Church and Family Life Podcast

When push comes to shove, who's really shaping you in your walk with God? Sadly, most Christians today have “ten thousand instructors,” as Paul wrote, “but not many . . . fathers” (1 Cor. 4:15). The truth is, it's far easier to look to popular podcasters to guide us, rather than seeking out the interpersonal influence of godly mentors as personal shepherds. But that's not what the Scriptures prescribe. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Bill Roach, give this earnest charge—stop stoking superficial manhood and womanhood through man caves and social media chatter, but seek out faithful shepherds who will spur you on to godly living.

In today's world, families rarely eat together. Yet this is a far cry from the biblical model, which pictures family mealtime as a blessing, describing “children like olive plants all around [one's] table” (Ps. 128:3). In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Bill Roach, give ten reasons families should eat together daily: (1) it solidifies family culture; (2) it creates a rhythmic predictability about life; (3) it gets you off the Internet with real people; (4) it facilitates family joy; (5) it creates stories; (6) it surfaces problems; (7) it covers the news and world events; (8) it transmits values; (9) it cultivates belonging; and (10), it is generationally balanced. So don't let life's distractions keep you from the family table—make eating together, each day, a top priority!

The Western church is in shambles. It has become lukewarm and compromised because of a love for the world, a lack of an awestruck fear of God, and a watered-down view of His grace and sovereignty. In answer to this crisis Kevin Swanson has issued an urgent call-to-arms in his new book, Strong: An Urgent Call to Strengthen the Things that Remain. Pulling no punches, he calls out Christians to reject escapist pursuits—be it through alcohol, sports, the Internet, or other off-ramps from reality—and pursue a stronger grace, a stronger faith, a stronger church, and stronger families. Join Scott Brown and Jason Dohm in today's podcast as they break down the book with Kevin.

Join us on June 20-21 at the Brown Family Farm for this special time of refreshment for dads and their girls. Enjoy outdoor activities, together, such as volleyball, canoe races, and archery, even as you take in practical messages on the beauty of biblical womanhood. God created women to do particular things—the most wonderful things! They take care of husbands, children, and homes, and selflessly give themselves to raise the next generation. This theme will be the focus at our annual Father and Daughter Retreat as we encourage young women to “lead a quiet life” (1 Thess. 4:11), rather than chase fulfillment elsewhere. Learn more about this event in today's podcast.

What should we wear and not wear? When most Christians think about acceptable clothing, they're inclined to debate a woman's skirt length or other feminine attire. But the Bible goes much deeper than that. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jeff Pollard, discuss Scott's new book, Beyond Modesty: Tracing the Meaning of Clothing through the Fabric of Scripture. They explain that the doctrine of clothing—which unfolds in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation—goes far beyond matters of modesty in women's clothing; it speaks to the very nature of man's sin and God's work to clothe sinners in His righteous robes. Once realizing this—whether we're man or woman—we should seek to reflect Christ in how we dress. Click Here to Order Beyond Modesty

What should women's ministry look like in the church? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jeff Pollard, answer this question by breaking down the key elements of women's ministry given by Paul in Titus 2. The Scriptures' directives are clear—women aren't to teach other men, yet they are to play an active role in discipleship. Older women are to be holy and sober in their conduct as they teach younger women how “to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5).

Every Christian is a counselor—whether we realize it or not. The question is: what worldview do we draw from when we give advice? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jason Winslade, discuss the folly of secular psychology—which assumes that man is basically good—and even some Christian counseling, which baptizes Freudian psychology with a few Bible verses. What's needed, instead, is people who think biblically and reject dangerous worldly philosophies (Col. 2:8-10), drawing from God's all-sufficient Word to restore sinners and support the suffering in their time of need (Gal. 6:1-2). Relying on the sure foundation of Scripture, every Christian can learn, with God's help, to wisely counsel others.

Satan desires to corrupt every aspect of a woman's life—from her relationships and friendships to her self-perception, empathy, and even her motherhood. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss this battle with Tilly Dillehay, author of Dear Hemlock. Her new book—which is modeled after C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters—offers an eye-opening exploration of the struggles women face, shedding light on how feminine virtues can mask hidden vices whenever they fall for the Devil's lies, as Eve did in the Garden. Rather than succumb to Satan's deceptions, women must conquer them with a clear-eyed commitment to God's Word.

