Christian Formation
316 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratingsThe goal of this podcast is to form disciples to live all of life with the presence of God, and we do this through conversations about theology, culture, and stories.
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Episodes
189 - James
May 24, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBIn today's age, we are looking for wisdom in many different places—online, from parents, maybe even from professors—but what if we decided to look at a specific Living in today's age as a Christian isn't always easy. We know our lives should look different, but in what ways? How are we supposed to be set apart? What does wisdom look as a Christ follower in this modern world? In this episode, we look at how to read James—the Proverbs of the New Testament—and discuss how it points us to liv...
188 - Hebrews
May 17, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBIf all of Hebrews could be summed up into one sentence, it would be this: JESUS IS BETTER than our trials, circumstances, religious figures, and anything else that we'd look to rather than Him. As you read Hebrews, ask yourself, "What spiritual leaders do I look to? What ways do I try and make up for my sin?" Take note how many times the author says “do this so that you don’t fall away.” We don’t want you to be scared of falling away, but we want you to see that those things are the means...
187 - Philemon
May 10, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBForgiveness isn't easy, especially when we have been publicly wronged. In the book of Philemon, we see Paul ask Philemon to forgive Philemon's slave when Philemon has every right to be upset and to exercise punishment. Join us as we discuss what it looks like to forgive and how the book of Philemon challenges us to do so with those who've wronged us.
186 - Titus
May 03, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBThe book of Titus is another pastoral epistle wherein the apostle Paul teaches Titus how to paster the church in Crete and encourages Titus in his faith. In this episode, we look at the ways Paul taught Titus about church leadership as well as discuss what this book means for those who aren't pastors or preachers. Information discussed in the podcast: Titus teaching a church in Crete (ESV) Island in the mediterranean sea (now an island in Greece) Notorious for violence and sexual immora...
185 - 2 Timothy
April 26, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBIn this episode, we discuss 2 Timothy—how to read it, elders' roles in the church, and the importance of fighting for sound doctrine within your church.
184 - 1 Timothy
April 19, 2023 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBIn this episode, we discuss 1 Timothy, and the roles of women, elders, and people within the church. For more information and discussion over women's roles in the church and pastor's roles in the church, see the following podcast episodes: 144 - Theology of Men's and Women's Roles in the Church 145 - Practice of Men's and Women's Roles at Providence 107 - Scripture Reading and Preaching For Andrew's article over our response to Christian leaders who fall, click here.
183 - 2 Thessalonians
April 12, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBIn this episode, we discuss 2 Thessalonians and the themes of Christ's return, the importance of hard work, and the power of prayer. Join us as we chat about these themes as well as what they mean for us today.
182 - 1 Thessalonians
April 05, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBEnd times, interesting pronunciations, and more as we dive into 1 Thessalonians.
Christian Formation's Most Listened to Episode
March 29, 2023 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBIf you are a long time listener, what episode do you think is the most listened to episode? As of today, it is an episode all about C.S. Lewis. For something fun, new, and interesting, we wanted to take a break from our New Testament series and share about this Christ-following author.
181 - Colossians
March 22, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBYou may have heard people reference Colossians when talking about Christian leadership. "Why do we need Christian leaders if we have 'everything in Christ?' like it says in Colossians?" In this episode, we discuss questions like that along with the supremacy of Jesus, how the church should act, and the role of spiritual disciplines in our lives as we look at Colossians together.
180 - Philippians
March 15, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBIn this episode, we discuss the book of Philippians—how to read it, the context, and how it instructs us to have joy in the midst of suffering.
179 - Ephesians
March 08, 2023 09:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBWe examen Paul's book of Ephesians and discuss questions like, how should we live in light of Christ, and what should we believe as Christians in regards to marriage, the church, and submission. Outline Chapters 1–3 focus on what you should believe as a Christian How good salvation really is Paul promotes unity between the Jews and the gentiles because both are in the church and very hostile to one another The rest of the book focuses on how you should behave as a Christian Living out ...
