PODCAST · religion
Unshaken: Chapter a Day
by Pastor Plek
Pastor Chris Plekenpol and his guests explore the Bible together one chapter at a time. They offer practical insights, theological depth, and real-life applications. Dive in for engaging discussions that bring God’s Word to life, one chapter at a time!
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Ephesians 5 Discussion
Send us Fan MailSome Bible passages don’t just challenge your theology, they challenge your habits, your jokes, your marriage, and your weekend plans. Ephesians 5 is one of them, so we slow down and walk through the chapter with a simple approach: outline, observe, interpret, and apply. The result is a clear call to imitate Christ, walk in love, and step out of darkness into light with a kind of wisdom that actually shows up in real life. We talk candidly about what it means to “expose” the unfruitful works of darkness, why Christian speech must be distinct, and how crude joking often connects to sexual impurity more than we want to admit. We also tackle the hard lines in the chapter: God’s holiness, the warning against sexual immorality, and the difference between ongoing rebellion and honest struggle that leads to repentance. We connect confession to forgiveness and also to healing through bringing sin into the light with trusted believers. Then we move into the marriage text that sparks endless arguments: wives submitting to husbands and husbands loving their wives as Christ loves the church. We explain what “as to the Lord” does and does not allow, why “be subject to one another” introduces ordered relationships rather than role reversal, and how a husband’s calling includes protection, provision, and spiritual leadership. We also unpack “don’t get drunk” versus “be filled with the Spirit,” asking what is really controlling you. If you care about practical Christian living, biblical marriage, and walking wisely in a dark world, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s reading Ephesians, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 5 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Ephesians 5.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 4 Discussion
Send us Fan MailDarkness loves division, and Ephesians 4 refuses to treat unity like an optional add-on. We sit down as pastors and work through Paul’s logic from start to finish: living worthy of our calling means humility, gentleness, patience, and an active fight to maintain peace. We slow down on the sevenfold oneness, because “one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism” is not poetry. It’s the concrete base that keeps the church from splintering into tribes.From there we dig into spiritual gifts and leadership in the church. Paul says Christ gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ toward maturity. We talk through why that maturity matters in a world full of loud opinions and constant content, where believers can get tossed around by every wind of doctrine. We also tackle a key question: what do apostles and prophets mean here, and how do we guard against claims of new revelation that tries to compete with Scripture?Then the chapter turns intensely practical, and we love that. Put off the old self. Renew your mind. Put away falsehood. Work honestly. Let your words build instead of corrode. Don’t let anger camp overnight in your heart and give the devil a foothold in your relationships. We also wrestle with what it means to “grieve the Holy Spirit” and why conviction can feel heavy and personal. We close with the hard and freeing command that ties it all together: forgive as God in Christ forgives you.If this helped you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs Ephesians 4 right now, and leave a quick review so more people can find the podcast. What line from Ephesians 4 challenges you the most?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 4 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads Ephesians 4.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 3 Discussion
Send us Fan MailThe wildest claim in Ephesians 3 isn’t just that God saves sinners, it’s who God chooses to make the point. Paul says God reveals his manifold wisdom through the church to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. That means your local, imperfect, grace-held community becomes part of a cosmic announcement that God wins, God redeems, and God’s plan is bigger than rebellion ever imagined. We walk through Ephesians chapter 3 in a clear outline: the mystery revealed, the ministry given, and the prayer that closes the chapter with a stunning doxology. Along the way we talk about Gentiles as fellow heirs in Christ, why Paul calls himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and what it means that revelation is a gift from God rather than something we generate on our own. We also dig into spiritual language like “rulers and authorities,” clarifying how the Bible talks about the unseen realm without drifting into speculation. Then we get practical. We discuss kneeling in prayer as a posture that teaches the heart, being rooted and grounded in love as a daily command, and trusting God beyond your capacity when circumstances feel too hard. We keep coming back to the promise of Ephesians 3:20 that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to his power at work within us. If you want a deeper grasp of grace, unity in the gospel, and Spirit-given strength, press play, then subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find it.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 3 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Ephesians 3.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 2 Discussion
