*Description*
Church Unscripted is a weekly, unscripted conversation with the pastors at Brookside Church, exploring faith, the Bible, and real-life questions about Christianity. In this episode, Pastors Eric, John, and David dig into the meaning behind Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and yeast, reflecting on spiritual growth, the challenges of comparison, and what it means to be “first” in your family to follow Jesus.
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*Topics & Timestamps*
*00:00:07 – Intro & Light-hearted Banter*
- Pastors discuss their facial hair to kick off the episode.
- Encouragement for listeners to subscribe and follow the podcast.
*00:00:44 – Sermon Recap: Mustard Seed & Yeast*
- Pastor Eric summarizes his message on Matthew 13’s parables.
- Focus: The Kingdom of God often starts small but grows powerfully, much like a mustard seed or yeast.
*00:03:34 – Parables and Spiritual Growth*
- Discussion on how the Kingdom grows slowly and sometimes seems invisible.
- Is apparent shrinkage actually decline, or just perception?
- Comparison to biblical moments of despair.
*00:05:48 – Surface-level Perceptions vs. Hidden Growth*
- Pastor David reflects on “surface” worship engagement vs. deep impact.
- Encourages looking below the surface to discover real spiritual growth.
*00:07:33 – Negative Church Experiences & Yeast of the Pharisees*
- What happens when someone’s life is shaped by negative (damaging) church experiences?
- Yeast can be either positive (the Kingdom) or negative (Pharisees – legalism).
- The importance of choosing what “yeast” shapes your life.
*00:10:20 – Struggling to Quantify Spiritual Results*
- When growth is slow or unseen, how do we handle pressure to “prove” results?
- Avoiding the comparison trap.
- Faithfulness over visible success.
*00:12:38 – The Trap of Comparison*
- How cultural and spiritual comparison creates unnecessary pressure and discouragement.
- The importance of encouragement and authentic community.
*00:17:15 – The Younger Generation & Social Media Comparisons*
- How Instagram and social media amplify comparison, and its impact on spiritual life.
- Practical ideas like “social media fasts.”
*00:19:58 – Being ‘First’ in Faith & Family*
- Advice and perspective for those who are the first in their family to follow Jesus.
- Church as spiritual family—how Christian community fills relational gaps.
*00:26:17 – Visibility of Spiritual Transformation*
- Does spiritual growth always need to be visible?
- The value of hidden faith (private relationship with God) and visible fruit.
*00:31:20 – Yeast That Permeates: Is All of Life Changed?*
- Can parts of our lives resist transformation despite sincere faith?
- Choosing whether to invite God into every “room” of our life.
- How to examine which “yeast” we are receiving.
*00:34:27 – What To Do When Faith Feels Stagnant*
- Practical steps for families and individuals who feel spiritually stuck.
- Importance of accountability, community, and intentionality.
- Drawing on everyday relationship advice to refresh spiritual life.
*00:39:45 – Closing Thoughts & Invitation for Questions*
- Encouragement to reach out with questions or feedback.
- Reminder to subscribe and follow the podcast.
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*Key Takeaways*
- The Kingdom of God’s growth is often slow, hidden, and easily overlooked in the moment—but powerful in hindsight.
- Comparison steals joy; faithfulness matters more than observable results.
- Negative influences (“yeast of the Pharisees”) can corrupt spiritual life; positive influences bring transformation.
- Church community has the power to become spiritual family, especially for those experiencing relational loss.
- Both visible fruit and hidden intimacy with God matter in the Christian life.
- Addressing spiritual stagnation requires intention and supportive relationships.
Church Unscripted is a weekly, unscripted conversation with the pastors at Brookside Church, exploring faith, the Bible, and real-life questions about Christianity. In this episode, Pastors Eric, John, and David dig into the meaning behind Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and yeast, reflecting on spiritual growth, the challenges of comparison, and what it means to be “first” in your family to follow Jesus.
---
*Topics & Timestamps*
*00:00:07 – Intro & Light-hearted Banter*
- Pastors discuss their facial hair to kick off the episode.
- Encouragement for listeners to subscribe and follow the podcast.
*00:00:44 – Sermon Recap: Mustard Seed & Yeast*
- Pastor Eric summarizes his message on Matthew 13’s parables.
- Focus: The Kingdom of God often starts small but grows powerfully, much like a mustard seed or yeast.
*00:03:34 – Parables and Spiritual Growth*
- Discussion on how the Kingdom grows slowly and sometimes seems invisible.
- Is apparent shrinkage actually decline, or just perception?
- Comparison to biblical moments of despair.
*00:05:48 – Surface-level Perceptions vs. Hidden Growth*
- Pastor David reflects on “surface” worship engagement vs. deep impact.
- Encourages looking below the surface to discover real spiritual growth.
*00:07:33 – Negative Church Experiences & Yeast of the Pharisees*
- What happens when someone’s life is shaped by negative (damaging) church experiences?
- Yeast can be either positive (the Kingdom) or negative (Pharisees – legalism).
- The importance of choosing what “yeast” shapes your life.
*00:10:20 – Struggling to Quantify Spiritual Results*
- When growth is slow or unseen, how do we handle pressure to “prove” results?
- Avoiding the comparison trap.
- Faithfulness over visible success.
*00:12:38 – The Trap of Comparison*
- How cultural and spiritual comparison creates unnecessary pressure and discouragement.
- The importance of encouragement and authentic community.
*00:17:15 – The Younger Generation & Social Media Comparisons*
- How Instagram and social media amplify comparison, and its impact on spiritual life.
- Practical ideas like “social media fasts.”
*00:19:58 – Being ‘First’ in Faith & Family*
- Advice and perspective for those who are the first in their family to follow Jesus.
- Church as spiritual family—how Christian community fills relational gaps.
*00:26:17 – Visibility of Spiritual Transformation*
- Does spiritual growth always need to be visible?
- The value of hidden faith (private relationship with God) and visible fruit.
*00:31:20 – Yeast That Permeates: Is All of Life Changed?*
- Can parts of our lives resist transformation despite sincere faith?
- Choosing whether to invite God into every “room” of our life.
- How to examine which “yeast” we are receiving.
*00:34:27 – What To Do When Faith Feels Stagnant*
- Practical steps for families and individuals who feel spiritually stuck.
- Importance of accountability, community, and intentionality.
- Drawing on everyday relationship advice to refresh spiritual life.
*00:39:45 – Closing Thoughts & Invitation for Questions*
- Encouragement to reach out with questions or feedback.
- Reminder to subscribe and follow the podcast.
---
*Key Takeaways*
- The Kingdom of God’s growth is often slow, hidden, and easily overlooked in the moment—but powerful in hindsight.
- Comparison steals joy; faithfulness matters more than observable results.
- Negative influences (“yeast of the Pharisees”) can corrupt spiritual life; positive influences bring transformation.
- Church community has the power to become spiritual family, especially for those experiencing relational loss.
- Both visible fruit and hidden intimacy with God matter in the Christian life.
- Addressing spiritual stagnation requires intention and supportive relationships.