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It’s a question that gets at the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. Is discipleship an optional next step for more serious believers, or is it inseparable from genuine Christian faith? In this episode of Curious Faith, we have a live phone call with our Curious Companion to explore the difference between identifying as a Christian and actually living as a disciple. We look at some of Jesus’ strongest statements about following Him, the cost of discipleship, and how passages like the Parable of the Soils help us think about what real, lasting faith produces. This episode asks an uncomfortable but important question: Are we simply calling ourselves Christians, or are we actually following Christ?

What does it mean to love your wife as Christ loves His church—especially when love is costly? In this continuation of “For Her Good,” Pastor Ryan explores Ephesians 5 and the husband’s calling to cultivate oneness through sacrificial, Spirit-empowered love. Discover how following Jesus changes everyday words, habits, and responsibilities—and why our obedience cannot depend on someone else’s performance.

What do high school students really want to know about God, faith, and the Bible? In this episode of Curious Faith, Ryan joins his AI Curious Companion to work through real questions submitted by high school students. Some are deep, some are difficult, and some are unexpectedly hilarious—including why cows have so many stomachs. From serious questions about God and Scripture to the kinds of things teenagers genuinely wonder about, this episode reminds us that curiosity is not the enemy of faith. It can begin deeper understanding.

What does it mean to be a husband who seeks his wife’s good? In this message, we explore Ephesians 5:25–29 and 1 Peter 3:7 to see how following Jesus shapes the way a husband knows, honors, and loves his wife. Depending on the Holy Spirit, husbands are called to cultivate connection, build trust, and practice Christ's self-giving love.

What happens when a Christian dies? Do believers enter the presence of Christ immediately? Are they conscious? What happens to the body? And how does the resurrection fit into the picture? In this episode of Curious Faith, we explore the major Christian views of what happens after death and compare them with what Scripture actually says. From the intermediate state to the resurrection and the hope of the New Creation, this conversation moves beyond the simple idea of “going to heaven” and looks at the fuller biblical picture of eternal life with Christ. If you’ve ever wondered what happens in the moments after death—or what hope Scripture gives us when someone we love dies—this episode is for you.

Stress is a part of life, but it doesn't have to control you. In this episode, Tommy Bates discusses how stress affects your mind and body and shares practical ways to manage it - including letting go of what you can't control, becoming more aware of your stress responses, and using simple techniques to regain calm. Learn how to stop sweating the small stuff, protect your peace, and live a healthier life.

Who will define us—God or the world around us? Using the illustration of a surveyor’s benchmark, this message explores who God is, who we are, and the relationships and responsibilities he has entrusted to us. From our identity as male and female to God’s design for marriage, we face a personal decision: Will we allow Jesus to define our lives? God is the benchmark. Christ is the cornerstone. His Word does not move.

Why is it so hard to say "no" - and when does helping someone actually begin to hurt them? In this episode of Stuff That Works, Tommy Bates explores codependency, boundaries, and the sometimes uncomfortable difference between genuinely helping others and enabling unhealthy dependence. Drawing from more than 20 years of counseling experience, Tommy identifies three common forms of codependence: the manipulator, who finds identity through controlling others; the nurturer or rescuer, who finds worth through taking care of others; and the achiever, who depends on accomplishment and pleasing people to feel valuable. The episode examines how even good qualities - being helpful, nurturing, hardworking, compassionate, or driven - can become unhealthy when we depend on them for our sense of identity and self-worth. Tommy then turns to one of the most important tools for breaking the cycle: healthy boundaries. Setting boundaries means understanding what we are responsible for - and what we aren't. We are responsible for treating people with kindness, compassion, and respect, but we cannot take responsibility for everyone else's feelings, choices, reactions, or consequences. Through practical examples, personal stories, and the powerful illustration of a butterfly that needs the struggle of escaping its cocoon in order to develop its wings, Tommy explains why continually rescuing someone can sometimes prevent the very growth we're trying to encourage. Whether you're a parent struggling to let an adult child experience consequences, a people-pleaser who has trouble saying no, an overachiever heading toward burnout, or simply someon who tends to carry responsibilities that aren't yours, this episode offers a practical challenge: Stay in your lane. Set healthy boundaries. Allow others room to grow - and give yourself permission to grow, too. Practical tools. No fluff. Real life.

