Why serve the local church—and how do good books help us see its importance?

In this episode of Sound Reads, Pastor Jerry Wragg—Pastor-Teacher at Grace Immanuel Bible Church in Jupiter, FL, President of The Expositors Seminary, and author of Exemplary Spiritual Leadership, Free to Be Holy, and Courageous Churchman—joins us to share books that have motivated him to serve the church with love, conviction, and faithfulness.

Discover resources that explain the importance of church involvement, how Christ loves and designs His church, and why every believer should joyfully serve.

Resources mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/swp-serving-church 

📚 Affiliate links included. Thank you for supporting the podcast.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
02:04 Books to Love and Serve the Church
04:49 The Importance of Church Involvement
07:45 The Heart Behind Serving
11:45 Christ's Love and Design for the Church
14:22 The Local Church
23:48 The Shepherd and the Sheep Mentality
30:48 Most Impactful Book Recommendation

#ChurchLife #ChristianBooks #ServeTheChurch #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Prayer is vital but often neglected.

In this Sound Reads episode, Pastor Michael Otazu shares books that have deepened his prayer life and how they can encourage you to grow in consistent, fervent communion with God.

📚 Affiliate links included. Thanks for supporting the podcast.

Resources mentioned: https://bit.ly/swp-prayer

#PrayerLife #ChristianBooks #SpiritualGrowth #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Suffering is inevitable—but the Bible gives us hope.

In this episode of Sound Reads, we recommend books that help believers understand suffering through the lens of God’s sovereignty. These are resources that don’t offer quick fixes but guide readers to trust the Lord, rest in His promises, and persevere in faith.

Episodes mentioned: 

• https://youtu.be/5G3hQCdOspY 

• https://youtu.be/DzlFczogmN0

Resources mentioned: 

• https://bit.ly/swp-suffering 

📚 Affiliate links included. Thanks for supporting the podcast.

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Some books leave a mark that never fades.

In this episode of Sound Reads, Pastor Rick Holland of Mission Road Bible Church shares the books that have shaped his relationship with Christ, especially in seasons of trial, growth, and renewal. These resources inspire deeper love, obedience, and faithfulness.

Resources mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/swp-books-on-sanctification 

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
01:19 Books That Impact our Walk With Christ
04:47 How God's Character Changes the Christian
07:03 Transforming Themes
09:24 "Books Don't Change Your Life, Paragraphs Do"
12:04 "Trusting God" During Difficult Times
14:44 Books that Anchor the Soul
18:36 Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians
20:00 How Rick Holland Reads

📚 Affiliate links included. Thanks for supporting the podcast.

#SpiritualGrowth #ChristianBooks #WalkWithChrist #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Church history isn’t just for scholars—it’s for every believer.

In this episode of Sound Reads, Dr. Matthew Shrader of Central Baptist Theological Seminary joins us to share books that bring church history to life. Discover why understanding the past helps us stay rooted in the truth and stand firm in the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
02:02 "Not just names and dates"
07:35 Understand God's Work Throughout History
12:57 Overlooked Aspects of Church History
15:20 Why Church History is Important Today
20:50 Church History and Praising God
24:15 How to Start Studying Church History
26:56 Preferred Ways of Reading

Resources mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/swp-church-history 

📚 Affiliate links included. Thank you for supporting the podcast.

#ChurchHistory #ChristianBooks #SoundDoctrine #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Theology isn’t just for the classroom—it’s for every Christian. But where do you begin?

In this episode of Sound Reads, Pastor Jesse Randolph joins Pastor Aaron Nicholson to highlight books that teach sound doctrine with clarity and conviction. From foundational definitions to practical recommendations, we explore how good books can help believers grow in discernment, understand key doctrines, and stay grounded in the truth.

Affiliate links included. Thanks for supporting the podcast.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/swp-books-sound-doctrine 

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
00:49 John MacArthur
05:46 What is Theology
08:24 Book Recommendations for Theology
10:56 How do these Books Explain Theological Truths
12:23 Misunderstood Theological Doctrines
15:58 Books that Support the Bible
17:30 How to Know You're Reading the Right Books
18:27 Discerning Truth from Error
19:32 What Makes a Book Helpful in Understanding Theology
22:00 Introductory Books for Theology

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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We believe the best book in the world is the Bible—but there are some really helpful books that can guide us in understanding the big picture of Scripture.

In this first episode of our Sound Reads series, Pastor Jesse Randolph joins Pastor Aaron Nicholson to talk about books that help us grasp the overarching story of the Bible. We cover what makes a great Bible overview book, how these resources have impacted our teaching and study, and which ones we’d recommend for new and mature believers alike.

📚 We’ve partnered with Amazon! If you purchase a book using one of our links in the spreadsheet below, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the podcast.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/swp-bible-overview-resources 

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Is dispensational theology a thing of the past—or is it still thriving today?

To wrap up our Faithful Men series, Pastor Jesse Randolph joins Pastor Aaron Nicholson to answer the big question: Where are the dispensationalists today? Together, we reflect on the legacy of Darby, Brookes, Scofield, Chafer, Ryrie, and Walvoord, while also highlighting the need for clarity, courage, and conviction in our generation.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
01:26 What is Dispensationalism
02:38 Where are all the Dispensationalists?
08:09 Dispensationalism since 2002
10:42 Labels
11:32 Why Dispensationalism is Look Down On
15:39 How Dispensationalism Shapes the Week
17:07 Advice to Young Pastors
20:56 Encouraging the Next Generation

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Dr. John Walvoord was one of the most influential dispensational theologians of the 20th century. But who was he—and what is his legacy today?

In this episode, Dr. Jeremiah Mutie, Professor of Theology and Church History at Southern California Seminary, joins Pastor Jesse Randolph and Pastor Aaron Nicholson to discuss Walvoord’s contributions to dispensationalism and eschatology, his leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary, and his ongoing impact on theology and the church.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
01:00 Personal Testimony
04:19 Why John Walvoord is Important
09:37 Key Contributions to Dispensationalism and Eschatology
13:36 Walvoord and Dallas Theological Seminary
18:09 Building on Dispensational Thinking
22:48 Criticisms of Dallas Theological Seminary
25:30 Personal Influence of Walvoord

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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Dr. Charles C. Ryrie is a household name in theological circles—but his impact goes far beyond his Study Bible.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Weaver—Associate Professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary and host of The Bible and Theology Matters Podcast—joins Pastor Aaron Nicholson and Pastor Jesse Randolph to explore Ryrie’s enduring influence. We discuss the distinctions within dispensationalism, the legacy of Ryrie’s book, Dispensationalism, and what the modern church can learn from Ryrie’s approach to Scripture.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
02:20 Ryrie's Influence
08:46 Distinctions within Dispensationalism
16:32 "Dispensationalism Today" by Ryrie
19:51 Distinction Between Israel and the Church
22:59 Ryrie and Dallas Theological Seminary
25:44 What the Church Today Can Learn for Ryrie
29:33 Personal Connection with Ryrie
31:42 "Charles C. Ryrie: The Man, His Ministry, and His Method" by Weaver

Affiliate links included above. Thanks for supporting the podcast!

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

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• Visit https://ihcc.org