We need strong families. An outside the Bible, one of the best books you'll find to build yours up is The Theology of the Family. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss this treasure trove of biblical wisdom. Drawing from the Reformers and Puritans, it features rich biblical gems from 56 different authors on: (1) fatherhood and motherhood; (2) marriage; (3) childbearing; (4) bringing up children; (5) abortion; (6) modest apparel; (7) advice to young people, and more. Packed with hundreds of short, powerful articles you can read, as a family, in minutes, the book's already helped thousands of dads, moms, and children in their walk with God. And this expanded heirloom edition is one you'll want to go to, again and again, for foundational truths and practical insights in raising your family.

Raised with blue-collar roots in the Houston area, Bradley Pierce was blessed with a strong Christian family from a young age. The close-knit Pierce clan embraced the faith for generations, with his Papa and Nana hosting the family for weekly Sunday dinners after church. Realizing his sin and need of a Savior, Bradley professed Christ and was baptized at age seven. As he reached adulthood, he was led to serve God in the field of law, and for the last twenty years, elder and attorney Don Hart has been a key mentor in his life. Bradley currently serves with Don at Heritage Defense, while as leading the Foundation to Abolish Abortion and Abolish Abortion Texas as president.

Raised by secularists, Justin Miller's family life was a wreck. While in the eighth grade, his parents divorced—a trauma worse than death—and Justin's mom looked to him to help raise his two younger siblings. Given a Bible at age 11, he read it every morning till age 23, but felt no peace. Newly married at the time, he was powerfully saved when he heard Adrian Rogers preach the true gospel on the radio. His wife came to Christ four months later, and they soon joined a church where the pastor taught through the Bible, verse by verse. As their faith grew, Justin was called to pastoral ministry. Moved by the Puritans' legacy, Justin has given his life to sound but heart-felt teaching and currently serves as lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri.

From an early age, Chris Law remembers the church being the center of family life, as his parents quietly but faithfully served their local body. This example of selfless, hardworking love shaped his childhood, and after confessing Christ at age six, Chris's love for the church grew. Sensing a calling for pastoral ministry, he attended the Master's College where he met his future wife Jennifer. Once married, Chris selfishly only wanted a small family, but God changed his heart as he grew in faith and reverence for the Scriptures. Chris is now the father of seven and serves as the pastor of Geneva Lakes Church in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Strong-willed from the start, Chad Roach got more spankings in a day than all his sisters, combined, got in a whole month. This led his mom to quip that he'd turn out to be a Martin Luther or Al Capone. Entering his teens, Chad's sin confronted him at every turn. With much anguish, he repeatedly cried out to God till he finally found peace, realizing that Christ was more than able to save him. Around this time, his dad took over his daily education, mentoring Chad in business. This mentorship—along with that of Kevin Swanson—instilled in him the desire to focus his life on three callings: entrepreneurship, non-profit work, and church ministry. While once a dishonorable son, Chad now enjoys a sweet relationship with his parents, working alongside them in various businesses.

Born in Elmhood, Michigan, Sam Waldron was raised by parents who converted to Christ shortly before his birth. Though still young in the faith, they were the biggest influences on his life, regularly reading the Bible as a family and attending church together, and faithfully disciplining him for misbehavior. After confessing Christ and being baptized at age 7, Sam struggled with assurance of salvation for years until he came to understand that salvation was by God's free grace alone. Since then, God has raised him up as a leading Reformed Baptist pastor whose passion for sound doctrine and the importance of the local church has blessed many.

In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohn, joined by special guest Jeff Johnson, discuss Jeremiah’s charge to the captives in Babylon to build, dwell, and plant for the honor of God (Jer. 29:5-6), rather than fearfully bow to the evil culture that surrounded them. It’s this message of hope that will be the focus of Church & Family Life’s Build, Dwell, Plant Conference, to be held in Ridgecrest, North Carolina on April 24-26. Whether in prosperity or peril, the culture of family life should be built to flourish—with Christians seeking first God’s kingdom as they build. Join Us for the Build, Dwell, Plant Conference.

