Resident Strangers

Latest Episodes:

52 | Practical Steps for Studying the Bible Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

It's Tuesday which means we have another episode of Resident Strangers to share! This episode serves as a part 2 to last week's conversation on how to study the Bible. The conversation begins with Sarah, Rich and Steve reflecting on Bibles they have had and how they've seen God's faithfulness through studying. At the end of last week's episode Rich began explaining inductive Bible study. Rich and Steve both feel there are some additional steps to this study method and have categorized it as so:

Pray
Observe
Interpret
Apply
Pray
Tell

If you notice prayer appears twice in this list of steps. You make want to take mental (or physical) notes as Rich and Steve explain the importance of each of these steps. They also talk through some resources and additional methods that can be helpful in studying the Bible. Is asking, "what does this verse mean to me?" a fair question when thinking of this process? Steve reminds that there is only one correct interpretation and intended meaning. How is this discovered? Rich warns about imposing definitions from systematic theology onto the text. These steps are so practical, and we hope that it enhances your study of the Bible this week and on!

Recommended resources available on Amazon:

Halley's Bible Handbook by Henry H. Halley
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (4th Edition) by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart
How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart
Grasping God's Word (4th Edition) by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays
Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy B. Zuck

Episode 50 of Resident Strangers, "The Problem with Systematic Theology" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PI2mHLXq2mniwjdkBt3G4?si=9dee7e5e4bf24f75
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Questions or comments?
Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

51 | How to Study the Bible Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Resident Strangers! This week's episode is somewhat of a continuation of last week's as Rich and Steve dive into the practical steps to study the Bible. Steve brings up a quote that meant a lot to him as he was learning to study the Bible, "this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book." We all have access to the Word of God, isn't that an incredible thing to think about? God's Word is for YOU. When we come to scripture it is to meet Jesus, to allow Him to transform us by the power of His Word in our life. What happens if you don't study scripture? In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul is urging Timothy to correctly handle the Word of truth. Sarah shares her experience attending Chrisitan schools and how studying the Bible was absent from the classes that were taught. Rich agrees - there were Bible classes but very little to no instruction on how to actually study the Bible. Unfortunately, churches haven't always taught this well either. This is so important and yet so many Christ followers don't know how to truly study the Bible. What is ultimately important is to come to the Word with a posture of wanting to become more like Jesus. Rich breaks down the difference between inductive and deductive Bible study. Steve brings up the importance of asking questions when studying the Bible. All in all, this discussion drives home the importance of not just reading the Bible but studying it to hopefully walk more like Christ each day. A simple way to start would be by praying, "God, I want to know what you said." Come back next week for a continuation of this discussion!

Episode 2 of Resident Strangers, "What is the Bible?" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5aV0zXgVtvELuex6zzl5lD?si=097f0ea1445947a1

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

50 | The Problem With Systematic Theology Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

Today marks a new chapter on Resident Strangers as Steve and Rich begin exploring topics that go beyond the doctrinal statement of Desert Springs. (And if you want to catch up on the earlier episodes first, there are plenty waiting for you! 😉)

Rich takes us back to the very first episode, where the guys talked about theology in general. This time, they zoom in on the role of systematic theology and how, if we’re not careful, our theological systems can actually get in the way of understanding Scripture.

When we start with a doctrine or theological system and then go to the Bible looking for evidence to support it, we can end up seeing our doctrine in the text whether it’s actually there or not. Instead of allowing Scripture to shape our theology, we can unintentionally allow our theology to shape how we read Scripture. And when that happens, we may miss what the biblical authors were actually trying to communicate to their original readers.

Steve and Rich walk through several examples of what this can look like and why context is king when it comes to studying the Bible.

Unfortunately, misunderstanding how to study Scripture is becoming increasingly common, even among Christians. Our thinking can be shaped more by theological systems, traditions, or assumptions than by Scripture itself. So how do we get back to the text and let the Bible speak for itself?

That’s what Steve and Rich unpack in this episode, with practical examples and encouragement for anyone who wants to better understand God’s Word.

And next week, we’re going even more practical: How do we actually study the Bible? Join us!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement

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Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

49 | Sexuality Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

This is a monumental episode on Resident Strangers today as Steve and Rich have officially reached the end of the doctrinal statement of Desert Springs Community Church. Have no fear! This is only the beginning of topics that will be covered on this podcast. Over the last two weeks all things marriage have been discussed. There are so many things to include and discuss as this is an area the enemy seeks to attack. Core to how we as humans were created is the distinction between male and female being a part of God's perfect design. This is something that can feel obvious but over the years culture has attempted to change and blur these ideas. Humans have intrinsic moral worth because we bear God's image. With this in mind, is marriage exclusive to a biological man and a biological woman? The marriage relationship is a picture of community and oneness that ultimately reflects God. It is a fulfillment of God's design for who we are. Sexual practice outside of a marriage relationship between a biological man and biological woman is sin. It is really important for churches to be crystal clear on what they think and believe about sexuality. When thinking of a monogamous heterosexual marriage relationship how important is regular sexual intimacy? Is being in a "committed" relationship (not a marriage) enough to include sexual activity? Our culture has become this pendulum that swings because it is so caught up in thoughts and feelings that are not based on truth. Do feelings equal truth? The reality is that walking in disobedience, especially when there is knowledge of the truth, is only going to bring pain, conflict and hurt. This applies to all areas of sexual sin. A big part of the Christian life is reordering our desires to be in line with how God made us to be. It has been incredible covering the Desert Springs doctrinal statement over the last 10 months and Steve, Rich and Sarah look forward to more discussions on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

