Rethink & Return with Jason Shepperd

This episode covers 2 Peter 3:1-9 and Peter’s urgent call to remember the way of God.We talk about how Peter, near the end of his life, writes to stir up wholesome thinking by reminding us of the words of the prophets and the commands of Jesus through the apostles. We look at the scoffers who mock the promise of Christ’s return, deliberately forgetting God’s power in creation, the flood, and the coming judgment by fire.At the heart of it is God’s patience: He is not slow, but patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. We also discuss what it means to be people of the Word, hiding Scripture in our hearts, praying it back to God, and using it to disciple others in everyday life.If you need a fresh reminder to trust God’s timing and keep your mind fixed on Him, this episode is for you.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the raw warning in 2 Peter 2:13-22 about false teachers infiltrating the church, God’s certain payback for the harm they cause, and the shocking reality of those who taste the gospel but return to sin. We unpack how these teachers carouse in broad daylight, seduce the unstable with greed and adultery, promise freedom while enslaved to depravity, and why leaving the straight path leads to worse destruction than never knowing the way at all.You’ll see the powerful progression of moral decay, the truth that vengeance belongs to the Lord alone, and the sobering Proverbs Peter uses—a dog returning to its vomit and a washed pig wallowing back in the mud—to show that real transformation only happens when we fully submit to Jesus’ lordship. If you’re studying 2 Peter, wrestling with discernment in the church today, or want to protect the purity of the gospel, this deep dive will sharpen your faith and help you spot the fake by knowing the real Jesus.Perfect for anyone doing Bible study on false teaching, gospel protection, or Christian leadership.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episodes covers 2 Peter 2:4–12 and explores the sobering reality that God is both the righteous Judge and the faithful Rescuer. The passage walks through examples of divine judgment—from angels who sinned, to the ancient world destroyed by the flood, to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—to show that no one ultimately escapes God’s justice. At the same time, Scripture highlights God’s pattern of rescuing the righteous, as seen in the lives of Noah and Lot, reminding us that His heart moves toward redemption even while He judges sin. The episode wrestles with how we approach difficult truths about hell, condemnation, and God’s sovereign authority over righteousness and judgment. It also challenges listeners to examine whether they approach Scripture through humility and trust in God’s Word or through a predisposed lens that questions the Judge Himself. The conversation contrasts those who humbly live under God’s righteousness with those who arrogantly follow their own desires, reject authority, and speak against what they do not understand. Ultimately, the episode points listeners back to the hope of rescue found in Jesus—the One whose righteousness covers us and secures our salvation even in a world still awaiting final judgment.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers 2 Peter chapter 2 and the reality of false teachers among the people of God.We talk about what actually qualifies as heresy, the difference between disputable matters and gospel essentials, and why denying the lordship of Jesus crosses a line. The covenant changed, but the human condition did not. That means false teaching did not disappear either.We also wrestle with the danger of saying a whole lot without ever saying the whole thing, and how to examine what we hear without becoming heretic hunters.This is a needed conversation for anyone who wants to love the gospel, protect the gospel, and live with both conviction and humility.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers 2 Peter 1:12–21 and Peter’s urgency as he nears the end of his life. He calls his body a tent and knows his time is short. Instead of chasing something new, he doubles down on reminding the church of what is already true.We talk about why mature believers must stay open to being reminded, what it means to live with the brevity of life in view, and why making every effort to pass the faith on is the only proof we have really been here.Peter anchors it all in eyewitness confidence and Spirit-inspired Scripture. Christianity is not a cleverly devised story. It is reliable truth. So live like your time is short. Build like the gospel will outlast you.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers 2 Peter 1:5–11 and the tension between grace and effort. What it means to participate in the divine nature without trying to earn what has already been given. Why effort is not opposed to the gospel, but apathy is. How spiritual growth actually happens, why stagnation is dangerous, and how forgetting grace leads to blindness. A call to keep growing, keep adding, and keep taking Jesus seriously.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers formation beneath the surface, deep conviction shaped by theology not trends, and the kind of leadership that actually lasts. In a leadership conversation with Rob Wagner, we talk about the hidden cost most leaders are never warned about, crucifixion before influence, and why sustainable fruit only comes from abiding. This is a word for leaders who are more concerned with being faithful than being seen, and who want a life and ministry that can endure over time.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers divine power and where it actually comes from, what it means that God has given us everything we need for life, and how godliness grows through waiting, endurance, and participation in the life of Christ. A slow walk through 2 Peter 1 that reframes power, maturity, and what true life really is, with guest Calvin Taylor.