Church and Family Life Podcast

What should shape the education of our children: Greek philosophy or biblical discipleship? In this episode, Scott Brown welcomes Kevin Swanson of Generations for a candid discussion on the foundations, goals, and methods of Christian education. The biblical model — as described in Deuteronomy 6 and the Proverbs — is family-centered, character-focused, life-integrated, and rooted in the fear of the Lord. Whereas the Greek model — central to many classical education programs — is rooted in the pride of man, emphasizing the “greet books” penned by such pagans as Aristotle and Homer. Their conclusion: we must bow the knee to God’s word, not the “wisdom” of pagans, in how we teach our children.   To learn more about Generations’ God-centered, Bible-based, life-integrated, Christ-exalting, Gospel-emphasizing, family-discipleship curriculum, click here.

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.  

How can Christian men and women live faithfully in a world confused over sexuality and gender? The answer is simple — amidst the moral chaos, embrace God’s beautiful design for manhood and womanhood. Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss this subject with pastor Michael Clary. Clary’s new book, God’s Good Design, is a compelling call for men and women to reject the world’s dark vision of sexual madness and fall in love with the way God made them. Today’s young people are crying out for truthful answers of who they are, and this book gives an oasis of hope, explaining how God wonderfully creates each person as “male” or “female” (Gen. 1:27).  

Michael Clary grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, in the shadow of the Marshall University plane crash that marked his hometown. Ministry ran deep in his family line—his great-grandfather and grandfather were both Baptist preachers—but his own childhood was shaken when his parents divorced at age seven. Shuttling between households, Michael experienced both the steady example of his Christian father and the destructive influence of a tyrannical stepfather. Those early wounds left him with a deep burden for healthy, Christ-centered homes.Though he professed faith from a young age, Michael’s spiritual growth accelerated through Campus Crusade for Christ at Marshall University. Immersed in Bible study, evangelism, and worship leadership, his heart for ministry took root. It was during a summer project with Crusade that he met Laura, the shy young woman who would later become his wife. Married in 1999, Michael and Laura went on staff with Crusade before sensing God’s call to local church ministry.In 2010, with nothing but faith and a handful of families meeting in his basement, Michael planted Christ the King Church in Cincinnati. Over 15 years, the church has grown, planted daughter churches, and recently moved to a new facility in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Along the way, Michael’s convictions deepened around biblical manhood, womanhood, and family life—shaped by both his wounds and God’s grace. Today, he continues to serve as lead pastor, husband to Laura, and father to four children, proclaiming God’s good design for households and the church

We’ve lost the strong man. Kevin Swanson is holding the Act Like Men Conference to restore men to their God-given role.   On the whole, men today are AWOL, having departed from the Biblical picture of leadership and love. 60% of Master’s degrees are awarded to women. 57% of boys are born without fathers. So, what’s the solution to this crisis? Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by guest Kevin Swanson, explain that the right answer is not the “macho man” or the “wild-at-heart man,” but the biblical man who’s strong in faith and who fears God. This is the focus of the upcoming Act Like Men Conference, to be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Elizabeth, Colorado. Rather than fall for the pseudo-visions of masculinity found in the “Manosphere,” we must look to God’s Word to understand what it means to be a faithful man. That’s the goal of this gathering — to teach 12-year-old boys to grandfathers to “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, [and] be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13 ESV).  Click here to learn more and register. 

Why do young people not turn the Christ? Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by guest Carlton McLeod, answer this question, giving ten common lies that ensnare unsaved youth: (1) you’ll be deprived of pleasure; (2) faithfulness to God is impossible; (3) you’ll be beset by trials and tribulations;  (4) you'll be reproached; (5) you won’t be prosperous; (6) you’ll be unfashionable; (7) you will die young and miss all the fun; (8) you won’t be able to keep it up for very long; (9) you have plenty of time; and (10) there are many ways to God. Rather than fall for these deceptions, young people should come to Christ without delay: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Eccles. 12:1). 

Toxic masculinity is a real thing. Yet in responding to such abuses, many Christians are afraid to boldly stand on God’s established order, which is this—men, not women, are made to rule in the family, church, and civil sphere. Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss this dilemma with Michael Foster, author of the handbook, It’s Good to Be a Man. Their conclusion: patriarchy is inevitable, but it needs to be restored, by God’s grace, to His design. This requires men to set aside macho bluster and courageously lead.

What Bible verses do feminists most hate? 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 are near the top: “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.” Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm explain the wisdom of God’s command—it prompts husbands and wives to grow together, as they wrestle through matters of theology. By asking your husband hard questions at home, it requires him to lead, which affirms God’s order and promotes unity in the marriage bond.