Send us Fan MailDead people can’t fix themselves, and that’s exactly why Ephesians 2 hits so hard. We open the chapter by staring at the blunt reality of spiritual death apart from Christ, then watch the whole story pivot on two words: “But God.” When God interrupts, mercy and grace aren’t abstract ideas, they are the reason anyone gets rescued at all.From there, we dig into one of the most quoted lines in the Bible, “saved by grace through faith,” and we slow down long enough to put works in the right place. We’re not saved by good works, but we are created for good works. That changes how we think about purpose, calling, and daily obedience, because God prepares real steps of faith for real people to walk in.Then we zoom out to the relational shockwave of the gospel: Jew and Gentile hostility, outsiders and insiders, the dividing wall that kept people separated. Jesus doesn’t just make peace, he is our peace. In him, strangers become family, and the church becomes a new humanity, a household of God, and a living temple where God dwells with his people.If you’ve struggled with pride, prejudice, comparison, or the temptation to drift back into the world’s patterns, Ephesians 2 brings clarity and hope. Listen, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review if the message helps you. What part of Ephesians 2 do you want to live out this week?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 2 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads Ephesians 2.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 1 Discussion
Send us Fan Mail“Saint” might be one of the most misunderstood words in Christianity and Ephesians 1 clears it up fast. We open with Paul’s greeting and ask what it means that he’s an apostle “by the will of God” and why that matters for anyone tempted to treat faith like a ladder you climb. From there we map the big picture of the chapter: the Father choosing, the Son redeeming through his blood, and the Spirit sealing believers as God’s own.Then we go right to the tension point: chosen before the foundation of the world, predestined for adoption, and the long-running Calvinist vs Arminian debate. We don’t treat it like a debate club topic. We treat it like a pastoral question: does this make you afraid, proud, or secure? Along the way, we talk about regeneration and “the eyes of your heart enlightened” and why your salvation experience is ultimately the grace of God opening blind eyes.We also unpack the Holy Spirit as a seal and guarantee, plus the practical order Paul gives: you hear the word of truth, you believe, and then you are sealed. Finally, we turn to application: rejecting spiritual pride and self-reliance, remembering grace is lavished not earned, and learning from Paul’s example of thankful prayer for the local church. If you want a clear Bible study on Ephesians 1 that strengthens assurance of salvation and points you toward a confident daily walk with Jesus, press play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Ephesians 1 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Ephesians 1.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 6 Discussion
Send us Fan MailChurch can feel simple until it gets personal: someone falls into sin, someone needs money, someone needs correction, and suddenly we’re not dealing with ideas anymore, we’re dealing with people. Walking through Galatians 6, we talk about what a healthy Christian community actually does when life is messy. Paul’s command to “bear one another’s burdens” is not permission to create permanent dependency, and it’s not an excuse to ignore personal responsibility either. We dig into why Scripture can say both things at once, and how that tension helps us love people with wisdom instead of just reactions.We also lean into the uncomfortable parts of Galatians 6 that modern church culture tends to dodge: supporting the people who teach the Word of God, treating church as a covenant rather than a product, and examining whether we show up mainly to consume or to contribute. If you’ve ever wrestled with church shopping, commitment, or what it means to be “all in,” this conversation puts language to the challenge and offers a practical way forward through humility and honest communication.Then we tackle sowing and reaping, “God is not mocked,” and what it means to sow to the Spirit without slipping into works-based faith. We talk about eternal rewards, perseverance, and why “don’t grow weary in doing good” is a command for tired believers, not a slogan for perfect ones. The thread that holds it all together is grace: boasting only in the cross, living by the Spirit, and building a church life that looks like Jesus.If this helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find these Galatians Bible study conversations.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 6 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Galatians 6.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 5 Discussion
