Welcome to the Mariners Church Life Group Leader podcast. This weekly conversation is designed to equip and resource you to build a healthy life group community that studies God's word, practice the spiritual rhythms and changes the world together. What's up, Lyc group leaders? This is Sam Smith, Discipleship Director for Lyc groups and Men's Ministry.
And I want to welcome you to 2026. It's so crazy. Another year down and another one ahead of us, but I know that God is going to do amazing things in your groups this year in your circle. So it's really stoked for it.
You know, today Scott and I sit down with Liz Garcia, our content pastor at Mariners Church. And we're going to talk about just this exciting series that we have starting this weekend called On the Table. This is our fourth year doing the series. We've seen so much fruit come from it.
And we basically put big questions on the table that we wrestle with, that we bring to God and we find out that God meets us every time. So some questions that we're going to talk about in this series, a loving God yet conquests and genocides in the Bible. What happens 60 seconds after you die? When should Christians disobey the government?
We're going to cover these and more in this incredible series. And we're also going to give some practical tips on how to lead your group, given the sense of nature of some of these questions. So let's tune into today's episode. Our guest today, Liz Garcia, who's the host of If I Have More Time podcast.
Oh my gosh. I feel like I'm talking with a celebrity right now. A little bit. Oh, I'm a little bit.
Please. I'm talking to two celebrities right now. This is not an audio podcast. One day we will move up to being a video podcast.
Oh, yeah. Not there yet. No, this is nice. You don't have to worry about wardrobe right now.
You know, you know, you know, you know, you can talk with it. Yeah, but thanks Liz for being here. And we love our listeners. We have our amazing white group leaders listening in.
But we love to get to know you a bit and just your role at Mariners. Because we know you do a lot of things beyond a host if I have more time. So if you did share a little about your role, what do you do? Of course.
Yeah. So I am our content pastor here. And I always laugh. I don't know.
I really never met another content pastor before when I talked to people from other churches. And for a lot of people, content means a lot of things. You can put a lot of things in that bucket. For us, my job is really, it's a privilege of having a senior pastor who operates the way that he does when it comes to his teaching content.
So my job is largely stewing our teaching calendar and our teaching series each year. So as many people know, Eric goes away in the summertime and he plans out his teaching calendar in the teaching series for the next 18 months. So we just unheard of. It's crazy, right?
And so that that affords us so many opportunities as a team. And my job is taking that and not the content. He writes all of the sermons. That's not what I'm in.
But everything else that goes around that. So taking our weekend services, I leave the team that programs that and helps determine the right way to package a message, whether it's creatively or with videos and a service that are going to align to the teaching content, all those kinds of things. But I leave the team is an amazing group of people that are putting all of these things together. And I kind of just get to help navigate us through the wall, staying aligned to our senior pastor and the vision that we believe God has given him for our church.
So yeah, among other things, podcasts and some, we have a theological trust of sorts of amazing pastors and scholars that are in our church who just help keep us honest and pure and orthodox and true to the scriptures. And so there are many things that we do as a church that we are always doing checks on. So make sure that we're aligning with our own statements of faith and position papers and things like that. And so we do, yeah, I get to kind of facilitate some of those kinds of things.
And many of you guys have probably worked in or had those series magazines. And again, that is a team of volunteers and a team of staff that put those together. And my job is helping align those to the teaching content of the actual series. But there's an incredible team of people that put those beautiful pieces together.
So tell us a few things. That's what I get to do. It's all with keeping the words central and getting to be a part of the teaching of God the word of our church, which is just my favorite thing ever. So I have a blast.
Well, we are blessed to have you today. We are talking about our On the Table series, which starts this weekend. And for those that are listening that are newer to the church, you know, in this series, we put big questions on the table and we unpack questions of the Christian faith, questions that society wrestles with and God wants to meet us in those questions. And this is our fourth year doing this series.
Where did the heart behind the series come from? How did God put it on Eric's heart to pursue answering these questions? Oh, I love this. I love this story because it really has been remarkable seeing how these series have unfolded throughout the years.
The first time that we went about doing it, we had no idea how it would land. We had a pretty good feeling. You know, I mean, I would just say, you're right. Yeah, God totally put this on Eric's heart as our shepherd, as the pastor of our church who he's not, Eric doesn't go away and necessarily say, okay, God, what questions do you want me to answer and the two of them just come up with them?
It's more like Eric as a shepherd who knows his flock is aware that these are the questions that we're all already faced with. And he will oftentimes come back on a study break with a list of questions that he has. He's narrowed them down quite a bit and he lets the team speak into it and helps elect. You know, maybe this is good for this year.
We'll say one for another year, that kind of thing. But the important thing is that these are questions that we are all already dialoguing about, whether we have the questions themselves or ourselves, or if it's the questions that we know others are wrestling with and others ask us and we need helpful language to actually talk about them. Eric always says that this series is to equip and give language so that Christians don't have to talk with marbles in their mouths on really important topics in the Christian faith. So a lot of people, we're aligned and they believe what God's word says, they have the truth of Jesus, but it's more challenging to actually talk about these topics.
