The Lord called Jonah to Nineveh to preach and to call the city to repentance. Jonah first said no. But when he finally said yes, he ultimately saved the city from destruction. Here's the exciting news: Like Jonah, we all have a unique call on our lives to serve the Lord in impactful, significant, life-changing ways. We just have to give Him our yes.Message by Rob LinkScripture referenced: Jonah 1–4

Statistics show a large percentage of kids whose parents become erratic in church attendance end up following a similar pattern, if not disconnecting from God and church altogether. So what is it about being consistently connected to church that ends up being so important for the development of kids? How do we manage age ranges where church feels irrelevant and boring?

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

The wall of Jericho has fallen. God has delivered the city into the hands of the Israelites. Up next? The conquest of Ai. Set to be quick and easy, the battle becomes anything but, ending in sudden, unexpected defeat. Joshua cries out to God in confusion and despair, and God reveals the reason behind Israel's loss: the hidden sin of a man named Achan. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 7 and 8

For anyone who grew up going to Sunday school, hearing and singing about biblical heroes like Noah, David and Abraham was commonplace. Yet as we begin to learn about these people later in life, we also start to see their failures and faults. Noah ended up getting drunk, David murdered a man and married his wife, and Abraham slept with a servant girl. So how do we go about sharing these stories with a younger audience? Is it ok to filter biblical stories in the first place? 

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

The account of the fall of Jericho. The city gates were securely barred — no one went out and no one came in. God promises to deliver Jericho into the hands of the Israelites, but it doesn't happen the way you might think or could even imagine. God has a unique plan in mind, but it requires overwhelming obedience and great trust. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 6

Circumcision isn't a topic that gets much airtime in Sunday morning sermons, yet we can't ignore how often it is referenced in the Bible. Whether its Joshua 5 where the Israelite men are physically circumcised before they enter the Promised Land, or Romans 2 where Paul talks about a "circumcision of the heart," we can't ignore there is something significant here that can easily be overlooked. So what does it all mean, and how is it important for us today?

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

Before military action, Israel undergoes three crucial acts of faith: the circumcision at Gilgal to renew God's covenant, the celebration of Passover, and the cessation of manna as they begin eating from the Promised Land. The manna that has sustained them for 40 years ceases as God transitions His people from surviving in the wilderness to living in the abundance of Canaan. In it all, the Israelites remember and reflect on God's provision.Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 5:2–12

Without spending much time in Scripture, it becomes quickly apparent the practice of remembering what God has done plays a key role in our spiritual growth. Yet what is it about this practice that is so important? And what are some practical ways we can go about reminding ourselves of what God has done in our lives?

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

The next generation of Israelites stands ready to enter the Promised Land. The final obstacle: The Jordan River. Seemingly, the timing couldn't be worse. They were preparing to cross during the harvest season when the river was swollen with the spring rains. At God's instruction, the Israelites camp on the shore watching the rushing waters for three days. And then, before anything else, with the waters still flowing, God tells them to take the first step.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Joshua 3, 4

The root system of a tree or plant is critical to its health. It provides stability but also supplies the nutrients it needs to grow. As it turns out, what we are rooted in equally matters for similar reasons. Psalm 1 talks about being rooted in God, but what does that look like practically?  And why is being rooted in God so important, particularly when it comes to our inner transformation? 

Join Ridge Outreach Director Brandy Young and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.