The prevailing culture of our day encourages young people to kick against authority rather than honor their parents. Yet even without the “help” of outside influences, it's in the heart of every child to desire their own way, and as they enter their teens years, to think they know better than their dad and mom. Such attitudes are in direct rebellion to God's command: “‘Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth'” (Eph. 6:2–3). In this podcast, Scott Brown, Jason Dohm, and Robert Bosley explain that honoring one's parents is square one in learning to live under authority. It's a key testing ground for honoring God. Their advice to parents: Model honor to your children; maintain parental authority; affirm what is commendable in your kids; and do not exasperate them. Their advice to children: Recognize that God's given you the parents you have and wholeheartedly honor them, knowing that such obedience is the greatest leverage point for your long-term success (Eph. 6:3).

Are you a church hopper? Sadly, many Christians in our day are quick to leave one church for another at the slightest upset. They take offence at a petty grievance. They grow tired of the people in the body, desiring more to be served than to selflessly serve others. Or they bolt when a weaker brother falls into sin, rather than seeking their restoration, patiently, through biblical means. This said, when is it right to leave a church, and how is it to be honorably done? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss the folly of church hopping, while also explaining when and how to leave a church. While believers shouldn't be thin-skinned and nitpick every nuance, it's right to leave a church when God's Word is chronically mishandled, the gospel in misrepresented, or when a culture of worldliness prevails. Whenever it's right to go, one should take time to discuss the matter with church leadership, be honest about the reasons, while avoiding slander and seeking the best of all involved.

When it comes to education content and methodology, do we truly believe that Scripture is sufficient to make us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17)? Sadly, many professing Christians have bought the lie that Scripture is silent on key facets of learning, paving the way for false worldviews such as humanism, evolutionism, and socialism to fill the void. The results have been ruinous, as children have left the faith in droves. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Kevin Swanson, sound the call for Christians to reject the myth of neutrality in education and embrace the sufficiency of Scripture instead. Our teaching methodology, they explain, must be 3-pronged: (1) integrating God's Word into every subject, placing it as “frontlets” before our children's eyes; (2) integrating parents every step of the way; and (3) integrating learning beyond the classroom into all of life (Deut. 6:6-9). If we take such steps—embracing the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom—we will not only glorify God, but we'll raise strong children.

So, you're married—now what are you supposed to do for your spouse? Thankfully, we're not left to guess the answers, for God, as the author of marriage, gives clear directions in His Word. He defines the duties of marriage. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss nine such biblical duties, as outlined by Puritan Richard Steele: (1) Living with each other; (2) Loving each other; (3) Staying faithful to each other; (4) Helping each other; (5) Being patient with each other; (6) Promoting the salvation of each other; (7) Maintaining regular but moderate sex; (8) Looking out for each other's interest; and (9) Praying for each other.

Why are there relationship problems? Birth defects? Foreign wars? And constant disruptions in the natural world? The truth is, getting the answers wrong only leads to futility, for whenever you misdiagnose a problem, you design a cure that's doomed to fail. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm explain that there's one right answer to all these questions—the Fall. Only by grasping the impact of Adam and Eve's sin can we rise above the smoke and the fire and know what's happening, and then turn to the right remedy—Jesus Christ—who's the only source of salvation.

There's only one kind of parents any child will ever have—imperfect ones. Yet God's command to “Honor your father and mother” is to be followed, regardless. The good news is: Though it's hard to obey, at times, this command comes with a blessed “promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth'” (Eph. 6:2-3). In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm explain that honoring one's parents is in every child's best interest. Dishonor toward one's parents, on the other hand, is one of the most dangerous, debilitating things you can ever do. Their charge: Make it your occupation to honor your parents. Let others focus on their imperfections—like Shem and Japheth did when Noah got drunk—even as you rest in God's sovereignty.

Most children training books are bad—but a few are fantastic. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss their top three: (1) Training Tips by Reb Bradley; (2) Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp; and (3) Purposeful and Persistent Parenting by John and Cindy Raquet. How can parents proactively raise their kids, rather than have a “child-run” home where they simply react to bad behavior? How can children be trained to obey when spoken to the first time? How can they be shepherded to love God and others from the heart? Learn the answers to these and many other parenting questions from these three practical resources.

