Veritas Equipping Podcast

Therapy language is everywhere, but what does the Bible actually say about suffering, identity, and change? In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Sam, Matthew, Garrett, and Matt unpack therapy culture, the sufficiency of Scripture, and why the church, not the therapeutic industry, has been entrusted with the care of souls.

What if the greatest threat to your faith is not open rebellion but quiet absorption? On this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Doug, Ian, Jake, and Sam tackle a hard question from 1 John 2:15-17: Are we fighting worldliness or slowly absorbing it? What does it actually mean to not love the world? Is it retreating from culture or resisting a system that makes sin look normal and holiness look strange? This conversation exposes the subtle ways misplaced love, fear of rejection, and craving approval can creep into our hearts and even into the church while calling us back to abiding in Christ as the only way to weaken the world’s pull. If the world is passing away, what are you building your life on?

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love and relationships can seem both familiar and deeply confusing. In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Danny, Ian, Jake, and Matt discuss thinking biblically about love, dating, marriage, and singleness. Together, they unpack how culture defines love, where that conflicts with Scripture, and how Christians can pursue relationships with wisdom, covenant faithfulness, and contentment in Christ. Whether you are single, dating, married, or longing for what comes next, this conversation invites you to see love not as an idol or emotion but as a gift rightly ordered under the love of God. A helpful framework for thinking about dating: “Dating is an intentional and limited time of a relationship to clarify, in the safety of community (and parental authority for those still under the authority of a parent), if someone will be a God-glorifying spouse.” Dating is Non-Biblical The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment Marriage - Paul David Tripp

If fasting feels intimidating, outdated, or optional, you’re not alone and Scripture has more to say than you might think. In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Sam, Michael, Richard, and Jake talk through what fasting is, why it matters, and how Christians can practice it with clarity and purpose. We explore the biblical foundations of fasting, address common misconceptions, and share honest reflections on why this discipline has often been neglected in the church. Whether you’re brand new to fasting, unsure where to start, or longing for deeper dependence on God, this conversation invites you to see fasting not as a legalistic burden but as a gracious means of pursuing Christ together.

If your Bible reading feels dry, inconsistent, or guilt-ridden, you’re not alone—and you’re not beyond hope. In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast Ian, Jake, Matthew, and Sam talk about why regular Bible reading matters and how to pursue it well. They share their own stories of when Scripture came alive to them, discuss common obstacles, and offer practical encouragement for anyone from first-time readers to longtime believers. Whether you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or simply want to go deeper, this episode helps you see God’s Word not as a checkbox but as the place we truly meet and abide with Him.

As Christmas approaches, we want to take a step back and think about Advent—what it is, why it matters, and how Christians can keep the season centered on Christ. In this episode Jake, Ian, Danny, and Sam unpack the attributes of God revealed in Jesus’ coming, share practical ways their families pursue generosity, and offer helpful Advent resources to make this season intentionally Christ-focused.

What happens when believers stop treating doctrine like theory and start letting it transform their lives? In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Sam Anderson, Ian Crosby, Matthew Morken, and Jake Each talk about why theology matters for every believer—not just scholars or pastors. They discuss how what we believe about God shapes how we live, worship, and follow Jesus, and why clarity in our doctrine leads to confidence in our faith.

What happens when a church measures the state of its beliefs—not by opinion, but by truth? In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, pastors Jake Each, Matt Hoffert, Michael Rhodes, and Sam Anderson unpack the recent State of Theology survey from Ligonier Ministries that reveals both encouragements and serious concerns within American evangelicalism. From confusion about the Trinity and the Holy Spirit to alarming misunderstandings about sin, salvation, and the authority of Scripture, this episode explores what these results say about the church—and why theological clarity matters for everyday disciples. Because if we drift from sound doctrine, we drift from the gospel itself. The 2025 State of Theology survey reveals a troubling lack of biblical understanding within the American church, showing the urgent need to return to sound doctrine and faithful discipleship. Churches must prioritize biblically qualified leadership and the regular teaching of God’s Word to prevent drifting toward superficial faith. We hope that discussing these findings will help our church recommit to truth, maturity, and a strong gospel witness in our culture and buy into our current focus on theological understanding and biblical literacy. This conversation will challenge you to think biblically, love truth, and grow in deeper conviction rooted in God’s Word.

What happens when a church focuses on being devoted to the things the first church was devoted to in Acts 2? In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, pastors Matt Hoffert and Michael Rhodes join Jake Each to talk about recent ministry shifts at Veritas—more Bible teaching, more prayer, deeper communion, and meaningful membership. Why these changes? Because the church needs more than slick programs—it needs people rooted in God’s Word, dependent on Him in prayer, and committed to one another. This episode will challenge and encourage you to step deeper into life with Christ and his church.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has dominated the 24-hour news cycle, sparking shock, grief, and heated responses across the political spectrum. But how should Christians think biblically about such a moment? In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Jake is joined by pastors Michael Rhodes and Matt Hoffert for a thoughtful, pastoral conversation about faith, politics, grief, and the sovereignty of God. Together, they wrestle with questions like: What does it reveal about our culture when people either celebrate or capitalize on a man’s death? How should Christians respond—with anger, fear, or trust in God’s sovereignty? Is it possible to lament deeply without losing hope? Why is consistency in valuing human dignity so crucial? And how can believers resist the pull of political agendas while holding fast to the gospel? This episode won’t give you sound bites or quick fixes, but it will ground you in biblical wisdom, invite you to examine your own heart, and equip you to respond with both truth and grace in a polarized world.

