The PursueGOD Truth Podcast

5.0 (12)
CHRISTIANITY
UPDATED WEEKLY

The official faith and life podcast for the discipleship resources at pursueGOD.org. Great for families, small groups, and one-on-one mentoring. New sermonlink topics every Friday.

3D AGO · BONUS

The Gospel According to Paul (Galatians 1) - Unveiling Mormonism

In this kickoff episode of the Galatians Challenge for Mormons, we dive into chapter 1 of Paul’s letter to the Galatians—a bold defense of the one true gospel. Paul says even if an angel preaches another message, let him be cursed. Sound familiar? We explore the striking parallels between Paul’s warning and Joseph Smith’s claims about receiving the “fullness of the gospel” from the angel Moroni. We also examine Paul’s background as a Pharisee, how the early church responded to his conversion, and why that response stands in stark contrast to Joseph Smith’s rejection of all existing churches. This episode challenges listeners to consider: Are you following the gospel revealed by Jesus—or a different one? 📖 Bible Text: Galatians 1 📚 LDS References: Joseph Smith—History 1:19; Moroni’s message (1838 account) 🔍 Key Questions: What does Paul say about authority and grace?How should we respond to “new” gospels, even from angels?Why did the early church praise God for Paul—but Joseph Smith denounced them? ✅ Perfect for: LDS truth-seekers, former Mormons, and anyone wanting to understand the unchanging gospel of grace. 🔗 Learn more: PursueGOD.org/galatians-mormons -- The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Welcome to Galatians Challenge for Mormons—a Bible study series for Latter-day Saints who are ready to explore the message of grace straight from Scripture. In this first lesson, we dive into Galatians chapter 1 and confront a question that rocked the early church... and still matters today: “What is the true gospel?” Galatians 1:1 (NLT) This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. Paul wastes no time making something clear—his message isn’t secondhand, and it didn’t come from church leaders or tradition. It came straight from Jesus Christ.🧠 Evangelical View: True spiritual authority comes from God’s direct calling—not priesthood succession or church offices. Paul's authority didn’t come from Peter or James—it came from Christ alone.👀 Mormon Viewpoint: The LDS Church teaches that priesthood authority was lost and restored through Joseph Smith. But Paul says his authority didn't come through men at all—challenging the idea that authority must be passed through earthly hands.🔍 Challenge Question:If Paul wasn’t ordained by men, what does that say about the necessity of priesthood succession for gospel authority today? Galatians 1:2-5 (NLT) 2 All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.3 May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. There’s the gospel in simple terms!It’s all...

38 min
6D AGO

A New Tribe (1 Thessalonians 1:1-4)

Welcome back to the pod! In our new series, we'll explore two of the earliest letters in the New Testament—written by the Apostle Paul to a young church facing pressure, persecution, and cultural confusion. Tune in as we unpack the first few verses of Thessalonians. -- The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- A New Identity in Christ: Kicking Off the Thessalonians SeriesToday we launch a powerful new series on the letters to the Thessalonians. These two short New Testament books—1 and 2 Thessalonians—were written to one of the earliest churches planted by the Apostle Paul. Before jumping into the rich theology and encouragement in these letters, it’s helpful to explore the background: Who was Paul writing to? Why did he write? And how can these ancient letters speak directly to us today? Understanding the Timeline of Paul’s LettersBefore diving into 1 Thessalonians, let’s take a quick detour through the New Testament table of contents. The Apostle Paul wrote 13 letters (or epistles), and they weren't written in the order they appear in your Bible. Understanding their timeline helps us grasp the historical and spiritual context of each one. 1 Thessalonians was written around AD 50, making it one of Paul’s earliest writings—possibly his second after Galatians. Here’s a simplified overview of Paul’s epistles in chronological order: Galatians (AD 48) – After Paul’s first missionary journey1 Thessalonians (AD 50) – Written from Corinth after Timothy’s encouraging report2 Thessalonians (AD 51) – Soon after 1 Thessalonians to clarify teaching on Christ’s return1 & 2 Corinthians (AD 55–56) – To address division and reconciliationRomans (AD 57) – A theological masterpiece written before a trip to JerusalemPrison Epistles (AD 60) – Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians from RomePastoral Epistles (AD 63–67) – 1 Timothy, Titus, and finally 2 Timothy before Paul’s death The City of Thessalonica and the Church’s BirthPaul planted the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (see Acts 17). But his time there was brief. After just three weeks of preaching in the synagogue, persecution forced Paul and his team to flee the city. This sudden departure left the young church without strong leadership during a time of growing hostility. Later, while Paul was in Corinth (see Acts 18), he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check in. Timothy’s report was encouraging, so Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to strengthen, teach, and affirm the faith of these new believers. Importantly, this letter was written before any of the four Gospels had been completed. The early church relied on the oral tradition of eyewitnesses to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. It wasn’t until decades later, as those...

