Church and Family Life Podcast

The Scripture’s witness is clear—we’re to joyfully bring our children into the public worship of God. Yet this blessed opportunity is not without challenge, especially for the young who are prone to distraction. So how should parents prepare their little ones for the meeting of the church?  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by their wives Deborah and Janet, share practical tips on how to go about this. Drawing from personal experience, they counsel dads to take the lead in training their kids to be attentive through family devotions in the home, and for moms to have clothes and other necessities laid out ahead of time to smooth the way for Sunday worship. Other advice they give: Don’t let your children resort to “playtime” when you take them out for correction or other needs, but seek to grow their affections for the blessings of the worship service.  

Since ChatGPT launched last year, AI has dominated headlines, with its great benefits and real abuses being hotly debated worldwide. Without question, AI is poised to transform how governments, companies, ministries, and individuals manage information and engage in problem-solving. But how should Christians respond to this emerging technology?  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by Church and Family Life Technical Lead Colton Neifert, explain how technology, at its core, is a means to do things more efficiently, which Christians should welcome, when used rightly, as a means for godly dominion. Though AI can be harnessed for evil, Colton explains the exciting new ways that Church & Family Life has employed AI to offer thousands of new online resources to build up Christians, as well as new innovative tools that churches on the FIC Network can use to encourage their congregations. 

Singing is one of the glorious gifts of the church. It draws you into the beauty of the kingdom and the power and truth of God. If this is true, what are you as parents doing to teach your children to sing and prepare them for corporate worship?  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm offer five key scriptural insights highlighted in the book, The Family at Church: Teach your children to sing (1) to teach others God’s Word and (2) to admonish one another; and teach them to sing (3) to God personally, (4) to the unconverted, and (5) to their own souls. Rather than view singing as an option, parents should guide their children to joyfully obey God’s command: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). 

Should Christians make “New Year’s Resolutions?” The answer is “yes,” as believers are under a Divine order to “excel still more” (1 Thess. 4:1, NASB)—to “be fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10) and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).   But why do most fall short of their yearly resolutions? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Mat Dewing, attack the problem head on. They explain the need to make resolutions that matter and are “SMART”—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-specific. And if you have a bad day or week? Persevere, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 2:3-4). 

What’s your reading plan for 2024? The Bible should come first, above all other books, for God’s Word makes wise the simple. It rejoices the heart. It converts the soul. It’s a true and unchanging witness that is sufficient for all of our needs. As such, it should take precedent in our personal study, as well as in what we read aloud to our families.  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by Church and Family Life Technical Lead Colton Neifert, discuss Journey Through the Bible. This daily Bible reading plan began as a book, but is now available as an app you can take with you anywhere. Great for personal study and family worship, it includes a daily Scripture reading, so you can read the Bible in a year. But there’s much more! For each book of the Bible: (1) read the outline and overview; (2) listen to the summary audio message; (3) sing a hymn on the theme; (4) ask important study questions; (5) memorize key verses; and (6) learn top 5 facts to remember. As you start 2024, read God’s Word and saturate your family with it!  Learn more and download The Journey Through the Bible app here. 

Time is a precious gift of God. But what are Christians doing with this valuable asset? Are they using their time to promote their own self-interests or wisely investing it for the glory of Christ?   In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm are joined by data analyst Drew Davis, who shares his research on how people use their time. The trends are disturbing. The average American, for example, spends 2 ½ hours a day consuming television and radio—not to mention their time on their phone and tablets. And young people entering adulthood are playing more than working at an increasingly higher rate. Rather than squander time, their charge to believers is this: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).

Young people struggle with the same dangerous pitfalls in every generation. They’re typically full of zeal but lack wisdom and consistency. They view the advice of their elders as backwards and prefer the opinions of their peers. Though technology and cultures change, these same errors ensnare the young, over and over again.  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm call out the key traps so common to youth and urge them to follow the path of true wisdom. Their counsel is to the point: Understand the devastation of sin and don’t dally with it. Kill envy between brothers and sisters. Be careful who your friends are. Don’t hand influence to worldly peers or pop stars. Listen to the counsel of wiser older people, instead. Drawing insights from such authors as Matthew Henry and Charles Spurgeon (as collected in the book, The Theology of the Family), Scott and Jason seek to fortify the young by pointing them to the sure path found in God’s Word. 

