On The Trail

We are delighted to launch the year with a new book study, going chapter by chapter through The Spirit-Filled Home. Over the course of this series, we'll talk maturity development, spiritual warfare, walking in the Spirit, and more, all with a strategic flavoring of marriage and family.

(Fear not, for those of you who are walking the single road or for whom "marriage and family" may be complicated... I, Stephanie, am single, and I have thoughts about why this topic is still for you/us.)

In today's episode, we're covering such questions as...

🏕️ What is walking in the flesh vs. walking in the Spirit? 

🏕️ How can we recognize when we are walking in the flesh? 

🏕️ What's a tool we can use to cultivate a lifestyle of walking in the Spirit? 

🏕️ How can all of this apply to our home life? 

Seriously, friends, this book is underrated, and I’m so excited to offer a series you can use as a book study in the new year.

Whether you read along with a book buddy or gather with a group, we've got a DIY Book Club Kit for you! You'll find it in the links below.

Also, no worries if it's not great timing for you to spontaneously launch a whole book study. We get it. The goal of this series is to give you a free resource to return to when you're ready to pick up the book, but it's still the Father-Daughter conversation you've come to expect. 

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God!

🎁 DIY BOOK CLUB KIT: https://tinyurl.com/diyTSFH

📖 THE SPIRIT-FILLED HOME: https://deeperwalk.com/product/the-spirit-filled-home-book/

🏞️ JANUARY CONFERENCE: https://deeperwalk.com/product/heart-focused-discipleship-conference-2026/

💝 PAY IT FORWARD: https://deeperwalk.com/donate/ 

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship: https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/ 

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail (NEW) on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/ 

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast 

God loves you so very much, and He has a plan for your life and your relationship with Him that He has had in the works since the foundations of the world, when you were only a twinkle in His eye. Join us as we celebrate the remarkable Love of God.

On the podcast, we've been walking through the Abrahamic Covenant of Promise as a meditation on the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and now Love.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec 21), we light all four candles. Christmas is almost here!! On Christmas Day, we encourage you to complete the Advent celebration with the lighting of the Christ Candle, which you can place at the center of your wreath.

Join us on the trail as we wrap up the Advent series with a look at the remarkable love of God and as we celebrate some 2025 highlights and pray for our community.

Grab your Bible and linger with us over the Binding of Isaac and the Message of Christmas (Gen 22) and meditate on the Gospel of Love given to us (Gal 3:8; Jn 15:13; Rom 8:32).

Finally, wow, what a robust year 2025 has been! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the journey – from prayer partners, to financial partners, to volunteers and beyond! Thank you for prioritizing your heart and the hearts of those around you as you cultivate a deeper walk with God.

May you, being rooted and grounded in the love of Christ who dwells in you, be filled with all the fullness of God. (See Eph 3:14-20.)

Merry Christmas!

Soli Deo Gloria

Stephanie Warner

P.S. This is the last episode of 2025. We’ll be taking a break over the holidays and be back with you in January. The plan is to kick off the OTT year on January 12th, but stay tuned to our socials. Stephanie will communicate via OTT’s Instagram (@onthetrail_podcast) especially if there are updates for the release schedule and such.

💝 Pay It Forward | End of Year Giving:

https://deeperwalk.com/donate/

🙏 EXTENDED DEADLINE for January's Cohort!! Apply to the School of Ministry:

https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship:

https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail (NEW) on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast

🎁 BOOKS: https://deeperwalk.com/books

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship.

On the third Sunday of Advent (Dec 14), we anticipate celebrating the incarnation with Joy. This year, we're looking at Advent through the lens of the Abrahamic Covenant of Promise. We remember this covenant with an acorn, because it's a big seed. The lid of the acorn represents three key blessings promised to Abraham — a seed (offspring), land, and relationship with God.

The point of the acorn represents the point of the covenant, a blessing through Abraham that "all nations will be blessed through you"(Gen 22:18; Gal 3:8, etc.). This is the promise of Christ, the 'reason for the season.'

As we dwell on 'Joy,' we reflect on the seed promised to Abraham. Isaac's name literally means "he laughs." God had plans for Abraham's household as a family unit and as a legacy that would usher in THE seed, Jesus Christ, who has us singing Joy to the World to this day and forevermore.

