Skeptics & Saints

The Garden Church

The Skeptics & Saints Podcast is where we dive deep into the questions that skeptics and saints alike are asking. From controversy to theology, from culture to apologetics, this podcast is going to engage in real conversations to challenge skeptics toward faith and saints towards further growth. We tackle tough topics, explore Scripture, and wrestle with the realities of following Jesus in a world full of brokenness. If you’re looking for thought-provoking discussions, you’ve found the right place.This is a podcast by The Garden Church in Surprise Arizona for Skeptics and Saints to consider the claims of Jesus.

  1. Aug 31

    Should Pastors Get Paid? What the Bible Actually Says

    🌱🗺️🌵Take Ground: Pray with us and consider giving toward what God is building. Give here 👉 https://thegardenaz.churchcenter.com/giving 💰 Should pastors make money from the church? Or should every pastor get a regular job and preach for free? In this episode of Skeptics & Saints, Nolan, Skyler, and Chase tackle one of the most uncomfortable questions in church life: money and ministry. Starting with Paul’s tentmaking in Acts 18, we dig into what the Bible actually teaches about pastors receiving a salary, why Paul sometimes chose not to take financial support, and whether working a secular job makes someone more faithful or spiritual. We also talk about the other side of the conversation: ministry doesn’t belong only to people with church paychecks. Every Christian has been gifted by God and called to serve, whether you’re preaching on Sunday, building a business, setting up church, leading worship, working in a warehouse, or sharing Jesus with coworkers. The Bible gives us room for both vocational pastors and tentmaking ministers. The bigger question isn’t whether the church writes your paycheck. It’s this: Are you faithfully using whatever God has given you for His mission? 📖 Key Scriptures: Acts 18:1–4, 1 Corinthians 9:7–14, 1 Timothy 5:17–18, Galatians 6:6, Luke 10:7, Ephesians 4:11–12. ☕ Drop your thoughts below: Should pastors be paid? And what has ministry looked like in your own work or career? 🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com 🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  📲 Stay Connected: Instagram: @thegardenaz YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ Facebook: The Garden Church 🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here   📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here

    Should Pastors Get Paid? What the Bible Actually Says
  2. Aug 20

    Most Christians Can’t Explain What They Believe

    RESOURCES MENTIONED: 📘 Knowing God , J.I. Packer 📘 The Holiness of God , R.C. Sproul 📘 Mere Christianity , C.S. Lewis 📘 Systematic Theology , Wayne Grudem 📘 Basic Christianity , John Stott 📘 The Cross of Christ , John Stott 📘 Visual Theology , Tim Challies & Josh Byers 🎧 Ligonier Ministries / R.C. Sproul 🎧 BibleProject 🎧 Questioning Christianity with Tim Keller 🎧 TheosU 📖 Why does theology matter, and where do you even begin? In this episode of Skeptics & Saints, Nolan and Skyler dive into Acts 17 and the example of the Bereans, people who eagerly listened, asked questions, and searched the Scriptures for themselves to see if what they were hearing was actually true. We live in a culture overflowing with information but starving for depth. Biblical literacy is declining, short-form content dominates our attention, and many Christians struggle to explain what they actually believe. But Christianity was never meant to be intellectually shallow. God calls us to love Him with our heart, soul, strength, and mind. We talk about why studying theology is an act of worship, how Scripture transforms the way we think, why Christians shouldn’t be afraid of difficult questions, and how ordinary believers can begin going deeper without needing a seminary degree. ☕ And because apparently theology requires coffee, we also share some of our favorite books, Bible teachers, theologians, and resources for anyone wondering where to start. 💡 In this episode: - What theology actually means - Why the Bereans were called “noble” - Why Christians should search the Scriptures for themselves - How theology can become an act of worship - The difference between general and special revelation - Why Scripture memory still matters - How biblical illiteracy affects the Church - Why studying Scripture strengthens your mind and your faith - Theology questions worth exploring, from the Trinity to the return of Jesus - Books and Bible teachers to help you go deeper - Why you don’t need to be an academic to become theologically serious Whether you’re a lifelong Christian, a theology nerd, or a skeptic trying to figure out whether Christianity actually has intellectual substance, this conversation is an invitation to dig deeper. 📖 Open your Bible. Ask difficult questions. Search the Scriptures. Learn to love God with your mind. And let us know in the comments: What theology book, Bible teacher, or resource has helped you go deeper? 🌱🗺️🌵Take Ground: Pray with us and consider giving toward what God is building. Give here 👉 https://thegardenaz.churchcenter.com/giving 🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com 🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  📲 Stay Connected: Instagram: @thegardenaz YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ Facebook: The Garden Church 🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here   📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here

    Most Christians Can’t Explain What They Believe
  3. Aug 17

    Ordinary Christians Can Change Entire Cities

    JOIN US FOR 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!  September 3rd! Invite someone and share the plan your visit link: https://thegardenaz.churchcenter.com/registrations/signups/1921751 Group Leader Interest Meeting: https://thegardenaz.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3798557 Take Ground: Pray with us and consider giving toward what God is building. Give here 👉 https://thegardenaz.churchcenter.com/giving Apologetics Book Recommendation: - The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel - The Problem of God by Mark Clark - The Reason for God by Timothy Keller 🌎 What does it actually take to change a city for Jesus? In this episode of Skeptics & Saints, Nolan and Skyler go deeper into Acts 17 and explore how ordinary Christians can make an extraordinary Kingdom impact. Changing the world doesn’t begin with having a platform. It begins with everyday people taking Jesus seriously in everyday life, parents discipling their kids, entrepreneurs stewarding their businesses, neighbors opening their homes, and believers using their resources to advance the Gospel. We unpack Paul’s strategy for reaching cities, why Christians shouldn’t be afraid of difficult questions, how apologetics can strengthen your own faith and prepare you to disciple your kids, and why generosity has always played a critical role in advancing the mission of Jesus. 💡 In this episode: - Why you need to evangelize yourself before evangelizing others - How apologetics prepares you for your kids’ hardest questions - What happens to people who never hear the Gospel? - Why God uses ordinary people to influence entire cities - How influential women helped fund and advance Jesus’ ministry - Why money and generosity matter to the mission - What the Bible actually teaches about tithing - How your generosity disciples the next generation - Why opening your home may be one of the most powerful ministry decisions you make You don’t need to be a pastor to change your city. God can use your home, career, relationships, influence, finances, and family for His Kingdom. 🔥 Changed people change cities. 🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com 🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  📲 Stay Connected: Instagram: @thegardenaz YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ Facebook: The Garden Church 🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here   📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here

    Ordinary Christians Can Change Entire Cities
  4. Apr 16

    How to Reach Friends Without Losing Your Faith

    ⛪️ Sundays Message: Click Here How do you reach people far from God… without losing your faith in the process? 👀🔥 This episode dives into the real tension Christians face: balancing a bold, outward life of evangelism with a deep, rooted walk with Jesus. Scripture warns that bad company corrupts good morals ⚠️, yet Jesus clearly calls believers to go into the world and make disciples 🌍✝️. So how do you live in both realities at once? We break down: • Why new believers are often the most effective evangelists 🔥 • The importance of a season of consecration to build a strong foundation 🙏 • How to stay in the world without becoming like it ⚖️ • The difference between influence and being influenced 🧠 • A practical framework for keeping your faith strong while reaching others 💪 Using passages like 1 Corinthians 5 and 15, along with real-life examples, this conversation gives a clear, biblical path forward 📖 Stay to the end for 3 practical steps to help you live on mission without compromising your walk with Christ 🚀✝️ 🌱🗺️🌵Take Ground: Pray with us and consider giving toward what God is building. Give here 👉 https://thegardenaz.churchcenter.com/giving 🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com 🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM 📲 Stay Connected: Instagram: @thegardenaz YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ Facebook: The Garden Church 🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here   📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast – Apple: Listen Here Spotify: Listen Here

    How to Reach Friends Without Losing Your Faith
5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

The Skeptics & Saints Podcast is where we dive deep into the questions that skeptics and saints alike are asking. From controversy to theology, from culture to apologetics, this podcast is going to engage in real conversations to challenge skeptics toward faith and saints towards further growth. We tackle tough topics, explore Scripture, and wrestle with the realities of following Jesus in a world full of brokenness. If you’re looking for thought-provoking discussions, you’ve found the right place.This is a podcast by The Garden Church in Surprise Arizona for Skeptics and Saints to consider the claims of Jesus.

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