How do you discern whether a child is a Christian based on his profession of faith to you or to a pastor during a baptism interview? Are they coming forward for baptism to please their parents and to follow what they’ve seen others do—or is their genuine contrition for sin and true belief?   In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Trent Moody, tackle these thorny questions. They maintain that being born again is more than mental assent to certain Gospel truths; it comes to a heart who knows the weight of sin, a heart that beats with fervent faith that the Savior has washed him clean from his corruption. And it comes with a cost: The child’s allegiance must be to Christ first, even above their own family. Their deepest affection must be to the things of God and His Word. 

In every generation, the relationship between the law and the gospel is fiercely debated, as if the two are at odds with one another. We’re under grace now, not law, some claim, while others pridefully parade their law-keeping, believing it merits their salvation. Neither position is correct.  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm cut through the confusion and show how law and gospel work together for our good. The law, they explain, is a reflection of who God is in all His moral perfections, so to argue that it’s now abrogated is an affront to His eternal character. Because no man can perfectly keep the law, it therefore drives sinners to the Gospel, as Christ bore the curse of the law as the only perfect lawkeeper, making the way for salvation. Once redeemed, the Christian should strive to grow more in God’s likeness each day and joyfully exclaim, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Ps. 119:97). 

Thanksgiving, as a yearly celebration, has all but been canceled in today’s culture, with stores transitioning directly from Halloween to Christmas. It’s as if the story of our Pilgrim forefathers doesn’t matter. And where it is acknowledged, it is dubbed a “day of mourning” by Leftists who loathe the Christian heritage of the small band of believers who settled Plymouth in 1620.     In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guests Steve Hopkins and Gill Arterburn, urge listeners to make Thanksgiving great again. They suggest that families engage in special readings, with excerpts from the Pilgrims and Psalms, sing period songs, and play fun, but meaningful games that give gratitude to God and commemorate the rich legacy of the Pilgrims. Learn from their inspiring Thanksgiving celebrations as you plan your day together with your family.     Click here to read Scott Brown’s “Fifteen Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving Day.”     Click here to read Steve Hopkins’ “History of the Pilgrims.”   

There’s never been a better time for women to shine. With feminism’s dark shadow looming large, Christian girls have the opportunity to show what joy-filled femininity looks like in practice. Rather than fall prey to the bondage of “woman’s liberation,” they should embrace the Bible’s beautiful picture of womanhood, which brings fulfillment and lasting hope.  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, encourage ladies to “come out” from the world by swimming against the cultural tide and living out godly womanhood. This means being an active dominion-taker, domestic entrepreneur, submissive and respectful wife, keeper at home, faithful member of a local church, bearer of children, and teacher of the next generation. Instead of being drug down by worldly music and fashion trends, women should claim the moral high ground, shining a bright light for Christ in their homes and communities.  

With the 2024 election season in full swing, where are we to turn for answers as the presidential candidates exchange barbs and make competing claims? French Reformer Pierre Viret gives the right answer: “the law of God alone is the true standard by which all good and just government must be ruled and conformed.” Simply put: man’s law brings chaos, when it comes to the civil realm, while God’s law brings order and beauty.  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm unpack the wisdom of Viret, who had to learn to live with flexibility under multiple different governments during his public ministry. Writing in the 16th century, he gave valuable insights that were recently compiled into the book, When to Disobey: Case Studies in Tyranny, Insurrection, & Obedience to God. Viret’s contention is this: Whether believers face suffering or enjoy blessing, they always have a way forward because they can obey God as they engage the civil sphere. Be they under a king, aristocracy, or representative government, Christians should pull whatever levers they can to advance God’s law and leave the results to Him.  Click here to purchase Viret’s insightful book. 

At the height of the COVID crisis, state governments around the world forbade churches from gathering on the Lord’s Day and restricted pastors and loved ones from visiting the sick in the hospital. The lockdown policies were particularly severe in New Zealand, which compelled a number of committed pastors and Christians there to push back and form the group, Free to Be Church.  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm interview New Zealand pastors Kris Baines and André Bay, discussing lessons learned during this trying time. The first and foremost lesson is that Christ, not the state, is the exclusive head of the church, and His mandate for local churches to gather must be followed. Churches must worship and fellowship as God directs, not invent pragmatic online alternatives. And, finally, true love for our neighbor comes through obedience to Christ, not by seeking the favor of our community or civil leaders.

