Discipling Youth: Intentional Small-Group Work

Episode Summary:

Is faith just wishful thinking? How should Christians think about conspiracy theories?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Juan Valdes to recover a biblical, evidence-based understanding of faith. We explore why faith is not a blind leap but trust in a trustworthy God, why the object of faith matters more than the amount of faith, and how damaging teachings like “you weren’t healed because you lacked faith” distort the gospel.

We also tackle the faith vs. science narrative, exposing the assumptions behind scientism and showing why the deeper conflict is often naturalism vs. theism, not Christianity vs. research. Along the way, we discuss faith and works, skepticism, conspiracy thinking, and how churches can disciple young people being shaped more by school, media, and social platforms than by biblical teaching. 

Who is Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA)? Since 1997, DNA’s mission has been to equip followers of Jesus around the globe with a biblical worldview, empowering them to build flourishing families, communities, and nations. 👉 https://disciplenations.org/

🎙️Featured Speaker: 

Dr. Juan Valdes has always had a curious mind and asked lots of questions growing up. Searching for answers has been his passion and a lifelong journey. He had his first debate in 10th-grade biology class. Juan believes people have good questions and we as Christians need to have good answers. He desires to live out the command in the Bible where we’re told to always be ready to give an answer and to do so with the right attitude (1 Peter 3:15).

Further, Juan feels called to equip young people for the battles they face every day in an increasingly hostile culture. He also desires to equip parents and pastors so that they’re able to engage the youth. Juan loves to see people emboldened when they realize that there are excellent arguments in support of the Truth. Most importantly, he enjoys removing the obstacles that keep people from surrendering to Christ.

When Juan’s not traveling, he is engaged in the pastorate of his bilingual congregation in Miami, FL. When he has down time (which isn’t often) you might find him in a quiet place reading a book or fishing. Juan’s educational background includes graduate work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and master’s degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Logos Graduate School. He also has a Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

📌 Recommended Resources: 

     👉 Matching Challenge: Donate - Disciple Nations Alliance 

     👉 Book: 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World by Scott Allen 

     👉 Last Episode with Juan: When Feelings Become Truth

     👉 Book: How to Think–A Crash Course In Critical Thinking (Revised Edition) - T | rforh store

     👉 Recommended Videos: Debunked Videos — DeBunked

     👉 Website: Reasons for Hope - Home

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