Forward by Faith: Recent Episodes
Faith Bible Church
Are you a regular listener to Forward by Faith? Are these podcasts equipping you to live as a disciple of Jesus? We want to know how this podcast is helping you as we discern the next steps for Forward by Faith. Contact us at info@fbcaz.org.
The latest research data has shown that many people are leaving the church. Why is this? Over the next several weeks we're going to explore the idea that many people may be disengaging from the church because the church isn't equipping believers to truly follow Jesus. In other words, we have a discipleship problem.
In this episode, we give a brief summary of the six acts of God’s divine drama, the Bible, and explain why it’s important to know the overarching unity of Scripture.
The latest research data has shown that many people are leaving the church. Why is this? Over the next several weeks we're going to explore the idea that many people may be disengaging from the church because the church isn't equipping believers to truly follow Jesus. In other words, we have a discipleship problem.
Today, we explore why reading, hearing, meditating, and memorizing God’s word is vital for the growth of disciples.
The latest research data has shown that many people are leaving the church. Why is this? Over the next several weeks we're going to explore the idea that many people may be disengaging from the church because the church isn't equipping believers to truly follow Jesus. In other words, we have a discipleship problem.
In today's episode, we begin talking about the importance of spiritual disciples or spiritual practices in the life of Jesus' followers. Through bible intake, prayer, sabbath, and giving, we experience the Spirit’s power that shapes us as disciples.
The latest research data has shown that many people are leaving the church. Why is this? Over the next several weeks we're going to explore the idea that many people may be disengaging from the church because the church isn't equipping believers to truly follow Jesus. In other words, we have a discipleship problem.
Today we discuss why theology matters for the church and why disciples must cultivate a lifestyle of knowing God.
The latest research data has shown that many people are leaving the church. Why is this? Over the next several weeks we're going to explore the idea that many people may be disengaging from the church because the church isn't equipping believers to truly follow Jesus. In other words, we have a discipleship problem.
In today's episode, we lay the foundation for why this is occurring and some tangible steps to take to reorient our lives around discipleship.
There’s quite a bit going on in our lives that give us cause for concern, and not to mention all the craziness that surrounds us in the world. Often we find these concerns begin to dominate our lives, transforming into worry and anxiety. Both can become debilitating and can lead us away from the life of freedom Jesus wants for us. We finish up our short series today by looking at the necessity of a humble relationship with God as the remedy for our anxiety, worry, and stress.
There’s quite a bit going on in our lives that give us cause for concern, and not to mention all the craziness that surrounds us in the world. Often we find these concerns begin to dominate our lives, transforming into worry and anxiety. Both can become debilitating and can lead us away from the life of freedom Jesus wants for us. In part four of our series, we look at how we can strive to understand our worries and, by the power of God, learn to control them.
There’s quite a bit going on in our lives that give us cause for concern, and not to mention all the craziness that surrounds us in the world. Often we find these concerns begin to dominate our lives, transforming into worry and anxiety. Both can become debilitating and can lead us away from the life of freedom Jesus wants for us. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be exploring how God’s word addresses our worry and anxiety and how the gospel can free us from living in fear. In part three we look at how many of us experience anxiety: fear of the future. How can we bring these fears to God and experience freedom?
There’s quite a bit going on in our lives that give us cause for concern, and not to mention all the craziness that surrounds us in the world. Often we find these concerns begin to dominate our lives, transforming into worry and anxiety. Both can become debilitating and can lead us away from the life of freedom Jesus wants for us. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be exploring how God’s word addresses our worry and anxiety and how the gospel can free us from living in fear. This week we unpack a bit of what it means to give our worry and anxiety over to God rather than hold it all in.
There’s quite a bit going on in our lives that give us cause for concern, and not to mention all the craziness that surrounds us in the world. Often we find these concerns begin to dominate our lives, transforming into worry and anxiety. Both can become debilitating and can lead us away from the life of freedom Jesus wants for us. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be exploring how God’s word addresses our worry and anxiety and how the gospel can free us from living in fear. In part one, we look at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 and discuss what he means by saying, “So don’t worry.”
