Digging Deeper | Marriage and Matters of the Heart with Erin Smalley

Join Jeff and Laura in today's podcast as they explore the basics of faith and belief with special guest, Gray Sutanto, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. In this discussion, we delve into the essential concepts of salvation and what truly anchors our beliefs to faith. Hear from Gray's educational perspective on how the younger generation grapples with belief, posing fundamental questions like "What does it mean to believe?". Listen to this and more episodes on our Digging Deeper podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast streaming platforms. Additional Resources: - Learn more about Gray Sutanto and his work. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes.

In this first episode of this series, "Believe," Jeff and Laura sit down with Michael Graham, Program Director for the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. Mike unpacks the findings of his latest book, The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? In it, he looks at the different profiles of Americans who are leaving or have already left the church. Their conversation sets up this series as we look at what it means to believe in the Christian faith, with a great reminder that belief is something we hold to, but it is also God holding on to us.  Timestamps to help you follow along: (3:18) What is dechurching and who is doing it and why did you choose that title?  (4:56) Who is leaving the Church? Four profiles of who is leaving evangelical churches:  (5:32) Cultural Christians  (6:05) Mainstream Evangelicals (7:44) “Ex”vangelicals  (10:15) Black & Indigenous Persons of Color (BIPOC) (12:04) How can you relate to each profile?  (13:41) What do you mean when you refer to the dechurching issue in America as a discipleship issue?  (17:26) What did you learn with the large group of people who just need an invitation? Additional Resources:  - Get Michael’s book, The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? - For more on this topic, check out The Gospel Coalition’s As in Heaven podcast  - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes.

In today's episode of Digging Deeper, we experience a role reversal! Jeff is joined by his wife Rachel, while Laura Story Elvington steps into the role of the interviewee, accompanied by her husband Martin. Together, they delve into a deeply personal narrative of steadfast faith amidst an unexpected medical diagnosis. This heartfelt conversation aims to stand as a testament to the unwavering strength found in Christ. It is a reminder that despite life's most jarring challenges, followers are invited to embrace the stability of an unshakable God and the enduring reality of His kingdom, even amidst the most tumultuous of times. Additional Resources: - Get Laura’s books, When God Doesn’t Fix It, and I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life, in the Perimeter Bookstore or perimeter.org/webstore. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes.

In this episode, Jeff and Laura discuss the ever-present topic of anxiety with speaker, author, mother and wife, Rebekah Lyons. Rebekah has been vulnerable in sharing her story of her struggle with anxiety and panic attacks across multiple platforms. Today, she gives hope and encouragement as she explains the holistic way of God’s healing through the redemptive work of what we know and understand about the brain and how it all works together with our faith journey. Additional Resources: - Learn more about Rebekah's ministry here: rebekahlyons.com. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes.

In this episode, Jeff and Laura chat with longtime Braves player and childhood sweethearts, Jeff and Catie Francoeur. The Francoeurs share their amazing testimony and how they had to trust God through difficult things from miscarriages, to dreams of a baseball career coming to an end, all while navigating the outcomes in the public spotlight. We pray this episode will be an encouragement to you in seasons where you experience the unshakable reality of the kingdom of God amid the shaken reality of life. Additional Resources: - You can check out Jeff Francoeur’s podcast, Pure Athlete, anywhere you listen to podcasts. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes.

In this episode of the "Unshakable" series, Jeff Norris and Laura Elvington sit down with author, speaker, and Bible study teacher Jennifer Rothschild. If you are in the throes of something that is shaking you to the core, we encourage you to listen to this episode. You will be encouraged by Jennifer's story of dependency upon our unshakable God! Additional Resources: - Visit Jennifer's website at www.jenniferrothschild.com. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes. Stay tuned for next week's episode featuring Jeff & Catie Francoeur.

We wrap our series, Love Rules, around the 10 commandments and how God's love is a pathway to freedom rather than a restriction on our lives. Jeff and Laura sit down with longtime friend, Crawford Loritts, to examine the last three commandments and look at them through the lenses of humility and contentment. We hope this conversation is a blessing to you as you listen and believe that you are truly loved by God the Father, that He is enough and giving you what is best for your life. Additional Resources: - Learn more about Crawford Loritts and Beyond Our Generation. - Listen to Crawford Loritts at our parent equipping this year. - Watch Q&A with Crawford Loritts and Jimmy Kim. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes

In today's episode, Jeff and Laura continue to walk through the 10 commandments, camping out around commandments six and seven. They are joined by Erin Smalley, strategic spokesperson for Focus on the Family, and together they look at God's heart for the covenant of marriage as well as matters of the heart. She gives practical ways to show up for your spouse and resist the drift that comes with the pressures of everyday life. Learn more about Focus on the Family. - Learn more about Focus on the Family. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes

In this episode, longtime friends David and Meg Robbins sit down with Jeff and Laura to discuss parenting and what that looks like through the lens of radical dependence upon the Lord. David and Meg share how we, as believers, face challenges and joys in marriage. Raising children helps build a bridge to share the gospel with an unbelieving world. The conversation also looks at the covenant of marriage and how it relates to the seventh commandment. Additional Resources: - Learn more about Familylife.com. - Register for a Weekend to Remember marriage retreat at https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/. - Find out about how a marriage intensive can help you in your marriage. - Read The Mystery of Marriage, Mike Mason. - Listen to Jeff and Laura's episode on Family. - Learn more about familylifeblended.com. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes

We have seen how the first five commandments are vertical in nature (how we honor the Lord). Now we pivot to discuss the last five commandments which are horizontal in nature (how we interact with each other). In today's episode, Jeff and Laura sit down with a longtime friend, Tim Elmore, to share insights on how parents can create a home environment that reflects the kingdom of God. As Christians, we are called to love and honor our parents (Exodus 20:12). This not only applies to our relationship with our biological parents but also to how we parent our own children. Tim highlights the importance of building strong relationships with our kids, as it mirrors the heart of God and promotes human flourishing. Related Resources: - Read The Great Dechurching, by Jim Davis, Michael Graham, and Ryan P. Burge - Learn more about Tim's nonprofit organization, Growing Leaders - Get Tim's books     The Pandemic Population: Eight Strategies to Help Generation Z Rediscover Hope After Coronavirus     12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid The Pandemic Population: Eight Strategies to Help Generation Z Rediscover Hope After Coronavirus - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes