Clearly with Jimmy & Kelly Needham

How should we respond when the Bible gives us stories of people who loved God yet did terrible things? And how do we navigate questions about baptism, communion, cultural influence, and even sin in our dreams? Jimmy and Kelly Needham tackle listener questions about some of the Bible’s most difficult and practical subjects. We explore why Scripture doesn’t present flawed people as perfect heroes, how parents can thoughtfully approach baptism and the Lord’s Supper with their kids, and why our biblical worldview must remain grounded in Scripture rather than shaped by the culture around us. We also unpack what our dreams might reveal about our hearts, when to bring those questions into community, and how prayer, Scripture, and trusted relationships can help us pursue holiness with humility.

• The Bible presents its people honestly, including their failures, so we should not treat every action of a biblical character as something to imitate.
• Biblical characters are prescriptive for us only when their actions align with God’s character, righteousness, and holiness; otherwise, their stories can be descriptive or serve as warnings.
• Jimmy and Kelly believe faith should precede baptism and that baptism should generally precede communion, while acknowledging that families and churches may differ in how they apply these principles.
• When deciding when a child should be baptized, parents can consider the child’s understanding of the gospel, evidence of faith, desire to take the step themselves, and the counsel of trusted Christian community.
• Cultural norms can shape our assumptions without us realizing it, which is why Scripture—not the values of our particular cultural moment—should ultimately determine our worldview.
• When dealing with troubling dreams, it can be helpful to ask whether the dream connects to something we actually desire or struggle with in waking life, while also recognizing that not every dream necessarily reflects our desires.
• Psalm 139 provides a model for asking God to search our hearts and reveal things we may not see in ourselves.
• Bringing troubling thoughts, dreams, and questions into trusted community can help protect us from isolation, accusation, and spiritual confusion.

Flawed Bible characters: 

• Lot & his daughers: Genesis 19
• David & Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11
• The Levite & his concubine: Judges 19
• Moses: Numbers 12:3 & Numbers 20:7-12
• Peter: Matthew 16:13-23
• Job’s friends: Job 42:7

Baptism: 

• Matthew 28:18–20
• Acts 2:38-41
• Acts 8:12
• Acts 16:33

Cultural Moments

• Tim Keller’s A Reason for God

Dreams

• David’s Prayer: Psalm 139:23-24

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Submit your questions or episode ideas [email protected] 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Read Kelly's story and more in this helpful resource: Trying: Reflections on Faith through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss

What happens to babies who die through miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion—and how can we grieve these losses in a way that honors both the child and God? We continue our conversation about miscarriage by exploring the realities of grief, how husbands, friends, family, and churches can support those who are suffering, and why trying to explain or quickly fix someone's pain can often make it harder. We also wrestle with one of the most difficult theological questions surrounding pregnancy loss: Do miscarried babies go to heaven? As we look at Scripture, original sin, human guilt, God's mercy, the work of Jesus, and God's heart for children, we share why we believe babies who die before birth are with Jesus—not because they are innocent, but because salvation is ultimately through the mercy and finished work of Christ. We also share how God used our own story of repeated miscarriage to uncover a medical condition, eventually allowing us to have three biological children, and how that experience has shaped the way we trust God's purposes even when we cannot see them.

• People experiencing miscarriage often need to tell others exactly how they need to be supported, whether that means prayer, companionship, a distraction, or simply someone willing to listen.
• Grief after miscarriage is real even without the traditional markers of loss, such as a funeral or gravestone, and finding meaningful ways to remember a lost child can help honor that life.
• We should resist trying to explain why a miscarriage happened, including suggesting unrepentant sin, health or wellness practices, or other potential causes as though we can identify God's purposes.
• One of the most compassionate ways to support someone grieving is to enter their sadness without immediately trying to fix it, minimize it, or move them toward optimism.
• Husbands can experience their own grief, shame, expectations, and confusion after miscarriage and need friends who will ask how they are doing rather than assuming they are unaffected.
• We believe miscarried and stillborn babies are with Jesus, but not because babies are inherently innocent; our understanding of Scripture teaches that humanity bears the effects and guilt of Adam's fall.
• We believe the hope of heaven for these children is ultimately grounded in God's mercy and the finished work of Jesus, not in their ability to consciously express faith.
• Our own experience showed us that God can bring life through loss: a third miscarriage led to discovering a serious but treatable condition that otherwise may never have been identified.

