Armed Disciple Podcast

Kevin Tooley
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity

The Armed Disciple Podcast explores biblical discipleship through the lens of marksmanship, faith, and everyday life. Hosted by Kevin Tooley, each episode connects practical lessons from the shooting sports with timeless truths from Scripture, encouraging believers to fix their eyes on Jesus Christ and grow as faithful disciples. Whether you're a seasoned shooter, new to firearms, or simply seeking a deeper walk with Christ, this podcast will challenge, equip, and encourage you to live with purpose, conviction, and unwavering faith.

  1. 1d ago

    CZ Shadow 2 Carry: Firing Pin Damage After Just 20 Dry Fires?!

    My CZ Shadow 2 Carry failed during an IDPA match. Now I've discovered something else that concerns me: visible damage on a replacement firing pin retaining pin after fewer than 20 dry fires without snap caps, approximately 200 with snap caps, and 400 live rounds. And yes, I have the close-up pictures. After my original CZ Shadow 2 Carry failure video sparked a lot of discussion, I went back to investigate. What I found raises some serious questions about dry firing, snap caps, and the durability of the firing pin retaining pin. In this Tactical Tuesday episode, I cover: Close-up examination of the damaged firing pin retaining pinHow the retaining pin interacts with the firing pinWhy I'm questioning how much protection my snap caps provideAn interesting O-ring experiment suggested by viewersWhat the experiment demonstrated—and what it didn'tWhy I'm changing my approach to dry fire training with this pistolWhat I'd like CZ to explain about this wearImportant: This is my personal experience with my firearm, not a controlled scientific test. I haven't established that every CZ Shadow 2 Carry will experience the same wear or that the O-ring experiment is a manufacturer-approved solution. The relative contribution of dry fire, live fire, and other factors remains unknown. I still love my Shadow 2 Carry. But when we're talking about a firearm carried for personal defense, reliability isn't optional. Have you experienced similar retaining pin wear or failures with your CZ Shadow 2 Carry? Let me know in the comments. I'd genuinely like to hear about it. CHAPTERS 00:00 The CZ Controversy Continues 00:53 Welcome to Armed Disciple 01:12 Recap: My CZ Shadow 2 Carry Failure 02:03 Understanding the Firing Pin Retaining Pin 02:58 Close-Up: The Damage Revealed 04:24 Less Than 20 Dry Fires Without Snap Caps 05:54 The O-Ring Experiment 07:30 What the Experiment Does—and Doesn't—Prove 08:04 Why I'm Changing My Dry Fire Routine 09:37 My Conclusions and Questions for CZ 10:35 Final Thoughts and Viewer Feedback ABOUT ARMED DISCIPLE Armed Disciple is where faith, firearms, training, and personal responsibility meet. Visit https://ArmedDisciple.com for videos, articles, resources, and the Armed Disciple Shop. Purchases from the shop help support the Benevolence Fund at Living Hope Community Church. MUSIC CREDITS Artist: Dan Lebowitz Title: A Dusty Road Used in the Armed Disciple intro/outro. Stay Front Sight Focused. God bless, Kevin #CZShadow2Carry #CZFirearms #DryFireTraining #ArmedDisciple #TacticalTuesday

  2. 5d ago

    Who Can Actually See God? The Truth About a Pure Heart

    Jesus promised, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” But there's a problem: Who among us actually has a pure heart? In this episode of Armed Disciple, we continue our journey through the Beatitudes with Matthew 5:8—a statement from Jesus that should cause every one of us to examine what is happening beneath the surface of our lives. Being pure in heart isn't simply about looking righteous, attending church, or avoiding certain sins. It's about what we desire, what we worship, and whether our hearts are truly devoted to God. And when we honestly examine our hearts against God's standard, we discover something uncomfortable: We cannot make ourselves pure enough. Through Psalm 51, Ezekiel 36, and the words of Jesus, we explore the condition of the human heart, God's promise to make us new, and the incredible hope behind Jesus' promise that the pure in heart will see God. In this episode: What Jesus really meant by “pure in heart”The difference between outward righteousness and inward transformationWhy King David prayed for a clean heartGod's promise to give us a new heartWhat it means to see GodWhy our hope rests in Jesus Christ rather than our own goodnessChapters00:00 — The Call to Purity of Heart 00:45 — Welcome to Armed Disciple 03:40 — What Does Pure in Heart Mean? 06:46 — The Problem With Our Hearts 09:15 — David's Prayer for a Clean Heart 11:16 — God Promises a New Heart 13:24 — What Does It Mean to See God? 16:16 — Who Can Actually Qualify? Scripture ReferencesMatthew 5:8 Psalm 51 Ezekiel 36:25–27 Matthew 15:18–19 Revelation 22:4 Music CreditTitle: A Dusty Road Artist: Dan Lebowitz Subscribe to Armed Disciple for biblical teaching, practical discipleship, and conversations about living faithfully in a world that demands compromise. Visit https://ArmedDisciple.com for episodes, articles, and additional resources. Armed Disciple — Front Sight Focused. Hebrews 12:2 #ArmedDisciple #Beatitudes #PureInHeart #Matthew5 #ChristianDiscipleship #JesusChrist

