Table Talk: Biblical Answers for Real Life

New Life Church Kalamazoo
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Faith gets real at the table. Pastors Dan and Kelsey Smith unpack Scripture, respond to cultural questions, and help Christians follow Jesus with clarity, courage, and grace. New episodes every Wednesday from New Life Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

  1. 5d ago

    Can Christians Talk About Jesus at Work?

    Can your employer stop you from talking about Jesus? Can a teacher openly live out their Christian faith at school? And can your job force you to work on Sundays when it conflicts with your religious convictions? In this episode of Table Talk, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey continue through Acts 4, where Peter and John are arrested and commanded to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. Their response is simple: they cannot stop talking about what they have seen and heard. That raises a major question for Christians today — is your faith supposed to stay private? Dan and Kelsey talk practically about living out your faith at work, in public schools, and in everyday life without becoming disrespectful, combative, or lazy. They discuss Christian excellence in the workplace, sharing your faith with coworkers, inviting people to church, praying publicly, requesting religious accommodations, and why taking a job does not mean checking your faith at the door. The conversation also looks at the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District and Groff v. DeJoy cases as examples discussed in the episode of religious-expression and accommodation questions in American workplaces and schools. Pastor Dan explains why many Christians may have more freedom to live out their faith publicly than they realize. Later, they wrestle with another major question from Acts 4: Is Jesus really the only way to God? They talk about why Christianity can be both incredibly inclusive — everyone is invited — and exclusive in its claim that salvation comes through Jesus alone. Finally, Dan and Kelsey discuss what real persecution looks like, how Christians should respond to pushback with both boldness and respect, and when obedience to God must take precedence over obedience to human authority. Have a question for Table Talk? Drop it in the comments. If this episode helped you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and send it to a Christian who feels pressure to keep their faith private. Watch the full video clipped in this episode: https://youtu.be/N0_mtUJYOMY?si=lgoShCtxkfRVPlVq Follow New Life Church on Socials: https://www.instagram.com/newlifekzoo/ https://www.facebook.com/newlifekzoo/

  2. Sep 9

    Lindsay Clancy, Mercy, and Justice

    Estate Planning Seminar: https://newlifechurchkalamazoo.subspla.sh/j7wjtgv Join a Life Group: https://messaging.subsplash.com/JX83DT/groups Should Christians give to everyone who asks — or does biblical love require wisdom, discernment, and truth? In this episode of Table Talk, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey continue through Acts 3, where Peter and John encounter the man at the Beautiful Gate. The man asks for money, but Peter sees a deeper need and responds, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you… walk.” That moment opens a bigger conversation about compassion, generosity, discernment, and whether giving someone exactly what they ask for is always the same thing as actually helping them. Pastor Dan and Kelsey talk through biblical categories of giving, including tithes, offerings, temple tax, alms, benevolence, and personal generosity. They also address a listener question about people asking for money at stoplights and how Christians can remain open-handed without becoming unwise or enabling patterns that do not lead to real freedom. The conversation then moves into stewardship, inheritance, estate planning, wills, trusts, and leaving a legacy. Pastor Dan shares personally about walking through the loss of both parents, handling an estate, and how wise planning can give your family the gift of grieving without immediately being thrown into business mode. The final section turns to a difficult current-events conversation around the Lindsay Clancy case, mental illness, evil, responsibility, justice, mercy, and moral clarity. Pastor Dan and Kelsey discuss how Christians can grieve suffering, care about psychiatric pain, pray for repentance and salvation, and still refuse to call evil good. Follow New Life Church on Socials: ⁠https://⁠⁠www.instagram.com/newlifekzoo/⁠⁠ https://⁠⁠www.facebook.com/newlifekzoo/

  3. Sep 2

    The Church, the End Times, and Your Mission

    Join a Life Group: https://messaging.subsplash.com/JX83DT/groups What does real devotion to Jesus look like — and why does it matter more than ever? In this episode of Table Talk, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey continue the SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics series by unpacking the model of the early church in Acts 2. They talk about what it means that the first believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer — and how that challenges the modern idea that simply attending church every once in a while is enough. This conversation gets practical about church attendance, daily Scripture, consistency, Life Groups, accountability, spiritual growth, sanctification, and why Christians cannot follow Jesus alone. Pastor Dan and Kelsey also talk about how God has a vision for your life, how Satan can offer counterfeit visions that look tempting, and why your calling does not have to be full-time ministry to matter for the Kingdom. The second half of the episode shifts into current events and biblical prophecy, including discussion around Iran, Russia, Israel, Ezekiel 38, Revelation, the rapture, and why Christians should not respond with fear but with urgency. The point is not panic — it is mission. If the time is short, the Church should be more devoted, more awake, and more bold in sharing Jesus. Comment with your questions, share this episode with someone who needs it, and subscribe so you don’t miss future Table Talk conversations. Follow New Life Church on Socials: ⁠https://⁠⁠www.instagram.com/newlifekzoo/⁠⁠ https://⁠⁠www.facebook.com/newlifekzoo/

  4. Aug 26

    Should Christians Get Political?

