Bible Study Podcast

In today's Bible study, we continue to discuss Jesus' favorite title for himself, "Son of Man." If you haven't had a chance to listen to the first episode in this series, make sure you go back and listen to that episode as well. Understanding Jesus' humanity and his role in our lives, as well as his role in the Universe, is of the utmost importance. We hope you are encouraged by this Bible study.

In today's Bible study, we talk about Jesus' favorite title for himself, "Son of Man." In the Bible, what does "Son of Man" mean and, specifically, what does it mean for Jesus to be the "Son of Man"? Most importantly, what relevance does Jesus' humanity have to our lives today? This is the first of a two-part series. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so you don't miss the second part of this series.

Today’s Bible study question comes from a listener named Charles, who asks, “Wes, Is it right or wrong for women to serve the communion, as long as they are not leading prayer or reading scripture?” Wes and Travis discuss this issue. We hope this discussion is unifying, rather than divisive.

In today’s Bible study, Wes and Travis discuss an email from a listener named Gayla, who wants to know about various applications of 1 Timothy 3:2. Does being the husband of one wife disqualify men who have been divorced? What about men who have been widowed? This discussion impacts many churches and we hope it is helpful.

Wes McAdams and his wife, Hollee McAdams, discuss "cancel culture." It is often assumed that cancel culture is something new. But in reality, every culture has canceled people for violating certain core values. Wes and Hollee discuss questions like: What is cancel culture? Is it always wrong to cancel people? What should be the goal of correction and discipline? What does the Bible say about cancel culture?

The post How Christians Respond to Cancel Culture appeared first on Radically Christian.

Our Bible study question today revolves around being justified by faith. Wes McAdams, Caleb Kirkwood, and Travis Pauley study through Romans 3 and discuss words like justice, righteousness, and justification. What does it mean to be justified by faith? What does God's justice look like? What does it look like for justified people to do justice? We hope you enjoy this conversation.

Today's discussion was prompted by a listener, who asked, "What does the phrase, 'washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit' mean?" This phrase comes from Titus 3:5 and is the text that Wes McAdams, Caleb Kirkwood, and Travis Pauley discuss in this episode.

Wes McAdams visits with Travis Pauley and Caleb Kirkwood (who are both in their 20s) to consider their unique perspective on how worship attendance will fair in a post-covid world. Will young people return to worship after the threat of the pandemic has subsided? Will live streaming have negative long-term effects on the future of the church? These are some of the questions we discuss in this episode of the Bible study podcast.

Wes McAdams, Travis Pauley, and Caleb Kirkwood discuss the idea that there are only five acts of worship and that all five must be practiced each time we gather.

Wes McAdams, Travis Pauley, and Caleb Kirkwood discuss the idea of "servant leadership" and what Jesus really has to say about being a leader and becoming a leader. How is leadership different for servant's of God's kingdom?

What do people mean when they refer to a sinful nature? Do we have a sinful nature? If so, how do we overcome our sinful nature? The Lord said, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Genesis 8:21). What did he mean by this? These are some of the questions Wes McAdams, Caleb Kirkwood, and Travis Pauley discuss and study in this episode of the Bible study podcast.

Is there a sin that is unforgivable? What did Jesus mean when he said, "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:32)? Wes, Travis, and Caleb Kirkwood discuss a question from a listener concerning, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin.

Concerning the Lord's Supper, or Communion, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself" (1 Corinthians 11:29). What does it mean to discern the body? Are we to think about the body of Christ on the cross or the body of Christ, the church? Is "Communion" about communing with the Lord or communing with each other? These are the questions we consider and study in today's Bible Study Podcast.

Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss a listener's question concerning Romans 5:3-5, which says, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." They compare Romans 5:3-5 with a well-known saying, "Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny" (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching).

Reading a whole book of the Bible in one sitting is easier, and more rewarding, than you might think. After all, if you received a letter from a friend, you would likely not read it one sentence at a time, but rather the entire letter all at once. The vast majority of New Testament books are letters, written to individuals and church families. They were intended to be read in one sitting. Travis and Wes discuss the power of reading books this way and also read through the book of Philippians from beginning to end. 

In this sixth and final episode of our series, "What is the Kingdom of Heaven?" Wes and Travis discuss Jesus' words in Matthew 13:52, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” What does Jesus mean by treasure that is new and treasure that is old? What is a scribe that that has been trained for the kingdom of heaven?

As Jesus continues to unfold hidden truths about the nature of heaven's kingdom, he describes the kingdom as a net that is spread across the whole world. What does this parable reveal about God's kingdom? What does this parable reveal about the way God deals with evil? How would this parable change our lives if we took its implications seriously? We hope you enjoy this Bible study discussion with Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley.

