Character Connections

Character Connections is a 10-minute podcast that explores the weekly Bible story in the Character Formation Project and shares fun ways to bring the conversation home.

14. Standing Before the King - Esther 11/21/2025

14. Standing Before the King - Esther Esther could have kept her identity as a child of God a secret from the king. God gave her the courage to stand up for what was right and stop injustice. When the Lord calls us to action, we don’t stand alone! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/39127465

12. The Fourth Man - Three Men in the Fiery Furnace 11/07/2025

12. The Fourth Man - Three Men in the Fiery Furnace When you feel alone in the fire, remember there’s someone standing next to you – and He won’t burn. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38933660

11. A New Branch from a Dead Tree - God Promises a Messiah to Jeremiah 10/31/2025

11. A New Branch from a Dead Tree - God Promises a Messiah to Jeremiah God promised his prophet Jeremiah that he would bring life out of death. He kept his promise and sent his son to make all things new. In Jesus we are a new creation! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38855020

10. The Throne Room - God Calls Isaiah 10/24/2025

10. The Throne Room - God Calls Isaiah The Throne Room - God Calls Isaiah Can you imagine standing in the throne room of a king? It would be terrifying unless you knew he was a good king. Isaiah’s vision of God on a throne convicted Isaiah of his sin. Despite Isaiah’s sin, his good king offered forgiveness and a call to share his love. Through Christ we are given the same! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38764500

09. Jonah Preaches to Nineveh 10/17/2025

09. Jonah Preaches to Nineveh God uses his people to share and show his love with the world. Jonah didn’t want the job, but God’s love doesn’t stop! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38619060

08. Jonah Flees from Nineveh 10/03/2025

08. Jonah Flees from Nineveh Sometimes it’s hard to know what God wants us to do; but often the choice between right and wrong is clear as day. Jonah knew what he should do, but he ran away from it. God didn’t leave him alone. He followed Jonah and put him back on the right path. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38459540

07 Do You See It? – Elisha Traps Blind Arameans 09/26/2025

07 Do You See It? – Elisha Traps Blind Arameans God made all things; visible and invisible. There is a spiritual world around us that is just as real as the one we see. We can’t see God with our eyes, but we can see the ways in which he provides for us! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38326945

06. Bathtime! – Naaman is Healed 09/19/2025

06. Bathtime! – Naaman is Healed Some children dread baths like Naaman did. Sometimes God works in ways that don’t make sense, but he can make us clean! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38281205

05. Sometimes He Whispers - God Speaks to Elijah 09/12/2025

05. Sometimes He Whispers - God Speaks to Elijah In the Old Testament, God’s voice could be loud like thunder or heard through a burning bush. When he spoke to Elijah, his voice wasn’t what Elijah expected. Sometimes God whispers. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38174625

04. Counterfeit – Elijah and the Prophets of Baal 09/05/2025

04. Counterfeit – Elijah and the Prophets of Baal Elijah faced incredible odds to turn the people’s hearts to the Lord instead of a counterfeit god. It appeared impossible, but the Lord worked a miracle. Nothing is impossible for God! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38109285

03. Time for Cake – Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son 08/29/2025

03. Time for Cake – Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son God provided for a widow and her son, even though they were outcasts. Sin has made us outcasts as well, but Jesus has given us life! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/38026530

02. No Shoes – Exodus 08/22/2025

02. No Shoes – Exodus Moses saw fire in a bush and a voice told him to take off his shoes. God called Moses to be a servant-leader in order to save the Israelites from slavery. God has given our lives purpose as well. We are called to point to Jesus, the ultimate servant-leader! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/37899340

01. Creatures! - Genesis 08/15/2025

01. Creatures! - Genesis Our identity is found in our relationship with God. He is the great creator and we are his creation! His identity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a divine mystery, but he has shown us his character in Jesus! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/37832045

37. Singing in the Dark - Paul and Silas in Prison 05/17/2025

37. Singing in the Dark - Paul and Silas in Prison Paul and Silas were arrested and put in jail for sharing God’s love in Jesus. While they sat in a dark prison, their feet chained in shackles, they sang songs to the Lord. Their witness changed the lives of those around them. The Lord used them, even in the face of hardship, to help others. God can use you too, no matter the situation in which you find yourself. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/36604295

36. A Surprise Journey – The Call to Macedonia 05/10/2025

36. A Surprise Journey – The Call to Macedonia The Holy Spirit led Paul to answer the call and share the gospel in a new city. We are often put in situations that we didn’t expect. We can trust that God will use us to share his love no matter where we are. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/36519495

35. A Good Way to Fight - The Jerusalem Council 05/03/2025

35. A Good Way to Fight - The Jerusalem Council Disagreements are inevitable, but fights aren’t. The way we handle conflict shows our character and steers our relationships. When the early church disagreed, the Holy Spirit guided them to act in love. God’s love surpasses disagreements. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/36420710