Conrad Mbewe was born into a tight-knit family in the African country of Zambia. Yet he entered a dark period at age nine, when his mother—the sunshine of his life—passed away. In response to her death, his father turned to the bottle, even as Conrad and his two siblings were taken in by other relatives.    In this Church and Family Life podcast, Conrad gives his life story, sharing how his elder sister’s faith in Christ floored him. As their father sold off treasured family belongings to buy liquor, his sister radiated joy—singing “Amazing Grace” while she prepared a meal that was next to nothing. But Conrad still thought his “good deeds” were enough. This changed when a friend declared to him that salvation is solely God’s work. Driven to his knees, Conrad repented and gave his life to Christ. After a short stint as a mining engineer, he accepted a call at age 25 to pastor Kabwata Baptist Church, located in the Zambian capital of Lusaka. Serving there since 1987, Conrad has helped to start roughly 40 other Reformed churches in countries across Africa. 

Growing up, Paul Carrington never heard the Gospel. A native of downtown Toronto, he took to sports and met his future wife Melinda at a nightclub when he was eighteen. In God’s sovereignty, Melinda was soon converted to Christ—a change which made Paul mad. While playing hip-hop music in his bedroom one night, he began to read the Bible in the hopes of dismantling Melinda’s faith. Yet, in a miraculous work, the same Spirit that had saved his girlfriend gripped Paul’s soul as he read the Scriptures, and he surrendered his life to Jesus.  Becoming radicalized for Christ, Paul married Melinda. And while they lost old friends due to their witness, their zeal for God led them to share their faith around the world in remote huts in the Kenya bush, in shacks in the slums of the Dominican Republic, and in Muslim strongholds of Western Turkey. Paul and his wife currently live in North Carolina with their six children and remain active in missionary work through the translation and distribution of Christian resources into Turkish, Farsi, Russian, and Arabic. 

Historically, Christian nations have welcomed the fruit of the womb as a great blessing of God. Yet over the last six decades, there’s been a stark shift away from fruitfulness, as selfishness has displaced a love for many children. In the U.S. alone, the total fertility birthrate per woman has dropped from 3.58 in 1960 to a low point of 1.77 in 1979. And 2022’s total was a meager bump up from there to 1.78.   So what’s at the heart of this fertility decline? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by data analyst Drew Davis, break down the global numbers, explaining how women leaving the home for the workforce, the rise of contraceptives and abortion, and a general valuing of more “worldly things” over eternal souls have led to this unbiblical shift. Despite these bad trends, Christians should joyfully return to the Scripture’s call to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28). They should embrace the great Gospel impact they can have by raising more sons and daughters to fear the Lord—children who “shall not be ashamed, but [who] shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Ps. 127:5). 

Alexander Strauch began his early boyhood in bustling Newark, New Jersey, surrounded by concrete in a tight-knit community of German-speaking immigrants. At age ten, his family moved to the country—a dramatic change from cramped city-life to sprawling forests, filled with beautiful streams and woods. Alex loved his new environment and began to hunt reptiles and fish almost every day.   In this podcast, Alex shares his life story, describing how God used his love for fishing to bring him to Christ. When he was invited by a friend to fish at a Christian camp in New York State, little did he know that his friend was fishing for his soul. Alex was saved there at age eleven and, by age thirteen, he was compelled to serve Christ in ministry. After attending Bible college, Alex landed at Littleton Bible Chapel in the midst of the Jesus Revolution. It was there he met his future wife, Marilyn, as they ministered to youth together. Alex served as an elder of this church for more than forty years and now devotes his time to helping other churches better conform to the Bible’s teaching on leadership roles and loving one another. His books Biblical Eldership, The New Testament Deacon, and Agape Leadership have been a great help to churches around the world. 

On October 3-4, churches around the world will be gathering for a Global Day of Prayer for Revival. In preparation for this event, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jeffery Johnson, are encouraging Christians to highly value public prayer and to actively participate in it in their local church. And, in this podcast, they discuss nine practical rules for corporate prayer meetings.  First, pray from the heart. Suppress self-consciousness and pray fervently and sincerely. Second, prepare to pray. Make a short list or mental outline ahead of time of your praises and petitions. Third, pray short, not long-winded prayers. Fourth, pray to God; don’t preach sermons to men. Fifth, pray Scripture. Sixth, pray with confidence in our Savior’s work and sovereignty, knowing that He lives to make intercession for us. Seventh, pray engagingly. Pray loud enough for others to hear. And, as others are praying, don’t daydream, but join in affirming their appeals, either through silent prayer or out loud with “Amens.” Eighth, pray the promises of God. And, ninth, pray in faith, knowing God delights in giving good gifts to His children.  To learn more about the Global Day of Prayer for Revival and to join the effort, visit https://globalprayerforrevival.com/. 