It's easy to complain that the culture's crumbling all around us. But as homes go, so goes the nation. When fathers and mothers neglect reading the Bible daily to their family and directing their children in God's ways, nations fall into decay. The remedy comes not in changing Washington, London, or Paris, but in transforming our homes by practicing regular family worship and putting God at the center of everything. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jeff Pollard, urge dads to open their Bibles daily and fill their homes with the knowledge of God. They shouldn't wait for “experts” to fill the void, but simply read what His Word says to their children, pray and sing with them, and point their family to Christ. While God's grace is essential for salvation and godliness, to rebuild our crumbling culture, families must resolve to humbly worship God six days a week in their homes, and then come together for gathered worship on the Lord's Day. This is the path to rebuild a nation in decay.

Jon English Lee's new book, There Remains a Sabbath Rest for the People of God answers the question: Are Christians are bound to keep the sabbath? Or is it simply a relic of Israel's law system that was fulfilled in Christ? The answer comes in the Fourth Commandment. We're to “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exod. 20:8) because God established it as a creation ordinance, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exod. 20:11). In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jon English Lee, give an overview of the Scripture's teaching on the Sabbath, explaining that, following creation, God Himself—who needs no rest—modeled rest for man for his refreshment and benefit (Gen. 2:1-3). And Jesus, during His earthly ministry, upheld this pattern, with His apostles moving its observance to the first day of the week, following Christ's resurrection (Mark 16:2; Acts 20:7). Honoring the Sabbath acknowledges we are not ultimately dependent on the fruitfulness of our own labor, so we should put down the plow each Lord's Day, worship God, and rest.

Every year should be a year of consecration. So as we enter 2025, we should set our yearly goals apart to God for His glory. This requires looking to Him for wisdom and ordering our way rightly, as the Psalmist cries: “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me” (Ps. 119:133). In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Carlton McLeod, discuss the need to sanctify ourselves as we make New Year's Resolutions, desiring to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). This starts by humbly acknowledging God has given us another year to experience His goodness and to rejoice in His sovereign hand. Once we have this in proper view, we should dedicate ourselves to His service by pursuing goals that honor Christ.

Leading one's family in God's ways requires focus and resolve. With the world arrayed against us, we must proclaim with Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15). As parents, we must not only love God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and keep His commands (Deut. 6:4-5), but we must “teach them diligently to [our] children, and shall talk of them when [we] sit in [our] house, when [we] walk by the way, when [we] lie down, and when [we rise up” (Deut. 6:6-7). In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Carlton McLeod, discuss five ways to double down on your family: (1) Identify a consistent spot in your schedule for family worship; (2) Pick a strategy for reading the Bible; (3) Squeeze more life out of your local church; (4) Have a discipleship goal for each of your children; and (5) Take one high-impact trip as a family. They then add key reasons to do so, including the fact that the Bible has put family discipleship squarely in your laps, and your role as parents is one of the greatest privileges of a lifetime.

Delayed obedience. Partial obedience. Rolling of the eyes. “Selective” listening. A dishonorable tone. Such gestures are tell-tale signs of a child who doesn't honor their parents from the heart. And whenever parents see such signs, they have a duty to promptly get on top of these problems and secure first-time obedience from their children—for it will not go well with them if they fail to honor their father and mother (Exod. 20:12). In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss the need for parents to insist on first-time obedience with their children. Slow obedience is disobedience, they explain, for it reflects a heart of dishonor. Proverbs gives this helpful corrective, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15). The message is clear: Passivity in child training will lead to disaster. Proper training of our children, on the other hand, requires verbal instruction, with physical discipline to back it up.

One of the pivotal duties of a father is to lead his family daily in prayer. Whenever dads fail to do this, more often than not, the rest of their family's prayer life will languish. A father's prayers should be marked by praise to God for His many mercies. Dads should lead the way in acknowledging their own inability and weakness, even as they appeal to the Giver of all good things for their family's every need. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Paul White, discuss the importance of a father's prayer life, outlining seven reasons dads should pray daily with their families: One, because we receive family mercies every day from God's hand; two, because of the sins committed in our families; three, because we have wants that none can supply but God; four, because of our family's daily employments and labors; five, because we're liable, every day, to temptations; six, because all in our family are liable to daily hazards, casualties, and afflictions; and seven, if we fail to pray, the very heathen will rise up and condemn us.

