Want a faith rhythm that actually changes your life? 1 Peter is the spotlight of this episode as Tom, Laura, and Griffin walk through how Scripture, community, and spiritual practices shape a love that’s sincere and all-out. In this episode we introduce and model the Four Pillars-daily devotions, weekend sermon, small-group discussion, and a follow-up podcast-as a repeatable system to anchor your week in a single passage. Using 1 Peter 1:22–25 the hosts explain the Greek terms behind ‘brotherly love’ (philadelphia), ‘unhypocritical’ love, and ekteno-an intense, straining love that pushes outside comfort zones. You’ll hear real stories (a young adult’s heart surgery, a caseworker’s adoption moments) that show what sacrificial, persistent love looks like in life. The group also names practical obstacles-exhaustion, selfishness, and offers rhythms to receive God’s love so you can give it away. Whether you lead a group, coach, parent, or want to grow in spiritual consistency, this episode gives theology and next steps. Listen now.

Discussion Questions:

1. What new hobby or habit have you picked up recently (like pickleball) and how did it change your routine?
2. In your own words, what are the Four Pillars Tom describes and how do they connect together?
3. Tom describes ‘philadelphia’—brotherly love—as love without a mask. When have you felt safe enough to take your mask off in a Christian community?
4. Peter calls us to love ‘ekteno’—to strain or stretch in love. What is one relationship in your life that needs that kind of all-out effort right now?
5. The hosts name exhaustion and selfishness as obstacles to radical love. Which of those (or another obstacle) shows up most in your life, and what practical step can you take this week to address it?

Training vs trying is the central theme of this conversation as Dr. Tom Pound and Joshua Meyer explore how spiritual transformation happens by disciplined practices rather than intermittent effort. Starting from John Ortberg’s distinction and moving into the practical four-pillar plan used at Spring Hills (daily devotions, weekend sermons, small-group discussion, and follow-up podcasts), the episode models a training loop you can join. The hosts unpack 1 Peter 1:10–17 with special attention to verse 17 and its tension: God as approachable Father and impartial Judge, and the invitation to live as temporary residents with holy carefulness. You’ll hear pastoral stories, counseling applications, and cultural perspectives that help the passage speak into parenting, marriage mentoring, battling consumerist prosperity teachings, and honoring elders. If you want spiritual habits that last, this episode gives both theology and actionable next steps for groups and individuals. Listen now.

1. Tell about a time you trained for something (a race, instrument, or skill). What did consistent practice change?
2. In your own words, what is the tension in 1 Peter 1:17 between God as Father and God as Judge?
3. Do you tend to relate to God more as a loving Father or an impartial Judge? Why?
4. What one spiritual discipline could you commit to for the next 30 days to move from 'trying' to 'training'?
5. How could your small group use the four-pillar plan (devotion → sermon → discussion → podcast) to deepen spiritual formation?

1 Peter 1:3-9 is a life-changing promise - are you listening as a co-host? In this episode Pastor Tom Pound goes solo and makes the listener the co-host, leading a candid conversation around 1 Peter 1:3-9 that blends pastoral stories, practical mental-health research, and spiritual formation. You’ll hear a funeral anecdote that lands a surprising reminder about ministry’s power, a Gallup-backed case for how faithful church patterns protect mental health, and a simple but powerful adult-learning frame (power-load margin) to evaluate whether your life requires more energy than you have. Pastor Tom then unpacks verse 5’s promise that believers are “shielded by God’s power” and draws out three practical protections faith provides - assurance of our eternal inheritance, emotional stability and purpose, and healthier relationships shaped by humility. Finally, he wrestles with verse 9’s tense - how salvation is past, present, and future - and reads C.S. Lewis to invite you into the ongoing work of being made like Jesus. This episode is for anyone ready to take inventory and step into a new season of spiritual growth. Listen now.

Discussion Questions:

1. Pastor Tom asks, “Does your life require more energy than you have?” Where would you place yourself on that question today, and why?
2. Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 together. Which phrase stands out most to you and why?
3. Pastor Tom describes the power-load margin theory (load vs. personal energy). What are two practical ways you could either increase your energy or lighten your load this season?
4. The episode cites research that consistent church attenders were more resilient during COVID. How has your faith community helped you during hard seasons, and where might you need more connection?
5. Pastor Tom unpacks verse 5’s promise that believers are “shielded by God’s power.” What does that protection look like in everyday life - what are we protected from and what are we still vulnerable to?

First Peter sermon series — Start your week anchored in identity: In this episode Pastor Tom Pound and young-adult leader Griffin Richards introduce a 13-week walk through First Peter designed to move you from hearing the Bible to living it. Griffin shares a raw testimony of encountering the Holy Spirit on the operating table at 18 and how that moment led him into church, seminary, and leading a purposeful young-adult ministry. Pastor Tom explains the four pillars of the series—daily devotionals, a weekly sermon, small-group discussions, and this Going Deeper podcast—and why adult learning theory matters for spiritual growth. You’ll hear practical tools for mastering your morning through Scripture, prayer prompts, and journaling, plus pastoral teaching on the twin truths that God chooses us and we live as “chosen foreigners” in culture. Whether you’re new to faith, returning, or leading a small group, this episode gives conversation starters, mission clarity, and spiritual practices you can try tomorrow. Listen now to join the study and start the week with purpose.

Discussion Questions:

1. Share a moment you felt unexpectedly supported or at peace in a high-stress situation. How did that experience shape you?
2. Griffin described sensing God’s presence before his surgery. How do you respond when someone shares a miraculous or unusual faith experience?
3. Read 1 Peter 1:1-2. What strikes you about the phrase “chosen foreigners”? How does that idea land in your life right now?
4. Pastor Tom said, “God knew you, loved you, and chose you before the creation of the world.” How does that truth affect your identity and daily choices?
5. The series recommends a scripture-for-the-week rhythm (daily reading, sermon, discussion). Which of these three (deliberation, hearing, discussion) is hardest for you and why? What small step could you take this week?

