Church and Family Life Podcast

Join us with Jeff Pollard to discuss how to understand the power and the constraints on the conscience. We discuss fundamental principles to handle our conscience and the different conscience controversies. Do you trample the consciences of others? Is your conscience your God?

This podcast is dedicated to young people just getting started financially. Getting on top of wise stewardship of resources is critical for young people. The earlier they apply Biblical wisdom, the sooner they will experience some level of financial freedom.

Young Men, this is for you. We focused this podcast on success in the workplace. We are here to give you our top three things young men need to understand about work. We address those who work for companies and those who start companies.

Here is a man who grew up in a totally secular environment and was ushered into the world of Hip Hop as a promoter. But all that changed when his Karate instructor became a Christian and quit because of his newfound beliefs.

What is an appropriate age for a child to be baptized according to the bible? (2 Tim 3:16). Since we believe the scripture is sufficient for all matters of life and godliness, this is the first question we should ask as we approach this matter. Join us with Sam Waldron as we discuss the various views, our experiences over the years, a survey of what the scriptures explicitly teach, and what we learn from Baptist history. Here's a link to Sam Waldron's series on the baptism of children:Shall We Baptize Children?

Paul Thompson, a pastor at Eastside Baptist Church, experienced the power of the Gospel through the family God gave him. Here is a story of the salvation of a boy in a godly Christian family. A boy whose favorite and the most influential preacher in his life was his father. A boy whose faith was stirred by his father’s conversations during car rides, "when they sat in the house and walked by the way."

'Tis the season for New Years' Resolutions! Should you make them? Is it Biblical to make them? If you do, what makes you fail, and what makes for failure? On this podcast, you will learn how to make SMART resolutions.

Join us as we show you how to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation next year, using the "Journey Through the Bible" method of Church and Family Life. Visit jttb.co/read for more information.

Here is the life story of Scott Brown. Born in Alaska, Scott Brown grew up in Southern California in a stable and loving home. But, during a time of revival in his teen years, his father’s wise decision to take the family out of a liberal church to a Bible-preaching church changed everything.

Paul White grew up never doubting the reality of God and the efficacy of the sacrifice for his sins. He cannot remember ever having a different view, nor did he experience a time of rebellion. He has no dramatic conversion story except the dramatic mercies of God to cause the lines to fall in pleasant places.

Paul Thompson was pastoring a traditional Southern Baptist Church in Idaho when he realized that his church was in the grip of pragmatism. He read “A Weed in the Church” and started blogging about it. Paul concluded that he needed to repent of comprehensive age segregation. So he led his whole church to repent for their innovations and then to turn to the principle of the sufficiency of scripture. They became a family-integrated church.

Carlton McLeod engaged in a careful process to transform a mainstream pragmatic church into a family-integrated church. He became frustrated with the loss of the younger generation. He did the most dangerous thing you can do – he went to the Bible. Here is the process his church engaged in.

Let us give thanks for Thanksgiving! In this podcast, we talk about different ways you can celebrate this Thanksgiving. We live in a nation where the authorities formally call on us to give thanks to God. And they want us to take the day off – and get paid for it. You can find my Fifteen Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving here

Jason was raised in a believing home, close enough to church that his family could walk to services when the weather was nice. Around age ten, Jason was in a vacation bible school when he heard the gospel preached by a teenager. Convinced that things were not right between him and God, he knew he needed the saving blood of Jesus Christ. Then and there, he believes God saved him.   In high school, Jason fell in with a group of radical Christians who loved their Bibles and sought to be conformed to Christ and not the world. One of these Christians who discipled him turned out to be his future wife, Janet. Since being married, both have continued to have a heart to disciple others, actively serving the local church, even as God has blessed them with six children. When Jason reached his fortieth birthday, he left the electronics industry to devote his life to pastoral ministry.  

The Bible clearly instructs wives to be “keepers at home,” “so that the word of God might not be blasphemed” (Titus 2:5). It is clearly stated that there is something that happens when a woman is not a keeper at home which causes the Word of God to be blasphemed. The role of a wife is to be focused on taking dominion with her husband and children. The modern feeling is that a wife can be a CEO, teacher, or lawyer as long as she does not neglect her home. She can do it all. She does not need a singular focus on home life, but this is not how the Bible teaches wives to operate.

