Real Life Theology Podcast

Is Christian faith dying in the Western world? Have the “new atheists” succeeded in souring Christianity for thinking people? There are actually some fascinating signs of a resurgence of interest in Christianity. John Whittaker reviews Justin Brierley’s The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode features a RENEW.org Review of Richard and Christopher Hays’s ‘The Widening of God’s Mercy’. For more information view this article by John Whittaker: https://renew.org/review-of-the-widening-of-gods-mercy/    Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

A Critical Review of 'Letter to the American Church' Movie Visit: Renew.org for a written in depth review. John Whitaker provides an in-depth review of 'Letter to the American Church,' a movie by Eric Metaxas that parallels issues faced by the American church today with the German church during Hitler's rise and the Chinese church under Mao. The film, a follow-up to Metaxas's bestselling book, aims to rally the American church against what it perceives as a critical juncture resembling past authoritarian takeovers, citing concerns like abortion, gender ideology, BLM, and pandemic-related mandates. Whitaker expresses discomfort with the movie's hard-selling approach, its fear-based, alarmist tone, and the unbalanced comparisons it draws. He acknowledges some positive aspects, such as the call to justice and awareness of political harm, but criticizes the film's militancy, lack of nuanced discourse, and its potential to deepen divisions within the American church. Whitaker suggests a more helpful focus on discipleship and engagement with foundational issues of the church's role in society, recommending David Young's book 'Resilient' as a more balanced resource.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

In this episode on the Real Life Theology Podcast you’l hear a review of the new book Scrolling Ourselves to Death.    Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Exploring Church History: Key Figures and Renew Network Vision Join us in this episode as Bobby and David dive into an insightful discussion about their journey with the Renew Network, aiming to restore and renew the New Testament church. They explore notable figures in Christian history, such as Irenaeus, Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther, who contributed to shaping Christianity. The founders discuss the importance of following God's Word, the challenges of embracing the Holy Spirit, and the need for courageous leadership. They highlight the mission and values of Renew Network, focusing on discipleship, church planting, and upholding biblical authority. Discover their vision for the future and how they plan to equip churches and individuals to make disciples and expand God's Kingdom. Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