As we continue our ongoing discussion about the nature of the kingdom of heaven, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss Jesus' parables about the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value (Matthew 13:44-46). What do these two parables teach us about the nature of the kingdom? What do these two parables teach us about how we are to receive the kingdom?

As Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley continue their series on, “What is the Kingdom of Heaven,” they discuss the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:31-33). What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree? What does it mean that […]

In the second episode of our series, "What is the Kingdom of Heaven?" Wes and Travis discuss Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). Perhaps the most surprising feature of the kingdom of heaven is that it will overlap the kingdoms of the world for a period of time. Though the kingdom of heaven has come, we continue to deal with the seeds the evil one has sown in the world.

What is the kingdom of heaven? Over the next several episodes, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley will discuss several parables from Matthew 13, which reveal the nature of the kingdom of heaven. On this episode, Wes and Travis discuss how we should think about parables, as well as the first parable in Matthew 13, “The […]

In this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Wes and Travis continue their discussion on asking better Bible questions. What is an assumption? What assumptions do we make when we study the Bible? What can the Sadducees teach us about making assumptions when we study the Bible? How can we develop better assumptions?

On this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Travis and Wes discuss how to ask better questions when we are reading and studying the Bible. How are we supposed to approach scripture as followers of Jesus? What's the difference between deductive and inductive Bible study? Does the Bible answer all of our questions?

In this week’s episode, Wes continues his conversation on racism in the early church with Andrew, the host of the popular “Post-Apostolic Church” YouTube channel. Racism, classism, and other forms of discrimination have plagued our world for centuries. Not only is the church wrestling with these issues today, Christians in the First, Second, and Third centuries dealt with them as well. We will allow some of the theologians and leaders from the early church to help us think through how we should treat one another as followers of Jesus. If you missed Part One of this conversation, you can find it here.

Racism, classism, and other forms of discrimination have plagued our world for centuries. Not only is the church wrestling with these issues today, Christians in the First, Second, and Third centuries dealt with them as well. On this week’s episode, Wes discusses racism in the early church with Andrew, the host of the popular “Post-Apostolic Church” YouTube channel. Quotes from church leaders, living in the centuries following the apostles, can be incredibly helpful for those of us trying to live out the Gospel today.

On this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Travis and Wes discuss a listener's question about the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Is there a difference? Wes walks through the parable of the Unforgiving Servant, which reminds us that when we have an opportunity to forgive, we are being given the chance to reenact the forgiveness Christ has given us.

On this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Travis and Wes discuss two questions from listeners that both revolve around the issue of death and resurrection. If our bodies will be raised and transformed, is it wrong for a Christian to be cremated? Also, between death and resurrection, where do our spirits reside? Though these are sensitive questions, we pray you find encouragement and hope from this study.

In today's Bible study, we continue to discuss our hope for "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). If you haven't had a chance to listen to the first episode in this "New Heavens, New Earth" series or to last year's conversation with Joshua Pappas, you might want to listen to those conversations as well.

In today's Bible study, we explore the biblical phrase, "New heavens and new earth." It may surprise you to learn that the Bible never says Christians are waiting to go to heaven, but it does say we are "waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). This is the first part of a two-part series, so make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so you don't miss the second part of the "new heavens new earth" series.

In today’s Bible study, Wes and Travis discuss a listener’s question about obesity, gluttony, and overeating. What does the Bible say on this issue? Is overeating a spiritual issue? How might our relationship with God help us deal with this issue? We hope you find this study and discussion helpful.

Welcome back to the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast! In the first Bible study of 2020, Wes and Travis discuss a listener’s question about faith, baptism, and salvation. In part, the listener would like to know how to respond to those who believe a person is saved before baptism. Hope you find this conversation helpful and encouraging.

Travis and Wes want to thank you all for listening and participating in these Bible study conversations. This will be the last episode for 2019, but plans are already being made for more Bible studies in 2020. Stay tuned.

In today’s Bible study Wes and Travis talk about each individual Christian’s obligation to the local church family. Should we try to be at every church service? Is it wrong to be out of town on the weekends, leaving our church family’s short-handed? What should leaders in small congregations do to encourage participation in church events and gatherings?

In today’s Bible study, Wes and Travis discuss Paul’s instructions about hair length and head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11? Should men not have long hair? Should women cover their head in church? Were these simply cultural issues that have no modern application, or are there lessons and principles from 1 Corinthians 11 that still apply today?

