Mike's daughter: the four-year-old who knows about hell
Mike tells the story (named in the audio when asked to tell it): driving his four-year-old daughter to her first vacation Bible school, they discuss the crucifixion's two criminals. She explains hell as 'where you go if you don't listen to Jesus', and he wonders if she will be the 'fire and brimstone kid' who spoils other kids' innocence. He argues for giving kids the whole Bible rather than soft-coating, and describes his own return to faith revealing a God of consequences and justice he never knew.
More on Gospel
-
What part of the gospel resonates with Gen Z
- What part of the gospel message actually resonates with your generation, and what doesn't land?
The host asks the room what the 'good news' actually is for them. The young people land on Jesus' love in a social-media culture that says nobody cares, and the freedom of not carrying sin and burdens.
From No. 576 · Get A Dog
-
Ramadan and the cultural behaviors of Christianity
- What are the cultural behaviors of Christianity that can be kept without actually having a relationship with Jesus?
Ben asks what the cultural behaviors of Christianity are that can be kept without actually having a relationship with Jesus, prompted by a Ramadan display at a halal grocery after a daddy-daughter date.
-
The salve, boldness, and calling out sin
- Am I the person supposed to call out sin in a given context?
- Why is it easier to be bold with Christians than with non-Christians?
A host offers the "salve" metaphor: the gospel is healing salve that believers protect and wrap up, while others lick it off.
From No. 504 · Saul, Naturally
-
The messenger matters: Paul, Acts, and relationship
- What do you think the good news actually is?
The hosts push back on the article: the messenger does matter, as Paul's past made his preaching land; Acts preaching was tuned to its audience; disciple-making is relational rather than gospel-dumping, and hiding your faith until later is disingenuous.
From No. 494 · 500-ish