How do we respond when people challenge our faith? How can we stand firm in biblical truth while loving others well? And how should we approach the questions we still don’t have answers to?

In this special episode of ’Round the Table, Pastor Ryan Kimmel and Pastor Jon Holman answer real questions from Peace Church middle and high school students. From the Bible’s trustworthiness to dinosaurs, difficult conversations, and the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice, they explore how to think biblically, navigate tough questions, and grow in faith. They also share advice they wish they could give their younger selves about following Jesus.

Ta Prohm Temple: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/stegosaurus-rhinoceros-or-hoax-40387948/

Creation Museum: creationmuseum.org

Answers in Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/@answersingenesis

MB01QQNPZFDE8P5

Instagram: @PeaceChurchMI

Facebook: facebook.com/peacechurchmi

• (00:00:00) - Cold Open: The Severity of Sin and Blood Atonement
• (00:00:56) - Welcome to Round the Table
• (00:01:22) - Brian Face Reveal Challenge
• (00:02:25) - Intro to Special Episode: Student Q&A
• (00:03:37) - High Schoolers' Tough Opening Questions
• (00:05:10) - Childhood Beliefs: Quicksand and Aliens
• (00:06:52) - Aliens Discussion Teaser
• (00:07:43) - Upcoming Sermon Series and Instagram Poll
• (00:08:59) - Brian's Childhood Belief: Algebra
• (00:10:26) - The Rib Myth and Church Misinformation
• (00:12:56) - Funny Pastor Stories: Jokes Taken Too Far
• (00:15:46) - Starting Student Questions: Why the Bible Matters
• (00:19:54) - Responding to a Hostile World Without Losing Love
• (00:24:37) - Navigating Friendships Across Disagreement (LGBTQ Topic)
• (00:28:15) - Dinosaurs, Creation, and Science Questions
• (00:33:56) - Evolution, Design, and Faith vs Science
• (00:37:15) - Why Christianity Emphasizes Blood and Communion
• (00:41:19) - Understanding God's Wrath and Grace Through Sacrifice
• (00:44:55) - Advice to Their High School Selves
• (00:51:26) - Closing Thoughts and Encouragement for Mentors
• (00:53:02) - Closing Prayer

How should Christians think about deportation and immigration? In this episode pastors Ryan Kimmel, Jon Holman, and Jon Delger go deeper into the conversation surrounding deportation, justice, compassion, government, and the way Christians should think through divisive cultural issues. Rather than reducing the question to “Would Jesus deport people?” the conversation explores the deeper tension between justice and compassion—and why following Jesus means refusing to abandon either one.

Check out the full sermon: Can We Have Justice and Compassion?

• (00:00:00) - Cold Open: Framing Questions About Jesus and Deportation
• (00:00:45) - Welcome and Introductions
• (00:02:00) - Jesus and the Disciples Game
• (00:03:44) - Icebreaker: Fun Laws as King for a Day
• (00:05:54) - Phineas and Ferb and Pokemon Card Tangent
• (00:09:29) - Intro to Deportation Sermon Topic
• (00:10:53) - The Tension Between Justice and Compassion
• (00:12:24) - Personal Stories and Humanity in Deportation
• (00:15:03) - Jesus's Fully God, Fully Man Parallel
• (00:16:47) - Government's Role and Romans 13
• (00:17:54) - Why Jesus Teaches Through Parables, Not Just Rules
• (00:20:05) - Choosing the Render to Caesar Text Over Good Samaritan
• (00:21:27) - Pharisees' Trap and False Dichotomies
• (00:24:19) - Comparing Deportation to Nazi Germany
• (00:27:21) - Treating People Humanely Within the Law
• (00:28:56) - Reap What You Sow and Maintaining Laws
• (00:30:51) - How Framing Shapes the Deportation Debate
• (00:32:04) - Matthew 25 and the Least of These Reexamined
• (00:33:42) - Preview: Next Week on Christian Nationalism
• (00:34:33) - Encounter with Protesters at ArtPrize
• (00:37:06) - Defining Your Terms as a Christian
• (00:38:56) - When to Disobey Government Laws for God's Law
• (00:43:18) - Submitting to Government Even When We Disagree
• (00:45:56) - Closing Remarks and Prayer

In this episode, we unpack the challenge from this week’s sermon: before we look at the rise of other religions, are we willing to look in the mirror as Christians? Pastor Ryan discusses Christian commitment, the importance of gathering with the church, how phones and culture are discipling us, and how our priorities shape the faith of our families. We also talk about using our influence for the glory of God and come back to the foundation of Christianity: the resurrection of Jesus and why everything hinges on it.

