Dying to Live Podcast

What do you do when your child finishes school and suddenly the big question is staring you in the face: University, a gap year, a discipleship school—or something completely different?For many young people, the pressure is to choose a career as quickly as possible. But is finding a career the same thing as finding your calling? And should we really expect an eighteen-year-old to know what they want to do with the rest of their life?Perhaps a gap year could be an opportunity to grow in faith, discover who you are in Christ, develop practical skills, and learn to hear God for yourself. But a gap year can also bring its own challenges—especially when a young person goes overseas alone, without the spiritual foundations, accountability, or support they need.So what role should parents play? How do we encourage our children without controlling their decisions? When should we encourage university or further study, and when might a year of discipleship be the better choice? And how do we build on everything we've taught our children about God so that faith becomes something they personally own, rather than simply something they inherited from their parents?Ultimately, this isn't just about choosing what to do after school. It's about learning to ask a much bigger question:“God, what do You want me to do with my life?”Before finding a career, perhaps there is something more important to discover—who you are, whose you are, and what God has called you to become.

“What do you do when the people you love most don't share the values that have become central to your life?Following Jesus doesn't just change our Sunday mornings—it can change our priorities, commitments and the way we make decisions.And sometimes, that creates tension.There’s a family birthday, a weekly dinner or a special gathering, but there’s also a church commitment or Kingdom responsibility that you believe is important.So what do we do when faith and family collide?How do we honour and love our families without compromising our devotion to Christ? When should family take priority, and when should our Kingdom commitments?And how do we navigate these situations without becoming judgmental, legalistic or insensitive to the people we love?The answer isn't simply, ‘Church comes first,’ or ‘Family always comes first.’ We are called to love, honour, serve and remain faithful to Christ—and sometimes those commitments can pull us in different directions.So today, we're having an honest conversation about When Faith & Family Collide—and how we can navigate those difficult moments with wisdom, grace and a heart that remains faithful to Christ.”

There are few things more difficult for a church than saying goodbye to a leader we have come to love, trust and respect. Whether it is a pastor, elder or another spiritual leader, their departure can feel deeply personal—even when we believe that God is the one calling them into a new season.So how do we navigate that transition well?In this podcast, we’re going to look at the experience from all sides: the members who are grieving a relationship, the leader who has to leave people they love, and the new leader who steps into a congregation with a history and expectations already in place.How do we honour what God has done through the previous leader without living in the past? How do we welcome someone new without constantly comparing them to the person who left? And perhaps most importantly, how do we learn to trust God when He moves people and seasons in ways we wouldn't necessarily choose ourselves?This is a conversation about change, loss, calling, letting go—and learning to trust God with what comes next.

Today we're tackling a subject that touches every one of us at some point in our lives.Throughout the Bible we're repeatedly told, "Do not fear." But what does that mean when fear feels overwhelming? What do we do when anxiety isn't just an occasional emotion, but something that weighs heavily on our minds, affects our relationships, disrupts our sleep, and even impacts our physical health?Anxiety has become one of the defining struggles of our generation. It affects young and old, believers and unbelievers alike. It can quietly erode our peace, weaken our faith, and leave us feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Yet the Bible has a great deal to say about fear, anxiety, and the peace that God offers His people.In this episode, we'll explore what Scripture teaches about fear and anxiety. Are fear and anxiety always sinful? Why does God so often command His people, "Do not be afraid"? How do we obey that command when our emotions tell us otherwise? And what practical, biblical steps can we take to fight anxiety and cultivate a deeper trust in God?We'll also consider how the Church should respond. How do we walk alongside someone who is struggling with fear? How do we encourage without offering empty clichés or simplistic answers? And how do we point people to the hope, comfort, and peace that are found in Christ?This is a conversation about more than managing emotions. It's about learning to trust a sovereign God in an uncertain world, discovering His presence in the midst of our fears, and finding the peace that Jesus promised—a peace that transcends circumstances.Whether you're wrestling with anxiety yourself or seeking to help someone who is, we pray this episode will equip you with biblical wisdom, practical encouragement, and renewed confidence in God's faithful promises.

Today we're diving into a subject that lies at the very heart of the Christian life: "Guarding & Growing in Joy."Joy is one of the great themes of Scripture. Yet for many believers, it can seem elusive. Life brings trials, disappointment, suffering, and uncertainty, and it's easy to wonder: Is lasting joy really possible?The Bible tells us that joy is far more than a passing emotion or a response to favourable circumstances. It is a deep, enduring confidence rooted in the character of God, the finished work of Christ, and the unchanging hope of the gospel. It's a joy that can exist even in the midst of hardship.So what does the Bible actually say about joy? How is biblical joy different from happiness? How do we guard our joy when life is difficult? And what practical habits help us grow in joy day by day?In this episode, we'll explore the Scriptures to discover why joy is described as a fruit of the Spirit, why we're repeatedly commanded to rejoice, and how believers can cultivate a life marked by gratitude, worship, hope, and delight in God—even when circumstances are far from ideal.We'll also discuss the things that rob us of joy, how to recognise them, and how to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the true source of lasting joy.Whether you're walking through a season of blessing or a season of struggle, our prayer is that this conversation will encourage you to experience the joy that God intends for His people—not a superficial happiness, but a deep and abiding joy that sustains us through every season of life.