  3. Oct 16

    The Surprising Truth About Mercy That Everyone Gets Wrong

    What does it really mean to be merciful? In this eye-opening episode of the Armed Disciple Podcast, Kevin delves deep into the often misunderstood virtue of mercy, challenging conventional views and unveiling its profound biblical significance. If you’ve ever struggled with forgiveness or wondered how to extend grace in difficult situations, this episode is for you. Mercy isn’t about ignoring wrongs or pretending they don’t exist. It’s about recognizing the weight of a real debt and choosing how to respond. Kevin explores the Beatitudes, specifically focusing on Jesus’s declaration, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." You’ll discover the critical differences between mercy and mere niceness, learning that biblical mercy involves active compassion and movement towards those in need. We break down key insights, including: The true meaning of mercy as seen in the Greek language.How mercy operates in the context of justice and accountability.The parable of the unforgiving servant, illustrating the stark contrast between receiving mercy and extending it to others.Practical ways to apply mercy in your life, especially when faced with betrayal or disappointment.Why does this matter? Without understanding mercy, we risk becoming bitter and resentful, shackled by our grudges. Instead, embracing this virtue opens the door to healing and genuine relationships, reflecting the grace we ourselves have received. Join Kevin on this transformative journey, perfect for anyone seeking to cultivate a heart of compassion and learn how mercy can redefine their relationships. Tune in, and let’s explore how to embody the merciful spirit that Jesus calls us to live out. ⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 — Mercy Isn’t Calling the Debt Imaginary 00:49 — The Beatitudes Lead Us to Mercy 03:08 — What Does Mercy Actually Mean? 05:23 — The Unforgiving Servant 10:23 — We Love Mercy in One Direction 13:15 — Justice and Mercy Meet at the Cross 14:54 — The Father and Two Lost Sons 18:08 — The Older Brother’s Problem 20:44 — Which Brother Are You? 22:59 — Who’s Your Hundred Denarii? 🎵 MUSIC CREDITSArtist: Dan Lebowitz Title: A Dusty Road ARMED DISCIPLE PODCAST 🎯 Front Sight Focused. Hebrews 12:2 #ArmedDisciple #BlessedAreTheMerciful #Beatitudes #Matthew5 #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalMercy #Forgiveness #ChristianFaith

  4. Oct 2

    What Are You Hungry For? | Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

    What do you truly hunger for? Success? Respect? Money? Sex? Recognition? Comfort? Or something nobody else even knows about? In Matthew 5:6, Jesus says: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” In this episode of the Armed Disciple Podcast, Kevin continues through the Beatitudes and examines one of the most revealing questions a man can ask himself: What do I actually want? Jesus doesn’t describe someone who merely believes righteousness is important. He describes someone who hungers and thirsts for it — someone who desires what is right before God with the intensity of a physical need. That raises another uncomfortable question: What have you been feeding? Our appetites don’t develop in a vacuum. What we watch, scroll through, think about, pursue, and continually consume helps shape what we crave. You can’t spend six days feeding the flesh and then wonder why you don’t hunger for God on Sunday morning. This episode explores the relationship between righteousness, grace, sanctification, struggle, and desire — and why struggling with sin is very different from making peace with it. You’ll also hear why grace does not make sin insignificant, why the cross actually reveals how serious sin is, and why pursuing righteousness isn’t about earning God’s love. It’s about responding to a love we’ve already received through Christ. In this episode:What Jesus means by hungering and thirsting for righteousnessHow the Beatitudes build on one anotherThe difference between justification and sanctificationWhy spiritual struggle does not automatically mean spiritual failureHow our daily habits train our appetitesWhy the world continually promises “more” but never quite delivers satisfactionHow to recognize what your heart is really pursuingWhy the prayer may simply become: “Lord, change what I want.”The world offers a pretty specific menu: Power. Money. Sex. Status. Control. Those things are not all inherently evil. But even a good thing becomes dangerous when we expect it to satisfy something in us that only God can satisfy. Jesus offers something different: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Chapters00:00 — What Are You Hungry For? 01:26 — Matthew 5:6 & the Progression of the Beatitudes 03:13 — Hunger Isn’t a Hobby 04:00 — What Is Righteousness? 05:35 — Struggle, Grace & Pursuit 08:04 — What Are You Feeding? 10:27 — The World Is Always Selling “More” 11:21 — “They Shall Be Satisfied” 12:36 — Check Your Appetite 14:24 — A Heart Being Changed 15:10 — What Do You Actually Want? Visit ArmedDisciple.com for episodes, articles, resources, and more from Armed Disciple. Armed Disciple Faith. Manhood. Responsibility. Front Sight Focused. Scripture: Matthew 5:6 Music Credit “A Dusty Road” Dan Lebowitz #ChristianPodcast #Beatitudes #ChristianMen #Matthew5 #Righteousness #ChristianLiving #ArmedDisciple

