Thought Factory Podcast

#1203 | Students Speak Out About FAITH

If a student claims to be a Christian, should the Christian faith be important to them? What about the church or youth group? Has church become irrelevant in their life?  Who has the most influence in an adolescent’s life?  These are the questions Geoff, Jayson, and special guest host, Becca Ebenhoch, will be discussing to unpack the responses from students on the topics of faith and church.

Becca's email: becca@neverthesame.org

#1202 | Students Speak Out About SCHOOL

School board meetings have gotten more press these days.  Parents appear to be more engaged in what is being taught and what is happening in the schools of their children. We know what adults are saying, but the voice that has gotten lost in the conversation has been students. In this episode, hosts Geoff and Jayson discuss data from students' responses regarding their school atmosphere.  We hear from the students themselves what they think and feel about school. 

#1201 | Students Speak Out About COVID

Would you like to know what students think about Covid, the fear it has exposed, its impact on their life, and the impact on their view of the world?  In today's episode, hosts Geoff Eckart and Jayson Brewer are not going to guess what they think but hear directly from students themselves through the extensive research done this past summer.  What you will hear in this episode will change your understanding and give valuable insight into this generation on the topic of Covid and fear.

#1107 | Am I Committed To Godly Sexuality? | Six Questions Students Must Answer

Part 6/6 This episode concludes the mini-series on the six foundational questions students must answer.  All the previous questions culminate to this point, so if you have not listened to the previous five episodes, we encourage you to go and do so.  In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses the topic of homosexuality and transgender as it relates to our relationship with God and how He is calling us to live.  Regardless of how you approach this topic, it is a sensitive one and emotions rise.  Just ask yourself, just because I feel it, does it make it true?  Does the Bible say it is wrong?

 

*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.

#1106 | If God Is So Good, Why Is My World So Bad? | Six Questions Students Must Answer

Part 5/6  This is a major question that many people, including students, are asking as they see the world around them.  This is also the biggest obstacle for people as they evaluate faith.  This moves the foundational questions beyond truth and Jesus, into discussing the existence and problem of evil.  Michelle Rewa helps us understand that God is still good but there is a reason for the evil in the world.  If God is good and cares about us, then why are there so many people suffering?  

Link to the video referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo

 

*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.

#1105 | Can I Doubt The Resurrection and Still Be A Christian? | Six Questions Students Must Answer

Part 4/6 This episode continues to conversation on the topic of Jesus.  Last episode we asked the question, "What do I believe about Jesus?" If you have come to the conclusion that He existed and He was crucified, Michelle Rewa unpacks the evidence of His death and resurrection.  Is it really a big deal if we claim to be Christian and doubt the resurrection truly happened? 

Link to the article referenced (must create a free account to fully view): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315

 

*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.

 

#1104 | What Do I Believe About Jesus? | Six Questions Students Must Answer

Part 3/6 This episode continues the foundational questions that students must answer, building off questions about God, the beginning of time, and the truth of the Bible.  In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses who Jesus is and why we can approach His existence with logic, reason, and evidence, which ultimately allows us to believe who He says He is.  Was Jesus either Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

Link to referenced video: (Start at 1:22) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXfeUqk4IeU

 

*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.

 

#1103 | Where Does The Truth Come From? | Six Questions Students Must Answer

Part 2/6  This episode builds off the last episode's foundational question of "Does Science Disprove God?" How do we know the Bible is true?  In this episode, Michelle Rewa explores the evidence and reliability of the Bible for truth.  Critics will point out the flaws and contradictions of the Bible, but do those flaws make it false?

Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB18or8bJ10

 

*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021.

#1102 | Does Science Disprove God? | Six Questions Students Must Answer

Part 1/6  This is the first foundational question that Michelle Rewa asks students to answer.  This question relates to the beginning of the universe, creation versus the Big Bang.  These two topics are at the core of faith and science.  People act like faith and science are polar opposites and cannot be brought together.  Michelle approaches this topic with logic, as it takes faith to believe, no matter what side we land on.  So, do we have a good reason for our personal beliefs? 

Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE76nwimuT0

*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021.

www.neverthesame.org

#1101 | One Big Prediction for 2022

The Thought Factory is back for its 11th Season and will include a 6-week mini-series in partnership with Michelle Rewa, a guest speaker at NTS Camp 2021.  Michelle explored the topics of faith and reason, approaching the Christian faith based on reason and evidence.  She delivered a series of six foundational questions students must answer for themselves to strengthen their faith. 

Also in this episode, Geoff shares some thoughts, impressions, and predictions for 2022 that appear to parallel the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17-18 as we continue to be impacted by shutdowns and disruptions due to the Coronavirus.  

Listen to hear the one big prediction on how much longer this Covid disruption will last into the future and what we can do during this time as God’s people.