In this powerful conversation with Alex Kocman, we're challenged to examine the tension between our natural loves and our supernatural calling as Christians. The discussion centers on a biblical principle found throughout Scripture: that grace doesn't erase nature, but perfects it. We see this in Acts 17, where God establishes the borders and dwelling places of peoples, yet also works through diasporas for His purposes. We're reminded of Christ's perfect example—He wept over Jerusalem and cared for His mother even while calling disciples to the ends of the earth. The core message asks us to reject false dichotomies: Can we love our families AND care about missions? Can we have natural affections for our own people while also loving our enemies as Christ commanded? The answer is a resounding yes. Paul's declaration that he would give up Christ for his brothers according to the flesh, even while serving as apostle to the Gentiles, shows us that biblical Christianity holds both truths in tension. We're called to be fruitful and multiply, to care for our homes and communities, while simultaneously obeying the Great Commission. This isn't complicated—it's simply walking in obedience to all of Scripture, not just the parts that fit our current cultural moment.

Chapter 1: The Mission Crisis and America's Role

0:00 - 3:00

We explore how America's potential collapse would impact global missions and the historical pattern of missionary-sending nations requiring cultural stability and Christian presence.

Chapter 2: Introducing Ordered Love: Reconciling Grace and Nature

3:00 - 7:00

We learn about the book 'Ordered Love' which addresses the false dichotomy between grace and nature, showing how we can care for home, nation, and missions simultaneously.

Chapter 3: Immigration, Evangelism, and Cultural Consequences

7:00 - 11:00

We examine the tension between evangelistic opportunities presented by immigration and the negative consequences of cultural displacement, acknowledging both God's sovereignty and biblical warnings.

Chapter 4: Adoption, Race, and Refusing False Categories

11:00 - 15:00

We hear about a transracial adoption that sparked internet controversy, revealing two equally wrong responses: racist hatred and pietistic virtue-signaling, both representing disordered love.

Chapter 5: Christ's Example of Balanced Love

15:00 - 17:00

We see how Jesus perfectly balanced universal mission with particular love, caring for all nations while weeping over Jerusalem and ensuring his mother's care.

In a culture that constantly feeds us unrealistic expectations about relationships and marriage, we need to recalibrate our thinking around what truly matters when seeking a spouse. This conversation challenges us to look beyond the polished, finished product and instead recognize trajectory—the direction someone is heading rather than where they currently stand. Just as Conor McGregor's wife stayed with him when he had nothing, recognizing his potential and drive, we're called to discern the character qualities that indicate future faithfulness: a love for the Lord, a commitment to provide and protect, and a willingness to work relentlessly for family. The wisdom here cuts against our instant-gratification culture that demands perfection now rather than partnership in growth. For young women especially, this means resisting the temptation to seek a 35-year-old's maturity in a 22-year-old's body, and instead asking: Does this person love God? Will they sacrifice for their family? Do they have drive and integrity? These questions matter far more than having every theological detail perfectly aligned or every career milestone already achieved. The path to a strong marriage begins with realistic expectations, trusted counsel from godly fathers and mentors, and the humility to recognize that both spouses will grow tremendously through the years of struggle and faithfulness that forge mature character.

Chapter 1: The Problem of Unrealistic Expectations

0:00 - 7:00

Young women often look for finished products in men rather than recognizing potential and trajectory, leading to unrealistic expectations in the marriage pool.

Chapter 2: Understanding Masculine Development and Trajectory

7:00 - 15:00

Men develop skills and maturity as they are needed, not decades in advance, and women should evaluate a man's drive and direction rather than his current completeness.

Chapter 3: The Role of Fathers and Theological Minutiae

15:00 - 23:00

Fathers must help daughters evaluate potential husbands realistically, and women should avoid eliminating men over minor theological differences that shrink an already small marriage pool.

Chapter 4: Preparing Daughters for Early Marriage

23:00 - 30:00

Parents should intentionally raise daughters to be ready for marriage by their mid-to-late teens, equipping them with household management skills and realistic expectations.

In this episode of *Snake on the Table*, we explain and demonstrate what we call a **sermon session**—a weekly practice where recent preaching and teaching opportunities are brought to the table for honest, brotherly critique. Rather than tearing down, the goal is sharpening: evaluating faithfulness to the text, clarity of structure, theological precision, and pastoral effectiveness. This episode walks through feedback on open-air preaching, classroom teaching, and pulpit ministry, showing how sermons are refined outside the pulpit through thoughtful analysis, theological discussion, and disagreement handled in charity.

