The Harder Way Podcast

The Harder Way Podcast

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The Harder Way Podcast episodes

  • #195 - The Bible Under Her Table: A Shenzhen Conversion Story

    Scott and Mattie recount a powerful courier story from Shenzhen where a woman found a Bible used to level her table, read it, and became a Christian, highlighting the life-changing impact of one Bible amid widespread persecution.

    They also unpack two major interpretive frameworks—dispensationalism and covenantalism—explain how these views affect theology and end-times expectations, and encourage listeners to read the Bible, live out Christ, and pursue unity.


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    • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
    • Receive the Courier Update
    • Support this podcast!
      • 31 min
    • #194 - Mattie Returns 3 of 3

      When Faith Meets Politics: Choosing the Harder Way

      In this episode, Scott and Mattie explain the podcast’s unscripted format, their pause rule, and why they avoid taking a political stance while encouraging Christians to vote and pray for leaders. They introduce new "minisodes": short, history-focused episodes on persecution, biographies like Esther Ahn Kim, and special holiday deep dives.

      They also outline future plans—fewer one-offs and more series that go deeper into Scripture and the restricted church experience—invite listeners to share, like, and review the show, and remind Christians to live faithfully and courageously in an increasingly hostile culture.


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      • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
      • Receive the Courier Update
      • Support this podcast!
        • 15 min
      • #193 - Mattie Returns 2 of 3

        Living the Harder Way: Faith Beyond Rules

        This episode explores living the Christian life amid legalism, neurodiversity, and personal struggle. Hosts Scott and Mattie discuss autism, the pitfalls of rule-based faith, the restoration of joy, and trusting the Holy Spirit to lead. They share personal stories of support, growth, and how to encourage those who feel different without losing faith.

        Remember to help us share these podcasts: Like, Share, and Comment!

        • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
        • Receive the Courier Update
        • Support this podcast!
          • 29 min
        • #192 - Mattie Returns 1 of 3

          When Theology Gets in the Way: Rediscovering the Bible

          In this episode, Scott AND Mattie explore the Harder Way Podcast's commitment to centering the Bible and sharing the lives of persecuted Christians, discussing a decade of Bible school, shifting from lofty theology to practical devotion, and the transformative power of Scripture.

          Hosts reflect on personal journeys—including one host's experience on the autism spectrum—practical spiritual disciplines such as the Book of Common Prayer and repeated reading of the Gospel of John, and encourage consistent, simple practices to grow faith in difficult times.


          Remember to help us share these podcasts: Like, Share, and Comment!

          • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
          • Receive the Courier Update
          • Support this podcast!
            • 26 min
          • #191 - ep.9 I Do Not Know — But God Knows

            I Do Not Know — But God Knows: Lessons from Cuban Pastors

            In this final episode of this 9-part series, Scott gathers lessons from Cuban pastors about providence, remembered faithfulness, and what it means to trust God first when resources and certainty run out. He contrasts American security systems with the necessity-driven dependence of pastors in hardship and explores how humility, community, wise planning, and obedience form a resilient faith.

            The episode centers on the seven-word confession, "I do not know, but God knows," urging listeners to remember God’s past faithfulness, place dependence before convenience, and take faithful steps even when the outcome is uncertain.


            Remember to help us share these podcasts: Like, Share, and Comment!

            • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
            • Receive the Courier Update
            • Support this podcast!
              • 22 min
            • #190 - ep.8 What Suffering Actually Does

              Accept, Like, Love, Embrace: Samuel Lamb’s Answer to Suffering

              This episode explores how suffering tests and shapes Christian faith, focusing on Pastor Samuel Lamb and resilient Cuban pastors who endured persecution. It explains Lamb’s four-step response—accept, like, love, embrace—and how suffering can clarify values and deepen dependence on Christ.

              The host connects biblical examples (Jesus, Paul, Hebrews 11) to practical guidance, offering five reflective questions to help listeners interpret and respond to their own pain.

              Ultimately, the episode frames suffering within the larger story of God’s presence: pain is real but does not have the final word, and faithfulness may be shown through endurance as well as deliverance.


              Remember to help us share these podcasts: Like, Share, and Comment!

              • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
              • Receive the Courier Update
              • Support this podcast!
                • 21 min
              • #189 - ep.7 Life with God NOT For God

                A Life with God, Not for God

                In Episode 7 of The Harder Way's series "Before the Pressure Comes," Scott explores how Cuban pastors maintain spiritual resilience by living with God first, rather than merely working for God. Drawing on interviews and doctoral research, he contrasts a disciplined, transformative relationship with God—marked by prayer, Scripture, and communal fasting—with the hollow busyness that leaves faith drained. Listeners are challenged to examine their practices, motives, and visible fruit to cultivate a life rooted in communion with Christ.

                Remember to help us share these podcasts: Like, Share, and Comment!

                • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
                • Receive the Courier Update
                • Support this podcast!
                  • 29 min
                • #188 - ep6 The Church that Cannot Die

                  The Church That Cannot Be Eliminated — How Community Survives Persecution


                  This episode explores how the Cuban church's deep community, mutual care, and stewardship enable faith to endure under pressure. It urges the American church to build relationships now—so members and leaders are known, supported, and able to carry one another before crisis arrives.

                  Remember to help us share these podcasts: Like, Share, and Comment!

                  • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
                  • Receive the Courier Update
                  • Support this podcast!
                    • 31 min
                  • #187 - ep5 The Unnamed Call

                    Called, Not Promoted: When God Sends You Where You'd Rather Not Go


                    This episode examines what it means to be called by God rather than defined by a title or position. Using stories from Cuban pastors who left comfortable livelihoods to serve their communities, the host contrasts preference with calling, explains how calling is tested and confirmed, and highlights the costs and commitments involved.

                    Listeners receive practical questions to name and assess their assignment, encouragement to obey faithfully, and a reminder that obedience often means doing the next good thing until the Caller releases you.


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                    • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
                    • Receive the Courier Update
                    • Support this podcast!
                      • 37 min
                    • #186 - ep4 Lose the Word, Lose the Way

                      When Scripture Rules: Rediscovering the Bible's Authority

                      Scott explores the centrality of the Bible, telling stories from persecuted believers and urging Christians to stop treating Scripture as a decoration or tool and to let it govern their lives. He emphasizes memorizing Scripture, submitting to its authority, and keeping the Word as the foundation when suffering or culture pressures us.

                      Listeners are invited to examine how Scripture has changed them, identify passages they avoid, and consider how much of the Bible would remain in their hearts if physical access were lost.


                      Remember to help us share these podcasts: Like, Share, and Comment!

                      • Send Bibles to persecuted churches ($20 provides a needed Bible from the store to a persecuted saint).
                      • Receive the Courier Update
                      • Support this podcast!
                        • 19 min

                      About The Harder Way Podcast

                      From the publisher's feed

                      Join our hosts as they discuss religious restriction, the power of Scripture, living a life of faith over fear, and what the American Church can learn from the Persecuted Church about living…