After Alexander Campbell: Restoration Movement History from 1865 to 2018 Join us in this episode where hosts David and Bobby discuss the significant developments in the Restoration Movement after the death of Alexander Campbell, covering the period from 1865 to 2018. Discover the impacts of the Civil War on the movement, the publication history of influential magazines like the Gospel Advocate and the Christian Standard, and key figures such as David Lipscomb, Foy Wallace, James A. Garfield, and Marshall Keeble. The episode explores the divisions within the movement, including the rise of the Disciples of Christ, Christian churches, and a cappella Churches of Christ, while delving into modern challenges and their ongoing legacy. Learn how the Restoration Movement shapes evangelical thought today and the central role of Renew in its future. This comprehensive overview is essential for anyone studying church history and the evolution of Christian denominations in America.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Exploring the Roots of the Restoration Movement: The Impact of Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone In this episode, we dive into the significant impact of Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone on the Restoration Movement in American Christian history. David Young opens with a prayer before diving into last week's topic on revivals. The discussion encompasses Barton Stone's foundational contributions, his role in American Christian revivals, and the subsequent establishment of 'Christian Churches'. The narrative transitions to Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell's father, exploring Thomas’s journey from a Scottish Presbyterian minister to an influential figure in the Restoration Movement. The key ideas include the rejection of binding creeds, the emphasis on adhering strictly to the Bible, and the notable debates that Alexander Campbell engaged in to advocate for these principles. The historical challenges, triumphs, and the notable Union meeting of 1832 between Stone's and Campbell's followers are also covered. The episode concludes with an examination of baptismal practices, the influence of cultural and doctrinal shifts, and the ongoing relevance of these historical movements in shaping modern Christian faith.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Join us in a deep dive into the pivotal moments in American Protestantism, focusing on the contributions of figures like James McReady and Barton Warren Stone. This episode explores the historical context and significance of the First and Second Great Awakenings. Learn about key events such as the Red River Revival and the Cane Ridge Revival, and understand how these movements sparked widespread religious transformations that continue to influence modern evangelical Christianity. We also dive into discussions around Calvinism, revivalism, and the lasting impact of these awakenings on American religious life. Special guest David guides us through a recorded presentation and a live Q&A session, offering insights into the revivalist spirit that reshaped the Christian landscape across the United States.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Join Bobby Harrington and David Young from Renew.org as they dive into the history of the early church, focusing on the Restoration Movement, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Roman Catholicism. In this episode, Harrington recounts the early church period, highlights key historical events such as the fall of Rome, and discusses the development of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the schism that led to the formation of the Roman Catholic Church. The conversation addresses major theological differences, such as the role of scripture, tradition, and the concept of theosis, while exploring the significance of the Protestant Reformation. Engaging and informative, this class provides a comprehensive overview for anyone interested in church history and the key distinctions between major Christian traditions.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Join us on our very first video featuring Bobby Harrington and David Young as they teach a class on the History of the Protestant Reformation and Early Church History. Join Bobby Harrington and David Young in this engaging and informative beta course, the first recorded for the Renew Certificate in Theology. Bobby outlines the structure and goals of the course, which covers the 12 courses offered at his home church, aimed at ordaining qualified individuals for ministry. Key topics include the Restoration Movement, early church history, and significant Christian doctrines. David Young dives into crucial theological questions spanning 1500 years of Christian history, covering topics such as the church’s approach to Judaism, the development of the New Testament canon, ecclesiastical authority, Christology, and the doctrine of salvation. This session also addresses relevant contemporary questions and historical perspectives. For resources, the suggested readings include 'The Fool of God' and Gavin Ortland’s 'What It Means to be Protestant.'   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Welcome back to the Real Life Theology Podcast. In this episode Guy Hammond explains why tone matters in conversations about LGBTQ issues and how churches can combine dignity, truth, and hospitality. Guy shares his personal journey, the scriptural context he relies on, practical advice for parents and churches, and why acceptance need not equal approval while still offering a welcoming place to learn about Jesus.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Dave Clayton challenges listeners to renew their hunger for Jesus, explaining that God shows up where He is wanted. Drawing on revival stories like Cane Ridge and personal anecdotes, he encourages acknowledgment of spiritual emptiness, asking God for hunger, resisting modern distractions, tuning our souls to eternal things, and persistently inviting Jesus into every area of life.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew-app-page.bolt.host/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

On this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast, Shodankeh Johnson, about having hard conversations in prayer with God and how faith grows through suffering. He shares personal stories—including the loss of his son—reflecting on missionary legacy, intercession, and the need for a conquering faith that seeks to please God, believes He exists, and trusts He will reward those who diligently seek Him. Johnson also encourages revival in the church in America and calls listeners to step aside for God to move, trusting in God’s faithfulness amid pain. Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew-app-page.bolt.host/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Jim Putman shares his journey from rejecting the church to embracing discipleship, arguing that hard conversations require deep relationships. He emphasizes the need to hold both sound doctrine and Jesus’ methods together, what he calls "two-fisted" faith, so the church can effectively make disciples and withstand cultural pressures. He warns against prioritizing relationship at the expense of Scripture, urging leaders to equip believers to live out and pass on the faith instead of producing passive spectators.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew-app-page.bolt.host/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Tina Wilson explores how ministry often requires difficult conversations and why feelings alone can derail truth. She points to Jesus’ walk to Emmaus as a model for prioritizing the authority of Scripture over emotions.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew-app-page.bolt.host/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Welcome to the Real Life Theology Podcast episode with Kimberly Beam Holmes. She shares the true story of Jordan and Priscilla, exploring how church leaders mishandled their marriage crisis, the damage of poor counsel, and the hope Marriage Helper offers for saving marriages even after affairs and divorce. Kimberly urges church leaders to courageously, compassionately engage struggling couples, believe every marriage can be saved, and provide enduring support that prioritizes reconciliation and the wellbeing of children.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew-app-page.bolt.host/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Matt Wilson speaks at a Renew gathering about how the church has sidelined masculinity, the cultural forces that softened men, and why the church must actively disciple and equip men to be courageous, loving defenders of truth. He explores scriptural foundations, the role of intention in gendered behavior, and practical steps churches can take to raise up strong, godly men without compromising compassion.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/    Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Orpheus Heyward joins the Real Life Theology Podcast to discuss how Christians should engage and resist culture. Drawing on Romans 12, he explains being a transformed, non‑conformist driven by God’s mercy, the ‘‘New Testament sacrificial system,’’ and living differently so others see Christ in us.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/    Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