In these dark days, the greatest need the world has is for revival. Yet without the work of the Holy Spirit, all our efforts to bring it about will be in vain. True revival only occurs when the Sprit moves mightily on a people as the Gospel is proclaimed.  In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm interview pastor Jeffrey Johnson, whose heart was gripped by this reality while ministering in Kenya several months ago. Compelled to action, Johnson contacted fellow pastors about the need for the church to actively pray for revival across the world. These discussions led to the establishment of October 3-4 of this year as a Global Day of Prayer for Revival. Such men as Paul Washer, Joel Beeke, and Tom Ascol have joined with Johnson in calling on local churches worldwide to devote this time to humble contrition and earnest fasting and prayer—appealing to God that His Spirit might move in an extraordinary way and revive souls across the nations. To learn more about this day of prayer and join the effort, visit https://globalprayerforrevival.com/.

Though the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the bloody genocide of abortion continues. Each day in America, more than 3,000 children are still being killed in the womb. Despite rhetoric to the contrary, abortion remains legal in all fifty states. Yes, many abortion mills have closed, but this has done little to stop the murder of the unborn. Under the reign of Roe, doctors typically perpetrated abortions, but now the mother, in increasingly more cases, has become the active killer, taking the life of her child through mail-order pills. In view of this travesty, how can Christians who love life engage this battle? In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Bradley Pierce, president of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion, outline a blueprint for engagement. In addition to heartfelt outreach to mothers, they outline a 4-part strategy for the civil sphere: Become an educated voter, a genuine encourager of civil office-holders, a grassroots mobilizer, and a principled pro-life candidate. While not everyone can be involved on all four levels, every Christian should seek to stand on principle for every life—born or unborn—as they have opportunity.

Every man, woman, and child are created with emotions. It’s part of our very being as image-bearers of God. Yet not every swing of our emotions is good. Anxiety, for example, is a rejection of the promises of God. It is a lack of trust in His never-failing care for His people. Yearning for an emotional high, devoid of God’s Word, is another trap that is sinful. So how should we evaluate and govern our emotions biblically? In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Brian Borgman, answer this question, outlining Christ’s show of emotions as a model for us. Even as we must shun empty emotionalism, we should strive for the joining together of head and heart, doctrine and devotion, light and heat. Our goal should be to conform our will and emotions to the image of Christ, so we can exclaim with the Psalmist, “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope” (Ps. 16:8-9).

You have how many children!?! In today’s world, eyebrows raise, and questions of wisdom and sanity follow, whenever a couple desires more than two or three kids. How can you afford more? Where will you find the time to properly teach each child? What kind of quality of life will you enjoy if you keep having babies? In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Bradley Pierce, look to the Bible to address the question of family size. The overall emphasis in Scripture is clear, as God directs couples to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28; 9:1), calling the fruit of the womb a “reward” (Ps. 127:3). Rather than prizing maximum comfort in the near term, couples should take the longer view by cherishing as many eternal souls God chooses to give so that they might raise a “godly offspring” (Mal. 2:15).  Watch the Message from Bradley Pierce at the FORGE Conference.

Christian joy is not subject to how good or bad our situation is. God gives joy to His people in hard times as well as in seasons of ease and plenty. Jesus modeled this on His way to the cross, declaring the joy He had in obeying His Father as He abided in His love (John 15:9-11). In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest John Snyder, discuss finding joy in the Christian life, looking to Jesus as the ultimate example. During His earthly ministry, Christ was the happiest of men, being “anointed . . . with the oil of gladness more than [His] companions” (Heb. 1:9). Jesus lived in the awareness of his Father’s love for Him which brought Christ unceasing joy. As believers enveloped in this same love, we should reject despondency in our souls and be a joyful people, no matter our circumstances, for “Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” (Ps. 144:15).

Marriage is a sacred one-flesh union which should be dearly cherished by both husband and wife. Yet many couples fall into the trap of making their spouse the center of their marriage, rather than God. This can only lead to disillusionment, as our mate will, in time, fall short and disappoint us—especially whenever God is not exalted as the primary focus of the marital bond. In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Steve Hopkins, address this pitfall and explain how to make Christ preeminent in marriage. Their outline is simple: Strive to become like Christ through daily personal Bible reading and prayer, corporate daily Bible reading and prayer with one’s whole family, and daily prayer alone together as husband and wife. Rather than looking to your spouse as the source of fulfillment, exalt God’s Word, sing songs together, and earnestly seek the face of Christ.