Send us Fan MailFreedom sounds simple until you realize how badly we want to earn it. Galatians 5 confronts the pressure to prove we belong to God through performance, religious badges, and rule keeping, and it does it with Paul’s bluntest clarity. Pastor Plek and Pastor Holland walk line by line through the chapter’s structure, showing why “for freedom Christ has set us free” is not a nice slogan but a rescue from the impossible burden of self-justification.We talk about the false promise of “Jesus plus something,” why Paul says choosing circumcision as a salvation requirement cuts you off from Christ, and how legalism quietly turns faith into a paycheck system. Then we pivot to the purpose of Christian freedom: not license, not isolation, but love that serves. That outward posture matters because the church is called to engage a lost world with courage, not hide in a holy huddle.From there, the contrast gets painfully practical: the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit. We dig into what Paul means by sorcery and why it functions like the satanic counterfeit of prayer, offering control instead of trust. Finally, we land on the inner battlefield, not just sinful actions but “passions and desires,” and the hard command to crucify them and keep in step with the Holy Spirit. If you want a clearer understanding of Christian freedom, sanctification, and Spirit-led living, this conversation will give you language and next steps. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us: where do you feel most tempted to earn what Jesus already gave?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 5 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Galatians 5.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 4 Discussion
Send us Fan MailSlavery doesn’t always look like chains. Sometimes it looks like a checklist, a calendar, a ritual, or the quiet pressure to prove you’re “serious” about God. Galatians 4 hits that nerve, and we slow down to follow Paul’s logic: you can be an heir and still live like a slave when you relate to God through fear, performance, and condemnation instead of faith in Christ.We unpack Paul’s warning about the “elemental spirits” or “elementary principles” of the world and why he connects spiritual bondage to religious legalism. That leads us into his personal appeal and the striking allegory of Hagar and Sarah, where slavery and freedom aren’t just labels but two completely different ways of living. We talk through how Christians can drift back to what feels familiar, how good habits can turn into burdens we put on ourselves and others, and why “rules without relationship” often produces either shame or pride.Then we zoom in on one of the richest lines in the chapter: the “fullness of time.” We explore what it says about God’s timing, Jesus’ full humanity and deity, and why Christ had to be born under the law to redeem us. The payoff is adoption and intimacy: God sends the Spirit of his Son into our hearts so we can cry, “Abba, Father.” If you’ve been stuck in guilt, chasing spiritual approval, or tempted to measure your faith by external markers, this conversation brings you back to the freedom Jesus actually purchased. Subscribe, share this with a friend who feels crushed by performance, and leave a review with one area where you’re learning to live like a son or daughter rather than a slave.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 4 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Galatians 4.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 3 Discussion
Send us Fan MailThe most dangerous drift in the Christian life is subtle: we trust Jesus to save us, then we start acting like it’s our job to keep ourselves saved. Galatians chapter 3 confronts that instinct head-on, and we walk through Paul’s argument step by step so you can observe the text, interpret it clearly, and apply it where you live, work, and play.We dig into Paul’s shocking line that Jesus Christ was “publicly portrayed” as crucified before the Galatians. They weren’t at the cross, so how could that be true? The answer highlights the power of gospel preaching and the weight of our response when Christ crucified is set before us. From there we follow the thread to Abraham: what it means to be a son of Abraham by faith, how God’s promise outruns pedigree, and why the “offspring” language ultimately centers on Jesus as the one true covenant-keeper who becomes a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law.We also unpack the purpose of God’s law as a guardian and tutor that restrains evil, exposes sin, and drives us to grace without pretending it can justify us. Then we tackle Galatians 3:28 and common modern misreads, arguing that Paul is leveling access to salvation across Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, not erasing creation or rewriting every biblical command. We close with hands-on application: rejecting anxious striving, refusing fear-based performance, and resting in adoption, inheritance, and the Spirit’s work as we keep walking by faith. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs clarity on faith and works, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 3 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Galatians 3.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 2 Discussion