Other articles and resources on where babies go when they die:

Why Do You Believe That Infants Who Die Go to Heaven? | Desiring God  

Are My Septuplets in Heaven? | Desiring God

Check out these articles written by Kelly through seasons of miscarriage:

How to Handle the Grief of Miscarriage 

No Good Thing Does He Withhold: Having Faith in Difficult Times Part 1 and Part 2 

When Feelings and Faith Disagree 

Draw Near to God with Your Questions 

Miscarriage is a Peculiar Kind of Grief 

Scripture Referenced: John 9:1-3, Genesis 3, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5, Romans 1:18-21, Romans 5:9, Matthew 18:3

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Submit your questions or episode ideas [email protected] 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Read Kelly's story and more in this helpful resource: Trying: Reflections on Faith through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss

What happens to our faith when God says no to something we desperately prayed for? We explore the painful reality of miscarriage, the physical and emotional grief it brings, and the unexpected ways pregnancy loss can affect our marriages, our relationships, and our relationship with God. Drawing from our own experience of three miscarriages early in our marriage, we talk honestly about the loneliness, anger, shame, questions, and theological tension that can follow loss. We also unpack what it means to “wrestle well” with God through suffering—bringing humility, honesty, curiosity, and patience into our prayers rather than numbing our pain or quietly distancing ourselves from God.

What We Learned

• Miscarriage can create a profound physical and emotional grief, particularly for women who experience the loss in their own bodies.
• Pregnancy loss can create unexpected distance between husbands and wives because men and women may experience and process the grief differently.
• Miscarriage can lead to a deep faith wrestle, raising difficult questions about God’s goodness, sovereignty, fatherhood, and the promises of Scripture.
• Other people's stories can help us put language to our own grief, especially when we don't know how to communicate what we're experiencing.
• We can bring honesty to God in our suffering rather than pretending to trust when we are actually angry, confused, or hurt.
• Wrestling well with God involves both honesty and humility: we can acknowledge what we don't understand while remaining curious about what we cannot yet see.
• Patience matters in spiritual wrestling. We may need to keep coming back to God, waiting for His answer rather than walking away after one prayer.
• Psalm 25:3 and the Psalms more broadly can give language and encouragement to those who are learning how to wait on God in the middle of suffering.

Resources Mentioned

Check out these articles written by Kelly through seasons of miscarriage:

How to Handle the Grief of Miscarriage 

No Good Thing Does He Withhold: Having Faith in Difficult Times Part 1  and Part 2 

When Feelings and Faith Disagree 

Draw Near to God with Your Questions 

Miscarriage is a Peculiar Kind of Grief 

Scripture Referenced

• Psalm 13:1
• Psalm 25:3
• Job

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

What does it look like to faithfully engage with Halloween as a Christian? We talk honestly about the different ways families can approach October 31st, from intentional abstention to using the cultural moment as an opportunity for gospel ministry. Kelly Needham and Phylicia Masonheimer share how their families have landed in different places based on their communities, convictions, and the spiritual context around them. We explore Christian freedom, discernment, discipleship, evangelism, cultural engagement, and the importance of stewarding what God has entrusted to us. Whether Halloween is a major event in your neighborhood or something you’ve never thought much about, we hope this conversation helps us prayerfully consider what faithfulness, humility, and intentionality can look like in our own communities.

• Halloween’s name comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” the evening before All Saints Day on November 1.
• Phylicia and her husband chose to abstain from Halloween beyond handing out candy when they lived downtown, partly because of the strong Wiccan and witchcraft presence in their community.
• Their family now hosts an All Saints celebration where guests dress as people from church history, share food, sing hymns, and participate in church history trivia.
• Kelly and Jimmy chose to “redeem Halloween” after learning that their home had a reputation as the haunted house of Sleepy Hollow, turning it into a place known for generosity, prayer, and gospel conversations.
• The conversation identifies three approaches Christians might take: redemption, abstention, or passive participation—and emphasizes the importance of being intentional rather than simply going along with cultural habits.
• Christian freedom should be stewarded for the good of others, including believers who may have different convictions or backgrounds.
• Romans 14 is highlighted as a helpful passage for thinking through convictional differences without judging other believers.
• We are encouraged to assess what we currently do, look carefully at the community God has placed us in, pray, and ask how we can intentionally use what God has entrusted to us for the sake of the gospel.

Phylicia's Halloween resources

Needham's halloween resources

Want more Halloween content?