In this episode, we interview Ryan Brown, Chief Development Officer of Food for the Hungry. We discuss the reality of human poverty worldwide and how Food for the Hungry seeks to end all forms of human poverty by going to the hard places and walking with the world’s most vulnerable people. We also consider tangible ways for the local church to press in on the essential work of ending poverty locally and globally.
One in four people in the world are or have been refugees. Disciples of Jesus are called to welcome and bless those who have had to flee their homes for many reasons. In this episode, we welcome Amy Yenerich and dialogue on how we can show the love of Christ to the men, women, and children who are refugees here in our communities.
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 35: If we really want to learn a new language we must immerse ourselves in it and practice it over and over again. Becoming fluent in the gospel happens in the same way—after believing the gospel we must intentionally rehearse it (to ourselves and others) and immerse ourselves in its truth. The gospel impacts us not just theologically, but practically. In this episode, we dive into what it means to become a gospel fluent people who learn how to speak the truths of Jesus into the everyday stuff of life.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to make disciples in the very spaces God has placed us. In this episode, we interview Chris Priebe, a pastor and entrepreneur in Phoenix, AZ, who explains how he strives to live on God's mission by running a local coffee shop. Chris gives us the encouragement and practical wisdom we need for our very own vocations
Have you ever considered that where you are right now in your life is where God wants you? As followers of Jesus, we are called to make disciples in the very spaces God has placed us. In this episode, we consider practical ways of how we can share the gospel with our neighbors, colleagues, family, and friends – right where we are!
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 46: There is a cost to following Jesus as his disciple, but there’s a far greater cost to be paid if we don’t follow after him. In this episode, we discuss how the spiritual disciplines prepare us for the difficulties we face and why the cost of following Jesus is life-giving, not drudgery.
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 55: On today’s episode we do a little bit of Bible study as we consider four essential questions that can help ground us in learning God’s word. These four questions—Who is God? What has He done? Who are we? How do we live?—give us a solid basis for learning how to apply gospel truths to our everyday lives. So grab a Bible, a pen and some paper, and let’s see how these key questions help us grow as disciples.
As we continue our series of discipleship in the family, we take a look at the various facets of singleness and consider what a life of gospel faithfulness looks like for Christian singles in the church.
These past several weeks we've been exploring what discipleship looks like in the different aspects of "family." Today we continue our conversation from last week, looking at what it means to disciple our children in the ways of Jesus. We offer some application from God's word and explore how we can nurture our children's hearts to follow God.
We've spent a few weeks on a new series on Discipleship in the Family where we are looking at the different aspects of "family" and how God desires to shape men, women, and children to walk in the ways of Jesus. This week we consider what it means to disciple our children in the ways of Jesus, looking at God's word for insight and direction.
Last week we kicked off our series on Discipleship in the Family where we are looking at the different aspects of "family" and how God desires to shape men, women, and children to walk in the ways of Jesus. This week we look at the marriage partnership and discuss practical ways in which husbands and wives can love each other well and reflect the heart of God within their relationship.
This week we begin a series on what discipleship looks like within the family. We start with a brief introduction on what God desires for the family, looking at the structure of partnership between the husband and wife. In coming weeks, we'll look at a variety of aspects of today's families, including fostering, adoption, singleness, and how to cope with family brokenness. You're not going to want to miss this series!
Many of us look to the brand new year as a fresh start to begin again. Whether starting new habits or reorienting old patterns of life, we are hopeful this year will be different in a good way. In this episode we consider what new resolutions for the year could look like in our journey of discipleship, and we get a little help from the Puritan Jonathan Edwards. What does a pastor from the 1700's have to say to us in 2022? Take a listen.
The Advent season is a season of seeking and surrendering to the true King of the world. In the stories of both the shepherds in the gospel of Luke and the Magi in the gospel of Matthew, we see this seeking and surrendering take place. These different groups of people serve as an example for us as we consider this Christmas what it means to seek Jesus and surrender our lives to him. In other words, these gospel stories point us to what if means to find and follow Jesus.
