The Simple Faith Podcast
by Dave and Sharaya Betts
Down to earth discussions exploring the Christian faith. Hosts Dave and Sharaya Betts explore diverse topics like the Bible's overarching narrative, how the church came to be what it is today, popular church myths and tough subjects like LGBT, anxiety and depression, and grief. We don't promise to have all the answers, but we promise that we'll wrestle through them with you!
Episodes
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The FinalEpisode
It's the END of the Simple Faith Podcast for now. Join Dave and Sharaya Betts as they reflect on the joys, struggles, and lessons from over 60 episodes of the show.
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The Story of the Church (5) - Past, Present, Future
In the final episode of our church history series, Dave discusses the last 500 or so years of the church, where things are at in 2021, and what the future might hold for post-COVID followers of Jesus. Make sure to tune in next week for our LAST episode!
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The Story of the Church (4) - The Reformation
In this episode, Dave shares some huge news about the future of the Simple Faith Podcast, and dives into the story of a hugely important period in the history of the church: the Reformation.
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The Story of the Church (3) - The Middle Ages
Church history is crazy! As we continue our journey through the history of the church, today we're looking at the King who stood barefoot in the snow before a power-hungry Pope, the nasty realities of the Crusades, and even how for a brief period, there were three Popes at once!
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The Story of the Church (2): The First 500 Years
There's a lot going on in the first 500 years of the Christian faith. Join Dave Betts as we dive right into the foundational years of the Church, looking at things like: Temples being destroyed The rise of the Bible The salvation of an emperor The first Pope How the church went from persecution…
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The Story of the Church (1): 2,000 years in 20 mins
Have you ever wondered how the church became what it is today? Over the course of the next few weeks, we're taking a dive into the history of the church from Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension all the way up to now. This week, we're going to zoom out and blast through 2,000 years of history...
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Exploring Divine Healing (Part 4)
The Bible is clear that God brings divine healing. Sometimes He even miraculously heals today. But perhaps the most difficult question to wrestle with is this: what if God doesn't bring healing? In this episode, we do our very best to answer that difficult question. ---------- Over the course of…
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Exploring Divine Healing (Part 3)
So far, we've seen that God heals in the Bible, and still heals today - even if we won't necessarily experience the fullness of that healing until Jesus returns. The logical next question for episode 3 is this: As Christians, what is our role in the arena of divine healing? Let's talk. ----------...
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Exploring Divine Healing (Part 2)
Last week, we arrived at the conclusion that God heals in the Bible, and that it's logically reasonable to believe that God still heals today. In this week's episode, we ask the question, is that healing guaranteed? Or to put it another way, does God always heal today? Over the course of a...
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Exploring Divine Healing (Part 1)
Does God bring about miraculous healing today? As Christians, what is our role in divine healing? What do we do if healing doesn't come? The question of healing is a big (and sometimes controversial) one. Over the course of a four-episode series, Dave Betts is joined by Simon Argent to take a…
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Let's Talk Floods and Dinosaurs
We all know the story of Noah and the Flood in Gen. 6-9, but did it really happen? If so, how does that tie in with the age of the earth? And what about dinosaurs? How can we reconcile science with the Bible? Dave Betts is joined again by geolist Dr Melia to discuss some possible explanations and...
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How did God create the universe?
How old is the earth? What about evolution and the Bible? What's the big deal? In this episode, Dave Betts is joined by Dr Melia, a geologist with a PhD in Geomorphology, to talk about this big - and sometimes controversial - topic.
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The Goodness of the Gospel
The Gospel, or "Good News" of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. Yet, so often, we as believers assume it's a basic truth that we wrestle with before moving onto something more important. In this episode, Dave Betts is joined by Steve Janz as they discuss why the Gospel is crucial in all...
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The Cookie-Cutter Church Myth
In the final episode of our 'Church Mythbusters' series, host Dave Betts discusses the myth that there is a singular "best way" to do church and the importance of different expressions of the body of Christ in the contemporary Church.
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On Helping and Holiness
This week host Dave Betts dives into the world of volunteering in the church, tackling a subtle but dangerous myth that if you volunteer more, you must therefore be more 'spiritual.'