This episode takes a pastoral and counseling-focused look at Jesus’ parable to help listeners bridge belief and behavior. Tom and Josh emphasize how questions shape the brain (prefrontal cortex activation, serotonin and dopamine benefits) and why asking God-centered, practical questions like “How can I bless my spouse today?” or “How can I stay connected to God all day?” changes behavior. The hosts distinguish internal work (healing, scripture, prayer) from external work (serving, leading, using spiritual gifts) and remind listeners that coming from salvation compels meaningful labor — not to earn favor, but to live it out. You’ll leave with simple habits for attuning to others, practical counseling resources, and a renewed focus on discovering and doing God’s will in everyday life. Ideal for busy Christians wanting soulful formation and actionable steps. Listen now.

Discussion Questions:

1. In your own words, what are the two contrasting responses to the father’s command in the Parable of the Two Sons?
2. How does understanding Matthew as a gospel (a kind of ancient biography) and the historical setting of Jerusalem help you read this parable differently?
3. Where have you said “yes” to God in words but then failed to follow through in action? What held you back?
4. What internal work (healing, prayer, scripture) do you need to pursue so your actions align with your stated faith?
5. The hosts emphasize ‘attuning’ to others. How could you practice attuning this week with your spouse, child, or friend?

Perfect love casts out fear: What does ‘perfect love’ actually mean, and can it really push fear out like a cannonball? Pastor Tom and Joshua take that bold line from 1 John and pair it with Isaiah’s promise of perfect peace to show how wholehearted trust rewires our hearts and minds. They trace real examples-newborn devotion, Christ on the cross, people meeting death without terror-and connect those images to daily practices: fixing your thoughts on God, serving others, and choosing fascination over flight. The episode also dives into brain-friendly counsel-how renewing the mind (Romans 12:2) helps truth lead emotion-and practical next steps to make space for faith to grow. If you’ve ever felt judged by spiritual language, you’ll appreciate their grace-forward explanation and pastoral stories that make theology feel safe and true. Perfect love is a posture and a power-discover how to step into it. Listen now.

Discussion Questions:

1. Share a small fear you had this week-how did you respond?

2. What stood out to you about the idea that fear and faith are on a pendulum?

3. Have you ever had a ‘face-the-wall’ moment like Hezekiah? What helped you through it?

4. What would radical honesty with God look like for you this week?

5. When anxiety rises, how can you practice ‘speaking truth to yourself’ before listening to emotion?

6. In what area are you currently working on a ‘plan B’ because of fear, and how could you redirect that energy toward God’s plan A?

7. How does the reality of your death motivate your priorities-spiritually, relationally, physically, and missionally?

8. Choose one takeaway from this episode (e.g., make a list of fears to lay before God, serve in a ministry) and share one concrete step you will take before next group.

Pressure reveals character - Feeling overwhelmed or caught off guard by conflict? Join Tevis and Laura as they move beyond quick fixes to offer practical habits for living like Jesus under pressure. This episode breaks down how to pause instead of react, filter decisions through compassion paired with wisdom, and trust God with outcomes when courage asks you to speak the hard truth. You’ll hear concrete rhythms to build into your life-daily time in Scripture and worship, intentional pauses before replying to texts or social posts, seeking wise counsel, and using community groups as safe places for spiritual formation. They also address common traps: people-pleasing, guilt-driven service, and the fear of conflict or rejection that leads to compromise. With scripture references and pastoral examples, this episode equips you to notice what pressure reveals about your heart and to respond in ways that reflect Christ. Share with your community group and start practicing these habits together. Listen now.

Discussion Questions:

1. Share a small moment from this week when you felt pressured-how did you respond and why?
2. What part of the Luke 14 “Jesus under pressure” message stood out to you most, and why?
3. Tevis and Laura say “love chooses compassion over convenience.” Can you name a time you had to choose between the two? What happened?
4. Where do you most often find yourself reacting instead of responding? What usually triggers that reaction?
5. What spiritual practices (pause, prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, community) do you currently use to help you respond under pressure? Which one could you practice more?
6. How does being watched-by family, neighbors, or online audiences-affect the way you handle pressure? How can that awareness help you grow?

Worry and anxiety are the silent weight many of us carry daily, and in this episode Dr. Tom Pound pulls apart Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6 to show how faith actually frees us from that weight. We explore the Greek word marimnao—how it can be a healthy care, an anxious distraction, or a crippling perpetual worry—and why Jesus tells us to stop living like pagans frantically running after needs. Tom walks through cultural drivers of modern anxiety (the pandemic, smartphones, and certain parenting messages), gives honest pushback about hard situations, and then points to a counterintuitive cure: seek first God’s kingdom. You’ll get practical steps for daily living—how to partner with God by doing your part without being consumed by fear—and the comforting reminder that each day has enough pressure of its own. Whether you’re trapped in chronic worry or want better tools to support someone who is, this episode offers compassion, truth, and actionable faith. Listen now.

Discussion Questions:

1. What modern factors Tom mentions (pandemic, technology, parenting) do you see affecting your life or your community's anxiety levels?
2. Read Matthew 6:25–34. What phrase in these verses stands out to you and why?
3. In what ways might you be 'running after' needs (epi zetaō) instead of 'seeking first' God’s kingdom (proton zetaō)?
4. If someone in the group admits they feel trapped by perpetual worry, how can the group respond with both compassion and practical help?
5. What is one concrete habit you can adopt this week to 'seek God first' in your present moment (morning prayer, Sabbath practice, attention management)?