Merry Christmas from Forward by Faith!
We believe that there are four foundational pillars of the Christian life, and when taken together, are essential to experiencing the fullness of living as a disciple. Over the past several weeks, we have been exploring these four pillars and how they help to shape us as followers of Jesus. Today we look at the fourth and final pillar which is to "GO with missional clarity."
We believe that there are four foundational pillars of the Christian life, and when taken together, are essential to experiencing the fullness of living as a disciple. We've been exploring these four pillars and how they help to shape us as followers of Jesus. Today we look at the third pillar and consider what it means to give with radical generosity.
We believe that there are four foundational pillars of the Christian life, and when taken together, are essential to experiencing the fullness of living as a disciple. Over the next four weeks we're exploring these four pillars and how they help to shape us as followers of Jesus. Today we look at the second pillar and consider what it means to grow in intentional discipleship.
We believe that there are four foundational pillars of the Christian life, and when taken together, are essential to experiencing the fullness of living as a disciple. Over the next four weeks we'll explore these four pillars and how they help to shape us as followers of Jesus. Today, we look at the first one: Gather.
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 22: Over the past few weeks we've been unpacking our model of discipleship we call "DNA", looking at how disciples of Jesus strive dwell in Christ ("D") and nurture relationships ("N"). Today we see that disciples who Dwell in Christ gladly obey Jesus' voice.
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 21: Over the past few weeks we've been unpacking our model of discipleship we call "DNA", looking at how disciples of Jesus strive dwell in Christ ("D") and nurture relationships ("N"). Today we see that disciples who Dwell in Christ engage in spiritual disciplines that help to nourish their faith.
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 20: Over the past few weeks we've been unpacking our model of discipleship we call "DNA", looking at how disciples of Jesus strive dwell in Christ ("D") and nurture relationships ("N"). Today we see that disciples who Dwell in Christ are rooted in their new identity in Christ. We make the affirmation: "I am new in Christ."
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 45: Over the past few weeks we've been unpacking our model of discipleship we call "DNA", looking at how disciples of Jesus strive dwell in Christ ("D") and nurture relationships ("N"). Today we see that disciples also advance the gospel ("A") by sharing their stories, giving generously of their lives, and partnering with others on God's mission.
CLASSIC REPLAY EPISODE 44: As we continue looking at our model of discipleship we call "DNA", we look again in the gospel of John where Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34-35). In the context of loving one another like Christ, disciples of Jesus seek to build relationships built on initiative, truth and grace. This is the "N" in our DNA – what we call "nurturing relationships."
CLASSIC REPLAY: Jesus says in John 8:31-32 that if you are truly one of his disciples you will “hold onto” or “abide” or “dwell” in his teachings and those teachings will set you free. In light of this truth, we discuss what we call “identity-based discipleship” that begins with knowing our true identity in Christ, which motivates us to be in proximity to Christ. In proximity to him, we hear his voice, we know what he wants us to do, and out of love for him, we obey. We call this “dwelling” in Christ.
We come to the end of our brief series on the Apostles' Creed! This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. We've been exploring this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples.
We're on part 9 of our brief series on the Apostles' Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. We've been exploring this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples.
We are continuing our series on the Apostles' Creed, working bit by bit through this powerful confession of the Christian faith. This week we consider the phrase in the Creed, "the forgiveness of sins." What does this mean, and what are the implications for disciples of Jesus?
Today we look at part seven of our series on the Apostles' Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. We've been exploring this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples.
We're on part 6 of our brief series on the Apostles' Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. We've been exploring this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples.
Today we continue our series on the Apostles' Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. We've been exploring this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples.
We are in the fourth week of our series on the Apostles' Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples. Today, we look at the fourth phrase of the Creed and explore its meaning.
We continue our brief series on Biblical core doctrines, starting with the Apostles’ Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples. Today, we look at the third phrase of the Creed and explore its meaning.
We continue our brief series on Biblical core doctrines, starting with the Apostles’ Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. In the next several weeks, we’ll explore this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples. Today, we look at the second phrase of the Creed and explore its meaning.