    Should Christians get involved in politics, voting, school boards, local government, and public life — or should faith stay private? In this episode of Table Talk, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey continue the SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics series by unpacking Acts 2:36–41 and Peter’s call to be saved from a crooked generation. They talk about how Christians can live with a biblical worldview in a culture moving away from God’s truth, and why followers of Jesus are called to be salt and light in every sphere of life — including politics, schools, government, family, church, and the voting booth. This conversation answers practical questions like: Should Christians vote? How should Christians evaluate candidates? What does the Bible say about government? What happens when government and God conflict? Why do local elections matter? Pastor Dan and Kelsey also discuss religious liberty, parental rights, abortion, biblical marriage, Islam, public schools, Life Groups, and why Christians cannot sit out when God has given them influence. Follow New Life Church on Socials:⁠https://⁠⁠www.instagram.com/newlifekzoo/⁠⁠https://⁠⁠www.facebook.com/newlifekzoo/ Stay Up to date with what is happing at New Life Church by downloading the app. https://subsplash.com/newlifechurchkalamazoo/app

  5. Aug 19

    How Do I Know I’m Baptized in the Spirit?

    In this episode of Table Talk, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey continue the SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics series by answering a listener question about the baptism of the Holy Spirit: How do I know if I’m really baptized in the Spirit if I haven’t witnessed to someone or spoken in tongues?They talk about the evidence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life, including conviction, a changed desire to please God, the fruit of the Spirit, spiritual gifts, boldness to witness, and the ongoing work of God in everyday discipleship. They also discuss prayer language, why not every believer receives the same gifts, and why the gifts of the Spirit are given for the common good of the body of Christ.The conversation also moves into healing and miracles, the resurrection as the greatest miracle, grief, heaven, hell, and why believers should be moved with urgency for those who do not know Jesus. Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey close by talking about fear, cultural pressure, abortion, biblical sexuality, repentance, and the call for Christians to live with power, love, and sound mind through the Holy Spirit.Follow New Life Church on Socials:⁠https://⁠⁠www.instagram.com/newlifekzoo/ ⁠⁠https://⁠⁠www.facebook.com/newlifekzoo/Table Talk podcast, New Life Church Kalamazoo, Pastor Dan Smith, Kelsey Smith, SWAT series, Spiritual Warfare and Tactics, baptism of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit baptism, how do I know I am baptized in the Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues, prayer language, discernment, gift of healing, miracles today, Christian healing, resurrection, heaven and hell, spirit of fear, power love sound mind, 2 Timothy 1:7, Christian witness, evangelism, Acts 2, Pentecost, abortion and Christianity, biblical sexuality, Matthew 19, repentance, Holy Spirit conviction, Christian podcast, New Life Church#TableTalk #NewLifeChurch #HolySpirit #BaptismOfTheHolySpirit #SpiritualGifts #SWATSeries #Miracles #PowerLoveSoundMind #ChristianPodcast #Acts2 #Pentecost #ChristianDiscipleship #BiblicalTruth #NewLifeKzoo #FollowJesus

