Unmask the Dragon

253 | Geektober | Unmask the Dragon

Geektober continues! If the Bible were a fantasy novel, it'd have it all: a talking serpent, a multi-headed sea monster, and a great dragon at the end. But this isn't fiction, so what's with all the hissing and fire-breathing? How did biblical writers "flip the script" on ancient myths to tell the true story of chaos? And how is the entire Bible one epic dragonslayer story pointing to Christ's ultimate victory over evil? Grab your sword of the Spirit and join our quest to understand one of Scripture's most powerful symbols.

The Big Idea: The Bible uses snakes and dragons to help us see God's epic victory over evil.

This Week's Challenge: Memorize Romans 16:20.

Show Notes

• Watch Episode 253 (VIDEO)
• The Fantasmic! Dragon at Disneyland (VIDEO)
• The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer by Andrew Naselli (BOOK)
• Leviathan in Mythology and the Bible (WEBSITE)
• The Babylonian Creation Epic (Enuma Elish) (WEBSITE)
• The "Christus Victor" View of Atonement (ARTICLE)
• The Challenge: Romans 16:20 (VERSE)

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Put AI to Work for the Kingdom

252 | Geektober | Put AI to Work for the Kingdom

Grab your nerd glasses — our monthlong Geektober deep-dive is officially here! First up we head to the workshop to explore Artificial Intelligence. Is AI a faithful "digital servant" for your Bible study, or a rogue robot that hallucinates answers? We're giving you the guardrails to use this powerful tool wisely, showing you why it's a great research assistant but a terrible rabbi. Join us for a fun, nerdy, and practical guide to making AI your servant, not your master, in your walk with God!

The Big Idea: Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that Christians can leverage for kingdom work, but it should be treated like a helpful servant, not a replacement for critical thinking.

This Week's Challenge: This week, put an AI to work as your Digital servant. Then, evaluate the result. Ask yourself: "How did this information help me to think more deeply and personally about the text?"

Show Notes

• Watch Episode 252 (VIDEO)
• Welcome to GEEKTOBER! (WEBSITE)
• The New Yankee Workshop with Norm Abrams (WEBSITE)
• The Plinko Game from The Price is Right (VIDEO)
• Google's NotebookLM (WEBSITE)
• Steve Jobs: A Bicycle for the Mind (VIDEO)

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251 | Find God's Grace in Your Burnout

Ever feel completely gassed, even after a huge win? The prophet Elijah sure did. Fresh off his spiritual Super Bowl on Mount Carmel, he crashed so hard he was ready to quit for good. But God's response wasn't a pep talk — it was a hot meal and an invitation to take a nap. What does this story teach us about the anatomy of burnout and the problem with "hustle culture"? Join us for a surprisingly practical and personal look at finding God's grace — and maybe a good nap — when you've hit the wall.

The Big Idea: When you're spiritually and emotionally exhausted, God's first response isn't a demand for more strength, but an invitation to receive His gentle, practical care.

This Week's Challenge: Identify one thing you can do to address physical or emotional exhaustion — take a nap, go for a quiet walk, have a restorative meal.

Show Notes

• Watch Episode 251 (VIDEO)
• Finding Jesus: Matthew 11:28-30 (VERSE)
• Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins (BOOK)
• The Biblical City of Ai (WEBSITE)

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250 | Unlock the Message of Ezekiel

Ever felt like Ezekiel is a locked door? In this workshop episode, Ryan takes us on his journey teaching through this bizarre and beautiful "flyover book". What can we learn from a prophet who ate a scroll and whose wife's death became a sign? How does this book balance God's terrifying judgment with his patient grace? What do the gyroscopic wheels of eyes look like? And what are the practical keys — from immersion to asking the right questions — that unlock its message about Jesus? Get your toolkit ready to confidently tackle one of the Bible's most rewarding books!

The Big Idea: Unlocking an intimidating book like Ezekiel reveals a powerful and accessible message about God's relentless faithfulness.

This Week's Challenge: Read the one chapter Ryan recommended — Ezekiel 37. As you read, don't worry about understanding every detail. Instead, ask one question: "What does this story show me about the power of God?"

Show Notes

• Watch Episode 250 (VIDEO)
• Eat the Scroll (BLOG)
• Ryan’s Top Chapter: Ezekiel 37 (VERSE)
• The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1-24 by Daniel I. Block (COMMENTARY)
• The Message of Ezekiel by Christopher J.H. Wright (COMMENTARY)
• The Bible Project: Ezekiel Classroom (VIDEO COURSE)
• Ezekiel by Robert Harkrider (WORKBOOK)
• Ezekiel, NIVAC by Iain Duguid (BOOK)
• The Book Of Ezekiel by Jim McGuiggan (BOOK)
• Episode 4: Fully Infused (PODCAST)
• Image #1 - Line Art Drawing (IMAGE)
• Image #2 - Prog Rock UFO (IMAGE)
• Image #3 - AI Generated Art (IMAGE)

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249 | Redeem Your Time

Fire up the DeLorean! In this time travel episode, we explore the time traps we all fall into. How does Jesus redeem our past, freeing us from the magnetic pull of regret and nostalgia? What's the difference between tactical concern and getting stuck in a state of worry about the future? And what does it really mean to "redeem the time" — not just managing our schedule, but wisely and gratefully living in the present moment? Join us for a conversation that helps us escape the loops of yesterday and tomorrow to live fully in today!