In today's Bible study we answer a voicemail question from Rachel about celebrating religious holidays, like Christmas and Easter. Is there a biblical precedent for celebrating these man-made religious holidays? Should Christians be in favor, opposed, or indifferent to the celebrations? And perhaps, most importantly, how do we treat those with whom we disagree?

In today’s Bible study we discuss what context means, why context is so important, and how to actually consider the context of a passage when studying the Bible. We also discuss the lens through which every passage of the Bible should be read. We hope you enjoy this Bible study.

In today’s Bible study, we discuss what the New Testament says about singing and why many choose to sing a cappella in the worship assembly. But even more important than “how” we sing, we explore the biblical reasons for “why” we sing. We hope you enjoy this Bible study.

Today's Bible study revolves around the issues of justice, racial reconciliation, mercy, and forgiveness. These topics have been top of mind lately after the recent shooting of Botham Jean and the trial of former Dallas police officer, Amber Guyger. 

Today's Bible Study revolves around an excellent question that was posted in the Radically Christian Facebook community. The question was, "Does the Holy Spirit speak to believers? I am being told by our brethren that the Holy Spirit was only for the apostles and only until the Word was complete. I am having difficulty understanding this. Please help me as I continue to read the Word and prayerfully seek to understand."

Today’s Bible study will dig deep on the word, “Gospel.” We talk about Gospel preaching, Gospel singers, the four Gospels, but what does this word “Gospel” actually mean? Is it about how to go to heaven when we die or is it something more? Let’s consider what the whole Bible, both New and Old Testament, has to say on the topic of the Gospel.

Today’s Bible study will explore 1 Peter 3:21, where Peter writes, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Before we discuss baptism, we need to know what “save” refers to in the […]

Today’s Bible study will cover the topic of being “spiritually dead.” What do people mean when they say a person is spiritually dead? Is the idea of being spiritually dead actually found in the Bible? Is there a different way, a more biblical way, to understand passages like Ephesians 2:1, “dead in the trespasses and […]

There are some big changes coming to the podcast! Instead of the CrossTalk format, in which we typically have an informal conversation about "life and faith," we will start having more in-depth Bible studies on topics and passages about which you're curious.

On today's episode, I have an argument with myself about instrumental music in the Old Testament. A few years back, I wrote an article about the use of instrumental music in Old Testament worship, but reading that article today makes me cringe because I have changed a lot since then. Though I still believe it is best for churches to sing a cappella, many of my thoughts and arguments in that article were just wrong. So, on today's episode, I sat down with my old article and argued with myself.

Today's discussion about the Holy Spirit is a conversation I had with my friend Scott Elliott. Scott is doing a series of video interviews, called, "Five Questions." He asked me to be a guest on his series to discuss five questions on the Holy Spirit. He graciously allowed me to share the audio of that conversation with you.

What does it mean for Jesus to have died for our sins? In this episode, my friend Stephen Scaggs joins me to talk about various "theories" of atonement. In other words, various ways theologians have understood the mechanics of how the blood of Jesus covers the sins of Jesus' people.

I couldn't ask for a better wife than the one with whom God blessed me. My wife, Hollee McAdams, joins me on the CrossTalk Podcast to talk about marriage. We talk about our marriage specifically, but also marriage in general. Together Hollee and I responded to the following questions and topics, submitted by members of the Radically Christian Community...

Today's conversation is different than other conversations on this podcast. I typically have conversations on the show with Christians "about life and faith,"but today's conversation is with my friend Brad Willett, who is not a Christian. In fact, Brad does not believe in God at all. He and I have been talking via email and social media for a couple of years and though we have a very different worldview and disagree with one another on fundamental questions, I am thankful to know him.

What are some of the encouraging things happening in churches of Christ throughout the world? Bobby Ross Jr., the Editor-in-Chief at The Christian Chronicle shares his thoughts about some of the things happening in churches of Christ across the nation and the world. If you're not familiar with The Christian Chronicle, it is an international newspaper that reports on new concerning churches of Christ.

If you're a Bible class teacher, a parent, or anyone who wants to share the truth of Scripture with others, have you ever considered how video might be a helpful tool for sharing the story of Scripture? This week I would like to invite you to listen to a conversation I had with two of my friends from Appian Media, Justin Dobbs and Stuart Peck. Appian Media also has a special giveaway exclusively for listeners to this podcast (available for a short time). Just visit AppianMedia.org/crosstalk.

This week's guest is Dean Meadows, the Executive Director of The Daily Apologist. Dean is incredibly passionate about helping young Christians defend their faith. It is important for every Christian to be able to defend what we believe, but it is especially important for young people who are facing a barrage of arguments from secular friends and professors.

