The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

Arlene Pellicane, Speaker, Author of the book, “Making Marriage Easier,” and Host of the Happy Home Podcast

Brian From opens with a study linking walking to better mental health in teens, a good reminder for all of us. In a vulnerable moment, he admits that hearing about a hardship faced by someone who hurt him brought him a flash of satisfaction, and he reflects on what that reveals about unfinished forgiveness. He wrestles with senseless tragedies, including a father killed on a roller coaster and a Wheaton College freshman struck by a train, and points to the nearness and ultimate victory of Christ. He shares John Piper’s answer to a mother with a disability who feels she can’t measure up to Proverbs 31, and Nancy Guthrie’s reflection on longing to behold Jesus face to face. Brian applauds an Oregon Catholic high school for removing a football coach who called an onside kick while leading 57–0, and considers a report that the “American Dream” now costs $5.3 million. He condemns online cruelty toward philanthropist Susan Dell and reflects on Billy Crystal’s honest admission that tragedy has cost him his trust in God. He closes with Paul’s call in Philippians 1:27 to live worthy of the gospel and a GC Discipleship article arguing that God is more happy than harsh.

Brian From opens with a study linking walking to better mental health in teens, a good reminder for all of us. In a vulnerable moment, he admits that hearing about a hardship faced by someone who hurt him brought him a flash of satisfaction, and he reflects on what that reveals about unfinished forgiveness. He wrestles with senseless tragedies, including a father killed on a roller coaster and a Wheaton College freshman struck by a train, and points to the nearness and ultimate victory of Christ. He shares John Piper&rsquo;s answer to a mother with a disability who feels she can&rsquo;t measure up to Proverbs 31, and Nancy Guthrie&rsquo;s reflection on longing to behold Jesus face to face. Brian applauds an Oregon Catholic high school for removing a football coach who called an onside kick while leading 57&ndash;0, and considers a report that the &ldquo;American Dream&rdquo; now costs $5.3 million. He condemns online cruelty toward philanthropist Susan Dell and reflects on Billy Crystal&rsquo;s honest admission that tragedy has cost him his trust in God. He closes with Paul&rsquo;s call in Philippians 1:27 to live worthy of the gospel and a GC Discipleship article arguing that God is more happy than harsh.

A Daily Walk Can Help Your Mental Health, and Delight in Someone Else’s Misfortune Reveals Something About Your Heart

Brian From sits down with Susana Sharp of Impact Latin America, an interdenominational ministry that partners with more than 35 denominations in about 20 nations to train ordinary men and women to share the gospel outside church walls. Susana explains the ministry’s model of prayer-led outreach and “Houses of Peace,” informal gatherings in homes, gardens, basketball courts, and even beaches, where non-believers encounter Jesus and new leaders are raised up. Since 2019, more than 15,000 people have come to faith, and some gatherings have multiplied to a seventh generation. Susana, a native of the Dominican Republic, tells how a House of Peace helped transform Cienfuegos, once one of the country’s most dangerous neighborhoods. She also tells of a former drug user in Costa Rica who now leads a surfer house church that reaches tourists from around the world. She describes the ministry’s “head, heart, and hands” approach to training, mentoring, and accountability, and what American churches can learn from it. Brian invites listeners to give at 1160Hope.com, where $10 provides discipleship and Bible resources for one new believer.

Brian From sits down with Susana Sharp of Impact Latin America, an interdenominational ministry that partners with more than 35 denominations in about 20 nations to train ordinary men and women to share the gospel outside church walls. Susana explains the ministry&rsquo;s model of prayer-led outreach and &ldquo;Houses of Peace,&rdquo; informal gatherings in homes, gardens, basketball courts, and even beaches, where non-believers encounter Jesus and new leaders are raised up. Since 2019, more than 15,000 people have come to faith, and some gatherings have multiplied to a seventh generation. Susana, a native of the Dominican Republic, tells how a House of Peace helped transform Cienfuegos, once one of the country&rsquo;s most dangerous neighborhoods. She also tells of a former drug user in Costa Rica who now leads a surfer house church that reaches tourists from around the world. She describes the ministry&rsquo;s &ldquo;head, heart, and hands&rdquo; approach to training, mentoring, and accountability, and what American churches can learn from it. Brian invites listeners to give at 1160Hope.com, where $10 provides discipleship and Bible resources for one new believer.

Impact Latin America Is Equipping Ordinary Believers to Plant ‘Houses of Peace’ Across the Region

Brian From catches up with his former college roommate Ben Reaoch and Ben’s wife, Stacy, about their new book, The Word in Our Home: A Family Plan for Exploring Every Book in the Bible. The project began as a vision of Ben’s mother, Barb, a Bible Study Fellowship children’s curriculum writer who had a book proposal ready when she was diagnosed with cancer. Before she died two years ago, she walked Ben through her files so he and Stacy could finish it. They describe how editing her work felt like hearing her voice again, and how they wrote new devotions in her style. The book offers 10-to-15-minute readings that walk families from Genesis to Revelation. To parents who feel guilty or unprepared, the Reaochs encourage them to start small, be honest, not worry about having every answer, and remember that God’s grace lets every family start fresh. Ben also shares what he loves about pastoring in the Pittsburgh area.

Brian From catches up with his former college roommate Ben Reaoch and Ben&rsquo;s wife, Stacy, about their new book, The Word in Our Home: A Family Plan for Exploring Every Book in the Bible. The project began as a vision of Ben&rsquo;s mother, Barb, a Bible Study Fellowship children&rsquo;s curriculum writer who had a book proposal ready when she was diagnosed with cancer. Before she died two years ago, she walked Ben through her files so he and Stacy could finish it. They describe how editing her work felt like hearing her voice again, and how they wrote new devotions in her style. The book offers 10-to-15-minute readings that walk families from Genesis to Revelation. To parents who feel guilty or unprepared, the Reaochs encourage them to start small, be honest, not worry about having every answer, and remember that God&rsquo;s grace lets every family start fresh. Ben also shares what he loves about pastoring in the Pittsburgh area.

Arlene Pellicane, Speaker, Author of the book, “Making Marriage Easier,” and Host of the Happy Home Podcast

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