Clearly with Jimmy & Kelly Needham

Clearly Network
Clearly Network
  • 4.9 (101)
  • Christianity
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Tackling the complex, confusing, and controversial stuff of the Bible and life. That pretty much sums up what we do here on Clearly: Helping demystify the Bible so you can discover the big-dealness of God. Cause when He becomes everything, everything gets better. Critically (really, they were very, very critical) acclaimed recording artist and pastor Jimmy Needham has always been drawn to things others overlook. His wife, author and speaker Kelly Needham, is a Bible teacher at heart. Join one or both of them each week for a dive into the parts of the Bible that scare you off and the areas of your spiritual life you’ve been avoiding. You just might find what was once blurry is coming into focus.

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  1. Episode 1

    The Potency of Poetry for Christians

    Check out Jimmy's Spoken Word, The Damsel and the Villain!  Poetry does more than sound beautiful—it shapes how we remember truth, feel truth, and worship the God who is worthy of our best words. Jimmy Needham explores why Scripture is filled with songs, psalms, and poetic language, and why the Apostle Paul commands believers to teach one another through them. He unpacks how poetry helps biblical truth stick in our minds, reaches our hearts in ways prose cannot, and reflects the beauty and glory of God. Along the way, Jimmy walks through examples from throughout Scripture, encourages us to embrace the Psalms and congregational singing, and closes by sharing his original spoken-word poem, "Day One," a powerful retelling of his testimony. What We LearnedPoetry is memorable because literary devices like metaphor, imagery, alliteration, and simile help God's truth "stick."Colossians 3:16 calls believers to teach and encourage one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—not just through prose.Poetry reaches our affections and emotions, helping biblical truth penetrate deeper than bare facts alone.Throughout Scripture, God's mighty acts are often followed by songs of worship, showing that poetry is a fitting response to His glory.The deepest theological passages about Christ in the New Testament are frequently presented as hymns or poems, including Colossians 1 and Philippians 2.Christians should spend time in the Psalms because songs often become the truths we cling to during seasons of suffering.Reading creative literature and fiction can shape the heart and imagination in ways that complement theological study.Congregational singing is an act of mutual encouragement that strengthens the faith of the entire church.Resources MentionedYou Are What You Love — James K. A. Smith“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” — Charles WesleyScripture ReferencedColossians 3:16Psalm 23Lamentations 1:1Genesis 2:23Exodus 15:1-211 Samuel 2:1-10Luke 1:46-55Colossians 1:15-16Philippians 2:6-11Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

    The Potency of Poetry for Christians

  2. Episode 2

    Gluttony Isn't What You Think It Is

    What if gluttony is much broader than simply overeating? We explore why gluttony has become one of the least-discussed sin issues in modern Christian discipleship and how our relationship with food can reveal deeper questions about self-control, gratitude, worship, shame, and what we ultimately believe will satisfy us. We unpack gluttony as a misuse of God’s good gift of food, examine why we tend to avoid talking about it, and look at the Bible’s positive vision for how we should eat: for God’s glory, with self-control, with gratitude, and without becoming overly picky or entitled. Most importantly, we trace food all the way back to the gospel and the way God uses food and drink throughout Scripture to point us toward Jesus, the Bread of Life and the One who truly satisfies. What We Learned Gluttony is broader than overeating; it can involve deviating from God’s design for our relationship with food.We often avoid discussing gluttony because confronting it may require us to change, and because our eating habits can carry significant shame and secrecy.Gluttony and drunkenness are connected in Scripture as examples of misusing God’s good gifts through excess.We are called to eat and drink for the glory of God rather than for our own beauty, pleasure, vanity, or sense of entitlement.Self-control is an important part of a healthy biblical relationship with food, including knowing when to eat, when to stop, and when our motivations for eating or restricting food are misplaced.Scripture calls us to receive food with gratitude because everything God created is good and is meant to be received as a gift from Him.The Bible also challenges us not to become overly picky about food, cultivating the ability to receive what is set before us with gratitude.Food ultimately points beyond itself to Jesus: as we receive God’s good gifts, we can marvel at the One who is the Bread of Life and who satisfies what our souls truly need.Resources Mentioned Our favorite Bible study about food and gluttony: Setting Captives Free (it's free and online!)The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis (Check out letter 17)Thomas Aquinas on GluttonyOther episodes where we tackle food issues: God at the Center of my Eating HabitsHealth and Wellness: How Seriously Should Christians Take ItFood and the ChristianCheck out this series of articles Kelly wrote about this issue: Food and the Bible  Scripture Referenced:  Proverbs 23:20–21Proverbs 25:161 Corinthians 9:27 1 Corinthians 10:31Galatians 5:22-251 Timothy 4:3–51 Timothy 5:23John 6:11Luke 10:8John 4:13-14John 6:35,48Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

