Synopsis
Welcome to the weekly audio podcast for Athens Church in Athens, GA where our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our desire is that this podcast will encourage you in your relationship with God. Visit us at athenschurch.com.
Episodes
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Anxious For Nothing
30/08/2026 Duration: 38minIn this message, Josh Bayne talks about anxiety and why it can be so difficult to find peace when life feels uncertain. We often try to control outcomes or find answers, but what if there’s a better way to respond when we don’t know what’s coming next? Discover how letting go of what we can’t control can lead to a deeper sense of peace—even in the middle of difficult circumstances.
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Focus On This
23/08/2026 Duration: 36minIn this message, Sean Seay explores the mental battles we all face and how we can find greater peace in the middle of them. Through Philippians 4 in the Bible, we discover how what we focus on can shape our thoughts, our lives, and our relationship with God. If you’ve ever struggled with fear, anxiety, or negative thoughts, this message offers practical hope for finding peace.
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The Battlefield is the Mind
16/08/2026 Duration: 32minIn this message, Josh Bayne kicks off a new series about winning the war in your mind and finding freedom from the thoughts that hold you back. We all face fear, anxiety, doubt, and lies that can shape the way we see ourselves and our lives—but we don’t have to let those thoughts control us. Discover how to identify the strongholds in your mind, take your thoughts captive, and replace lies with the truth of who Jesus is.
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Find Your People
09/08/2026 Duration: 31minIn this message, Sean Seay explores why we were never meant to experience life’s highs and lows alone. In a world where we’re more digitally connected than ever, it’s easy to still feel isolated and wonder who we would call when life gets really hard—or really good. Through Romans 12 in the Bible, Sean reminds us that God designed us for relationships where we can celebrate together, walk through challenges together, and be truly known.
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Everybody Can Do Something
02/08/2026 Duration: 36minIn this message, Stephen Sowell explores how each of us has unique strengths that are meant to make a difference in the lives of others. He shares how discovering your gifts can lead to a greater purpose, a deeper community, and a life bigger than yourself.
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In & Around
19/07/2026 Duration: 42minIn this message, Joel Thomas discusses how, during trials, we tend to ask God to change what’s going on around us. But God is more interested in transforming what’s going on in us.
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Choosing Hard
12/07/2026 Duration: 47minIn a world that constantly pushes us toward comfort, convenience, and the path of least resistance, Jesus invites us into something deeper—something harder. But what if the hard path is actually the best one? What if growth, purpose, and true joy are found not in avoiding struggle, but in embracing it? In this message, we’ll explore what it means to choose hard—to intentionally walk the narrow road of faith, obedience, and sacrifice. Joel Thomas presents a message to help us discover that choosing hard isn't about being reckless—it's about being courageous. And it’s often the very place where God does His greatest work in us.
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Have We Made God Too Small?
05/07/2026 Duration: 24minIn this message, Andy Lowry invites us to discover a bigger view of God—one that moves beyond the version we can easily understand or control. As we explore God's greatness and the way he chose to come near through Jesus, we're reminded that his love is deeper, his grace is greater, and his presence is more personal than we often realize. No matter where you're starting from, this message offers an invitation to trust the God who is bigger than your questions, fears, and circumstances.Scripture to reflect on: Nehemiah 9:5-6Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.Psalm 104:1-2 Praise the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great!You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment,stret
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Raising Kids With Faith: Want Some Help?
28/06/2026 Duration: 36minIn this message, Sean Seay reminds us that while parents have the greatest influence on their children's faith, they were never meant to carry that responsibility alone. God designed the church to come alongside families with encouragement, meaningful relationships, and practical support that helps faith grow over time. Whether you're raising kids, investing in the next generation, or simply looking for a place to belong, this message is an invitation to discover the difference community can make.
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Blessing and Cursing
21/06/2026 Duration: 33minIn this message, Josh Bayne explores the powerful impact our words, attitudes, and actions have on the people closest to us. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, mentor, or friend, the way you communicate can either build confidence and connection or create distance and discouragement. Discover how choosing encouragement over criticism can help the people in your life feel seen, valued, and deeply loved—and why that may be one of the greatest gifts you can give.
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Behaving Vs. Becoming
14/06/2026 Duration: 36minIn this message, Stephen Sowell challenges parents to look beyond behavior and focus on what matters most—who their children are becoming. Through practical insights and timeless wisdom, he shares how parents can help their kids build a strong sense of identity, purpose, and resilience. Discover how guiding a child's heart can have a lasting impact far beyond their current actions.
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Choosing To Cheat
07/06/2026 Duration: 39minIn this message, Josh Bayne unpacks why so many of us feel stretched thin and what that means for our relationships. Drawing from Daniel's story, he offers a fresh perspective on navigating work, family, and the pressures of everyday life. This message may help you identify what deserves your best time and attention.
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Praying For What You Can't Control
31/05/2026 Duration: 35minIn this message, Sean Seay talks about one of the biggest traps parents fall into: trying to control what only God can change. Whether you’re raising kids, hoping to one day, or simply trying to influence the next generation well, this message offers practical encouragement for letting go of pressure and leaning into prayer. You don’t have to parent perfectly to faithfully love, lead, and pray for the people God has placed in your life.
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Living Free From Performance
17/05/2026 Duration: 31minIn this message, Charles Ficken talks about the pressure so many of us feel to prove ourselves and measure up. Looking at Galatians 5 in the Bible, he explores the freedom Jesus offers from constantly performing for approval and the invitation to live like your worth is already secure. If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to be enough, this message is for you.
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When Everything Feels Heavy
10/05/2026 Duration: 32minIn this message, Clay Scroggins talks about why so many of us feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck carrying more than we were meant to. Looking at Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11, he explores the kind of rest that goes deeper than just slowing down. If life feels heavy right now, this message is a reminder that you don’t have to carry it alone.
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He Never Runs Out
03/05/2026 Duration: 36minIn this message, Stephen Sowell explores the pressure so many of us feel—that no matter what we have, it’s never enough. Using a powerful story from Jesus’ life, he challenges the constant striving and offers a different way to live, one marked by peace and contentment. Instead of chasing more, what if real satisfaction comes from trusting you already have what you need?
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All Things New
26/04/2026 Duration: 34minIn this message, Josh Bayne explores the question we’re all asking: is there anything better ahead? While life can feel exhausting and uncertain, he suggests what we’re really facing is a crisis of hope. Challenging common ideas about heaven, Josh unpacks Jesus’ promise of a restored future where everything broken is made new. If you’ve been wondering whether your best days are behind you, this message offers a reason to believe they’re still to come.
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Fully Known & Fully Loved
19/04/2026 Duration: 34minIn this message, Stephen Sowell unpacks how the “headline” we believe about our lives shapes the story we live. So many of us chase being noticed, only to find it never fully satisfies our deepest desire to be known and loved. Through the story of Peter in the Bible, we see the good news Jesus offers: that we are already fully known and fully loved by God. The invitation is to step out of our false story and into the greater story He’s been telling all along.
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What Can Wash Away My Sin?
12/04/2026 Duration: 33minIn this message, Josh Bayne kicks off the “Good News” series by exploring a question we all wrestle with: what do we do with the weight of our past? We spend so much time trying to cover, fix, or outrun our mistakes, only to find they still follow us into the future. But what if the solution isn’t something you do, but something that’s already been done for you? This message invites you to discover the good news that through Jesus, your past doesn’t have to define your future.