Corporate singing as a church is vital to the health and well-being of the body. Through it, we teach and admonish one another, even as we stir up good affections toward God and praise His glorious name. The songs we sing tell us what kind of God we worship and what kind of gospel we're proclaiming. Singing together brings joy to God's people and is one of the most spiritually unifying things that the church ever does. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Trent Moody, joined by special guest Chris Law, discuss how to build vigorous and happy cultures of singing in the local church. Rather than treat corporate singing as a secondary matter, they encourage church shepherds to make it a high priority. This involves carefully shaping the music chosen—which should include “psalms . . . hymns, and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16)—and calling the whole church body to embrace singing together as a gift to be cultivated for God's glory.

How should Christians plan and celebrate their wedding and reception? What should the wedding say and emphasize? And how should we conduct ourselves? Here's good news! God has not left us to flounder. His all-sufficient Word provides what we need to make wise choices in planning this special day. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Carlton McLeod, share insights from their new book, A Christian Wedding, on how a bride and groom can reflect Christ every step of the way. After overviewing the biblical record of weddings, they then give practical counsel on how to steward your relationships and resources wisely and make God-honoring decisions related to music, wedding attire, and more. Their advice: Showcase the biblical vision for marriage. Put on a wedding you can afford. Reject worldliness—and give your family and friends wonderful pictures of the beauties of Jesus Christ as you come together as one.

God calls us to be a thankful people (1 Thess. 5:18), and such thanks was powerfully modeled to us by the Pilgrims in Plymouth in 1621. Following a harsh start where half their number died due to sickness and starvation, they gathered the next Fall to celebrate God’s goodness. Joined by local Indians such as Chief Massasoit and Squanto, they feasted, played games, and gave thanks to their Maker for blessing them with an abundant harvest. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Al Burke, give practical tips on how to celebrate Thanksgiving Day as a family. Along with fitting songs to sing, they suggest fun games to play rooted in Pilgrim history, special Psalms to rehearse, and Thanksgiving Proclamations and other period accounts to read aloud—all designed for families to enjoy a rich and memorable day of thanks together. Check Out These Resources as you Plan Your Thanksgiving Day Celebration: Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford Resource on the Pilgrims history and early Thanksgiving celebrationsRead Online / Purchase Online Magnalia Christi Americana by Cotton Mather Explores the blessings of God on early America First Thanksgiving Account by Edward Winslow An eyewitness account of the first Thanksgiving Continental Congress “Thanksgiving Proclamation” (November 1, 1777) A one-page proclamation for Thanksgiving George Washington’s “Thanksgiving Proclamation” (October 3, 1789) A historical thanksgiving proclamation Abraham Lincoln’s “Thanksgiving Address” (October 3, 1863) A thanksgiving and repentance address during the Civil War The Ainsworth Psalter Used by Pilgrims for singing Psalms, historically tied to early Thanksgiving. Download PDF / Purchase Online

What drives churches into irrelevancy? What harms the coming generation that's grown up in the church? What nullifies preaching and doctrine? What compromises the family's integrity at its core? What damages our witness in the world? It's syncretism—mixing the things of God with the things of the world. Besides rejecting the true Gospel, syncretism is the greatest threat to the church and family in every age. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm warn against the dangers of syncretism and give practical counsel on how to avoid it: First, cry out to God that he would resensitize you to the fact that you're a blood-bought believer who's to live set apart from the world. Second, double down on God's Word—meet with the Lord every morning and let him shape your thinking and priorities. Third, double down on your family—don't let the enemy kick down your home's door anymore. Fourth, devote yourselves fully to your local church. In all this, resist the mixing the things of God with the things of the world.

Manhood today is in crisis, as men across the globe have become increasingly passive, effeminate, depressed, medicated, and, in some cases, suicidal. Yet there is hope! God calls men to be men, and His Word shows us what manhood looks like. Rather than kowtow to feminism's lies or gave way to their sinful flesh, men are to be strong and courageous dominion-takers whose chief desire is to glorify God. In this podcast, Scott Brown, along with guests Trent Moody and Robert Bosley, explain that the foundation of biblical manhood rests on men loving God with all their soul, mind, and bodies (Deut. 6:5; 1 Cor. 6:19-20). Men must have souls that long for God, “as the deer pants for the water brooks” (Ps. 42:1). They must order their thoughts after God's Word (Ps. 119:133). And they must “present [their] bodies [as] a living sacrifice” for His service (Rom. 12:1). By doing these things they'll be the men God's called them to be.

