After Sunday: Digging Deeper: Recent Episodes
Central Church of Christ, Chattanooga
Here at Central Church of Christ, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive change, and since our beginnings in 1909, we’ve been driven by the same ideas we initially founded our Congregation upon: Believe, Belong, Become. We strive to do all that we do for the Glory of God, our savior.
In this episode of After Sunday: Digging Deeper, we get into the uncomfortable stuff: money, giving, screen time, priorities, sacrifice, and whether our lives actually reflect what we say we believe.
We've never been more connected, more productive, or more distracted. Thousands of years before smartphones and endless notifications, Haggai confronted people who claimed they were simply "too busy" to put God first. Sound familiar?
Everybody thinks Zephaniah is one of the darkest books in the Bible. Judgment. Wrath. Doom. But almost nobody talks about how it ends. What if the biggest takeaway isn't God's anger... but the fact that He actually rejoices over His people? This episode flips one of the Bible's most misunderstood books upside down, exposing why God's warnings might actually be proof of His love.
Thousands of years before smartphones, AI, and social media, the prophet Habakkuk warned about something surprisingly familiar: people creating things with their own hands... then trusting those creations more than their Creator.
Sometimes the biggest enemy to your faith isn't sin.
It's believing you know who deserves God's grace.
This conversation dives into the rise and fall of Nineveh, the warnings of Micah, and the uncomfortable realization that God's timeline, justice, and mercy rarely look like ours.
Everybody talks about the fish. Nobody talks about the prophet who wanted an entire city wiped off the map. Jonah exposes something uncomfortable about human nature, forgiveness, and why God's mercy often offends the people who know Him best.
This week, Hunter and Elissa dive into Obadiah, the shortest book in the Bible, and uncover a warning that's as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. Why does God oppose pride so strongly? Why do we secretly enjoy watching people get what they deserve? And why does God always seem to side with the humble, the broken, and the overlooked?
A massive disaster. A nation distracted by comfort. Religious people going through the motions while ignoring what actually matters.
Sound familiar?
This week we're unpacking Joel and Amos, two ancient books that feel shockingly current. We talk about why people usually don't change until life falls apart, how prosperity can quietly pull us away from God, and why Amos says your faith should be impossible to hide.
What do Hosea, Hollywood, and modern celebrity culture have in common? More than you'd think. This conversation dives into why success can create distance from God, why humans are quick to write people off, and why God's response to broken people looks nothing like ours.
The pressure to fit in. The demand to conform. The fear of standing alone.
Sound familiar?
Long before dystopian novels and social media, Daniel was living it. Babylon offered power, influence, comfort, and success. All he had to do was compromise.
This week, we're unpacking one of the Bible's most relevant stories and asking a hard question: What happens when the culture around you wants your loyalty more than your faith does?
Israel lost everything. Ezekiel lost his future. Then God asked one insane question: “Can these bones live?” This episode dives into exile, spiritual numbness, and why God does His deepest work when your life feels completely wrecked.
Most people think Jeremiah is about judgment. Hunter and Elissa argue it’s actually about heartbreak.
This episode explores the image of God as a grieving Father watching His people slowly drift away while still looking religious on the outside. Social media perfection, fake comfort preaching, and surface-level faith.
Cherubim covering their faces. Isaiah collapsing in fear. A holy God exposing every hidden thing. This episode dives into one of the heaviest moments in scripture and somehow turns it into one of the greatest pictures of hope in the Bible. If God already sees the worst parts of us, why does He still say “come closer”?
Everyone thinks they know what this book is. Almost nobody actually does. We get into why this might be one of the most misunderstood parts of the Bible and what it reveals about how God really sees you.
Ecclesiastes doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It calls out the emptiness behind chasing “the dream” and forces you to ask what actually matters.
Foolishness doesn’t scream at you. It flatters you. It tells you you’re fine. Meanwhile wisdom is telling you to slow down, be disciplined, and do the hard thing. We break down Proverbs and why ignoring that voice is how people slowly wreck everything.
Psalms starts with confusion and questions. That is not failure. That is part of the process. We talk through why feeling lost might actually mean you are right where you need to be.
Everyone asks it. Nobody likes the answer. This episode walks through Job’s story, brutal honesty with God, and the reality that sometimes His presence matters more than an explanation.
Esther walks into a room where she could be killed on the spot. No backup plan. No guarantees. Just faith. This episode breaks down one of the wildest moments in scripture and what real courage actually looks like in your life today.
When life gets hard, most people react the same way...and it’s exactly why they stay stuck.