We are back! After a short time of rest we’re excited to dig in to a brief series on core doctrines, starting with the Apostles’ Creed. This creed is a confession of faith, a doctrinal statement, a summary of theology, and an act of worship. In the next several weeks, we’ll explore this creed and the implications it has on our lives as we seek to be disciples who make disciples.
We're putting into practice what we talked about last week – the necessity of rest! We're taking a short two-week break from the podcast for the summer, but we'll be back with a new episode here soon. In the meantime, take a listen to some of our past episodes!
We all need rest. And God made us that way. Yet many of us live our lives thinking that rest is a sign of weakness or poor stewardship. But is it? In this episode we delve into the importance of rest, looking at the Biblical teaching of Sabbath and considering this discipleship posture of physical, emotional, and spiritual rest.
This week we interview Ben Joseph, a FBC supported missionary who serves with international students at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Ben's ministry provides weekly Bible studies, gospel community, and encouragement to dozens of international college students. Ben discusses the importance of evangelism and bringing the love of Christ to people of different faiths.
Welcome to part-two of our conversation on loving the people God has given us to love. In this episode we continue our discussion on what it means to find our “persons of peace” and what it looks like to live a life of awareness and mission in light of what God is doing in the people around us.
Today we dig into part-one of our conversation on loving the people God has given us to love. In this episode we begin to discuss what it means to find our “persons of peace” — men and women God has placed in our lives who are ready to hear or receive the gospel. How do we find these people of peace, and how do we reach them with the gospel? We’ll explore these questions and more in our two-part series.
It’s hard for us to live into the love of God without embracing a desire and commitment to love others. As we look at the teachings of Jesus, we often see him focusing his disciples’ attention away from themselves and onto God and other people. How do we become disciples who love others well? We first have to remember that our identity is rooted in Christ, and then we can learn to love others rightly. Discipleship is mission, because our life in God is a life lived for others.
This week we conclude our four-part series on the 4 G’s, taking a look today at the basic and powerful truth that God is gracious so we don’t have to prove ourselves. As we learn to preach this truth about God to ourselves and to others we find that through God’s word, through the Spirit, and through gospel community, we are being transformed more and more into the image of Christ.
In week three of our four-part series on the 4 G’s, we take a look at the basic and powerful truth that God is good, and because he is good, we don’t have to look anywhere else for satisfaction in our lives. As we learn to preach this truth about God to ourselves and to others we find that through God’s word, through the Spirit, and through gospel community, we are being transformed more and more into the image of Christ.
In week two of our four-part series on the 4 G’s, we take a look at the basic and powerful truth that God is good, and because he is good, we don’t have to look anywhere else for satisfaction in our lives. As we learn to preach this truth about God to ourselves and to others we find that through God’s word, through the Spirit, and through gospel community, we are being transformed more and more into the image of Christ.
This week we begin a four-part series on the 4 G’s, four liberating truths about God: God is great, God is glorious, God is good, and God is gracious. In part 1, we take a look at the importance of discipleship in the everyday stuff of life and how the first G –God is great so we don’t have to be in control – shapes us in following Jesus.
On today’s episode we do a little bit of Bible study as we consider four essential questions that can help ground us in learning God’s word. These four questions—Who is God? What has He done? Who are we? How do we live?—give us a solid basis for learning how to apply gospel truths to our everyday lives. So grab a Bible, a pen and some paper, and let’s see how these key questions help us grow as disciples.
This week we ask Dan Lind, former Senior Pastor at Faith Bible Church, to give us lessons he has learned in pastoral ministry over the past twenty years. Dan shares why discipleship has become such a passion for him, explaining why Jesus’ call for us to make disciples is so crucial for the church today.
This week we conclude our interview with Sandy Mason, current Southwest Regional Director of the Bonhoeffer Project. In this second of two episodes, we continue our discussion on the gospel and discipleship, as well as examine the practical steps churches can take in creating and equipping a disciple-making church.