Send us Fan MailA single awkward dinner table moment can expose what we really believe. Galatians 2 gives us one of the most surprising scenes in the New Testament: Paul publicly rebukes Peter, not over a minor preference, but because Peter’s behavior starts to bend the gospel under social pressure.We break down how Paul’s message is affirmed by the Jerusalem apostles, why that matters for church confidence, and how the “circumcision party” tries to smuggle works into salvation. From Titus to Peter’s retreat from Gentile believers, we trace the real issue underneath the conflict: people pleasing. When we crave approval, we can end up acting like Jesus is not enough, even if we would never say it out loud.Then we slow down on the heart of the chapter: justification by faith alone, not by works of the law, and the new identity that flows from union with Christ. Galatians 2:20 anchors the whole conversation: Christ lives in us, he loves us, and he gave himself for us. We also talk through a practical church leadership principle: when sin is public, correction often needs to be public so the truth of the gospel stays clear.If you care about gospel clarity, Christian freedom, church unity, and what to do when conduct is out of step with the truth, this one will help. Subscribe, share this with a friend, leave a review, and tell us: where do you feel the strongest pull to seek people’s approval over God’s?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 2 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads Galatians 2.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 1 Discussion
Send us Fan MailA single sentence in Galatians 1 can wreck a thousand modern spiritual claims: even if an angel shows up with a new message, don’t buy it. We take Galatians chapter 1 step by step and follow Paul’s logic from his opening greeting to his sharp alarm that the Galatians are drifting from grace into “a different gospel.” Paul isn’t arguing about side issues. He’s defending the core of Christian salvation and the authority of the message Jesus gave him. Along the way, we talk candidly about why Paul’s warning about angelic revelations still matters, and we use well-known examples where “angels” deliver alternative gospels. That leads to a practical question every listener faces: how do you spot a counterfeit message when it includes a few true-sounding parts? We also slow down over Galatians 1:10 and the brutal clarity of it: if we live for the approval of people, we cannot be servants of Christ. That people-pleasing path doesn’t just bend our theology, it can turn daily life into an anxious chase for validation. We close by tying Paul’s credibility to the resurrection. The New Testament’s earliest Christian writings center on Jesus crucified and raised, and that foundation doesn’t fit the “legend over time” storyline. If Jesus didn’t rise, Christianity collapses; if he did, everything changes including the kinds of people God can transform. Subscribe for more chapter-by-chapter Bible study, share this with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a review to help others find the show.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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Galatians 1 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads Galatians 1.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 13 Discussion
Send us Fan MailPaul’s final words in 2 Corinthians aren’t sentimental, they’re sharp, loving, and urgent. Pastor Plek and Pastor Holland dig into chapter 13 and the line that should stop every comfortable Christian in their tracks: “Examine yourselves… test yourselves.” If you’ve ever wondered how to tell the difference between real faith and religious momentum, this conversation brings the question into the light.We start with Paul’s warning about a third visit and why he invokes the “two or three witnesses” principle. That leads into a bigger talk about truth and justice in the life of the church: how accusations should be handled, why discipline can’t be driven by rumor, and what pastoral authority is actually for. We also wrestle with what “severity” might look like when a church drifts toward false teaching, and why Paul insists his authority is meant for building up, not tearing down.From there we get intensely practical: self-deception, repentance, and what it means to create a community that aims for restoration instead of silent division. Yes, we also address the “holy kiss” command, what it signals about healthy affection and unity, and how to think about it with wisdom and appropriate boundaries. If you care about healthy church leadership, church discipline done right, and a church culture shaped by love and peace, you’ll find real handles here.Subscribe for more Chapter A Day, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review that helps others find the show. What part of 2 Corinthians 13 hits you the hardest right now?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 13 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads 2 Corinthians 13.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 12 Discussion
Send us Fan MailPaul says he was caught up to the third heaven and then, almost in the same breath, admits he lived with a thorn in the flesh. That contrast is the heartbeat of 2 Corinthians 12, and it forces a question most of us would rather avoid: what if God’s greatest gifts come wrapped in weakness?We talk through why Paul uses third-person language for his vision and what “third heaven” means in biblical terms, then we slow down on the hard part: the “messenger of Satan” sent to harass him. We don’t try to over-specify what Scripture leaves open, but we do take spiritual warfare seriously and ask what it looks like when demonic lies, temptation, and suffering collide with a real ministry. Along the way we address common modern misreads of the thorn and why this passage never works as a permission slip to embrace sin.The anchor promise is God’s response to Paul’s repeated prayer: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” We connect that to everyday Christian life, from battling sinful desires to staying honest about limitations, and we also look at Paul’s warnings about church conflict, gossip, jealousy, conceit, and disorder. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by unanswered prayer or disappointed by messy churches, this chapter offers steadier ground: humble repentance, clear-eyed confession, and deep dependence on Jesus.Subscribe for the next chapter, share this with a friend who’s carrying a thorn, and leave a review if the conversation helps. What “weakness” are you tempted to hide right now?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 12 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads 2 Corinthians 12.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 11 Discussion
