Not Just Sunday: Christian Life, Following Jesus, & Daily Discipleship

Living a disciplined life is hard. But what if discipline is less about willpower and more about choosing what you want most over what you want right now? In this episode, Keith and Patrick kick off a new section of the You Can Do Hard Things series by exploring why discipline matters, why it's so difficult, and how small habits can shape the life you want to live.

Then, they tackle the first discipline: waking up early. You'll hear practical tips for reclaiming your mornings so that you can live more intentionally and grow in your relationship...

Does sharing your faith feel intimidating? Maybe you're afraid of being misunderstood, damaging a friendship, or stumbling over your words. But Jesus doesn't call us to wait until we're perfectly prepared or the conversation feels completely safe. He calls us to make disciples and he gives us the Holy Spirit to help us do what we couldn't on our own.

In this fourth episode of our series, You Can Do Hard Things, Keith and Patrick unpack the fears that keep us from sharing our faith and offer practical ways to talk about Jesus. From praying for boldness...

We all experience the fear of failure. We worry about losing money, relationships, opportunities, respect, or simply discovering that we weren’t as capable as we thought we were. So we often build our lives around avoiding risk. But following Jesus gives us a different way to think about failure.

In this third episode of our series, You Can Do Hard Things, Keith and Patrick explore why Christians can take wise risks without being controlled by the fear of what might happen. Looking at Jesus’s parable of the talents, they unpack what it means to see ours...

We all want to be liked. We want to fit in, avoid awkward conversations, and know that the people around us approve of us. But if we’re honest, that desire can keep us from following Jesus fully.

In this second episode of our series, You Can Do Hard Things, Keith and Patrick explore what the Bible calls the “fear of man” and why you can’t be both a people pleaser and a God pleaser. They talk about the everyday places we feel pressure to conform, from friendships and work to parenting, possessions, politics, sexuality, and even chu...

We used to do hard things. But somewhere along the way, something’s changed. We’ve been tamed. Our lives are filled with easy buttons. And deep down, we all know the truth: an easy, comfortable life is not a satisfying life. In our NEW series, You Can Do Hard Things, Keith and Patrick share the secret to making comfortable people tough, fearful people courageous, and undisciplined people disciplined: imitating Christ by the power of God’s grace.

In this kickoff episode, Keith and Patrick ask: Have we let comfort tame our faith? They explore what it looks...

We've spent this series learning how to read the Bible: understanding its big story, its genres, its historical context, and how to apply it to our lives. But eventually, reading the Bible brings us to one, heart-level question: Do I actually trust God enough to submit to what he says?

In this final episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we talk about the tension that happens when God's Word presses against our preferences, our culture, and our understanding of what is right. Who gets the final say in your life: you or God? We'll explore the diff...

What do you do when the Bible says something you don't understand, or something you really don't like? Sometimes our hardest questions aren't intellectual; they press against our culture, our experiences, or what we desperately want to be true. And when those questions aren't taken seriously, it's easy to start wondering whether we can trust God at all.

In this fourteenth episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we talk about what to do when Scripture doesn't make sense, when it challenges your cultural assumptions, or when you simply don't like what it seems to be saying. Fr...

Did you know: Not everything in the Bible is meant to be read exactly the same way? A proverb isn't a promise. A metaphor isn't meant to be taken literally. A historical account may be arranged around a theme rather than chronology. And when you're reading someone else's letter, you need to understand what was happening with the original audience.

So, in this fourteenth episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we unlock the Bible's major genres: from history and poetry to wisdom literature, letters, law, parables, apocalyptic writing, genealogies, and sermons. We'll look at what makes ea...

What if the biggest thing missing from your prayer life... is your Bible?

In this twelfth episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, Keith and Patrick explore one simple practice that has transformed their prayer lives: praying Scripture. Together, they discuss why so many of us struggle with distracted, repetitive, or self-centered prayers, how the Bible gives us the language to pray God's heart, and several practical ways to begin praying through Scripture.

Whether you've never known what to say in prayer or you've been following Jesus for decades, this conversation will help you move be...

Too often, we walk away from the Bible with more knowledge but very little change. But God's Word wasn't given simply to inform us; it was given to transform us.