And so our hope is that this series actually, they can walk away feeling more confident to dialogue with people, Christians or non-Christians on these topics. But another value to that I think is important for these life group leaders is that this series is intended to be clear and kind. We don't want to draw lines that says this is who we are and that's who you are over there. It's more like saying we're really clear on what God's word says and what we believe about this.
And I hope that that would be the door to opening conversation and actually engaging people on these topics. Not just saying you're like that and I'm like this, but actually to be clear and to be kind is to be compassionate and gracious but really convicted about what you do believe in the truth that we have on each of these questions. I'm so appreciate that we're not afraid to tackle some of these topics because some of these topics, as a believer, just to be honest, sometimes I want to avoid some of these questions. But we are approaching it with both hands, kindness and clarity.
So I want to just read through some of the questions. You guys are buying some of the topics that we have and then we can talk about a topic or two that we're personally excited about and maybe our life groups will be excited about as well. So let me read through them all. So the first one is a loving God yet conquest and genocides in the Bible.
I have the question. What happens 60 seconds after you die? Third week, when should Christians disobey the government? What about those crazy spiritual gifts?
It's crazy. If Christians are to be one, why so many denominations? Does God care what I do with my body? Fitness, tattoos, plastic surgery, all the things.
The last one, borders and immigration, why do some Christians have different views? We're really going to go there. All of them. So what topics are you personally excited about?
Maybe start with you, Sam Liz. Sam, you go first. Okay. So once that stand out to me, does God care what I do with my body, fitness, tattoos, plastic surgery?
All the things. I'm trying to get on that testosterone replacement therapy and get jacked. Just kidding. I'm trying to get that ozempic to get rid of that baby fat.
No, all jokes here. That one I feel like our demographic or area, especially the young people, being healthy, being fit, that is something that's really on their mind. But can it be taken too far to where, gosh, I'm noticing that my body is an idol. At what point?
What is the tipping point? I think that's something that people wrestle with and that people ask, especially in my circle. So that's one that stands out to me. What about those crazy spiritual gifts?
I think that's another one. What's the difference between a gift and Italian? Yeah. Those are a couple that stand out to me.
I don't know what about you Liz. That's great. It's hard to pick just one. Yeah, there's so many.
I just say something in general that I'm excited about about the whole series and we've been doing this each year with On the Table is that we're not wanting to just leave people at the weekend with the teaching of God's Word. We're also trying to offer people ways that they can continue to learn and continue to even live out what we're talking about. So you're going to see a volunteer Expo and there are opportunities for people to serve. There's going to be an I believe.
There's going to be an extended prayer. There's going to be an opportunity for people to specifically serve with local outreach. So I'm excited in general about the series and the many, many next steps. I know rooted in life groups.
We're going to have big grow together push throughout it. So it's not just the topics that we're hitting. It's also all the follow up and I think the discipleship that happens afterwards that I'm really excited about. If I had to pick my favorite, I actually do think that it would be that first one, a Loving God yet conquest and genocide in the Bible.
Just like what you said, Scott, I get that one all the time and we're going to dive deep into those scriptures that are challenging. They are, you can't deny it. They're tough to read. You know, when you see some of the just horror of some of these stories in the Old Testament specifically.
Like getting to the promised land finally and then making it like God telling them, you know, take this land that I have reserved. Like, wow, how do we, how do we reconcile that as a Loving God? Well, you know, we're going to see, we're specifically going to look at how we look at scripture and just the importance of the posture that you read the scripture and how you think about God when you read that scripture. And rather than finding that he's a cool God who just wants to show off his power, we're actually going to find that behind these scriptures, he's a very patient loving God.
He's a pursuing loving God. He's very protective, he's jealous for his own. So it's kind of a surprise. I think the reason that I'm so excited about this one though is that I think people will learn more about how to read God's word.
There is a greater emphasis of the authority of scripture in our life too. And anytime I get confronted with that, I always see more of God. I always find more of him behind those challenges. If you're willing to lean into them.
So I'm really excited for that one because I know it's one that so many people are challenged with and at some point are wrestled with understandably, but we're going to meet God in such a cool way that I'm excited for. That's great. Yeah, you're right. Yeah, you're right.
Yeah, I mean, personally for me, I mean, obviously I love all those different topics, but that second one, what happened 60 seconds after you're done? Yeah. I'm curious to know. I still remember Dallas Willard.
He was at a conference here, Catalyst Leadership Conference. And he was talking about how when he passes away, he's with the Lord now, but when he passes away, those first minutes will even realize he's gone to eternity. And so it made me curious, like what does that look like as follows a price that for 60 seconds? And I think about family members and I just did a memorial with somebody for our dear guest experience member and amazing volunteer Carmen who's now with the Lord.
And thinking about her, we celebrate, we were worshiping, we know she's with the Lord and rejoicing and we're here. Yeah. And I'm curious what it's like. I mean that next life.
I think for our life group, and these are such great questions, but that last one, Board of Immigration, why did some Christians have to be used? To be honest, like in our life group, we've had some of these conversations after our life with discussion questions, but people have different opinions on it. And I think as I look through some of these questions, I'm reminded of just the unity that we are to have as Christ scholars. I remember that one quote, I think it's from a German theologian, like, in a sensual unity, in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things charity and love.