    Gluttony Isn't What You Think It Is

  3. Episode 3

    Gluttony Q&A

    What if the way we eat is meant to point us to something—or Someone—far more satisfying than food itself? We continue our conversation about gluttony by looking at why food can become a substitute for Jesus, especially when we turn to it to satisfy stress, boredom, anxiety, or other spiritual needs. We talk honestly about shame, secrecy, confession, repentance, and the freedom that comes from bringing our struggles into the light. We also explore practical ways to fight gluttony: enjoying food with gratitude, fleeing temptation, knowing our personal triggers, building accountability, fasting, and depending on the Holy Spirit for self-control. Finally, we discuss how to approach gluttony in others with humility, prayer, curiosity, and a desire to help one another honor God—not shame one another. What We LearnedFood is meant to point us toward Jesus and remind us that He is truly satisfying.Gluttony can happen when we take a spiritual need—such as stress, boredom, or worry—and look to food to satisfy it instead of turning to Jesus.Confession is a necessary starting point for freedom because shame and secrecy keep people trapped in the cycle.Fighting gluttony requires both repentance and practical action, including finding trusted people who can pray, encourage, and hold us accountable.We can enjoy food as a gift from God by slowing down, savoring it, and receiving it with gratitude.Sometimes the wise response to temptation is to flee it by creating boundaries around foods, environments, and situations where we know we're vulnerable.Fasting can teach us that food is not our master and that our hunger can remind us that we depend on God for our sustenance.Holy Spirit-produced self-control does not necessarily feel easy; fighting temptation can involve real effort, discipline, and dependence on God at the same time.Resources MentionedOur favorite Bible study about food and gluttony: Setting Captives Free (it's free and online!)The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis (Check out letter 17)Other episodes where we tackle food issues: God at the Center of my Eating HabitsHealth and Wellness: How Seriously Should Christians Take ItFood and the ChristianCheck out this series of articles Kelly wrote about this issue: Food and the Bible  Scripture Referenced:  John 6:35Deuteronomy 8:3Galatians 5:22-231 Timothy 1:1-51 Corinthians 6:181 Corinthians 10:13-141 Timothy 6:112 Timothy 2:22Have a question you would like us to tackle? Email question@clearlypodcast.com.  Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

    Gluttony Q&A

  4. Episode 4

    How To Explain the Trinity to Kids: The God Party

    What if the Trinity isn’t just a complicated doctrine we need to explain, but an invitation into friendship with God? Jimmy and Kelly Needham explore how we can talk with kids about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a way that is faithful to Scripture, accessible to children, and connected to the gospel. We unpack why the Trinity matters to our understanding of salvation, why common analogies like water and team members can create theological problems, and how “one what and three whos” can give kids a framework for understanding who God is. We also explore how catechisms, conversation starters, Scripture, and honest conversations can help parents disciple the next generation—even when we don’t have every answer. At the heart of it all is a beautiful truth: God invites us into His relationship and friendship with Him. What We LearnedThe Trinity is not a secondary theological topic; understanding God as three in one helps us make sense of the gospel and what Jesus accomplished on the cross.Common Trinity analogies can be misleading. The water illustration can communicate modalism, the idea that God changes between Father, Son, and Spirit rather than being three persons at the same time.A helpful framework for kids is that God is one “what” and three “whos”: one God, three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.The Trinity isn’t only about getting theological categories right. Because God is a community within Himself, He invites us into friendship and fellowship with Him.A simple phrase for children is: “God’s one what and three whos, and he wants to party with you.”Catechisms and short question-and-answer phrases can give children memorable categories they can carry with them as they read the Bible and grow in their understanding of salvation.We can teach children how each person of the Trinity is involved in salvation: God the Father planned our salvation, God the Son died for our sins, and God the Spirit opened our eyes so we trust in Him.Parents don’t need to pretend they know everything. Saying, “I don’t know, but I’d love to find out together,” can model humility, learning, and how to seek trustworthy answers.Resources MentionedDelighting in the Trinity by Michael ReevesJimmy's Spoken Word on the Trinity: The Triune GodNew City CatechismEverything a Child Should Know about God by Kenneth TaylorThe God Party by Jimmy Needham & Sebastian Martin  Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

