Clearly with Jimmy & Kelly Needham

Hey friends — it’s Jimmy and Kelly here! We’re finally back behind the mics with a Q&A episode that’s got a little bit of everything: birth control, that tree smack in the middle of the garden, and how we’re raising five kids and juggling ministry without totally losing it (most days).We’re talking about what the Bible actually says (and doesn’t say) about kids, why we don’t do kid-centered living (and why our kids are actually good with that), plus why God tests us but never tempts us — yep, that garden moment is even wilder than you thought.So grab your coffee, hide from your kids in the car if you need to, and hang out with us for some honest stories, bold takes, and a few awkward jokes.Got a question, hot take, or objection? Send it our way at question@clearlypodcast.com — we love hearing from you. And if you wanna help us keep making this show, you can support us at patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham.See you next week, gang.

Commentaries: friend or crutch? In this episode, Jimmy and Kelly dive deep into a Bible-nerd essential—commentaries—and break down how to actually use them without becoming overly dependent. (Hint: if you're tempted to read one before you read the Bible passage... this one’s for you.)They unpack five practical, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt rules for using commentaries well, including:📖 Why you don’t need a commentary (but how it can be a gift)📚 How to check your work without letting it do your work👀 What makes a commentary helpful—or harmful🙃 Why “buy the author, not the series” is your new money-saving mantra🔍 And how to read broadly so you don’t get stuck in your theological bubbleWhether you’re surrounded by shelves of tomes or cracking open your first study Bible, this episode is packed with encouragement, a touch of snark, and loads of practical help for anyone trying to love and understand God’s Word more deeply.🎯 Bonus: They name names—trusted authors, series to look for, and where to get great (even free!) resources to start building your own library.📝 Show NotesJimmy's Suggested Authors: Moo, Mounce, Bock, Schreiner, Longman, Bruce, Fee, Morris, Wenham, CarsonJimmy's Suggested Series: Pillar, NICOT, NICNT, The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Baker Exegetical📚 Helpful Resources:Best CommentariesTop 5 Commentaries (via Ligonier)Dr. Constable’s Notes @ SonicLight.com (Go to Constable → Constable Notes → Constable Notes in PDF)ESV Study BibleNET Bible (with translator notes)💡 Know someone who loves the Bible and gets hyped about footnotes?Text this episode to your favorite Bible nerd and bless their theological soul.🙌 Want to support the show and ask questions during live recordings?Become a Clearly Partner on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham

Get your 1 & 2 Kings One-Pager here! Ever recorded a whole podcast episode and forgot to press record? Twice? Welcome to Take 3 of our dive into First and Second Kings—yes, we’re laughing through our recording woes and taking you on a tour through two of the most dramatic, action-packed books in the Bible. These aren’t just ancient history; they’re loaded with epic showdowns (think: prophets vs. false gods), royal missteps, divine promises, and a whole lot of “he did evil in the sight of the Lord.”In this episode, we talk about what makes Kings not just important but fascinating—from the temple’s construction and destruction to the heartbreak of a kingdom divided. We explore the rising and crashing of dynasties, why the throne of David still matters, and how these books leave us longing for a better king and a truer temple. Plus, we finally clear up the confusion between Kings and Chronicles (yes, it’s on purpose, and yes, they are both worth your time).Whether you’re new to these books or haven’t read them since your last “Bible in a Year” attempt fizzled out in February, we’ll help you see why they deserve a fresh look—and maybe even a standing ovation. Expect humor, honest reflection, some mild theological nerding-out, and a whole lot of pointing to the King whose reign actually lasts forever.And yes… Jimmy pressed record this time. Probably.🧡 Support Jimmy and Kelly on Patreon

🎙️ Sponsored by the Live Like It’s True Podcast! Check out Kelly’s episode:Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsThis week on Clearly, we’re pressing pause to have an honest conversation about a topic that’s as personal as it is controversial: homosexuality and the Bible.Together, we’re opening Scripture—Greek words, historical context, all of it—to wrestle with a core question: Does the Bible actually see homosexual practice as sin?This isn’t just a theology lecture. It’s about real people, real relationships, and the real tension of holding to biblical truth in a world that often sees it very differently. We don’t shy away from the tough parts—our aim is to bring humility, honesty, and an invitation to dig deeper.Whether you’re curious, skeptical, hurting, or just wanting clarity, this episode is for you. Come ready to think, feel, and maybe see Jesus in a new light—especially where it feels uncomfortable.So settle in. Let’s go there—together.🧡 Support Jimmy and Kelly on Patreon

🎙️ Sponsored by the Live Like It’s True Podcast! Check out Kelly’s episode:Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsClearly: Why Christians Should Read More FictionWhat do Wise Blood, The Scarlet Letter, Frankenstein, Little Women, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Perelandra all have in common? According to Jimmy and Kelly, they're more than just classics—they’re tools that shape the heart, stir the imagination, and draw us closer to deeper truths of Scripture. In this episode, Jimmy and Kelly highlight how well‑crafted fiction can influence our affections, reveal beauty and truth, and sometimes even teach us more powerfully than a sermon.Whether you're skeptical of fiction or already a fan, this conversation will inspire you to read more—and read thoughtfully.🔗 Book Recommendations📘 Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor📕 The Scarlet Letter (Karen Swallow Prior edition) by Nathaniel Hawthorne📗 Frankenstein (Karen Swallow Prior edition) by Mary Shelley📘 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott📙 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson📘 Perelandra by C. S. Lewis📚 Books by Jimmy & Kelly📗 Real Bad Guys by Jimmy Needham📘 Purposefooled by Kelly Needham📘 Friendish by Kelly Needham🎥 Formational Fiction Webinar – YouTube🧡 Support Jimmy and Kelly on Patreon