We break down what actually happens when pressure shows up, why your instincts might be wrong, and how people in the Bible handled it way differently than we do now.
It’s not what you think.
This week on After Sunday we get into one of the wildest redemption stories in the Bible. Manasseh might be the worst king Judah ever had. Idolatry, child sacrifice, spiritual collapse. Total disaster. Then somehow he humbles himself and God restores him.
So that raises a weird question. If God can restore that guy… what does that mean for people we think are beyond hope?
We talk about the outrage when a Church of Christ preacher baptized Jeffrey Dahmer in prison, the parable of the workers in Matthew 20, and why grace actually offends our pride more than it comforts it. Turns out the gospel does not run on our sliding scale of good and bad.
You ever notice how power almost always turns people weird?
This week we’re in First and Second Kings. Forty-one kings. Most of them crash and burn. Solomon starts at the top, wisdom, wealth, influence, builds the temple… and still manages to spiral. A thousand wives later, the kingdom splits.
Then you’ve got Ahab and Jezebel turning Israel into a spiritual dumpster fire. Elijah steps in. Mount Carmel showdown. Fire from heaven. It’s cinematic.
And then Josiah. A kid who inherits a mess and decides obedience matters even when the outcome won’t change.
Saul is the guy you’d cast in a movie. He’s taller than everyone else. Strong. Commanding presence. If Israel had Instagram, he’d win.
But leadership cracks under pressure. Goliath shows up and the king freezes. A teenager with a sling doesn’t.
This episode dives into the psychology of Saul vs David. Why partial obedience is still disobedience. Why David’s worst sin didn’t disqualify him but Saul’s insecurity did. And how repentance is the dividing line between collapse and restoration.
Ruth is a Moabite. An outsider. No leverage. No status. And she becomes the great-grandmother of David… which means she’s in the lineage of Jesus. We talk about loyalty without upside, why Naomi’s bitterness isn’t the end of the story, and how God builds His kingdom through people culture overlooks.
Sin. Oppression. Cry out. Rescue. Repeat. Judges reads like a loop...and we’re not as different as we think.
Marching around a city probably felt ridiculous. Until it worked.
Elissa and Emily walk through Joshua and why obedience matters even when you don’t fully understand the plan. They talk leadership changes, broken promises in real life, and why God’s faithfulness doesn’t waver just because we do.
Birth. Death. And everything in between. This episode centers on the part we usually rush through. Elissa and Emily explore Numbers and Deuteronomy, the wilderness years, unfinished people, and why God’s guidance shows up most clearly when life feels boring, messy, or uncertain. Plus: a challenge to stop giving your best years to screens and start living on purpose.
Nobody circles Leviticus on the calendar.
But once you slow it down, it actually says a lot about worship, holiness, and why Jesus changes everything. Emily and Elissa walk through the chaos, the rules, and the meaning behind it all.
Elissa and Emily unpack Exodus and then land on the part nobody wants to admit. The Israelites watched God do the impossible and still found something else to worship. Sound familiar? This is a conversation about deliverance, obedience, waiting, and the idols we keep sneaking back to. Also, Emily’s first episode and she came ready.
Genesis reminds us that God works on timelines bigger than ours. Skye and Elissa talk creation with purpose, covenant through mercy, and why God is never reacting, only arranging. A needed reset for the start of the year.
Looking like a Christian is easier than living like one. In this episode, Parker and Elissa get real about sacrifice, comfort, and the difference between admiring the cross and carrying it. We talk social media faith, minimum effort discipleship, and why Jesus thinned the crowd on purpose. This one challenges the comfortable and encourages the committed.
Turns out the Stranger Things crew accidentally gives us a pretty solid picture of what “returning” looks like. We dive into how faith can slip into autopilot, how easy it is to lose the spark, and why Jesus tells the church in Ephesus to remember, repent, and return. It is honest, simple, and sprinkled with plenty of laughs about our very chaotic movie references.
Love keeps no record of wrongs, but wow do we try. This week Parker and Elissa talk about the weight we carry when we refuse to let things go and why forgiveness is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. With the holidays right around the corner, family tension, old hurt, and awkward memories seem to show up right when the turkey does. Perfect timing to talk reconciliation.
The race isn’t over... just changing lanes. Elissa and Alex close out the Revival of Faith series with reflections on endurance, community, and keeping your eyes on Jesus. It’s also a goodbye-for-now to Alex, whose time behind the mic has left a lasting mark on this podcast and everyone who’s listened along the way.
When Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds, he wasn’t rebuking him, he was restoring him. Preston and Jacob explore what it means for us when faith feels fragile, and how Christ still meets doubters with open hands and honest grace.