Over the last twenty years, alcohol and drug use have risen, with marijuana being legalized in 23 states, and popular breweries and pubs popping up in downtowns across America. LSD use has doubled over this period, and CBD gummies are now available at corner shops everywhere. In the midst of this uptick, a number of popular Reformed pastors and commentators are openly drinking alcohol on their podcasts, extolling the virtues of their favorite whiskey or beer.  What is the Christian to make of all of this—particularly where alcohol is concerned? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Tom Ford, break down the issues biblically, explaining the lawful use of alcohol, while issuing a sober warning about the life-destroying dangers of drunkenness. Rather than seeking solace in an altered state of mind, Christians must follow the Scriptures: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).  

What does a reformed confession such as the 1689 Baptist Confession and the Westminster Confession of faith have to do with your family. Can your children defend the doctrine of the trinity, God’s decrees and divine providence, the nature of the fall of man, and the way of salvation in Christ?  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Trent Moody, discuss how a sound confession of faith is vital for families and churches. All three men hold to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, which stands as one of the richest and most helpful statements of faith ever written. Exalting Scripture as the ultimate standard, the 1689 Confession contains a treasure trove of orthodox doctrine, with scriptural proofs for further study. The confession’s original “letter to the reader” calls on fathers to teach the core truths of Scripture to their households, even as church elders should do the same to the household of faith. 

Baptism is to be one of the first acts of obedience for a believer when they repent and come to Christ in faith (Acts 2:38; 8:35-38). But how should parents and elders respond to the testimony of young children who profess Christ? Is there a certain “age of maturity” kids should reach before being baptized?   In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jeffrey Johnson, tackle this thorny topic. Arguing against a minimum age, they emphasize that, prior to baptism, children should demonstrate a cognitive maturity and clear articulation of the gospel they profess, accompanied by tangible fruit of a real heart change. Acknowledging that children are impressionable, they counsel for careful evaluation of each child’s profession, while also encouraging baptism when the signs of conversion are clear. This is somewhat of a counterpoint of the podcast with Sam Waldron on the same subject.

The greatest need for mothers with an unwanted pregnancy in not a temporal mind change, but a fundamental heart change that heeds the hope of the Gospel. Choosing life for moms should start with choosing eternal life, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and then choosing to keep the precious child in their womb.      In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Brian Ottinger and Anthony Mathenia, discuss the work of Love Life, a pro-life outreach ministry that exists to unite and mobilize the church and create a culture of love and life that will result in the end to the abortion and orphan crisis. Love Life hosts regular prayer walks outside abortion clinics across the US, and their House of Refuge Network directs moms to find a church in their area that will not only encourage them to choose life for their baby, but be discipled into the family of God.  Check out Love Life Ministries or watch their Legalize Life series by Bradley Pierce.

Should interpreting the Bible be left to the “experts”? While certain high-minded scholars have argued this, the Scriptures plainly direct fathers and mothers to train their children up in the ways of God—and this can only happen by them carefully reading His word and explaining it.    In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by guest Chris Law, encourage parents to actively read and discuss the Scriptures with their children, and they offer some helpful interpretive keys to use. The first is context: who is the author of a particular book addressing, where is he located, and what is he speaking about? Other principles: clear texts interpret unclear texts; specific texts interpret general texts; and literal texts interpret figurative texts. They also urge parents to not miss the big picture, but to make it their chief aim to show their children how great and wonderful God is whenever they open His word.    Check out our book "Journey through the Bible" 

If you knew the span of your life would be thirty years shorter than you expected, what would you change? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Isaac Botkin, discuss the inspiring legacy of David Fry, who recently passed away at age 54. When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago, David didn’t meaningfully change much of how he was living his life. That’s because he had already been living like he was dying, making the most of his time by carefully shepherding his family and investing in his local church.   David’s memorial service was a stunning and beautiful witness to his earnest faithfulness, as his six sons and two daughters all proclaimed scripture after scripture their father taught them They testified to his active and loving involvement in each of their lives. David gave up financial gain to have more time to teach and walk with his children in God’s word and point them to Christ—an encouraging and convicting example for all dads to take to heart as they lead their families. 