Ghosts ARE real

Phylicia Masonheimer’s Ministry: 

Every Woman a Theologian

Verity Podcast

• Romans 6:23
• Romans 14
• Colossians 2:8
• Hebrews 5:12–14
• Acts 17:26-27

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

What if influence has less to do with having a position and more to do with how we use the influence God has already entrusted to us? We explore what Scripture shows us about the unique influence women can have—with or without a position of authority—and examine women such as Abigail, Esther, Delilah, Jezebel, Rahab, Tamar, and others who shaped circumstances for good or for evil. We look at the difference between godly influence and selfish manipulation and identify four marks of godly influence: it is submissive to authority, sacrificial, strategic, and aimed at benefiting others and glorifying God. Ultimately, we consider how we can recognize the spheres of influence already around us and use them for the good of others and the advancement of God's kingdom.

• Women are described at creation as a “helper” or ezer, a Hebrew word also frequently used of God as help, pointing to a role that can be deeply influential rather than merely subordinate.
• Influence is defined as “the capacity to be a compelling force on the actions, thoughts, and behaviors of others.”
• Scripture gives examples of women influencing circumstances for both good and evil, including Abigail averting a conflict with David, Esther advocating for her people, Delilah bringing down Samson, and Jezebel influencing Ahab toward evil.
• Women do not need a formal position, title, paycheck, platform, podcast, or position of authority to make a significant impact in the world around them.
• Godly influence is submissive to authority; submission does not mean having no voice or being a doormat, but recognizing and honoring legitimate authority.
• Godly influence is sacrificial, often involving personal risk or loss for the benefit of others.
• Godly influence is strategic, using wisdom, timing, shrewdness, and intentionality for God's purposes rather than selfish manipulation.
• Godly influence benefits others and glorifies God, seeking the advancement of God's purposes rather than personal power or control.

• ⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
• “Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
• “Gender Roles Q&A”
• “She Should Cover Her Head??”
• “Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”

Scripture Referenced

• Eve & Adam – Genesis 2:18-23 
• God as our ezer – Psalm 121:1-2, Psalm 33:20
• Sarah & Abraham – Genesis 16
• Rebekah & Isaac – Genesis 24-27
• Tamar & Judah – Genesis 38
• Potiphar’s Wife & Joseph – Genesis 39
• Two Hebrew Midwives, Shiphrah and Puah – Exodus 1
• Zipporah & Moses – Exodus 4
• Daughters of Zelophehad – Numbers 27
• Rahab in Jericho – Joshua 2
• Jael & Sisera – Judges 4-5
• Delilah & Samson – Judges 13-16
• Abigail, Nabal & David – 1 Samuel 25
• Jezebel & Ahab – 1 Kings 16
• The little slave girl & Naman – 2 Kings 5
• Athaliah, Jehosheba & Joash – 2 Kings 8-11
• Herodias & John the Baptist – Mark 6
• Women supporting Jesus’ Ministry – Luke 8
• Woman at the Well – John 4
• Elizabeth & Mary – Luke 1-2
• Deborah – Judges 4-5
• Esther

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Help train up women in your church! https://teachequip.com/clearly 

What if complementarianism became known for what it celebrates, not just what it restricts? Jimmy and Kelly Needham explore how complementarian churches can move beyond defining what women can and cannot do and instead create a culture where women are valued, equipped, affirmed, and actively involved in ministry. We unpack four practical ways pastors and church leaders can help women thrive: investigate how the women in their church are doing, identify women who are already faithfully serving, invest in their growth through training and resources, and involve them in the work and life of the church. We also discuss practical guardrails for healthy relationships between men and women, the importance of pastoral initiative, and how women can respond with grace, prayer, and long-suffering when their church leadership has room to grow.

What We Learned

• Complementarianism teaches that men and women are different and complementary, with those differences being important, intentional, and valuable.
• Pastors and church leaders can investigate the spiritual health of the women in their church by regularly asking trusted women about discipleship, biblical knowledge, outside influences, and common struggles.
• Leaders should identify women who are faithfully serving, showing an appetite for deeper theology, discipling others, and consistently contributing to the life of the church.
• Identifying a woman’s gifting should be followed by affirming it; having a godly male leader recognize and call attention to a woman’s ministry gifting can be deeply formative.
• Churches can invest in women through conferences, books, courses, resources, cohorts, and other opportunities for theological and ministry development.
• Leaders can involve women by seeking their perspective in areas such as marriage counseling, sermon preparation, church initiatives, and other aspects of church life.
• Healthy involvement includes appropriate relational guardrails, such as giving affirmation publicly or including a woman’s husband when communicating privately.
• Women who feel unsupported by church leadership are encouraged to extend forgiveness and grace, pray for their pastors, fight bitterness, and patiently seek health and change within their church.

Complementarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, but difference in roles. Egalitarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, sameness in roles.

• ⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
• “Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
• “Gender Roles Q&A”
• “She Should Cover Her Head??”
• “Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”

Resources Mentioned

• Jen Wilkin
• Simeon Trust Workshops
• Purpose Fooled

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Should we have strong convictions about secondary issues like women in ministry—or should we simply agree to disagree and move on? We believe Scripture calls us to something more thoughtful: to study the Bible carefully, form settled convictions before God, and remain unified with Christians who may land differently. We walk through how to develop biblical convictions responsibly by assessing where our current beliefs came from, studying the whole of Scripture both personally and in community, learning from church history, and testing our conclusions against the wisdom of the broader church. We then apply that process to complementarianism, exploring why we believe Scripture presents men and women as equal in dignity and worth while giving them distinct roles in the home and church. We also talk honestly about how women’s gifts can be undervalued in the church, why experience alone shouldn’t determine our theology, and how we can hold convictions firmly while still loving and partnering with believers who disagree.

What We Learned

• Romans 14 calls Christians to be fully convinced in their own minds about secondary issues rather than simply avoiding convictions.
• Forming a conviction begins with assessing what we currently believe, where those beliefs came from, and whether they were inherited, studied, or shaped by past experiences.
• We should study what the whole Bible says about an issue, rather than building our position primarily from what other people say about Scripture.
• Biblical study should happen both personally and corporately, involving other believers and the local church rather than treating ourselves as “Lone Ranger Christians.”
• Church history can help test our interpretations, expose novel views, and show how Christians throughout history have understood Scripture.
• We believe the biblical pattern points toward complementarianism: men and women have equal dignity and worth while God gives them distinct roles in the home and local church.
• Women are essential partners in ministry and that complementarianism is not a statement about women’s ability, giftedness, or value.
• We can hold firmly to our convictions while still loving, affirming, and working alongside Christians who disagree with us on secondary issues.

Resources Mentioned

• Learn how to study the Bible for yourself: See For Yourself 
• ⁠Websites to learn more about church fathers and church history: Newadvent.org and Ccel.org 
• Recommended Reading on Church History: 
• The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History 
• Our Legacy by John Hannah 
• Invitation to Church History
• Teach Equip — a seven-month program for training lay-level Bible teachers

• ⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
• “Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
• “Gender Roles Q&A”
• “She Should Cover Her Head??”
• “Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”

• Romans 14
• Titus 1:5-9
• 1 Timothy 3:1-7
• Acts 6:1-7
• Judges 4-5 

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Teach Equip | We equip you to teach the Bible & HELP LOCAL CHURCHES DO THE SAME

What does the Bible really say about women in leadership, and how should we think through the differences between complementarianism and egalitarianism? We take a deep dive into Preston Sprinkle’s From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership, exploring what we found compelling, what raised questions for us, and why we ultimately remain complementarian. We celebrate the book’s strong emphasis on the dignity, value, and essential role of women in God’s kingdom while examining questions around the definition of leadership, the interpretation of 1 Timothy 2, the meaning of “helper” in Genesis, and the significance of creation order. We also talk about why we need to know Scripture for ourselves, develop thoughtful convictions about issues the Bible addresses, and pursue greater trust, affirmation, and partnership between men and women in the church. 

• Preston Sprinkle approaches the topic from a conservative theological background and ultimately moves from a complementarian position to an egalitarian one.
• The book strongly emphasizes the value, dignity, and essential role of women in God’s kingdom, highlighting the many women who play significant roles throughout Scripture.
• We question Sprinkle’s broad definition of “leadership,” arguing that complementarianism does not necessarily mean women cannot exercise leadership in any form.
• We examine Sprinkle’s interpretation of 1 Timothy 2, particularly his understanding of the prohibition against women teaching or exercising authority over men.
• We explore the Hebrew word ezer (“helper”) in Genesis, emphasizing that it conveys significant strength, dignity, and essential support rather than weakness or inferiority.
• Equality of worth and dignity can coexist with distinctions in role, including distinctions grounded in the creation account.
• We encourage listeners to study the Bible for themselves so they can thoughtfully evaluate theological arguments rather than simply accepting someone else’s conclusions.
• The conversation closes by encouraging complementarian churches and pastors to affirm, support, develop, and empower women to use their gifts in ministry.

