Some Christians celebrate Christmas religiously as a celebration of Jesus' birth, citing the importance of His appearance and the rare occasion of the culture acknowledging Christianity. Others celebrate as a strictly non-religious holiday, noting that Jesus was almost certainly not born on 12/25 and the Bible does not speak on the matter. Others eschew celebration altogether, each for varying reasons. In this episode: - What are the pros and cons of each belief system? - What is the difference ...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min
From day one, every married couple makes decisions about reproduction and contraception. Sadly, most have no idea that God has much to say on the matter. In this episode Dr. Brad Harrub returns to break down the medical ethics and Biblical considerations surrounding these topics, including "the pill," IUDs, In-Vitro Fertilization, and the decision many are making to forego children altogether.
Nov 28, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Dr. Brad Harrub joins the show to continue the series on Christian sexuality. This week's episode focuses on the different perspectives and desires men and women bring into the bedroom and how they can deepen their relationship by serving each other.
Nov 21, 2022•1 hr
We know all the things we AREN'T supposed to do... but in many cases the church's teaching about sexuality stops there. Young people are left in the dark, and married couples misunderstand God's intended purpose for sex. Topics include: - Why God made sex, and what it does for married couples - What the Bible says on the matter, and why we often shy away from it - Why the world's sexuality is so disastrous - What churches and parents should be teaching young people
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Unfortunately many Christians dry off from the waters of baptism and are never shown the next steps to take on their lifelong journey of growth. “Read your Bible, pray, go to church every time the doors are open” are all great tips… but nobody ever came to spiritual maturity by just doing the basics. In this episode we share 7 tools you can use to enhance your growth.
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 3 min
With a crucial midterm election facing the country, we examine the Christian's relationship with politics. Many believe we shouldn't be political at all. Others believe a Christian's vote is their own business and whoever and whatever you choose to support is fine. We examine these ideas and more, including. - What principles should govern our political engagement? - Are Christians guilty of "trusting in princes" (Psalm 146:3)when they endorse candidates? - Why Jack and Joe have changed their mi...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 4 min
The guys engage in a lively debate about Halloween. As occultists celebrate the day, should Christians avoid it? What about the aesthetics of blood, death, and ghouls? They also touch on horror movies and the Biblical principles we should keep in mind when choosing what to watch.
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Jack and Joe trade notes on how ministers can serve their members, how elders can help set ministers up for success and guard their flock, and how members can find growth by communicating with their leadership.
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 6 min
"Honor your father and mother" - it's a commandment you hear a lot as a kid, but after that we often fail to give it much thought. Maybe it's time to revisit it. In this episode we talk about the far-reaching consequences of our neglect in this area. Topics include: - Why God commanded those who cursed their parents to be stoned - How our society teaches us to hate our parents - Honoring difficult parents in your adulthood - Reaching out to adult children who have distanced themselves
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 6 min
We share our rankings of what we think are some of the most challenging commands God has given us in His Word. Far from complaining about their difficulty, we want this to be an appreciation of the holiness God has called us to and a chance to humble ourselves in recognition of just how much we need His grace and strength. So... what commands might you put on the list?
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Many seem to believe that work is a necessary evil, something we have to get through on our way to enjoying our "real life" of weekends, vacations, and retirement. The Bible doesn't see it that way. Work was part of God's purpose for man's life from the very beginning, and rightly ordered it can bring us much joy. In this episode we discuss: - Why laziness and carelessness are unbecoming of Christians - How a "chase your dreams" career approach causes trouble - Why poverty isn't inherently more ...
Sep 26, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Some Christians claim Jesus explicitly told us to prepare ourselves for self-defense. Other Christians claim Jesus expressly prohibited us from doing so. How can there be such a wide chasm of opinions on this matter? And what does the Bible really say? We discuss in this episode. Topics include: - How both sides of the debate often misunderstand Jesus - What the Old Testament teaches us on the matter - Situations such as home intrusions, active shooters in the church building, war, and the like...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 18 min
Every Christian knows they are to pray, study the Word, attend worship, and so on. But many Christian families don't know that God expects them to come together in the home to spend time in teaching, worship, and prayer. This week we discuss the what, why, and how of family worship, including: - Why Christian families should view family devotionals as a non-negotiable part of their schedule - What Deuteronomy 6 and Proverbs 22:6 teach us about God's expectations and promises for parents - How to...
