Transformed & Transformational

TeachBeyond

What does it look like to "be transformed by the renewing of our minds"? How do we live intentionally for Kingdom impact? Join co-hosts Heather Brown and Keane Fine every Friday to learn from our guests about how we can grow in Christ and impact the world. This show is brought to you by TeachBeyond, an international Christian mission organization focused on transformational Christ-centered education serving individuals and communities.

  1. 6D AGO

    Global Christian Database | Zoom In with Dr. Gina Zurlo (Ep. 211)

    From the process of data collection to the impact of women in the church to stories of conversions in West Asia, hear from social scientist Dr. Gina Zurlo about the current state and important trends in world Christianity. Whether you love numbers or are brand new to demography, there is something to learn from this conversation about the World Christian Database, and Dr. Zurlo's passion is contagious! Watch The State of Global Christianity videos from Urbana Missions Conference Learn more from Dr. Gina Zurlo Access the World Christian Database "I'm really committed to producing the highest quality, most comprehensive, reliable data that I possibly can because I know that people are using these data to help inform decisions." "Christianity is no longer a western religion demographically; there are more Christians living in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania." "How are you going to respond to the new demographic reality of world Christianity?" "There would be no church without women." "Most religions are growing now because of differences in birthrates." "The conditions under which people become Christians in Iran are very different than in Nepal, those two examples being two of the places we think Christianity is actually growing the fastest through conversions." "Does persecution help the church grow? I don't know." "I cannot overemphasize how important it is to humanize someone of another religion." "If Christianity really is a global family [...] I want to know what my Christian brothers and sisters are experiencing in other places around the world." "Decision making should be grounded in data, but you have to know where that data comes from." What's changing our lives: Keane: Morning checklist Heather: Working Genius conversations with friends and family Dr. Zurlo: Getting back into running Weekly Spotlight: Each One Matters We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

    50 min
  2. FEB 27

    The Myth of Rules Versus Relationship | Spiritual Formation with Brian Delamont (Ep. 210)

    Are you naturally a rule-follower, or do you tend to balk at rules? Brian Delamont joins co-hosts Keane and Heather for a conversation about how God's commands are given in the context of relationship and for our flourishing. "We're created by God to be flourishing and to be in relationship with Him. If we go back to God's original creation, if we go to the garden, in His perfect design God gives us guardrails." - Brian "There's a difference between blind or obligatory compliance and truly joyful obedience." - Heather Genesis 2:16-17 Deuteronomy 5:32-33 "We become the rulemakers rather than actually living in the good things that God has for us." - Brian Romans 2:1 "If in following the commands that God has given us, we are portraying a life that is boring or [...] condemning of others, then we're not actually perpetuating the reality of who God is and our relationship with Him." - Heather Romans 2:14 "God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance. Do we show that to other people, or do we show contempt for the way that God shows kindness to those people compared to how He shows kindness to us?" - Keane Titus 2:11-13 "We do say 'no' to some things because by saying 'no' to those things, it helps us to live the way that God wants us to live right here, right now, in this present age. Yet, we also know we are waiting for more." - Brian "God is calling me deeper into knowing Him, and part of knowing Him is obeying Him." - Heather Luke 11:37-46 John 14:15-18 "Jesus is asking the Father to send the very power and insight and discernment and understanding we need to keep His commands by sending His Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us into all truth." - Brian "What is actually so distinct about the rules that God gives [...] is that they are about relationship." - Heather "We're not just made to follow these rules; these rules were made in order to help us." - Keane Galatians 5:22-23 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "What He wants us to do is what He knows is for our good, and that is to be infused with His Word." - Brian Deuteronomy 5:12-13 February Reflection: How do I see God when I think about rule-following - disappointment or lenience? How do I see myself in relationship to God - earning God's favor or leaning on His grace? What's changing our lives: Keane: Using more features of Obsidian Heather: Hosting hygge activities Brian: Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard Weekly Spotlight: Non-teaching roles We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

    49 min
  3. FEB 20

    God's Path to Prague | Calling Story with Baylor and Erin May (Ep. 209)