There's a baby on the way! When a dad and mom learn they're expecting, joy fills the air as they discuss baby names, redecorating the nursery, and what life will be like in welcoming a new child into their home. Then the mother begins to bleed. And worry. And, before long, she has a confirmed miscarriage. As she and her husband begin to grieve, how should we comfort them? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by guest Trent Moody, discuss this tender topic. When we learn of those who've miscarried, we must first “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15) and show compassion in real and tangible ways. We must next herald God's perfect attributes: He is faithful, holy, and loving, and—no matter the circumstances—He does all things well (Mark 7:37). Finally, we must encourage grieving couples that God will hold them up in their painful loss: Though they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will be there to comfort them (Ps. 23:4).

Sermons should play a heightened role in our child training, for God has ordained the preaching of His Word as an integral part of the disciple-making process. They're not only a key instrument He uses to convert the lost, but they're a vehicle through which families are strengthened and children are trained up “in the way [they] should go” (Prov. 22:6). With this in mind, parents should thoughtfully guide their children to get the most out of sermons each week. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Robert Bosley, joined by special guest Joel Beeke, give parents practical tips on how to teach their children to view sermons, prepare to hear sermons, listen to sermons, and weave them into daily life. Their counsel: stir up in your children a hearty appetite to receive the word. If you know the passage to be preached on, read and review it ahead of time with your family. Communicate to your kids that every sermon is a meeting with God, and that when a sermon is preached, they're not mere spectators, but participants. They should therefore listen well, take careful notes, and be prepared to share what they've learned.

Apart from how you walk with God, marriage is the most important life decision you'll ever make. While “falling in love” may come easy, marrying well in the Lord requires careful prayer and counsel, as well as the resolve to keep personal passions and hormones in their rightful place. It should be pursued for the right reasons with a clear mind and calm judgment—and ultimately be driven by the desire to honor and please the Lord. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Trent Moody, outline eight things one needs to consider and do before marrying. First, recognize the importance of the decision. Second, get good counsel from others about your potential spouse, and don't ignore it if it's sound. Third, don't marry for the wrong reasons—including for beauty (which fades), or wealth (which is fleeting), or out of a sense of panic. Fourth, seek the input and approval of your parents. Fifth, make sure there is genuine, mutual love between both parties. Sixth, have a visible means of financial support. Seventh, determine that there is equal yoking on spiritual things. And, eighth, make it a matter of earnest prayer.

When civil rulers spurn God's law, Christians have a duty to speak. That's the clear testimony of Scripture. Throughout history, faithful heralds of righteousness have called out civil magistrates for committing evil deeds and enacting laws repugnant to God's moral order. Think of Elijah before King Ahab and John the Baptist before Herod. The need is no less great today. In this podcast, Scott Brown, joined by Trent Moody and Robert Bosley, discuss the church's duty to speak to morality in the civil sphere. And the topics before us are many: whether it's local city councils promoting Gay Pride Festivals and transgenderism, or state agencies paying for the removal of sex organs or permanently sterilizing children, Christians need to call our civil leaders to forsake evil and follow God's ways.

Who should be baptized—the children of believers or only those who repent and believe on Christ? The debate between paedo- and credo-baptists has waged for centuries, and the answer hinges on how we interpret Covenant Theology. What is without question is that all of God's dealings with man are covenantal. And Scripture further makes plain that those who enter covenant with God should receive the covenant sign. The question of baptism comes down to this: What is the nature of the New Covenant, and how does one rightly enter it? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Robert Bosley, tackle the thorny debate between paedo- and credobaptists. Taking a robust view of Covenant Theology, they maintain that members of New Covenant are those who truly know God and have their sins forgiven: “they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jer. 31:34). The question of who should be baptized does not rest on who one's parents are, but on those whom the “Lord our God . . . call[s]” (Acts 2:39).

What is the role of a grandparent? While the world says it's time to retire and relax, Scripture paints a much different picture. Grandparents have an opportunity to help disciple their grandchildren in God's ways and leave a lasting heritage for their families that will bless generations to come. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Josh Mulvihill, counsel listeners to reject the world's wrong messages to grandparents, which is to maintain disengaged independence from their grandchildren on the one hand, and to indulgently spoil them, on the other. Passages such as Deuteronomy 4:9 and Psalm 78:1-7 call grandparents to teach their grandchildren God's laws and His mighty works in history. Their story is not the point; it is the pointer to make much of God—proclaiming that the same great God who sustained them will guide their grandchildren's steps, if they set their hope in Him (Ps. 78:7).