The Bible is sufficient for counseling. We are thankful for the Biblical Counseling Movement, which emerged in the late 1960s. It was one of the blessed moves of God where the church turned away from the language and principles of secular psychology to the use of the Word of God to understand human problems. In this podcast, we give thanks for the movement and the good that has come from it. We also examine some of the problems that have emerged.

Here is the Life Story of Scott Aniol. It is a story of an honorable son growing up in an orderly home and a good church. However, when he was fourteen, he realized that he was lost. The Lord changed his heart. His behavior did not change dramatically, but his heart was transformed.

There is a resurgence of singing the Psalms today. But why is Psalm singing so rare in today’s church? Should we be singing imprecatory Psalms? How should churches and families best use the Psalms in their singing? Join us with Scott Aniol to answer these questions and discuss his new book on singing the Psalms, “Musing on God’s Music: Forming Hearts of Praise with the Psalms.” Look for it in 2023. Aniol writes, “C. H. Spurgeon was not wrong when he bemoaned, “It is to be feared that the Psalms are by no means so prized as in earlier ages of the church.” Here is the link to the recommended resource: https://psalms.seedbed.com/

Join us as we hear how a fourteen-year-old boy raised in a godly home was saved. Joel Beeke says he felt like “the greatest sinner on the face of the earth.” One day, a minister came over to visit and the whole family gathered around. The minister was talking to Joel’s grandfather and said, “for you too, there is a way of escape through Jesus Christ.” Joel told us he heard those words as though they were directed to him and, “that was the moment of my salvation. These words penetrated my soul. And I received it by faith, and the burden rolled off just like Christian in Pilgrims Progress.”

Mala grew up on a small island in Africa’s vast Lake Malawi. Raised an Anglican, he neglected church and made basketball his idol in his college years, desiring a career in the NBA. Yet Mala’s dreams came to a screeching halt when he was stabbed by a gang of thugs and left for dead. No longer able to play ball due to his serious injuries, he grew bitter against God and turned to liquor. Reflecting on his near-death experience, Mala realized that God had spared his life. Jesus’ words in John 3 pierced him. Confronted on his need for a new birth at a Bible study, he gave his life to Christ. Following his conversion, Mala met missionary Frank Maxson who discipled him in the faith and deepened his understanding of Scripture. Sensing a call to full-time ministry, Mala left his telecommunications job, founding Antioch Baptist Church in Blantyre, Malawi, where he has served as pastor since 2008.

What happens when people abandon moral absolutes? John Snyder joins us to discuss his book and Bible study resource on the book of Judges. Judges is a case study of what happens when “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.” The results of radical autonomy are a clear warning to all of us. As Oprah Winfrey said, “Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool” Yes, it is powerful: evil people follow their hearts, and there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Jer 13:10, Prov 28:26 & Prov 14:12) and, woe to those who are wise in their own eyes (Isa 5:21). You can access John Snyder’s study on Judges by clicking here on the Media Gratiae website.

This podcast is part 2 of our discussion of the Sovereignty of God with Jeffrey Johnson. If God is sovereign, then is he also the author of sin? Jeff writes, “This, my friends, is one of the most difficult questions in theology. If God is willing but unable to prevent evil, He is not omnipotent. If God is able but unwilling to prevent evil, He is not good. If He is willing and able to prevent evil, why is there evil?” These questions are the focus of our discussion. Find information here.

This podcast is part 1 of a discussion on the Sovereignty of God with Jeffrey Johnson. Embracing the doctrine of the sovereignty of God is the most life-giving thing you can do. It helps you understand everything happening in your life and the world around you. Jeffrey Johnson joins us to discuss this critical matter. He has written a book on the Sovereignty of God. We highly recommend that you read it. Find information here.

This podcast is part two of a two-part series on encouraging parents with Joel Beeke. One of the most challenging matters of parenting is discipline. What does the Bible say about discipline? What value is it? What Biblical principles can be applied to this question?

