Those Who Serve The Lord

Travis and Michel Hendricks continue their discussion on the relational reformation that is taking place in the church. Far too often, our church models have been built on the best practices established by churches considered to be "successful" because they know how to attract a crowd. Many of these successful churches have more of a performance mentality that they have pursued in the worship service. Many of these well-intentioned leaders have sought to get people to church thinking that they needed to have the service as a performance for people to come to and be part of so that they can hear the Word and come to know Jesus. But what if that model, while successful in the short term, is actually detrimental in the long term because it fails to take in a key part of our relational make-up? The stats are out, that many are leaving the church and doing so for a variety of reasons. Some see it as a purification time, while others see it as a symptom of a larger problem-the church doesn't care about relationships the way that God does and doesn't understand how spiritual formation actually works. Travis and Michel continue discussing his book, The Other Half of Church, which he co-authored with one of our previous guests, Jim Wilder. The book has become the go-to text for this relational reformation and rightly so because they have hit on something that many within the church have been saying and feeling for years: there is more and the Bible tells us all about it! Listen in as they talk about how God has wired our brains for relationships and joy and how we can return to this relational joy the way that God intended! Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Michel's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The essence of the church lies fundamentally in its ability to love both one another and those outside its community, as exemplified by Jesus' teachings. A relational reformation within the church is imperative, focusing on nurturing genuine relationships rather than merely measuring attendance or other metrics. The integration of relational skills into church practices is crucial; teaching individuals how to love, including their enemies, is often overlooked. True discipleship involves more than just knowledge; it requires embodying love and relational maturity, encouraging individuals to practice these principles within their communities. Churches must shift from a performance-based model to one that emphasizes relational depth, fostering an environment where individuals feel valued and cherished. The church's effectiveness in embodying love is directly linked to its members' emotional and relational maturity, which must be cultivated intentionally.

Travis welcomes Michel Hendricks to the show! In the past few decades, so much of church and the Christian life has been about simply gaining information that leads us to believe and hopefully do the right things. However, as time has gone on, many Christ-followers have felt that there is more. Could there be something that we are missing? As the pandemic revealed, we are built for connection to God first and then with others second. In fact, our brains are divinely wired for both, and yet many within the church have neglected this important part of our makeup. However, in recent years there has been a relational reformation-a hunger to recover the connection with people the way God intended and we now have the brain science to show us what the Bible has been talking about for millennia. Travis and Michel discuss his book, The Other Half of Church, which he co-authored with our previous guest Jim Wilder. The book has become the go-to text for this relational reformation and rightly so because they have hit on something that many within the church have been saying and feeling for years: there is more and the Bible tells us all about it! Listen in as they talk about how God has wired our brains for relationships and joy and how we can return to this relational joy the way that God intended! Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Michel's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The foundational essence of joy in our lives serves as a vital prerequisite for effective discipleship, much like a gas tank is essential for a vehicle's operation. Experiencing joy is not merely a fleeting emotion; it is intrinsically connected to our growth and maturation in character, especially within a Christian context. In order to foster a thriving community of faith, we must prioritize relational elements such as joy and hesed, which cultivate an environment conducive to spiritual development. Our group identity plays a significant role in shaping our behavior and character, emphasizing the importance of belonging and attachment within our spiritual journeys.

This is Jim Wilder Part 2! Travis and Jim talk about how God has divinely wired our minds for human relationships and how they form us to become more like Jesus. We often talk about becoming like Jesus and how the Bible forms us, but rarely do we talk about how our relationships form us. In fact, the Church has often unbiblically separated the message of Jesus apart from relationships and if we are to grow in our faith and if the church is to be strengthened, we need to rediscover this divine connection. Travis and Jim have a far-ranging discussion that includes the connection between shame and status in our society, how our brains go into what is called “enemy mode” and “relational” modes when we are communicating with people, and what Jim calls the “Life Model Works” which is a tool and organization that Jim helped develop to “link brain science with the Bible to create simple, practical tools for churches to build authentic community. This episode is a listening must for those who want to go deeper in their walk with Christ as we seek to understand how our brain works in shaping us through the day-to-day relationships of life.Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Jim's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The importance of relationships in shaping our identity and aligning with Christ's teachings cannot be overstated. Understanding the dynamics of shame, both healthy and toxic, is crucial for personal and communal growth in faith. Brain science increasingly confirms that our emotional and relational health significantly influences our spiritual maturity. The concept of 'enemy mode' illustrates how our responses can hinder authentic communication and community within the church.