  5. Sep 25

    Who Is Meek? | Strength Surrendered to God | Matthew 5:5

    What does Jesus really mean when He says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”? Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness, passivity, or being easily pushed around. But that picture doesn’t fit Jesus, Moses, or the kind of life Scripture calls us to live. In this episode of the Armed Disciple Podcast, we look at Matthew 5:5 and explore meekness as something far stronger: Strength surrendered to God and expressed through love. Using the picture of a massive Clydesdale willingly yielding its strength, we talk about what meekness looks like in the real world—our pride, anger, authority, capability, reputation, and even the way we respond when we know we could fight back. We look at Matthew 11:29, Numbers 12:3, Matthew 26:53, and Psalm 37:11 as we work through one central question: Who holds the reins? 🌐 Armed Disciple: https://armeddisciple.com CHAPTERS 00:00 Who Is Meek? 01:39 The Beatitudes Lead to Meekness 03:52 What Meekness Really Means 06:55 The Clydesdale: Strength Surrendered 09:03 Who Owns Your Capability? 11:26 Meekness in Everyday Life 12:10 Moses and the Last Word 14:14 The Danger of Unsurrendered Strength 15:29 Jesus: The Perfect Picture of Meekness 18:01 The Meek Inherit the Earth 20:20 Who Holds the Reins? 21:24 Surrender Your Strength SCRIPTURE REFERENCED Matthew 5:3–5 Matthew 11:29 Numbers 12:3 Matthew 26:53 Psalm 37:11 MUSIC Artist: Dan Lebowitz Title: A Dusty Road Stay front sight focused. God bless. #ArmedDisciple #Beatitudes #Matthew5 #BiblicalManhood #ChristianMen #Meekness #FaithAndFirearms #ChristianPodcast

  6. Sep 18

    Blessed Are Those Who Mourn | What Jesus Really Means — Matthew 5:4

    What does Jesus mean when He says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”? In Matthew 5:4, Jesus isn’t simply saying that sad people will feel better. Coming immediately after “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” this mourning begins when we finally see our spiritual condition honestly—and what we see grieves us. In this episode of Armed Disciple, we look at the difference between being sorry about the consequences of sin and actually mourning the sin itself. We trace that posture from Adam in Genesis 3, through godly grief in 2 Corinthians 7, the brokenness of creation, Jesus weeping at Lazarus’ tomb, David’s repentance in Psalm 51, and ultimately to the comfort found at the Cross. Because the answer to seeing our sin clearly isn’t to hide from God. It’s to run to Him. Scriptures discussed: Matthew 5:3–4 Genesis 3:12 2 Corinthians 7:10 Romans 5 Romans 8 John 11:35 Psalm 51 Next in the series: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Visit ArmedDisciple.com for articles, resources, and the Armed Disciple Shop. Purchases help support the mission and local church benevolence. Faith. Training. Responsibility. Keeping Jesus in our forward view. Music Credit Artist: Dan Lebowitz Title: A Dusty Road #ArmedDisciple #BiblicalManhood #Beatitudes

  7. Sep 11

    Poor in Spirit: Why Strong Men Need Help | Matthew 5:3

    What does Jesus mean when He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”? For a lot of men, three words are surprisingly difficult to say: I need help. We want to be capable. We want to solve problems, provide, protect, lead, and carry responsibility. Those are good things. But somewhere along the way, capability can quietly become self-sufficiency—and “I can handle this” can become “I don't need anybody.” Eventually, that can include God. In Episode 7 of Armed Disciple, we start with two very different shooters. One can't be taught because he thinks he already knows everything. The other is disciplined, hungry, and working hard—but eventually reaches the limit of what he can accomplish on his own. They look completely different. But both eventually have to admit the same thing: I can't get where I need to go by myself. And that isn't just a shooting problem. It's a human problem. We trace that problem all the way back to Adam in Genesis 3, where humanity reaches for independence from God. Then we move forward to the opening words of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where the King describes His Kingdom in exactly the opposite way: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:3 Being poor in spirit isn't weakness, passivity, or incompetence. It's recognizing our true condition before God. I can't save myself. I can't make myself righteous. I can't erase my own sin. I can't. He can. I need Him. In this episode, we'll talk about biblical masculinity, self-sufficiency, Adam's failure, Paul's strength in weakness, and why Christianity isn't another self-improvement program. Because ultimately, we don't just need someone to show us how to do better. We need a Savior. The shooter says, “Show me.” The sinner says, “Save me.” And the Kingdom belongs to people who know they need the King. SCRIPTURE IN THIS EPISODE Matthew 4:17 Matthew 4:23–25 Matthew 5:3 Genesis 3:5 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 Romans 3:23 If this is your first time here, Armed Disciple is a show about firearms, competitive shooting, biblical manhood, discipleship, and what happens when those worlds collide. Stay front sight focused. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Take the next faithful step. Chapter List: 00:00 The Challenge of Teaching the Know-It-All 01:01 Welcome | Two Students 09:17 The Original Problem 11:56 The King Has Come 14:55 Blessed are the Poor in Spirit 16:08 What "Poor in Spirit" Actually Means 17:32 Back to the Students 19:15 The Counterfeit Strong Man 22:27 When I am Weak, Then I am Strong 24:49 This Isn't Self-Help 27:13 The Challenge 28:45 Closing | Next Week Music credit: Artist: Dan Lebowitz Title: A Dusty Road Check out the Armed Disciple store at https://ArmedDisciple.com/. All proceeds from the shop support the Benevolence Fund at Living Hope Community Church in Dublin, Pennsylvania.  #ArmedDisciple #BiblicalManhood #Beatitudes #Matthew5 #PoorInSpirit #ChristianMen #ChristianPodcast #SermonOnTheMount #Faith #Discipleship

  8. Sep 4

    What is a Man? | A Biblical Answer from Genesis

    What is a man? There are plenty of voices willing to answer that question. Culture has an answer. Politics has an answer. Social media certainly has an answer. But what if we went back to the beginning and asked a different question: What did God create man to be? In Episode 6 of Armed Disciple, we go back to Genesis and look at God's original design for man—his purpose, his responsibility, and ultimately his failure in the Garden. Adam wasn't absent because he didn't know what God had said. He knew. But when the moment came, knowledge had to become obedience. And before we get too comfortable judging Adam, we should probably recognize something about ourselves: Life happens.Temptation comes.Pressure comes.Fear comes. And that's when we find out whether God's Word is something we just know… or something we're actually willing to live by. This episode also begins something bigger for Armed Disciple. Over the coming episodes, we're going to explore biblical manhood through the Beatitudes in Matthew 5—not as a checklist for becoming “more masculine,” but as Jesus' description of the character of a citizen of His Kingdom. Before we get there, though, we need to understand where man started, what went wrong, and why we desperately need the King. IN THIS EPISODE: • What does the Bible actually say a man is? • God's design for Adam in Genesis • Man's responsibility to work, protect, lead, and obey • What really happened in Genesis 3 • Adam's failure under pressure • Why knowing God's Word isn't the same as living by it • What Adam's failure teaches Christian men today • Why biblical manhood ultimately points beyond Adam • Setting the stage for our study through the Beatitudes CHAPTERS: 00:00 Defining Manhood Through Creation 00:57 Welcome back 02:09 Before the Fall 03:11 Created with Purpose 04:55 The First Relationship 06:27 The Serpent 07:38 The Lie 08:30 Where is Adam 09:32 When the Timer Starts 10:48 There Eyes Were Opened 11:40 Where Are You? 12:22 The Blame Game 13:10 Own the Miss 14:10 What Actually Broke 14:52 God Doesn't Leave 15:45 Another Adam 16:52 So What is a Man? 18:02 Where Do We Go From Here? 19:20 This Week's Challenge 20:14 Next Time ABOUT ARMED DISCIPLE Armed Disciple is where firearms, competitive shooting, biblical manhood, discipleship, and faith collide. Whether we're talking about what happens when the timer goes off on a USPSA stage or what happens when pressure hits us in everyday life, the goal remains the same: Keep our eyes fixed on Christ. Front Sight Focused. Hebrews 12:2 If this episode challenged or encouraged you, subscribe and share it with another man who needs to hear it. Music credit: Artist: Dan Lebowitz Title: A Dusty Road #ArmedDisciple #BiblicalManhood #WhatIsAMan #ChristianMen #Genesis #Discipleship #MensMinistry #ChristianPodcast #Faith #FrontSightFocused

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About

The Armed Disciple Podcast explores biblical discipleship through the lens of marksmanship, faith, and everyday life. Hosted by Kevin Tooley, each episode connects practical lessons from the shooting sports with timeless truths from Scripture, encouraging believers to fix their eyes on Jesus Christ and grow as faithful disciples. Whether you're a seasoned shooter, new to firearms, or simply seeking a deeper walk with Christ, this podcast will challenge, equip, and encourage you to live with purpose, conviction, and unwavering faith.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Tooley
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kevin Tooley