If you’d like to learn more about Sandy Mason and the Bonhoeffer Project, go to www.thebonhoefferproject.com or email Sandy at sandy@thebonhoefferproject.com.
Today we interview Sandy Mason, a discipleship leader and Southwest Regional Director of the Bonhoeffer Project, a cohort model of leadership development that trains men and women to make disciples in their church, community and world. In this first part of two episodes, we dive into a discussion on the key components of the gospel and why a correct understanding of the gospel is essential for discipleship.
To learn more about Sandy Mason and the Bonhoeffer Project, go to www.thebonhoefferproject.com.
Jesus talks quite a bit about forgiveness in the gospel accounts. And as we dig into God's word, we find that forgiven people are called to be forgiving people, shaped and transformed by Jesus' forgiveness of our sin. Disciples reflect Jesus to a watching world, and one of the evidences of our following Christ is forgiving others. In this episode we explore examples of Jesus' forgiveness and discuss what forgiveness is and is not in the life of a disciple.
In Mark 10:45, Jesus tells us that he came into the world as the humble Son of Man with the mission to serve rather than be served. His perfect demonstration of servant-hearted humility and sacrifice is the both the model and call for disciples today. In this episode, we consider the difficult, yet life-giving vocation of servant-hearted discipleship that is required for all who follow Jesus.
This week we talk with four young adult leaders who have begun a ministry called The Gathering at Faith Bible Church. We explore the importance of gospel-shaped community among young adults and why many within Generation Z need older Christians to help disciple them. These young leaders offer advice to churches on how to come alongside young adults and equip them to find and follow Jesus.
The New Testament addresses what we should be looking for in leaders. It doesn’t insist on perfection—but the bar is set high for those in church leadership. A leader’s character matters, for this is what helps shape his or her leadership in powerful ways. In this episode, we consider the importance of Godly character in leaders and discuss why leaders should be intentional about creating environments that foster accountability and protection for those in the church.
In the past several months we have seen the downfall of high-profile Christian leaders who have migrated away from Jesus. Their failures can be explained, but they can’t be explained away. Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at the unique interface of sin and leadership in our churches. In today’s episode we look at why accountability is so important in the lives of ministry leaders and why it is essential for discipleship.
There is a cost to following Jesus as his disciple, but there’s a far greater cost to be paid if we don’t follow after him. In this episode we discuss how the spiritual disciplines prepare us for the difficulties we face and why the cost of following Jesus is life-giving, not drudgery.
Over the past few weeks we've been unpacking our model of discipleship we call "DNA", looking at how disciples of Jesus strive dwell in Christ ("D") and nurture relationships ("N"). Today we see that disciples also advance the gospel ("A") by sharing their stories, giving generously of their lives, and partnering with others on God's mission.
As we continue looking at our model of discipleship we call "DNA", we look again in the gospel of John where Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34-35). In the context of loving one another like Christ, disciples of Jesus seek to build relationships built on initiative, truth and grace. This is the "N" in our DNA – what we call "nurturing relationships."
Before following Jesus can become a lifestyle, it has to first become a “mind style”—a new and different way of thinking about yourself, the world and God. This new way of thinking and living is all because of God’s grace. In this episode we discuss what it means that the act of repentance, belief in the gospel, and following after Jesus is really an act of God that transforms us inside and out.
Happy New Year! In this first podcast of 2021, we dive right into the definition of a disciple based on Jesus’ words to his first disciples in Mark 1. We see that a disciple is a person who follows Jesus, is being changed by Jesus, and commits to the mission of Jesus. Discipleship involves the entire person—head, heart and hands. In other words, Jesus is transforming all of us to look like him in our thoughts, emotions, affections and behavior.
In this final part of our interview with Dr. Peter Anderson, we dig into a few of the ethical issues facing the church and talk through some of the ways churches can help equip people to live as disciples in light of the ethical challenges today.
