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Having Biblical community to do life with is such a gift from the Lord, and most certainly for us as classical musicians!  In today's episode, I will share from my experience starting a Bible study at the Baylor School of Music, and tips on how to get one started where you are!  My hope is that after hearing today's episode, you will leave with a renewed sense of excitement to pursue and cultivate Christian community wherever the Lord has you!  As Hebrews 1-:23-25 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Discussion Questions - Try discussing with a friend or in our Facebook Discussion Group 

• Do you attend a local church? Are you involved there? If so, how has that impacted your life?  Might the Lord be nudging you to become more invested in your local church?
• Why is Biblical community a gift?  Can you speak from experience? 
• What’s the difference between classical musicians meeting once a week vs. Christian classical musicians meeting once a week to study God’s Word?
• Have you ever felt like your faith was a secret identity?  How did you overcome that fear? 
• Are gossip, complaining, and competition prominent in your relationships or vulnerability, unity, grace, and love?
• Is there anyone in your sphere of influence right now who needs to be built up and encouraged?  How might you meet that need?
• How are you leaving encouraged from this episode even if you are not in a season where starting a Bible study would be possible?
• What Scripture was most encouraging to you from this episode today?

If you have interest in checking out the Daily Grace Company, check out their Bible study books here!

Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode!

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To me, the Sight and Sound shows are one of the best examples of excellence in all types of art forms to the glory of God!  If you are not familiar with Sight and Sound Theaters, you need to check them out ASAP!  You will surely be encouraged by their boldness for Christ in the arts.  Today, I have the extreme privilege of talking with Haleigh Swansen, the Sight and Sound Conservatory Coordinator.  She shares many insights on how their Biblical Worldview drives their approach to the arts and how they are training the next generation of artists.  You will not want to miss this episode!

Discussion Questions - Try discussing with a group or in our Facebook Discussion Group

• What impacted you most from my conversation with Haleigh in today’s episode? 
• Haleigh said there is “importance in understanding who you represent,” and that we were bought with a price so we no longer live for ourselves.  How can we represent Christ well in our classical music circles?
• What role do prayer and discernment play in your life right now? 
• What is Truth that can encourage us to not be fearful of being Christ centered artists?
• How does the story of Daniel compare to aspects of being a Christian classical musician?  What can we learn from His story?
• Who are the people you rub shoulders with?  How can you interact with them in a way that represents Christ? 
• What Scripture can you think of that reminds us that no matter where we are or who we’re with, God remains faithful to make a way for His people to walk with Him well and to honor Him in the midst of it?

Learn more about Sight and Sound Theater and the Sight and Sound Conservatory!

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WELCOME BACK to Season 2 of the Instruments of Worship Podcast!!  I hope you have had a great summer.  My break from the podcast was very refreshing, but I'm really looking forward to what awaits this fall! 

Today we kick off things by hearing about what the Lord reminded me this summer and then we take a dive into the importance of worship in our lives as musicians.  

Discussion Questions - Try discussing with a group or in our Facebook Discussion Group

• What did the Lord teach you over the summer? 
• What does it mean to worship God?  
• How can we worship God as classical musicians with our instruments? 
• Have you thought about worship being more a heart posture than a genre of music? 
• What does offering yourself as a living sacrifice to the Lord look like for you today?
• What do you think it means in Revelation that the Living Creatures fell down and cast their crowns before the throne? 
• Can you think of why God (meaning the entirety of the trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit) – why are they worthy of our worship?  What causes you to worship them?  Parts of their character, attributes, or what they have done?
• How can we be musicians who live life on mission to worship the Lord? Think for yourself – How can you make much of God, not self today? How can you lift Him up, lift His name high?

Check out recordings from Ruth: The Musical if it would be an encouragement to you!

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Check out today's quick episode for an update on the podcast!! 

Happy Summer and I'll see you in the fall:)

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Today we have the opportunity to talk to musician, motivational speaker, and Christian, George Dennehy!  You actually may have seen a video that has recently gone viral of him! This is a video of George singing and playing guitar, but he’s playing guitar with his feet because he was born without arms!  The Lord has been faithful to help Goerge overcome many obstacles and has taught Him how to persevere and have joy through it all.  George has an incredible story and an incredible testimony that I’m so excited for you to get to hear in today’s episode! 

Learn more about George at his website and his Youtube channel.

Enjoy the video that recently went viral of George and his song Not Abandoned. 

Discussion Questions - Try reflecting on your own or with a group:)

• What were you most encouraged or challenged by from today’s episode?
• Have you ever felt like giving up? What was that like and how are you challenged from what George had to say? 
• As believers, how can we approach hardships/difficulties differently than the world?
• How can you have joy in difficult circumstances?
• How can you be faithful and obedient to the Lord in the season you are currently in?

Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode!

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Today we have the opportunity to talk to Ava Shedd!  Ava recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and has recently started a podcast called Fertilize My Faith.  We both have a heart for sharing the love of Jesus so today we have a conversation on how we can do that as Christian classical musicians.

Check out Ava's podcast, Fertilize My Faith, here!

