Pocket Theology

John Hayes
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semiweekly

Pocket Theology is a short form teaching podcast hosted by John Hayes, exploring the biblical questions you didn’t know you were asking

  1. 1d ago

    Ep.14 "I am the Bread of Life" Pt.2

    What did Jesus mean when He said, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you"? These words have challenged, confused, and even offended people for centuries. In fact, when Jesus first spoke them, many who had been following Him turned away because they couldn't accept what He was saying. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we continue our journey through John 6, wrestling with one of the most difficult passages in the Gospel of John. Together, we explore what Jesus meant when He called His followers to eat His flesh and drink His blood, why this teaching was so shocking to His audience, and what it reveals about true faith, dependence, and life in Christ. Rather than avoiding hard passages, we believe they're often the ones that reveal the deepest truths about who Jesus is. This conversation invites us to slow down, examine the context, and let Scripture shape our understanding instead of our assumptions. Whether you've read this passage dozens of times or have always been confused by Jesus' words, this episode is an invitation to wrestle with the text and discover why this teaching remains one of the most significant in all of John's Gospel. Because sometimes the hardest words of Jesus become the doorway to seeing Him more clearly.

    1h 1m

  2. Jun 25

    Ep.13 "I am the Bread of Life"

    What are you really hungry for? After feeding the five thousand, the crowds followed Jesus looking for more bread. But instead of giving them another meal, He offered them something far greater: Himself. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we're doing something a little different. This conversation comes directly from one of our Wednesday night student Bible studies as we walk through John 6:22-40 and compare Jesus' teaching with the manna God provided in Exodus 16. Together, we explore what it means for Jesus to call Himself the Bread of Life, why the crowd missed what He was truly offering, and how physical hunger often points to a much deeper spiritual need. Just as God faithfully sustained Israel in the wilderness day by day, Jesus invites us to find our life, satisfaction, and dependence in Him—not in the temporary things this world offers. This conversation is both theological and deeply practical, reminding us that what we feed our souls ultimately shapes the way we live. If you've ever found yourself chasing things that never seem to satisfy or wondered what Jesus meant when He said, "I am the bread of life," this episode is for you.

    54 min

  3. Jun 4

    Ep.12 "Slaves of Righteousness"

    Every person serves something. Whether we realize it or not, we all surrender our lives to a master. The question isn't whether you're a slave—it's who or what you're a slave to. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we explore what Scripture means when it talks about slavery, righteousness, and freedom. Walking through John 5:28-29, Exodus 3:7-12, and Romans 6-7, we examine God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, humanity's struggle with sin, and Paul's powerful teaching that true freedom is not found in serving ourselves, but in surrendering to Christ. We often think freedom means having no master, but the Bible presents a different picture. Every heart is ruled by something—sin, self, success, comfort, approval, or God Himself. The question is not whether we serve, but who we choose to serve. This conversation is both challenging and hopeful as we wrestle with what it means to leave behind old masters and become slaves of righteousness. Because the gospel is not simply about being set free from something—it's about being set free for Someone. If you've ever struggled with sin, questioned what true freedom looks like, or wondered what it really means to follow Jesus, this episode is for you.

    27 min

  4. May 28

    Ep.11 "Your Purpose is Not on Pause"

    Waiting is not a wasted season. In a culture obsessed with speed, progress, and visible success, waiting can feel frustrating, confusing, and even pointless. But what if the waiting season is actually where some of God’s deepest work happens? In this episode of Pocket Theology, we talk about trusting God in seasons where life feels slow, uncertain, or unresolved. Not treating waiting like a pause on life, but understanding it as a place of preparation, refinement, and dependence on the Lord. We wrestle with the tension of wanting clarity while God calls us to faith, the danger of tying our identity to success or achievement, and the reality that our true purpose is not found in what we accomplish—but in being fully known and fully loved by God. This conversation is reflective, grounding, and honest.Because sometimes the greatest danger in waiting is not delay—it’s forgetting what you were made for in the first place. If you’ve been feeling restless, discouraged, impatient, or unsure of what God is doing in your life right now, this episode is for you.

