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

Dr. Kim Offutt, Foster Parent and Executive Branch Director at Bethany Christian Services

Brian From opens October with an attempted mid-air attack on a commercial flight and the passengers and off-duty pilots who stopped it. He then recaps his church's first book club, on C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, and reflects on Lewis's point that people need reminding more than instruction. Brian looks at new Lifeway Research data showing one in three churchgoers say some biblical truths "don't fit" what they believe, and asks who holds authority in our lives. He walks through the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 as a lesson in pride, obedience, and God working through ordinary people. He also covers an ESPN feature on why NFL players accept the risk of CTE, a Florida mother arrested for leaving four children home alone during a cruise, and Bryce Harper's postgame reflections on failure and parenting. He closes with Brandon Cooper's Gospel Coalition case for "sometimes wordless evangelism."

Brian From opens October with an attempted mid-air attack on a commercial flight and the passengers and off-duty pilots who stopped it. He then recaps his church's first book club, on C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, and reflects on Lewis's point that people need reminding more than instruction. Brian looks at new Lifeway Research data showing one in three churchgoers say some biblical truths "don't fit" what they believe, and asks who holds authority in our lives. He walks through the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 as a lesson in pride, obedience, and God working through ordinary people. He also covers an ESPN feature on why NFL players accept the risk of CTE, a Florida mother arrested for leaving four children home alone during a cruise, and Bryce Harper's postgame reflections on failure and parenting. He closes with Brandon Cooper's Gospel Coalition case for "sometimes wordless evangelism."

Reminded, Not Instructed

Brian welcomes back former co-host Ian Simkins, now lead pastor of The Bridge in Tennessee, to discuss his new book, Every Table and Altar: Reclaiming Connection in a World of Division, Distraction, and Loneliness. Ian shares how the book grew out of his church's own journey — after moving to town, six months of listening to people revealed three recurring themes (division, distraction, and loneliness) that became the book's subtitle and his church's new vision, centered around the image of the table. He and Brian discuss a striking statistic showing a 70% decline in Americans hosting people in their homes since 1975, and Ian reflects on research showing even a face-down phone on the table reduces genuine connection. He offers practical encouragement for the lonely or divided — starting small, accepting the discomfort of new relationships like the discomfort of a first gym workout, and shifting from "being interesting" to "being interested" — while also addressing the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation when it comes to healthy relational boundaries. The two close with a lighthearted callback to their old "venting" segment, riffing on bad parking and turn signals.

Brian welcomes back former co-host Ian Simkins, now lead pastor of The Bridge in Tennessee, to discuss his new book, Every Table and Altar: Reclaiming Connection in a World of Division, Distraction, and Loneliness. Ian shares how the book grew out of his church's own journey &mdash; after moving to town, six months of listening to people revealed three recurring themes (division, distraction, and loneliness) that became the book's subtitle and his church's new vision, centered around the image of the table. He and Brian discuss a striking statistic showing a 70% decline in Americans hosting people in their homes since 1975, and Ian reflects on research showing even a face-down phone on the table reduces genuine connection. He offers practical encouragement for the lonely or divided &mdash; starting small, accepting the discomfort of new relationships like the discomfort of a first gym workout, and shifting from "being interesting" to "being interested" &mdash; while also addressing the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation when it comes to healthy relational boundaries. The two close with a lighthearted callback to their old "venting" segment, riffing on bad parking and turn signals.

Every Table an Altar: Ian Simkins on Reclaiming Connection

Brian talks with Rabbi Kirt Schneider, host of Discovering the Jewish Jesus, about a remarkable ministry development. Rabbi Schneider shares an unusual nighttime experience in September 2023 pointing him to Acts 22:2, which he felt called him to confront the Jewish community more directly with the message of Messiah. After an initial billboard campaign in Israel fell flat, his team was unexpectedly offered the domain Jews.com by a broker they hadn't heard from in years — a purchase Schneider calls nothing short of miraculous given the controversy of a Messianic Jew owning that name. The ministry has since spent over $3 million placing billboards across New York City and New Jersey directing people to the free site, which has drawn over 350,000 visitors, sparked coverage in Jewish outlets like the Jerusalem Post, and generated everything from antisemitic backlash to sincere spiritual seekers now engaging in a live webcast. Rabbi Schneider encourages listeners to simply share the Jews.com link with Jewish friends and points supporters to DiscoveringTheJewishJesus.com to help fund the outreach.

Brian talks with Rabbi Kirt Schneider, host of Discovering the Jewish Jesus, about a remarkable ministry development. Rabbi Schneider shares an unusual nighttime experience in September 2023 pointing him to Acts 22:2, which he felt called him to confront the Jewish community more directly with the message of Messiah. After an initial billboard campaign in Israel fell flat, his team was unexpectedly offered the domain Jews.com by a broker they hadn't heard from in years &mdash; a purchase Schneider calls nothing short of miraculous given the controversy of a Messianic Jew owning that name. The ministry has since spent over $3 million placing billboards across New York City and New Jersey directing people to the free site, which has drawn over 350,000 visitors, sparked coverage in Jewish outlets like the Jerusalem Post, and generated everything from antisemitic backlash to sincere spiritual seekers now engaging in a live webcast. Rabbi Schneider encourages listeners to simply share the Jews.com link with Jewish friends and points supporters to DiscoveringTheJewishJesus.com to help fund the outreach.

Dr. Kim Offutt, Foster Parent and Executive Branch Director at Bethany Christian Services

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