Advertise on podcast: Forest City Church Podcast

Conflict is unavoidable in relationships—but it doesn’t have to lead to bitterness, division, or brokenness. In week five of Built To Last, Pastor Leonard Davis explores Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18 and shows us how to approach conflict with truth, love, humility, and a desire for restoration. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to continue the conversation, reflect on what God may be saying to you, and consider your next faithful step.

How we communicate can either build relationships up or slowly tear them down. In Week 4 of Built To Last, Jackie Glass shares a simple cadence from James 1:19–20: quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger—inviting us to let Jesus shape not just what we say, but how we respond to the people around us. Want to go deeper? Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to reflect on the message and put it into practice in your relationships.

In week three of Built To Last, Pastor Leonard Davis shares “Growing Up,” a message about the spiritual and emotional maturity required to build relationships that last. Discover how growing in Christ helps us move beyond unhealthy patterns, respond to others with greater wisdom and love, and become more like Jesus in the way we handle relationships. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to revisit the message, assess where God may be inviting you to grow, and take a meaningful next step.

In Week 2 of Built To Last, Pastor Leonard Davis shares “Love As The Foundation,” exploring what it really means to build our relationships on love. Through 1 Corinthians 13 and John 13, we discover that real love changes how we relate to others, how we see ourselves, and ultimately how we relate to Jesus. The kind of love Jesus calls us to isn’t something we manufacture on our own—it flows from experiencing His love for us. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to dig deeper and consider what it looks like to make the love of Jesus the foundation of your relationships.

We were made for relationship—but healthy, lasting relationships don’t simply happen. In Week 1 of Built To Last, Pastor Leonard Davis shares how God designed us for connection and why our relationships become stronger when we allow His wisdom to shape the way we build them. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to revisit the message, consider what Jesus is saying to you, and take a faithful next step.

What does it mean for God to be good when life is painful or unresolved? In “What’s Good?”, Pastor Leonard Davis closes our “Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?” series by exploring how our union with Christ gives us grace, strength, and hope even in suffering. Continue the conversation this week with the Sermon Reflection Guide

On Youth Takeover Sunday, Youth Director Isaias Cardenas shares “Let The Children Come,” a powerful reminder that the way we welcome, influence, and invest in the next generation matters. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 19, Isaias challenges us to remove the barriers that can keep children and students from experiencing Jesus and instead create spaces where they can ask questions, discover their gifts, grow in faith, and know that they belong. Our children aren’t simply the church of tomorrow...they are the church today. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to go deeper into the message and consider how you can help create space for the next generation to encounter Jesus.

In week 6 of Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?, Pastor Leonard Davis shares “The Purpose Behind The Pain,” exploring Joseph’s story and the ways God can redeem painful seasons to build steadfast faith, shape our character, and prepare us for purposes bigger than our own. Even when we can’t see what God is doing, we can trust that He is still present and at work in the middle of the story. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to revisit the message, listen for what Jesus may be inviting you to trust, change, or practice, and take a faithful next step.   Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People Week 6 - The Purpose Beyond The Pain Sermon Reflection Guide

In “The Gift of Lament (Part 2),” Pastor Leonard Davis continues our Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? series by showing how lament shifts our focus from the weight of our circumstances to the character and presence of Jesus. As we behold Him in the middle of suffering, God gives us a new perspective, meets us with His companionship, and helps us discover that our greatest need isn’t always a change in our circumstances, it’s more of Him. Go deeper: Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to continue practicing lament, reflect on where God may be comforting, correcting, strengthening, or redeeming, and consider how He is growing your dependence on Him.   Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People Week 5- The Gift Of Lament (Part 2) Sermon Reflection Guide

In week four of Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?, Pastor Leonard Davis begins part one of “The Gift of Lament” by exploring how we can honestly bring our pain, grief, and unanswered questions to God without losing hope. Discover the four movements of biblical lament-turn, complain, ask, and trust-and learn how God’s unchanging character and Jesus’ understanding of suffering give us confidence to approach Him. Use the Sermon Reflection Guide to practice writing your own prayer of lament and go deeper into the message.   Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People Week 4: The Gift Of Lament Sermon Reflection Guide

What does it look like to truly belong to a church community? Through the covenant friendship of David and Jonathan, Pastor Leonard challenges us to build relationships rooted in a shared love for God, commitment to His mission, and faithful love for one another-even when it requires laying down our pride, preferences, or control. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to explore how God may be calling you toward deeper relationships, greater commitment, and a more active role in the life of the church.   Knit Together Sermon Reflection Guide

Join Pastor Leonard Davis and Guest Teacher Jackie Glass for this episode of The Return Unplugged, our weekly companion podcast to The Return: Rediscovering Christ’s Vision for His Church. Each episode takes a deeper look at the previous Sunday’s message, explores key themes and questions, and offers practical insights to help you continue the conversation throughout the week.

In week three of Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?, Angie Addy shares how we can face life’s fires with confidence, refuse to bow to fear, and trust that God is always with us—even when He doesn’t remove the struggle. Use this week’s Sermon Reflection Guide to go deeper into the message and consider how you can hold onto God’s faithfulness when life hurts.   Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People-Week 3:  The God Who Entered the Fire Sermon Reflection Guide

Why does a loving God allow suffering? In week two of Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?, Pastor Leonard Davis explains how God’s decision to create a world defined by genuine love also made human choice—and the pain caused by sin—possible. Discover how we can hate what is destroying God’s world, grow in our love for Him, and anchor ourselves in the glory He is revealing even in the middle of suffering. Use the Sermon Reflection Guide to continue processing the message and consider where God may be inviting you to trust Him more deeply.   Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People-Week 2: Love Is The Answer Sermon Reflection Guide

Join Pastor Leonard Davis and Guest Teacher Angie Addy for this episode of The Return Unplugged, our weekly companion podcast to The Return: Rediscovering Christ’s Vision for His Church. Each episode takes a deeper look at the previous Sunday’s message, explores key themes and questions, and offers practical insights to help you continue the conversation throughout the week.