Joy is a relational experience that connects us to God and others. The Abrahamic Covenant symbolizes God's promise of this belonging. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the recurring theme of belonging in such refrains as "I will be your God, and you will be My people" (Gen 17:7; Exo 6:7; Deu 29:13; Jer 30:22, etc.).

How does this sense of belonging inform our sense of joy? Is there a difference between relational and spiritual joy? How can we meditate on and cultivate more joy during this Advent season?

God not only desires a people for Himself but even invites us into a joyful relationship with Him and with each other. May you experience the JOY of belonging to our God this season.

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God!

🙏 EXTENDED DEADLINE for January's Cohort!! Apply to the School of Ministry:

https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/

💝 Pay It Forward | End of Year Giving:

https://deeperwalk.com/donate/

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship:

https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail (NEW) on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast

🎁 BOOKS: https://deeperwalk.com/books

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship.

Could you use more peace in your life? 

For Advent, we’re looking at the Abrahamic Covenant of Promise. Last week we introduced this covenant and looked at the Hope of the Promise. This week on the Advent calendar is about Peace, and we’re dwelling specifically on the promise of land. 

Through this conversation, we see a sort of formula emerge: meditation on God’s provision plus meditation on what is eternal brings peace. We can remember this with three Ps: Provision, Permanence, and Peace. 

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God! 

 🙏 DECEMBER 1 DEADLINE for January's Cohort!! Apply to the School of Ministry:

https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/ 

🎁 HOLIDAY SALES:

https://deeperwalk.com/books 

https://deeperwalk.com/discipleship 

https://deeperwalk.com 

💝 Pay It Forward | End of Year Giving:

https://deeperwalk.com/donate/ 

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship:

https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/ 

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail (NEW) on Instagram! 

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/ 

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast 

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship.

Happy Thanksgiving, USA! In the Warner household, we love the build up of the season of festivities this time of year. It's in the name: "Thanksgiving" is a great launch to a holiday season that celebrates appreciation and community. This then leads nicely into the first Sunday of Advent (on November 30 this year). So grab your candles and wreath, because this week begins our Advent series!

In the first week of Advent, we anticipate celebrating the incarnation with Hope. This year, we're looking at Advent through the lens of the Abrahamic Covenant of Promise. This promise made to Abraham encompasses seed (offspring), land, and relationship with God, and through the crux of the promise that "all nations will be blessed through you" we see the promise of Christ (Gen 22:18; Gal 3:8).

What is the biblical understanding of "promise" and "hope"? What blessings did God promise to and through Abraham? How can we put this understanding of Hope into practice as we meditate on and celebrate the Advent season?

The enemy often attacks our hope during times of waiting. Through this study of Abraham's Covenant, we see the importance of faithfulness during such times and offer some strategies and a prayer for cultivating hope in the midst of challenges. May this Advent season be one of heart-focused, deeper connection with God and others! 

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God! 

 🙏 DECEMBER 1 DEADLINE for January's Cohort!! Apply to the School of Ministry:

https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/ 

🎁 BLACK FRIDAY SALES:

https://deeperwalk.com/books

https://deeperwalk.com/discipleship

https://deeperwalk.com

💝 Pay It Forward | End of Year Giving :

https://deeperwalk.com/donate/ 

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship:

https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/ 

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail (NEW) on Instagram! 

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/ 

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast 

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship.

“The atonement is the hinge on which all of spiritual warfare hangs.” In this episode, we're unpacking this statement as we delve into the concept of atonement and its critical role in spiritual warfare. To help understand the triumph of what Jesus Christ accomplished through His death & resurrection, we're walking through the acrostic C.R.O.S.S. (Covenant, Ransom, Ownership, Substitution, Subjugation).

We lean into this concept of subjugation of the enemy and its implications for spiritual warfare, while also acknowledging the already-not-yet nature of the kingdom of God. Because of the atonement, we can have not only greater intimacy with God but also freedom from the enemy's enslavement.

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God! 

 🙏 DECEMBER 1 DEADLINE for January's Cohort!! Apply to the School of Ministry: https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail (NEW) on Instagram! 

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast

💝 Pay It Forward: https://deeperwalk.com/donate/

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship: https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/

📣 ORDER the Spirit & Scripture Course: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/spirit-course/

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship.

The devil often tempts us to believe God doesn't care about our suffering. Is God loving? Is He trustworthy?

