Dying to Live Podcast

Joshua Generation Church

The paradox of the Christian faith involves losing one's life to find it and dying to oneself to gain it (Mark 8:34-35). As citizens of heaven we work, study, love and live here on the earth. The podcast features real conversations aimed at helping believers live for Christ while being grounded in the truth as they navigate life in this secular world. Hosted by Wayne Turner and Nadene Badenhorst for Joshua Generation Church with Michael d'Offay giving eldership oversight.

  1. 5d ago

    Mental Health - Excuse or Reality?

    What comes to mind when you hear the words mental health? Is it a genuine health issue that deserves the same attention as physical illness, or has mental health become an excuse people use to justify their behaviour? It’s a subject that affects millions of people, yet it remains surrounded by confusion, misconceptions and stigma. Some people suffer in silence because they’re afraid of being judged. Others wonder whether society has become too quick to label ordinary struggles as mental health conditions. And with the growing influence of social media, we have to ask: are we experiencing a genuine increase in mental health problems, or are we simply becoming more aware of them? In this episode, we’re tackling these difficult questions head-on. What exactly is mental health? How is it different from physical health, and how are the two connected? What role have social media and online influencers played in shaping the way we understand mental health today? And, perhaps most importantly, how should Christians approach this subject? How do we distinguish between spiritual struggles, emotional difficulties and conditions that require professional treatment? When should we speak to a pastor, a counsellor, a psychologist or a psychiatrist? And how do we hold on to our faith while recognising that sometimes we need help beyond what our church community can provide? We want to move beyond the stereotypes, challenge some assumptions and explore what it means to respond with both biblical wisdom and compassion. Because mental health is not a subject we can afford to ignore, dismiss or misunderstand. So, is mental health an excuse, a reality, or something far more complex than either of those labels suggests? Let’s talk about it.

  2. Oct 12

    Can Christianity and (African) Culture Meet?

    Christianity and African culture — must we choose between the two, or can they complement one another? Africa is rich in cultural heritage, with traditions, customs, music, family structures and community values that have shaped generations. Yet, as Christians, we are called to examine every aspect of our lives through the lens of Scripture. So, where do Christianity and African culture complement one another? What can we celebrate, preserve and embrace from our cultural heritage? And where do certain customs, beliefs and traditional practices come into conflict with biblical Christianity? How do we distinguish between cultural practices that enrich our faith and those that compromise it? And how do we remain authentically African while being fully committed followers of Jesus Christ? But these questions become especially challenging when our faith conflicts with the expectations of our non-believing family members. How do we honour our parents, respect our elders and maintain family relationships when we are asked to participate in practices that go against our biblical convictions? How do we stand firm in our faith without becoming disrespectful, judgemental or disconnected from those we love? Today, we explore these questions and consider how the Bible helps us discern what to embrace, what to adapt and what we must leave behind — while remaining faithful to Christ and loving towards our families and communities.

  3. Oct 5

    Does God Care Where My Children Go to School?

    Where should my child go to school? For Christian parents in South Africa, this is becoming an increasingly important question. Should our children attend a government school, private school, Christian school, homeschool or online school? And with worldviews and values that increasingly conflict with biblical Christianity finding their way into schools, many parents are asking, “Is this the right environment for my child?” But perhaps we need to start with a bigger question: Does God care which school my child goes to? The Bible makes it clear that parents have the primary responsibility for raising and discipling their children. We cannot simply hand that responsibility over to a school. Ultimately, the decision belongs to the parents. But how do we make that decision? Perhaps the question isn't simply, “Which school is best?” It is: “God, where do You want me to send this unique child You have entrusted to me, so that their potential can be maximised while they grow in their relationship with You and discover Your plans and purposes for their life?” Every child is different. What works for one child may not be right for another. A government school isn't automatically wrong. A private school isn't automatically better. A Christian school isn't necessarily the right choice for every child, and homeschooling isn't automatically the most biblical option.The responsibility is ours as parents to seek God, understand our child, evaluate the options and make a wise decision. So in this episode, we're going to ask what the Bible says about parental responsibility, education, competing worldviews and how Christian parents can make wise schooling decisions in today's South Africa. Because ultimately, the question isn't simply: “Which school should my child attend? ”It's: “Lord, where do You want me to send the child You have entrusted to me?”

  4. Sep 21

    University, a Gap Year or Something Else

    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.

About

The paradox of the Christian faith involves losing one's life to find it and dying to oneself to gain it (Mark 8:34-35). As citizens of heaven we work, study, love and live here on the earth. The podcast features real conversations aimed at helping believers live for Christ while being grounded in the truth as they navigate life in this secular world. Hosted by Wayne Turner and Nadene Badenhorst for Joshua Generation Church with Michael d'Offay giving eldership oversight.