Discussion questions - Try reflecting on your own or with a group:)

• How were you most encouraged by Ava’s wisdom and or musical journey today?
• Is Jesus the Lord of your life?  Have you relinquished all authority to Him?
• Do you have friends who are pointing you towards Jesus and pour into you?  Do you have friends who don’t know Jesus and who you can share Him with?
• How can you practically show off Jesus to the non believing classical musicians around you?  
• Do the people around you know that you are a Christian?  What are some ways you can make sure they do?    
• How have you experienced comparison, gossip, and complaining in the classical music world?  How might you approach that in a way that honors God and loves other people?

To engage our hearts in greater worship to Him, check out these songs that relate to this episode!

• The Way I See The World 
• He Is Lord 
• Lord I Need You 
• Your Way's Better 

Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode!

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Today we have the immense privilege of getting to hear from the kindness and wisdom of Sarah Gentry!  Sarah has had an extensive violin career, but the Lord used her 2019 cancer diagnosis to teach her many things.  She is kind enough to invite us into that and share with us today.

Check out these books that Sarah referenced in today's episode! 

• When People Are Big and God Is Small 
• The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness 

Discussion questions - Try reflecting on your own or with a group:)

• How were you most encouraged by Sarah's story?
• Is Jesus Christ your greatest treasure?  If not, what or who is? 
• How would you react if you suddenly were unable to play your instrument? 
• How might the Lord be drawing you nearer to Himself through this season?
• How can you worship the Lord in the season you are currently in? 
• What’s something about the character of God that stood out to you from today’s episode?

Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode!

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Have you ever wanted to play on your church worship team, but have been intimidated or confused about reading chord charts?  For classical musicians trained to read notated music, the idea of improvising can be very scary and very well hold us back from using our musical gifts to serve our local church and worship the Lord.   After today's episode, I know you will feel more comfortable with the idea and not be so confused on how you, a classical musician on a classical instrument, can be a valuable member of any worship team!  

Discussion Questions - Try reflecting on your own or with a group:)

• What holds you back from serving on your church worship team?
• May God desire you to serve your church and worship Him through using your musical gifts at your local church?
• What needs to happen, what do you need to learn in order to be able to do this?  Who is someone who could help you or answer these questions?  

To engage our hearts in greater worship to Him, check out these songs that relate to this episode!

The Heart of Worship 

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 

Let My Life Be Worship

King of My Heart 

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode!

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Nerves? Self doubt? Negative self talk? Fear of failure?  As a musician, it is very likely that these feelings are common for you.  In today’s episode, we are taking away key points from the book, “The Inner Game of Music” which helps with these types of issues. Although, I thought it would be interesting for me to come along behind these two intelligent authors and infuse their ideas with the Biblical Truth that they never knew was already there. 

Discussion Questions - Try discussing on your own or with a group:) 

• What interferences are you listening to that affect your performance?  How might they externally manifest themselves in your life? 
• What are the easiest self 1 voices to let in for you?  How might you take those thoughts “captive and make them obedient to Christ?” 
• Do you ever relate to Moses in Exodus 3 and 4? What Truths about God could Moses have informed his doubts with?
• Does God expect perfection from us?  How does giving yourself permission to fail change the way you play?  Why do we not give ourselves permission to fail? 
• Do you fear failure more than you fear God? How? What Truths about God help you not fear failure? 
• Trusting self vs. trusting God - which is easier for you? 
• Do you worry about what other people think of you when you play?  Have you been trapped by people pleasing while playing?  What Truths from Scripture can help free you from this?

To engage our hearts in greater worship to Him, check out these songs that relate to this episode!

Fear of the Lord by Tommy Walker 

Fear of God

Battle Belongs 

Surrounded (Fight My Battles)

It Is Well With My Soul 

Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode!

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Happy Holy Week!  Today, we are going to take a look at the ever popular hymn, “Nothing But The Blood of Jesus,” as we remember the person and the event that changed the world.  Whether you’ve known Jesus almost your whole life or you don’t know Him at all, I hope you listen to this podcast, because there is good news for you today! 

Check out this short devotional by John Piper if you desire more clarity on this topic! 

Discussion Questions -- Try reflecting on your own or with a group:)

• Have you Admitted, Believed, and Confessed?  If yes, what was that like for you?  If no, what is standing in your way? 
• What is the Lord revealing to you as we have just entered Holy Week and celebrate Good Friday and Easter this week? 
• How might you use this special week to reach out to those around you who are not already saved and invite them to hear about Jesus? 
• How will you worship this week in light of Jesus’s powerful blood?
• What line from this hymn sticks out to you most and why?  
• Have you been tempted to work your way to salvation?  
• Have you looked to other things besides Jesus’ blood to make you whole? Explain. 
• Are there times you repent but don’t move forward in Jesus’ blood?  That you stay in guilt as you think you should?  What does this imply that you believe about the blood?  
• Are you tired of feeling unworthy, hopeless, or not good enough? Based on today’s podcast, where should you turn? 

To engage our hearts in greater worship to Him, check out these songs that relate to this episode!

Nothing But The Blood of Jesus 

Thank You Jesus For the Blood 

There Is Power In the Blood 

The Wonderful Blood 

He Lives / Because He Lives

Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode!

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