Peter took his eyes off Jesus and sank—but Jesus never left. Alex and Chris talk about faith that wavers, fear that lingers, and why trust isn’t about how strong you are but Who you’re looking at when the waves rise.
Real faith doesn’t come easy...it’s forged in the fire. Elissa and Alex close the loop on reason, emotion, and trust, reminding us that God builds something strong through the struggle.
We wrap up our month on Revival of Worship by asking the hard question: has worship become about what we feel instead of who God is? Goosebumps and guitar solos, we talk about the difference between entertainment and true worship.
If Paul walked into your church this Sunday, what would he say? Elissa and Brandon dive into that question as they compare the worship of the first century church with what we do now.
Old Testament rituals are gone. New Testament worship is simple, spiritual, and accessible for all. Emily joins Elissa to unpack what that means for us today.
Old Testament worship was heavy, detailed, and costly. Why was it that way, and how is Jesus the freedom and fulfillment of it all?
If the law said loving your neighbor was a crime, would there be enough evidence to lock you up? That question flipped the room and sparked this week’s talk.
We talk about Bonhoeffer, slippery slopes, and why grace without truth isn’t grace at all. Jacob shares what he’s seen on campus and how both generations can do better.
The four questions every college student gets asked point to something deeper. Alex and Elissa connect the dots between majors, identity, and the greater calling Jesus gives us. Along the way, they reflect on Welcome Sunday, revival, and what it means to wear your faith as proudly as your school colors.
Territorial pew-sitting. Spiritual ego. Passive shade. We’re going there. Generational unity doesn’t happen by accident.
This isn’t just theology...it’s personal. God desires you. In this vulnerable and hope-filled conversation, Alex and Elissa talk through God’s relentless invitation and how scripture makes it plain: redemption is available, and it’s not out of reach.
You saved for months. You planned the perfect trip. Then a mosquito ruins it all? This week’s metaphor hits hard. We’re talking about how small things can steal big joy, and how not to let temporary pain define eternal hope.
Peter blew it. David blew it. You’ve blown it too. But God isn’t finished. This one’s about how failure isn’t final, and why hope is worth holding on to.
What do Disney vacations, Japanese swords, and fireworks have in common? They’re all part of this week’s BONUS convo on living hope. It’s deeper than you think...and it might hit right where you need it.
Why do we think revival has to happen somewhere else? Elissa and Skye dig into how God wants to move in your city, your job, your grocery store, and your street.
You’ll laugh, learn, and probably walk away thinking differently about what it means to be a community-changer. Whether it's praying for a server, building intergenerational friendships, or inviting a coworker to church, this one reminds us that revival is already in motion.
You just have to look around.
Elissa and Alex challenge listeners to rethink the way we live out faith. Jesus didn’t serve from a distance. He got close. He got involved. He touched the untouchable and welcomed the outsider.
This episode is your push to get past comfort and into calling. If you’ve been waiting for someone else to step up, it’s time to realize you are someone else.
Devotion. Fellowship. Breaking bread. Prayer. The first-century church got it — and it flipped the world upside down. Could those same four pillars bring revival to your life today? Let’s find out.
Mission trips fade. Conferences end. The mountaintop moments don’t last forever. So what do you do when the spiritual high wears off and the Monday grind kicks in?
In this episode, Elissa and Alex unpack what it means to move from pew to pavement and how to make evangelism a lifestyle, not just a church program. From Moses’ shining face in Exodus 34 to the boldness of Peter and John in Acts 4, they explore what it really looks like to live out the gospel in everyday life: authentically, compassionately, and boldly.
Welcome to Season 2 of After Sunday! This week, Alex is joined by our new co-host, Elissa, as they reflect on the revival of community and what it really means to be salt and light in a noisy, distracted world. Jesus’ call to shine like a city on a hill, Craig’s memorable coffee bean analogy, and how Christians can stay rooted are all topics at the table.
They talk authenticity, social media pressures, leadership, and how being present in your local community might just be your most powerful ministry. Bonus: what happens when the lighthouse goes dark? (Hint: it’s not the end.)
This week on After Sunday, Alex and Skye wrap up the “Revival of the Family” series with an honest conversation about overcommitment, burnout, and the danger of being too busy doing good. From Martha and Mary in Luke 10 to modern church life, they explore how distraction—even in service—can rob families of rest, connection, and spiritual depth. They also reflect on the cost of over-scheduling, the need for sabbath, and why your home might be the most important mission field of all.
Plus: Alex gets installed as a deacon, Skye says goodbye (for now), and they both talk Enneagram types, contribution chaos, and the beauty of knowing when to say no.