David Young recounts a sudden, life-changing cancer diagnosis and the physical, emotional, and spiritual battles that followed. He reflects on doubt, renewed faith, the power of gratitude, the kindness that carried him, and why focusing on disciple making and church planting gave his life new purpose.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/    Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Join Bobby Harrington on the Real Life Theology Podcast as he outlines a practical "hope" framework—humble joy, promises of Scripture, and expectation of Christ's return—that grounds disciple making and equips believers to engage difficult conversations with grace and truth.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew-app-page.bolt.host/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Dave and Sydney Clayton share a practical framework for aiming discipleship efforts at the family, outlining five key principles—get away, set goals, establish guardrails, build community, and embrace your role as spiritual guide. They mix personal stories, concrete examples, and long-term vision for raising kids who know and follow Jesus. This episode offers simple next steps to apply in any season: take time away to hear God, set small measurable goals, protect your family with boundaries, create a discipling community, and consistently guide your children with humility and intentionality.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Corey Trimble challenges churches to embrace authenticity and create safe spaces for honest, sometimes difficult conversations about faith. He argues that many seekers turn to secular voices because churches often present a shallow, celebrity-driven version of Christianity instead of addressing real-life struggles. Trimble urges pastors and believers to return to Scripture, welcome questions, and provide genuine dialogue so that the pursuit of truth can lead people toward Jesus.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ In this episode Jim Putman discusses his new book about how pride undermines discipleship and why the church’s primary mission is to make disciples. He explains biblical foundations—from Matthew 28 to Ephesians—and how Christlike humility restores identity, relationships, and purpose. Jim and co-author Chad introduce the “five spheres” framework (identity, church, home, work, spiritual realm), call the church to humble, kingdom-centered living, and offer practical resources for churches to teach transformational discipleship.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Nate Ross unpacks Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus to show that being "lost" means perishing, and that Jesus’ mission is to seek and save those who are dying spiritually. Through personal stories—from praying in the Indiana Senate to an unexpected encounter in Cancun—Nate urges listeners to let conviction fuel compassion and courage in reaching the lost.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Orpheus Hayward explains the authority and purpose of Scripture through 2 Timothy 3:16, showing how God-breathed Scripture teaches, reproves, corrects, and trains believers for every good work. He applies this to church leadership, the preacher’s role as God’s herald, and uses a pilot-and-tower analogy to encourage trusting Scripture in life’s uncertain moments.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Chad Ragsdale of Ozark Christian College shows how apologetics often serves Christians—especially young believers—by helping them identify what they truly believe. Through quick exercises and a target illustration, he sorts beliefs into three buckets: essential (bullseye), important, and personal convictions. He emphasizes essential beliefs—God’s existence, Jesus as the risen Lord, salvation by grace, and perseverance—and explains how clarifying these priorities improves discipleship and prevents personal convictions from becoming divisive. Romans 10:9 is given as a core affirmation of the faith.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Carol Swain shares her journey from academia and personal struggles to a devout Christian faith and explains what it means to live counterculturally in today’s society. She discusses life, marriage, race, gender, materialism, and biblical justice, offering practical, faith-based guidance drawn from her own experiences.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ In this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast, Bobby Harrington warns that modern media and culture are "out-discipling" our churches and families, and urges Christians to "triple down" on discipling minds with Scripture. He outlines three responses: prioritizing deep, sustained theological formation; using trusted discipleship resources like the 775-page Real Life Theology project; and building a strong theological tribe to support and sustain disciple-making in local churches.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Jonathan Storment challenges Christians to resist cultural formation by returning to wholehearted discipleship to Jesus. Drawing on examples from Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer and lessons from the Gospel of Matthew, he warns against inventing a convenient Jesus and urges a life marked by nonviolence, generosity, racial inclusion, and sacrificial love. This episode calls listeners to fall deeply in love with the true Jesus, embrace radical obedience, and prioritize disciple-making over political or cultural alignment.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ This episode explores how ministers and churches exhausted by pandemic, conflict, and change can be renewed by the Holy Spirit. Using Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones and Jesus’ teaching, David Young encourages listeners to ask God, “Can these bones live?” and to return to spiritual fundamentals. He offers practical steps—seek the Holy Spirit, pray in the Spirit, worship, give thanks, and submit to one another—and leads a prayer asking God to fill and revive weary hearts for renewed ministry and mission.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ In this episode Renée Sproles explains that our confidence in Scripture ultimately rests on who Jesus is and what He taught about the Old and New Testaments. She explores why many young adults are skeptical of outside authority—tracing roots from the Enlightenment to today’s internet and social media culture—and calls Christians to embrace wholehearted trust and submission to God’s reliable Word. Sproles shows how Jesus affirmed the Old Testament, prepared for the New Testament through the apostles, and modeled obedience to Scripture, urging listeners to respond by believing, obeying, and living under Christ’s lordship.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Nate Ross joins the Real Life Theology Podcast to explain why leaders must surrender to Jesus as their true success. Through personal stories (including a memorable baptism and a failed capital campaign), scripture from Acts and John 5, and practical leadership teaching, he shows how surrender — not effort or sacrifice alone — allows the Holy Spirit to move the church forward. Ross urges leaders to stop relying on their own striving, "raise the sail" instead of rowing the boat, and speak boldly about Jesus. This short episode offers encouragement, biblical clarity, and a call to trust Jesus as the source of power and hope.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ From the 2020 National Gathering, this episode challenges Christians to follow Jesus' radical command to love their enemies. The speaker examines how modern society personifies ideologies as enemies, shares real-life stories of reaching hurting youth, and calls listeners to lead with compassion without sacrificing conviction. Practical takeaways include building relationships across divides, feeding and caring for those we fear, and overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:20-21).