    Baylor and Erin May tell the story of how growing up overseas, meeting in college, and trusting the Lord with each step has led to international adoption, raising their family overseas, and investing in the global community in Prague. "We just decided [that] we're going to go as far as we can until we know it's either going to work or not going to work, and it did, and that was confirmation from the Lord." -Baylor "Looking back, it's like a little light-up path we can see clearly, but we didn't really see it starting out." -Erin "The truth and the goodness of the gospel is being put on their hearts; it's up to the Lord to make those seeds grow." -Baylor "We're going to choose to love you and take care of you because that's what we believe our God does for us." -Baylor "As we all have experiences here together, we're becoming a closer family unit and we're regaining a sense of normal." -Erin "Instead of seeing something as a wall [...], try to reframe it and ride the wave." -Erin What's changing our lives: Keane: Reading books required of students Heather: Watching the Olympics Erin: Pursuing the new hobby of building miniatures Baylor: Leading people through hard decisions Weekly Spotlight: Christian International School of Prague and Go Beyond We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

    36 min
  4. FEB 13

    Genesis 1 in a Genesis 3 Classroom | Teacher's Desk with Missy Takano and Kristi Schliep (Ep. 208)

    What would it look like to reimagine our teaching as good work and see our students as made in God's image? Dive into Scripture and practical discussion with Kristi Schliep and Missy Takano, staff members at Black Forest Academy in Germany. "What God did at creation, He invited His people to then partner in that same kind of work." -Kristi "Human good work is like God's good work; it's intended to carry this same bringing order from the raw materials, creating space where life can flourish, carrying out God's rule and reign and intentions in the world for the blessing of others." -Missy "Humanity rebelled and that brought fracturing and brokenness into the created design, but it didn't undo the created design and it didn't undo the invitation to good work." -Missy "Sometimes we get caught up in viewing kids through the lens of Genesis 3, rather than remembering the original design." -Kristi "It matters that we acknowledge that our students are touched by the brokenness of the world, but that's not the full story." -Kristi "My job is to be faithful to cultivate the ground, and I'm going to have to trust that that season of fruitfulness may not be in the timing that I anticipate." -Kristi "When we acknowledge that God is the source of all things and He has invited us to participate, it's such a fun tension to live in because He is going to provide - He's going to provide all that we need, He's going to be the one to cultivate Genesis 1 in that classroom - and He invites us to participate." -Kristi "When students know that you are delighting in them, they will absolutely join you and engage." -Kristi "Recognizing our need for rest helps us to continue persisting in that Genesis 1 perspective." -Missy "[You] get to announce that the King is here in the way that [you] live in your classroom, and that's holy work." -Kristi "You're not alone. Your work is good. It's holy and sacred work. The students are the images of God. The same Spirit who hovered over the waters indwells you, so you are empowered for the work that God has called you to." -Missy Listen to Missy and Kristi on the Restoried podcast! What's changing our lives: Keane: Writing postcards Heather: Flowers in winter Missy: Taco salad Kristi: Reading through the Bible in a year and teaching an adult Sunday school class Weekly Spotlight: Black Forest Academy We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

    47 min
  5. FEB 6

    Lent and Missions | Zoom In with Nathan Sloan of Upstream Collective (Ep. 207)

    In anticipation of the upcoming season of Lent, we consider how the practices of fasting and lament can remind us of our humanity and orient our hearts toward the lost. Lent and Missions: A 40-Day Devotional The Upstream Collective "This physical need reminds me how much I need the Lord. So, it's not just the removal of something; it's a taking in of something." "Forty years in the wilderness for God's people and 40 days in the wilderness for Jesus were preparation for the fulfilling of God's promise, so when we're fasting, we're experiencing that wilderness so that when Easter comes, when Good Friday comes, it's a celebration." "The big theme is to pull back [...] and see the Bible as a book of redemption for all people." "[Lent] is an invitation to slow down, to rest, to lament sorrow, sadness, and brokenness, and then to turn our eyes toward the coming Sunday." "Experiencing Jesus and moving our lives toward Him and seeking to love Him in every way, a natural outworking is His heart and passion for others, which lead us to mission." "Our hearts can lament and long to see people come to faith. And then even as we live on mission, to embrace the reality, living a missional lifestyle, sacrificing for the sake of others, is hard. It's difficult, but it's good." "There is an invitation to slow down and experience Jesus, to practice something that could be life-giving." What's changing our lives: Keane: Unsubscribing from unwanted emails Heather: Lots of snow Nathan: Establishing a morning routine of time with the Lord Weekly Spotlight: Puebla Christian Academy We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