In this eleventh episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore one of the most practical skills every Bible reader needs: how to faithfully apply God's Word. Along the way, we unpack common mistakes that can lead to misapplication before introducing a simple four-part framework that helps move the Bible from something you know to something you live. We finish by walking through a passage step by step...

It's time for another Not Just Sunday Book Club episode! Today, we're discussing Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, a novel that's captivated readers with its vision of beauty, hope, and ordinary acts of love. We explore the book's rich biblical themes, including what it means to see others as God sees them, practice hidden acts of generosity, enter into others' suffering with empathy, and believe that no one is beyond redemption. We also share what we loved, where we thought the novel fell short, and why stories like this can awaken our imagination for the kind of life Jesu...

One of the biggest mistakes we make is assuming the Bible was written directly to us. It wasn't. It was written to real people living in a very different time, place, and culture. BUT. It was written for us.

In this tenth episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore seven key realities of the ancient world, from food insecurity and Roman occupation to patronage and family life, that will completely change the way you read the Bible. When you understand the original audience first, you'll discover a clearer picture of what God was saying then and...

Last week, we explored the story of the Old Testament. This week, we discover how the New Testament completes and continues that story.

From Jesus announcing God's kingdom to the birth of the church and the promise of restoration, the New Testament isn't just history. It's the story we're living in right now. In this episode, we unpack the Bible's three final acts, explain what it means to live between Jesus' first and second coming, and explore how seeing yourself in God's story changes the way you view your purpose, your struggles, and your everyday life.
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Last week, we explored the idea that every person lives inside a story. This week, we begin unpacking the Bible's story by looking at the three major movements of the Old Testament: creation, rebellion, and Israel.

Along the way, we trace the story of a loving God who creates a good world, watches humanity repeatedly reject him, and yet continues to pursue and restore his people. From Eden to Abraham, Moses to David, the prophets to exile, the Old Testament reveals a God who refuses to give up on those he loves.

More than ancient...

The stories we believe shape the lives we live. Whether it's our family background, cultural values, or past experiences, every one of us is living inside a story that helps us make sense of the world. But what if the story guiding your life isn't the whole story?

In this episode, we introduce the Bible not as a rulebook, but as God's story. We discuss why understanding the Bible's overarching narrative helps us make sense of our own lives, find purpose in ordinary moments, and see that our lives are part of a story much larger than ou...

For many, one question stands in the way of reading the Bible: Can it actually be trusted?

In this episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore the historical reliability of the New Testament and examine the evidence scholars use to evaluate ancient documents. We discuss manuscript evidence, textual variations, archaeology, eyewitness testimony, and the question of whether the biblical text has been changed or corrupted over time.

We also compare the New Testament to other ancient works, address common objections, and explain why many historians take its claims seriously. We end by considering why...

Ever feel lost when you open your Bible? That's understandable. The Bible isn't a single book. It's a library of 66 books written by dozens of authors across more than 1,500 years. Without a basic roadmap, it's easy to get overwhelmed.

In this episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore the Bible's major sections, how they fit together into one unified story, and what makes each part unique. We also discuss Bible translations, where to start reading, and a few simple tools that can help you navigate God's Word with greater confidence.

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Could you be reading the Bible for good advice while missing the good news altogether?

Many Christians approach the Bible looking for principles, rules, and practical tips for living. But the Bible isn't primarily a book of good advice. It's the story of a gracious God rescuing spiritually dead people through Jesus.

In this episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore the difference between moralism and Christianity, why simply trying harder can never transform your heart, and how every passage of Scripture ultimately points to Jesus. We also discuss a practical framework for re...

For many Christians, Bible reading slowly becomes a performance metric, a checklist, or a search for information rather than transformation. But what if one of the main purposes of Scripture is to expose your need for God?

In this episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore how the Bible acts like a mirror, revealing our sin, our weaknesses, our misplaced trust, and our need for grace. We also walk through several passages to demonstrate how reading the Bible this way can radically change your relationship with God and help you see Jesus more clearly.

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Many people read the Bible like it’s a book of rules, heroic examples, or a spiritual self-improvement guide. But according to Jesus himself, the whole Bible is actually about him.

In this episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore how grace completely changes the way we read Scripture. We talk about why the Bible isn’t ultimately about human heroes, how legalistic Bible reading distorts our relationship with God, and how seeing Jesus at the center of every story transforms both the way we read the Bible and the way we see ourselves.