Before they reach 18, 37% of the children in America will receive a visit from Child Protective Services. While some visits are warranted, 83% of the cases CPS investigates are unfounded. Sadly, doctors and nurses, driven by “mandatory reporting” laws, along with unwise neighbors, regularly tip CPS off to concerns that open up innocent families to needless scrutiny that can result in children being wrongly taken from their parents. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss these challenges with Bradley Pierce of Heritage Defense. Heritage Defense is a membership-based, Christian legal advocacy group that guides parents on how to prudently respond to CPS and defends them against unlawful intrusion. While strongly opposing the criminal abuse of children, their goal is to champion the cause of those persecuted by the state for obeying God's commands in raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

It's the world turned upside down! The July 13th assassination attempt of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania showcased an image Americans had never seen before—a female Secret Service agent coming to the defense of a man. While woman warriors populate the Marvel universe, they don't play this role in God's world whenever Christian culture prevails. Sadly, we've lost our bearings, and women have been the losers! In the podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Michael Foster, explain the scriptural mandate—men lay down their lives to protect women and children, even as Christ gave His life for the church. The theme is echoed throughout God's Word: Men, not women, joined Abraham to rescue Lot and his family from foreign invaders. Men marched around Jericho in Joshua's time, and men fought with Gideon. And the list goes on. The creation order matters—women should be protected as nurturers, while men go out to war.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not an aside to our faith. It “is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). Without its wonder-working power, there is no hope for family, church, or cultural reformation. We must therefore keep the Gospel at the center, for from it flows salvation and hope for the nations. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss the Gospel as the centerpiece of Scripture—from God's promise to crush the seed of the serpent in Genesis 3:15 to its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. Their charge: Don't let anything unseat the gospel as the center of things, yet also beware of a gospel that doesn't transform, for “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).

Faithful church deacons provide a ministry of mercy that the state can never match—reaching those in need not just with physical and financial aid, but with spiritual help to the heart and soul. Their care for the sick, the disabled, along with widows and orphans, is Christianity in action. But what makes a young man qualified to fill this role? What attributes should he exemplify before assuming this key church office? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Chad Roach, discuss how a deacon must fear God, rather than be a man-pleaser, and have a proven track record of persevering through trials and overcoming sin. It's also vital that he not be greedy for money, since he'll be handling the funds of the church. In addition, a deacon must have a wife who can come alongside and minister with him with sisterly care and discretion.

While the world trumpets an anti-child bias, God proclaims large families to be a blessing, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward” (Ps. 127:3). Yet a large family is a big responsibility. It requires a lot of discipline and resources. If you're going to have a productive womb, you need to have a well-managed household. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Michael Foster, discuss the perils of a large family and how to overcome them. Their counsel: maintain clear boundaries between boys and girls as it relates to modesty. Also enforce proper boundaries between parents and children—even as you teach your older kids to help care for their younger siblings, they shouldn't become a second dad or mom. Encourage your wife through the physical and mental strain that she bears as a mother. And, as a husband and dad, be forward-thinking about your time management, as well as future needs to scale up your cars, appliances, and home space.

How does God desire to be worshipped? The right answer doesn't come from the latest whiz-bang idea from today's creative coolness technicians, but from God's Word itself. Sadly, many in the church believe that anything that's not forbidden in Scripture is fair game to use in the worship of God—from entertaining skits to musical light shows. But such notions reject the Bible's teaching on how God wants us to worship Him. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Tom Ascol, defend the regulative principle of worship which affirms that the only “acceptable way of worshiping the true God” (LBC 22:1) is that which He has commanded in Scripture (Deut. 12:32), and “that He may not be worshiped according to the imagination and devices of man” (LBC 22:1). While incidentals—such as whether we use chairs or pews, and what time we meet—are left to our discretion, the essentials of worship—such as the preaching of the Word, prayer, and the remembrance of the Lord's Supper—must be followed as He's prescribed.

