The PursueGOD Truth Podcast

• When Should You “Shake the Dust” and Move On? (Acts 18)

  Today we’re finally continuing with our Acts series! We spent December on a Christmas series, and January on politics. We left off on the “speed round”, covering one chapter at a time, and today we pick up again at Acts chapter 18. Grab your Bibles and buckle up…--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --Q. When Should You “Shake the Dust” and Move On?We’re going to see this in action in the text today, but first we need to back up and see where it comes from in the Christian ethosJesus' teaching to His disciples when He sent them out to preach:Luke 9:5 (NLT) 5 “And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”This symbolic gesture was meant to demonstrate that the messengers had fulfilled their duty and were no longer responsible for the people's rejection. It was a sign of divine judgment, indicating that those who refused to listen were accountable for their own spiritual condition.Ouch. This seems harsh! But maybe you’ve been there:A family member who has rejected JesusA co-worker you’ve tried to share withSomeone with a stubborn, rebellious heart on hot topicsAbortionGender, sexualityToday we’re going to answer two questions: When should you move on?When should you stick around and invest?The TentmakersActs 18:1-3 (NLT) 1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.Acts 2 mentions there were Jews from Pontus on the day of Pentecost who were converted. Perhaps Aquila was one of them.Aquila was a tentmaker by profession. Probably had a lot of experience living in his product in his travels. Add them all up, he traveled over 4,500 miles. That’s crazy in that day.Romans 16:3-5 (NLT) 3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.What did he do in all those travels?Worked a regular job (he was a tentmaker)Shared gospelThe Point: it was normative to make disciples in the early churchNot just for the “professionals” like Paul (who btw wasn’t a professional!?)And not just MEN, either! Priscilla is mentioned first 4 out of 6 times women made disciples too!So everyone needs to pay attention to this next part.Since we’re all supposed to be “sent out”, we all need to know when to move onShake the DustActs 18:4-6...

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• Do Mormons Believe in Heavenly Mother? (LDS Gospel Topics) - Unveiling Mormonism

  In this episode, Bryan, Bo and KD talk about the Mother in Heaven LDS Gospel Topic. Find the article here. --The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --The "Mother in Heaven" doctrine in Mormon theology, which teaches the existence of a divine mother alongside God the Father, has been a subject of discussion and controversy within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). While the LDS Church officially affirms this doctrine, it remains somewhat vague and underdeveloped in official teachings. Several key arguments against or critiques of the "Mother in Heaven" doctrine are as follows:1. Lack of Scriptural SupportCritics argue that the concept of a "Mother in Heaven" is not explicitly taught in the Bible or the Book of Mormon. There are no direct references to a divine mother figure in these scriptures. While some Latter-day Saints cite passages that imply a heavenly mother (such as references to the "Heavenly Father" and his "children"), these passages are not specific to a maternal deity. Critics contend that the doctrine is an extrapolation based on theological assumptions rather than scriptural foundation.2. Ambiguity in DoctrineThe doctrine of a Mother in Heaven has not been systematically developed or defined in LDS teachings. Official statements by church leaders are rare and often vague, leading to concerns about its theological and doctrinal clarity. Some critics argue that the lack of detailed teaching about her nature, role, and relationship to God the Father makes it difficult for members to fully understand or engage with the doctrine.There is a practical concern about the limited role that the Mother in Heaven plays in LDS worship and rituals. Critics argue that while her existence may be acknowledged, she is not directly involved in the faith practices of members, such as prayer or temple rituals. This leads to questions about her relevance within the broader framework of Mormon worship and theology, raising concerns that her role might be more symbolic than substantive.3. Historical Silence and InconsistencyHistorically, early LDS leaders (including Joseph Smith) did not explicitly teach about a Mother in Heaven, and the concept was rarely mentioned for many years. The doctrine became more prominent in the 20th century but remains less central than other aspects of LDS theology. Critics argue that this historical silence and inconsistency undermine the claim that the concept is an essential or deeply rooted part of Mormon belief.4. Theological Concerns about Gender RolesSome critics view the doctrine as reinforcing traditional gender roles by placing women in a subordinate position to God the Father. They argue that, by emphasizing the distinction between the Father and the Mother in Heaven, the doctrine may inadvertently reinforce ideas of patriarchal hierarchy. Others contend that it fails to offer a robust...

