Church and Family Life Podcast

You have how many children!?! In today’s world, eyebrows raise, and questions of wisdom and sanity follow, whenever a couple desires more than two or three kids. How can you afford more? Where will you find the time to properly teach each child? What kind of quality of life will you enjoy if you keep having babies? In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Bradley Pierce, look to the Bible to address the question of family size. The overall emphasis in Scripture is clear, as God directs couples to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28; 9:1), calling the fruit of the womb a “reward” (Ps. 127:3). Rather than prizing maximum comfort in the near term, couples should take the longer view by cherishing as many eternal souls God chooses to give so that they might raise a “godly offspring” (Mal. 2:15).  Watch the Message from Bradley Pierce at the FORGE Conference.

Christian joy is not subject to how good or bad our situation is. God gives joy to His people in hard times as well as in seasons of ease and plenty. Jesus modeled this on His way to the cross, declaring the joy He had in obeying His Father as He abided in His love (John 15:9-11). In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest John Snyder, discuss finding joy in the Christian life, looking to Jesus as the ultimate example. During His earthly ministry, Christ was the happiest of men, being “anointed . . . with the oil of gladness more than [His] companions” (Heb. 1:9). Jesus lived in the awareness of his Father’s love for Him which brought Christ unceasing joy. As believers enveloped in this same love, we should reject despondency in our souls and be a joyful people, no matter our circumstances, for “Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” (Ps. 144:15).

Marriage is a sacred one-flesh union which should be dearly cherished by both husband and wife. Yet many couples fall into the trap of making their spouse the center of their marriage, rather than God. This can only lead to disillusionment, as our mate will, in time, fall short and disappoint us—especially whenever God is not exalted as the primary focus of the marital bond. In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Steve Hopkins, address this pitfall and explain how to make Christ preeminent in marriage. Their outline is simple: Strive to become like Christ through daily personal Bible reading and prayer, corporate daily Bible reading and prayer with one’s whole family, and daily prayer alone together as husband and wife. Rather than looking to your spouse as the source of fulfillment, exalt God’s Word, sing songs together, and earnestly seek the face of Christ.

Over the last twenty years, alcohol and drug use have risen, with marijuana being legalized in 23 states, and popular breweries and pubs popping up in downtowns across America. LSD use has doubled over this period, and CBD gummies are now available at corner shops everywhere. In the midst of this uptick, a number of popular Reformed pastors and commentators are openly drinking alcohol on their podcasts, extolling the virtues of their favorite whiskey or beer.  What is the Christian to make of all of this—particularly where alcohol is concerned? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Tom Ford, break down the issues biblically, explaining the lawful use of alcohol, while issuing a sober warning about the life-destroying dangers of drunkenness. Rather than seeking solace in an altered state of mind, Christians must follow the Scriptures: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).  

What does a reformed confession such as the 1689 Baptist Confession and the Westminster Confession of faith have to do with your family. Can your children defend the doctrine of the trinity, God’s decrees and divine providence, the nature of the fall of man, and the way of salvation in Christ?  In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Trent Moody, discuss how a sound confession of faith is vital for families and churches. All three men hold to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, which stands as one of the richest and most helpful statements of faith ever written. Exalting Scripture as the ultimate standard, the 1689 Confession contains a treasure trove of orthodox doctrine, with scriptural proofs for further study. The confession’s original “letter to the reader” calls on fathers to teach the core truths of Scripture to their households, even as church elders should do the same to the household of faith. 

Baptism is to be one of the first acts of obedience for a believer when they repent and come to Christ in faith (Acts 2:38; 8:35-38). But how should parents and elders respond to the testimony of young children who profess Christ? Is there a certain “age of maturity” kids should reach before being baptized?   In this podcast Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Jeffrey Johnson, tackle this thorny topic. Arguing against a minimum age, they emphasize that, prior to baptism, children should demonstrate a cognitive maturity and clear articulation of the gospel they profess, accompanied by tangible fruit of a real heart change. Acknowledging that children are impressionable, they counsel for careful evaluation of each child’s profession, while also encouraging baptism when the signs of conversion are clear. This is somewhat of a counterpoint of the podcast with Sam Waldron on the same subject.

The greatest need for mothers with an unwanted pregnancy in not a temporal mind change, but a fundamental heart change that heeds the hope of the Gospel. Choosing life for moms should start with choosing eternal life, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and then choosing to keep the precious child in their womb.      In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Brian Ottinger and Anthony Mathenia, discuss the work of Love Life, a pro-life outreach ministry that exists to unite and mobilize the church and create a culture of love and life that will result in the end to the abortion and orphan crisis. Love Life hosts regular prayer walks outside abortion clinics across the US, and their House of Refuge Network directs moms to find a church in their area that will not only encourage them to choose life for their baby, but be discipled into the family of God.  Check out Love Life Ministries or watch their Legalize Life series by Bradley Pierce.

Should interpreting the Bible be left to the “experts”? While certain high-minded scholars have argued this, the Scriptures plainly direct fathers and mothers to train their children up in the ways of God—and this can only happen by them carefully reading His word and explaining it.    In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by guest Chris Law, encourage parents to actively read and discuss the Scriptures with their children, and they offer some helpful interpretive keys to use. The first is context: who is the author of a particular book addressing, where is he located, and what is he speaking about? Other principles: clear texts interpret unclear texts; specific texts interpret general texts; and literal texts interpret figurative texts. They also urge parents to not miss the big picture, but to make it their chief aim to show their children how great and wonderful God is whenever they open His word.    Check out our book "Journey through the Bible" 

If you knew the span of your life would be thirty years shorter than you expected, what would you change? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guest Isaac Botkin, discuss the inspiring legacy of David Fry, who recently passed away at age 54. When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago, David didn’t meaningfully change much of how he was living his life. That’s because he had already been living like he was dying, making the most of his time by carefully shepherding his family and investing in his local church.   David’s memorial service was a stunning and beautiful witness to his earnest faithfulness, as his six sons and two daughters all proclaimed scripture after scripture their father taught them They testified to his active and loving involvement in each of their lives. David gave up financial gain to have more time to teach and walk with his children in God’s word and point them to Christ—an encouraging and convicting example for all dads to take to heart as they lead their families. 

LGBT Pride Month, held each June, is nothing to be proud of. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss how deviant sexual behavior has gone from being abhorred to being widely celebrated in a mere fifty years. Not only have the anti-sodomy laws in most states been repealed, but leading corporations are embracing the LGBT agenda in their internal policies and publicly promoting it during Pride Month.   Looking to God’s word, they explain that the shameful celebration of this deviancy is condemned by God and a clear sign of His judgment. Yet there’s hope for those caught in this wicked lifestyle who repent of their sins—just as there was in Paul’s time: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).  View Tom Ascol Interview on Homosexuality with NBC2 News Here. on