Send us Fan MailA confident voice can feel like truth, especially when it’s polished, popular, and expensive. We open 2 Corinthians 11 and watch Paul do something strange on purpose: he “boasts” like a fool to expose the hollow swagger of the so called super apostles. If the Corinthians insist on measuring leaders by status and presentation, Paul can win that contest, but he’d rather rescue them from the contest entirely and bring them back to sincere and pure devotion to Christ. We dig into what Paul means by “divine jealousy” and why God’s jealousy isn’t petty or insecure. It’s protective love that guards our loyalty to Jesus and refuses to watch us get pulled into a different gospel. Along the way we talk about modern parallels: influencer Christianity, podcast theology, and leaders who claim authority without accountability. We also name the uncomfortable truth that even smart, experienced believers are vulnerable to deception because the enemy is crafty, strategic, and patient. The back half turns practical. We call out the way we value appearance over substance, then look at Paul’s real credentials: suffering, endurance, perseverance, and humble service. The takeaway is a clear filter for discernment: test every teaching against Scripture, don’t skip the Bible itself, and become a Berean who checks what you hear before you repeat it. If you find this helpful, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s sorting through noisy voices, and leave a review with the biggest “red flag” you watch for in spiritual teaching.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 11 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads 2 Corinthians 11.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 10 Discussion
Send us Fan MailYour mind is not neutral ground. It is contested space, and Second Corinthians 10 shows us what real spiritual warfare looks like when the fight is for truth, maturity, and peace in the church rather than ego, clout, or “winning” arguments online. We dig into Paul’s surprising mix of meekness and boldness, and why the Corinthians mocked his presence while fearing his letters. That tension opens up a practical conversation about tone, communication, and why hard conversations often go better face to face than through text. We spend time on one of the most actionable commands in the New Testament: taking every thought captive to obey Christ. That takes the battle straight into everyday life, from temptation and shame spirals to anger, victim narratives, and cultural lies that sound convincing. Paul doesn’t call us to destroy people. He calls us to destroy strongholds, arguments, and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God using divine power, prayer, and Scripture. We also talk about the difference between fleshly arguing that comes from pride and godly reasoning that aims to rescue and build up. The episode also challenges how quickly we judge churches and leaders by outward appearance. Style, charisma, clothes, and polish can distract from the true measures: character, doctrine, humility, and authority used to strengthen the body. We close with concrete application, including learning how to defend the faith and why catechisms can be a simple tool for biblical apologetics and discipleship. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs encouragement in the fight, and leave a review with the thought you’re learning to take captive.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 10 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads 2 Corinthians 10.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 9 Discussion
Send us Fan MailMost of us want to be generous, but we do not want to be guilted, cornered, or manipulated. That tension sits right in the middle of 2 Corinthians 9, where Paul calls the Corinthian church to be ready with their gift and then draws a bright line between reluctant giving and cheerful giving. We talk through why motive matters, how “friendly pressure” can spur growth without becoming compulsion, and what it looks like to prepare a gift ahead of time so generosity stays willing and joyful. From there, we zoom out to the real-life fruit of giving. Generosity does more than meet needs, it creates gratitude, deepens relationships between churches, and multiplies prayer. We also name a danger: gifts can be strategic and transactional, and everyone can feel it. Christian charity is meant to communicate love, not leverage. Along the way we contrast biblical generosity with compulsory systems, why forced giving cannot shape a cheerful heart, and why local, relational care is a unique strength of healthy churches. Finally, we land on Paul’s promise of God’s provision: you reap what you sow, God supplies seed to the sower, and he enriches us so we can keep being generous. We get practical about stewardship, budgets, and asking hard questions about what “bountiful giving” actually means in daily life. If this helped you, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. What part of generosity do you struggle with most right now?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 9 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads 2 Corinthians 9.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 8 Discussion