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers a conversation with Josh Hussman of Mercy Road Church and Multiply Indiana on leadership shaped by loss and faithfulness.Josh reflects on planting a church, the loss of a child early in ministry, and how that season reshaped his understanding of calling, success, and endurance. They talk about suffering, perseverance, and what it means to keep leading without becoming hardened.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers power, godliness, and the claim Scripture makes without softening it. God has already given everything needed for life and godliness. Not eventually. Not after growth. Not after maturity. The conversation presses on why believers live beneath what has been given, how excuses quietly replace faith, and why sanctification is not about trying harder but living from what is already true. This is not shame. It is hope. And it leaves no room to pretend power is unavailable.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the opening words of 2 Peter by slowing down to consider the man God chose to speak through. Before doctrine, warning, or instruction, Peter introduces himself as a servant and apostle shaped by failure, restoration, and long obedience to Jesus. Written near the end of his life, these verses carry the weight of a man who knows who he is, why he believes, and where his hope rests. Understanding Peter’s identity, calling, and transformation matters because Scripture did not come through abstractions, but through real people carried along by the Spirit. If we want to read this letter rightly, we have to begin by listening to the voice behind it.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers why the church still matters in a world that feels divided, exhausted, and increasingly hostile to faith. Through Colossians 1, we rethink what the church actually is—not a building, a brand, or a weekly event, but a committed spiritual family formed for a real battle.We talk about the spiritual, cultural, and personal wars every believer faces, and why Jesus designed the church to help us endure and mature in the middle of them. This conversation challenges consumer-driven faith, preference-based church hopping, and isolation, while calling believers back to prayer, shared life, and commitment to a local body.If you’ve ever questioned the value of the church, felt disillusioned by it, or wondered why staying connected matters, this episode reframes the church as God’s chosen instrument of hope, formation, and endurance in a broken world.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers why joy is so often misunderstood and why the gospel announces joy in the middle of difficult, uncontrollable, and disappointing circumstances. Using the Christmas story and the context of the incarnation, we confront the false beliefs that joy depends on government, control, ease, timing, possessions, recognition, or certainty of outcomes. By looking closely at how joy entered the world at Christmas — not into comfort, but into hardship — this conversation reframes joy as something co-mingled with salvation itself, not something we earn when life improves.If the Christmas season has ever felt heavy, disappointing, or disconnected from joy, this episode invites you to rethink what Christmas actually promises and return to where true joy is found.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the process of preparing a sermon, from sitting with the text to standing before a room of people. The conversation focuses on how sermons are actually formed over time, why preparation is more than outlining points, and how pastors learn to move a message from the page to the heart. This episode explores developing a personal process, trusting the work of Scripture and the Spirit, and preparing in a way that serves real people rather than performance or pressure.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers how the Christmas story reveals God’s larger plan colliding with ordinary human lives. We explore the incarnation as more than a holiday tradition how God enters real stories, carries the weight of the work Himself, and invites us to trust Him when His plans disrupt our own. Through Mary’s response, we examine favor, fear, surrender, and what it truly means to live inside God’s story instead of trying to build our own.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the foundational principles and perspectives on preaching, focusing on the journey from insecurity to confidence in delivering God's message. You’ll hear an honest conversation about the importance of expository preaching, the balance between exegetical, apologetic, and prophetic elements, and how to steward the gift of preaching with humility and authenticity. The discussion delves into the challenges of comparing oneself to other preachers, the significance of preaching to the people in front of you, and the unique dynamics of being a local church pastor versus an itinerant speaker.This episode also explores the necessity of loving the congregation, the role of body language in communication, and the importance of owning your calling in the moment. It highlights the value of consistency in ministry, the impact of knowing your audience, and the difference between preaching at home and on the road. Through these insights, the episode aims to equip both seasoned and aspiring preachers with the tools to faithfully deliver God's Word and connect deeply with their audience.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers how the story of Zechariah reveals the deeper theology of Christmas, the subtle sovereignty of God in ordinary moments, and how faith can grow even when life feels confusing or disappointing. You’ll hear a conversation about trusting God when prayers seem unanswered, how to keep your heart soft, and why miracles are real but not regular. This episode also explores the difference between belief and unbelief, how God works through both natural and supernatural means, and what it looks like to stay faithful in seasons of waiting.