  6. Aug 12

    Tongues, Power, and the Holy Spirit

    Sign Up for SERVE Day: Click Here In this episode of Table Talk, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey continue the SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics series by diving deeper into Acts 2, the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, tongues, the ascension of Jesus, and what it means to live under the authority of Christ. They talk about the ascension not just as Jesus leaving earth, but as Jesus being enthroned as King over every nation, tribe, and tongue. Because Jesus reigns now, believers carry His banner into every part of life — family, church, work, culture, politics, and witness. This conversation also unpacks the three different uses of tongues seen in Scripture: tongues as human languages at Pentecost, tongues as a private prayer language, and tongues in the gathered church that require interpretation and submission to spiritual authority. Pastor Dan and Kelsey also respond to questions about LGBTQ family relationships, being “slain in the Spirit,” manufactured spiritual experiences, bold preaching, politics, and how Christians should understand the responsibilities of the family, the church, and the individual believer. Follow New Life Church on Socials: ⁠https://⁠⁠www.instagram.com/newlifekzoo/⁠⁠ https://⁠⁠www.facebook.com/newlifekzoo/ Table Talk podcast, New Life Church Kalamazoo, Pastor Dan Smith, Kelsey Smith, Acts 2, Pentecost, tongues, speaking in tongues, prayer language, Holy Spirit, baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, gifts of the Spirit, glossa, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, Holy Spirit fire, quench the Holy Spirit, SWAT series, Spiritual Warfare and Tactics, ascension of Jesus, Jesus enthroned, Jesus is King, Jehovah Nissi, biblical politics, Christian worldview, family and church, LGBTQ family member Christian response, slain in the Spirit, holy fire, biblical discernment, whole counsel of God, Christian podcast #TableTalk #NewLifeChurch #HolySpirit #Acts2 #Pentecost #Tongues #PrayerLanguage #SpiritualGifts #SWATSeries #BiblicalTruth #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualWarfare #JesusIsKing #ChristianWorldview #NewLifeKzoo

  7. Aug 5

    Do You Want More of the Holy Spirit?

    After a July break, Table Talk is back for Season 2. In this episode, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey kick off a new season by unpacking the first message in the SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics series: Baptized in the Holy Spirit. They talk about what it means to receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, why the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct empowering, and why every believer should want everything God has for them. This conversation addresses confusion around the Holy Spirit, poorly packaged church experiences, prayer language, spiritual gifts, boldness, dependence on God, and the power to reach “one more.” Pastor Dan and Kelsey also discuss what it means to be discipled by the Holy Spirit instead of by an algorithm, how fear can keep believers from witnessing, and why the church must be desperate for the Spirit’s power in everyday life, ministry, parenting, work, and evangelism. Main Themes: Table Talk Season 2 begins SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics What the baptism of the Holy Spirit means Receiving the Holy Spirit at salvation Asking God for more of the Holy Spirit Why Jesus told the disciples to wait Dependence on the Holy Spirit instead of self-effort The Holy Spirit’s power to witness Reaching your “one more” Fear, courage, and boldness Prayer language and spiritual gifts Being discipled by the Holy Spirit instead of an algorithm 21 Days of Prayer and spiritual dependence #TableTalk #NewLifeChurch #Season2 #HolySpirit #BaptismOfTheHolySpirit #SWATSeries #SpiritualWarfare #ChristianPodcast #PowerToWitness #OneMore #Acts1 #ChristianDiscipleship #NewLifeKzoo #FollowJesus #21DaysOfPrayer

  8. Jun 17

    Pride, Idols, and the Jealous Love of God

    In the Season 1 finale of Table Talk, Pastor Dan and Pastor Kelsey unpack the name of God El Qanna, meaning Jealous God, and talk about what it means that God is jealous for His people, His design, and His glory. This episode looks at God’s jealousy not as insecurity, but as holy love. God refuses to share the throne with idols because He knows every rival god will steal, kill, and destroy. Pastor Dan and Kelsey discuss sexuality, Pride Month, cultural discipleship, children’s media, sports, politics, workplace pressure, and how Christians can stand firm in truth while still loving people well. They also walk through common questions and objections like “Jesus never talked about homosexuality,” “God is love,” “homosexuality wasn’t in the Bible until 1946,” “what about shellfish in Leviticus,” and “God made me this way,” responding through Scripture and a biblical worldview. The episode closes with a reminder that Jesus came for everyone — not to affirm our sin, but to transform us by His grace and power. Main Themes: El Qanna: God as a jealous GodGod’s holy love and zeal for His peoplePride Month as a discipleship issueWhat the Bible says about sexuality and marriageWhy God’s design is goodHow culture disciples children through mediaHow parents can talk to kids about Pride MonthLGBTQ ideology, sports, schools, workplaces, and public pressureThe difference between welcoming people and affirming sinWhy Christians must stand firm with love, courage, and truthJesus transforms sinners by grace Follow New Life Church on Socials:⁠https://⁠⁠www.instagram.com/newlifekzoo/⁠⁠https://⁠⁠www.facebook.com/newlifekzoo/

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5
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15 Ratings

About

Faith gets real at the table. Pastors Dan and Kelsey Smith unpack Scripture, respond to cultural questions, and help Christians follow Jesus with clarity, courage, and grace. New episodes every Wednesday from New Life Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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