This week's guest is Pamela Maxwell (my younger sister), who was a missionary in both France and Scotland. In this conversation, we visit about why she became a missionary, what she experienced on the mission field, some of the unique challenges she faced when she was a single woman working as a missionary, and more. I hope you are encouraged by this conversation.

What will happen when Jesus returns? Will the earth, and all material things, cease to exist? That's what I grew up believing. However, I began to realize the Bible speaks of the meek inheriting the earth (Matthew 5:5) and the saved receiving "new heavens and a new earth" (2 Peter 3:13). I didn't know what to do with these passages: will there be a new earth to inherit or no earth to inherit?

I don't say this lightly, this will probably be the best thing you listen to all day. In this episode, Iraqi-born Wissam Al-Aethawi shares the story of how he converted from Islam to Christ. He now preaches the gospel to Muslims in Michigan and travels extensively helping Christians understand, love, and share the gospel with their Muslim neighbors.

CrossTalk season 4 is finally here! I am so excited to release some of these great conversations I have, so you can be blessed by them as much as I have been! Today's conversation is one I recorded with my friend Scott Elliott, who preaches in La Grange, Texas. I've entitled this episode, "Movies Christians Watch."

On today’s episode I had the opportunity to visit over the phone with two members of the Appian Media team. Appian Media is a non-profit organization for which I am incredibly thankful. They are Christians who create amazing documentary-style videos that help viewers experience various places in Israel, and the biblical accounts that happened there. […]

With the recent passing of a new abortion law in New York, my Facebook feed has been full of discussions about abortion. I’m always thankful when I see Christians stand up in defense of human life. However, I am often saddened by some of the angry and almost hateful ways I see Christians lashing out against pro-choice supporters and law-makers. So I posted a plea for Christians to voice the truth lovingly and reasonably.

Today’s guest is Sam Dominguez, my former co-host. Today you’ll get a chance to hear Sam and I discuss the concept of eternity. What is eternity like? Can we wrap our minds around it? Should we even try to think of "eternity" as a really long time? Should we think of it as a time when "time" no longer exists. Is this even something the Bible discusses? What does the Bible mean when it says "eternal." Those are some of the questions we explore?

Today I would like to invite you to listen to a conversation I had with my friend, Bill Adkins. Bill and his wife Linda have a wonderful story about how they chose to help a young single mom and her 4-year-old daughter. That was nearly 15 years ago and both mother and daughter are still an important part of their life. Not only is this story worth sharing in its own right, but it led to a great conversation about how Christians can think outside the box when reaching out to help people in our community. I hope this story encourages and inspires you as much as it did me.

Today I would like to invite you to listen to a conversation I had with my friend, Caleb Cochran. This is a conversation about suffering with various types of anxiety. Caleb isn’t a psychiatrist or medical professional, he’s an evangelist for the church in Rockville, Maryland and he is personally suffered with anxiety, so he has a heart for ministering to others who suffer in this way. Whether or not you personally deal with anxiety, you likely know someone who does. So  this is a relevant discussion for us all.

Today I would like to invite you to listen to a conversation I recently had with two of my friends and co-workers, Rosalyn Miller and Mikie Kindsfather. These wonderful Christian ladies work as the children’s education coordinators here at the church of Christ on McDermott Road. They have so many wonderful thoughts to share about the importance of children’s Bible classes, some practical thoughts on how to make Bible classes what they should be, and even what kids can gain from being in the worship assembly with adults. I hope you find this conversation helpful and encouraging.

Let me say before I introduce today’s conversation that the subject matter is for mature audiences only and may not be suitable for children. My guest today is my new friend, Clint. He and I began corresponding recently via email about how the church should minister to those who identify as LGBTQ. Because Clint also struggles with same sex attraction and because in the past he lived a gay lifestyle, he has a unique perspective. In this conversation, we discussed whether or not Christians should embrace an LGBTQ identity, his thoughts on how parents should respond if their children reveal they experience same sex attraction, and his encouragement to young Christians who are themselves dealing with this struggle. This is a sensitive subject with which every Christian needs to be familiar. I hope this conversation leads to other healthy conversations about this topic.

My guest today is my friend, Brandon Edwards, who just helped launch the first private social network for churches of Christ. It is called, "Aggos." Regardless of your religious background, I think you will find this conversation interesting. Brandon is a brilliant guy and he is constantly trying to find new ways to bring Christians together and reach the lost with the Good News. I hope you enjoy this conversation. Be sure to check out Aggos.com.

