Resident Strangers

What is God's will for our lives? It's a big question, and one that many of us have wrestled with. But is it a question we can ever fully answer?

On this week's episode of Resident Strangers, the crew shares personal experiences with discerning God's will and digs into what Scripture has to say. While the Bible may not tell us which house to buy or which job to take, it does give us clear guidance for how to live. From the good works we're created for in Ephesians 2 to the call to purity in 1 Thessalonians 4, God has given us a framework for making decisions that honor Him.

But what about the decisions that aren't so clear? How do we seek God's wisdom, trust His direction and navigate uncertainty? And does facing difficulty mean we've somehow stepped outside of His will?

Sarah, Steve and Rich explore these questions while reminding us that God doesn't leave us to figure everything out on our own. Through Scripture, prayer and the wisdom of fellow believers, we can trust Him to guide our steps, even when the path ahead isn't clear.

We hope this conversation encourages you to seek the Lord, trust His faithfulness and walk confidently in the truth He's already revealed!

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week's episode begins with an age-old question that continues to shape conversations today: Who is God?

The answer may seem straightforward, but what people believe about God can radically change how they understand Him. Many have created their own version of God based on personal experiences, cultural influences, or individual beliefs. But God is far more than a benevolent grandfather figure in the sky. In fact, that limited understanding can become especially dangerous when we face inevitable seasons of suffering.

So how do we know who God really is?

Scripture makes it clear that God is not someone we get to define for ourselves. He has revealed Himself through His Word and, most fully, through His Son, Jesus Christ. John 1:18 reminds us that although no one has seen God, Jesus has made Him known.

Knowing God goes beyond simply checking off a list of His attributes. Yes, He is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, merciful, just, holy, and compassionate. But these aren't just characteristics to memorize. They reveal His nature, how He relates to humanity, and the incredible truth that His character never changes.

Throughout this conversation, Steve and Rich explore the attributes of God, the Trinity, and what makes the God of the Bible distinct from other religions and belief systems.

Ultimately, God is the Creator and source of all life. He exists outside of His creation, yet He desires a personal relationship with the people He created. Even when humanity rebelled against Him, God continued to pursue us in love, sending His Son, Jesus, to restore what sin had broken and make an eternal relationship with Him possible.

Understanding who God is changes everything about how we see Him, ourselves, and the world around us.

Join us next week as we explore another important question: What is God's will for our lives?

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Rich kicks off this week’s conversation by tying up a few loose ends from last week’s discussion on the Bible, specifically how Scripture was originally recorded and preserved.

When the Bible was first written, everything was recorded by hand. Moses wrote Genesis, John wrote the Gospel of John, Paul wrote Ephesians, and so on. Initially, these writings existed as individual manuscripts, but as people recognized them as God-inspired, they understood the importance of preserving and sharing them. That meant making copies by hand, a process that naturally introduced the possibility of small human errors.

So, what does that mean when we say Scripture is inerrant? Rich explains the distinction between the original manuscripts and the copies that followed, using examples like slight changes in word order or spelling errors. These minor differences do not change the truth that Scripture is God's Word!

Steve also explains that the Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew, while the New Testament was written primarily in Greek. He and Rich discuss why these original languages matter when it comes to the Bible translations we use today. There are people who have dedicated their entire lives to studying ancient manuscripts, comparing texts, and working to ensure that the Bible we read today faithfully reflects what was originally written. What a gift that work is!

Sarah then brings up the debate surrounding the word "homosexual" and the claim that it was introduced into the Bible through a mistranslation in 1946. Rich and Steve address this argument, discussing how language has evolved over time and why understanding the original text is so important when evaluating claims like these.

The crew also dives into how the books of the Bible were selected, why certain writings were excluded, and the incredible consistency found throughout Scripture. Steve points out that despite the Bible being written by different authors across generations, there is remarkable consistency in how God's character is revealed. Different writers, different circumstances, different periods of history, yet the same unchanging God!

There is so much packed into this episode that it's difficult to summarize it all! Come ready to listen closely, ask questions, and grow in your confidence in the reliability and inerrancy of Scripture.