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Corey Tremble challenges listeners to pursue courageous, Spirit-empowered discipleship that neither hides from the world nor surrenders biblical truth. He explains how expository teaching, intentional relationships, and Holy Spirit-led insulation—not isolation—equip churches to reach diverse communities without compromise. The episode offers practical encouragement to lead boldly, love authentically, and invest time in making disciples who make more disciples.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Matt Proctor explores Revelation to answer the weary question, "Why am I doing this again?" He walks listeners through three powerful portraits of Jesus — a terrifying King (Revelation 1), a tender Lamb (Revelation 5), and a triumphant Warrior (Revelation 19) — to show why believers should persevere in gospel allegiance. Using personal stories, historical context, and pastoral encouragement, Proctor reminds us that Jesus’ holiness, love, and victory give purpose, courage, and hope in hardship.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Mark Moore explores discipleship as allegiance, beginning with a powerful true story about abuse that illustrates how knowing the Bible isn’t enough. He explains why regular Bible engagement is the most important discipline for spiritual growth and walks through three biblical passages that reveal different dimensions of the Word. Mark Moore shares practical tools—like memorizing core verses—and emphasizes that true growth happens when believers both live the Word and speak it into others’ lives, leading to healing, transformation, and multiplication of faith.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Reese Neyland shows that salvation means responding to Jesus' love with wholehearted pursuit, not relying on being "good enough." Using his own story of longing and the Gospel account of the rich young ruler, he explains that true faith is loving Jesus as much as He loves us — embracing grace, pursuing obedience, and caring for the lost. The episode challenges listeners to move from mere moral effort to gospel allegiance, reminding us that Jesus first loved and that our role is to love others into that relationship.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Marcos Mercado joins the Real Life Theology Podcast to challenge listeners to surrender biases and comfort zones so they can embrace God’s call to make disciples among people who are different from them. Through personal stories and ministries with Spanish-speaking and West Indian communities—Marcos illustrates how embracing and engaging God’s calling leads to transformed lives and flourishing ministries.