Sep 12, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Many Christians place little importance on the physical world, including our bodies, concluding that such things don't matter because "it's all gonna burn anyway!" That's not how God sees the matter, though. In this week's episode we discuss why it's important for Christians to strive to be healthy. Topics include: - Why the "it's all going to burn" mindset distorts the Scriptures - How our physical appearance confirms or detracts from the truths we seek to proclaim - Practical tips that have he...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 5 min
This week we take a look at Critical Race Theory (CRT) and why it does not fit with the Gospel What CRT is and how it came to be - The abominable fruit CRT is bearing in society - Why this new approach to race is anti-Gospel - What churches can do to push back on CRT and uphold healthy racial unity
Aug 29, 2022•1 hr 28 min
Everybody has a worldview, but not everybody knows what worldview they hold. For Christians, it's imperative that we understand the world God's way, using the Bible as our guide. But how can we do that? And how can we know if we're employing a Biblical worldview? It's as simple as checking your pockets, actually. We explain in this episode. Music: “Focus” by A. A. Aalto Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_A_Aalto/Connections/Focus)
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr
This week we entertain an intriguing hypothetical: if you were involved in helping plant a new congregation, what 3 non-essential practices would you change? We give our answers in 3 categories: - Worship and the assembly - Fellowship and study time - Leadership -------- Music: "Focus" by A. A. Aalto Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_A_Aalto/Connections/Focus)
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 29 min
Everybody talks about having a "church family," but do we act like we really believe it's a family? In episode 3 of our Church Reset series, we discuss what it would look like to truly act as a family in the way God intended, including: - Why consumer Christianity fails to produce family-like churches - Examining the "one anothers" - Practical ways we can build stronger fellowship - The 3 types of fellowship, and which one we need the most Music: “Focus” by A. A. Aalto Free Music Archive (https:...
Aug 08, 2022•57 min
How do we break out of the consumeristic church structure that rules the day? It starts with revisiting perhaps the most widely misunderstood text in the entire Bible - the Great Commission. This week we discuss how we've gotten it wrong, and why getting it right is essential to become the church God intended us to be.
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Our 4 part "Church Reset" series begins with a look at consumer Christianity. - Why a business-like view of the church creates weak, shallow Christians - What Jesus would do with today's church growth strategies - How to be a true Christian rather than just a church customer - How church leaders can stop creating customers and start creating disciples
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 11 min
God has established hierarchy throughout creation, in nations, churches, and the home. However, in our day of independence and individualism, we don't often take kindly to being told what to do. God created these structures in His infinite wisdom, we're going to come to terms with that word we view so negatively: "submit." Topics include: - Why the 4 different offices are more similar than we think - The problem with "servant leadership" - The privileges and burdens of leadership - When to submi...
Jul 18, 2022•57 min
Cary Gillis joins the show this week to discuss the challenges and blessings of Christian singleness. Topics include: - 2 Biblical forms of singleness, and 1 popular unbiblical form - Principles to keep in mind when making your "list" of qualities desired in a potential spouse - Why singles are the church's "secret weapon" - How the church can help singles feel valued as part of the family rather than second-class citizens segregated to their own corner Cary Gillis is the newly announced directo...
Jul 11, 2022•49 min
This week we celebrate Independence Day with a look at patriotism. - Should Christians be patriotic? - How patriotism can go wrong - Why patriotism and love of country is about rights rather than duties - "This World Is Not My Home," or "This Is My Father's World" - which one?
Jul 04, 2022•30 min
"Love God," "Love your neighbor," the 10 Commandments, and others get a lot of the attention of Christians. But there are some significant Biblical commands that fly under the radar at best and go almost completely ignored at worst. In this episode we examine 6 commands that often get forgotten but deserve our attention. ----- Music: “Focus” by A. A. Aalto Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_A_Aalto/Connections/Focus)
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Jesus calls us to be compassionate, to put others first, and to love our neighbors. However, Satan knows he can use these good commands to his advantage among good-hearted Christians who lack discernment. This week we look at how progressive ideas gain a foothold by turning honest, good hearts into pawns for their ideology.
Jun 20, 2022•58 min
This week we take a look at the issue of modesty. There's a strong push these days to silence discussion of the matter as unimportant or up for personal interpretation. We explain why we disagree, along with: - Why it's important to discuss - Whether the Bible gives us a standard for modesty - How everybody agrees on modesty, to a point - Why men's lust and women's immodesty are related... and why they aren't Music: "Focus" by A. A. Aalto Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_...
Jun 13, 2022•57 min
Exactly how bad is it? This week Jack, Joe, and Will break down what you need to know about the state of public schools and what you can do to protect your kids' souls. They also answer objections that might arise and offer a challenge for parents to take up. Check out "Failure: What Christian Parents Need to Know About American Education" on the Focus Press store Music: "Focus" by A. A. Aalto Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_A_Aalto/Connections/Focus)
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr 17 min
There are plenty of incorrect ideas surrounding the issue of baptism. This week, we set out to debunk popular myths about baptism - including those believed by those who are staunchly pro-baptism. __________________________ Music: “Focus” by A. A. Aalto Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_A_Aalto/Connections/Focus)
May 30, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Pornography addiction may well be the #1 sin facing Christians today... and yet in many cases little to nothing is being done about it. This week we discuss the statistics, the causes, the solutions, and the Gospel message the church needs to grasp in order to fight this battle. For more, subscribe to the Focus Press YouTube channel.
May 23, 2022•1 hr 12 min
With the internet being such a large part of our lives, it's vital that Christians know how our faith shapes our time spent online. We discuss: - Should we engage in controversial topics and debates online, or steer clear? - Are satire and memes unbecoming for Christians? - How do we keep ourselves and our families safe from harmful content? - How do we handle the tech addiction that cuts us off from the people around us?
May 16, 2022•59 min