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"The Church Just Wants My Money" // Church Mythbusting
Why do some people feel like the Church is just after their money? It's a statement we've heard dozens of times over the year, and -- apart from a few unique cases -- couldn't be further from the truth. Where has this myth come from? And what does the Bible say? Host Dave Betts is joined by Dave...
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Church Size = Church Success?
Is a bigger church really better? Are small churches less valuable? There's a common myth in contemporary Christianity that says the best churches are the ones with the largest numbers of people. In this episode, Dave Betts is joined by Dave Rogers to chat 'Big Church' and hopefully bring a…
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Is the Bible Full of Contradictions?
A common myth about the Bible is that it's full of contradictions. Is this true? Dave Betts looks at the top five contradictions in the Bible according to the "Freedom From Religion Foundation" and argues that this apparent contradictions aren't really contradictions at all.
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Let's Talk About Grief
Have you ever wrestled with grief? As believers, how do we respond to the loss of loved ones? In this episode, Steve Janz shares an inspirational testimony of stunning faith in the midst of profound grief. Not to be missed. Steve Janz is the Executive Director of Millar College of the Bible's...
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Let's Talk About Depression
DEPRESSION is a major issue in our day. In this episode we're joined by Eliz Argent as we grapple with some important questions: What is Depression? Is it in the Bible? As believers, how do we respond if we're depressed? As believers, how do we help others if they are depressed? Eliz brings her...
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Let's Talk About Suffering (Part Two)
It's a huge question. How could a loving, all-powerful God allow suffering? In the second of a two-part discussion, Dave and Sharaya do their best to grapple with this tough question. For show notes, head to simplefaithpodcast.com.
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Let's Talk About Suffering (Part One)
It's a huge question. How could a loving, all-powerful God allow suffering? In part one of a two-part discussion, Dave and Sharaya do their best to grapple with this tough question.
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Why the Ascension Matters
The Ascension - that time when Jesus was floated into heaven on a cloud. It seems like an outrageous story, but for a number of reasons, it really matters. In this shorter-than-usual episode, Dave Betts talks about why the Ascension is actually a really big deal. ----more---- For shownotes, head…
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Baptism for Normal People
What is Baptism? Why is it so important? Sprinkle or submerge? Why is there so much division over the baptism process? Dave Betts is joined by Simon Argent to try and tackle some of these big questions. Simon Argent is one of the elders at Ascot Life Church in the UK and helps lead the Commission...
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The Image of God
Ok. So we're made "in the image of God", according to the Bible. That's pretty epic, but have you ever actually wondered what that means? This week Dave Betts is joined by Jorin Green to discuss this mysterious but incredibly important concept. Jorin Green is currently the lead pastor at Erindale...
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When Leaders Fall
Zacharias, Hybels, Lentz - the list goes on. As the global Church, it's hard to escape the heartbreaking reality that some of the world's most prominent Christian leaders have fallen in big ways. In the first episode of season 2, Dave Betts is joined by Chris Williams, Youth Pastor at McKenzie...
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'Tis The Season (Finale)
In the final episode of 2020, Dave and Sharaya reflect on the Simple Faith Podcast's first year and share what's new for the show in 2021.
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Preparing for Missions - Liam and Dana
What is it like to be a missionary in the 21st Century? This week, Dave and Sharaya are joined by their friends Liam and Dana, an inspiring young couple from Vernon, BC, Canada who are just weeks away from embarking on a journey as long-term missionaries. They discuss the fears and feelings,...
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Making Sense of Missions
What is missions all about? What does the life of a missionary look like in the 21st century? Dave Betts is joined by Marty and Becky Frisk of Christar Canada to try and make sense of missions.
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Why Bible School?
Dave is joined by Steve Janz, director of Millar College of the Bible's BC campus to talk about Bible School. What is it? Why consider it? What if it doesn't fit with your plans?
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Communion for Normal People
Communion. Or the Lord's Supper. Or the Eucharist. Or Coming to the Table. Or Breaking Bread. Or an ordinance. Or a sacrament. Communion goes by a bunch of names, and many of us have a rough understanding of what it is. Today, Dave and Sharaya discuss exactly what it is, and why it's so important...
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Let's Talk Tithing
What is tithing? Where does it fit into the church today? This week, Dave and Sharaya wrestle with this important, and at times, fairly contentious concept.