*Chapters*

*Chapter 1: Introduction to Sermon Session and Open Air Preaching Feedback*

An explanation of the sermon session format, followed by feedback on recent open-air preaching, including observations on first-time preachers and the importance of publicly reading Scripture.

*Chapter 2: Biblical Theology Lesson Feedback and Scriptural Connections*

Critique of a biblical theology lesson spanning Genesis through Deuteronomy, highlighting covenantal continuity, narrative patterns, and poetic themes that point forward to a promised King.

*Chapter 3: Jonah Sermon Feedback and the Progression of Sin*

Evaluation of a sermon on Jonah chapter 1, focusing on how sin progresses from inward disposition to decisive action, mirrored by Jonah’s physical descent away from the presence of the Lord.

*Chapter 4: Debating Jonah’s Death in the Fish*

A substantive debate over whether Jonah literally died inside the fish, engaging questions of typology, poetic language, and Jesus’ own use of the Jonah narrative.

This discussion challenges us to wrestle with one of the most contentious issues of our time: immigration and national identity. At its core, we're confronted with a question that goes beyond politics—how do we balance our Christian call to love our neighbor with our responsibility to preserve our culture and protect our families? The conversation draws us to the parable of the Good Samaritan, reminding us that proximity creates responsibility. When someone is right in front of us with genuine need, regardless of their background, we're called to respond with compassion. Yet this doesn't negate our duty to advocate for just laws and the protection of our communities. We're invited to hold two truths simultaneously: we can oppose destructive immigration policies while still treating individuals with dignity. We can support enforcement of laws while sharing the gospel with those God has sovereignly placed in our path. The challenge is to avoid the twin dangers of either naive sentimentality that ignores real threats or bitter hatred that dehumanizes individuals. This requires spiritual maturity—the ability to be both wise as serpents and innocent as doves, to speak truth about systemic problems while extending grace in personal encounters.

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Current Immigration Crisis and Our Position

We establish the urgent need for a complete immigration moratorium and discuss how decades of failed immigration policy have destroyed American social cohesion and culture.

Chapter 2: Practical Solutions: Souring the American Dream

We propose concrete policy changes including banning foreign ownership of land, prohibiting foreign employment, and establishing criteria for handling different categories of immigrants already present.

Chapter 3: Christian Responsibility and the Neighbor Question

We address how Christians can advocate for strict immigration enforcement while still showing biblical love and evangelizing those currently in proximity to us.

Chapter 4: Local Action and Moving Forward

We call for practical local action including stopping the employment of illegal workers, advocating for state-level immigration restrictions, and supporting politicians with the courage to enforce these policies.

This conversation tackles one of the most practical yet spiritually significant aspects of Christian family life: establishing consistent rhythms of worship and Scripture reading in our homes. We're reminded that family worship doesn't need to be complicated or intimidating—it's not about creating elaborate liturgies or delivering seminary-level exposition to our children. Rather, it's about opening God's Word together, reading a psalm or a chapter, perhaps singing a hymn or the doxology, and praying as a family. The beauty lies in its simplicity and consistency, not its perfection. We learn that husbands may struggle with leading family worship due to fear of inadequacy or simply the exhaustion of modern life, but the encouragement here is clear: start small, use helpful resources like family worship guides, and remember that even five to ten minutes of Scripture and prayer can profoundly shape our children's spiritual formation. The discussion also beautifully addresses how wives can encourage their husbands in this area—not through criticism or nagging, but through genuine respect, affirmation of what they're doing right, and humble requests for partnership. When we prioritize gathering our families around God's Word, we're not just checking off a spiritual duty; we're creating a legacy of faith, building memories of warmth and joy around Scripture, and establishing that serving Christ together is the heartbeat of our homes.

In this episode of Snake on the Table, we respond briefly to criticism that surfaced after a public conversation about relocation, marriage, and responsibility.

Rather than litigating the controversy itself, we zoom out to address a deeper problem facing many men today: deracination. Disconnection from place, from people, and from meaningful institutional life has left many men untethered, drifting, and isolated. We argue that this reality fundamentally shapes how men should think about marriage, leadership, and responsibility.

The conversation presses on the importance of rootedness, the necessity of a healthy local church, and the wisdom required before asking a woman to follow a man into instability, dysfunction, or spiritual barrenness. Not every situation is worth preserving, and not every path forward is faithful.

As elders, we’re concerned less with optics and more with substance—helping men recover a sense of place, duty, and groundedness in a world that constantly encourages movement without meaning.

Listen in, and let us know your thoughts.

In this episode of Snake on the Table, we address a tension many Christians face but few are willing to speak about honestly: How do you navigate family commitments when participation would compromise your faith?

We discuss real-world scenarios such as being invited to a Catholic baptism, a same-sex wedding, or other religious or moral ceremonies that place believers in an awkward and spiritually compromising position. Drawing from Scripture, we examine the limits of family loyalty, the nature of Christian witness, and the difference between loving people and endorsing false worship or sin.

As elders of Reformation Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky, we offer pastoral clarity and practical wisdom for navigating these situations with conviction, humility, and courage. This episode explores obedience to Christ, the cost of discipleship, and how to remain faithful when cultural expectations and family pressure collide with biblical truth.

How should Christians respond in these moments? Where is the line between honoring family and honoring Christ? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and send us questions or topics for future episodes. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more conversations like this.

In this episode, we tackle the question: "Is public schooling a sin for Christian parents?" Join us as we dive into the challenges and responsibilities of Christian parenting, biblical stewardship, and the influence of public education on young minds. We discuss whether sending children to public schools contradicts the biblical command to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord and explore nuanced circumstances like financial constraints, divorce, and cultural pressures.

As Elders of Reformation Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky, we share personal experiences and practical insights on homeschooling, Christian education, and creating a family culture that prioritizes faith. This conversation is packed with thought-provoking perspectives on spirituality, parenting, and biblical masculinity.

What do you think? Is public schooling the right choice for Christian families today? Let us know in the comments, and send us your questions or topics to discuss in future episodes. Don’t forget to listen to our podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more conversations like this.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

01:09 - Is it Sin to Send Your Kids to Public School

06:11 - Competing with the World

09:51 - Concrete Not Set

11:05 - Nuance in Education

15:15 - Financial Reasons Against Homeschooling

19:30 - Minimalist Approach to Education

20:54 - Making Money at Home

22:12 - Starting a Candle Making Business

25:50 - Challenges of Homeschooling

29:33 - Responsibility of Christian Parents

29:55 - School Choice Options

30:24 - Closing Thoughts

In this episode, we discuss the challenges Christian parents face when dealing with family members struggling with alcohol. How can you set righteous boundaries while maintaining love and connection? We tackle tough questions like whether to allow unsupervised access to children and how to address the spiritual and physical dangers involved. As hosts affiliated with Reformation Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky, we bring a biblical perspective to help families protect their loved ones and navigate these sensitive situations with wisdom and grace.

We react to scenarios involving professing Christian parents and tackle practical steps, like involving church leadership and maintaining healthy communication. Parenting in faith, addressing biblical masculinity, and upholding spiritual values are key themes we explore. Have thoughts, questions, or stories to share? Drop them in the comments and join the conversation! Don’t forget to check us out on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more episodes.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - How to Handle Alcoholic Parents

10:08 - Importance of Setting Boundaries

10:29 - Overcoming Guilt in Family Protection

10:37 - Benefits of Early Boundary Setting

10:48 - Conclusion and Support

Failed as a father? Struggling to lead your family back to faith? In this episode, we tackle the challenges of reclaiming leadership in your home, reconciling with loved ones, and rebuilding trust after years of spiritual neglect. We discuss repentance, patience, and practical tools for fostering biblical masculinity, strong parenting, and renewed spirituality. Whether you're facing resistance from your wife, grown children, or even yourself, you're not alone.

As pastors at Reformation Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky, we share wisdom from Scripture and personal experiences to help you move forward with courage and faith. Join us as we explore what it means to lead your family in a Christ-centered way, no matter the mistakes of the past. Have a question or topic you'd like us to discuss? Drop it in the comments below—we're here to help!

Don’t forget to subscribe and check out our podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more discussions on Christianity, spiritual growth, and practical theology. Let’s start the journey together!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Dealing with Regret

00:55 - Reconciliation with Family after Faith

02:47 - You're Not Done Yet: Encouragement

07:32 - Apologizing to Your Wife: Steps to Take

10:48 - The Importance of Patience

11:35 - Repentance: A Path to Healing

15:10 - Catching a Vision: Finding Purpose

16:35 - Final Thoughts: Moving Forward