Our God has always been true, and His Word is trustworthy. Study the Bible, know the Bible, and surround yourself with a community of believers who will encourage you to do both!

Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell

Previous episodes (audio only) of Resident Strangers on The Bible:

Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 51, Episode 52, Episode 54, Episode 114

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Why is the Bible so important? And what does it actually mean to say that Scripture is the Word of God?

This week, Steve, Rich, and Sarah dive into why Scripture is the foundation for theology and one of the most important ways we come to know God. Creation reveals incredible things about God’s character and greatness, but there is a limit to what we can learn from nature alone. Scripture gives us something more.

The Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by more than 40 authors over roughly 1,500 years and yet, it consistently reveals the character of God and points us toward the Messiah. Rich describes that unity as nothing short of a miracle. Together, they explore what it means for Scripture to be inspired by God, why Christians can know the Bible is infallible, and how we can respond to some of the common criticisms surrounding it.

They also take a step back and consider something foundational: Christianity isn’t simply built on what was written in a book. It’s built on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and Jesus Himself treated Scripture as the Word of God.

So, what does that mean for how we read, study, and trust the Bible? Tune in as Steve, Rich, and Sarah unpack why Scripture matters and why it’s worth taking hold of.

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

August marked three years of the Resident Strangers podcast! To kick things off, Steve, Rich, and Sarah take a little time to reminisce about how the podcast started, what they’ve learned along the way, and even how Sarah fumbled through the first few recordings after having quite a bit of dental work done. 😂

From there, we go back to one of the reasons this podcast exists in the first place: theology. What is it, and why should Christians care about it?

Theology is the study of God and the things of God. Rich makes the bold claim that everyone is a theologian. The real question is, how good of a theologian are you? If we claim to follow God, we should want to know Him more throughout our entire lives.

The conversation explores the difference between knowing the Bible as a resource and knowing the Bible as a way to know God Himself. Steve reminds us that Jesus continually brought people back to who He was and humanity’s need for salvation, and that’s at the heart of theology.

Rich also breaks down several approaches to theology, including systematic, biblical, historical, philosophical, and practical theology. Along the way, the crew talks about why understanding God’s character matters, how our assumptions about God can get us into trouble, and why Scripture is about so much more than finding a quick devotional thought.

Our theology shapes how we live, how we see God, and how we bear His image in the world. We hope this conversation leaves you more passionate about knowing the Bible, not simply to know about God, but to know God Himself.

Other episodes relating to this topic (audio only):

Episode 10, Theology Triage

Episode 50, The problem with Systematic Theology

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

What if your family was designed to be one of the primary places where your children learn what it looks like to follow Jesus?

This week, we continue our conversation on family by looking at the biblical role of parents as the first and primary disciplers of their children. Steve takes us to Deuteronomy 6 and explores how God intended faith to be woven into the everyday rhythms of family life, not simply something reserved for Sundays.

We talk about the idea that faith is often caught more than it is taught, why discipleship of children shouldn't be outsourced to the church, and what it looks like to intentionally make the things of God part of your family’s everyday life. We also talk about the important role the church family plays in shaping our kids through relationships with other families, mentors, and disciplers.

Steve even shares personally about the people within the church who played that role in his own children’s lives.

This episode is full of practical wisdom and plenty to think about as you consider how your family is growing together in faith. Grab your coffee, take some notes, and join the conversation!

Our Faith Legacy resource

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

What is God’s design for family? And is there a purpose behind it?

Steve starts by making one thing clear: marriage and family are not human constructs; they are God’s intentional design. Genesis 1 gives us the overarching picture of creation, telling us that God created humanity, male and female, in His image. Then Genesis 2 zooms in, showing that men and women were created with distinct purposes and designed to work together.

Scripture is clear that marriage is one of the most significant relationships we have, and from marriage comes family. Sarah points out that the pain we experience from broken family systems may actually point us back to the fact that marriage and family are God-given. There is something deeply woven into what it means to be human that finds fulfillment within the context of family.