• From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership — Preston Sprinkle
• Another great resource on 1 Timothy 2: Women in the Church: An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15
• Learn how to study the Bible for yourself: See For Yourself  

• ⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
• “Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
• “Gender Roles Q&A”
• “She Should Cover Her Head??”
• “Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”

Complementarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, but difference in roles. Egalitarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, sameness in roles.

• 1 Timothy 2:8-15
• Genesis 2:18
• Psalm 121:1-2
• Ephesians 6:4
• Titus 2:3
• Mark 10:45

Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

What if the Trinity isn’t just a complicated doctrine we need to explain, but an invitation into friendship with God? Jimmy and Kelly Needham explore how we can talk with kids about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a way that is faithful to Scripture, accessible to children, and connected to the gospel. We unpack why the Trinity matters to our understanding of salvation, why common analogies like water and team members can create theological problems, and how “one what and three whos” can give kids a framework for understanding who God is. We also explore how catechisms, conversation starters, Scripture, and honest conversations can help parents disciple the next generation—even when we don’t have every answer. At the heart of it all is a beautiful truth: God invites us into His relationship and friendship with Him.

• The Trinity is not a secondary theological topic; understanding God as three in one helps us make sense of the gospel and what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
• Common Trinity analogies can be misleading. The water illustration can communicate modalism, the idea that God changes between Father, Son, and Spirit rather than being three persons at the same time.
• A helpful framework for kids is that God is one “what” and three “whos”: one God, three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• The Trinity isn’t only about getting theological categories right. Because God is a community within Himself, He invites us into friendship and fellowship with Him.
• A simple phrase for children is: “God’s one what and three whos, and he wants to party with you.”
• Catechisms and short question-and-answer phrases can give children memorable categories they can carry with them as they read the Bible and grow in their understanding of salvation.
• We can teach children how each person of the Trinity is involved in salvation: God the Father planned our salvation, God the Son died for our sins, and God the Spirit opened our eyes so we trust in Him.
• Parents don’t need to pretend they know everything. Saying, “I don’t know, but I’d love to find out together,” can model humility, learning, and how to seek trustworthy answers.

• Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves
• Jimmy's Spoken Word on the Trinity: The Triune God
• New City Catechism
• Everything a Child Should Know about God by Kenneth Taylor
• The God Party by Jimmy Needham & Sebastian Martin 



Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

What if the way we eat is meant to point us to something—or Someone—far more satisfying than food itself? We continue our conversation about gluttony by looking at why food can become a substitute for Jesus, especially when we turn to it to satisfy stress, boredom, anxiety, or other spiritual needs. We talk honestly about shame, secrecy, confession, repentance, and the freedom that comes from bringing our struggles into the light. We also explore practical ways to fight gluttony: enjoying food with gratitude, fleeing temptation, knowing our personal triggers, building accountability, fasting, and depending on the Holy Spirit for self-control. Finally, we discuss how to approach gluttony in others with humility, prayer, curiosity, and a desire to help one another honor God—not shame one another.

• Food is meant to point us toward Jesus and remind us that He is truly satisfying.
• Gluttony can happen when we take a spiritual need—such as stress, boredom, or worry—and look to food to satisfy it instead of turning to Jesus.
• Confession is a necessary starting point for freedom because shame and secrecy keep people trapped in the cycle.
• Fighting gluttony requires both repentance and practical action, including finding trusted people who can pray, encourage, and hold us accountable.
• We can enjoy food as a gift from God by slowing down, savoring it, and receiving it with gratitude.
• Sometimes the wise response to temptation is to flee it by creating boundaries around foods, environments, and situations where we know we're vulnerable.
• Fasting can teach us that food is not our master and that our hunger can remind us that we depend on God for our sustenance.
• Holy Spirit-produced self-control does not necessarily feel easy; fighting temptation can involve real effort, discipline, and dependence on God at the same time.

• Our favorite Bible study about food and gluttony: Setting Captives Free (it's free and online!)
• The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis (Check out letter 17)

Other episodes where we tackle food issues:

• God at the Center of my Eating Habits
• Health and Wellness: How Seriously Should Christians Take It
• Food and the Christian

Check out this series of articles Kelly wrote about this issue: Food and the Bible 

Scripture Referenced: 

• John 6:35
• Deuteronomy 8:3
• Galatians 5:22-23
• 1 Timothy 1:1-5
• 1 Corinthians 6:18
• 1 Corinthians 10:13-14
• 1 Timothy 6:11
• 2 Timothy 2:22

Have a question you would like us to tackle? Email [email protected]. 

Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com