The Westside Podcast—featuring Jonathan Hansen

Conversations with Troy Kennedy | S2: Episode 2- The Deeper Life Jesus Invites Us Into

More Than We’ve Known is Season 2 of Conversations with Troy Kennedy, a Christian podcast exploring spiritual growth as a lifelong journey with Jesus.

Many of us assume faith means having it all together—or that once we reach a certain point, growth should stop feeling hard. But real discipleship isn’t a straight line. It unfolds in seasons, includes setbacks, invites healing, and continually calls us deeper with Christ.

In this season, Troy Kennedy explores a historic framework of spiritual formation that helps us:

• Name where we are in our faith journey

• Understand what God may be doing in each season

• See why feeling stuck, disillusioned, or stretched can actually be part of spiritual growth—not a failure

Whether you’re new to faith, returning after church hurt, or have followed Jesus for decades, More Than We’ve Known invites you into this truth:

Jesus always has more for us than we’ve known.

📘 Episode Resources & Next Steps

Spiritual Life Inventory
What stage are you in right now?
👉 https://homeworld.ejay563.com/Spirit/survey.php

Essentials Course
Loving Jesus • Becoming Like Jesus • Sharing Jesus
👉 https://www.westsidefamily.church/essentials

Discover Your SHAPE
Understand how God uniquely designed you to serve
👉 https://www.westsidefamily.church/shape

Recommended Reading

• Journey of the Soul — Bill & Christie Gualtierre

• The Critical Journey — Janet Hagberg & Robert Gulich

Contact Troy Kennedy
📧 TKennedy@westsidefamily.church

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▶️ New episodes weekly
▶️ Subscribe for conversations on discipleship, spiritual formation, and following Jesus in real life

 

A Real and Vulnerable Conversation

We talk a lot about freedom—but do we actually live free?

In this week’s podcast conversation, Pastor Jonathan unpacks the heart behind Sunday’s message, “Set Free to Live Free.” With honesty and clarity, he dives into what it really takes to break strongholds, confront cycles that keep us stuck, and step into the freedom Jesus offers—not just in theory, but in everyday life.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level faith and into the places many of us quietly wrestle with: habits, dependencies, patterns, and compromises that leave us weary and disconnected from God’s design.

Life Application

This week, identify one area of your life where you feel bound or stuck. Instead of asking God to simply remove the struggle, ask Him to show you one small, practical step you can take toward freedom. This might be confessing to a trusted friend, changing a daily routine, or committing to Scripture before screen time each morning.

Remember: you can't do it without God, but He won't do it without you. Start small, stay consistent, and trust that God can transform your little actions into an amazing work of freedom in your life.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What is one area of my life where I feel bound or stuck?
• Who is one person I could confess this struggle to and ask for accountability?
• What is one small, practical step I can take this week toward freedom?
• How can I better protect my attention and focus it on God rather than the distractions of this world?

If you love Jesus but still feel like there are chains you can’t quite shake—this episode is for you.

Conversations with Troy Kennedy | S2: The Deeper Life Jesus Invites Us Into

More Than We’ve Known is Season 2 of Conversations with Troy Kennedy, a Christian podcast exploring spiritual growth as a lifelong journey with Jesus.

Many of us assume faith means having it all together—or that once we reach a certain point, growth should stop feeling hard. But real discipleship isn’t a straight line. It unfolds in seasons, includes setbacks, invites healing, and continually calls us deeper with Christ.

In this season, Troy Kennedy explores a historic framework of spiritual formation that helps us:

• Name where we are in our faith journey

• Understand what God may be doing in each season

• See why feeling stuck, disillusioned, or stretched can actually be part of spiritual growth—not a failure

Whether you’re new to faith, returning after church hurt, or have followed Jesus for decades, More Than We’ve Known invites you into this truth:

Jesus always has more for us than we’ve known.

▶️ New episodes weekly
▶️ Subscribe for conversations on discipleship, spiritual formation, and following Jesus in real life

Advent Week 4: Love Beyond Feelings | Receiving God’s Unconditional Love

This Advent episode explores biblical love (agape) and how it differs from the emotion-based, conditional love often celebrated in culture. Through the incarnation of Jesus, we see God’s love in action—unearned, intentional, and present with us in our brokenness.

The conversation addresses common barriers to receiving God’s love, including performance-based thinking and projecting past relationship wounds onto God. Listeners are invited to receive love as they are and reflect it through presence, compassion, and community this Christmas season and beyond.

Advent Week 3: Finding True Joy This Christmas: Beyond Happiness and Pleasure | Conversations with Troy Kennedy

Show Notes: Advent Week 3 — Joy (Luke 1:46–55)

This week, Troy guides us through Mary’s Song in Luke 1:46–55—a beautiful reminder that Joy is rooted in God’s presence, not circumstances.

Reflection Questions:
• How does culture’s approach to Advent drain your joy?
• How can you intentionally turn your focus toward Jesus this season?
• What familiar patterns can you surrender to Him for renewal?
• How does the world define joy—and how does Jesus redefine it?
• Are you fighting for joy? When was the last time you truly pursued it?
• Will you pray, “Lord, I want Your joy—show me how to receive it”?
• Who do you need to bring into your life to help remind you of Jesus’ joy?

Helpful Resources Mentioned:
• Wired for Negativity: https://www.verywellmind.com/negative-bias-4589618
• 15-Second Gratitude Boost: https://www.thezoereport.com/wellness/the-15-second-gratitude-trick-that-will-boost-your-mood-daily

Definitions & Quotes:
• Jim Wilder: “Joy is when someone is glad to be with me… being the sparkle in someone’s eye.”
• Dallas Willard:
“God is the most joyous being in the universe… All of the good and beautiful things from which we occasionally drink tiny droplets of soul-exhilarating joy, God continuously experiences in all their breadth and depth and richness.”

