We talk about the status quo of church membership, a "choose your own adventure" approach. If people want to be highly active and involved, they can be. And if they want to barely take part, we encourage them to do more and hope they step up... but we know most never will. Was it supposed to be this way? If not, what can we do about it?
We examine the role of the preacher, including questions like: - How do we strike the balance between the over-powered pastor role and the "employee of the church" views so prevalent today? - Are there qualifications for preachers? - Was the work of the preacher a short-term, first-century role that should no longer be practiced? - Do preachers have any authority?
With today being Juneteenth, the most recently-minted federal holiday, we discuss racial division in the church and society. Topics include: - What unity would take - What racism is, and what it isn't - When colorblindness helps, and when it doesn't - Whether natural affinities and affections should be avoided
We explore all kinds of questions and topics regarding substances, including: - Was Biblical wine alcoholic? - Is there a difference between private and social drinking? - What about tobacco and vaping? - Is marijuana "better than alcohol?" - What about microdosing and psychoactive substances? - What do we need to know about the opioid crisis? and more Join us on Focus+ to get access to the Deep End, our exclusive member Q+A podcast each Friday! Visit focuspress.org/plus for more...
The rainbows are out in full force once again. We discuss the LGBT's not-so-subtle moves toward sexualizing children, what parents can do, and how boycotts are often misunderstood and misapplied. Join us on Focus+ to get access to the weekyl Deep End bonus podcast, along with all kinds of other exclusives! focuspress.org/plus
This week we conclude our series on relationships with a look at navigating the difficult times. God told us to bear with one another, but what does that look like? In practical terms, what can we do to work through difficult relationships without giving up on them or sealing ourselves off from people? Topics include: - How to handle it when someone's wronged you - What to do when someone's in sin - Congregational rifts - Interpersonal strife - What to do with the people you just don't click wit...
We continue our series on loneliness and relationships with a look at the differences between male friendships and female friendships, and the keys and pitfalls to each. Since God wired the two sexes so differently, the ways we relate to each other will also differ greatly. The attributes God gave us as strengths are also the very attributes Satan seeks to twist to sow discord and drive us into isolation. Join us as we discuss the keys and pitfalls of friendships between men, and the keys and pi...
All this technology was supposed to make us more connected than ever, but instead we're a culture more lonely and separated than perhaps any in human history. So many people have no one to talk to, no one to share life with, no one to encourage them. The church should have the answer for this problem, but in too many cases it's very hard to go beyond the surface level with each other. In this episode we discuss the scope of the problem of loneliness, the challenges involved, and solutions we can...
Another couple heading for divorce. Another case of adultery. Another husband caught up in porn. Another preacher hauled off to jail for sexual sin. As we've kept hearing account after account over the last few years, it's hard to come to a conclusion other than this: the church has a growing marriage crisis. This week we discuss the scope of the problem, some of the causes behind it, and what can be done to prevent the next case failed marriage. Be sure to join us on Focus+ to get access to The...
This week we look at a popular trend in the world of social media - gentle parenting. We discuss what it gets right, including accurate critiques of previous parenting methods, along with how it has over-corrected. Topics include - An "in their own words" breakdown of advice from gentle parenting advocates - Oft-neglected wisdom from the Proverbs - Whether spanking is Biblical, and its role in the home Be sure to join us on Focus+ to discuss the episode and give feedback and questions for the me...
One of the primary ways people change Christianity to their own desires is by pitting Jesus against the things they want to discredit. For example, some say Jesus was opposed to how God operated in the Old Testament, others say Jesus would disagree with Paul, and so forth. This week we examine 6 of these fake enemies of Jesus and how they're used to give cover for false doctrines. Don't forget to check out Focus+ at focuspress.org/plus! Launches May 1
We conclude our look at the church's leadership crisis with an examination of how we've totally misunderstood the role of church leader. We discuss: - What "above reproach" means - Why men should desire to be elders - What we can learn from the Bible's shepherd analogy of leadership - How church leaders create a culture - What to do if your church's elders are weak or unqualified
Why has the church declined so much in recent decades? Why are we met with constant news of church closings, church splits, and church compromise? In a word, leadership. Many congregations cannot even produce two men who are qualified as elders. In this episode we discuss: - The nature and scope of the leadership crisis - How "bad sheep" are compounding the problem - The leadership God is looking for - The Biblical qualifications of elders
The line between kid and adult has been blurred beyond all recognition. There are no firm expectations set for how and when a teen is to grow out of childhood and into adulthood. This has enormous societal consequences, and the church is not immune to such consequences. In this episode we discuss: - Why adolescence has grown so extended - The war on childhood and the war on adulthood - The problem of low expectations - Privileges and responsibilities and more.
We spend a lot of time talking about ways the church can grow and improve. But what do the churches of Christ do well? In seeking to improve, what building blocks are in place for us to "excel still more?" In this episode we offer our list of 5 ways the churches of Christ are excelling. Join the conversation on our Facebook page or YouTube channel!