Resources mentioned by Dr. Anderson on this episode:
- Theology Commons for the College of Theology and Seminary at GCU: https://theologycommons.org/
- Scott Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics
- Robertson McQuilkin and Paul Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics
- Ethics Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics
- C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man
- Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament
- David Gushee and Glen Stassen, Kingdom Ethics
- Harold Huebner, An Introduction to Christian Ethics: History, Movements, People
What is the connection between ethics and living as a follower of Jesus? Is it essential that we understand the role of ethics in making disciples who make disciples? In the first of two episodes, we dig into these questions with Dr. Peter Anderson, Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics at Grand Canyon Theological Seminary and College of Theology.
This week we conclude our interview with Eddie McLoughlin, one of Faith Bible Church's local missionaries. In this second of two episodes, we dive into a discussion of how individuals and church communities can come alongside prison ministries to bring the hope of the gospel to inmates and their families. To support Eddie McLoughlin Ministries, please contact: em2ministries@gmail.com or info@fbcaz.org.
This week we interview one of Faith Bible Church's local missionaries, Eddie McLoughlin of Eddie McLoughlin Ministries, a ministry which exists to serve the incarcerated community and their families inside and outside of the prison system in the state of Arizona. In the first of two episodes, Eddie shares how he came to spend 25 years in prison and how this experience led him to follow Jesus. To support Eddie McLoughlin Ministries, please contact: em2ministries@gmail.com or info@fbcaz.org.
Cultivating a heart of gratitude is a rhythm of discipleship for followers of Jesus. And we couldn’t think of a better time to talk about gratitude, celebration and thanks than at Thanksgiving! In this episode we highlight some of the ways we learn to live a life of thanks and praise unto God.
If we really want to learn a new language we must immerse ourselves in it and practice it over and over again. Becoming fluent in the gospel happens in the same way—after believing the gospel we must intentionally rehearse it (to ourselves and others) and immerse ourselves in its truth. The gospel impacts us not just theologically, but practically. In this episode we dive into what it means to become a gospel fluent people who learn how to speak the truths of Jesus into the everyday stuff of life.
Followers of Jesus are called to grow in the context of gospel community—in a community of people seeking to look more and more like Jesus in the everyday stuff of life. How do we grow? We grow as we experience the life of God’s Spirit working though God’s word, through prayer, and through God’s people. Christ-centered community helps us to mature and bear the flourishing fruit of the Spirit in a way that cannot be done in isolation. We need each other in order to grow in the gospel.
One of the ways we grow in our relationship with God is to cultivate a posture of prayer in our lives. Prayer is the primary way we communicate with God and the means in which God uses to draw us into his presence. In this episode we discuss what prayer is, why we should pray, and a few tips that can help guide us in developing a praying life.
Over the past few weeks we’ve been exploring how a follower of Jesus might approach politics and the cultural landscape by living out the priorities of God’s kingdom. In our last episode before the 2020 Presidential election, we dig in some more on how the Story of God is in a sense all about politics. We also look briefly at how biblical theology can help guide us in our political practices.
In this episode we press in a bit more on a few hot topic issues saturating our current cultural and political climate. But first, we begin by looking at God’s act of Creation, which sets the stage for the entire story of God and for the Biblical worldview. God cares about the life he has created and he expects that his followers care as well. How does this worldview get lived out in the everyday stuff of life? And what does this have to do with these hot topics?
Followers of Jesus are kingdom citizens that put the interests of others ahead of their own. As we think of how we live this out in our heated political climate, we need to consider whether or not our interactions with others over policies, political parties and political candidates are demonstrating Jesus’ call to love. Do people matter to us more than politics?
Over the next several weeks we'll be guiding some conversations about our involvement as followers of Jesus in the business of politics in America. In this episode we discuss what it looks like to have a healthy skepticism about political power, and we also consider how to guard our hearts against putting our ultimate hope in politics and politicians.
Many people don’t really understand that being “on mission” is something Jesus wants all of us to experience. We are all missionaries. God wants to use us to spread the gospel. We do it by sharing our stories. We do it through a generous life. And we do it by partnering together to make the advancing of His kingdom possible. In this episode we explore why we need to partner with others as we do the work of ministry in the everyday stuff of life.