LGBT Pride Month, held each June, is nothing to be proud of. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss how deviant sexual behavior has gone from being abhorred to being widely celebrated in a mere fifty years. Not only have the anti-sodomy laws in most states been repealed, but leading corporations are embracing the LGBT agenda in their internal policies and publicly promoting it during Pride Month.   Looking to God’s word, they explain that the shameful celebration of this deviancy is condemned by God and a clear sign of His judgment. Yet there’s hope for those caught in this wicked lifestyle who repent of their sins—just as there was in Paul’s time: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).  View Tom Ascol Interview on Homosexuality with NBC2 News Here. on 

Full-time service to Christ is not simply being a pastor or missionary. Whether you’re a baker or car mechanic, a delivery man or investment banker, a dairy farmer or a mom tending her children at home—all the work you do should be done heartily unto the Lord.   In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Scott Aniol, explain that the doctrine of work encompasses every lawful vocation and is based in God himself.  God worked in bringing about creation, and we as His image-bearers are called to work also. Significantly, the calling to work came in a perfect Garden that Adam and Eve were to tend. Though labor is now more difficult due to sin’s curse, it is inherent to the created order. Whatever work Christians put their hands to do should thus be pursued with joyful purpose, excellence, and integrity—and for God’s ultimate glory. 

Cameron and Chandler Wood grew up in the hey-day of Christian youth culture where the driving thought was, “Let the church raise your kids in the ways of the Lord.” Watching many of their friends fall away, these two brothers—now married with children—are crying out for a better way, where fathers take the lead in discipling their children through family worship. In this 2-part podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm interact with clips from the brothers’ past discussion, recorded when they were in their 20s with 3 kids each.   In Part 2, the Wood brothers explain how that dads must show patience in carrying out the biblical mandate to train their children, especially when they’re young. Through personal trial and error, Cameron and Chandler relate how they simplified their family worship time, noting that a father’s heart for his child should not be focused on the world’s notion of success, but on their eternal soul. They also emphasize that dads must strive to faithfully live out the message before their children and not be hypocrites. Time is fleeting, they stress, so seize this precious season with your kids! 

Cameron and Chandler Wood grew up in the hey-day of Christian youth culture where the driving thought was, “Let the church raise your kids in the ways of the Lord.” Watching many of their friends fall away, these two brothers—now married with children—are crying out for a better way, where fathers take the lead in discipling their children through family worship. In this 2-part podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm interact with clips from the brothers’ past discussion, recorded when they were in their 20s with 3 kids each.   In Part 1, the Wood brothers explain that fathers have a mandate from Scripture to train their children, but it should be pursued with a deep-seated joy and fervor for God. Though it is Christ alone who brings salvation, dads should seek to instill a hunger for Him in their children—and not reduce their training to game-like “Bible drills.” The aim should not be to teach them to be good “moralists,” but to genuinely know God and be profoundly changed by who He is. Time is fleeting, they stress, so seize this precious season with your kids! 

Psalm 44:1 declares: “We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old.”   From his earliest days, Scott Brown remembers his dad Bill—a P-51 Mustang pilot during the Battle for Iwo Jima—fulfilling the words of this Psalm. The elder Brown not only gave Scott a WWII K-Bar when he was a young boy, but he regaled his son with stories of God’s faithfulness during this epic conflict in the Pacific. And the senior Brown, known to his grandchildren as “Gan,” did the same with David, Scott’s son, when he was growing up. In this Memorial Day podcast, Scott and David share their memories of joining Mr. Brown on a special trip to Iwo Jima for the sixtieth anniversary of the battle. The two learned many lessons from the late patriarch of their family, sixteen of which are highlighted in the book Preparing Boys for Battle—lessons on such character qualities as purity, friendship, discipline, work, and taking on mighty challenges for the Lord. And these lessons—all gleaned from the grueling 36-day battle for Iwo—are as needed now for the boys of this generation as they were for the soldiers of WWII. For great stories for Memorial Day, get an audible or hard copy of our book, Preparing Boys for Battle, and Moment of Courage, which contains dozens of lessons on manhood derived from the Battle for Iwo Jima. TODAY ONLY, we are offering these books for 40% off.

As a boy, Trent Moody delighted in ringing a cast-iron bell from the back of a pick-up truck, calling folks to Sunday morning worship. This was a highlight of his week, being raised at a campground his grandfather built in North Carolina’s mountains, where Trent’s dad and the rest of the family worked, welcoming guests from far and wide. Yet true faith in God did not come till later. In this podcast, Trent shares his life story, relating how he came under deep conviction, after a night partying with other teenagers, and gave his life to Christ. In time God gave Trent an even greater love for His word than the third-generation campground which had defined so much of his upbringing. As he meditated on Christ’s call to Peter to “feed my lambs” (John 21:15), Trent committed his life to pastoral ministry. This calling, alongside his marriage to his dear wife Angela and the discipling of their ten children, remains his focus to this day.

