Afraid.

Two of the most common questions in the Christian life, and two of the most avoided. In the first episode of Afraid, Steven and David tackle questions submitted directly by listeners.

First up: How do you actually know when God is speaking to you? People say "God told me" all the time, but what does that really mean? Is it an audible voice? Is it just your own thoughts? And what happens when sincere Christians genuinely feel they've heard from God and still get it wrong? David walks through how to filter out the noise, test what you're hearing against scripture, and trust the process even when you miss it.

Then, the question people get uncomfortable about the moment the offering plate comes around: Is tithing just an Old Testament rule, or does it still apply to Christians today? David breaks it down with ten bananas, a traffic light, and a whole lot of grace. Spoiler: it is less about the 10% and a lot more about your heart.

Both questions, no dodging, no guilt trips. That is how we do it here. Got a question of your own? Submit it at afraidpodcast.com.

What keeps us from asking the questions that matter most to our faith? Fear of judgment, fear of looking foolish, fear of the answer itself. These are the walls that keep so many believers and seekers silent. In this introductory episode, host Steven sits down with theologian and pastor David to share the heart behind Afraid: Questions You're Afraid to Ask Your Pastor.

They talk honestly about why hard questions go unasked in the church, why real conversation is so rare, and what it looks like to wrestle with tough topics while holding onto love, humility, and scripture. David also shares his own remarkable story, a radical salvation on a street corner in Huntington, West Virginia, and the years of deep, devoted study that shaped everything he believes.

To give you a taste of what's ahead, they wade into one of the top questions already coming in from listeners: Once Saved, Always Saved. Spoiler: it has a lot more layers than you might think.

If you've ever sat in a church pew with a question burning in your chest and said nothing, this podcast is for you. Submit your questions at afraidpodcast.com, anonymously if you'd like. New episodes drop every other week.