34. Take the Credit - Paul and Barnabas in Lystra 05/03/2025

34. Take the Credit - Paul and Barnabas in Lystra The crowd in the city of Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods. Paul and Barnabas made sure they knew the truth, even though it put their lives at risk. It is tempting to selfishly put ourselves first. Our Lord Jesus is the servant-king whose self-sacrifice made a way for our forgiveness. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/36420695

33. Always With You - Jesus Ascends into Heaven 04/18/2025

33. Always With You - Jesus Ascends into Heaven When Jesus ascended into heaven, he didn’t say goodbye. He told his friends that he would always be with them. That promise is true for us as well. Jesus is always with you. Take courage, you don’t have to face life alone! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/36211830

32. Stronger Than Death – Jesus’ Burial and Resurrection 04/11/2025

32. Stronger Than Death – Jesus’ Burial and Resurrection When the dead body of Jesus was put into a grave his disciples hid with fear and despair. God’s power doesn’t depend on the faithfulness of his followers, even death couldn’t hold Jesus! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/36089035

31. It Is Finished - Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion 04/04/2025

31. It Is Finished - Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion Jesus spent his life teaching and healing. He noticed the forgotten and showed love to the shunned. He died in the same way in which he had lived; reaching out to those who didn’t deserve it. His death was painful and public...but that’s not the end of the story! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/36011530

30. Too Brave To Lie – Peter Denies Jesus 03/28/2025

30. Too Brave To Lie – Peter Denies Jesus Out of fear, Peter lied about being Jesus’ friend. After Jesus forgave him, Peter went on to be a courageous leader in the early church. God’s power can enable us to be too brave to lie, and his forgiveness can empower us to serve without fear. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35914380

29. Never Too Busy - Jesus Blesses the Children 03/15/2025

29. Never Too Busy - Jesus Blesses the Children The disciples stopped parents who were bringing their kids to Jesus. It made sense, Jesus was busy teaching and healing. He surprised his followers by stopping to take time and hug the children and bless them. He showed that God is never too busy to see and hear us! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35705070

28. A Brief Glimpse - Jesus Appears In His Glory 03/06/2025

28. A Brief Glimpse - Jesus Appears In His Glory Jesus allowed some of his disciples to see a brief glimpse of his power and glory. They were amazed and didn’t want to leave. When Jesus comes back, he will restore all creation. We will see his power and live with him in glory forever! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35550255

27. Crumbs Are More Than Enough - The Syro-Phoenician Woman’s Faith 02/28/2025

27. Crumbs Are More Than Enough - The Syro-Phoenician Woman’s Faith A Gentile woman who asked Jesus for a miracle knew she didn’t deserve it, yet Jesus healed her daughter. None of us are entitled to God’s forgiveness, but God has given it freely through Jesus! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35477070

26. It Doesn’t Make Sense! - The Death of John the Baptist 02/20/2025

26. It Doesn’t Make Sense! - The Death of John the Baptist Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean an easy life. John the Baptist faithfully spoke God’s words and he was killed for it. We don’t know why things happen the way they do, but we know for certain that Jesus will come back and make things right. We will be raised from the grave and live forever with our Lord! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35320725

25. Time to Get Up! - Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter 02/14/2025

25. Time to Get Up! - Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter Jesus took the hand of a dead girl and told her to get out of bed. She did. Jesus will return in glory and tell all of his followers to get out of their graves...and we will! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35260565

24. Peace, Be Still - Jesus Calms the Storm 02/07/2025

24. Peace, Be Still - Jesus Calms the Storm The disciples were amazed to see that Jesus was calm during a terrible storm. He showed his control over nature and kept them safe. We can rest secure knowing the same truth – God remains at our side during every storm that we face. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35186680

23. Seeds Everwhere! - The Parable of the Farmer and the Seeds 01/31/2025

23. Seeds Everwhere! - The Parable of the Farmer and the Seeds Have you ever planted a garden? The way you put seeds in the ground can determine how the plant grows. In this week’s parable God is described as a farmer who wants a large harvest and generously throws seeds in all kinds of soil. /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/35092600

22. He Won’t Leave You Alone - Jesus Heals and Prays 01/23/2025

22. He Won’t Leave You Alone - Jesus Heals and Prays Jesus wasn’t afraid to reach out to a man who had a contagious skin disease and heal him with the touch of his hand. Jesus reaches into our lives and pulls us out of our sin and isolation. He won’t leave you alone! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/34966850

21. Who's In Charge? - Jesus Preaches with Authority 01/16/2025

21. Who's In Charge? - Jesus Preaches with Authority Jesus has all authority. He showed it in the way he preached and in the way he cast out evil. It just took one word from him to silence demons. It was true then and it is still true today! /episode/index/show/characterconnections/id/34861190

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