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers what it means to “lead with a limp” — the kind of humility, steadiness, and wisdom that only comes through real life pain and ministry wounds. You’ll hear an honest conversation about the difference between pre-limp and post-limp leadership, why humility matters more than talent, what younger leaders often miss, how seasoned leaders can carry the weight in tough seasons, and how to develop people without rescuing them from the very growth they need.This episode also explores the danger of a critical spirit, the value of mentors, the balance of experienced leaders and young leaders on a team, and why patience, accountability, and community shape healthier leadership over time.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode includes a deep conversation on cultivating an enduring devotional life rooted in Psalm 1. It unpacks how God’s goodness shapes the blessed life, how the righteous walk in a distinct way defined by Scripture, and why delighting in God’s Word forms the foundation of spiritual consistency through every season. Through vivid biblical imagery—like trees planted by streams of water—the episode explores how rootedness in God produces strength, stability, and fruitfulness. Ultimately, it invites listeners to examine whether they are walking in God’s ways and living a life the Lord longs to watch over and bless.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers how the gospel helps us see grief clearly. We look at Hebrews 11 to understand why suffering doesn’t mean God is absent, how faith carries us through seasons of loss, and why this world will never feel like home. If you’re hurting or walking with someone who is, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and a gospel lens for grief.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers what it actually looks like when God is moving among His people. Drawing from Acts 11:19–30, we see that revival rarely happens in perfect conditions—it happens in difficulty, through evangelism, community, generosity, and deep devotion to the Word.This message reminds us that our difficult seasons don’t disqualify us; they often position us for God’s greatest work. When the gospel is pure and the Spirit is powerful, people change, generosity flows, and a watching world noticesWebsite: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers what it means to not lose heart when leadership feels heavy. It walks through 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul reminds us that ministry is both a mercy and a battle. The conversation explores how to keep going when you’ve lost passion, how to rest without quitting, and why God’s strength often shows up most clearly in our weakness. This episode is for anyone feeling pressed, tired, or close to walking away — a reminder that the call is a gift, the struggle is real, and God’s power is still at work in fragile people.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers what keeps leaders from burning out and walking away when ministry gets hard. Brian Howard, president of Acts 29, joins the conversation to talk about the essential practices that lead to longevity in leadership. From mastering your craft to staying personally healthy and grounded in your calling, this conversation explores how leaders can build endurance that lasts decades, not just seasons.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the closing of Galatians and what it means to live out the gospel with scars, humility, and grace. The conversation reflects on Paul’s final words and how they call believers to serve Jesus even while suffering, to depend on the Spirit in both preparation and presentation, and to resist impressing others with religion instead of resting in the gospel. It explores the tension between God’s promises to Israel and the covenant fulfilled in Christ, warning against letting any doctrine or secondary issue eclipse the centrality of the cross. Together, we unpack what it means to keep the gospel pure, stay faithful under pressure, and experience the fullness of grace in everyday obedience.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers Paul’s sobering warning in Galatians 6 — “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.” It explores how deception creeps in quietly, how every action plants a seed that grows, and how living by the Spirit allows us to experience eternal life now. A conversation about discernment, endurance, and the long game of faith.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers what it really means to restore people with grace. Centered on Galatians 6:1–6, we talk about how to gently bring others back, carry each other’s burdens, and build a culture of accountability without becoming judgmental. The conversation digs into confession, repentance, and what it looks like to live out restoration in real community. Whether you’re walking through your own struggles or helping someone else back to health, this episode offers a grounded look at how grace restores and how the church can reflect the heart of Jesus.Resources:Access 7&7 discipleship resource:churchprojectnetwork.com/resourcesStart 1:1 Discipleship:churchproject.org/discipleshipchurchproject.org/appWebsite: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the lonely cost of leading like a pioneer. We dig into what it means to lead with conviction, stay true to biblical values, and build a church culture that lasts. The conversation explores the challenges of leadership without compromise, the reality of isolation in pioneering roles, and practical ways to maintain clarity and courage in the face of disappointment. If you’re in ministry or leading a team, this episode offers encouragement and actionable insights for protecting your vision and creating lasting impact.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers why the fruit of the Spirit cannot be understood apart from its source, the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5 contrasts the destructive works of the flesh with the transforming power of the Spirit, reminding us that if there is no Spirit, there is no fruit. We unpack how this passage has often been sanitized, reducing love, joy, peace, and kindness to surface-level niceness, instead of seeing them defined by the life of Jesus Himself. The conversation presses into the grit of Paul’s words—crucifying the flesh, walking in step with the Spirit, and resisting the temptation to return to law or self-reliance. Ultimately, we’re called to live Spirit-empowered lives marked by clarity, courage, conviction, compassion, and a love for the lost.