The Scott Sauls Podcast

Why Will “Spiritual But Not Religious” Eventually Fail You?

Is Jesus enough without the church? In this episode of “That’s a Great Question,” we explore one of the most common spiritual inquiries of our time: can I follow Jesus without being part of a church? Through stories, scripture, and honest reflection, you'll hear why community is not optional in the life of faith—even when it’s hard. If you’ve been burned by religion or tempted to walk with Christ alone, this conversation offers clarity, empathy, and a deeper invitation into something better.

Is the Church Helping or Hurting the World?

Is the church a life-giving family or a flawed institution? In this episode of “That’s a Great Question,” pastor and author Scott Sauls explores why Jesus didn't abandon what some call "organized religion," but instead built the church - His church - as a vessel for grace, healing, and mission. You'll discover why boundaries can bless, how faith flourishes in form, and why the church, for all its failures, remains at the heart of God’s plan. If you've wrestled with the tension between loving Jesus and struggling with organized religion, this conversation is for you.

Are You Sure You Want To Walk Away from God?

If you’ve ever felt like walking away from faith, this episode is for you. In That’s a Great Question, pastor and author Scott Sauls unpacks how the love of God and the pain of life meet at the cross. Drawing from the stories of Joseph, Job, and Jesus, he shows how Christianity uniquely reveals a God who is not distant, but who suffers with and for us.
When life hurts and faith feels fragile, this conversation will help you see that God’s silence is not His absence—and His heart breaks right alongside yours.

Why is doubt the best kept secret for knowing God?

Is doubt a sign that your faith is failing—or that it’s growing stronger? In this episode of That’s a Great Question, pastor and author Scott Sauls explores how Scripture reveals God’s surprising tenderness toward those who wrestle with uncertainty. Drawing from the stories of Thomas, John the Baptist, Elijah, and others, Scott shows why honest doubt can become the very path to deeper trust.
If you’ve ever feared that your questions put you on the outside of faith, this conversation will remind you that God moves toward doubters, not away from them.

What C.S. Lewis, Mother Teresa, and Job Teach Us About God's Hiddenness

Many wrestle with God's seeming silence - especially in seasons of crisis. In this episode, pastor and author Scott Sauls explores the biblical reasons why God often seems hidden and how His "absence" can become an invitation into deeper, not lesser, faith. We’ll consider the story of Job, the words of Jesus, and the lived experiences of believers like C.S. Lewis and Mother Teresa who have, paradoxically, found God most present when He felt most absent.

Do You Believe God Actually Likes You?

What if the real reason we hide, pretend, and perform is that we’re not yet convinced God actually likes us and is quite fond of us? In this episode, pastor and author Scott Sauls helps us explore how the cross of Jesus speaks not only to our guilt, but also to our shame. With insights from the likes of Tim Keller, Steve Brown, and Jack Miller, you’ll hear how lingering at the cross can transform your identity from "tolerated" to "treasured." Discover four signs you're starting to live as one who is both forgiven and loved.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

In today’s episode, we’re asking: What should Christians do about Halloween? Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all answer, pastor and author Scott Sauls helps us explore how believers can approach this day with discernment and love.
From its ancient roots to present-day tensions, we’ll look at Halloween through a gospel lens - one that neither retreats in fear nor joins in uncritically. You’ll also hear three practical ways to express hospitality and live as "salt and light" on a day that many associate with darkness.
Let’s explore and discover how the love of Christ can transform even the most complicated and potentially polarizing cultural moments.

How Do You Move Forward When You Can't Fix the Past?

How do you move forward when you can’t change the past? In this final episode of the current series called Life’s Too Short to Miss the Point, Scott Sauls reflects on grace, healing, and the redemptive power of God in the face of our regrets. Drawing from Scripture and stories like Peter, Augustine, and Zacchaeus, this conversation invites you to stop pretending, start confessing, and move forward with courage. Your past isn’t the end of your story - and it absolutely doesn’t disqualify you from the future God has for you.

What Actually Matters in the Second Half of Life?

What really matters in the second half of life? In this episode, Scott Sauls reflects on the priorities that endure beyond career and achievement - our relationships with God, family, and friends, and a purpose that leaves a lasting legacy. Drawing on Scripture, the insights of those near life’s end, and lessons from leaders in faith and business, Scott invites listeners to reset their focus on what truly counts. If you’re sensing the need for a midlife reset or wishing for a life of greater meaning and joy, this conversation will encourage you to invest in what lasts.

Why Doesn't Winning Always Satisfy?

Why does "winning" sometimes leave us feeling empty? In this episode of That’s a Great Question, Scott Sauls helps us explore the tension between success and satisfaction. With insights from Scripture and real-life examples like Tom Brady and King Solomon, this episode invites you to rethink what truly satisfies - and how to move from chasing things like money, power, and applause to building a life of meaning, purpose, and love. If you’ve ever reached a goal and still felt a void, this one is for you.