We explore the epidemic of loneliness and its deeper spiritual roots. God designed us for connection with Him first and then others, yet modern life often works against that design. In a world that’s lonelier than ever, we must first find our identity in Christ as our true source of belonging, allowing His love to shape how we connect with others.

QUESTIONS:

1. What does your current experience of loneliness reveal about where you’re seeking connection or fulfillment?
2. In what ways might you be looking to relationships, marriage, or family to meet needs that only Christ can fulfill?
3. What intentional steps could you take to pursue a deeper, Christ-centered connection with others this week?

READ MORE:

• God’s design that “it is not good for man to be alone” in Genesis 2:18
• Loving God first as the foundation for all relationships in Mark 12:30–31
• “He places the lonely in families” in Psalm 68:6
• The importance of Christ-centered marriage and oneness in Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31
• The role of the Church as a spiritual family in Hebrews 10:24–25; Acts 2:42
• The danger of seeking fulfillment outside of God’s design in Jeremiah 2:13

We challenge the growing tendency to criticize the Church and instead call for a deeper look at our own hearts. We discuss God’s design for His bride, the purpose of gathering, and why motives matter. Our prayer is that the body of Christ will shift from tearing each other down to encouraging each other as God advances His kingdom on earth.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you approach the Church with a critical spirit or a heart to support what God is doing?
2. What might be driving your preferences or frustrations with the Church—control, hurt, or something deeper?
3. How can you actively contribute to strengthening and encouraging your local church?

READ MORE:

• God’s love and purpose for the Church in Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:25
• The call to unity and building up the body in Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Guarding against a critical or divisive spirit in Philippians 2:3–4; Titus 3:9–11
• The importance of gathering together in Hebrews 10:24–25; Acts 2:42
• Serving and contributing within the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; 1 Peter 4:10
• God examining the heart and motives in 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Corinthians 13:1–3

We explore what it means to exercise godly dominion by working together instead of alone. From embracing relational leadership and rejecting transactional mindsets to equipping others and celebrating growth, this episode challenges us to see people, share authority, confront bitterness, and build teams that reflect the unity of the Trinity.

QUESTIONS:

1. Are you exercising dominion in the spaces God has given you, or are you operating in isolation and control?
2. Do you genuinely see and value the people you work with, or have relationships become transactional?
3. Where might God be calling you to equip others, loosen your grip, and celebrate someone else’s growth?

READ MORE:

• Humanity created for dominion and stewardship in Genesis 1:26–28
• The unity of the Trinity and believers in John 17:20–23
• Loving your neighbor as yourself in Matthew 22:39
• Equipping the saints for the work of ministry in Ephesians 4:11–12
• God doing immeasurably more in us in Ephesians 3:20
• The danger of bitterness defiling many in Hebrews 12:15

We dive into the hot topic of God’s design for mutual submission in marriage. Husbands bear the weight of Christlike headship through sacrificial leadership, and wives exercise powerful, faith-filled partnership by embracing God’s order. When both spouses seek to out-serve the other, families flourish and reflect Christ and His church.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you view submission through a cultural lens of control or through God’s lens of selfless giving and reverence for Christ?

2. As a husband, are you leading like Jesus—loving, serving, and carrying responsibility rather than demanding?

3. As a wife, where might God be inviting you to trust His design and let your husband lead with unity?

READ MORE:

• Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ in Ephesians 5:21–33
• Jesus’ ultimate submission in Luke 22:42
• Husbands loving sacrificially in John 15:13
• The beauty of one flesh covenant in Genesis 2:24
• The strength of God as our “helper” in Psalm 33:20
• Love defined in action in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

Brandon Thomas welcomes special guest Brandon Finnegan, the only player to appear in both the College World Series and MLB World Series in one year. The two men have an honest conversation about Finnegan’s rapid rise, the struggle after baseball, and how surrendering to God reshaped his identity and gave him renewed purpose off the field.

QUESTIONS:

1. When do you feel a deep sense of joy and purpose in what you’re doing?
2. What happens when we place our identity in our achievements but then life changes?
3. What would it look like for you to fully surrender your plans, success, and identity to God right now?

READ MORE:

• Finding your identity in Christ in Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17
• The temporary nature of worldly success and fulfillment in Ecclesiastes 1:2; Mark 8:36
• The joy of doing what God created you to do in Ecclesiastes 3:12–13; Colossians 3:23
• Surrendering your plans and trusting God’s purpose in Proverbs 3:5–6; Romans 12:1–2
• Abiding in Christ in John 15:4–5; Psalm 16:11
• God’s grace in seasons change in Isaiah 43:18–19; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Susan Thomas sits down with fellow counselor and author Debra Fileta to discuss the often-misunderstood topic of people skills. Together they explore how humility, communication styles, and healing from past wounds all shape the way we connect with others. Taking ownership of our own “ingredients” allows us to reflect Christ’s love in a world that desperately needs it.

QUESTIONS:

1. 1.When you think about a difficult relationship in your life, what “ingredients” are you bringing into the dynamic?
2. Why is it important to focus on the “plank” in your own eye before addressing the “speck” in someone else’s eye?
3. How does your communication style communicate honor (or a lack thereof) toward the people in your life?

READ MORE:

• Removing the plank before the speck in Matthew 7:3–5
• Becoming “all things to all people” for the sake of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23
• Being known by our love in John 13:34–35
• Speaking truth in love in Ephesians 4:15
• God searching the heart and revealing what needs healing in Psalm 139:23–24

We unpack how Scripture calls us to work smarter, not harder. From Moses to the early church, God shows us how delegation, empowerment, and lifelong learning multiply impact. Getting the job done isn’t about control—it’s about trust, shared responsibility, and stewarding your God-given strengths.

QUESTIONS:

1. 2.Where are you working hard but not working smart right now?
2. What tasks or decisions do you need to delegate or empower others to handle?
3. What is your “20 percent” sweet spot where God has uniquely gifted you to lead?

READ MORE:

• Delegation and shared leadership in Exodus 18:13–26
• Empowering others for ministry in Acts 6:1–7
• Equipping the saints for the work of ministry in Ephesians 4:11–12
• Working faithfully according to your calling in Colossians 3:23
• Wise counsel and multiplying impact in Proverbs 11:14
• Growing, learning, and pressing forward in Philippians 3:12–14

Brandon Thomas talks with Iranian-American pastor and speaker David Nasser about his family’s escape from Iran, his journey to faith in Christ, and the growing underground church in Iran. Their conversation highlights God’s power to accomplish the impossible and challenges believers to pray, support revival, and join God’s global mission today.

QUESTIONS:

1. How does David Nasser’s story challenge the way you think about sharing the gospel through simple acts of love and service?
2. When you face situations that feel impossible, how does remembering God’s faithfulness strengthen your trust in Him?
3. How might God be inviting you to pray for, support, or participate in what He is doing through the church in places like Iran?

READ MORE:

• God strengthening His people and holding them by the hand in Isaiah 41:9–10
• The power of hospitality and serving others in Matthew 25:35–40
• The church growing even through persecution in Acts 8:1–8
• The power of personal testimony in Revelation 12:11
• The Great Commission to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:18–20
• God doing immeasurably more than we ask or imagine in Ephesians 3:20