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the leadership mandate in a time of cultural upheaval. The conversation explores why this moment is different, how to lament well, and what it means to care for your city, yourself, and your church community. It highlights four key signposts and three essentials for every leader: give clarity, offer courage, and create context. This is a call to step boldly into God’s mandate and pray for an obvious move of God in our day.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers what Paul teaches in Galatians 5 about true freedom and how it is always tied to God’s order. Discover why freedom without God’s order is chaos, why sin always leads to addiction, and how walking by the Spirit is the only way to live free.If you’ve ever wondered how to walk in the Spirit and live out your freedom in Christ without drifting into chaos, this episode will give you clarity, conviction, and encouragement to keep moving forward.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers Paul’s warning to the Galatians, reminding us that salvation rests in Christ alone. We examine the difference between living through the Spirit and striving by works, how subtle distortions creep into the gospel, and why misplaced values leave us enslaved. The conversation unpacks how suffering, success, and tradition can all pull us off course—and how the Spirit calls us back to run the race with endurance, rooted in faith and love.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the freedom found only in Christ. The gospel is not Jesus plus our works—it’s Jesus alone. When we add to it, we carry burdens we were never meant to carry. When we abuse it, we trade freedom for slavery. This conversation looks at how God’s nature is freedom, why grace is not a license to sin, and why standing firm in the gospel keeps us from drifting back into old patterns.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the challenge of scaling leadership and why starting, staying, and sustaining growth each demand different skills. From the early days of casting vision with words, to embedding values into culture through repetition, Jason and Dave unpack how communication shifts as an organization grows. They explore the difference between leading with vision and leading with values, the process of crafting language that sticks, and the conviction required to guard against compromise when outside pressures promise money or influence. This conversation is both a practical guide to scaling leadership and a reminder to protect the convictions that gave birth to the work in the first place.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers why Jesus spoke so often about money and generosity, what 2 Corinthians 9 teaches about the laws of giving, and how generosity is tied to the gospel, freedom, and joy.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the real struggles of ministry life—the scrutiny leaders face, the temptation to strive, and how vulnerability can become a pathway to strength. Special guest Jeff Vanderstelt shares wisdom on abiding in Christ, breaking free from the subtle addiction to ministry, and living out God’s design for healthy leadership. Whether you’re in full-time ministry or simply navigating the weight of expectations, this conversation offers practical hope and freedom. This is for anyone in church leadership who feels the weight of expectations and wants a healthier way forward.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the call to bring our “first and best” to God through the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. The conversation unpacks how giving is more than a financial act—it’s worship, it’s protection against greed, and it’s a pathway to joy. Listeners will learn why generosity keeps our hearts soft, how idolatry can creep in when we withhold, and practical steps for starting a lifestyle of giving that honors God first.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the unseen side of leadership—the toll it takes, the rhythms that sustain it, and the deep responsibility that comes with leading a local church. Jason unpacks how to build rest into your life without losing momentum, why seasons of ministry require different approaches, and the expectations every leader should place on themselves. Whether you’re a church planter, a ministry leader, or someone carrying influence in any arena, this conversation will help you think long-term about your calling and how to steward it well.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the vital role of the local church in God’s plan, reminding us that while the world prepares us to live against Jesus, we are called to prepare one another to live for Him. From 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10, we see that though full redemption will not come this side of heaven, God has chosen the local church as His primary instrument for gospel work until Christ returns. We are called to gratitude, endurance, and Spirit-filled conviction so that the message of Jesus rings out from our community to the world.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers what happens when pastors get honest about their shortcomings, their struggles with comparison, and the temptation to trade conviction for comfort. Jason sits down with Peter Mutabazi — foster dad, leader, and advocate — to talk about why so many churches feel like corporations, why some leaders feel stuck on stage, and how authenticity can rebuild trust in a lonely calling. Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the journey from rescue to redemption through the lens of Peter Mutabazi’s remarkable story. In this episode of Rethink and Return, Jason and Dave reflect on Peter’s transformation—from a nameless orphan in a gutter to a man fathering dozens through foster care—and how his life vividly illustrates the gospel. They challenge us to move beyond healing into purpose, from survival to sacrifice, and into the kind of selfless living that reflects Jesus. Because true wholeness isn’t the finish line—it’s the launch point. It takes a church. It takes us all.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the weight of pastoring and how easily ministry can distort your identity. From comparison and discouragement to decentralization and leadership clarity, this conversation challenges pastors to stay rooted in who God created them to be. Faithfulness requires grit, but also a willingness to say “no,” stay small, and remember why you started.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the sacred nature of work and the call to pursue both rest and excellence. From the beginning, God modeled meaningful work in creation, revealing that labor is not a curse but a reflection of His character. Rooted in Genesis 1 and 2, this conversation reframes work—not as a means to earn or prove, but as an act of worship. Whether in ministry or the marketplace, we’re invited to work with all our might, not for money or recognition, but for the Lord, trusting that even in eternity, meaningful work will continue.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode is a continuation of Jason's conversation with Jeff about church planting. While planting a church is a huge step in the process, Jason and Jeff break down the weight of building a team that loves Jesus and loves the mission of the church. To be part of a church is to be part of the whole church, united in Christ to spread the gospel throughout our city.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the qualities needed to plant a church. Church planting is hard, but not impossible. Having people by your side, resting well, and enduring the struggle are all ways pastors can remain diligent in their pursuit of bringing the gospel to their local community and beyond. Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the hope and purpose found in suffering. Through the lens of the gospel, we see that pain is never wasted—God uses it to refine us, draw us closer to Him, and reveal His strength in our weakness. Suffering is not the absence of God’s love, but often the place where His presence is most deeply known. In Christ, even our hardest moments are filled with eternal meaning and future glory.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the importance of evangelism and discipleship in the church. The local church is a gift, and a local church is about people. But it is a pastor's responsibility to properly equip the church to spread the gospel and make more disciples.// ABOUT TIM HAWKS //Tim Hawks has served as the Lead Pastor of Hill Country Bible Church Austin for over 30 years which, by God’s grace and faithful provision, has formed the Association of Hill Country Churches and planted 39 churches in the Greater Austin area. He has been instrumental in founding and shaping Christ Together – a citywide and nationwide cooperative movement of churches and kingdom leaders across denominations and throughout major cities – unifying the church to saturate their cities with the love of Jesus. Tim has also enjoyed training international church planters, serving on the Board of EastWest Ministries International, and collaborating with Exponential to develop multiplying churches.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the danger of spiritual ignorance and the burden of trying to earn God's favor through our own efforts. We unpack the contrast between living by the flesh versus living by divine promise, and what it means to be truly free in God's grace and in His covenant. This conversation challenges listeners to consider their spiritual path and let Scripture shape every part of life. Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the importance of returning to the practices of discipleship we see in the New Testament. With so much emphasis these days placed on the size of a church, it is crucial that discipleship be at the center of the church's efforts. Dedicating our time a resources to discipleship will cause a cultural revolution that will help change the trajectory of the modern church.// ABOUT BOBBY HARRINGTON // Bobby Harrington is the co-founder of discipleship.org and the founding and lead pastor of Harpeth Christian Church (19 years). He is the chairman of the board for the Relational Discipleship Network and the co-author of DiscipleShift, Dedicated: Training Your Children to Trust and Follow Jesus, and Discipleship that Fits. He has been married to Cindy for over 35 years and they have two adult children who are disciples of Jesus.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the will of God and the reality of life. While we experience hardships and trials, we can live with confidence that God's will can and will be accomplished. It is God's desire that all come to a knowledge of the hope that we have in Jesus. This is the zeal we need to carry out the Gospel in our communities and around the world.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

This episode covers the power of the local church and discipleship. While it is important to gather collectively, it is equally important to be connected to individuals in the body that you can grow with. Discipleship and evangelism must be at the forefront of every church.// ABOUT BILL HULL //Bill Hull is a writer and discipleship evangelist as well as the founder of T-Net International, a ministry devoted to transforming churches into disciple-making churches. He has spent more than twenty years as a pastor and is the author of several books, including Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker and Choose the Life. He and his wife, Jane, live in California.Website: jasonshepperd.comAudio Devotionals: startwith7.comHave Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.comChurch Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.comGood City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV