Families for Life

CONTENT ADVISORY: This episode looks at the topic of evil and discusses current events that may not be suitable for everyone to hear about. Please exercise discretion or pre-screen for younger ears. Every honest person can look around at the world and plainly see the problem of evil. Why does evil exist? What can we do about evil? Are people basically good? In a special Pastors Perspective, Bryan...

Bryan and Brian draw their Understanding God’s Word series to a close by pulling everything together to examine how to study the Bible. When we consider the list of tools and topics covered in this series, we should not be intimidated at the thought of Bible study. These episodes are designed to help make studying the Scriptures more accessible to everyone, and to help mature us in our faith throu...

This week on Families For Life, Bryan and Brian continue their series about Understanding God’s Word with an examination of the last type of genres found within the Scriptures: the Epistles. The word epistle means “letter,” and the epistles of the Bible are considered the letters found in the New Testament. To paraphrase one pastor, it’s like reading someone else’s mail. These letters often gave c...

This week, Bryan and Brian return to their examination of Scripture series Understanding God’s Word, and this is arguably one of the most difficult aspects to understand–prophecy and revelation. Prophecy uses a lot of metaphorical language, imagery, and symbolism which can lead to misinterpretation and confusion. Prophecy is not merely telling the future. It is the proclamation of God’s message. T...

We are excited to return with another Parenting Profile on Families For Life! This week, Bryan and Brian are joined by Gary and Mallory Bilger to discuss their family history, dynamic, and approach to parenting. They have three children ages 13, 12, and 9 who enjoy participating in the ministries offered to their age groups. Gary is a member of the air national guard, so the family operates with h...

Bryan and Brian continue their examination of the types of literature found in the Bible as we seek to Understand God’s Word. In part 5 of our series, the guys zero in on Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon.) Although songs, poems, and proverbs are sprinkled throughout other places in Scripture, these books of the Bible are commonly considered “wisdom literat...

As we seek to Understand God’s Word, we will learn that throughout the history of creation, God has worked through covenants. Bryan and Brian examine the covenants of Scripture, and discuss the laws that arose out of them. Brian Van Doren summed up this episode well when he said that it is like mining for gold. The work may seem tedious, but it reveals great treasure in the end. What are the parts...

Stories can be true, and the story of the Bible is true! It is important to understand, though, that the Bible is both a collection of stories and one overarching story. These stories are presented in various literary forms including poetry, historical narrative, parables, and more. Bryan and Brian continue their series of episodes Understanding God’s Word with a rapid fire examination of the idea...

"Context is key!" What does this mean? In our last episode, Bryan and Brian framed the new series Understanding God's Word and discussed the idea of Hermeneutics so we can begin to develop a framework for meaning when we study the Scriptures. This week, the guys examine how looking into the background of a text to gain the context it was written in can go a long way in understanding because it can...

Bryan and Brian begin a new series that seeks to Understand God’s Word, beginning with a look at hermeneutics, rules, and application. The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was asked by Philip if he understood the prophecy of Isaiah that the eunuch was reading. The response in Acts 8:31 was “How can I, except some man should guide me?” Philip’s guidance led to rejoicing by the Ethiopian once he understoo...

Bryan and Brian have a Top 3 on deck this week, examining their favorite resources for Christian living. While we never replace the Bible as the only sufficient authority for Christian faith and practice, there are solid resources that can help us to better understand the truths of scripture and how to apply them to our lives. With this in mind, the guys discuss their most impactful resources that...

Bryan and Brian return from Summer break and dive into the deepest part of the current cultural pool as they examine the issue of life. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? When does life begin? Most importantly, what does the Bible have to say and have to do with these issues. The decision by the Supreme Court to overturn a monumental decision about “women’s reproductive rights” has...

On this Independence Day special of Families For Life Bryan and Brian discuss the topic of Freedom, comparing the freedom that some nations like the USA enjoy to the true freedom found in Christ. