What is suffering? Why is there suffering in this world? Why aren't we immune to it as Christians? Why would a loving God allow suffering?

One of the most asked questions by young people in the Western world is, "Why is there suffering?" Pain and hardship are part of the human experience but why?

The Bible is clear that we will all face suffering to some degree and that it will ultimately be used for good in the life of a believer.

In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef explores three main reasons for suffering and gives Biblical encouragement to persevere in the face of suffering. If you have wondered why there is suffering, you won't want to miss this episode.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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Tragedy strikes. Grief and sorrow follow. We want to know why it happened, who is to blame, and all the details of what happened.  Is that the right way to respond? How did Jesus respond to tragedy? What can we learn from Him?

Join Jonathan Youssef as he shares insight from Luke 13 about how Christians should respond to tragedy. In this chapter, Jesus reminds His disciples of the bigger picture when facing tragedy and teaches them how to respond with the Gospel. 

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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Should believers be on the frontlines of culture wars?  Is cancel culture impacting how younger Christians engage with the church and with secular culture? How can different Christian generations with diverse opinions come together in unity to overcome cancel culture?  

On today’s episode, Jonathan welcomes Dr. Bill Davis as they discuss culture wars in and outside of the Church along with what the Bible has to say about honoring Christ in our response to culture.

Dr. Bill Davis is a professor of philosophy at Covenant College and an adjunct professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He is a deep and compassionate minister of the Gospel and a guest we’re honored to have back.

We hope this episode will help you build a bridge between generations - helping difficult conversations to be filled with love and understanding.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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Have you ever wondered what God's call is for your life?  Do you think about what He created you to do?  Do you wrestle and ask if you are in the center of His will? These are questions we all wrestle with periodically. If you are in that place now or know someone who is, today's podcast is for you.

Jonathan welcomes Clay Kirkland back to Candid Conversations. Clay is a life coach who served for 18 years as the Director of Staff Development at The Wesley Foundation at The University of Georgia where he mentored and coached thousands of young adults.  He is also a certified Strengths coach and consultant who helps people discover and operate in their God-given strengths.

Together, Jonathan and Clay will navigate deep questions of purpose using Scripture as their guide. Join them now.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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"You are enough!"  "God wants you to be happy."  "Be the boss of you!" These popular quotes sound encouraging and empowering, but are they really Biblical? Jonathan welcomes Alisa Childers back to Candid Conversations to discuss the infiltration of cultural lies into Christian circles. Together, they unpack the importance of holding every thought captive to the knowledge of God where true life and empowerment are found.  

Alisa is the author of her widely read apologetics blog, AlisaChilders.com and host of The Alisa Childers Podcast. You may also remember her as part of the Christian band, Zoe Girl.  Her book, Another Gospel?, is a helpful guide to unpacking and understanding Progressive Christianity.  

This is an encouraging episode that will equip you to counter cultural lies with Biblical Truth--so take a few minutes and listen now.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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As false teachers tear down Biblical morals and many deconstruct their faith, how are believers to respond? 

Jonathan Youssef welcomes his father, Dr. Michael Youssef, to Candid to discuss his new book, Never Give Up: Holding Fast to Biblical Truth in Times of Danger and Despair. Together, they discuss Paul's writings to Timothy and the Church in 2 Timothy, an incredible encouragement for us to hold fast to Biblical Truth in the face of opposition and during difficult times. 

Listen today to be built up in your faith in God and His Word so that you can take a stand for Truth in the midst of opposition and personal trials.  The victory is yours in Christ!

If you would like to order Never Give Up, it is available now at LTW.org for your gift of any amount to the ministry of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef.  

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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We love receiving your questions at Candid Conversations. We want to help you navigate the hard questions of the Christian faith. We all have questions about Christianity, so let’s dive in and answer them together.

On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan takes a few minutes to unpack answers to your recent questions, including: 

• Why would God create us knowing we would fall and suffer?
• How could a loving God send anyone to hell?
• What should I do to encourage someone who had a bad experience in church?
• Do I need to keep asking God to forgive my sins?
• How much theological training do I need for ministry?

We also want to offer the following resources for additional insight. Take a few minutes to review these links after you listen to this episode.

Understanding Suffering in Light of the Gospel

Why Did God Allow the Fall?

Heaven Is for Real—and Hell Is, Too

Four Things to Look for in a Church

Forgiveness & Confession

Is Seminary Really Necessary?

After you listen to this episode, you may have your own questions. We would love to hear from you! To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Also, join the conversation on our social media pages:

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Critical Race Theory is being offered as a framework that will help with the work of racial healing.  Is this true?  Can Critical Race Theory bring racial healing?  Can it bring Biblical unity? 

Join Jonathan and his guest, Monique Duson of the Center for Biblical Unity, to peel back the layers of Critical Race Theory. Monique is a racial unity advocate and co-founder with Krista Bontrager of the Center for Biblical Unity. 

Monique spent two decades advocating for Critical Race Theory (CRT), but through a series of events, began to clearly see the contradictions of CRT with the historic Christian worldview. In this conversation, she helps shed light on the philosophies behind CRT, the role the Christian church should take in fighting racism and seeking racial healing, and the importance of Biblical discipleship in the journey toward Biblical unity. 

Monique Duson has a BA in Sociology from Biola University. She is working on a MA in Theology. She has a background in social service and children’s ministry—working with a diverse array of under-served communities. Monique served as a Missionary to South Africa for over four years, serving children and teachers impacted by drugs, violence, and trauma.

To ask Jonathan a question or to connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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Join Jonathan as he sits down with famed baseball player and sports legend, Darryl Strawberry. 

Darryl Strawberry is a former professional baseball player, who rose to fame in 1980 and became the number one draft pick at the age of 18. Three years later he became Rookie of The Year, and went on to play 17 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was one of the most feared sluggers in the sport, known for his home runs. During his baseball career he helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series Championship and the New York Yankees to three World Series Championships.

In this special episode, Darryl shares with us his incredible story from a childhood of abuse, to a fast rise to fame. His struggles of drug abuse, and chasing a life with no meaning left him empty. Through trials and pain he realized there was so much more in life by finding Christ and walking in true discipleship with the Lord.  

We hope this episode encourages you in you walk with Christ and the importance of discipleship in your own life.

To ask Jonathan a question or to connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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Are you looking for a way to study God’s Word consistently? Do you need a new Bible reading plan? Join Jonathan as he shares his favorite plan, as well as the potential pitfalls and rewards of a Bible reading plan by  Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Daily Bread.

We pray that this episode encourages you in the general reading of God's Word and that choosing a reading plan will help you grow in your relationship with Christ.

To ask Jonathan a question or to connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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