Send us Fan MailPoverty, pressure, and persecution aren’t the usual ingredients for “wealthy generosity” yet that’s exactly what 2 Corinthians 8 puts on display. The Macedonian churches have almost nothing, and they still lean forward with joy, asking for the privilege of giving. That picture messes with our instincts, because most of us assume generosity starts after life settles down. We unpack why Paul points to Macedonia when he’s writing to the more resourced Corinthians, and why he’s careful to say he’s not commanding anyone to give. We talk about the difference between compelled giving and sincere giving, and how motivation matters in the Christian life. If you’ve ever felt tension between “just do the right thing” and “my heart isn’t in it,” this chapter names that tension without letting us hide from it. Then we trace Paul’s deepest reason for generosity: the grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus was rich and became poor for our sake, so we could become rich in him. From there, we explore what Paul means by “fairness” among churches, why giving “according to your means” is a spiritual equalizer, and how shared generosity builds real unity across congregations. If you want practical Christian stewardship that’s rooted in the gospel, not guilt, press play and join us. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with one way you want to grow in joyful giving.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 8 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads 2 Corinthians 8.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 7 Discussion
Send us Fan MailRegret can feel spiritual and still be deadly. We open 2 Corinthians 7 and talk about the difference between godly grief that produces repentance and worldly grief that produces shame, self-hatred, and spiritual collapse. Along the way, we trace Paul’s fatherly heart: he rebukes because he loves, he stays open-hearted toward the Corinthians, and he celebrates real change when it shows up. We also camp out on holiness and sanctification without falling into either ditch of legalism or passivity. Paul anchors the call to cleanse ourselves in God’s promise that we belong to him. That means obedience is not a way to earn the Father’s love, it’s a response to it. We connect that to real-life pastoral moments where people confuse behavior modification with repentance, especially when they’re sorry mainly because they got caught or they hate the consequences. Then we look at comfort and encouragement through Titus, and why God often lifts the downcast through ordinary people. Finally, we press into a key discipleship truth: God’s promises do not make us do nothing, they motivate faithful action. If you’ve been telling yourself “I’ll never change,” we want you to hear something better: you never could on your own, but God can, and he gives a path forward through his Word, his Spirit, and his people. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find it. What’s one area where you need godly grief to turn into real repentance this week?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 7 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads 2 Corinthians 7.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 6 Discussion
Send us Fan MailGrace can be offered, heard, and even admired and still be wasted. That’s the tension we sit with as we open 2 Corinthians 6 and follow Paul’s urgent words: don’t receive the grace of God in vain, because now is the day of salvation. We talk honestly about the difference between being around Christian things and actually trusting Jesus, and why Scripture refuses to let us settle for a “close enough” spirituality.From there we dig into one of the most misunderstood passages in Christian relationships: “do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” Yes, it matters for marriage, but Paul’s point reaches farther into business partnerships, church influence, and any setup where someone else can pull your conscience away from Christ. We break down what a yoke is, why shared direction matters, and how a believer can work alongside non-believers without getting bound to compromise or coerced into celebrating what Scripture calls sin.We also explore Paul’s stunning view of the church as the temple of the living God, built on Old Testament promises that now describe Christ’s people. That identity fuels holiness, separation from idolatry, and a deep sense of God’s presence: he dwells with us, walks among us, and calls us sons and daughters. Along the way we reflect on Paul’s list of hardships as a mark of real ministry, and the emotional realism of being sorrowful yet always rejoicing.If you care about biblical discipleship, Christian holiness, and practical wisdom for relationships, work, and culture, this conversation will sharpen you. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re applying this week.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 6 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads 2 Corinthians 6.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 5 Discussion