32 min
MAY 30

How The Church Works

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, we're wrapping up our series, "How Stuff Works", with a topic that has many different opinions on it in today's culture: the Church. The Bible is clear on this, though, and today we'll see what is has to say! -- The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- How the Church Works Big Idea: God designed his Church to involve his people in key purposes that bring about his plans in this world. No other organization on earth compares to the Church. It’s not simply a building or a weekend service. It’s the living body of Christ, chosen and designed by God to carry out his mission in the world. From the very beginning, Jesus made it clear that he would build his Church—and not even the powers of hell could stop it. (Matthew 16:18) Let’s unpack how the Church works by looking at four core truths from Scripture. 1. There Is One True ChurchWhen Jesus spoke of “my church” in Matthew 16:18, he wasn’t referring to a specific building or religious organization. The Greek word for church is ekklesia, meaning “the called-out ones”—a gathering of people summoned for a purpose. The Church Jesus established is the community of all true believers in Jesus throughout history. This is sometimes called the “Universal Church.” It’s important to understand that the Universal Church transcends denominations, traditions, and geographic locations. No single church or association can claim to be “the one true Church.” The true Church consists of everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The Bible uses powerful imagery to help us understand the nature of the Church: The Bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7) reflects the intimate and loving relationship between Jesus and his people.A Spiritual Family and Nation (Ephesians 2:19) shows how believers belong to one household, united under God’s rule.A Temple and a House (Ephesians 2:20-21) describes how we are being built together as a dwelling place for God’s Spirit. 2. Jesus Is the Head of His ChurchColossians 1:18 makes it clear: Christ is the head of the Church, which is his body. This means Jesus himself is in charge. He leads through the truth of the Bible, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and through biblically qualified leaders like elders and pastors. Jesus guides the Church like a shepherd leads his flock. In 1 Peter 5:1-4, elders are instructed to care for God’s people with humility and a servant’s heart, always pointing back to the Chief Shepherd—Jesus. While the Universal Church is invisible and eternal, it takes visible form through local churches. These are the communities where believers gather for worship, teaching, fellowship, and mission. Though no single local church represents the entirety of the Universal Church, each one is a part of the larger body of Christ, carrying...

29 min
MAY 29 · BONUS

Fathers and Daughters: Fighting the Lies of the Enemy - The Men's Podcast

Welcome back men! Today we discuss, as fathers, what it means to help our daughters fight the lies of the enemy - lies that the world feeds them daily. -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Fathers and Daughters: Fighting the Lies of the EnemyIn today’s culture, our daughters face countless lies about identity, beauty, purpose, and purity. As fathers, we play a vital role in shielding them from these attacks and pointing them toward God’s truth. This episode is a call to action for dads who want to raise daughters grounded in biblical wisdom. We’ll look at four common cultural lies and explore what the Bible says instead. Lie #1: Gender Doesn’t MatterTruth: Men and women are both created in the image of God—and their differences are part of His beautiful design. Our culture is increasingly blurring the distinctions between male and female, but Genesis 1 shows us something better. God created humanity “male and female,” and He called it “very good.” (Genesis 1:27,31) Genesis 1:27 (NLT) – “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”Genesis 1:31 (NLT) – “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!”As fathers, we should affirm and celebrate the unique design of our daughters. Teach them that their femininity is not a limitation but a God-given strength. When we embrace the beauty of gender differences, we reflect God’s plan for flourishing families and communities. Lie #2: Outward Beauty Is What Matters MostTruth: Real beauty grows from within and never fades. Today’s young women are bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards. Social media filters, influencer culture, and cosmetic trends send the message that their worth is tied to appearance. But the Bible tells us something very different. Proverbs 31:30-31 (NLT) – “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT) – “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”Dads, it’s great to tell your daughter she’s beautiful—but don’t stop there. Compliment her kindness, her compassion, her integrity. Encourage her spiritual growth and help her see that true beauty increases as she draws closer to Christ. Lie #3: A Woman’s Role Is Either Limited or Guilt-RiddenTruth: God calls women to a wide range of roles—including motherhood and work—and each one is valuable. The culture...

25 min
MAY 26 · BONUS

Aleck’s Story: Not Just Deconstructing - Unveiling Mormonism

In this episode, Aleck shares her story of coming out of Mormonism and experiencing a real relationship with Jesus. -- The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now --

51 min
MAY 23

How the Bible Works

Welcome back to the pod! Have you ever wondered how the Bible was written, and how exactly it's structured? Listen to today's episode as we talk about those things, as well as unpacking why it matter to us spiritually. -- The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- How the Bible WorksToday we continue our How Stuff Works series with a topic that’s both deeply theological and intensely practical: How the Bible Works. For Christians, the Bible is more than just a religious book—it’s the inspired Word of God. But where did it come from? How is it structured? And how do we read it in a way that transforms our lives? These are big questions, and this summary explores three essential truths that come from our Bible Basics series: 1. Where Did We Get the Bible?The Bible didn’t fall from the sky, nor was it just a random collection of human wisdom. Scripture teaches that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”“Inspired” literally means “God-breathed.” That means the words of the Bible carry the very breath of God, and He speaks to us through its pages. Mark 12:36 (NLT) “For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said…”Jesus affirmed the divine origin of the Old Testament scriptures. The human authors wrote using their own style and voice, but were guided by the Spirit of God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT) “No prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding... those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”Verbal plenary inspiration means that the very words (verbal) and all parts (plenary) of Scripture are inspired by God. Though the original manuscripts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, God has preserved His message through faithful transmission and translation. Translation Types: Word-for-Word (Formal): ESV, NASBThought-for-Thought (Dynamic): NIV, NLT While only the original manuscripts are infallible, modern translations are trustworthy because of careful preservation, thousands of manuscripts, and the sovereignty of God. 2. What Is the Structure of the Bible?The Bible is one book made up of 66 individual books, divided into two testaments: Old Testament (39 Books): Written over 1,000 years and originally part of the Hebrew Bible, it includes: Law (Genesis–Deuteronomy)History (Joshua–Esther)Wisdom/Poetry (Job–Song of...

35 min
MAY 22 · BONUS

Kids and Lying - The Family Podcast

In this episode, Tracy unpacks practical ways to help your kids tell the truth—showing how honesty builds trust, honors God, and shapes godly character. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Teaching Kids to Tell the TruthLying is making an untrue statement with the intent to deceive and gain some advantage. As parents, it’s crucial to address this issue from a spiritual perspective because lying is part of our sin nature (Romans 3:23). The Bible mentions lying between 155-180 times, depending on the translation, highlighting its significance in God’s eyes. Why Do Kids Lie?Children lie for various reasons, including: To meet a need – They want something, like a cookie on the counter, and lying seems like an easy way to get it.To avoid trouble – They fear consequences, like breaking something and blaming a sibling.For attention – They exaggerate or fabricate stories to impress others. God’s Perspective on LyingLying started at the beginning of time. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve tried to deceive God by hiding after they sinned. This shows that dishonesty is deeply ingrained in human nature. God takes lying seriously, and so should we as parents. The Bible explicitly warns against it: Leviticus 19:11 – "Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another."Proverbs 6:16-19 – "There are six things that the Lord hates… a lying tongue, a false witness who breathes out lies..."One of the 10 commandments “not to bear false witness” Lying damages relationships, erodes trust, and goes against God’s nature. As parents, our goal is to train our children to value truthfulness and recognize the long-term consequences of dishonesty. How to Train Kids to Be Honest1. Model TruthfulnessChildren learn by example. If they see parents lying—whether about small things like “I’m not home” when avoiding a call or exaggerating stories—they will assume dishonesty is acceptable. 2. Create a Safe Environment for HonestyEncourage open conversations where your child feels safe to tell the truth without immediate harsh consequences. Family discussions and Bible-based resources help cultivate this environment. 3. Explain How Lying Hurts OthersHelp children understand that lying damages relationships: Breaks trust – When someone lies, others find it difficult to rely on them.Hurts feelings – Lies can cause emotional pain to family and friends.Makes life uncertain – Example: If parents didn’t follow through on picking up their child from school, it would create insecurity. 4. Be Gracious But ClearDon’t overreact when a child confesses. Instead, affirm their honesty while addressing the wrongdoing.Deliver appropriate consequences without anger, explaining that lost trust leads to fewer...

20 min
MAY 16

How Eternity Works

Welcome back to the podcast! Join us today as we talk about eternity. Eternity is not just a vague spiritual concept—it’s a concrete reality taught throughout Scripture. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere, and the Bible gives us a clear roadmap to understand what happens after we die. -- The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- How Eternity Works: A Biblical Breakdown of the AfterlifeEternity is not a vague hope—it’s a concrete reality. Every human being will live forever in one of two places, and the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what happens after we die. Let’s walk through what Scripture reveals about the nature of the afterlife, judgment, and how to prepare for the day we take our final breath. Understanding the Biblical Concept of the Afterlife1. Sheol and Hades: The Temporary Realm of the DeadIn the Old Testament, Sheol is described as the “realm of the dead”—a shadowy place where both the righteous and unrighteous awaited judgment. In Greek, the word used is Hades. Jesus gives us a vivid picture of this realm in Luke 16:19-31, telling the story of a rich man in torment and a poor man named Lazarus resting in “Abraham’s bosom.” “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead.” (Luke 16:22-23 NLT)This story reveals three key features of Sheol: A place of torment for the unrighteousA place of comfort for the righteousA great chasm separating the two, uncrossable after death (Luke 16:26) Peter refers to another compartment—Tartarus—a gloomy prison for fallen angels awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This concept shows the complexity of the pre-resurrection afterlife. 2. Jesus Changes Everything: The Cross and the Empty TombAfter His death, Jesus didn’t just remain in the grave—He descended to the realm of the dead. He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Peter writes that Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), and Paul echoes that Jesus “led a crowd of captives” to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Paradise was emptied and relocated—those who had died in faith now dwell directly in God’s presence. “We are... willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)Today, believers go straight to be with Jesus. Hades remains only as a place of waiting for the unrighteous dead. 3. Gehenna: The Final Destination of JudgmentThe term Gehenna—used frequently by Jesus—refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a site associated with...

34 min

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out of 5

12 Ratings

Finding this podcast

09/20/2024

Los Anegeles Ca

Wanting to learn about God of the Bible. The book we say we read, and think we understand. PursueGod.org does just that. The team here is doing what God has commanded, (in my opinion ) feeding the sheep. Giving you content, asking you questions, and making you think on your own, about Faith in the God of creation. I have only found a few channels that have met the commission of what the Bible teaches. Accessible and Free. As I grow in my walk in Christ I thank the Most High for this Ecclesia of believers
Excellent Gospel and discipleship teaching

05/27/2024

S_Schweins

My husband and I love all of the Pursue God podcasts!! Pastor Bryan has helped us stay focused on Christ and grow in our understanding of God’s mission for our lives during the week. All of the podcasts do an excellent job decoding the Bible into easy-to-understand, yet challenging teaching. We look forward to each episode drop!
Great information and perspective

01/04/2024

Low key runner

I have really enjoyed listening to Pastor Bryan and others on this podcast. I find it to be very educational, biblically rooted, and encouraging. I feel like my relationship with God has deepened and become more rooted. I also feel more encouraged to share the Word of God and disciple to others. Keep doing what you’re doing! God Bless.

The official faith and life podcast for the discipleship resources at pursueGOD.org. Great for families, small groups, and one-on-one mentoring. New sermonlink topics every Friday.