We are sponsored by the Live Like It’s True Podcast!  Check out Kelly’s episode visiting the podcast on Spotify or Apple.It’s another round of “Learns and Burns” (still up for rebranding), and in this Q&A episode, Jimmy and Kelly dive into your real questions—and spicy internet objections. From whether Christians can cuss, to when it’s time to leave your church, to some eyebrow-raising YouTube comments, we’re covering it all.Can a swear word ever be biblical? How do we handle church hurt without ghosting community? And what do we say to someone who feels better after leaving the faith? (Hint: It’s more layered than you think.)📚 Additional resources:Live Like It’s True Podcast ▶️ How To Argue Well ▶️ Limited Atonement Q&A 📝 Why Conflict Is a Necessary Ally to Real Friendship💬 Plus: hot takes on limited atonement, Jesus vs. anxiety, and whether or not Christians should care about internet haters. (Spoiler: We mostly don’t.)🎉 Want to ask your own questions live during future recordings? Become a Clearly Partner on Patreon: 👉 patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham

We are sponsored by the Live Like It’s True Podcast!  Check out Kelly’s episode visiting the podcast on Spotify or Apple.We know what you’ve been thinking about. We see your browser history. We see you in anguish, trying to figure out: How do you see the Trinity in the Old Testament?We’ve been there—cornered at church potlucks, caught in theology debates on our morning jogs, or at your kid’s little league game. You are constantly asked, “Can you actually defend the triune nature of God from the Old Testament?” So we finally said, enough is enough. Let’s talk about it.In this episode, we roll up our sleeves and dive into the Hebrew Scriptures, uncovering the divine fingerprints of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—from Genesis to Isaiah to the dusty paths of Daniel and Ezekiel. We get into the Hebrew (echad, anyone?), talk through strange plurals, throne room visions, and that time Jacob maybe wrestled with... God Himself?More than head knowledge, we explore why this matters for our hearts, our worship, and our witness. Because the Trinity isn’t some theological plot twist—it’s who God has always been.Come nerd out with us. It’s going to be a good one.More Resources:Live Like It’s True PodcastJimmy's spoken word on the trinity Partner With Us

When it comes to marriage, parenting, and household rhythms, how do you decide who stays home with the kids—and does the Bible give us a clear answer? This episode was sparked by a listener’s thoughtful question, and it opens up a rich, honest conversation between Jimmy and Kelly about work, gender roles, home life, and how Scripture speaks into modern family dynamics.Rather than offering one-size-fits-all rules, Jimmy and Kelly explore:What work actually means from a biblical perspective (hint: it’s not just about getting a paycheck)Why both men and women are called to be “homeward” in their orientationWhether Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 offer mandates or modelsHow biology, seasons of life, and spiritual maturity shape our rolesThe trap of devaluing “hidden” work, and how God sees it differentlyYou’ll hear personal stories from their own marriage—including seasons where roles shifted drastically—and how community, prayer, and mutual submission have helped guide their decisions. This is a nuanced, compassionate discussion that holds tight to Scripture while allowing for grace, complexity, and real-life application.👇 RESOURCES & LINKS📄 Clearly One-Pagers Want a guided tool to help you study the Bible with insight and structure? Download the Clearly one-pagers here!💛 Support the Podcast Become a Clearly Partner on Patreon to access exclusive content, live episodes, and all one-pagers for free!🎙️ Related Clearly Episodes Want to go deeper on this topic? Check out these companion conversations:Gender Roles Q&AWomen in the Home, Mental Health & Small Group LeadersComplementarianism (and Other Short Words)

Buckle up for a whirlwind ride through the Book of Acts — or should we say, The Adventures of the Apostles! In this episode, Jimmy and Kelly dive into the book that brings the fireworks: teleporting deacons, spontaneous language miracles, unexpected deaths, and one very unfazed apostle bitten by a snake.They explore why Acts isn’t just church history — it’s your story too. What really happened when the Holy Spirit moved in? What kind of boldness and transformation flowed from that moment? And how does that same Spirit empower us today?You’ll also hear why Acts is one-of-a-kind in the New Testament, what makes the Holy Spirit more than just a vibe, and why someone really needs to make this into a movie (Dallas, we’re looking at you).📄 Clearly One-Pagers – Study Acts with guided depth: jimmyandkelly.com/store 🎥 Related Links“The Trinity: A Spoken Word”“Who is the Holy Spirit?” – YouTubeForgotten God by Francis Chan (Amazon)🎧 Want more? Join our Clearly Podcast Partners on Patreon for live recordings, exclusive resources, and free access to every Clearly one-pager.

 A huge thanks to America World Adoption Agency for sponsoring this episode. If you're considering adoption or want to find ways to support adoptable children, visit awaa.org/clearly.Today, we are talking about seeing dead people, why that makes Jimmy cry, and why God offers blessed assurance—not blessed insurance.This episode dives deep into one of the most personal and pressing questions in the Christian life: How can I know I’m saved? We get honest about our own stories—like crying over The Sixth Sense on a tour bus, childhood altar calls that didn’t stick, and seasons where God’s love felt more like a theological theory than a lived reality.Pulling from 1 John, Jimmy’s article, and Ask Pastor John, we walk through what the Bible says about assurance—from the objective promises rooted in Christ, to the subjective signs that the Spirit is really at work in us (even when we feel like a mess).So if you’ve ever felt like your heart condemns you, or wondered whether praying “the prayer” really counted, we made this one for you. Assurance isn't about having a spiritual receipt—it’s about knowing the One who holds you, and learning to see the signs of life along the way.