IN LAYMAN'S TERMS

Jesus Unchained: A discussion with Rev. Robert Johnson

The Rev. Robert Johnson, lead pastor at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, shares details about his first book, "Jesus Unchained: How to Rise Above The Agendas, Find Peace and Be Set Free." In this interview, Johnson shares how he thinks followers of Jesus actually lessen His power by limiting the Savior's influence on their lives. They, in effect, place him in the chains of the limiting image we create of Jesus in our minds, when he could be making a much larger impact on the hearts of people each and every day.

Easter 2022 — In An Instant

Our lives change in an instant — actually one instant after another, from the time we are a child until we take our last breath. The Easter story is an example of lives changing in an instant. Through the story of Mary Magdalene and a more contemporary story of an abandoned boy, we explore how lives change in an instant.

Love Your Enemies

Continuing with the "Sermon on the Plain," we look at what it means to love our enemies. And we ask the question: Did Jesus really mean what he said? Despite how difficult it can be to love those who disagree with or for some reason dislike us, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"

Looking Up and Down — Equity over Equality

Looking at Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, we explore in this episode the importance of those of us with plenty to help those who do not. Our goal is equity as we attempt to usher in the Kingdom of God on Earth.

Goin’ Fishin’ (and Giving Up Some Independence)

Many of us know well the story of Jesus calling the first disciples and how they would "fish for people." But in that same story is a lesson about independence — specifically how there are bigger and better things ahead if we are willing to give up some of our independence as we trust and follow Jesus.

Jealousy — Jesus in His Hometown

Using the story of Jesus' proclaiming himself to be God's anointed and the reaction from people in his hometown of Nazareth, we explore the feeling of jealousy and the withholding of the truth that Jesus is the Savior for all of humanity.

Purple Zone part 2 — Introduction to an Issue Guide

The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade returns to "In Layman's Terms" to pick up on the conversation we stared in 2021 about her book, "Preaching in the Purple Zone." In this episode, she shares an issue guide designed to help United Methodists discuss LGBTQIA+ inclusion and the upcoming General Conference.

Rev. Dr. Schade has provided proposed sermon outlines to be used with the issue guide. These are not provided as requirements but rather to serve as resources for pastors interested in using the Sermon-Dialogue-Sermon method.

• Download the PDF version.
• Download the Word document version.

Mama’s Miracle Boy

The miracle of turning water into wine might seem trivial, but a closer look reveals how Jesus interacted with His mother as an adult while teaching us about transformation. The miracle also paved the way for Jesus' first followers to buy into His ministry.

Adoption into God’s Family

Todd shares the audio from a sermon he provided from his basement on the first Sunday in January 2022 — a cold, icy day in Lawrence, Kansas. Using the text from Ephesians 1, we explore how we are adopted into the family of God thanks to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Advent 2021: The Redemption of Scrooge — Joy

Our short series on "The Redemption of Scrooge" concludes with an exploration of how our miserable miser of a character rediscovers joy. May we do so and keep Christmas all year round!