Travis welcomes Jim Wilder to the show! Jim is a neurotheologian who specializes in helping us become fully human Christ-followers. Travis and Jim discuss neurotheology, how the brain works, and how God has wired the truth of who He is into our brains. It's one of the most fun and informative conversations and it's sure to deepen your relationship with God and others. This is truly a must-listen! Listen to other episodes with Jim Wilder:#108 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-God on the Brain (intro to neurotheology)And other episodes on neurotheology: #109 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 1-Relational Reformation#110 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 2-Relational Reformation#120 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 1#121 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 2#140 Jim Wilder, Pt. 1-Enemy Mode#141 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-Enemy Mode#142 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 1#143 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 2Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Jim's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Donald Whitney to the show! Are you having a hard time praying? Do you find yourself praying with the same old words? For the same old things? For many of us, prayer is a chore. We know that we want to do it and do it well, but don't feel like we are getting through. Or we don't feel like we are praying right: in the right ways for the right things, etc. Is there a way to get out of our prayer rut? Donald Whitney says, "Yes!"Don Whitney has been teaching believers to pray the Bible (in fact he has taught it over 600 times!). Donald gives us such a practical way to pray the Bible in such a way that anyone can do it! Learn more about Southern Seminary where Don teaches and The Center for Biblical Spirituality that he founded. Get the book Praying the Bible.Other episodes to help you understand the Bible better:#26 Randy Richards: Misreading Scripture With Individualist Eyes#77 Michael S. Heiser-Naked Scripture, the Supernatural, and Scared Evangelicals#88 Tremper Longman III, Pt. 1-The Bible You Need Is The One You Read#89 Tremper Longman III, Pt. 2-Scripture, Psalms, and Nourishing Your Soul#101 Esteban Shedd: Creative Communicators Engaging Global Urban Culture#111 John Plake: Scripture Engagement, Trauma, and Transformation in Chaotic Times#150 Kevin Vanhoozer: Scriptural Illiteracy & Secular Imagination, Pt. 1#151 Kevin Vanhoozer: Scriptural Illiteracy & Secular Imagination, Pt. 2#187 | The Emotions of God, Pt. 1 | David T. Lamb#188 | The Emotions of God, Pt. 2 | David T. Lamb#189 | Savoring Scripture | Andy AbernethySign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!In the realm of spiritual practice, the act of prayer often emerges as a pivotal yet frequently overlooked component of the believer's life. This episode features an enlightening conversation with Don Whitney, a prominent scholar in biblical spirituality, who addresses the ubiquitous challenge of maintaining a vibrant and effective prayer life amidst the pressures of modern existence. Whitney elucidates a prevalent phenomenon where individuals, when engaging in prayer, tend to gravitate toward repetitive phrases and familiar petitions, ultimately rendering the experience mundane and uninspired. Through the lens of his methodology known as 'Praying the Bible,' Whitney offers a compelling framework for believers seeking to infuse their prayer life with depth and variety, thereby transforming it into a more dynamic and meaningful practice.The discussion delves into the implications of this method, particularly in light of the contemporary decline in biblical literacy and engagement. Whitney articulates that the key to revitalizing one's prayer life lies not solely in the act of prayer itself but in the individual's relationship with Scripture. By utilizing the Bible as a foundational text for prayer, believers can engage in a rich dialogue with God, allowing the Scriptures to inform and shape their petitions. This approach not only enhances the quality of one's prayers but also fosters a deeper connection with the Divine, encouraging an experiential understanding of God's character and His will.Furthermore, Whitney underscores the importance of teaching and modeling these practices within church communities, as many individuals lack exposure to effective prayer techniques. The episode culminates in a call to action for listeners to embrace the transformative power of 'Praying the Bible,' encouraging families and individuals to cultivate a prayer life that is vibrant, responsive, and rooted in the truths of Scripture. This episode serves as a vital resource for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual journey and enhance their communication with God.Takeaways: In today's discussion on Apollos Watered, we address the universal issue of prayer, highlighting how many individuals often find themselves reciting the same phrases repeatedly, leading to a staleness in their spiritual practice. Travis Michael Fleming and Donald Whitney emphasize that a lack of variety in prayer can result in words becoming devoid of meaning, ultimately diminishing the significance of one's spiritual communication with God. The conversation introduces the concept of 'Praying the Bible' as a transformative practice that can invigorate one's prayer life, encouraging individuals to engage with scripture in a dynamic and meaningful manner. Whitney shares insights from his own journey, explaining how he discovered that the entirety of the Bible can serve as a prayer book, allowing practitioners to pray through various passages in a personally relevant way. Through practical examples, the speakers illustrate how praying scripture not only enriches personal petitions but also fosters a deeper connection with God by allowing His words to guide the dialogue. Listeners are encouraged to explore the practice of praying through the Psalms, as this ancient method has been a source of spiritual nourishment for believers throughout the centuries, renewing their prayer life.