    37 min

  5. May 14

    Ep.10 "WAKE UP"

    Wake up! Not out of fear—but out of awareness.Because it’s possible to slowly drift into a place you never intended to be. In this episode of Pocket Theology, this isn’t a polished conversation—it’s raw, late-night, and honest. After a long week of conviction, this episode comes from a place of realizing just how easy it is to become spiritually passive… to go through the motions, to settle into comfort, and to call it faith. We wrestle with what it means to be lukewarm, why it’s so dangerous, and how subtle the drift can be. Looking at passages like 2 Kings 4, Matthew 7:7–11, and Revelation 3, this episode is both a warning and an invitation—to return to the secret place, to store up oil, and to seek God with urgency again. Because God is not distant. He is willing to meet you.But you have to actually come. This conversation is heavy, reflective, and necessary.If you’ve felt distant, numb, or just “going through it” in your walk with Christ—this is your moment to wake up.

    44 min

  6. Apr 30

    Ep.9 "What's Your Motive?"

    Why do you do what you do? Not on the surface—but underneath it.Beneath the habits, the routines, the “right” actions… what is actually driving your life? In this episode of Pocket Theology, we take an honest look at motive—why it matters, why God cares about it, and how easily it can become misaligned without us even realizing it. It’s possible to do the right things for the wrong reasons, to serve, lead, and live in ways that look good externally but aren’t rooted in a desire to truly please God. Through passages like Psalm 54:3 and 1 Thessalonians 2:4, we unpack what it means to live for the approval of God rather than people, and how a shift in motive doesn’t just change what you do—it transforms who you are becoming. This conversation is direct, exposing, and necessary. Because God isn’t just after your actions—He’s after your heart. If you’ve never really stopped to ask why you live the way you do, this episode will challenge you to. — We also highlight Simply Better Market, a curated marketplace launching Fall 2026 focused on high-quality products and meaningful impact. Learn more at simplybettermarket.com. Plus, our senior pastor is working toward publishing his new book The Trigger Cycle. You can support him by following along on Instagram at drewoakleyofficial and being part of the journey as this message gets out.

    58 min

  7. Apr 16

    Ep.8 "Psalm 91: Constant Dwelling" w/Hopkins Long & Isaiah Amantine

    In a world full of noise, distraction, and constant movement, Psalm 91 offers something radically different — an invitation to dwell. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we sit down and dive deep into Psalm 91 and what it truly means to live in the “secret place” of the Lord. Not just visiting it in moments of need, but building a life that remains there — steady, rooted, and dependent on God in every season. We talk about the difference between knowing about God and actually abiding in Him, what it looks like to trust His covering in both peace and pressure, and how constant dwelling reshapes the way we think, respond, and live. This isn’t about temporary refuge — it’s about a permanent posture. This conversation is reflective, challenging, and grounding — a call to stop drifting in and out of God’s presence and instead learn to remain. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent in your walk with God or wondered what it really looks like to live close to Him daily, this episode is for you. — We also briefly highlight Simply Better Market, a curated marketplace launching in Fall 2026 focused on high-quality products and meaningful impact. If you’re building something with purpose and want to grow alongside a mission-driven platform, check them out at simplybettermarket.com

    1h 25m

  8. Apr 2

    Ep.7 "Choosing Death" w/Bibb Albright

    In a culture that constantly tells us to seek comfort, avoid pain, and chase what feels good, the way of Jesus calls us to something completely different. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we dive into what it truly means to follow Christ through suffering. From fasting to baptism to the daily call to “die to self,” this conversation explores the reality that the Christian life isn’t about avoiding pain — it’s about being transformed through it. We talk about what it looks like to choose obedience when it’s hard, to trust God in seasons of discomfort, and to embrace the kind of surrender that leads to real life. This isn’t a conversation about having all the answers, but about stepping into the tension of what Jesus actually asks of us. It’s honest, challenging, and deeply reflective — a reminder that the path of life often looks like death before it ever looks like victory. Also… quick heads up — the audio in this episode didn’t quite cooperate with us. Turns out microphones don’t always enjoy suffering as much as we do. Stick with us though — we promise the conversation is worth it. If you’ve ever wrestled with what it means to follow Jesus when it’s difficult, this episode is for you.

    1h 27m
See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Pocket Theology is a short form teaching podcast hosted by John Hayes, exploring the biblical questions you didn’t know you were asking

Information

  • Creator
    John Hayes
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Hayes
  • Show Website
    Pocket Theology

You Might Also Like