In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, we dive into the topic of missions. Jake Each sits down with Michael Rhodes and Jordan Wright to explore God’s global purpose and our role in it, both locally and to the ends of the earth. Topics include: • What is the difference between “mission” and “missions”? • How does the Great Commission shape our lives today? • Why is the local church central to God’s plan? • What does it mean to be an “everyday missionary”? This conversation is both practical and inspiring. You’ll come away with a deeper vision for God’s glory among the nations, a renewed sense of your own calling as an ambassador for Christ, and a greater love for the mission of God that stretches from Genesis to Revelation. Resources/References: Global Prayer - 3rd Sunday of the Month @ 9:30 AM in room 203 Books: Let the Nations Be Glad! - John Piper Across the Street and Around the World - Jeannie Marie Something Needs to Change - David Platt Podcasts: Pray the Word Mission Hits The Salt Company National Podcast (specifically “Salt Company Conference 2024: Global Missions” and “Biblical Basis of Missions, Season 2, Episode 17”) Websites Veritas Church | Global Sending Roadmap Veritas Church | Five Habits of a Global Christian The Joshua Project | Unreached of the Day

Immigration is a hot-button issue in our culture—one that often gets reduced to polarized headlines and political stances. But what does it look like to view immigration through a gospel lens? In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Jake is joined by elders Matt Thede and Matt Hoffert for a thoughtful, honest conversation about one of the most complex issues in our country. Together, they wrestle with questions like: What does the Bible really say about immigration, borders, and love for the foreigner? How do we hold together compassion and conviction using texts like Romans 13 and Deuteronomy 10? Is it unloving for a country to enforce its laws? Does proximity to others affect our responsibility to love? What’s the difference between a nation’s role and a Christian’s role? Are we more concerned with someone becoming a citizen of heaven or a citizen of America? There’s no one-sentence answer, but there is biblical wisdom, nuance, and a call for Christians to lead with truth and grace. This episode will challenge and equip you to think biblically about immigration so you can do just that.

In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, we continue our Gospel Issues series by asking: How should Christians think about abortion, not merely as a political debate, but as a gospel issue? Sam Anderson, Matt Hoffert, and Jake Each explore what Scripture says about the value of life, why the church’s response must be rooted in God’s design, and how to navigate difficult situations with both truth and compassion. They discuss historical context, current realities, biblical arguments for life, and pastoral counsel for those wrestling with past or present abortion decisions, all through the lens of God’s Word and the hope of the gospel.

Why should Christians care about adoption? Tune in as Ian and Michael share their family stories, unpack the gospel roots of adoption, and explore what it looks like for the Church to care for the fatherless in tangible, everyday ways.

In a culture full of noise, confusion, and division, how can we think biblically about the issues that matter most? In this episode of the Veritas Equipping Podcast, Jake Each, Michael Rhodes, and Garrett Hufford tackle the issue of racism—not from a political or sociological lens, but from a biblical one. Together, they explore: What racism really is—and why it's a sin against our Creator How the gospel tears down walls of hostility and unites us in Christ Why worldly solutions often fall short of true reconciliation How to pursue gospel-driven unity in a divided world Practical ways the Church can reflect the beauty of God's diverse family Whether you’ve wrestled with these questions yourself or you’re unsure how to respond as a follower of Jesus, this conversation will point you back to the authority of Scripture, the power of the cross, and the hope of the Kingdom to come. This is more than a conversation—it’s a call to think deeply, love boldly, and live faithfully in a complex world. Additional Resources Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth A Biblical Answer for Racial Unity Bloodlines Oneness Embraced Faultlines Racial Reconciliation - Ephesians 2:10-11 | Dr. Voddie Baucham One Race One Blood What is the Mission of the Church?

In a culture of confusion, what does the Bible say about marriage? Join Jake and Veritas elders Doug Grunder and Jim Coates as they unpack marriage through a gospel lens—exploring covenant vs. contract, biblical roles, and why strong marriages matter for society and the Church. Additional Resources Marriage The Meaning of Marriage Genesis 2 Ephesians 5:22-33

What should be the Christian perspective on gambling, and how should we navigate its growing presence in our culture? In this episode, Jake, Matthew, and Sam delve into the complexities surrounding gambling, discussing its potential dangers and the biblical principles that guide our understanding. They emphasize the importance of wise stewardship, contentment in Christ, and the deceitfulness of sin. As Christians, we are called to live lives marked by holiness and satisfaction in God, avoiding the allure of quick riches. By anchoring our hearts in God's truth and seeking accountability within our community, we can resist the temptations of gambling and live for his glory! Additional Resources Redeeming Money A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity Plastic Donuts The Treasure Principle Money: Seeking God’s Wisdom

Jake sits down with Matthew Morken and Jordan Howell for a down-to-earth, biblically-rooted conversation about spiritual warfare.They unpack what it really means to "take every thought captive," why most of the battle happens in the mind, and how everyday faithfulness—reading Scripture, praying, and showing up in community—is spiritual combat. It’s not about fear or flash. It’s about fighting with the right weapons.Whether you've misunderstood spiritual warfare or never thought much about it, this episode will equip you with truth, clarity, and hope. Topics include: What the Bible actually says about spiritual warfare Common misconceptions (and how to avoid both ditches) How Satan’s lies subtly impact everyday life What it means to fight well—with prayer, Scripture, and community Encouragement for real people in real battles This isn’t spooky. It’s spiritual. And you’re already in it.Listen in and be equipped to fight the good fight.