“How should I live as a single person?” That’s the question Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss in this podcast, as they draw biblical wisdom on the subject from a new booklet by Dr. Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley. Among the truths they mine: The Lord reigns over marriage and singleness, so trust His timing and purpose. Singleness offers opportunities for undivided devotion, so make the most of this time. Flee the vices of worldly singleness. Avoid unrealistic expectations about your resources. Pray for grace to endure the afflictions of singleness. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to pursue marriage. And live in hope—not of marriage first and foremost—but for the glory of God.

Brandon Scroggins grew up in Alabama as a shy kid in small-town Watumpka. Plagued by the fear of man, he was deathly afraid of speaking or the spotlight. Then God powerfully saved him at age 15 and later shook him when he heard Paul Washer’s now-famous 2002 gospel message in person at a youth rally in Montgomery, after which Brandon gave his life to the ministry. In this podcast, Brandon shares his life story, relating how the power of God’s word has transformed his outlook and changed his approach to church and family. This shift, as he forsook seeker-sensitive and youth-driven outreach to follow the Bible, led to adversity within his church. Yet Brandon has seen God’s kindness through it all, as Christ has refined His bride and brought those hungry for His word together into sweeter communion.

As civilization is crumbling all around us, your family doesn’t have to collapse. God has ordained the local church as a central means to build you up with joy. That’s Scott Brown and Jason Dohm’s message in this podcast as they offer an introduction to the book, The Family at Church: 20 Days to Transform Your Local Church Experience. The book’s aim is to give practical steps on how parents can guide their children to get the most out of local church life: through the preaching of God’s Word, singing, ordinances, fellowship, and celebration of His weekly Sabbath rest.

How should young ladies channel their energies as they enter adulthood? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm answer the question, discussing five high value things they should focus on: the value of time, rest, preparation, productivity in general, and a woman’s productivity. By making the most of their time, seeking refreshment in God’s weekly day of rest, increasing their capabilities and capacity to accomplish more through careful development, embracing the Dominion Mandate and Great Commission, and recognizing that home life is a key engine for kingdom advancement, young women can find peace and be used by God for His glory.

The people of God must trust His word to define every area of their lives—to affirm the sufficiency of Scripture for all of faith and practice. It was in pursuit of this aim that a Declaration of the Complementary Roles of Church and Family was first published—to correct errors of families who have dismissed the local church and to correct the errors of local churches that have ignored the biblical model for discipling families. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm take a fresh look at the declaration, affirming the vital need for building up both institutions, affirming their complementary roles.  

The fruit of faithfulness can’t be enjoyed overnight. It takes time to mature, through patient care and God’s blessing. That’s the message of pastor Kris Baines in this podcast as he shares his personal testimony of ministry in New Zealand.     Kris currently serves as one of the pastors/elders of Community Bible Church in Wellsford, NZ, and previously planted and served at Redemption Church Christchurch. Over several years, God worked in Kris’s heart to embrace His full sovereignty and the sufficiency of Scripture and to uphold God’s call for families to worship together in the local church, rather than be age-segregated. Yet there were real growing pains in making this shift. With self-deprecating humor, Kris tells how his own children (along with those of other families) struggled to be orderly and attentive at first, but of the joyful fruit that has come in their children’s lives through loving perseverance. An encouraging message to “not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9)!

When a child hits 18, it’s time for them to leave home and make their own way—to sink or swim. That’s the default view in our day, but is it biblical? Join Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, along with special guest Steve Walker, as they take a fresh look at the question of a son or daughter leaving their parents’ home before marriage. In considering this matter, a trap we must avoid is the world’s narrative of self-glory and selfish independence. We must instead consider foundational principles of manhood and womanhood, as well as family and work life. We must ask: Would such a move promote greater holiness and spiritual growth—or less? And where a daughter is concerned, how would she be under meaningful protection, with this move? In all this, right hearts and motives must govern: Fathers should “not provoke [their] children to wrath,” (Eph. 6:4), even as their grown children should “honor [their] father and mother” (Eph. 6:2).