Gospel living is generous living. Our life of stewardship and generosity flows from the fact that Jesus himself modeled generosity for us. Hearts that find their treasure in Christ will pump generosity like blood through the veins. If our heart values Jesus above all, we will seek to be like Jesus—and that involves stewarding all God has given us and giving generously of our time, talents, and treasure.
Followers of Jesus are Storytellers. We have a Story to tell – God's true Story as revealed in the Bible. And each of us also have our own personal stories to share of what God has done in our lives and how that story has shaped us. When we learn to share our story in light of God's true Story, we find that God rescues people from sin and begins the process of making them more and more like Jesus.
We are living in an angry age where so much around us seems to be intent on exposing each other's faults and weaknesses. There's so much half-truth and so little grace in our culture. In this week's episode we consider what it means to be a people full of truth and grace. Followers of Jesus will extend grace to one another because of the great grace God has given them.
Biblical truth telling is not simply a personal moral behavior – it is a community lifestyle that is rooted in Christ. As we grow in our willingness to be vulnerable and open with other people, we find freedom to pursue the way of Jesus unhindered. Living in a truth-telling community that rehearses the truth of God, the truth about ourselves, and the truth about each other, helps shape us to look more like Jesus in the everyday stuff of life.
Love always takes initiative. Another way to say it – love shows up. This truth is demonstrated most perfectly in the coming of Jesus, who took the initiative to move toward us in love before the foundation of the world. In this episode we explore how followers of Jesus are to seek to live a life of love that moves toward others in grace and truth, in compassion and forgiveness, emulating Jesus himself.
Over the past few weeks we've been talking about some of the key components to following Jesus. In this episode we talk about what it means to conform our behaviors to the teachings of Christ – or what it means to live a life of humble and faithful obedience. Obedience that is shaped by the gospel will always flow from genuine love for Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
It's been said that Christian Spiritual Disciplines or Spiritual Rhythms are ways we can place ourselves in the path of God's grace and really learn to seek him. In this episode we dig into three essential Spiritual Disciplines that can shape our lives in powerful ways. As we learn to practice Bible intake, prayer, and Sabbath, we find ourselves following Jesus more closely in the everyday stuff of life.
How do you define yourself? In our culture, many people look to define themselves in terms of their vocation, their relationships, their wealth, or their physical appearance – just to name a few examples. However, when you become a follower of Jesus, you are given a new identity that is not defined by the world's standards, but defined by God's standards. Disciples of Jesus have a new identity that is rooted in who Jesus is and what he has done.
This week we conclude our interview with Rhett Smith, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of the popular book, The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety For Good? In this second of two episodes, we dive into a discussion of how anxiety can be reimagined as a catalyst toward freedom, and consider the possible ways God uses our anxiety to transform our lives.
This week we interview Rhett Smith, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of the popular book, The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety For Good? In this first of two episodes, we dive into a discussion of how anxiety can be reimagined as a catalyst toward freedom, and consider the possible ways God uses our anxiety to transform our lives.
Parents have the responsibility and privilege of helping to shape their families in the gospel. What does this look like in the everyday? In this episode we take time to discuss specific ways families can strive to build a rhythm of worship within their home, and provide examples of how the gospel can take root in the hearts of our children.
There's no doubt that this pandemic has upended many of our everyday rhythms of life. Social distancing and limited gatherings have caused many of us to feel isolated and disconnected from our neighbors, colleagues and church families. Yet, even in this time God is at work and is calling us to join him in his work, participating in his mission to see disciples made. In this episode we briefly discuss what mission is and what it could look like in the here and now.
It's been said that the gospel we preach determines the disciples we develop. And since followers of Jesus are called to make disciples who make disciples, it's essential that we understand what the gospel really is. In this episode, we dive into a biblical understanding of what this good news really is and take a brief look at distorted views of the gospel prevalent in culture today.
We all need clarity and courage from time to time, don’t we? It’s tempting for us to fall into fear and to see through the fog of uncertainty, especially in the cultural moment we find ourselves. But the Bible speaks repeatedly of how God talks to his people about fear and the ways to overcome it. In this episode we discuss how God encourages us to step into the things of life that require faith over fear.