This week on After Sunday, Alex and Skye return to dive deeper into the sermon on "The Virtue Signaler." They unpack how outward appearances of righteousness can mask internal struggles, especially in families. From social media comparison traps to church culture expectations, they explore how humility and authenticity must define our faith. Plus, shoutouts to Skye’s dad and a conversation about paper straws, hypocrisy, and the Pharisee vs. tax collector dynamic in Luke 18.
This week on After Sunday, Skye sits down with Chris Willis to unpack “The Gluttonous Host," a sermon about consumerism, sacrifice, and the uncomfortable truth: it’s not about us. From the AI-powered convenience we live in, to the disposable way we treat people, Craig’s message challenged us to take a hard look at our spiritual priorities. Are we really sacrificing? Are we praying before we plan? And what happens when we put God's desires above our own?
This week on After Sunday, Alex and Skye sit down with longtime Central member Debbie Giffen. Together they dive into a topic that's been heating up in culture: Christian masculinity.
What does it look like to raise strong, faithful men in a world that often calls that "toxic"? What does leadership in the home really mean and why does it matter?
Debbie shares stories from raising her own boys, lessons from her parents and marriage, and a gentle reminder not to give up on kids who fall away. They might just come home.
A rich, real, and hopeful conversation about raising up the next generation with conviction and kindness.
After a powerful Mission Sunday, Zane and Emily talk about what real revival looks like around the world and why it starts with prayer, love, and simple service. From packed churches in India to the bold faith of door-knockers, this episode is a call to stop overcomplicating faith and start living it. What would happen if we actually prayed like it was the last time?
On this sunny Easter Sunday, Alex and Skye reflect on the connection between passion and purpose and how Christ’s sacrifice challenges us to move beyond comfort and into action. From the Latin roots of the word “passion” to the real-world challenge of being authentic in your faith, this episode explores the power of prayer, living boldly, and partnering with others in the mission of the church. Plus: a little KFC, a little laughter, and a whole lot of heart.
This week on After Sunday, Skye and Alex talk about what it means to be an urgent witness for Jesus. From ambassadors and plumbers to cassette tapes falling from the sky, we’re digging into what it really looks like to share your faith in everyday moments. Whether it's inviting someone to church, sharing a Bible verse, or just living out your testimony, revival starts when we decide to say something. Also: why the woman at the well still inspires us and how a magician-turned-atheist got us thinking about evangelism.
Revival doesn't begin with a program—it begins with a person. In this rainy-day episode, Skye and Alex sit down to reflect on Jonah, the prodigal son, and how real spiritual awakening begins when we finally stop running. They talk through the fear, the honesty, and the urgency required to truly change, not just for ourselves but for our communities. Whether you're in the belly of a fish or the middle of a routine, this episode challenges you to take that first step: get up and go.
We’ve all been there—heard someone say “don’t judge me” or maybe said it ourselves. But is that really what Jesus meant?
Skye and Alex dig into what judgment is, what it isn’t, and how to walk the line between grace and accountability. Plus: how self-awareness, spiritual growth, and a little patience go a long way when dealing with messy people (including ourselves).
Let’s be honest—spiritual growth sounds great until you actually try to do it without distraction. The old habits, the screen time, the busyness... it all adds up. In this episode of After Sunday, guest hosts Zane and Emily get real about the struggle of trying to grow in Christ while living in a world that pulls us in every direction.
They unpack Craig’s message on spiritual detox—covering prayer, fasting, study, and discipling—and reflect on what it means to set boundaries, lean on community, and actually give God your first and not your leftovers.
Most of us know we should read our Bibles more, but let’s be real—it’s easy to put it off. Between work, school, social media, and everything in between, Bible reading often takes a backseat. But what if we told you that just three times a week won’t cut it? In this episode of After Sunday, Alex and Skye break down some eye-opening Bible reading statistics and why so many people struggle to stay in the Word.
Your mind is under attack, and most of us don’t even realize it. From social media addiction to the comparison trap, we’re constantly bombarded with content that shapes how we think, feel, and view ourselves. In this episode of After Sunday: Digging Deeper, we’re exposing the hidden dangers of what we consume—and how to fight back.
00:23 New Series: Rival of the Mind
01:07 The Impact of What We Consume
02:28 Social Media and Mental Health
04:14 The Illusion of Social Media
05:49 Statistics on Social Media Usage
08:32 Psychological Effects and Solutions
Forgiveness—it’s more than just saying sorry. In this episode of After Sunday, Skye and Alex wrap up February’s theme, Revival of the Heart, with a deep dive into the burden of forgiveness and the power of surrendering to Jesus. What does it mean to truly forgive? Do we have to forget? And what if they never ask for forgiveness?