Every day seems to bring more bad news - bank collapses, concerns over Russia, inflation, rampant sexual immorality, etc. As Christians, we know we should be hopeful, but sometimes it feels foolish to be optimistic about the future. Yeah, we know eternity will be great - but what about now? In this episode we discuss why Christians can have a positive outlook for the here in now even without denying the reality of the challenges we face.
We weigh in on the suddenly white-hot debate: does God care if Christians choose marriage or singleness? Should one be taught as a priority over the other? Should the church encourage young people one way or the other? We answer these questions and more. And, beyond the specific topic of marriage and singleness, the debate offers the opportunity to examine common mistakes of Bible interpretation.
What happens when you read, pray, attend, and do everything you know how only to feel God is impossibly distant? What do we do we know God is real on a conceptual level, but struggle to connect with Him on a relational level? We discuss these questions and more in a unique, free-ranging episode.
In our 2nd Q&A episode, the ‘Deep Thinkers’ hit us with some incredibly hard questions yet again. - What do we make of church innovations? Examples include children's church, online giving, mic'd singers, and more - Can (or should) a Christian serve more than one church? - Are wives and mothers meant to work in the home? And plenty more!
Evangelism... it's that thing we know we're supposed to do, but it's difficult. It's uncomfortable. Where do we even start? This week we look at some of the challenges and excuses along with some tips and tactics before rolling out the Think Deeper Evangelism Challenge! We hope you'll join us in this challenge and pray that God would bring much fruit from it.
Entertainment is a part of life, but our rapidly declining culture makes it difficult for Christians to determine what to watch and listen to. Sexual content, violence, and language in particular give us much to wade through when determining where our line should be. Though the Bible gives us principles on the matter, there are few verses that can be applied directly. In this case, we have to use our wisdom and discernment when attempting to determine what we should and should not take in. Join ...
As a follow-up to the previous episode on faith deconstruction stories, the guys look back on their upbringing to consider the biggest factors that led to their continued faithfulness. Focusing on the decisions their parents made to create Christian homes, they share the 10 they believe were most impactful in why they remain Christians today. Don't forget to head to the Think Deeper Facebook Page to let us know where you listen from! So far we've filled in 22 states and 1 Canadian province!
"Deconstruction" has become a buzzword as countless people share their stories of questioning their faith and, in many cases, walking away. What does the Bible teach us about deconstruction? What can we learn from these stories? In what ways can the church adapt and do better? In what ways should the church refuse to budge? We discuss all these and more in this week's Think Deeper! Tune in next week for our discussion of how to help one another remain in the faith.
There are many bad ideas out there about the role of emotions in our lives. Some put too much stock in them, letting themselves be carried away by how they feel in any given moment. Others try to shut them out and deny that God gave us these emotions for a reason. This week we look at the emotions we all deal with daily, like anger, fear, sadness, and worry and discuss the Biblical vs. unbiblical way to respond to them.
For a number of years, dating was the unquestioned way to find a potential spouse. 20-30 years ago people started questioning what dating had become, though, and pushed a return to the more traditional method of courtship. With a growing sample size to observe, along with their personal experience, the guys look at the critiques courtship got right and those that were an overcorrection along with what the best way forward might be. This discussion isn't just for teens and singles, as parents, gr...
Arguably the biggest hindrances to our sanctification are the "little," common, everyday sins we can all commit but pay little attention to. This week we give our list of 5 extremely common sins that can creep into our lives without notice. We want to hear from you! Once you've heard our list, comment on our Facebook Page or YouTube channel with which one you think is the biggest challenge for Christians today, and why.
This week we take a look at where things stand in the church today, how we got here, and what it's going to take to reverse the trends in places where we're falling short. We offer a blueprint for the way forward with practical tips for older members, young men, and young women. ----- Don't forget to check out The Godly Young Men Podcast, launching January 3! Joe and Will we be bringing new episodes each week, available on your podcast app or on the Focus Press YouTube channel.
A merry, light-hearted final episode of 2022 - Over/under/properly rated hymns - Choose This or That, Bible edition - Hot Takes with... Everybody! Plus, year end recap including favorite episodes and funny stories
The Deep Thinkers strike back! In our first Q&A episode we answer your questions on a wide range of topics, including: - When can women speak in church gatherings, and in what ways? - Is Paul's teaching on head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 applicable today? - If someone is unwilling to repent, is a Christian required to forgive Him? - 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 says each spouse's body belongs to the other. To what degree does this apply? To submit your questions for our next Q&A episode, send ...
Dr. Kerry Williams joins the show to help us decipher this challenging listener-requested topic - what does the Bible teach about angels, demons, and the spiritual realm? Topics include: - Were the Old Testament pagan gods just blocks of wood, or something more? - Theories on the Nephilim of Genesis 6 - What is the practical importance of understanding these matters? ------ Dr. Kerry WIlliams is the Dean of Graduate Studies at Sunset International Bible Institute and the Director of the Tahoe Fa...
