Fridays at First

Can you trust the Bible? How can you understand what you read—and share your faith when it feels awkward? In this episode of Fridays at First, our pastors answer Bible questions submitted by youth students at First Baptist Church Oak Grove. The conversation moves from trusting Scripture and building consistent Bible-reading habits to deeper questions about people who have never heard the gospel, i...

What is truth—and how can we know what is true when everyone has a different opinion? In this episode of Fridays at First, the podcast from First Baptist Church Oak Grove, we explore “my truth,” the limits of our feelings, and why Christians look to Jesus and Scripture as the foundation for truth. We also welcome Lincoln, our new young adult and outreach pastor, to the podcast conversation! From e...

How do you read the Bible, understand what it means, and apply it to your life? Whether you are a new Christian, returning to Scripture after some time away, or struggling to maintain a consistent reading habit, this conversation offers practical guidance for approaching God’s Word. In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Brett and Pastor Nick discuss where to begin reading the Bible, how...

Do churches just want your money? It’s an understandable question—especially when some churches and religious leaders have used guilt, false promises, or spiritual manipulation to pressure people into giving. In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, we examine what the Bible actually says about giving to the church. We discuss the difference between healthy biblical teaching and financial...

How do you know when something has become an idol in your life? Idolatry is not limited to bowing before a statue. Anything—even something good—can become an idol when it takes the place in our hearts, priorities, and lives that belongs to God. In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Brett and Pastor Nick discuss how to identify idols in your life, why they can be difficult to recognize,...

Who holds pastors accountable, and what does biblical pastoral accountability actually look like? In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Pastor Nick and Brett discuss pastoral authority, church governance, spiritual abuse, and the responsibility churches have to hold their leaders accountable to the Word of God. Pastors are called to lead and shepherd the church, but they are never above...

How can you know if you’re really saved? Can Christians actually have assurance of salvation—or should we always wonder whether our faith is genuine? In this episode of Fridays at First, we talk about what the Bible says about genuine saving faith, assurance of salvation, good works, repentance, spiritual growth, and Jesus’ sobering words in Matthew 7: “I never knew you.” We also explore the diffe...

Does church growth mean a church is unhealthy? And what does healthy, biblical church growth actually look like? In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, we talk about church growth, discipleship, small groups, church traditions, contextualization, and what really makes a church healthy. A large church is not automatically healthy—and a small church is not automatically healthy either. Rat...

Why are Christians so easily offended, and how should followers of Jesus respond when someone hurts them? The gospel changes how Christians handle conflict by directing our attention away from defending ourselves and toward the forgiveness, grace, and love demonstrated by Jesus. In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Nick and Brett discuss why conflict happens even in healthy churches, h...

Do Christians really need to join a church? Can someone follow Jesus faithfully by reading the Bible, watching sermons, and practicing Christianity independently—or does God call every believer to become an active part of a local church? In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Nick and Brett examine what the Bible teaches about church membership, Christian community, accountability, and o...

Is Jesus the only way to God, or do all religions ultimately lead to the same destination? In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Nick and Brett examine why Christians believe Jesus is the only way—and how we can communicate that conviction with confidence, humility, and love. Different religions make fundamentally different claims about God, Jesus, salvation, and eternity. They cannot a...

What is the kingdom of God, and how should understanding it change the way Christians live today? In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Pastor Nick and Brett discuss the rule and reign of Jesus, what theologians mean when they say God’s kingdom is “already, but not yet,” and why Christians can live with hope and purpose while still experiencing the brokenness of this world. They also ex...

How should Jesus’ return change the way Christians live today? In this episode, we discuss what it means to faithfully steward what God has given us, why Jesus brings both peace and division, and how He responds to difficult questions about tragedy and evil. This episode of the Fridays at First podcast revisits three recent messages from the Gospel of Luke. Rather than merely looking forward to es...

Why does serving matter in the Christian life? Serving others is more than an optional church activity, it is one of the ways Christians follow Jesus, demonstrate His love, build meaningful relationships, and learn to put others first. In this student takeover episode of the Fridays at First podcast, four student leaders from First Baptist Church Oak Grove share what motivated them to begin servin...

What does ministry really look like beyond preaching, teaching, and what people see on stage? In this episode of the Fridays at First podcast, Pastor Nick, Brett, Carrie, and guest Tyler Shook have an honest conversation about the realities and rewards of Christian ministry. They discuss the unseen work that happens behind the scenes, the financial sacrifices ministers sometimes make, the importan...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we take a deeper dive into Sunday’s sermon, exploring key themes, answering questions, and discussing how to apply biblical truths to everyday life. Whether you missed the message or want to dig deeper, join us each Friday for practical insights and meaningful conversations. Sermon:   https://youtu.be/xUrVj7ijRgI?t=1857   Key Passage: E...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we explore biblical truths and discuss how they shape everyday life. This week, we're asking an important question: Why does youth ministry matter? Join us as we discuss the unique challenges teenagers face today, common misconceptions about youth ministry, how parents can faithfully disciple their students, why some young adults wa...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we explore biblical truths and answer questions about the Christian faith. This week, we’re tackling one of the most challenging and often misunderstood questions in Scripture: What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Is there really an unforgivable sin? Join us as we examine what the Bible teaches, address common concerns, and discus...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we take a deeper dive into Sunday’s sermon, exploring key themes, answering questions, and discussing how to apply biblical truths to everyday life. Whether you missed the message or want to dig deeper, join us each Friday for practical insights and meaningful conversations. Sermon:   https://youtu.be/u_lUcdIknS0?t=1783   Key Passage: L...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we explore faith, ministry, and life together. This week, we’re doing something a little different as we sit down with our new church intern, Carrie Arterbery. Join us as we hear her story, learn about her call to ministry, and have some fun with a few get-to-know-you questions along the way. It’s a great opportunity to get to know Carr...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we take a deeper dive into Sunday’s sermon, exploring key themes, answering questions, and discussing how to apply biblical truths to everyday life. Whether you missed the message or want to dig deeper, join us each Friday for practical insights and meaningful conversations. Sermon:   https://youtu.be/XtCBVUlckUU?t=1277   Key Passage: L...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we dive into meaningful conversations about faith, ministry, and following Jesus in everyday life. In this episode, instead of revisiting Sunday’s sermon, we discuss discipleship and church growth, exploring what it means to make disciples faithfully, how healthy churches grow, common misconceptions about growth, and how churches can st...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we dive into meaningful conversations about faith, ministry, and following Jesus in everyday life. In this episode, instead of revisiting Sunday’s sermon, we explore the topic of church growth, discussing what healthy growth looks like, common misconceptions, challenges churches face, and how churches can stay focused on the Gospel whil...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we take a deeper dive into Sunday’s sermon, exploring key themes, answering questions, and discussing how to apply biblical truths to everyday life. Whether you missed the message or want to dig deeper, join us each Friday for practical insights and meaningful conversations. Sermon:   https://youtu.be/DuuLyYIQ07g?t=1819   Key Passage: E...

Fridays at First is a weekly podcast from FBC Oak Grove where we take a deeper dive into Sunday’s sermon, exploring key themes, answering questions, and discussing how to apply biblical truths to everyday life. Whether you missed the message or want to dig deeper, join us each Friday for practical insights and meaningful conversations. Sermon:   https://youtu.be/t1CPOkGRdI0?t=1312   Key Passage: L...