There is no substitute for opening the Bible and spending time in God’s Word for yourself.
Christian sermons, podcasts, books, and Bible studies can encourage us, challenge us, and help us understand Scripture more deeply—but they should never take the place of Scripture or the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Every message we hear should be prayerfully compared with the truth of God’s Word.
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:21 NKJV
Over the years, God has used several pastors, podcast hosts, and Bible study teachers to help me grow closer to Jesus. Some have helped me understand the historical and cultural context of Scripture. Others have encouraged me during difficult seasons, challenged me to live out my faith, or helped make biblical truth relatable to everyday life.
I certainly do not listen to every episode or agree with every word taught by every person listed here. I believe we should always listen with discernment, pray about what we hear, and return to the Bible as our final authority.
With that said, these are some of the Christian resources that have encouraged me most.
Before Anything Else: Listen to the Bible
As much as I enjoy sermons and Christian podcasts, the very best thing we can listen to is the Bible itself.
I love listening to Scripture through the YouVersion Bible App. It allows me to fill my mind and heart with God’s Word while driving, traveling, walking, working around the house, or resting.
Listening to the Bible has helped me hear passages in a fresh way. Sometimes I notice connections, repeated phrases, or details that I previously missed while reading. It is also a wonderful way to replace the noise of the world with truth.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
—Romans 10:17 NKJV
Sermons can teach us about God’s Word, but they should always lead us back to God’s Word.
Christian Podcasts I Enjoy
I don’t listen to a large number of podcasts regularly, but these are four that I return to often.
🔎 Neue Thing Podcast with Cherie Wagner
The Neue Thing Podcast is centered on encouraging, equipping, and empowering women through the Word of God. Cherie Wagner has such a beautiful desire to help women know Jesus and live according to biblical truth.
The episodes are grounded in Scripture and offer encouragement for women who want to grow deeper in their faith. I appreciate that the focus is not simply on providing inspirational words—it is on pointing women back to Jesus and helping them understand and apply God’s Word.
This is a wonderful podcast for women who want biblically based encouragement and practical spiritual growth.
🔎 WHOA That’s Good Podcast with Sadie Robertson Huff
Sadie Robertson Huff’s WHOA That’s Good Podcast includes meaningful and often lighthearted conversations with Christian authors, speakers, musicians, athletes, and other guests.
The conversations cover faith, relationships, family, purpose, identity, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life. I enjoy Sadie’s openness, enthusiasm, and passion for encouraging others to live boldly for Christ.
Her guests share testimonies, lessons they have learned, and some of the best advice they have received. The episodes are relatable and easy to listen to while still offering plenty to think and pray about.
🔎 Live Free with Josh Howerton
Live Free with Josh Howerton is one of the podcasts I listen to most often.
Pastor Josh has a gift for explaining biblical truth in a way that is both knowledgeable and relatable. He frequently shares the theological, historical, and cultural background of Scripture, helping listeners understand not only what a passage says but also why its original context matters.
He then connects those truths to the issues, struggles, relationships, and decisions we face today.
I appreciate his passion for Jesus and his desire to help people move beyond simply knowing about the Bible to actually living according to it. His teaching is often direct and challenging, but it is also filled with hope and practical wisdom.
🔎 Bridging the Gap Podcast
There are several podcasts called “Bridging the Gap,” but the one I listen to is the Minnesota-based Bridging the Gap Podcast. Its logo features a microphone surrounded by the words “Bridging the Gap,” along with its mission: “Encourage. Equip. Empower.”
Hosted by Mykelti Blum, the podcast features honest conversations, personal testimonies, leadership tools, practical advice, and encouragement for women in many different seasons of life.
I enjoy the openness of the conversations and the way the guests share real-life experiences. The episodes are meant to leave women feeling encouraged, strengthened, challenged, and closer to Jesus.
Pastors and Christian Teachers I Follow
🔥 Pastor Josh Howerton
Pastor Josh Howerton is the senior pastor of Lakepointe Church in Texas and a third-generation pastor. His knowledge of Scripture, love for Jesus, and passion for reaching people are evident in his preaching.