The Proverbs declare that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 9:10; 1:7). Yet, for more than 50 years, America’s public schools have abandoned this truth, resulting in the death of Christian faith among the majority of our youth. But the problem doesn’t stop there. Even some creators of Christian curriculum have too freely elevated “classic” pagan literature to young students, failing to heed this sober warning: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col. 2:8). Kevin Swanson of Generations explains why it is so critical in this present age that we have a thoroughly Christian curriculum that makes God’s Word front and center in every subject. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm interview Kevin about his vision to teach students how to use the eyeglasses of Scripture to view history, science, literature, math, and every other academic discipline. The goal is to raise up a new generation who fears God, glorifies God, and walks with God all their days. Links: Generations Homeschool Curriculum Epoch Apostate Keep the Faith God Made Me Taking the World for Jesus Taking Africa for Jesus My First History My First Letters and Sounds

What's a young man to do with his time and talents? Being self-focused is not the answer, for wise men build margin in their life so that can serve others in need. Young men who cultivate such character are often primed to serve as deacons, filling a vital role in the local church in meeting the practical needs of the body. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Chad Roach, call on young men to look beyond their personal interests and be willing to serve as deacons, as God leads. This includes a man, with a wife and kids, whose house is in order. Ministering to the church as a deacon, they explain, provides a great opportunity to not only meet the needs of others, but to teach and disciple your children in the process. Also Check Out: A Call for Young Deacons, Part 1

What is “Christian Nationalism,” and should believers support it or not? These questions have caused a firestorm in recent years, erupting in Twitter wars and bombs being lobbed on podcasts from competing camps. To add fuel to the fire, the mainstream media has advanced skewed definitions of what the term means, demonizing anyone who dares to suggest that Christians ought to advocate for biblical principles in the public square. So what are we to make of all this? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Tom Ascol, tackle the controversy. On the one hand, they reject the notion that America has a specific place in God's redemptive history on par with Old Covenant Israel, while also maintaining that the general equity of God's judicial laws has relevant application in our nation's law system—and that of every other country—today. While an Old Testament theocracy is not the goal, Christian cultural norms should be pursued as God grants us opportunity.

Cultural trends are insufficient, but God's Word's is sufficient to build His church. No other foundation will do. Yet for the last century, “do-what-works” pragmatism has been a driving force in how many churches have pursued evangelism, worship, and church life. Rather than believing God's Word is enough, results-oriented ministry has dominated, leading to entertainment-centered youth programs, seeker-sensitive worship, among many other ills. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Josh Buice, discuss how pragmatism has undermined faithful Gospel preaching, encouraged congregations to not practice church discipline, and decreased standards of church membership—all stemming from a diminished trust in God's sufficient Word. Their call to the church is this: Instead of every man doing “what [is] right in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6), we must believe that the Scripture is all we need for “the man of God [to] be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

To flourish, a church not only needs a strong elder team, but a strong deacon team as well. That's the message of Acts 6 when the apostles chose seven deacons to minister to widows who had been neglected. This division of labor is vital to the health of the local church. Even as elders are to focus on preaching and shepherding, the deacons are to meet the practical needs of the saints. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Chad Roach, discuss the high calling of deacons, and urge younger men to aspire to this church office, as the Lord leads. Drawing from his personal experience, Chad shares how serving as a deacon has been one of the most fulfilling roles he's ever played. When done well, the labor of deacons becomes a force multiplier of the elders' work, something Chad has seen in action. His conclusion affirms that of Scripture—for the good of Christ's church, more godly men should seek this noble post.

In today's world, we've been flooded by a sea of lies on what manhood and womanhood really is. These weapons of mass confusion have led to tragic outcomes for boys, girls, marriage, as well as the local church. This distortion of gender roles has come about because we've rejected the plain teaching of Scripture—that “God created man in His own image,” and that He created every person either “male and female” (Gen. 1:27), with each having distinct roles they are called to fulfill. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm outline four key pillars of manhood and womanhood: (1) Gender is not fluid, as God created men and women as distinctly different; (2) Men are to lead and women follow; (3) Women are not allowed to teach and exercise authority over men in the church; and (4) Women are not allowed to speak in the formal meeting of the church. Though the world finds these distinctives to be stifling, the full and glorious life of a godly woman is found when she embraces her complementary role, even as a godly man embraces his.