Episode Highlights: Much miscommunication could be avoided if we were determined to eradicate assumptions. Prov 18:13 Wrong assumptions are the cancer of relationships. One way to eradicate assumptions is to commit together to ask and answer “dumb questions.”

Episode Highlights: Devotionals, to the extent that they are biblically faithful, are just biblical teaching, which the Bible assumes we need. 2 Tim 3:16-4:4; Eph 4:11-12 The average Christian can grow to delight in the Scriptures. Psa 1:1-2; 119:14, 47, 92, 97 One could use a devotional as a catalyst to deeper reading/study, by going […]

Episode highlights: The gospel enables husbands and wives to live in accordance with the good gender roles of Gen 2. Eph 5:22-31 A husband can lead well by being zealous for his own spiritual well-being, eradicating false worship in his home, and providing opportunities for spiritual growth for his wife and children. A wife can […]

Episode highlights: The roles of the male leader and female leader are part of God’s good pre-Fall design. Gen 2; 1 Cor 11; 1 Tim 2 The Fall marred the desires of man and woman, hardwiring a female desire to lead and a male desire to abuse authority. Gen 3 The Gospel provides a reversal […]

Episode Highlights: The local church requires a special level of engagement by virtue of the church covenant and obedience to the one another commands. Covenant church membership does not require the neglect of relationships outside, but does prioritize those inside.

Episode Highlights: This is most likely a conscience issue; one should not violate his or her own conscience while also not pressing his or her convictions on others. Romans 14 With issues of Christian liberty, is it wise to consider whether a particular activity will be spiritually helpful or detrimental. 1 Cor 6:12

Episode Highlights: Suggested books: The Meaning of Marriage (Keller); Strengthening Your Marriage (Mack); Sexual Intimacy in Marriage (Cutrer) A successful one-flesh relationship cannot take place without healthy “leaving & cleaving.” Gen 2:24

Episode Highlights Baptism is an act of obedience following conversion that serves as one’s public profession of faith. Water baptism is not the mechanism whereby the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit takes place at one’s conversion, prior to baptism.

Episode Highlights: This is a common phenomenon among Christian men–to lead well initially, but to trail off to spiritual neglect of wife and family. The wife should keep in mind her husband’s role as a spiritual nourisher in Ephesians 5:24ff. She should also remember that she has a responsibility as his sister in Christ to […]

Episode Highlights: The typical hard distinction between possession and oppression isn’t supported by the Scriptures. It is better to think of one phenomenon–demonic influence–having a wide spectrum of manifestations. Signs of demonic influence will vary depending upon the severity, ranging from absolute control of the individual to spiritual distraction. Some signs of demonic influence could […]