00:23 Recap of the YoPro Event
01:18 Discussing the Theme: Revival of the Heart
01:47 Understanding Forgiveness
02:29 Practical Applications of Forgiveness
03:33 The Importance of Forgiveness in Christianity
06:41 Challenges in Forgiveness
We all say we want to serve, but when life gets busy, time is the first thing we protect. In this episode of After Sunday: Digging Deeper, we tackle the real sacrifices of Christian service—time, priorities, and the mindset shift that makes all the difference.
00:23 Discussing Sacrifice and Time
01:47 The Importance of Being Active and Involved
03:07 Building Relationships Through Service
05:49 Expanding Beyond the Congregation
06:35 Final Thoughts on Service and Contribution
What if the key to a truly blessed life isn’t more money, more success, or more stuff? In this episode of After Sunday: Digging Deeper, we’re unpacking the power of gratitude and fellowship—two game-changers that can transform your faith, your mindset, and even your relationships.
00:22 Discussing Gratitude
02:27 Experiences from Mission Trips
05:36 The Value of Material Possessions
10:14 Fellowship and Community
13:26 Final Thoughts and Intentionality
In this episode, Skye, Alex, and special guest Elissa Marks dive into our new series, Revival of the Heart—a month-long journey of spiritual renewal. We explore what revival truly means, the power of prayer and confession, and how we can lean on our faith community for accountability and healing.
00:28 Introducing the New Series: Revival of the Heart
00:51 Understanding Revival: Personal and Communal Perspectives
02:19 Prayer and Confession: Complementary Practices
07:12 Practical Steps for Supporting Friends
09:54 The Power of Time and Presence
12:16 The Importance of Persistent Prayer
In this episode of 'After Sunday: Digging Deeper,' Skye returns from a refreshing break, special guest Jacob Haustein joins from the Student Center. They dive into the topic of aging, discussing perspectives and attitudes towards growing older from multiple generational views. Exploring the loss of respect for elders, the shift in societal philosophy, and the importance of maintaining genuine relationships, the conversation highlights both the physical challenges and the mental and spiritual gains that come with age.
00:34 Introducing the Topic of Aging
00:59 Attitudes Towards Aging
02:34 Mentoring Across Generations
04:50 Philosophy Shifts Over Time
07:37 Gaining Wisdom with Age
10:44 The Value of Time and Relationships
12:24 Biblical Perspective on Aging
Welcome to another episode of After Sunday: Digging Deeper! Today, Alex and special guest Chris Willis explore the significance of the Sabbath in our modern lives. They discuss historical biblical interpretations, compare Old Testament laws to our New Testament freedoms, and the importance of rest for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
00:41 Today's Topic: The Sabbath and Revival
01:37 Understanding the Sabbath: Biblical Insights
03:57 Modern Perspectives on Sabbath Observance
08:05 The Importance of Rest: Physical and Mental Health
13:30 Practical Tips for Observing the Sabbath
Join Skye and Alex in this frosty episode of 'After Sunday' as they discuss the importance of caring for our bodies, inspired by Craig's lesson on treating our bodies as temples for the Holy Spirit. The conversation covers the balance between indulgence and moderation, the pitfalls of overworking, and honoring our bodies as creations of God.
00:26 Snow Day Fun
00:49 Craig's Lesson: Our Body is a Temple
02:03 Balancing Health and Rest
04:36 Stewardship of Our Bodies
05:27 Honoring God with Our Actions
07:21 Influences and Modesty
10:48 Conclusion and Farewell
In this premiere episode of After Sunday, hosts Alex and Skye explore the theme of 'revival' as outlined by Craig, focusing specifically on the revival of the body. They follow Matthew 11:28-30, discussing the essence of 'my yoke is easy and my burden is light.' The episode addresses modern-day stressors, the importance of prioritizing time with God, and the pitfalls of multitasking and technology. They touch on New Year's resolutions, the concept of sunset fatigue, and the need to recharge like Jesus did by retreating to desolate places. All in 15 minutes!
00:56 Exploring the Concept of 'My Yoke is Easy'
01:51 Modern-Day Applications and Challenges
03:56 Balancing Priorities and Eliminating Hurry
06:50 Technology's Impact on Our Lives
09:31 Symptoms of Sunset Fatigue
12:38 Biblical Examples and Final Thoughts
15:07 Conclusion and Farewell
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In this podcast, David unravels the idea of 'stuff' and how we can all take a look back a what we have,