Why the Cross Changes Everything: The Gospel of Mark

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by their friend Kristi McLelland for a rich conversation about freedom, family, and what it really looks like to walk with Jesus through the book of Galatians. Together, they unpack the beauty of our adoption into the family of God, the freedom we’ve been given through the cross, and how the fruit of the Spirit becomes tangible in the way we love, serve, and show up for one another. Because the Gospel isn’t simply something we believe—it changes how we live, how we give, and how we carry each other’s burdens. So grab a cup of coffee (or a scoop of mint chocolate chip!) and pull up a chair on the Back Porch with us. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Galatians 1:1–5  Galatians 1:15  Galatians 4:4–7 Galatians 5:1  Galatians 5:16–26  Genesis 17:1  Acts 19  Matthew 28:18–20  Matthew 6:9–13 

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by New Testament scholar Dr. Scot McKnight and trauma-informed counselor Adrienne Gibson for a conversation about trauma through the lens of 2 Corinthians. Together, they explore Paul’s vulnerability, the four common trauma responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and the importance of processing our stories within healthy community. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 2 Corinthians  2 Corinthians 10–13  2 Corinthians 10  2 Corinthians 11  Acts 13  Acts 20:7–12  Isaiah 42:1–4  CHRISTIAN COUNSELING RESOURCES: Valor Counseling — Adrienne Gibson  Christian counseling resources through Adrienne Gibson: www.valorcounselingaz.com Psychology Today — Find a Counselor  To find a counselor in your area, visit Psychology Today and use the filters to narrow your search by location, specialty, insurance, and more: www.psychologytoday.com

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into 1 Corinthians with Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, exploring Paul's call to unity in a church wrestling with division, cultural pressures, and sexual brokenness—and how genuine biblical community calls us back to wholeness. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Psalm 51 1 Corinthians 5:1 1 Corinthians 6:19 1 Corinthians 5:7 Jeremiah 2:13 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 1:18 John 4 Revelation 3:20 Acts 18

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa is joined by theologian and author Dr. Preston Sprinkle for a deep dive into Romans 16 and the remarkable stories of three women who played significant roles in the early church: Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia. Together, they unpack the leadership, influence, and ministry of these women and explore what their stories reveal about women’s roles in the early church and the spread of the Gospel. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and join us on the back porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES  Romans 16:1-7 Romans 8 Acts 2 Romans 15 Romans 9-11 Romans 14-15 Romans 1 Romans 2 John 13 Matthew 22 Mark 10 Philippians 2 Romans 16:23 Acts 18:25-26 Romans 16:7 1 Chronicles 22:8 Romans 8:1

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by New Testament scholar and Anglican priest Dr. Michael Bird for a lively dive into the book of Acts. Together, they explore the inseparable connection between Luke and Acts, the significance of Jesus’ ascension, and the Holy Spirit’s powerful work through ordinary believers as the early church quite literally turned the world upside down. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch!  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:  Acts 20:7-12  Acts 1:8-10  Genesis 1  Psalm 8  Daniel 7  Acts 2:41-45 Acts 17 Acts 13 Acts 2:17-21 Acts 5:40-41 Acts 8:26-40 

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa & Allison welcome Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams from She Reads Truth for a rich conversation through the Gospel of John. Together, they explore what it means to move beyond treating the Bible as a rule book and instead encounter it as an invitation to know the Living Word—Jesus Himself. From abiding in Christ to the power of God's living and active Word, this episode is a reminder that Scripture is meant to transform us, not just inform us. Grab your Bible and pull up a chair - we're so glad you're here. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Hebrews 4:12 John 15:4 John 13-17 Hebrews 5:7

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison explore the Gospel of Luke, focusing on Jesus' heart for the misfits, the marginalized, and those often overlooked. Luke reveals a Savior who consistently moves toward the overlooked, the broken, and the unlikely with compassion, mercy, and grace. If you've ever felt unseen, like you don't quite fit in, or questioned whether God could really delight in you, this conversation will remind you that Jesus has always made room for people just like us. So come hang out with us on the porch—we've saved you a seat. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:  Luke 8:1-3  Luke 16:19-24  Luke 18:9-14   Luke 7:11-17  Luke 13:10-17  Psalm 139:1-18  Luke 15:11-32  

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison welcome Dr. Scot McKnight, Dr. Lynn Cohick, and Dr. Michael Bird for a rich conversation on the Gospel of Mark. Together they show why the cross doesn't contradict Jesus' identity as the Messiah—it confirms it. If you've ever wondered how God brings hope through suffering, this episode will encourage you to see the cross as the ultimate expression of His love and victory. So grab a cuppa, your Bible, and come hang out on the porch with us.   SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:  1 Corinthians 15  Mark 9:1 Mark 8:27-9:1-12 Mark 14:66-69 Psalm 110:1 Daniel 7:13  Mark 10:45 Mark 7:24-30 Mark 9  Mark 10:13–16

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison sit down with Kyle Hebert to discuss his remarkable journey from incarceration at Angola State Penitentiary to a life transformed by Jesus. Together, they explore key themes in the Gospel of Matthew, including forgiveness, mercy, the Beatitudes, and the redemptive power of God's grace. Grab your Bible and come hang out on the porch.   SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:  Matthew 5:1-10  Matthew 6:14-15  Matthew 18:21 Matthew 18:15-17 Matthew 18:27

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison head into Ezra and Nehemiah and discover that sometimes God's greatest miracles aren't dramatic moments of rescue—they're the long, faithful work of rebuilding. As God's people return from exile and begin clearing away decades of rubble, we're reminded that restoration often happens one brick, one prayer, and one act of obedience at a time. It's a timely reminder that God still brings beauty from rubble. Pull up a chair and come join us on the porch. We're so glad you're here. Scripture References:  Isaiah 44:26-28 Psalm 51  Ezra 10:2-3  Nehemiah 3:12 Nehemiah 4:10 Galatians 6:15 Nehemiah 2:16 Ecclesiastes 7:2 Ezekiel 37  Nehemiah 6:9