So, what does that mean for the roles of husbands and wives? There’s plenty of discussion around this, but Steve reminds us that God doesn’t give us ultra-specific instructions for how men and women should divide up every day-to-day responsibility. Instead, much of it comes down to a husband and wife seeking the Lord together, walking in unity, and living as one. The conversation continues next week, so make plans to join us again next Tuesday!

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

What comes first: truth or feelings? This week’s conversation picks up where last week’s left off as Rich, Sarah, and Steve continue their discussion on transgenderism and gender confusion.

Rich begins by emphasizing the importance of truly listening when someone shares the feelings they are experiencing surrounding their gender. Listening and acknowledging that someone is struggling does not mean affirming every feeling they have, but it is an important part of having meaningful and compassionate conversations. Sarah echoes this point, sharing that if we focus too harshly on telling someone that their feelings are not truth, we are unlikely to make much progress with a person who is currently being driven by those feelings.

At the same time, Rich cautions against embracing the idea that we are simply victims of our feelings, a mindset that can extend far beyond conversations about gender. Steve adds that just because we feel something strongly or believe something is a good idea does not necessarily mean it aligns with reality. When our personal beliefs about who we are do not line up with reality, the consequences are almost always difficult and painful. Throughout the conversation, the crew works through the relationship between feelings and truth, discussing how we can distinguish between the two and how we can lovingly help others do the same.

As a final thought, Rich reminds us that the most extreme examples of people, whether related to transgenderism, politics, religion, or anything else, are often the ones highlighted in the media. Those examples are rarely representative of everyday people and their experiences. Instead of allowing extreme examples to shape the way we see others, it is important to see people for who they are, love them well, and ultimately lead them to Jesus.

Book recommended by Rich:
When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan T. Anderson 

*One quick note: While this is not a Christian book, Rich recommends it as a highly educational resource on the topic.

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Is sex purely biological? Is gender a feeling? Today begins a conversation on transgenderism. Steve, Rich, and Sarah reflect on when they first became aware of this issue and how dramatically the conversation has shifted in our culture.

In Genesis, we see that God created humanity in His image, intentionally creating humans as male and female. While biology and procreation are part of God’s design, Scripture also highlights the relational union between men and women. The roles of men and women may vary across cultures and throughout history, but that does not change the reality of maleness and femaleness as part of God’s created order.

Steve points out that, at its core, much of this conversation comes back to questioning the wisdom of God, just as we see in the garden. Questioning God’s design and authority has been at the root of sin from the beginning, and our culture increasingly celebrates the choice to depart from that design.

Sarah asks an important question: Can someone be born with a particular sinful affliction? Steve explores how sexual sin can be one of Satan’s most powerful tools for destruction because it is so closely connected to God’s design for humanity, identity, and relationships.

Ultimately, the conversation returns to Genesis: every human being is created in the image of God, and God created humanity as male and female. Understanding this foundational truth shapes how we think about sex, gender, identity, and the world around us.

Check out Episodes 148 & 149 on what the Bible says about masculinity & femininity

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

There are seasons when you're one of the people carrying the stretcher, and there are seasons when you're the one on it. Both are a part of following Jesus.

So, what do we do when we're the one on the stretcher? It's something many of us don't like to think about, but needing help is an inevitable part of life. As Christians, it can often feel more natural to turn toward others and offer help than to humble ourselves and receive it.

That's what Steve, Rich, and Sarah are talking about this week. Steve candidly shares how difficult this can be for him, especially as a pastor. He reflects on what it was like to navigate ministry and grief after losing his first wife, Pam, in the late '80s. His initial instinct was to carry the burden himself, but the Lord softened his heart and helped him recognize the support he needed from the body of believers around him.

Suffering has a way of bringing humility into our lives in a beautiful way. Even Jesus allowed others to help Him as He made His way to the cross.

Through personal stories and practical examples, this conversation explores what it looks like to humbly receive help when we're walking through difficult seasons. It's a reminder that needing others isn't a failure, it's part of the Christian life. And there is so much beauty in being part of a community that carries one another.

Save this episode for the next time you find yourself on the stretcher, and share it with someone who may need to be reminded that they don't have to carry it alone.

Check out Episodes 63 & 64 of Resident Strangers on suffering (audio only)

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.