• (00:00:01) - Intro and Banter
• (00:02:09) - Weekend Recaps and West Michigan Weather
• (00:05:22) - Dream Careers If Not in Ministry
• (00:09:24) - Reflecting on Sunday's Sermon and Rowdy Congregation
• (00:10:54) - The Rise of Islam and Looking in the Mirror
• (00:13:42) - Discipleship Failures: Phones and Culture
• (00:16:16) - Muslim Zeal vs Christian Complacency
• (00:19:08) - What Should Christians Actually Do
• (00:20:25) - Youth Sports and Family Priorities
• (00:22:47) - Priorities Shape Children's Theology
• (00:27:17) - Comfort Over Commitment: Church Attendance Stats
• (00:31:07) - Church at Home Is a Category Error
• (00:35:52) - Faithful Influence Without a Platform
• (00:39:19) - Using Social Media for God's Glory
• (00:41:17) - The Resurrection as the Central Issue
• (00:46:10) - Why Jesus, Not Just Better Ideas
• (00:47:52) - Upcoming Sermons: Deportation and Christian Nationalism
• (00:51:38) - Closing Remarks and Prayer

What does it look like to use what God has given you for his glory? In this episode, Pastors Ryan and Jon talk through capitalism, wealth, greed, generosity, work, and rest—and what it means to faithfully steward what God has entrusted to us. They also explore the purpose of Sabbath, why Christians worship on Sunday, and how we can speak truth into the lives of the people we love.

• (00:00:00) - Cold open: capitalism and generosity
• (00:00:45) - Podcast intro and banter
• (00:02:43) - Reflecting on the Church Leaders Summit conference
• (00:07:49) - Team culture and honor at the conference
• (00:09:44) - Is capitalism Christian? Defining the sermon's claim
• (00:14:24) - Economic injustice vs. covetousness
• (00:16:50) - The gospel as the true fix for greed
• (00:20:30) - The rich fool parable and our own wealth
• (00:23:18) - Capitalism vs socialism: history's verdict
• (00:28:15) - Marks of a Christian capitalist
• (00:31:59) - Listener question: worship on Saturday vs Sunday
• (00:36:18) - Understanding Sabbath rest
• (00:40:55) - Sabbath, work ethic, and avoiding legalism
• (00:44:15) - Listener question: sharing hard truths with family
• (00:50:21) - Closing prayer

What happens when we let our worldview shape the way we see Jesus instead of letting Jesus shape the way we see the world? In this episode, Pastor Ryan explores how Christians can approach divisive issues with biblical conviction, humility, and a commitment to truth. Rather than looking to Scripture for support for what we already believe, we’re challenged to let God’s Word shape our beliefs—even when following Jesus leads somewhere we didn’t expect.

• (00:00:00) - Introduction to Round the Table podcast
• (00:01:51) - Icebreaker: controversial foods
• (00:06:32) - Gross and weird food confessions
• (00:09:10) - Introducing the WWJD sermon series
• (00:10:05) - Extrapolating biblical principles for modern issues
• (00:14:29) - Should the church address hot topics?
• (00:16:44) - Christianity as a 24/7 commitment
• (00:17:31) - Persecution then and now, Nigeria example
• (00:20:39) - Facing future costs of faith
• (00:22:10) - Standing firm and inviting hard questions
• (00:24:24) - Why churches should answer real questions
• (00:26:56) - Previewing sermon topics: deportation, capitalism, religions
• (00:32:40) - Loving neighbors amid policy debates
• (00:33:29) - Series origins and comparison to 2020 series
• (00:34:57) - Michigan weather banter
• (00:37:20) - How to submit questions and get a peace hat
• (00:38:09) - Preaching to yourself first, staying text-centered
• (00:42:19) - Closing thoughts and prayer

How should Christians respond to the rise of Islam while showing genuine love and grace toward individual Muslims? Pastors Ryan Kimmel and Jon Holman discuss the differences between Islam and Christianity, where the line is drawn between "truth in love" and Islamophobia. They also consider the role of religious freedom, cultural values, media-driven outrage, and the need for Christians to know their own faith well before engaging with other worldviews.

• (00:00:01) - Intro and podcast purpose
• (00:01:18) - Balancing sermons with current events
• (00:03:08) - Media bias and reacting to headlines
• (00:05:21) - Doctored images and mistrust in media
• (00:08:18) - Trusted pastors and voices, dead and alive
• (00:12:27) - Authenticity in pastors on and off stage
• (00:16:16) - Viral pastor and Dearborn, Michigan Islam controversy
• (00:19:29) - Critiquing worldview vs individual Muslims
• (00:22:42) - Western liberal values and religious freedom tension
• (00:26:04) - Dangerous questions: Islam, Nazis, and worldview vs ethnicity
• (00:28:56) - Religion as worldview, not just private belief
• (00:33:38) - Ministering to individual Muslims vs societal concerns
• (00:37:52) - Christian nationalism vs Sharia law debate
• (00:39:06) - Christopher Hitchens clip on Islamophobia and resistance
• (00:43:11) - Atheism, Christianity, and Islam compared
• (00:44:56) - Western society's fruits and comparison to Muslim nations
• (00:47:03) - Reading the Quran vs the Bible
• (00:50:21) - Know your own faith before critiquing Islam
• (00:53:53) - Closing thoughts, upcoming sermon series, and prayer