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• What Does the Bible Say about Gender and Sexuality?

  We’re tackling a subject today that our grandparents never really dealt with, our parents most likely didn’t deal with it, but it seems to be in our face and in the faces of our children on a daily basis - and that is the issue of gender. What Does the Bible Say about Gender? --The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --Are there two genders? Is gender just a social construct? Can I change my gender if I feel like I’m not really the gender that I was born as? These are questions that no one was even asking just a few decades ago. We look to God and his Word in all that we do. So what does God’s Word have to say about gender? 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. - His Word is useful. It teaches us what is true. There is truth when it comes to gender. It corrects us when we’re wrong, and there are a lot of wrong ideas on this issue of gender. In the beginning, God created them male and female. This was before the fall and God said it was very good. The differences between male and female should be celebrated, not diminished.Genesis 1:27-28 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” In the beginning, God created them male and female. This was before the fall and God said it was very good. The differences between male and female should be celebrated, not diminished.God’s design, his perfect design, was two genders; male and female. This was his original, perfect plan. Both are created in the image of God. Both have immeasurable worth and value. They are of equal worth and dignity, but they are not the same. They complement one another. Eve is described as Adam’s help mate. The differences between male and female are good. They are for our benefit. They should be celebrated, not diminished. God’s command to be fruitful and multiply could only be carried out because of the two distinct genders and their roles in procreation. Genesis 1:31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!When God looked over the creation earlier in the creation story, it was good at the end of each day. It wasn’t until God created humankind that it was very good! The differences between male and female are part of what made it very good! I’m so thankful women aren’t exactly like men. I can guarantee you my kids are thankful. Their mom brings strengths to our family as a result of her femininity that I don’t have.

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• Jordan and Becca's Story: Escaping a High Control Religion - Unveiling Mormonism

  In this episode, Jordan and Becca share their story of leaving the Church of Christ -- a high control religion similar to Mormonism. Wherever you're at in your faith, this is a powerful and encouraging episode you won't want to miss!--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --

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• What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?

  Every human life, from conception to natural death, is inherently valuable and deserving of protection. Life begins at conception, as this marks the start of a unique human organism with its own DNA, potential, and future.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --We’re in part 3 of our Kingdom Politics series. Today we’ll answer the question: Q. What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?This is an emotionally charged topicMaybe some of you want to swipe up, put up walls, run awayBecause you have personal hurts around this topicOr because you just want to stick your head in the sandI encourage you to resist that temptationThere’s something here for everyoneI’ll try to speak the truth in love…Such an important topic that I’ve written this episode twiceI want to make sure I get it right, which means I need to make sure I understand the opposing viewWhy are so many people in favor of this? Even some Christians? Let’s start with…The Pro-Choice ArgumentSee the argument for and against pro-life | Lex Fridman PodcastPro-Choice Argument #1: Bodily Autonomy - A fundamental principle of human rights is that individuals have the right to control their own bodies. Pregnancy profoundly affects a person's body, health, and life, and no one should be compelled to undergo it against their will.Pro-Choice Argument #2: Gender Equality - Denying access to abortion disproportionately affects women and those who can become pregnant, limiting their ability to participate equally in society by controlling their reproductive choices and futures.Pregnancy changes women in a way that it cannot change men, so it’s a form of sex discrimination to make women go through with an unwanted pregnancy. From an article by a Christian Latina Mom: “Yes, the anti abortion movement has its lens focused solely on birth, but I think they've lost Jesus in the process. How are we protecting all God's creatures beyond gestation? What is being done to help people out of poverty? When will we get mandated paid parental leave? When will we stop aiding wars that lead to the death of many innocent people? When will our maternal health system be fixed so women, especially Black women, don't have to worry about whether or not they are going to survive childbirth in this country? This fight is not about "protecting life" it is about control — controlling women, to be exact. And that's a fight I cannot get behind. I think God understands that and loves me just the same.”History lesson: In the United States, eugenic...

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