The Big Idea: Christ redeems our past, secures our future, and fills our present with purpose.

This Week's Challenge: Bring whatever’s snagging you, your past, present, or future to God in prayer. Then pay attention to what he does as he works in your life going forward.

Show Notes

• Watch Episode 249 (VIDEO)
• Trapped in Time? (BLOG)
• Jesus Said: Matthew 6:34 (VERSE)
• Frequency (MOVIE)
• Groundhog Day (MOVIE)
• The Riddle of Experience vs. Memory (TED TALK)

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248 | Foster Joy and Happiness in Your Life

Rejoice! We're back for a new season with "Happy Days Ahead"! First up, we're untangling the relationship between joy and happiness. Is it okay for Christians to just be happy, or is happiness a shallow goal we should avoid? How can joy be a choice we make, yet also a fruit of the Spirit we receive? And what does it mean to "abide in the vine" to find the full joy that Jesus promises — the kind that can coexist with sadness? Join us as we explore appreciating happiness while building a life on unshakable joy!

The Big Idea: We can appreciate happiness as a gift, but we must foster joy to carry us through.

This Week's Challenge: This week, instead of chasing a feeling of joy, abide in Christ and gratefully notice his blessings throughout your day.

Show Notes

• Watch Episode 248 (VIDEO)
• More Geek, More Joy! (BLOG)
• Jesus Said: John 15:11 (VERSE)
• Finishing Each Other's Sandwiches (VIDEO)
• Rate and Review the Show (APPLE PODCASTS)

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247 | Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular | Go Back to the Book

We're closing our "Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular" by opening the vault! This episode is a time capsule: our very first recording together from an old radio show — our "naked baby pictures" episode. Inspired by "National Back to Church Sunday," we ask a bigger question: What does it mean to go back to the church of the Bible? How does the New Testament's pattern for work, worship, and organization compare to today? And why is unity under Christ's authority so crucial? Join us for a foundational discussion that's still relevant today!

The Big Idea: Rather than choosing a church based on preference, we are called to find and be a part of a local body that faithfully follows the New Testament's pattern.

Show Notes

• Back to Church (BLOG)
• Our About Page (with a photo from this recording!) (WEBSITE)
• National Back to Church Sunday (WEBSITE)
• Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular (WEBSITE)
• Square One Guided Study (GUIDED STUDY)

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246 | Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular | See the Prophecy in the Pain

We welcome our friend Allen Greeley back for his final sermon in our "Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular"! This week's lesson, "Betrayal of a Close Friend," gets personal. How did King David's psalms give voice to Jesus's heartbreak over Judas hundreds of years before it happened? In what ways did the betrayal of David by his own trusted advisor serve as a haunting prequel to the gospel story? And what does it mean that in the moment of betrayal, Jesus still called Judas "Friend"? Join us for a powerful look at the human cost of betrayal.

The Big Idea: The psalms foretold not just the event of the betrayal, but the real, human pain Jesus would feel as a friend.

Show Notes

• Friend, Do What You Came to Do (BLOG)
• Plainfield Ponderings Podcast (PODCAST)
• Allen Greeley (GUEST)
• Macbeth (WIKI)
• Hamilton (MUSICAL)
• Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular (WEBSITE)
• Square One Guided Study (GUIDED STUDY)

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245 | Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular | Get to Know Your Bible

Surf's up for our "Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular"! This week, Ryan offers a proper introduction in his sermon, "Meet Your Bible". Ever felt like you know about the Bible, but haven't been formally introduced to this library of books? Why is it crucial to remember this collection was written for you, but not directly to you? And how can we stay curious about a book we think we know so well? Join us for a friendly reintroduction, designed to build your confidence and help you fall in love with it all over again!

The Big Idea: To read the Bible well, see it not as one book, but as a whole library telling one great story.

Show Notes

• Meet Your Bible (BLOG)
• YouVersion Bible App (APP)
• Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular (WEBSITE)
• Square One Guided Study (GUIDED STUDY)

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244 | Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular | Trust in the Better Priesthood

We're stoked to have our friend Allen Greeley back for our "Summer Surfin' Spectacular"! This week, he tackles a biblical puzzle in "The Priesthood Face-off." If Old Testament priests and kings came from different tribes, how could Jesus be both? Who was the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek, and why was he considered greater than Abraham? And what happens when the flawed, law-breaking priesthood comes face-to-face with Jesus at his own trial? Grab your board and join us for a deep-dive into God's plan for his ultimate priest-king!

The Big Idea: From its first pages, the Bible builds a case that the flawed human priesthood would one day be replaced by a perfect Priest-King.

Show Notes

• Torn Robes and a Silent King (BLOG)
• Plainfield Ponderings Podcast (PODCAST)
• Allen Greeley (GUEST)
• Seven Sermon Summer Surfin’ Spectacular (WEBSITE)
• Square One Guided Study (GUIDED STUDY)

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