Then...

Have you forgotten what a gift the Bible really is?

In this second episode of our Unlocking the Bible series, we explore why the Bible is far more than just information, obligation, or a spiritual checkbox. The Bible is God's Word to us! It reveals who God is and who we are, provides wisdom and stability in a confusing world, and ultimately points us to Jesus the whole way through. The first key to becoming a regular Bible reader isn’t better discipline; it’s recovering your desire for the gift itself.

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Ten minutes doesn’t sound like much. But what if ten minutes a day in the Bible could actually change your life?

In this first episode of our new series, Unlocking the Bible, we explore why so many Christians want to read Scripture consistently but struggle to follow through. We talk about the power of small daily habits, why “tiny beginnings” matter more than dramatic resolutions, and how even a few minutes each day in God’s Word can slowly transform the kind of person you become. We also share practical encouragement for building a sustainable Bible-reading rhythm th...

In America, we’re told that if we work hard, make good choices, and play by the rules, we’ll succeed. But is that actually how life works?

In this *final* episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we explore the “myth of hard work” and take a closer look at how success really works. How much of where you are today is due to your effort and choices, and how much is due to factors outside your control?

Looking at everything from cultural assumptions to biblical wisdom, we unpack the strengths and limits of meritocrac...

Why are fewer people having kids, and does it really matter? In recent years, birth rates have dropped dramatically across the U.S. and much of the world. While many assume it’s a financial issue, the deeper cause may be cultural: we’ve stopped seeing children as a blessing and started seeing them as a burden.

In this fourteenth episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we explore what’s behind the decline in marriage and family, how our cultural values around money, career, and independence have shifted, and what the Bible has to say about children...

Recent data doesn’t lie: the kids aren’t alright. In recent years, rates of anxiety, loneliness, depression, eating disorders, and suicide attempts have risen dramatically among American teens, and it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore the role smartphones and social media are playing. 

In this thirteenth episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we tackle what may be the biggest parenting question of our time: should kids have smartphones and social media? We explore what the data says about how phones and social media are affecting children and teens, why this issue matters for Christians...

Whether you realize it or not, your social media habits are shaping you spiritually. So, how should Christians use social media? In this twelfth episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we explore how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and even YouTube shape our habits, attention, relationships, and spiritual lives.

We talk about why social media is so attractive, how it quietly forms us over time, and why it can be so hard to step away. We end with some practical ways adults can use social media more wisely (or decide it may be better to st...

"Astrology for smart people." That's how some have described personality tests like the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, DISC, or Working Genius. But do these tools have any place in the Christian life? Can they actually help us live more wisely and more biblically? In this eleventh episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we explore how personality assessments can help with self-awareness, teamwork, and understanding others, while also warning against using them as excuses, identities, or substitutes for biblical wisdom.

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Should Christians drink alcohol? Be drunk? Have a "buzz"? How can you tell if you’re being controlled by the things you eat? What does the Bible actually say about gluttony, drunkenness, and enjoying God’s good gifts?

In this tenth episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we explore how food and drink show up throughout Scripture, from Eden and manna to the Lord’s Supper and the wedding feast of the Lamb. We discuss the double meaning of food and alcohol in the Bible: they are gifts to be received with joy, but they can also bec...

How do you engage with a brilliant book that isn’t explicitly Christian? In this *bonus* episode, we put the Not Just Sacred series into practice by discussing Trust by Hernan Diaz, the novel our listeners voted to read with us. With full spoilers ahead, we unpack the book’s layered structure, surprising reversals, and deeper questions about truth, power, perspective, and who gets to shape the story. More than a book review, we hope this serves as a model for how Christians can read secular literature with wisdom, discernment, and curiosity.

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Artificial intelligence promises to make life easier. But what might it be doing to us in the process? In this ninth episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we explore how Christians can approach AI with wisdom. When is using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini helpful? And when should we be cautious?

We discuss different ways to use AI, the ethical questions surrounding large language models (LLMs), the temptation to outsource our thinking, and why human wisdom and relationships still matter more than ever. Plus, is AI really coming for our jobs?

This is one...

Vacations are a normal part of modern life, yet most of us have never stopped to ask what they’re really for. In this eighth installment of our Not Just Sacred series, we explore the surprising history behind vacations, from biblical festivals and pilgrimages to Roman leisure culture and modern travel.