My guest today is my my very good friend, Michael Monday. In this conversation we discussed our identity as Christians and building real relationships with our church family. What does it mean to be part of the family of God and are we really enjoying the blessings of being part of that family? I think you will be challenged and encouraged by this discussion.

My guest today is my friend and co-worker, Barrett Bingham. He is a high school minister, a podcaster, and an occasional stand-up comedian. He co-hosts a podcast with another member at McDermott Road called, "Off the Rails." Barrett is a lot of fun and during this conversation, we talked about why we should make room for a sense of humor in the church. There are quite a few laughs along the way, but Barrett also has a lot of very insightful things to share about faith and emotion. I believe you will really be blessed by this conversation.

Wes and Dan Chambers recently had a phone conversation and discussed the role of women in the church and how various passages of Scripture are interpreted by people on both sides of the arguments. If you are interested or concerned about this issue, I think you will find this conversation helpful. Some of the passages discussed in this episode are 1 Timothy 2:9-15; 1 Corinthians 11:2-26; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.

You might be surprised to know that the Bible does not teach that the body is just a vehicle for the spirit. Human beings are not, as some have suggested, "a spirit with a body." Listen as Wes and his friend Jacob Rutledge, who preaches for the Dripping Springs Church of Christ, discuss what the Bible actually teaches concerning the importance of the human body and how the body will be "redeemed" in the resurrection. The apostle Paul wrote that we wait eagerly, "for the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23). We hope you find this conversation encouraging.

On this week’s episode, listen to a conversation Wes had with Jacob Rutledge, who preaches for the Dripping Springs Church of Christ in Dripping Springs, Texas. Jacob and Wes discuss their thoughts on how Christians should use social media. If you use social media like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram then I think this conversation will give you some things to think about. Social media certainly has positive uses and has a tremendous amount of potential, but it's also possible to do damage to the cause of Christ through social media. 

On this week’s episode, listen to a conversation Wes had with Curtis Hartshorn, who preaches for the church of Christ in Checotah, Oklahoma and is the author of the book, “My First 52 Days.” This book is designed to help guide new Christians during the first few weeks after they are baptized. Curtis has a heart to share the gospel and to help new Christians mature in the faith. I know you will be encouraged by our conversation. And if you are interested in getting a copy of his book visit Yeoman Press or email Curtis directly. You can find his email address near the end of this episode.

In this episode, Wes visits with Matt Mead and Kyle Beard. Matt is the Family Life Minister and Kyle is the Middle School Minister here at the church of Christ on McDermott Road. The conversation we had was about teenagers and their theology. What do teenagers today think about God, the church, the Bible, and living the Christian life. Matt and Kyle, along with the rest of our youth family ministry team, do a tremendous job. I think you will gain a lot of insight from this conversation.

In this episode, I have a conversation about Christian parenting with one of the elders at McDermott Road, Tom Ward, and his son, Jake. We discuss how Tom dealt with conversations about God and science, how the church plays a huge role in shaping young people, and how sincerity is more important than perfection. I hope you find this conversation encouraging.

Summary: Listen to the conversation I had with my good friends, Reggie Hutchings and James Sumners (on the phone). These men share their thoughts with me on how the Lord has transformed their lives and how He is still in the process of transforming their lives. We discuss what sorts of things stand in the […]

Summary: In the conversation you’re about to hear, I visited with two new friends, Belinda Phillips and Lee Ann Kemp. These ladies have their own website and podcast. You can check it out at TheBibleandCoffee.com. In this conversation we talk about their mission to help other women understand and embrace the grace of God. I […]

According to International Justice Mission there are over 40,000,000 slaves globally. I want you to hear a conversation I had with my friend, Brandon Edwards. Brandon has lived in various countries around the world and has seen oppression and injustice up-close and personal. He has spent time with victims, perpetrators, and heroes who are actively working to stop human trafficking and slavery. I’ll warn you, this is a challenging conversation, but it’s an incredibly important one.

Summary: In this episode, issues are discussed like, why are there “white churches” and “black churches,” why do we struggle to discuss issues about race with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and what can we do to start seeing things from other people’s perspectives. Wes had this conversation with two of his friends, Haven […]

In this episode of the Radically Christian CrossTalk Podcast, Wes and his wife, Hollee, talk about being a ministry family. For the last thirteen years, since the day they were married, they have worked together in various ministry roles. Listen as they discuss some of the challenges and blessings of being married and raising kids while working in full-time ministry. 