    How To Explain the Trinity to Kids: The God Party

  5. Episode 5

    Women in Ministry: Preston Sprinkle Book Review

    Teach Equip | We equip you to teach the Bible & HELP LOCAL CHURCHES DO THE SAME What does the Bible really say about women in leadership, and how should we think through the differences between complementarianism and egalitarianism? We take a deep dive into Preston Sprinkle’s From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership, exploring what we found compelling, what raised questions for us, and why we ultimately remain complementarian. We celebrate the book’s strong emphasis on the dignity, value, and essential role of women in God’s kingdom while examining questions around the definition of leadership, the interpretation of 1 Timothy 2, the meaning of “helper” in Genesis, and the significance of creation order. We also talk about why we need to know Scripture for ourselves, develop thoughtful convictions about issues the Bible addresses, and pursue greater trust, affirmation, and partnership between men and women in the church.  What We LearnedPreston Sprinkle approaches the topic from a conservative theological background and ultimately moves from a complementarian position to an egalitarian one.The book strongly emphasizes the value, dignity, and essential role of women in God’s kingdom, highlighting the many women who play significant roles throughout Scripture.We question Sprinkle’s broad definition of “leadership,” arguing that complementarianism does not necessarily mean women cannot exercise leadership in any form.We examine Sprinkle’s interpretation of 1 Timothy 2, particularly his understanding of the prohibition against women teaching or exercising authority over men.We explore the Hebrew word ezer (“helper”) in Genesis, emphasizing that it conveys significant strength, dignity, and essential support rather than weakness or inferiority.Equality of worth and dignity can coexist with distinctions in role, including distinctions grounded in the creation account.We encourage listeners to study the Bible for themselves so they can thoughtfully evaluate theological arguments rather than simply accepting someone else’s conclusions.The conversation closes by encouraging complementarian churches and pastors to affirm, support, develop, and empower women to use their gifts in ministry.Resources MentionedFrom Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership — Preston SprinkleAnother great resource on 1 Timothy 2: Women in the Church: An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15Learn how to study the Bible for yourself: See For Yourself  Related Episodes⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” “Complimentarianism (and other short words)”“Gender Roles Q&A”“She Should Cover Her Head??”“Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”DefinitionsComplementarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, but difference in roles. Egalitarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, sameness in roles. Scripture Referenced1 Timothy 2:8-15Genesis 2:18Psalm 121:1-2Ephesians 6:4Titus 2:3Mark 10:45Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham  Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

    Women in Ministry: Preston Sprinkle Book Review

  6. Episode 6

    Women in Ministry: Why You Should Have an Opinion

    Should we have strong convictions about secondary issues like women in ministry—or should we simply agree to disagree and move on? We believe Scripture calls us to something more thoughtful: to study the Bible carefully, form settled convictions before God, and remain unified with Christians who may land differently. We walk through how to develop biblical convictions responsibly by assessing where our current beliefs came from, studying the whole of Scripture both personally and in community, learning from church history, and testing our conclusions against the wisdom of the broader church. We then apply that process to complementarianism, exploring why we believe Scripture presents men and women as equal in dignity and worth while giving them distinct roles in the home and church. We also talk honestly about how women’s gifts can be undervalued in the church, why experience alone shouldn’t determine our theology, and how we can hold convictions firmly while still loving and partnering with believers who disagree. What We Learned Romans 14 calls Christians to be fully convinced in their own minds about secondary issues rather than simply avoiding convictions.Forming a conviction begins with assessing what we currently believe, where those beliefs came from, and whether they were inherited, studied, or shaped by past experiences.We should study what the whole Bible says about an issue, rather than building our position primarily from what other people say about Scripture.Biblical study should happen both personally and corporately, involving other believers and the local church rather than treating ourselves as “Lone Ranger Christians.”Church history can help test our interpretations, expose novel views, and show how Christians throughout history have understood Scripture.We believe the biblical pattern points toward complementarianism: men and women have equal dignity and worth while God gives them distinct roles in the home and local church.Women are essential partners in ministry and that complementarianism is not a statement about women’s ability, giftedness, or value.We can hold firmly to our convictions while still loving, affirming, and working alongside Christians who disagree with us on secondary issues.Resources Mentioned Learn how to study the Bible for yourself: See For Yourself ⁠Websites to learn more about church fathers and church history: Newadvent.org and Ccel.org Recommended Reading on Church History: The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History Our Legacy by John Hannah Invitation to Church HistoryTeach Equip — a seven-month program for training lay-level Bible teachersRelated Episodes⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” “Complimentarianism (and other short words)”“Gender Roles Q&A”“She Should Cover Her Head??”“Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”Scripture Referenced: Romans 14Titus 1:5-91 Timothy 3:1-7Acts 6:1-7Judges 4-5 Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham  Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

    Women in Ministry: Why You Should Have an Opinion
See All Season 13 (6)

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Tackling the complex, confusing, and controversial stuff of the Bible and life. That pretty much sums up what we do here on Clearly: Helping demystify the Bible so you can discover the big-dealness of God. Cause when He becomes everything, everything gets better. Critically (really, they were very, very critical) acclaimed recording artist and pastor Jimmy Needham has always been drawn to things others overlook. His wife, author and speaker Kelly Needham, is a Bible teacher at heart. Join one or both of them each week for a dive into the parts of the Bible that scare you off and the areas of your spiritual life you’ve been avoiding. You just might find what was once blurry is coming into focus.

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