren't perfect. They had arguments, made mistakes, and struggled to understand what following Jesus should look like.

And that's part of what makes this letter so helpful for us today.

Big Idea:
“The Bible is God’s Word, written to real people who needed Jesus just like we do.”

Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians that they belong to Jesus, that God has given them grace, and that God is faithful.

Throughout our ALL IN series, we'll keep asking one important question:

“What does this have to do with Jesus?”

In this episode, we discover that following Jesus doesn't begin with simply trying harder or becoming a better person. It begins with remembering who we belong to.

Jesus is at the center—and because Jesus is Lord, He belongs at the center of our whole lives.

1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful.”

1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Real or Ridiculous?

Kids will test what they've learned about 1 Corinthians by deciding whether different statements are REAL or RIDICULOUS.

Talk about these questions together:

1. What does it mean that the Bible was written to real people?
2. Why does it matter that the people in Corinth weren't perfect?
3. What did Paul remind the Corinthians about who they were and what God had done for them?
4. Why do you think Paul reminded them about Jesus before talking about their problems?
5. What's one way you can open your Bible and listen to God this week?

Open your Bible and listen.

Read a Bible story, read a few verses with your family, or ask someone to help you find a book of the Bible you've never read before.

As you read, remember:

The Bible is God's Word. It was written to real people who needed Jesus—just like we do.

Why did the Bible go to school?

Because it wanted to be a little more well-read!

📖 What We’re Learning✝️ What Does This Have to Do With Jesus?📖 Scripture🧠 Memory Verse🚙 Drive Time Activity💬 Drive Time Discussion🔥 ALL IN Challenge😂 Joke of the Day

Drive Time: Esther Week 10 — God Behind the Scenes (Series Wrap-Up)

Episode Description
In this special episode of Drive Time, Brad and Carrie wrap up their journey through the Book of Esther—a story full of risk, courage, and unexpected reversals.

From Esther becoming queen in a hidden identity, to Mordecai’s faithfulness, to Haman’s evil plan, the story has been building toward one powerful truth: even when everything seemed uncertain, God was at work the entire time.

What makes Esther so unique? God’s name is never mentioned—yet His presence is unmistakable. In every twist, every delay, and every turning point, He was guiding the story forward.

This episode looks back on the biggest moments of the series and reminds us that the same is true in our lives today: God is always working, even when we can’t see Him.

God is always working—even when we can’t see Him.

• A full recap of Esther’s story—from beginning to end
• The courage and timing of Esther’s bold decision
• How God’s people went from danger to celebration
• Why God’s “hiddenness” in Esther matters for us today
• A reminder that God is present in every chapter—even the quiet ones

Play along as you remember the story together:

• Who became queen?
• Who refused to bow?
• Who made the evil plan?
• Who helped save the people?
• And most importantly… who was working the whole time?

📖 Proverbs 16:9
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

This verse captures the heartbeat of Esther—and the reminder that while people make plans, God is the one guiding every step.

1. What part of Esther’s story stood out to you the most?
2. Where have you seen God working in your life?
3. How can you trust God when you don’t see what He’s doing?

Even when God feels hidden, He is never absent.
Even when you can’t see Him, He is still writing the story.

Thanks for joining us for this series—we’ll see you next time on Drive Time!

Big IdeaWhat You’ll Hear in This EpisodeFamily Fun: “Who Did It?”Memory VerseDiscussion QuestionsClosing Thought

Drive Time: Esther Week 9 — The Great Reversal

Episode Summary
This is the moment everything has been building toward.

In this episode of Drive Time, Brad and Carrie step into Book of Esther chapter 9—the turning point of the entire story. With two opposing laws in place, the tension finally reaches its peak. Will God’s people fall… or will something unexpected happen?

What unfolds is a dramatic reversal. Fear turns to victory, danger gives way to safety, and mourning is transformed into celebration. God’s people don’t just survive—they remember.

God can turn hard situations into something good.

• The long-awaited day of conflict finally arrives
• The enemies of God’s people are defeated
• Fear is replaced with victory and relief
• Mordecai is elevated and honored
• A new celebration—Purim—is established to remember God’s deliverance

Play along and shout out the opposite!

• Hot → Cold
• Up → Down
• Fast → Slow
• Win → Lose

In today’s story, everything flips. What looked like defeat becomes victory—reminding us that God can reverse even the hardest situations.

📖 Proverbs 16:9
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

1. Why is it important to remember what God has done?
2. Have you ever seen something bad turn into something good?
3. How does trusting that God is in control change the way you face hard situations?

What looked like the end… wasn’t the end.
What looked like defeat… became victory.

God is always working—even when it seems like everything is going the wrong way. And sometimes, He doesn’t just fix things—He flips them.

Join us next time as we wrap up the story of Esther!

Big Idea: Key Moments from Esther 9Car Game: “Reverse It!”Memory Verse, Discussion Questions, Closing Thought

Drive Time: Esther Week 8 — When It’s Not Fully Fixed Yet

Episode Summary
The story isn’t over.

In this episode of Drive Time, Brad Hill and Carrie Wiley walk through Book of Esther chapter 8—a moment where victory has begun, but the tension hasn’t fully disappeared. Haman is gone, Esther is safe, and Mordecai is honored… but a dangerous law still hangs over God’s people.

What happens when the problem isn’t completely solved? When you can’t “undo” what’s already been set in motion?

This episode explores how God continues working—even in the middle of unfinished stories.

God is working even when things aren’t fully fixed yet.

• The aftermath of Haman’s defeat—and the lingering danger
• Why the king couldn’t undo the original law
• How a new decree created a path forward
• The tension between what has changed and what hasn’t
• Seeing God’s hand at work in the middle, not just the ending

Play along as you drive!

Can these things be undone?

• Clapping your hands
• Spilling milk
• Saying something mean

Some things can’t be reversed—but they can be responded to. Just like in Esther 8, sometimes the way forward isn’t erasing the past, but stepping into a new path.

📖 Proverbs 16:9
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

Even when people make plans—good or bad—God is still guiding the story.

1. Have you ever wished you could undo something? What happened?
2. Why do you think God doesn’t always fix things right away?
3. Where might God be working in your life right now—even if things feel unfinished?

Not everything was fixed in Esther 8.
But everything was moving.

And the same is true for us—God is still writing the story, even in the middle chapters.

Don’t miss next week’s episode as the story continues!

Big Idea, Episode Highlights, Car Game: “Undo It or Not?”Memory Verse, Discussion Questions, Closing Thought