48 | Divorce May 28, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to part 2 of the discussion surrounding marriage! Last week the conversation centered around what God wants in and through marriage. This week Steve and Rich are discussing the difficult topic of divorce. The reality is that divorce trends are similar between the world and the Church. Steve states that divorce is not this "scarlet D" people have to wear as an unforgivable sin, but we do know that it is not God's ideal. God's ideal is one man and one woman together for one lifetime and Rich reiterates that it is God's desire that it would be permanent. Are there permissible grounds for divorced? Can a divorced person get remarried? What happens if someone in a Christian marriage walks away from the Lord? Steve and Rich discuss these things but start with encouraging people to not ever have divorce as an option on the table when things get difficult in marriage (this of course does not include instances of abuse). It is vital to recognize and understand the commitment that was made. Unfortunately, the Church has been heavily influenced by culture in this area. In Matthew 19 the Pharisees ask Jesus about divorce. Steve and Rich have slightly different interpretations of this passage though they agree on the fundamentals. What about adultery? How long should a couple try to make it work? Rich, Steve and Sarah stress that this conversation is not necessarily including situations of abuse. God is a God of redemption, and His grace can cover even the most difficult of circumstances. He can redeem the most broken situations in the world. We hope this discussion was helpful and insightful. We'll be back next week with part 3!

Josh + Rachel Fricovsky's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 117 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3PmYYm5IsZj00RVWgk9cHK?si=b00265aefc1d4d26
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Divorce Care - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2060995
Marriage Mentoring - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/900260
AZ Covenant Marriage License - https://azcourthelp.org/topics/marriage/covenant-marriage

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

47 | Marriage May 21, 2024

Show notes

Believe it or not Steve and Rich have reached the end of the doctrinal statement they've been working through. Time flies when you're having fun, right? This point will be split into three parts over the next three weeks. No need to worry about being at the end of the doctrinal statement as Steve and Rich have plenty more to talk about when it comes to thinking like a Christian in this foreign world. Today on the podcast Steve and Rich are tackling an issue that has become extremely divisive in our culture over the last few decades and that is the topic of marriage. It can clearly be seen in culture how the misunderstanding of marriage has caused so much damage. This conversation focuses on all the positive elements of the design that God has for marriage. Genesis is the first place marriage is seen in scripture and chapter 2 is where God's design is laid out. Marriage between a man and a woman is the most important relationship that humans will ever know or experience on earth. To be fully known, fully loved and fully trusted can be truly experienced in the commitment and covenant of marriage. Steve speaks to the idea that a spouse does not offer completion as that is found in a relationship with Jesus alone. Identity in Christ is what brings value and worth. If someone is single it does not mean they're "missing something." The episode ends with Sarah asking Steve and Rich how they feel their wives (Tami + Larissa 😊) best compliment them. Make sure you plan to join us next week for Part 2 of this conversation!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

46 | The Community of Christ May 14, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Resident Strangers! Steve and Rich are picking right back up with the importance of the Church. When someone comes to faith in Christ their priorities should certainly include the body of Christ. We are not only saved from sin but saved into the Church. Have you ever thought about what it would like if everyone was living fully invested in the body of Christ? God designed each person to be a part of this community. Steve uses the analogy of a cheetah stalking its' prey to talk through the protection that comes with being in the community of God. The evil one will always go for the one who is not living in that protection. Rich points out that being in the Church not only brings protection but also growth towards maturity. A key aspect of this involves humility and that is hard to deal with in the culture we live in. Sarah speaks to the importance of the Church when it comes to dating and marriage relationships. It's vital! Sometimes as Christians there has to be a willingness to call out and question behaviors and decisions. Steve brings up the unfortunate reality that church hurt does exist. There can be pain in the church, but Jesus gave us a way to deal with this in the community of faith. Steve shares that so many of the situations he is brought into as a pastor are because people don't deal with interpersonal relationships the way Jesus said to. Matthew 18:15-20 is a crucial passage to understand. This episode covers truths that are so important for believers to understand. We hope it encourages you and causes you to reflect on the importance of the Church.