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Joanne Kraft explains that faithful discipleship is learned through training and that churches should equip the women already in the seats to disciple younger women, using the Mary and Elizabeth example from Luke 1. She shares personal stories—from emergency response training to parenting—and urges pastors and leaders to recognize, encourage, and raise up Titus 2-style relationships so faith-filled lives are passed to the next generation.

In this episode of Real Life Theology podcast, Shodankeh Johnson shares powerful stories of how the Holy Spirit is transforming resistant communities through disciple-making and ordinary believers. From a West African chiefdom opening to the gospel after years of rejection to prisoners and former rebels becoming disciples, Johnson emphasizes that God uses unlikely people to bring abundant fruit when the church yields control to the Holy Spirit. He calls for a paradigm shift—from professional to ordinary, control to the Spirit, and knowledge to obedience—urging listeners to trust that with God all things are possible. Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Jim Putman explains how the church’s simple, biblical mission is to make disciples who make disciples through loving, transparent relationships that follow both Jesus’ teachings and methods. This episode explores discipleship lived out in relationship, the authority of Scripture, and the danger of empty progressivism or hollow fundamentalism—pointing listeners to a church that models and multiplies life-change.

Dave and Sydney Clayton challenge listeners to stop being ashamed of the gospel, unpacking Romans 1:16 and the evangelism guilt cycle that keeps Christians silent. They outline a path from clarity about God’s goodness, to Holy Spirit conviction about people’s need for Jesus, to supportive community that equips ordinary believers to share the good news boldly. Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ In this episode from the Renew Conference, Matthew Bates unpacks the true meaning of the gospel through Romans 1—challenging common assumptions and calling us back to the Bible’s royal announcement: Jesus is King. Too often, the gospel is reduced to a formula about personal salvation or forgiveness of sins. But Paul presents something far bigger. According to Romans 1:1–5, the gospel is the long-promised good news that:  