How should parents respond to a defiant child who spurns their discipline? When should the child stay in the home? And at what point of stubborn rebellion should they be deemed “incorrigible” and be put out—for their own good and the sanctity of the family? These are vexing questions for any parent to grapple with, and there are no easy answers. Yet God Himself gave us a pattern to draw from. Join Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, along with special guest Phil Kayser, as they explain God’s fatherly example: He’s slow to anger and patient in disciplining wayward children, giving them many opportunities to repent. But, in extreme cases, where there’s unyielding defiance after repeated correction, He casts them out—with the goal that His discipline, in time, will pierce their hearts and restore them to right fellowship. Voicing a rejection of pop psychology, Scott, Jason, and Phil urge parents to seek the help of godly church leaders, along with other faithful counselors, to navigate these tough waters and call rebellious children to repentance.

He grew up in Sin City. Raised in Vegas in the 1970s, Toby Logsdon spiked his hair and drenched himself in angry punk music. But this attempt to cope with childhood troubles brought him no lasting peace. At age 14, he attempted suicide. Now, looking back, Toby sees how God used this dark season as an angst-filled non-conformist to make him more bold as a Christian today. His later stints as a stockbroker and then casino dice man also yielded lasting lessons—that riches are futile, and men must press through in their work, even when it’s hard. Learn how God brought Toby from his post as a blackjack dealer on the Vegas strip to become a Reformed Baptist Pastor in the Seattle metro.

In his 1st-century epistle, Jude called on believers “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Sound doctrine was under attack in his day, and so it is in ours. What the Bible actually means has, in many corners, been distorted and lost. To combat falsehood and shore up God’s people in the truth, Church and Family Life advocates that churches embrace the 1689 London Baptist Confession, or one of the other historic Reformed confessions.   And so it’s with delight that we welcome Rob Ventura to the podcast to discuss a new commentary he’s published on the 1689 Confession. Join us for this discussion and discover how this defense of sound doctrine is a deep mine, filled with the everlasting treasuries of redemption. Note that in the confession’s original “Letter to the Reader,” they trace much of the “decay of religion” to a father’s neglect of family worship and instruction and appeal for doctrinal purity to “begin at home.”  Learn how it’s a wonderful tool for churches and families—a summary of fundamental doctrines for the whole family and church to master, to keep from departing from the true faith.   Click here to purchase this New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689.  Click here to get a paperback copy of the 1689 Confession. 

Christopher Prieto believes his business has a primary purpose - the spiritual profit in communicating the Gospel. His restaurant, Prime Barbecue, is renowned for serving the region's best BBQ. It's the place we go for special occasions; the food is simply delicious! Church and Family Life recently had a staff meeting there. And when I looked up, an 8-year-old girl was standing at the table asking us if everything was ok;did we have everything we needed; and could she could get us anything else? I said, "Do you work here?" "Yes!" I asked, "Does your daddy own this place?" "Yes!" Then a few minutes later, an older girl around 12 came up and said the same thing. I asked, "Do you work here?" "Yes!" Then I asked, "Does your daddy own this place?" Yes! Then I met their daddy, Christopher Prieto. We had a wonderful conversation about how fathers teach their children, hands-on, every day, "when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up" (Deut. 6:7). His story so inspired me and so we scheduled an interview. Here it is.

Eric Bechler had a midlife crisis that led him to quit his job in Silicon Valley to start a small business he could operate with his children. Church and Family Life has been longtime advocates of parents walking with their children "when [they] sit in your house” and “walk by the way" (Deut. 6:7). This is the Hebrew model of discipleship. The Greek model focuses on philosophies, facts, and figures, while the Hebrew model focuses on walking with sons and daughters. Eric Bechler joins us to discuss how he worked through some of these issues with his family. Eric is an elder at Burnet Bible Church in Burnet, Texas. He and his wife have seven children. Eric worked for GE Nuclear for several years in San Jose, California, doing safety analyses for nuclear power plants. Then he worked for Applied Materials, a semiconductor manufacturer doing technical support for scanning electron microscopes and laser optical systems for semiconductor fabrication. Yet he left the glitter of Silicon Valley to live differently. He started a landscaping business so he could be closer to his family.

What does the conscience do, and how should we respond to our conscience? What does the conscience have to do with Romans 14? Jeff Pollard explains that the conscience judges works, accuses, and excuses. It does not do but speaks about what has been done. Someone called the conscience "God's deputy, God's spy, a sergeant to arrest the sinner." So how should we regard it in ourselves and others?