    32 min
  6. JAN 30

    The Myth of an Easy Life | Spiritual Formation with Brian Delamont (Ep. 206)

    Should I expect to have an easy life following Jesus? Being a Christian does not mean comfort or ease, as culture would define it. Brian Delamont, Executive Vice President of TeachBeyond, unpacks Scriptural truths about blessing, contentment, and abundance from a Kingdom perspective. Deuteronomy 28 Psalm 136 Matthew 20:18-19 John 16:32-33 "When we face difficulties, when life is not easy, the Father is with us." "Life is not easy. There will be trouble. [...] However, take heart! I have overcome the world." "You don't give to get." Malachi 3:10 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Genesis 2:15 "Being in God's creation and working it, taking care of what God had given, is part of God's original good plan for humanity. It's not an easy life; it's a good and meaningful life!" Genesis 3:16-19, 23 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 "God knows that an easy life isn't in our best interest [...] but an abundant life is in our best interest. It's His blessing, His presence, and His Kingdom." "Jesus does say that we will have trouble, but He is also with us in the trouble, so that's how we can take heart - because He has overcome, He is greater, He is kinder than whatever discomfort we are facing."  Philippians 4:10-13 "It's not easy all the time, and we know it won't be, yet God is able to care for you, to bless you and to be with you, even when it's tremendously difficult." Join us for TeachBeyond's 40 Days of Prayer: https://teachbeyond.org/40days January Reflection: Am I longing for ease or what God really has for me? What's changing our lives: Keane: Durham-opoly Heather: Great conversations and interviews with applicants Brian: Taking more time to breathe and reflecting on Scripture during TeachBeyond's 40 Days of Prayer Weekly Spotlight: School Leadership Positions We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

    40 min
  7. JAN 23

    The Birth of Open Schools Worldwide | Calling Story Part 2 with Alan McIlhenny (Ep. 205)

    This week, hear the rest of the story from Alan McIlhenny, one of the co-founders of Open Schools Worldwide, with the mission to design and deliver life-changing learning to bring hope to marginalized children in developing countries worldwide.  Listen to Part 1 of the story here: Episode 204 Four legs of the table of education are vision, people, materials, methods, with Christ at the center "[One of the biggest challenges] was finding the right people who understood the children that we were going to be working with." "We need to take care of our volunteer tutors and help them because they're being faced with awful situations that children should never have to face." "When we are teaching the letter f, we talk about father, friends, and you can bring up discussions about friendship and the lack of fathers, which is common for so many of the kids." "We play a lot of games and try to make the lessons fun." "We called it Open Schools Worldwide because the need was worldwide." "The need is worldwide, and God is good [...] We were dreaming big." "We didn't have to seek out growth. People came to us. The story spread." "When Angie, our director [...] tells me that we have 14,800 kids enrolled now, it just brings tears to my eyes. It's brilliant." "Pray about it and ask the Lord to open the doors." "I've always prayed that the Lord would open a door for something, and that if it was wrong, He would close the door and that I would accept the door closing. It's easy to jump after things; it's not so easy to say, 'Well, maybe that's not quite right.'" "I can't do something on my own, but praying for the right people to join me has been a way to move forward." "I was a very shy, retiring, quiet person, and if someone had said to me what was going to happen, I would not have in any way believed them." What's changing our lives: Keane: Color-coded calendar to notice trends Heather: Road tripping with her brother's family Alan: Worshiping in a thousand-year-old building Weekly Spotlight: Open Schools Worldwide We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

    39 min
4.9
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

What does it look like to "be transformed by the renewing of our minds"? How do we live intentionally for Kingdom impact? Join co-hosts Heather Brown and Keane Fine every Friday to learn from our guests about how we can grow in Christ and impact the world. This show is brought to you by TeachBeyond, an international Christian mission organization focused on transformational Christ-centered education serving individuals and communities.

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