One of the things I appreciate most about his sermons is the context he provides. He explains the theology, history, customs, and culture surrounding a passage and then helps us see how that same biblical truth applies to our lives today.
His sermons are informative without feeling unreachable. He has a way of taking deep biblical teaching and communicating it in a relatable, memorable, and often practical way.
You can find his sermons through Lakepointe Church and its YouTube channel.
🔥 Pastor Otha Turnbough
Pastor Otha Turnbough of Lionheart Church near Atlanta teaches extensively about living biblically, eternity, and the Book of Revelation.
Many pastors hesitate to teach Revelation or go into great depth about eternity, but Pastor Otha is willing to address these subjects carefully and thoroughly. His School of Eternity series has helped me think more deeply about how the choices we make now can have eternal significance.
Lionheart Church also places a strong emphasis on deliverance and speaking in tongues. I am still prayerfully studying and working through some of those subjects, so I use discernment with those portions of the teaching. I think it is important to be honest about that.
Recommending someone does not necessarily mean agreeing with every belief or practice associated with that person or ministry. I listen prayerfully, examine everything through Scripture, retain what is biblically sound, and continue seeking the Lord about the areas in which I have questions & seek His discernment & wisdom.
What I appreciate about Pastor Otha is his willingness to teach difficult or often-overlooked subjects and his passion for helping believers live with eternity in mind.
🔥 Pastor Heath Beard
Pastor Heath Beard is the lead pastor of Heritage Church in Baxter, Minnesota.
He is such a passionate preacher with an evident love for Jesus and people. His messages frequently speak to the love of Christ, family life, relationships, spiritual growth, and following Jesus faithfully in everyday life.
Pastor Heath teaches with authenticity and warmth. His love for Christ is contagious, and his messages can encourage both those who have followed Jesus for years and those who are just beginning to explore faith.
I especially appreciate his heart for families and his desire to see people know Jesus personally, grow in their faith, and live out that faith together.
🔥 God’s Little Hummingbird — Melissa Schilling Smith
Another Bible teacher I follow is Melissa Schilling Smith, better known as God’s Little Hummingbird.
Melissa is a knowledgeable, no-nonsense teacher who does not shy away from challenging believers to examine what biblical obedience truly looks like. She digs deeply into the Torah and teaches Scripture from Genesis through Revelation, frequently discussing God’s commandments, the biblical feasts, clean eating, and honoring the Sabbath.
I wholeheartedly agree with her teaching that the biblical Sabbath is the seventh day—Saturday. Her messages have encouraged me to think more deeply about what it means to obey God rather than simply following traditions because they are familiar or commonly practiced.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
—Exodus 20:8 NKJV
Melissa is direct and passionate, and she is willing to address biblical subjects that many modern churches rarely discuss. I appreciate her knowledge of Scripture and her conviction that following Jesus should result in genuine obedience—not merely words, feelings, or a faith that never changes how we live.
However, this is another teacher I listen to with discernment. Melissa does not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, while I do. I set aside that portion of her teaching because, after studying Scripture, I believe the Church will be gathered to Jesus before God pours out His wrath upon the earth.
That difference does not prevent me from learning from the areas in which she offers valuable biblical insight. As with every teacher I follow, I compare what I hear with Scripture, retain what I believe is biblically sound, and continue prayerfully studying the areas where we disagree.
God’s Little Hummingbird is an especially thought-provoking resource for anyone interested in studying the Torah, the seventh-day Sabbath, biblical obedience, and the connections between the Old and New Testaments.
🔥 Kelly K Ministries
Another pastor and evangelist I enjoy following is Kelly K Ministries.
At first glance, Kelly may not look like what some people picture when they imagine a traditional preacher. He has piercings, tattoos, a modern style, and plenty of personality—but his appearance is also part of what makes his ministry so approachable.
Before following Jesus, Kelly worked in the music industry as a musician and tour manager. After surviving a near-fatal car accident, he surrendered his life to Christ and eventually became a pastor, author, teacher, and evangelist.
Kelly has a profound way of presenting the gospel and helping people understand what it truly means to follow Jesus. He speaks openly about love, forgiveness, repentance, salvation, obedience, and leaving an old life behind to walk with Christ.