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The Church and Culture
In this week's episode, Dave and Sharaya discuss how the church should respond to culture, by asking three questions: How do we define right and wrong? How do we balance Biblical truth with the culture we're in? What do we do if Biblical truth and culture don't align? For shownotes, head to...
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Answers to Prayer: Prayer for Normal People - Part Four
In this week's episode, we're joined by a few guests as we share some stories of God answering prayer in our lives.
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Prayer and Perspective: Prayer for Normal People - Part Three
How do we live with outrageous faith? It's all down to our perspective of God, and our perspective of prayer. For shownotes head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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"How to Pray" Prayer for Normal People - Part Two
Prayer is something we often take for granted and can often feel intimidating. In this episode, Dave and Sharaya discuss some helpful tips for growing in the crucial area of prayer. For shownotes head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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"What is Prayer?" Prayer for Normal People - Part One
Dave and Sharaya take a look at a crucial part of life as a follower of Jesus -- prayer. In this episode, we ask the question, "what is prayer?". For shownotes head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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What's the deal with denominations?
Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Baptists, Prebytarians, Anglicans, Pentecostals, etc. Many of us have heard about these Christian groups -- or denominations -- but what's going on there? Join us this week as Dave and Sharaya respond to the following questions: Why are there denominations in...
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"What is Apologetics?" Churchy words for normal people - Part Five
This week we're demystifying apologetics. What does it mean and why is the study of apologetics so important? For shownotes head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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"What is Sanctification?" Churchy words for normal people - Part Four.
This week Dave and Sharaya talk about a crucial biblical concept called Sanctification. What does it mean? Why is it so important? Find out in this episode. For shownotes, head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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"What is Sovereignty?" Churchy words for normal people - Part Three.
The Sovereignty of God is a concept that underpins much of our faith. But what on earth does it mean? Find out all about this churchy word in today's episode. For show notes head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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"What is Theology?" Churchy words for normal people - Part Two.
Theology is a huge and complex rabbit hole. But what is it? Today, Dave and Sharaya try to demystify this crucial word and try to answer some of the following questions: - What is theology? - Why is it important? - How can we learn more about theology? - What are some things that we should avoid?...
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"What is Discipleship?" Churchy words for normal people - Part One.
Dave and Sharaya introduce a new series, "Churchy Words for Normal People". This week they walk us through a familiar but often misunderstood word: discipleship. For show notes, head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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Dating Apps and the Church
We live in a dating app culture. There's no getting around that. But how do Christians navigate that reality? This week, Dave and Sharaya discuss this great question from a Simple Faith listener. For shownotes, head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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How to be a New Testament Church in the 21st Century
We're joined by Dave Rogers, one of the elders of Ascot Life Church in the UK, to discuss how the Church today can best reflect the church we see in the Bible. For show notes, head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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Rules vs. Principles in the Church
This week Dave and Sharaya talk about the subtle pull of legalism in the church, the important distinction between rules and principles, and what the global Church could look like if we got that distinction right more often. For shownotes head to simplefaithpodcast.com
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Performance Culture in the Church
Have you ever been to a church where it feels more like a concert than a community? If so, you're not alone. This week, Dave and Share talk about the rise of 'Performance Culture' in the church, and share their passion for a different, more authentic way. For show notes, head to...
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The Church and LGBT (Part 3 of 3)
In this week's episode, Dave and Sharaya share the conclusion to a three-part series on the church and LGBT.
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The Church and LGBT (Part 2 of 3)
Dave and Sharaya continue their discussion around the Church and LGBT, building on the foundations that were laid last week. For show notes and, for this short series, full transcripts of the conversation, head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
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The Church and LGBT (Part 1 of 3)
This week, Dave and Sharaya begin a discussion around the Church and LGBT, laying some important foundations for what will follow in the next two episodes. For show notes and, for this short series, full transcripts of the conversation, head to simplefaithpodcast.com/
About this show
Down to earth discussions exploring the Christian faith. Hosts Dave and Sharaya Betts explore diverse topics like the Bible's overarching narrative, how the church came to be what it is today, popular church myths and tough subjects like LGBT, anxiety and depression, and grief. We don't promise to have all the answers, but we promise that we'll wrestle through them with you!
Hosted by
Dave and Sharaya Betts
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