Along the way we ask whether something important has been lost. If God designed us for rhythms of work, rest, worship, and community, then vacations may be about more than simply getting away. We also discuss a few practical, Christian principles for resting well, traveling well, and...

Sports aren’t just games; they reveal our character. In Part 2 of our sports conversation, we turn our attention to sports betting, ethics, and the growing normalization of gambling in American culture.

Should Christians participate in sports betting? Is it sinful, or is it more of a wisdom issue? We explore what the Bible says about money, character, gambling, competition, and self-control, and discuss how modern betting apps are designed to keep users hooked. From questions of justice and addiction to playing by the rules and losing with grace, this episode examines how faith should shape the wa...

Is it sinful to be competitive? Does God care who wins games? How do we know when sports, particularly kids sports, have become an idol?

In this sixth episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we're kicking off part one of our conversation about sports. Hear Keith and Patrick explore the goodness of competition, the effects of sin on rivalry and pride, and how athletics can reflect discipline, excellence, and teamwork.

We also address youth sports and church participation, asking how families can pursue sports without neglecting Christian community. We hope this episode offers a bibl...

Work takes up a huge portion of our lives, yet many Christians rarely think about it theologically. In this fifth episode in our Not Just Sacred series, we discuss what the Bible actually says about work: why it was part of God’s design from the beginning, how it was affected by the fall, and why it still matters deeply to God today.

We talk about work as calling, the danger of making it an idol, and what it looks like to "work as unto the Lord" through our jobs. Plus, in a world questioning the future of wor...

Money can feel uncomfortable to talk about, but the Bible certainly isn’t shy about it. With over 2,000 verses on money, Scripture consistently connects our finances to our hearts, values, and trust in God. In this fourth episode of Not Just Sacred series, we explore what it means to handle money as faithful stewards rather than owners. We talk about spending, budgeting, saving, investing, debt, generosity, and contentment, and how each of these reveals what we truly value. This conversation isn’t about shame or formulas, but about aligning our financial lives with God’s purposes and learning to say, “I...

What does the Bible say about health and fitness? In the third episode of our Not Just Sacred series, we take a Christian look at the body, the soul, and how they’re meant to work together. We explore whether fitness matters to God, how Scripture warns against being ruled by food or consumption, and why aging is something the Bible honors rather than resists. From questions about appearance and motivation to modern conversations around tracking, diets, Botox, and GLP-1s, this episode offers biblical principles for navigating health wisely without turning it into an idol. We also announce the...

Does God care what we read? Should fiction make the list? First up in our Not Just Sacred series, we explore how Christians should think about reading, both the Bible and books beyond it. We share why Christians should value books and learning, how reading forms our attention and empathy, and why old books still matter today. We unpack how reading shapes who we become and how we see the world and we provide some practical tips for becoming better readers. Plus, we invite you to put it all into practice through our Not Just Sacred Book Club. More deta...

Does following Jesus mean retreating from everyday life or learning how to fully engage it? In the kickoff episode of our new series Not Just Sacred, we explore the biblical vision of a faith that encompasses ALL of life. From work and money to reading, sports, and ordinary pleasures, this episode reframes the false divide between the sacred and the secular. As we trace the Bible’s story, from creation to new creation, we discover that God is not abandoning the world, but redeeming it. Our hope is that this series helps you learn to glorify God not by withdra...

As we close our Not Just Stories: A Guide to the Gospels series, we're stepping back and asking one final question: Why did Jesus come? Drawing directly from the Gospels, this episode explores seven core reasons behind Jesus’s mission, from fulfilling the Old Testament and revealing God, to announcing the Kingdom, defeating sin and death, and forming a people shaped by his way of life. Along the way, we discover that Jesus didn’t just come to change our eternity; he came to transform how we live here and now. This episode invites you to read the Gospels with fresh...

Ever felt stuck while reading the Gospels? Maybe you've been confused by the order of events, puzzled by the differences between accounts, or unsure how to live out what you’re reading? If so, this episode is for you. 

In part three of our series, Not Just Stories: A Guide to the Gospels, we're addressing more of your big-picture questions, including: Why are there four Gospels? Why aren’t they chronological? Why does John seem so different? And why does each writer tell the story differently? 

From there, we turn toward practice, offering simple frameworks for applying...