This is the 50th episode of the CrossTalk Podcast and the final episode of our second season. The discussion on this episode revolves around why the goal of the CrossTalk Podcast is to inspire others to have spiritual conversations. This episode is unique because it was recorded while doing a Facebook Live broadcast, so you will hear Cameron McElyea reading some of the Facebook comments and questions so that Wes, Sam, and James could respond live. We hope you find this episode edifying.

In this episode we are joined by Charles Goodnight, who serves as a hospice chaplain and the leader of a grief support group at Baker Heights church of Christ. We discussed how to deal with grief, how being a Christian helps one deal with grief, and how Christians can help one another deal with grief. We hope you're edified by this discussion.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast we discuss how far too many people approach the church as consumers, asking, "How will the church minister to my needs," rather than as a community member who asks, "How can I help minister to the needs of others?" We discussed how our evangelism methods sometimes tend to create Christians who have no idea that God requires us to do hard things and sacrifice for the good of others and the glory of God. We hope this discussion will be edifying to you.

On today's episode we discuss why it was easier for the Jew to understand and accept the gospel and why the gospel went first to the Jews, but why the Jews had to become Christians in order for them to be God's covenant people. Many still do not understand that God's covenant with the Jews was fulfilled and in order to be one of God's covenant people, you must be submit to Jesus. Jewish heritage, like circumcision, does not make a person part of God's covenant people. Those are a few of the things we discuss on this episode. We hope you find this discussion edifying.

What does it mean that we are under grace and not the Law? How can we live obediently if we are not under the Law? Should we still fear God, or does loving God cast out our fear of God? These are some of the issues we discussed on this week's episode.

Wes was recently invited to join Presbyterian minister, Randy Booth on the Moody Radio program, "Up For Debate" to discuss the issue of infant baptism. So in this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James discussed some of the points of that debate. The discussion of debating baptism led to a more in-depth discussion about disagreements in general. How ought we to disagree with one another? What ought to be the goal of our disagreements? Those are some of things we covered in this discussion and we hope it proves edifying to you.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, James, and Sam discuss the "Day of Judgment" or the "Day of the Lord." To what does this refer? How should we think about the coming judgment? We hope you find this discussion edifying.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes McAdams, Sam Dominguez, and James Sumners discuss the fact that we often struggle with being more concerned about earthly politics than about things pertaining to the eternal kingdom of God. Why is it that we often ascribe greater importance to earthly things than they are actually due? Why is it that we don't pay attention to the things of the kingdom as we should? These are some of the things discussed in this episode. We hope you find it edifying.

In this episode, Wes, Sam, and James discuss how we should apply Romans 14. How can we, as Christians, have unity in spite of our differences? What does it mean to be the weaker brother or the stronger brother? What are "disputable matters" or "matters of opinion" that Paul was discussing in Romans 14. These are a few of the things discussed in this episode. We hope you find this discussion edifying.

This week the CrossTalk crew has the week off and our wives take to the microphones. Hollee McAdams, Tonya McElyea, Shayla Sumners, and Arly Dominguez talk about how they make time to study the Bible with their busy schedules. We hope you find this discussion edifying.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James discuss the topic of singing songs of praise to God. What is singing all about? What are some of the common pitfalls we should avoid? What does it mean to sing with your heart? These are some of the things discussed on this week's episode. We hope you find it edifying.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, we are joined by special guest co-hosts, Ron McElyea and Jason Hinkle. The discussion this week revolves around building friendships with those who are not your age. Why do older Christians and younger Christians struggle to build relationships with one another? How can we overcome these generational barriers in the church? Why is it important for us build these intergenerational friendships?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James discuss the question, "What made the Bereans so noble?" In Acts 17:11, we read, "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." We have often focused all of our attention on the Bereans' examining of the Scripture and have applied this passage in such a way that we often applaud those who are skeptical and close-minded toward teachers. However, in context, it seems there is much more to the Bereans' nobility than just their examining of the Scriptures.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes and two of the new elders at Baker Heights church of Christ, Zane Dennis and Wayne Newman, discuss "becoming an elder." These men have only been elders for a short time and in this podcast episode they discuss their thoughts about accepting the responsibility of serving as elders, what has surprised them so far, and how congregations can be intentional about preparing men to serve as elders.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes McAdams, James Sumners, and Sam Dominguez discuss the church. Do we really need the church? What if the church isn't being what the church should be? Does the church have anything do with our salvation? These are a few of the things discussed on this week's episode. We hope you find it edifying.

Are we more like Judas than we would like to admit? That's the real question discussed on this week's episode of the CrossTalk podcast. Listen as Wes, Sam, and James discuss Jesus' betrayer, what motivated him, and how he got to the point where he could sell out the Son of God. Could we be capable - or even guilty - of sinning in a similar way? We hope this discussion is edifying.