In Marriage Fulfilled, Dr. Max Croft explores God’s design for marriage through Genesis 2:18 and Ephesians 5:20–25. Discover how husbands and wives find fulfillment by receiving marriage as God’s gift, serving one another in covenant faithfulness, and reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ.

Insecurities can quietly shape how we see ourselves - and how we treat the people we love. they can lead to jealousy, fear, control, people-pleasing, and an unhealthy dependence on others for our sense of worth. In this episode of Stuff That Works, Tommy Bates explores where insecurities come from, including childhood experiences, past relationships, failure, comparison, and the painful belief that we simply aren't enough. More importantly, he talks about what we can actually do about them. You'll learn why recognizing the source of insecurity matters, how changing negative self-talk can begin rebuilding self-worth, and why healthy relationships require two people who aren't depending on each other to make them whole. Tommy also explores the difference between striving to become a better version of yourself and expecting yourself to be perfect. For Christians, the conversation goes deeper into finding identity and worth in God rather than allowing other people's opinions, successes, failures, or past mistakes to define us. Overcoming insecurity doesn't happen overnight. It takes self-reflection, intentional changes in how we think, grace for our imperfections, and the willingness to keep doing the repair work.

Sin disorders the mind, hardens the heart, and enslaves our desires—but the gospel offers more than surface-level improvement. Drawing from Ephesians 4:17–24 and Colossians 3:1–11, this message explores how those united with Jesus receive a new life and identity, are renewed in the image of their Creator, and are formed within a renewed people. We were made by God, disordered by sin, and are being remade in Christ.

God has given humanity real authority, but never autonomy. In this message, drawing on Genesis 2:15–17 and Romans 14:10–12, this message explores God’s calling to cultivate and guard what He places in our care. Whether the responsibility involves our families, work, relationships, gifts, or opportunities, kingdom work begins when what is in our hands is placed under the King's authority.

God created humanity in his image as male and female—equal in dignity, distinct by design, and united in purpose. From Genesis 1–2, this message explores how our embodied identity is a gift to receive, how men and women reflect God’s image together, and how biblical distinction strengthens rather than threatens our shared calling.

Recorded on a beach condo patio during a family vacation, this special episode of Curious Faith features Ryan Johnson and his daughters discussing one of the biggest questions facing teenagers today: How do you honor Christ in your relationships? Together they explore biblical wisdom for dating, friendships, character, purity, and making wise decisions in a culture that often points in the opposite direction. More than a conversation about romance, this is a conversation about becoming the kind of person who follows Jesus faithfully in every relationship. Whether you're a teenager, a parent, or someone investing in the next generation, this episode will encourage you to see that some of the greatest discipleship moments happen in ordinary places—when God's Word becomes the center of everyday conversations.

Negative thoughts can feel automatic, powerful, and sometimes even convincing—but just because a thought enters your mind doesn’t mean you have to believe it. In this episode, we explore the power of negative thinking and how our thoughts can shape our emotions, behaviors, and everyday lives. More importantly, we’ll discover practical cognitive tools and biblical principles that can help us recognize unhealthy thought patterns, challenge them, and replace them with truth. You’ll learn a simple three-step plan you can practice throughout your day: 1. Write a reminder note. Create a simple, visible reminder that helps you pause and remember to pay attention to what you’re thinking. Use it as an intentional cue to check in with your thoughts throughout the day. 2. Put your thoughts on trial. Instead of automatically accepting every thought as truth, examine it. Ask yourself: Is this thought true? What evidence supports it? What evidence challenges it? Is this thought helpful? Learn to separate facts from assumptions, fear, and negative interpretations. 3. Filter your thoughts through biblical truth. God’s Word gives us a framework for evaluating what we allow to take root in our minds. We’ll explore how principles such as Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Colossians 3:2, and Proverbs 23:7 can help us become more intentional about what we think about and how we respond. This episode isn’t about pretending negative thoughts don’t exist or simply “thinking positive.” It’s about learning to slow down, examine your thoughts, recognize what doesn’t align with truth, and intentionally choose a healthier and more God-centered perspective. Your thoughts deserve to be examined—not automatically obeyed. Listen in and discover how a simple daily practice can help you take your thoughts captive, renew your mind, and respond to life with greater clarity, peace, and purpose.