The Arsenal Church

Rooted in Curiosity | Rooted (Week 9) | Daniel Gertson

In this week’s message, Daniel Gertson invites us to rethink everything we thought we knew about the Bible—moving beyond rigid, inherited beliefs and into a more honest, human, and transformative way of engaging Scripture. Through personal stories, humor, and thoughtful insight, Daniel explores the tension many of us have felt when the Bible seems confusing, contradictory, or unclear, and reframes it not as a perfect rulebook or answer manual, but as a diverse, evolving story of how people have experienced and understood God across time. Rather than shutting down questions or doubt, this message opens the door to curiosity, conversation, and growth—reminding us that faith isn’t about having everything figured out, but about learning to engage, wrestle, and ultimately love more deeply.

Rooted in Fatherhood | Rooted (Week 8) | Chad Belew

For Father’s Day, we throw out the manly checklist and re-root ourselves in the way of Jesus. What makes a good dad? A good man? It’s not toughness or dominance—it’s presence, empathy, and love. Using the parable of the prodigal’s father and research from leading psychologists, this talk unpacks how Christlike fatherhood heals families and transforms culture—for sons, daughters, and all of us.

Rooted in Compassion (Even for Our “Enemy”) | Rooted (Week 7) | Chad Belew

Jesus told us to love our enemies—but what if “enemy” is a label we created? In this message, we explore the psychology of division, tribalism, and how compassion disarms it. Chad reflects on his time at an interfaith summit, and we revisit Jesus’ teachings on enemy love, with insights from writings of Psychologists Jonathan Haidt and Kristin Kobes Du Mez. What if compassion is the way we unlearn separation? (Audio on this Podcast cutout early, but the point of the Message is still there)

Rooted in Awe | Rooted (Week 6) | Chad Belew

What if awe is more than a feeling? What if it’s medicine? This week, we explore how awe expands empathy, creates connection, and rewires our brain. Drawing from recent research, scripture, and everyday wonder, we explore how living rooted in awe changes not just our worship—but our world.

Rooted in "Fear?" | Rooted (Week 5) | Chad Belew

Is it possible that awe—not fear—is the beginning of wisdom? In this message in the Rooted series, Chad dives into what it really means to be “God-fearing.” With scripture, psychology, and real-life application, this talk unpacks how our view of God shapes the way we treat others—and ourselves.