The story of Jonah and the big fish - or whale - is one of the most popular stories we teach to children, but it is so much more than just a children's Bible story. The story of Jonah teaches us so much about God's nature and character. It has powerful lessons to learn about racism and even evangelism. Yet we all too often water it down and miss the big points of this powerful biblical account. Listen as Wes and James continue the "Not a Children's Bible Story" series.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James discuss the biblical account of David and Goliath. What is the story really about? Why is it that we relegate it to the "children's corner" as merely a children's Bible story. Listen as the guys discuss this very familiar story in (perhaps) a whole new way.

Join Wes, Sam, and James as they continue their series, "Not A Children's Bible Story," by talking about Noah and the Ark. Why is the account of Noah and the ark relegated to the "children's corner"? What can mature disciples of Christ learn from this story? It can teach us so much about God, judgement, grace, mercy, and so much more. We hope you are edified by this discussion.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes talks with his co-hosts, James Sumners, and Sam Dominguez about the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19. What--beyond "Zacchaeus was a wee little man"--do we need to understand about this event? What does Zacchaeus teach us about following Jesus?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James continue their "not a children's Bible story" series by discussing the parable of the Prodigal son. What lesson was Jesus really teaching? How have we over-simplified for children? What points do we need to reconsider as it pertains to this parable? We hope this is an encouraging conversation.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, we continue our "not a children's Bible story," in which we discuss Bible stories that we typically water down in order to teach to children. Unfortunately, in doing so we often miss the primary point of the passage of Scripture. In today's episode, Wes, Sam, and James discuss the parable typically referred to as "The Good Samaritan" and discover why it's not just a Children's Bible story.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, we begin a new series in which we discuss some passages of Scripture that we tend to think of as "Children's Bible Stories," but have far deeper meanings and applications than we often realize because we tend to only see them as they were presented to us as children. In this episode, Wes, Sam, and James discuss Jesus healing ten lepers and how their perspective on this passage of Scripture has changed now that they are adults.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James discuss some right and wrong ways to listen to sermons and Bible classes. It is easy to develop some unhealthy habits in this area of our lives. What is your goal when you attend a Bible class or listen to a sermon? Do you listen in a way that is glorifying to God? We hope this discussion is edifying to you.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, James, Wes, and Sam discuss the fact that we often quote Scripture and state theological truths, but our lives don't always reflect that we really believe those things. As Sam poses the hypothetical question at the beginning of the episode, "If that were true, wouldn't this part of your life be different?" We hope this spiritual discussion among friends helps encourage you to have these types of conversations with Christians in your life.

We say we believe the truths of Scripture. Truths like, "To live is Christ and to die is gain," but do we really believe that? Do we live as if that statement is true? Or do we live like this world is far better and that it would be better to continue in this life indefinitely? Sam, James, and Wes consider this question in this episode of the CrossTalk Podcast. We hope you find this discussion edifying.

This discussion was sparked by a wonderful voicemail we received from one of our listeners. Here are some of the ideas and questions we discuss on this week's episode: How does God discipline us? Why does God discipline us? When we suffer, should we see that as God discipling us? When we suffer, should we take that to mean that God thinks we're strong enough to handle it. Does God send suffering on specific people? Is that what the Bible means when it talks about the discipline of the Lord?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam, James, and Wes discuss questions like: What kind of work are Christians obligated to do? Should we do what we enjoy doing? Should we do what we are "gifted" or "talented" at doing? What does God expect of us? What is the right perspective to have about the work we do for the Lord?