Everyone agrees it's a pretty chaotic time in our world and we need guidance. We have knowledge but lack wisdom. Who can we look to for wisdom? Who are the voices that we can trust that don't have some hidden agenda? Is there anyone from our recent past to help us in our present cultural moment? Trevin has some fascinating and powerful insights. Travis and Trevin discuss Trevin's new book on G.K. Chesterton, the Western church's credibility crisis, the global church, and even discuss Disney and how it has helped shape the expressive individualism that is so prevalent and prominent in our culture. It's a conversation that you really don't want to miss!Check out Trevin's blog at the Gospel Coalition or sign up to be on his email list.Check out his blog entry on Disney. Follow Trevin on Twitter or get his books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

One of the best ways to pray is to study the Scriptures, listen to Jesus, and hear the voices of those who have prayed well. Today in this Watering Wednesday, Travis explores the disciples' desire to pray and the prayer life of one amazing man of prayer, the missionary John Hyde, who will inspire you to pray more fervently for God to work in our fallen world today. Sign up for our newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis is joined by David Garrison of Global Gates! Jesus calls us to take the whole Gospel to the whole world and often times we think overseas, but what if is also across the street? Did you know that there are thousands of families of unreached people groups throughout North America? And did you know that they may be in your neighborhood? God calls us to reach them and David gives us a great insight as to how! If we are able to reach them, then they will reach their families on the other side of the world for Jesus! We can reach the furthest corners of the earth and some of the most difficult people groups to share Jesus with in the world by simply developing a relationship with a person across the street! Listen as Travis and David discuss Global Gates, unreached people groups (UPG's), and much, much more! Learn more and get connected with Global Gates and sign up on their Facebook page.Get David's books.Sign up for our newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

God has given us His GPS so that we might know who He is, who we are, where we are, and how God gets to us. It's about the Word of God and how we need it to engage with God. At Apollos Watered, we are biblically grounded, and we want you to be as well. With so many things swirling around us in our day, it is more important than ever that we are rooted in God's Word so that we might live lives that are pleasing to Him. Sign up for our newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Esteban Shedd of Streetlights is on Apollos Watered! Everybody has a world they live in: rural, small town, big town, suburb, or city. Statistics have shown that our world is becoming more and more urbanized. The question then becomes: what are the best ways to reach our cities for Jesus? How can we help urban believers grow when most of the Christian material out there is most often aimed at those safe in the suburbs who are from one cultural background? Streetlights has a unique and effective way."Streetlights is a ministry of Creative Communicators called to intentionally engage global urban culture - primarily youth and young adults - with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by producing, translating, teaching, and proclaiming God’s Word so all can understand. Their identity & call are founded on the belief that God’s Word is transformational and needs to be accessible and understandable to all people. Their task is to “Unfold Him” through His Word to this digital age that presents many barriers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as unprecedented communication opportunities to send out God’s Word."This was a fun and far-reaching conversation of cities and connections. Listen in as Travis & Esteban talk about Christ's call to the city and how we can reach it. Learn more about Streetlights.Sign up for our newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!