This week we dig in a bit on the pastoral transition taking place at Faith Bible Church with Pastors Dan Lind and Wade Myers. We share the uniqueness of this transition process, along with the challenges and prayerful expectations that accompany changes within church leadership.
Over the past several days we have seen and experienced protests following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. At this very moment in history, followers of Jesus have an opportunity to be ministers of peace and reconciliation in a time of unrest and injustice. In this episode we consider how the gospel shapes us to live in this way, starting with a transformation of the heart.
The Lord's Prayer is a prayer Jesus taught his disciples to not only pray but to live out in word and action. In this episode we break down the Lord's Prayer and consider why this prayer is so important in light of the current pandemic.
Over the past several weeks we have heard stories of how God is shaping men, women and children to see and live life through the light of the gospel during this COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we share a few stories with you that we hope will fuel your passion to love God, love neighbor, and follow Jesus.
There's no doubt that COVID-19 has significantly impacted all of us. You may or may not have been exposed to the virus, but chances are you have been exposed in powerful ways to certain issues in your life that can't be ignored. In this episode we consider taking these pressing concerns directly to God, through honest prayer and meditation of his Word.
The idea of "presence" is scattered throughout the Bible in terms of God's relationship with humanity. His presence with us is seen most perfectly in Jesus, who was sent to live among us and to show us what God is truly like. As followers of Jesus, we not only remain in relationship with God, but also in relationship with others. In this episode we consider that one of the best ways we can show others the love of Jesus is to be fully present in their lives.
Over the past few weeks we've been looking at how God might be using this time of social distancing and isolation to reshape our lives around the gospel. As we learn to walk in the ways of Jesus, we need to develop practices that help cultivate our relationship with God. In this last part of our four part series, we look at how cultivating a habit of fasting can draw us near to God and realign our priorities to that of God's kingdom.
Over the past few weeks we've been looking at how God might be using this time of social distancing and isolation to reshape our lives around the gospel. As we learn to walk in the ways of Jesus, we need to develop practices that help cultivate our relationship with God. This week we consider what it means to share our table with others––to invite others into community by eating together.
The crisis around COVID-19 sure seems to be interrupting our lives. But could it be that God is using this time of social distancing and isolation to reshape our lives around the gospel? As we learn to walk in the ways of Jesus, we need to develop daily practices that help cultivate our relationship with God. In this episode we look at the discipline of curating media in our lives. Curating media? Yep. Take a listen.
The crisis around COVID-19 sure seems to be interrupting our lives. But could it be that God is using this time of social distancing and isolation to reshape our lives around the gospel? As we learn to walk in the ways of Jesus, we need to develop daily practices that help cultivate our relationship with God. One such daily practice is to read and study God's word. Over the next several weeks we will be exploring several spiritual practices that can help us learn to follow Jesus in every moment of life.
Many of us often feel anxious, worried, or fearful, especially in light of the challenging time we are living in right now. And when these feelings are left unchecked, it can lead to behavior and responses that are unhealthy and destructive. Underlying all of this is a failure to believe the truth of the gospel. In this episode we look at four essential questions that help us apply the truth of the gospel, in order to dispel the lies we are believing about God, about ourselves and about our world.
How would you describe a follower of Jesus? In Scripture, we see three characteristics that describe a disciple of Jesus, captured in an acronym we named DNA: Dwelling Christ, Nurturing Relationships, Advancing the Gospel. In this episode of Forward, we discuss how a disciple of Jesus actually can live out their "DNA" in light of the challenging times of social distancing and COVID-19.
Self-isolation; pandemic; COVD-19. Just a few words that have become a part of everyday conversations over the past several weeks since the outbreak of the coronoavirus. As the COVID-19 virus spreads, it’s very easy for some to lose faith and to live in fear and panic of the headlines and people’s predictions. What does it look like for followers of Jesus to respond in faith, wisdom and love in this challenging time? We'll take a look at how the gospel informs our thoughts and actions in times of great need.