In this episode, the guys discuss humor and the place it has in the life of a Christian. Why did God give us a sense of humor? Why is it that some people seem to only find humor in things that are sinful? Should Christians ever be silly? Does silliness have a place in the life of Christians? Give some thought to the things discussed in this episode.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam Dominguez, James Sumners, and Wes McAdams discuss sin: why we sometimes fail to get rid of it completely and why we need to get serious about dealing with it. Often what we say is our "struggle" has become our "habit" or "practice." We often fail to realize the urgency of fully repenting of our sins. When we try to maintain one foot in Christ and one foot in the world, we miss out on so many wonderful blessings; including eternity in heaven. We hope this episode is edifying for all of our listeners.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam, Wes, and James discuss why we have a tendency to distrust our church leaders. Why is that we trust church leaders until it comes to issues of money or until we disagree with them? Why do we often question their motives when it comes to certain issues? Should we trust people automatically or do they have to earn our trust? These are a few of the things discussed in this week's episode of CrossTalk.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam Dominguez, James Sumners, and Wes McAdams discuss "pride." Is it ever right to feel proud? What about the way we feel about our children, aren't we proud of them? What about when our children make a good choice and do the right thing, can we be proud of them? Why do we feel pride if it is always wrong? These are a few of the things discussed on this week's podcast.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam Dominguez, James Sumners, and Wes McAdams discuss why it feels so strange for someone to say, "I forgive you." Why does it sound so condescending, or like the person is blowing things out of proportion, when he or she says that they "forgive" the other person? Sam, James, and Wes have a spirited discussion about why apologizing is not the most important part of this process. We hope you are edified by this discussion.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam Dominguez and Wes McAdams discuss how they feel when they've done poorly teaching and preaching God's word. Why do we feel bad when we've preached and taught poorly? What can help us cope with these feelings while at the same time striving to preach and teach better? This discussion will helpful for anyone who teaches or preaches, but also all Christians.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, James Sumners and Wes McAdams discuss parenting, especially as it pertains to young children. Often, parents of young children allow their young kids to keep them from attending worship services or other church events like weddings, funerals, gospel meetings, etc. How should parents deal with these types of situations?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James discuss why we need to do a better job at appreciating the spiritual value and benefits of sorrow. Too often, we quickly try to sweep sorrow under the rug, when we should actually allow ourselves the time to be sad, to weep, and to mourn.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James consider our preoccupation with the "aesthetics" of Christian worship. Why do some of us have to have things look and feel a certain way in order to feel like we have worshiped? Why are we so concerned with the look and feel of our religion and our worship?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Wes, Sam, and James are joined by special guest Fred Dominguez, the preacher for the church of Christ in Pecos, Texas. They discuss some of the positive and negative aspects of being a Christian in the age of social media. What are some of the pitfalls of Facebook and Twitter, and what are some of the ways Christians can use these social networks for God's glory?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Luke Bower and Wes McAdams discuss children's Bible classes. Are we thinking about Bible classes the right way? Is there a better way of doing Bible classes? Who should teach children in Bible classes, what should they focus on, and how should they teach? These are some of the things discussed in this week's show.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam Dominguez, James Sumners, and Wes McAdams discuss the question, "Should we be loyal to a particular congregation?" When we have conflicts in the church, is it pleasing to God for us to move to another congregation? How can we keep from being "church-hoppers"?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Sam Dominguez, James Sumners, and Wes McAdams discuss obeying God. What motivates our obedience to God? Do we really enjoy obeying? Do we really want to obey? Our obedience should come from the "overflow." Is that what motivates your obedience?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Shayla Sumners, Tonya McElyea, Arly Dominguez, and Hollee McAdams discuss some of the benefits and struggles they've experienced building and maintaining friendships with other Christian women.

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast, Mike Bonner, Sam Dominguez, James Sumners, and Wes talk about the Christian's obligation to the poor and those in need in various ways. What is the Christian's obligation in regards to benevolence, generosity, charity, and giving? What does God expect? What should motivate our generosity? Are we really bringing glory to God by the way we share with those in need?

In this episode of the CrossTalk podcast Wes, Sam, and James discuss what it really means to put God first. How can you know if you're putting God first? Is it a matter of priorities? Is it a matter of balance? This discussion might surprise you.

Wes, Sam, and James discuss a recent voicemail that was left concerning "the silence of the Scriptures." When we believe God's word says nothing on a particular activity or behavior does it give us permission to precede as we wish or is silence prohibitive?

In this episode of CrossTalk, Wes McAdams and Ron McElyea, one of the elders at Baker Heights church of Christ, discuss what Christian repentance is all about. What does it mean to repent? Is repentance a one-time thing? Why do we struggle so much with repentance?

In this episode Wes and Sam talk with Mike Bonner, the preacher for the Fifth and Grape congregation in Abilene about Paul's instructions to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). How could Paul make such a bold statement. Should Christians today make the same statement? Can we really say to someone, "Follow me as I follow Christ"? Does that mean we think we're perfect?

In this episode Wes, Sam, and James discuss the Christian's conscience. What is our conscience? Do we all have one? How come some people have a guilty conscience about certain behaviors and other people don't? Should we really listen to our conscience?

In this episode Wes McAdams, Sam Dominguez, and James Sumners discuss a blog post by Fred Dominguez entitled, "A Ransacked Bible." What does it mean to "ransack" the Bible and why should more people be doing exactly that?

In this episode Wes McAdams, Sam Dominguez, and James Sumners discuss how they sometimes feel jealous of other Christians for reasons such as: Greater Bible knowledge, parenting success, teaching and preaching skills, etc.