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Aligning Your Church for Disciple Making: Five Shifts, One Mission This session is on aligning churches around Jesus’ method of intentional, relational disciple making. They share personal ministry journeys and describe the challenge of shifting established, often attractional church systems toward obedience-based disciple making rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28) and maturity in Christ (Colossians 1). Using an iPhone vs. Android operating system metaphor, they argue disciple making can’t be added as a side program but must reshape the whole church. They present research findings that fewer than 5% of U.S. churches have a culture rooted in Jesus-style disciple making and outline four core practices seen in exemplary churches: convictional leadership, a contextual and reproducible model, high expectations, and cultural alignment. 00:00 Welcome & Why Disciple-Making Alignment Matters 04:03 Jeff Story: From Slogans to a Disciple-Making Culture 08:23 Paul: Leaving Membership Metrics for Making Disciples 13:24 Training Process Overview + The iPhone vs. Droid ‘Operating System’ Metaphor 18:59 State of Disciple-Making in North America + Jesus’ Intentional Relational Method 21:40 The Great Commission Explained: ‘Make Disciples’ and Obedience-Based Faith 27:09 Beyond ‘Evangelism’ vs ‘Discipleship’: One Mission—Salvation to Maturity 32:38 Bobby’s Journey: Coleman, Church Systems, Disciple Shift, and Renew’s Theology 41:07 Research Findings: Why Most Churches Aren’t Disciple-Making Churches 44:57 The 4 Core Practices: Convictional Leadership, Model, Expectations, Alignment 50:09 Why Revelation’s First 3 Chapters Matter Most (Jesus & the Churches) 52:38 Legacy Church Challenge: Shifting to a Discipleship Culture Without Blowing It Up 54:05 Defining a Disciple: Follow Jesus, Be Changed, Join the Mission 56:01 Personal Discipleship Story: Learning to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples 57:24 Why People Struggle to Disciple: The Baseball Analogy 01:00:15 Early Momentum & Staff Culture Change: Baptisms, Next Steps, Monday Stories 01:02:01 The Discipleship Mandate ‘Cumulative’: Jesus, Church, NT, Leaders, Gathering 01:11:43 Alignment Killers: Competing Agendas, Wrong Metrics, Instant-Result Expectations 01:13:36 10 Levers to Use (Not Demonize): Large Church, Sunday, Pulpit, Tradition, Doctrine 01:23:20 Five-Part Roadmap: Missional, Theological, Philosophical, Organizational, Relational 01:27:57 Break, Then Missional Alignment Deep Dive: Love God, Love People, Then Make Disciples 01:32:38 Avoiding Counterfeit Missions: Tradition, Buildings, and Other Substitutes 01:33:20 C.S. Lewis on the Church’s One Job: Make Disciples 01:34:12 Mission-Driven vs Member-Driven (and Keeping Jesus’ Mission Central) 01:35:04 Theological Alignment: Why Clarity Is Kindness 01:36:52 Beyond ‘Essentials/Non-Essentials’: A Better Doctrine Framework 01:42:29 A Replicable System for Teaching Core Doctrine (Catechism DNA) 01:44:35 Micro Groups & ‘Trust and Follow Jesus’: Simple, Proven, Reproducible 01:47:42 Philosophical Alignment: The Jesus Way—Intentional, Relational, Transformational 01:52:29 Organizational Alignment: Leading Change Without Blowing Up the Church 02:00:26 Relational Alignment: Love, Conflict, and the Messiness of Real Discipleship 02:11:31 Next Steps & Final Charge: Join the Alignment Training + Keep Making Disciples https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Get our Premium podcast feed featuring all the breakout sessions from the RENEW gathering early.  https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ and get our Premium podcast feed: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/. Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ In this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast, recorded during the 2025 RENEW Gathering Monday Night Session, leaders from Renew Creative explore why creatives are essential to disciple making in the local church—and how discipling artists helps the whole church slow down and savor what truly matters

Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ and get our Premium podcast feed: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/. Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ In this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast, recorded during the 2025 RENEW Gathering Monday Evening Session, we hear from Joseph, Director of Disciple Making Trainings with TCM International Institute, as he shares firsthand stories of disciple making across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and Ukraine

Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ and get our Premium podcast feed: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/. Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ The episode features Carl and Alicia Williamson from Harding University discussing a training session on disciple-making called 'Multiplying Disciples on College Campuses and Beyond.' This session is on useful disciple-making tools accompanied by a Q&A. 

Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ and get our Premium podcast feed: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/. Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ The episode features Carl and Alicia Williamson from Harding University discussing a training session on disciple-making called 'Multiplying Disciples on College Campuses and Beyond.' This session is on a specific disciple-making process,

Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ and get our Premium podcast feed: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/. Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ The episode features Carl and Alicia Williamson from Harding University discussing a training session on disciple-making called 'Multiplying Disciples on College Campuses and Beyond.' This session is on big-picture strategies. Carl, a Bible professor, and Alicia, a Bible faculty member, share their experiences in church planting and working with emerging adults. They emphasize the role of prayer, accountability, vision, and expectation (PAVE) in fostering a disciple-making movement. They recount various personal stories and examples of how these principles have led to the multiplication of disciple-making groups among students, ultimately inspiring transformational faith journeys. The script also includes a practical component where participants are encouraged to pray and reflect on God's role in their disciple-making efforts.

Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ and get our Premium podcast feed: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/. Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ This episode of the Real Life Theology podcast, hosted by David Young, focuses on practical ways of making disciples with a sense of urgency. David emphasizes that disciple making requires genuine love for others and the willingness to invest in relationships. He uses personal anecdotes and examples from scripture to illustrate the importance of relational disciple making. Various strategies and methods, such as Discovery Bible Studies, are discussed to help individuals and churches cultivate a disciple-making culture. David also addresses challenges like disciple-making fatigue and suggests integrating discipleship into existing church activities. The podcast concludes with actionable steps, emphasizing prayer, intentionality, and leveraging current relationships to start discipling others effectively.