And so I hope that's the posture that we have as members as we go through some of these questions. Some of these things that we made this agree with as they made the secondary issues and not primary issues, but we're going to be approaching it with a biblical, just looking at the scriptures, what does God's word say? And like would you say, coming with kindness and compassion toward one another? It's really good.
I think having that posture of man, I'm going to seek unity while also seeking to understand what Srinar says throughout this whole series, that's going to be key for our light group leaders to communicate to their members as well. Just the nature of these questions, some of them are really sensitive in nature. And I love that, again, we don't shy away from trying to understand what does God's word say about some of these things. But they are sensitive in nature.
So what guidance would you give life group leaders for navigating conversations around some of these topics that they're going to be walking through for almost a couple of months? So what advice would you give? Yeah. Well, this question is important to me because my husband, Ryan, and I we'd lead our life group.
I don't even know that. That's amazing. This is incredible. So he and I are gearing up for that.
And you know, I mean, you wouldn't treat this series too much differently than any other time with your life group where they are sensitive and people are sensitive about it. So you don't want to facilitate conversation in a way where people are going to feel shut down in any way. You want to be curious and ask questions. And I think what Yuda said, Scott, is perfect.
I quote that you shared that to just make unity your priority. And we say around here, the source of our unity gets the spotlight. And that's another one of those kind of under the surface values that comes up when we do something like on the table because you're going to hear every week. He's Eric will teach her the teacher, the teaching pastor is going to teach different views on different things.
And what are we going to exalt? It's always going to be the name of Jesus. We're going to above all these opinions, we're going to transcend, right? And we're going to be worshipful and we're going to point to the person of Jesus.
So that would just be my encouragement to every life group leader is to make it about Jesus. But we can agree on that, right? But we can get there. So very practically for sensitive topics too is to be really prayerful.
I don't throw it away as just a trite answer to the follower of Jesus. But we do have an adversary that would love to cause disunity in our life groups. And so to be prayerful, and even maybe I look to YouTube to even consult on this, maybe I should have run this by you first. But I would say with my life group, we're probably going to set out the time by just stating a couple of things.
We love each other. We are going to have different opinions in this group. Our goal is to know Jesus more, to love him more, to love each other better, and to serve people. So kind of like make some agreement says a group going into it or something.
That's so good. Just going, this is our aim. It's not any different. This theory is in the prior one.
Our aim is still Jesus. Let's agree on some things first. So that's my hope. I think I'll approach it, but I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say and coaching me a little bit at the life group leader on how to approach these.
Yeah, I think that would be it. Prayerful and communicate. Can you take well? Yeah.
And then we're going to talk about the discussion questions and we've been helping to write them and revise them and we're really excited about how we can help our groups to really be able to just dig deep into God's word and also to understand that there are going to be different ways. And I love that. I think we're going to be implementing some of your suggestions and how we can communicate from the top. And yeah.
And I'll talk about we are going to have a mid-week course led by our scholar and resident, one of our teaching professor's Ed Setzer. Oh, right. And that's going to go even deeper into the on the table topics. It starts right after the series launches, right?
Like January 7th, I think, is the first one. First Wednesday, something like that. That's right. That's a great option for life groups, too, to if you wanted some ways to help facilitate some more discussion, right?
It's a great opportunity. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, Liz, you talked about just importance of prayer and covering our groups in prayer for the New Year and for this On the Table series. So Liz, would you just do the honor of leading our groups and blessing our group leaders in prayer?
Oh, I'd love to. I'd love to. Oh, gracious God. We love you so much.
And I thank you for the truth of your gospel, that is salvation for all. And God, because of you, we have a blessed assurance of the promises of our faith. And I just thank you that that's the foundation and the bedrock of everything, is the miracle of faith and salvation in Jesus. And all of these other things that we're going to dialogue about, this is about living it out and pursuing you.
And God, we just say now, and I want to just ask all these life group leaders that are listening to just say in their own heart too, that you are our goal, you remain the one that we pursue. And we are asking for more of you out of this series in our hearts, in our life groups, in our whole church and in our communities, God. And we're asking for more of Jesus. And Lord, I pray for these life group leaders that you would equip them, that you would give them confidence.
I'm thinking of the New Year Life Group leader, the one who's been walking with Jesus forever and how their experiences coming into something like this, it might feel completely different, but you know them and you meet them right where they are and know exactly what they need. So we give them encouragement and refreshment and truth for all the conversations that they're going to facilitate. And I pray you would bless them. I pray that you would bless them too with new understanding and that their groups would help shape them as well.
And oh, God, I'm just, I'm so excited. And I thank you in advance for the work that you're going to do. I pray that you would draw everyone closer to you. I pray that more would know you in new ways.
And God, I thank you so much for Scott and for Sam. And I pray that you would bless them too as they lead all of us leaders and their coaches. We ask that you would be glorified in all of our groups and in our church throughout the series. It's a good name.
Amen. Thanks for joining us for the leader podcast. Yeah, happy to be here.