178 - Galatians
March 01, 2023 09:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MB"Must Christians be affiliated with a certain political party to "be" a Christian?" "What does it mean to "walk in the power of the Spirit"? "Can God instantly free me from my addictions?" Join us on this week's episode as we examen the book of Galatians and discuss some of these questions.
177 - 2 Corinthians
February 22, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBWe examine 2 Corinthians and discuss how God's love and power are made perfect in our weakness.
176 - 1 Corinthians
February 15, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBIn this episode, we look at 1 Corinthians and answer questions about tough texts, love, and the overall purpose of the book. Join us as we dive in together.
175 - Romans
February 08, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MBIn this episode, we discuss the book of Romans and whether Christianity is an American religion.
174 - Acts
February 01, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBThe book of Acts is filled with rich narrative and truths for today, but is it descriptive or prescriptive? In other words, is it describing what life was like in that day or is it prescribing how we should live and act as believers? In this episode, we give context on the book of Acts and answer questions over topics such as spiritual gifts, communism, tongues, etc.
173 - John
January 25, 2023 09:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBIn this episode, we dive into the book of John—how to read it and better understand it. Our hope is that you leave with a confidence in being able to decipher John's purpose and message on your own.
172 - Luke
January 18, 2023 09:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBWe are giving people an overview of Luke so that the book of Luke is more approachable—how to read it and how to get the most out of it! Chiastic structure to Luke-Acts mentioned in the episode: Luke :: Rome - Galilee - Samaria - Judea - Jerusalem - Cross Acts :: Cross - Jerusalem - Judea - Samaria - Galilee - Rome
171 - Mark
January 11, 2023 09:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBIn this episode, we give you a fly over of the book of Mark—how to read it, what to look for, and what to think about when practically applying the book of Mark to your life.
170 - Season 7 | Matthew
January 04, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBAs we transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we discuss why these episodes in the next season will be helpful, offer some insight into how our words can or can't be a self-fulfilling prophecy, and even chat about how to read the Sermon on the Mount as we look at the book of Matthew. Join us as we dive into these topics together.
169 - The Importance of Framework
December 28, 2022 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBThe last episode, we brought on a guest—Debbie Blank—to discuss her literal view of the Bible... a different view than what we've been teaching this past semester. On this episode, we take 5 steps back and talk about why it is important to have a framework before reading the Bible.
168 - A Literal View of the Bible (with Debbie Blank)
December 21, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBFor the last couple of months, we’ve focused on the Old Testament, how to read it, better understand it, and how to think through tough questions that arise. On this episode, we bring on Debbie Blank, president of Living Word Ministries, to discuss a different way to read the Bible—reading it literally. Disclaimer: Providence Church does not hold the view that Christians should read the Bible literally. This is also not the personal views of Andrew or Ravyn. However, we wanted to presen...
167 - Is God OK with Some Sin?
December 14, 2022 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBThroughout the Old Testament (OT) it seems like some sins really make God upset, and they upset Him quickly. With other sins in the OT, it seems as though God isn’t that bothered by them. Uzzah touched the ark, and God struck him dead. David and others had multiple wives, and it seems like God doesn’t mind. Maybe He even condones it. In light of all these instances, how do we make sense of God handling sin in the OT?
166 - Is God Mean?
December 07, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBOne common critique of the Old Testament (OT) is that it presents a mean God... a wrathful God. In the OT, God kills cities and nations… but isn’t Jesus all about love? Aren’t we supposed to be grace-filled and compassionate? How do we make sense of all the judgment in the OT? What does that say about the character of God?
165 - Does God Change His Mind?
November 30, 2022 09:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBThe age old question... "Does God change His mind?" As we've been trekking through the Old Testament, we've asked ourselves that question a time or two, especially when presented with scripture that says, "God relented..." (Exodus 32:14). In this episode, we discuss whether God changes His mind and why we pray if we think that He doesn't change His mind.
164 - Creation (Genesis 1)
November 23, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBHow does the Bible communicate about creation? And what do we learn from the creation story that shapes our view of God? In this episode, we discuss common beliefs about creation and the interpretations of Genesis 1.
163 - Why Isn't the Bible in Chronological Order?
November 16, 2022 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBIn this episode, we discuss the order of the books in the Old Testament to better understand the overall story. Questions like, "What is the storyline of the Old Testament? How are the books organized? Where do I start reading?" will be discussed in this episode.
162 - Why Celebrating Advent Helps You
November 09, 2022 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBEvery year, our church observes the season of advent—or the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day where we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. In this episode, we look at the idea of Advent and why celebrating Advent is helpful for us as Christians.
161 - Are We Priests?
November 02, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBWe finish our mini series on themes in the Old Testament by looking at the theme of "priests" that flows throughout the entire Old Testament and into the New Testament. We ask questions like, "Who were the priests in the Old Testament that reveal the priestly role?" and "Why don't we have priests today... or do we?" Join us as we unpack this theme together.
160 - Exile
October 26, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBWe continue our discussion of themes in the Old Testament by diving into the theme of "Exile." In this episode, we discuss the theme of exile and how it not only impacts our study of the Old Testament, but also how it impacts our lives today.
159 - Sonship
October 19, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.3 MBChristians often refer to Jesus as the Son of God. But the idea of God’s Son restoring creation by defeating the enemies of God is a theme that is traced throughout the entire Bible. In fact, it is the central conflict presented that needs to be resolved in the Scriptures. In this episode, we examine the theme of Sonship, how it is traced throughout Scripture, and why that is pivotal to our relationship with God today.
158 - Be Like a Tree | Knowing God
October 12, 2022 09:00 - 11 minutes - 7.62 MBToday, we are doing something different on the Christian formation podcast. We're sharing an episode of Knowing God, a podcast aimed to help you to know the Word of God, so that you may ultimately know God hosted by Andrew Rutten, co-paster and planter of Providence Church. In this episode, Andrew reads through Colossians chapter 2 verse 7 and challenges us to question whether we are planted and rooted in Christ. To hear more 10ish minute episodes on God's Word, follow Knowing God whereve...
157 - King and Kingdom
October 05, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBIn this episode, we continue our mini series on Biblical themes and discuss the "King and Kingdom" theme we see throughout the Old Testament. We'll chat about what this theme looks like, how to recognize it, and how to apply it to what you're reading.
156 - The Comfort of Covenants
September 28, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBWe hear time and time again from pastors and ministry workers that "God is with us! He won't leave us"... but how do we know that to be true? In this episode, we discuss covenants, how they are God's promises to us, and how they give us security in knowing fundamental truths about Him and His character.
155 - The Promise of God
September 21, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBThis is the beginning of our mini series, exploring different biblical themes that help us understand the story of God. In Genesis 3-11, we see the world’s conflict in God’s story. People are sinful, broken, and need restoration. Genesis 12 is God beginning the restoration work on humanity through a promise to Abraham. God's promise is centered around 3 areas: people, place, and presence. God promises Abraham to build a new community of people to give them a place to dwell in that Hi...
154 - The Old Testament Trilogy
September 14, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBThe Old Testament is often thought of as confusing, hard to understand, and difficult to follow. Sadly, that can be all but true if we don't know the full story. Thankfully, earlier this week, we realized that there is a cheat sheet to remember the stories leading to Jesus. This cheat sheet lies in the place many of us tend to skip—a genealogy. In this episode, we look at Matthew 1; Just as a movie trilogy has three parts, so too, does Matthew organize the Old Testament story into three p...
153 - The Prophets
September 07, 2022 18:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBIn this episode, we look at what the prophets are and how prophecies prepare us for Christ's arrival in the New Testament.
