Friend, have you ever experienced a season where everything you thought was secure suddenly fell apart?

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Bible teacher, author, speaker, and teaching pastor Alli Patterson to talk about freedom, failure, redemption, and learning to build our lives on the only foundation that truly lasts.

Alli shares her powerful personal story of coming to faith as a teenager, drifting away from the Lord during college and early adulthood, and eventually walking through a devastating season of brokenness that nearly destroyed her marriage. Through that painful experience, she encountered the kindness, forgiveness, and presence of Jesus in a way she had never known before.

What I love about Alli's story is that it reminds us that God is not afraid of our mess. He is a God of redemption, restoration, and second chances.

We also dive into her newest Bible study, Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, where Alli teaches practical ways to approach Scripture that move beyond simply reading words on a page and into genuinely encountering God through His Word.

One of my favorite moments from this conversation was Alli's reminder that hearing God's Word is only part of the equation.

Jesus didn't simply call us to listen.

He called us to build.

The storms of life reveal what our foundation is made of, and true freedom comes when we choose to build our lives on Christ instead of success, comfort, achievement, or our own plans.

Whether you've struggled with failure, finding your footing after difficult seasons, or feeling intimidated by studying the Bible, this conversation will encourage you to take the next step toward Jesus and trust Him to rebuild what feels broken.

Bio:

Alli Patterson is a teacher, author, wife and mom of four out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She currently serves as a Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Church on the national teaching team. Alli is the leader of Woman Camp and founder of the Ignite Conference out of her passion for equipping women in the Kingdom of God.

As a lifetime learner and lover of scripture with a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Alli loves to create ways for others to know and love Jesus through his Word. She has created a fresh approach to Bible study in the release of Spirit-Led Bible Study, coming February 2026. She has written two books, How to Stay Standing and Blueprint for Belonging- both providing practical help translating Biblical principles into real life.

Alli speaks at events and conferences and enjoys podcasting. She is a runner and die-hard Buckeye football fan who loves Mexican food almost as much as her bratty calico cat.

Anchor Verses:

Luke 6:47-49

Luke 6:45

Connect with Alli:

Website: https://www.allipatterson.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/theallipatterson

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theallipatterson

About Spirit-Led Bible Study

In Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, Alli teaches practical and approachable ways to engage Scripture, helping readers move beyond simply reading the Bible to truly interacting with God through His Word.

The study introduces six practices designed to help believers observe, interpret, pray through, and apply Scripture while allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the process.

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