Send us Fan MailDeath, depression, and everyday suffering have a way of shrinking our vision until all we can see is what hurts right now. 2 Corinthians 5 refuses to let us stay there. We talk through Paul’s picture of our bodies as a fragile tent, then lift our eyes to the Christian hope that is bigger than “going to heaven someday”: bodily resurrection, a real eternal dwelling, and life swallowed up by life.We also get honest about the in-between. What happens when a Christian dies? Does soul sleep make sense? Paul’s words about being away from the body and at home with the Lord lead us into the comfort of the intermediate state and the even better promise of a glorified resurrection body like Jesus’. Along the way, we connect “walk by faith not by sight” to real life, including how to endure pain without minimizing it and why longing to be with Jesus never gives us the right to despise the gift of this life.Then we hit the center of the chapter: the ministry of reconciliation. We unpack new creation, the call to live for Christ instead of ourselves, and the stunning news that God does not count our sin against us. We talk about the Holy Spirit as God’s guarantee and the great exchange of 2 Corinthians 5:21, where Jesus takes our sin and we receive the righteousness of God. That’s what makes us ambassadors for Christ with a clear aim: to please him.If this helped you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 5 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads 2 Corinthians 5.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 4 Discussion
Send us Fan MailThe line “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers” can feel intense until you’ve watched it play out in real life. We’ve all seen it: someone you love can’t see the beauty of Jesus, and no amount of clever arguments seems to move the needle. So we open 2 Corinthians 4 and slow down, because Paul doesn’t just diagnose the problem, he points to the only cure. We talk about spiritual warfare and spiritual blindness, why the Bible can call Satan “the god of this world,” and how God’s mercy still rules the story. Then we lean into one of the most encouraging images in all of Scripture: we are treasure in jars of clay. You’ll hear us connect Christian weakness, suffering, and perseverance to God’s surpassing power, along with the gritty promise that you can be afflicted, perplexed, and struck down without being destroyed. From there, 2 Corinthians 4 gives a steady rhythm for the Christian life: the outer self wasting away, the inner self being renewed day by day; momentary affliction being turned into eternal glory; a stubborn refusal to quit. We also get painfully practical about integrity in Bible teaching and personal discipleship: renounce underhanded ways, refuse to tamper with God’s word, and bring your whole life under Scripture’s authority even when it costs you. If you need Christian encouragement, a clearer view of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or a Bible study that helps you hold on when life presses hard, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who’s tired, and leave a review with the phrase you’re clinging to right now.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 4 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads 2 Corinthians 4.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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308
2 Corinthians 3 Discussion
Send us Fan MailYou can feel the pressure to prove yourself everywhere: credentials, reputation, followers, even spiritual “wins.” We open 2 Corinthians 3 and let Paul dismantle the whole game. He refuses to build his ministry on self-commendation or external letters of recommendation, and instead points to something you can’t fake for long: a church changed by the Holy Spirit. If you’ve ever wondered what real spiritual credibility looks like, this chapter is blunt and freeing.From there we dig into one of Scripture’s most vivid images, Moses’ veil and the fading glory. Paul uses it to contrast the old covenant’s real but temporary glory with the new covenant’s surpassing, never-fading glory in Christ. We talk about what the “veil” reveals about spiritual blindness, why the answer isn’t to ditch the Old Testament, and how reading the Bible through Christ helps us actually see what’s been there all along. Along the way, we connect Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians to something painfully modern: pouring yourself out for people who still criticize you, and learning to keep your confidence anchored in Jesus.The chapter crescendos with hope: “from one degree of glory to another.” We unpack sanctification as a process, the Spirit’s role in transformation, and why beholding the Lord in Scripture changes us more deeply than endless self-focus ever can. We also sit with the promise that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” and what that freedom means for guilt, shame, hardened hearts, and the need to perform.If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who feels stuck, and leave a review so more people can find these daily Bible conversations. What’s one place you need the veil lifted so you can walk in freedom?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 3 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads 2 Corinthians 3.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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306
2 Corinthians 2 Discussion