I especially appreciate his ability to reach younger generations and people who might feel uncomfortable walking into a traditional church. At the same time, his messages are not limited to young people. Older believers can also benefit from the fresh, clear, and relatable way he explains Scripture.
Kelly’s ministry is a beautiful reminder that God looks at the heart and that we should never judge whether someone can be used by God based solely on outward appearance.
“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
—1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV
He may look “hip,” but his message is serious: Jesus saves, repentance matters, and following Christ should transform how we live.
You can find Kelly’s sermons, short teachings, livestreams, and biblical encouragement through the Kelly K YouTube channel.
🔥 The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble
The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble is one of the best resources I have found for both new and seasoned believers who want to read and understand the entire Bible.
The Bible Recap follows a chronological, one-year Bible reading plan. Each day includes approximately 12 minutes of Scripture reading followed by a short video or podcast recap explaining what you just read.
Tara-Leigh summarizes each day’s passages in a casual, clear, and easy-to-understand way. She explains unfamiliar history, provides helpful context, connects events to the larger biblical story, and points out details that can be easy to overlook when reading alone.
She even manages to make the portions of Scripture that people sometimes consider “boring”—including long genealogies and detailed lists—feel meaningful and interesting. Instead of rushing through those passages, she helps us understand why they were included and how they fit into God’s unfolding plan.
I love how The Bible Recap keeps readers engaged and curious about what will happen next. It helps the Bible feel like one connected story rather than a collection of unrelated books and events.
One of Tara-Leigh’s recurring reminders is that Scripture is revealing God’s character. The goal is not merely to finish a reading plan or gain more biblical knowledge; it is to know and love God more deeply.
The program is available as a YouVersion Bible reading plan, YouTube series, podcast, book, and printed chronological Bible. This makes it easy to choose the format—or combination of formats—that works best for you.
If you have tried to read through the Bible before but became confused, overwhelmed, or discouraged, The Bible Recap is a wonderful place to begin. It is equally valuable for longtime believers who want to notice new details, better understand the context, and see how the entire Bible points us toward God.
Each day is a small and manageable commitment, but over the course of a year, you will have traveled through the entire story of Scripture.
Bible Study Authors Who Have Helped Me Grow
Christian teachers have influenced my faith not only through sermons and podcasts but also through written Bible studies. I just love a good Bible study. I am always in the middle of one, if not two at the same time, both in a group and individually. I just love growing deeper in the Word, closer to Christ and learning more about our Savior, Yeshua!
A well-written study can help us slow down, examine Scripture carefully, ask meaningful questions, and recognize areas where God wants to transform our hearts.
📝 Beth Moore
Beth Moore’s in-depth Bible studies have played an especially important role in my spiritual growth.
Her studies invite you to dig deeply into Scripture rather than simply reading a short passage and moving on. God used her teaching to help me work through past hurts, understand forgiveness, recognize spiritual strongholds, and draw closer to Jesus.
Breaking Free and Living Free were especially important during the earlier years of my faith. Breaking Free goes deeply into past pain, freedom, forgiveness, and healing. Living Free covers some similar spiritual truths in a somewhat lighter format.
Both studies were critical to my growth, but it was while going through Living Free that I can honestly say I fell deeply in love with Jesus.
I also loved Beth Moore’s study of Esther so much that I completed it twice. Her studies have helped me see familiar biblical passages with greater depth and understand how personally and powerfully God’s Word speaks into our lives.
📝 Priscilla Shirer
Priscilla Shirer is another Bible teacher whose studies have greatly encouraged me.
The Armor of God and Discerning the Voice of God are both wonderful resources for anyone who wants to grow deeper in the Word and closer to the Lord.
I have completed The Armor of God twice because its message is so important. It teaches us how to recognize spiritual battles, understand the protection God has provided, and intentionally put on the full armor of God described in Ephesians 6.
Discerning the Voice of God helped me think more deeply about prayer, obedience, Scripture, and recognizing the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Priscilla teaches with boldness and passion while continually directing readers back to God and His Word.
📝 Katie Marie
I also want to give a special shout-out to Bible study author Katie Marie.