This podcast is part one of a two-part series as an encouragement to parents. The Bible gives parents instructions on how to bring up their children in such a way that draws them together. With Ephesians 6:1-4 as a backdrop, our discussion with Joel Beeke reveals the wisdom of God for doing just that with our children.

Church and Family Life exists to proclaim the sufficiency of Scripture. So, for our one-hundredth podcast. This podcast discusses the heartbeat of our ministry – the sufficiency of Scripture. The world's cultures are insufficient to teach the people of God how to be saved and live. The sufficiency of Scripture is always the heart of the problem in our families and churches. Using Joshua 23:6-8 as a springboard, we recognize the continental divide between the church and the world and the need to cleave to God and His Word. The greatest danger to the church is syncretism-following the contemporary prophets. The most excellent help, however, is the Word of God alone.

God has always gathered His people together to pray. So why has the weekly prayer meeting gone out of favor? What are the blessings of weekly prayer meetings? What is the Biblical basis for gathering the church specifically for prayer midweek? What scriptural guidelines are there for prayer meetings? What are the common problems in prayer meetings? What about children in prayer meetings? Why do families with little kids often not attend regularly? What should we think about this?

What do you need to know about your pastor? Do you understand what is pressing upon him? It has been recently reported that 51% of pastors are considering leaving the ministry in 2022, up from 29% in the previous year. Depression, church conflict, losing members, criticism, and low pay are the culprits. What can church members do about this? Carlton McLeod’s Burnings in the Soul Message:  https://churchandfamilylife.com/resources/62b471b6abdc5044b1bc5503

The Supreme Court recently declared abortion on demand unconstitutional. What does that mean? Now what? Join us with Bradley Pierce, a Texas attorney, and long-time friend, to consider how Christians should think about laws limiting abortion? Also, his organization, Foundation to Abolish Abortion, is holding a conference for church leaders in Houston on August 19 https://faa.life/church-leaders-conference

What does Biblical ministry to women look like in the church? The modern church has accumulated various unbiblical offices such as student pastor, children’s pastor, youth pastor, worship pastor, senior pastor, sports pastor, pastor of counseling, and women’s pastor. In the same way, we have also created unbiblical ministries in the church. One of those is what we call women’s ministries. These commonly focus on the emotional life of the women in the church. A new office in the church is created: women’s ministry leader. What should we think of these ministries? What does the Bible say? More Resources on Women’s Ministry from Jeff Pollard: Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 1 Teachers of Good Things - https://churchandfamilylife.com/resources/60ca7fea23fa965169a3cd46 Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 2 Keepers at Home - https://churchandfamilylife.com/resources/60ca7fed23fa965169a3cd47

God has designed the church to be led by qualified pastors/elders. What are the qualifications? What kind of man does God desire to fill the office of elder? As it turns out, he is the kind of man every woman would want as a husband. Jeff Johnson’s Leaders Lunch Message on Pastors: https://churchandfamilylife.com/resources/62b4713cabdc5044b1bc5501

How do you avoid a culture of gossip and slander in the local church? The Lord has designed a wonderful culture to be maintained in His church. Through many commands for governing our tongues, God keeps His church, “loving life and seeing good days.” (1 Peter 3:10). This session explains a church covenant that addresses this critical matter for happy church life.

Raised in a devout Catholic home, Brian was a proud, self-righteous altar boy who wore his religion on his sleeve. Whenever his parents or sister missed Mass, he would corral them into a room and perform communion. Yet, despite his showy legalism, he was consumed by guilt. Brian knew, full well, that he was a hypocritical sinner who was mean-spirited, lustful, and that he told jokes for the praise of men. Then, quite unexpectedly, Brian’s mother came to Christ, and his father followed, once they began to read the Bible for themselves. Seeing Brian’s miserable struggle, his mother urged him to read God’s Word as well, starting with the New Testament. Once he did, Brian was convicted of his Phariseeism, realizing he must look to Christ, not the church, for forgiveness. Having his eyes opened, he was born again and soon felt the call to the ministry. Brian currently serves as the pastor of Grace Community Church in Minden, Nevada.