Send us Fan MailA wide open door for ministry sits in front of Paul and he walks away anyway. That single decision in 2 Corinthians 2 exposes a deeper set of questions we all face: What does faithful leadership look like when your heart is heavy? When does love confront, and when does love step back? And how do you keep ministry from becoming an excuse to ignore the people God has actually placed in your care? We follow Paul’s explanation for why he changes his travel plans and sends a painful, tear-soaked letter instead. His words cut against the idea that spiritual correction should be harsh or detached. Paul disciplines because he loves, and he refuses to turn conflict into revenge. From there, we talk about forgiveness and restoration after church discipline and why Paul warns that being too severe can leave someone crushed with sorrow and can even become part of Satan’s strategy. That’s a needed word for church life, reconciliation, and any Christian trying to hold truth and mercy together. Then we unpack one of the most vivid images in the New Testament: Christ leading believers in triumphal procession and the gospel as an aroma. The same message can smell like life to one person and death to another, depending on what they do with Jesus. We also address the temptation to “peddle” God’s word for personal gain and why sincere ministry matters. We end with hands-on application, including ordered loves, spiritual discernment, and being ready to forgive. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s navigating church conflict, and leave a review. What part of 2 Corinthians 2 hits closest to home for you?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 2 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Holland reads 2 Corinthians 2.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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304
2 Corinthians 1 Discussion
Send us Fan MailPain has a way of shrinking your world until all you can see is what’s right in front of you. We open 2 Corinthians 1 and let Paul speak with surprising honesty about a season of suffering so heavy he “despaired of life itself,” then we follow the thread that runs through the whole chapter: God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, and He comforts us in affliction so we can bring that same comfort to someone else.From there, we talk about what Christian suffering is and is not. Paul doesn’t pretend hardship is small, and he doesn’t frame faith as personal toughness. He points to dependence on “God who raises the dead,” which reshapes fear and keeps hope alive when strength is gone. We also unpack why prayer is not a throwaway line. Paul tells the Corinthians, “You must also help us by prayer,” and we treat that like the practical, community-centered instruction it is.We also dig into the relational side of the chapter: Paul’s integrity, his changed travel plans, and the accusation that he’s a “yes and no” guy. That leads to one of the big takeaways of 2 Corinthians 1: all the promises of God find their “Yes” in Jesus, and God seals believers with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. If you’re looking for Bible teaching on comfort, affliction, prayer, pastoral wisdom, and assurance in Christ, this conversation puts all of it in one place.Subscribe for more Chapter A Day, share this with someone who needs comfort, and leave a review to help others find us. What part of 2 Corinthians 1 do you most need to believe right now?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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2 Corinthians 1 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads 2 Corinthians 1.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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302
1 Corinthians 16 Discussion
Send us Fan MailChurch life gets real when the Bible starts talking about money, relationships, awkward greetings, and the kind of strength that actually protects people. We’re in 1 Corinthians 16, where Paul moves from big theology to daily practice: a weekly collection for believers in need, ministry plans that stay flexible “if the Lord permits,” and a clear push to honor faithful workers like Timothy while still giving leaders and coworkers freedom, like Apollos. If you care about Christian generosity, church giving, and how the early church operated, this chapter is a blueprint for steady, pressure-free stewardship. Then we go straight into the line everyone remembers: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” We talk about what that meant historically in early Christianity, why it faded in many places, and what the principle still calls for today. Our takeaway is not forcing a ritual, but recovering a church culture that feels like family, where people are known, welcomed, and refreshed instead of shuffling in and out like strangers. Paul’s closing commands sharpen the theme: “Be watchful… stand firm… be strong,” and then the key qualifier, “let all that you do be done in love.” We dig into biblical masculinity, spiritual strength, and why strength without love turns toxic. We also don’t dodge the blunt warning that love for the Lord is the dividing line, not mere information about God. If you want practical discipleship anchored in Scripture, this is one to save and share. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one small way your church could grow in generosity or warmth this week?Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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301
1 Corinthians 16 Reading
Send us Fan MailPastor Plek reads 1 Corinthians 16.Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Pastor Chris Plekenpol and his guests explore the Bible together one chapter at a time. They offer practical insights, theological depth, and real-life applications. Dive in for engaging discussions that bring God’s Word to life, one chapter at a time!
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Pastor Plek
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