Katie’s story is incredibly inspiring. Because of learning disabilities, she did not learn to read until adulthood—and that happened only a few short years ago. Yet God has already worked through her life and obedience in such a beautiful way.
She has gone on to create Bible studies that are not only beautifully written but also thoughtfully and beautifully designed. Even the physical books feel special—the covers have a wonderfully soft, almost velvet-like texture.
I want to be transparent that I have not completed one of Katie’s studies yet, so I am not recommending them based on having personally worked through the full content. I am including her because of our meaningful personal encounter and because I am genuinely looking forward to beginning her study.
I met Katie at the Called Conference, where she was incredibly kind to me. I shared my story with her—my search for a camper, my desire to follow God’s will, and everything I have been walking through during this season of waiting.
She listened, prayed over me, and then gave me one of her Bible studies as a gift.
That moment meant so much to me. It was a beautiful example of someone taking the time to see another person, listen to her story, and offer genuine prayer and encouragement.
I will soon be beginning one of Katie’s studies through on my Facebook page, and I am truly looking forward to working through it! After I have completed the study, I plan to return and share more about my experience.
Related: Read about my experience at the Called Conference here.
Recommended Sermons and Series
I listen to so many sermons that choosing only a few is difficult! I will continue adding to this section as I look back through the sermons that have impacted me most.
Here are a few places to begin:
🎚️ The School of Eternity — Pastor Otha Turnbough
This extensive series examines eternity, heavenly rewards, the Book of Revelation, and how the way we live today prepares us for what is to come.
It challenges us to ask an important question: Are we living only for this temporary world, or are we intentionally building for eternity?
Explore the School of Eternity series.
🎚️ Lakepointe Church Sermons — Pastor Josh Howerton
Pastor Josh teaches on marriage, family, relationships, spiritual growth, cultural issues, biblical truth, and following Jesus in the modern world.
His sermons are especially helpful for listeners who want to understand the historical context of Scripture and how it applies to everyday life.
Explore Lakepointe Church messages.
🎚️ Heritage Church Messages — Pastor Heath Beard
Pastor Heath’s messages are filled with passion for Jesus, love for people, and practical encouragement for individuals and families.
Explore Heritage Church messages.
More individual sermon recommendations will be added soon.
Listen With an Open Bible and a Discerning Heart
No pastor, author, podcast host, church, or ministry is perfect. Every human teacher is capable of misunderstanding Scripture, communicating something poorly, or allowing a personal opinion to influence a message.
That is why discernment matters.
The Bereans were commended because they received teaching eagerly while also examining Scripture to determine whether what they heard was true.
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
—Acts 17:11 NKJV
We do not have to listen fearfully, but we should listen wisely.
Pray before you listen. Keep your Bible nearby. Look up the verses being taught. Read the surrounding passages. Consider the full counsel of Scripture rather than building a belief around one isolated verse. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and never be afraid to step away from a teaching that contradicts God’s Word.
Christian resources should never make us dependent upon a personality. They should help us become more dependent upon Jesus.
Let Every Resource Lead You Back to Jesus
I am grateful for the pastors, teachers, authors, and podcast hosts who have helped me understand Scripture, challenged my thinking, encouraged me through difficult seasons, and inspired me to follow Jesus more faithfully.
But none of them can replace personal time with the Lord.
Listen to the sermon. Enjoy the podcast. Work through the Bible study. Learn from faithful teachers—but then open your Bible, pray, and seek God for yourself.
The goal is not simply to collect more Christian information. The goal is to know Jesus, love Him, recognize His truth, and become more like Him.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
—Psalm 119:105 NKJV
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What sermons, Christian podcasts, pastors, or Bible studies have helped you grow closer to Jesus? I would love to hear your recommendations in the comments.
✨ Grace, adventure, and faith along the journey
Sharla – Sharla’s Wanderlust Adventures
Don’t forget — go somewhere new, heal the way God designed, and glorify Him in the journey.
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About Sharla
Hi, I'm Sharla—a veteran, traveler, empty nester, dog mom to Buster, and follower of Jesus. Through Sharla's Wanderlust Adventures, I share faith-filled travel experiences, Christian retreats, natural wellness, Bible studies, and the lessons God teaches me along the journey.
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