Nate Fish's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 47 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1W8TIZTri2BtdeACRwOSDw?si=a9b0edb9ce474e06

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

45 | The Church May 07, 2024

Show notes

Steve and Rich are continuing in the Desert Springs doctrinal statement today talking about something very near and dear to their hearts; that is the church. What exactly is the church? Is it a specific building or place? How much do the people in the church matter? Does the church exist to merely provide "religious services"? What does it mean to be a member of a church? Rich encourages us to start with Jesus when thinking about these things. In the later part of Mark 3 Jesus states that the church really functions as a family. Jesus was essentially calling His followers to realign their thoughts on who they belong to. Is it fair for someone to say, "I love Jesus, but I don't love His church"? A lot of this comes down to the idea that our identity in Christ includes our identity in Christ's family - the Church! Steve speaks to the fact that many American Christians unfortunately have a complete misunderstanding of what the Church should be. It is not a building, a time of the week, a service provider; it is a community. We don't just go to church; we ARE the Church. The Church should not be a place that someone just comes and goes. Ephesians 2 speaks to temple language that was seen in the Old Testament and Rich helps to bring clarity on where God's presence now dwells. 1 Corinthians 12 also speaks to how God has gifted each person to serve and minster within the Church, a truly beautiful picture. The concept of a "solo Christian" is totally absent from the Bible. Have you ever thought about the fact that you don't just need the Church body but that the Church body needs you? Come back next week for part 2 of this conversation!

When the Church Was a Family by Joseph H. Hellerman: https://www.amazon.com/When-Church-Was-Family-Recapturing/dp/0805447792/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MZX6L7S4EWZ3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iNgW2eszfEH3pr7bRIAzl-V-apejhdZSCczY_nzKXDih3rRxFIQpyhGhgfdbTFeZ1tbv-Z-jeNu6z2KAVI4qO6IQ4T9b04j7h5R1CvDbxzs05j42ue7GvUykDgexzctknM8hNXuaOVwXeXsSjfs1JTvwMdpMwNURNbF-8VMjSx0S2XvOs1N-7C8dtQofUCdswQAmdmcxLPBNuriDg9llQL3KeH7Cq4gWgvx6xl4g6qg.qHKEdiKHWUQuN1o0maE67H7z8LVfZnPLmLMX5qxSEZ8&dib_tag=se&keywords=when+the+church+was+a+family&qid=1714593835&sprefix=when+the+church+%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1

Rich Holland's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 45: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4O9jSmbkZgC9taWVeRiqxS?si=24519f1c8d494e2d *available wherever you listen to podcasts

Steve Engram's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 100: https://open.spotify.com/episode/446WRLtZyjtY7hKf2IfR2N?si=ecace4448919474b
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

44 | Future Bodily Resurrection and The Bema Seat of Christ Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

This week on Resident Strangers Steve and Rich are continuing their discussion on the future bodily resurrection. Everything about the future bodily resurrection has to do with the resurrection of Jesus. Rich points out that Paul really frames this as something to bring believers hope. What exactly does it mean that bodies will be raised and restored? Paul again focuses on it being a spiritual body and not necessarily a physical body. Steve and Rich talk about how it appears in scripture that the bodies will be different from what we know now. Sarah asks about cremation and if that affects anything about this future resurrection. Rich and Steve quickly share their thoughts though they have slightly differing opinions on this. There may need to be a separate episode on that topic alone! All in all, a believer should look forward to the redemption of the body. There will be no sin and no temptation as all will be made new. The conversation turns to the idea of rewards that will be received in heaven. All who believe in Christ will appear at the Bema Seat of Christ. This is where rewards will be given based on what was done to build the Kingdom. This is another reason why living for Jesus today matters so greatly. 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 and Romans 14:10,12 all point to this judgement seat of Christ. How does justification received from faith fit into this? To clarify this does not have to do with salvation but rather it is an opportunity to live for Christ and serve Him well. This is an episode you'll want to take notes on!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

43 | Future Bodily Resurrection Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

The whole gang is back together on Resident Strangers! Rich is back from his break and is once again joining Steve and Sarah in the studio. They're jumping right back into the doctrinal statement held at Desert Springs, talking about the future bodily resurrection. This is a concept that brought hope to people who heard it then and continues to bring hope to believers now. Eternal life is truly brought through Jesus. The physical body is not what makes someone who they are, it is the spirit within. 2 Corinthians 5 says that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Those who believe in Jesus will live forever but the question is where? What exactly is included in the new earth? It is important to remember that this eternal life in the new earth is only for those who have believed and trusted in Jesus as their Savior. The reality is that hell is also a place that people will go after death. Jesus is very clear that hell is a real place, He talks about it quite a lot in the new testament. This is something that should seriously motivate believers to be sharing with those around them. When someone dies is there a place before the Great White Throne judgement? Is being in the presence of God immediate from the moment of death? Steve and Rich break those questions down. Near the end of the conversation Steve quotes C.T. Studd who said, "only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." Make sure you come back next Tuesday as this topic will be delved into further!

Steve Engram's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 100 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/446WRLtZyjtY7hKf2IfR2N?si=51e6ccc7ed964e49

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com