In this Thanksgiving episode of Deeper Dive, we explore a distinctly Christian vision of gratitude. One that is rooted in truth. If the gospel is true, gratitude becomes unstoppable. Join as we remember, live, and worship with a thanksgiving grounded in reality, anchored in redemption, and aimed at Christ.

While Sundays explored identity, relationships, decisions, influence, anxiety, purpose, and hope, our Wednesdays were doing something just as important. They were teaching us how to feel our faith through the psalms.

This episode weaves together every psalm we’ve sat with over the past several weeks... Psalm 3, 19, 15, 111, 101, 116, and 57 show how each shapes the inner life behind its theme. You’ll see how the psalms show God meeting us in fear, naming us in our confusion, forming our character, giving wisdom, guarding our influence, calming our anxiety, fulfilling His purpose, and anchoring us in hope.

In the final episode of Bible IRL, we explore what it really means to live in hope, not just talk about it. Drawing from James 1:22-25, Matthew 5:14-16, and Romans 8:18-39, this episode walks through the kind of hope that acts, shines, and endures.

Everyone’s chasing purpose, but what if it’s not something you find, but something you receive? In this Deeper Dive episode, we explore one of life’s biggest questions: Why am I here? From the world’s search for meaning to God’s design for our lives, we’ll trace the difference between self-made purpose and God-given identity. Through 1 Peter 2:9-11 and Ephesians 2:8-10, we’ll see that our purpose flows from who we are in Christ, His chosen, loved, and redeemed people. Discover how to live out that identity in everyday life: walking with God, loving others, guarding your heart, and resting in His peace.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:9-11 • Ephesians 2:8-10 • Romans 12:2 • Philippians 4:6-7

Life feels heavy, deadlines, drama, and pressure to perform. But God invites us to trade anxiety for His peace. In this episode, we dig into Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, and Matthew 11:28-30 to explore how prayer, gratitude, and surrender lead to real rest. The peace you’re chasing isn’t found by running faster... It’s found in Christ alone.

What’s shaping you? In this episode of Bible IRL, Marcus Bratton explores how influence forms us from the inside out, and how we can resist the world’s mold, guard our hearts, and reflect Christ in all we do. Be careful what shapes you, and shine what He’s shaping in you.

Every day you and I make hundreds of decisions, some big, some small. But all of them reveal who or what we truly trust. In this episode of Bible IRL: Decisions, Marcus Bratton unpacks how God’s wisdom should guide our everyday choices, not just our instincts, fears, or what feels easiest in the moment. Drawing from Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5, we’ll look at the sharp contrast between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom, why decisions matter so deeply, and how to seek God’s guidance through prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, and the Spirit’s leading.

How do our relationships reflect our relationship with Christ? In this episode, we explore Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 13 to see how humility, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and grace transform the way we treat friends, family, classmates, even people who test our patience. Real-life love shaped by the gospel isn’t easy, but it’s the clearest way the world sees Jesus in us.

“Who am I, really? In this episode of Bible IRL, we dive into what Scripture says about identity. From being created with intention (Psalm 139), to facing the reality of sin, to being redeemed and remade in Christ (Ephesians 2:10), we’ll unpack how God gives us an identity that’s secure, eternal, and freeing. Discover what it means to live out your true identity in Christ, day by day, IRL.”

In this kickoff episode of The Bible IRL, Marcus takes us on a deeper dive into why the Bible actually matters in real life. In a world filled with competing voices, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, friends, and even our own doubts, how do we know which voice to trust? Anchored in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, this episode unpacks three powerful reasons the Bible stands apart: it is historically grounded, accurately preserved, and supernaturally unified. You’ll hear how archaeology, fulfilled prophecy, and manuscript evidence give us confidence that Scripture isn’t just another religious text; it’s God’s Word, trustworthy and life-changing. And most importantly, you’ll discover what that means for you today: the Bible teaches, reproves, corrects, and trains us so we can be equipped for every good work.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why should I trust the Bible?” or felt shaken by doubts, this episode will give you confidence to see Scripture not as an optional accessory but as an essential anchor for truth, hope, IN REAL LIFE.