This conversation will invite your heart back to the joy that Jesus brings—deep, lasting, and life-giving.

Advent Week 2: Finding True Peace Beyond the Holiday Chaos | Conversations with Troy Kennedy

Show Notes: Advent Week 2 — Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

In Week 2, we reflect on the Peace Jesus brings—the kind rooted in shalom: wholeness, completeness, flourishing. Through Isaiah 9:6, Troy walks us through the powerful names of Jesus and what they mean for our lives today.

Reflection Questions:
• Which name do you need to call on in this season?
Wonderful? Counselor? Mighty God? Everlasting Father? Prince of Peace?
• How is shalom different from the modern idea of peace?
• How does the arrival of Jesus bring biblical peace?
• How is peace something we are, not just something we try to create?
• What holiday traditions bring peace to your soul?
• Is conforming to cultural pressure keeping you from peace this year?
• How will you hold onto spiritual practices that help you stay grounded?
• How has Jesus provided peace for you in the past?
• What belongs in your “peace toolkit” this season?
• Who can you invite into this journey for accountability and encouragement?

Let this episode guide you toward the Prince of Peace, who still brings calm to our chaos.

Advent Week 1: Finding Hope in the Waiting | Conversations with Troy Kennedy

Show Notes: Advent Week 1 — Hope (Isaiah 9:2–7)

In Week 1 of our Advent journey, Troy Kennedy explores the deep, biblical meaning of Hope through the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2–7. Advent is a season of anticipation, longing, and making room for Jesus. Together we reflect on:

Reflection Questions:
• What comes to mind when you hear the word Advent?
• How do you plan to approach this Advent season?
• What are you hoping for in this moment of your life?
• When have you had to wait for something good?
• What are you saying, “Lord, help me make room for…” this year?
• How does Scripture define hope differently than our culture?
• What is one small, daily practice that excites you as you mark Advent?

Troy also shares Eugene Peterson’s reminder:
“Hope has almost nothing to do with forecasting the future… It’s waking up to the presence of God right now and living as if Jesus is alive today—because he is.”

Join us as we rediscover true Hope—the kind that steadies our hearts and awakens us to God’s presence.

How To Read The Bible • Q&A — How to trust, understand, and apply the Bible with confidence today

Have questions about the Bible? You’re not alone. In this episode, Troy and guest Eric Boles tackle common questions about Scripture’s trustworthiness, inspiration, and relevance today. From “How did we get the Bible?” to “Why does the Old Testament God seem different from Jesus?”, this conversation is designed to deepen your confidence in God’s Word.

At Westside Family Church, our mission is loving Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and sharing Jesus. Reading the Bible is one of the most powerful ways we live that out—it’s not just about gaining information, but about transformation. We encourage you to approach Scripture with humility, curiosity, and a desire to encounter God’s love every day.

Remember:
🙏 Pray.
📖 Read.
🙏 Pray.
Every day.

Resources:

• Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
• Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams
• How We Got the Bible by Neil Lightfoot
• The Bible Project: How to Read the Bible video series
• N.T. Wright for Everyone commentary series
• Overview of the Bible’s structure:
• Old Testament (39 books) — Law, History, Poetry, Prophets (17:5:17)
• New Testament (27 books) — Gospels, History, Letters, Prophecy (5:13:9)
• Recommended Translations: NIV, ESV, NLT, CSB

How To Read The Bible • Encounter — How to read the Bible as a living encounter with God that transforms your heart

The Bible isn’t just meant to be read—it’s meant to be experienced. In this episode, we explore Lectio Divina, a prayerful way of reading Scripture that helps us slow down, listen, and encounter God’s presence. Learn how Scripture can shape your heart, renew your mind, and draw you closer to the living God who speaks through His Word.

At Westside Family Church, our mission is loving Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and sharing Jesus. Reading the Bible is one of the most powerful ways we live that out—it’s not just about gaining information, but about transformation. We encourage you to approach Scripture with humility, curiosity, and a desire to encounter God’s love every day.

Remember:
🙏 Pray.
📖 Read.
🙏 Pray.
Every day.

Resources:

• Lectio Divina Guide — Practicing the Way: Scripture Practice
• Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• Scripture Practice by John Mark Comer — Practicing the Way
• Suggested passages for Lectio Divina: Luke 7:11–17, John 15:14–17, Matthew 13:31–32
• RightNow Media — spiritual formation studies

How To Read The Bible • Relationship — How to read the Bible to know God personally and grow in relationship with Him

Reading the Bible isn’t just about gaining knowledge—it’s about knowing God. In this episode, we discuss how Scripture invites us into a growing relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Using the Discovery Bible Method, we explore how to read relationally and apply God’s truth in community.

At Westside Family Church, our mission is loving Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and sharing Jesus. Reading the Bible is one of the most powerful ways we live that out—it’s not just about gaining information, but about transformation. We encourage you to approach Scripture with humility, curiosity, and a desire to encounter God’s love every day.

Remember:
🙏 Pray.
📖 Read.
🙏 Pray.
Every day.

Resources:

• Discovery Bible Study Method — discoverapp.org
• Scripture Practice by John Mark Comer — Practicing the Way
• RightNow Media — Bible study resources and video teaching
• N.T. Wright for Everyone commentary series
• The Bible Project Podcast
• YouVersion Bible App (reading reminders and community plans)