Transforming Mission Podcast with Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

Episode 393: The Teacher is Here

As we close our Advent series, we turn to Joseph in Matthew 1:18–25, a quiet figure whose actions teach us about faithful leadership. Joseph does not speak, yet his choices reveal a deep, lived righteousness. When Joseph learns of Mary's pregnancy, he chooses mercy before he has answers. He plans to protect her from humiliation, showing us that righteousness is not rigid rule keeping, but compassion in action. Only later does the angel appear, speaking words leaders often need to hear, "Do not be afraid." Joseph's fear is not dismissed, but he is invited to trust that God is at work in ways he cannot yet see. Joseph is entrusted with two names for the child, Jesus, meaning "the Lord saves," and Emmanuel, "God with us." These names remind us that God's saving work happens through presence. God comes near, stepping into ordinary and complicated lives. When Joseph wakes, he acts. He takes Mary as his wife and names the child, publicly aligning his life with what God is doing, even at personal cost. Compassion moves from intention to action. For leaders today, Joseph reminds us that courage and compassion belong together. You cannot carry every burden, but you can ask who God is placing in front of you. Leadership can feel lonely, yet Emmanuel assures us that God is with us, right in the middle of uncertainty. As you lead this week, consider where fear may be holding you back and where God is inviting you to respond with compassion. The teacher is here, not from a distance, but present with you as you lead.

Episode 392 - Here Comes the Teacher - Pay Attention

In Episode 392 of the Transforming Mission Podcast, we continue our Advent series *Here Comes the Teacher* by turning our attention to Matthew 11:2–11 and the honest questions of John the Baptist. From a prison cell, John asks the question many faithful people wrestle with: *Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?* Jesus responds not with explanations, but by pointing to what is already happening, healing, restoration, mercy, and good news for the poor. In this episode, Tim and Sara explore what it means to pay attention when God does not meet our expectations, why disappointment can open the door to deeper trust, and how believing in Jesus becomes a way of living marked by compassion and care for others. This conversation is especially meaningful for leaders navigating uncertainty, change, or unmet hopes. Advent invites us to slow down, look again, and notice the surprising ways God is already at work. Join us as we reflect on how the Teacher invites us to see, trust, and live differently this season.

Episode 391: Here Comes the Teacher - Listen

Episode 391: Here Comes the Teacher - Listen As we step into Matthew 3 and follow John the Baptist into the wilderness, this Advent conversation explores how listening prepares us for the One who is coming. From John's bold call to repentance to Jesus' quiet arrival at the Jordan, this episode invites you to slow down, clear the noise, and pay attention to God's presence. If you're longing for clarity, renewal, or a deeper connection with God this season, this episode offers a thoughtful guide for your Advent journey. Listen today and rediscover the transforming power of listening.

Episode 390: Here Comes the Teacher - Watch

Episode 390: Here Comes the Teacher — Watch Advent invites us to wake up to God's presence—even in the chaos. In this first week of our Advent series, Here Comes the Teacher, we explore Jesus' call to "stay awake" in Matthew 24. Rather than predicting the future, Jesus offers a posture for faithful living: watchfulness. In a world marked by turmoil, whether in the first century or today, the Teacher invites us to pay attention, stay centered, and notice where God is breaking in right now. Sara and Tim unpack how Matthew's Gospel speaks into moments of crisis, reminding us that God's presence is not distant or theoretical. It's Emmanuel, God with us, showing up in the swirl of ordinary life. From practicing the means of grace to asking daily, "Where have you experienced Christ's presence today?" this episode offers a hopeful and grounded way to move through Advent. Leaders especially will find encouragement to help their communities stay awake to God's activity, resist fear-driven distractions, and cultivate habits that keep hope visible, even when the world feels anything but calm. This week's invitation: Stay awake to Christ's presence. Let Jesus—not the turmoil—be the center of your story. For show notes, visit transformingmission.org/390.

Episode 389 - Leadership - The Power of We