In this episode, we're looking at the significance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. How does Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension relate to spiritual warfare and the authority believers have in Christ? 

Through Jesus' incarnation, we see God give a profound answer to the question of suffering, illustrating how Jesus fully entered into human pain, rejection, and death. We see Him confusing and defeating demons, speaking truth, calling us to repentance, and ultimately ushering in a new era of resurrected hope and life. 

As we consider His victory in action, we encourage you to reflect on how the incarnation deepens our understanding of God's love.

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God!

 📍Watch Marcus & Jim Online for Your Bible, Your Brain, & You! (Name Your Own Price Seminar):

https://deeperwalk.com/product/your-bible-your-brain-you/ 

📣 ORDER the Spirit & Scripture Course:

https://deeperwalk.com/sp/spirit-course/ 

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail on Instagram! 

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/ 

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast 

💝 Pay It Forward:

https://deeperwalk.com/donate/ 

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship:

https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/ 

🙏 Apply to the School of Ministry:

https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/ 

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship. 

In this episode, we're continuing our biblical foundations of spiritual warfare series with a look at the kingdom of darkness from both the Old and New Testament perspectives. What are the origins of this dark kingdom? We specifically cover the "John Milton" understanding and the "Michael Heiser" understanding of these origins.

What does Christ's authority look like over it all? We also discuss the significance of idolatry, the nature of evil, and the role of evangelism as a form of spiritual warfare. The good news is that Jesus Christ is victorious over the darkness, and believers do not need to be afraid to engage in spiritual warfare with confidence. 

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God!

📍Join Marcus & Jim Online for Your Bible, Your Brain, & You! (Name Your Own Price): 

https://deeperwalk.com/product/your-bible-your-brain-you/

📣 ORDER the Spirit & Scripture Course:

https://deeperwalk.com/sp/spirit-course/

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail on Instagram! 

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast

💝 Pay It Forward:

https://deeperwalk.com/donate/

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship:

https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/

🙏 Apply to the School of Ministry:

https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/

 Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship.

Time for a new series! What's going on in the courtroom of Heaven, and why does it matter to Christians?

In this episode, we delve into the topic of spiritual warfare, exploring its biblical foundations, starting with the concept of the divine council. We discuss the significance of the throne room of God, the legal framework surrounding spiritual warfare, and the importance of justice, accountability, and relationships in Heaven. We highlight the role of permission in spiritual warfare and why it's all important and practical for our everyday lives as Christians.

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God! 

📍Join Marcus & Jim Online for Your Bible, Your Brain, & You! (Name Your Own Price):

https://deeperwalk.com/product/your-bible-your-brain-you/ 

📣 ORDER the Spirit & Scripture Course:

https://deeperwalk.com/sp/spirit-course/

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail on Instagram! 

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast

💝 Pay It Forward:

https://deeperwalk.com/donate/

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship:

https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/

🙏 Apply to the School of Ministry:

https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship. 

How should Christians engage with Halloween?

The answer may be more nuanced than you expect. In this episode, we're discussing the complexities of Halloween from a Christian perspective, focusing on spiritual warfare, the occult, and how families can engage with the holiday wisely.

We touch on historical context, awareness of heightened fear and occult practices, and the need to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh as you decide your approach to the season.

 *Trigger Warning for mention (not graphic) of child ritual abuse.

Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God!

📍Join Us in Chicago for The Deeper Walk Experience! https://deeperwalk.com/sp/tdwe-chicago/

📸 Follow Deeper Walk AND On the Trail on Instagram! 

https://www.instagram.com/deeperwalkinternational/

https://www.instagram.com/onthetrail_podcast

📣 ORDER the Spirit & Scripture Course: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/spirit-course/

✏️ JOIN the Understanding Breakthrough! Class: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/understanding-breakthrough-course/

💝 Pay It Forward: https://deeperwalk.com/donate/

😎 Learn More About Heart-Focused Discipleship: https://deeperwalk.com/heart-focused-discipleship/

🙏 Apply to the School of Ministry: https://deeperwalk.com/school-of-ministry/

Stay On the Trail toward a Deeper Walk with God with father-daughter duo Marcus & Stephanie Warner. Listen in on conversations about important models and concepts that inform the way we live the Christian life. We talk philosophy, theology, and practical issues related to heart-focused discipleship.