This is an overview examination of the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture through three lenses: Worship, Counseling, and Preaching.

How has the Catholic Church eroded the church's foundation by slowly moving away from the sufficiency of Scripture? How has the social justice movement, modern apologetics, and modern theological systems done the same?

How does a young man who grew up in the church and loved his parents end up depressed and suicidal? Here is the testimony of Jeffrey Johnson, an eighth-generation Baptist pastor from Arkansas, who was lost and found. It is a story of a young man in deep depression whom the Lord rescued from his darkness. He is now pastor of Grace Bible Church in Conway, Arkansas.

We are here to encourage you to prepare Kids for Morning and evening. There is a Christian way to go to bed at night and get up in the morning. This is the sufficiency of Scripture for the morning and the evening. The Lord gives careful guidance on how to start the day and end it. The Bible speaks of these two bookends of the day in terms of "morning and evening."

In his book "Life Together," Dietrich Bonhoeffer points out that we must in the church keep our eyes on what Christ has called us to do in the church. He tells us that we usually come to the church with our wish dreams about the church. We come to the church looking for what we want, not what Christ wants. This is usually the source of our disappointment with our churches.

We believe that Scripture presents workable patterns applicable to having a Christian wedding. However, we don't think that Scripture provides a single formula for governing the process of having a wedding. This does not mean that the Bible is silent on the matter. What does the Bible say about weddings, and what can we learn from them as we plan weddings?

Today, our subject is the assurance of salvation, with Jeffrey Johnson from Conway, Arkansas. Every pastor and most believers have had to answer earnest questions from themselves or others struggling with doubt about their salvation. We will be discussing some of the points made in Chapter 18 of the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 on assurance.

A few years ago, a major researcher reported that 94% of those who claim to be Christians do not tithe. Of course, this means that only 6% of Christians tithe. What do Christians actually give? These researchers indicated that the congregation tithes or donates only 2%-3% of their income to the church. How should we think about giving to local churches?

Children need help to hear sermons, they need coaching and assistance to train them to listen, and this is your job as a parent. I hope your children spend hundreds of hours in church listening to sermons. Do everything you can to make it a rich experience. Help them hear the Word of God through preaching and singing, and the fellowship. Jesus says, "Take heed how you hear" (Luke 8:18).

Their experiences shape the spiritual welfare of any new generation at home. We are grateful to see how the grace of God overcomes many terrible experiences. God is very kind. However, it matters what kinds of homes we grow up in. Children tend to do what they see, replicating communication patters and lifestyle patterns of their parents. Sometimes these are burdensome to the children. Our discussion today focuses on setting good habits before your children.

Marriage books will give you dozens of practical techniques. But is that the way the Bible teaches us? What are the most important matters? What are the fundamental indispensable things that make for a good marriage?

This podcast is for the son or daughter wondering if they are ready for marriage and parents considering this for their children. Here are twelve questions you should ask yourself about marriage to test readiness.

Does it matter if your body is fit? Many years ago, I heard someone say that everyone would be on it if exercise were a drug. Further, what is the role of exercise and fitness in a pastor's life? Last year, I met with some young men reading Al Martins' book on pastoral theology, "The Man of God." Vol 1, where he has two chapters on the subject of the pastor's emotional and physical well-being. How necessary is physical fitness for a pastor or anyone else? He tells us why it is essential for pastors to maintain a healthy body in these chapters.

What does it look like to pattern your family life after the patterns of scripture? Long ago most Christians ignored the word of God for their home life. We learned the ways of the gentiles and our families were out of order - and many did not even know that their family life was a contradiction to the Word of God.

Do you love the Church like Christ loves the church? Do you have the mind of Christ for His Church? Do you feel as He does? Do you treat the church as Christ is treating her?

God is kind to show us in His Word how to handle everything - including the conflict in our marriages. God’s ways are pleasant ways… as we will show you.

The pattern of the people in the early church was that they “steadfastly devoted themselves to the apostle's doctrine, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. Is this your pattern? We want everyone to see the beauty and functionality of the church, and for those who are not, they would see what they are missing.