152 - Does Wisdom Literature Lead to ‘Works Righteousness’?
August 31, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBThis episode looks at what wisdom literature is, how to read it, and common stumbling blocks for people when interpreting wisdom literature.
151 - Knowing God through Poetry
August 24, 2022 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBMany of us have read poetry at one time or another, but not all of us leave with a feeling of understanding. In fact, many walk away from poetry scratching their heads wondering, "So... what did that mean?" While Hebrew poetry isn't the exact same as common, modern types of poetry, it can be difficult to read at times. However, although it takes some practice, we would argue that the poems in the Old Testament can help us know God in a unique way. This episode aims to help us see Hebrew po...
150 - The Goodness of God's Law
August 17, 2022 13:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBOne of the most confusing parts of the Old Testament is the laws. We might wonder how to understand them, whether they are relevant for us today, and if we should care about laws that seem to be obsolete. With all these questions and doubts, it can cause us to ignore Old Testament law or gloss over it without a second thought. But what if we are misreading what God intends? What if God’s Old Testament law could be sweet to us today (Ps 19:10)? What if it is useful for us knowing the heart ...
149 - Can Ancient Stories Help My Relationship with God?
August 10, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBAll people are impacted and captivated by stories. However, we can venture to say that not many people are hankering to read ancient stories from people groups all over the world. However, our Scriptures begin with a story and continue, with story after story. In this episode, we ask ourselves, "How do these ancient religious stories from people in the Middle East impact my Christian life today?" and "Why did God reveal himself in narrative-form?" This episode looks to answer these questio...
148 - Why should I read the Old Testament?
August 03, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBThe Old Testament (OT) is often seen as hard-to-read stories that are out of date and boring. With this view, many Christians today don’t engage with ⅔ of our Scriptures. What if this has aided a shallow faith? What if we are missing a lot about who God is because of this problem? This episode aims to answer some common questions about the OT and draw people into seeing the OT as profitable and necessary for their Christian life today.
147 - *BONUS EPISODE* Discerning God's Will
July 06, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBPlaced for a purpose: discerning God’s will when your heart wants to move. With the summer months especially, many of us can find ourselves in a place of wanting to travel, change jobs, or mix up something in our lives. However, when we have a continuous desire for change, how do we know if that is from God? How can we discern His will vs. our own wants and desires? In this episode, we invite Hannah Bidne, our college ministry intern, on to discuss discerning God's will versus our own want...
146 - Praying the Psalms
June 15, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBIn this episode, we chat through how praying through the psalms will enrich your prayer life. What to expect: learning the value of the praying the psalms along with how to pray them and 4 different types of psalms.
145 - Practice of Men's and Women's Roles at Providence
June 08, 2022 14:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBWhat men and women's roles look like at Providence Last week, we discussed the different views of men's and women's roles within the church. In this episode, we discuss what it practically looks like for our men and women leaders. We look at elders / pastors, staff members, teachings / trainings / classes and more.
144 - Theology of Men's and Women's Roles in the Church
June 01, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBIn this episode, we look at differing views on men's and women's roles within the church and discuss the theology behind those views.
144 - Theology of Men and Women's Roles in the Church
June 01, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBIn this episode, we look at differing views on men and women's roles within the church and discuss the theology behind those views.
143 - Bible Translations: Why so many?
May 25, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBThe Bible has been translated into different languages throughout history... but how did we end up with many different English translations and how do we know which one to read? In this episode, we describe the different English Bible translations, as well as discuss how Providence chose the ESV Bible to preach from each Sunday and which translations would be helpful for personal study.
142 - Should children sit through "big church"?
May 18, 2022 08:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBChildren in big church or children in KIDS ministry... is one a better answer? In this week's episode, we answer a listener's question as to whether or not children should be sitting in big church rather than attending KIDS ministry, and we explain Providence's stance on KIDS ministry overall.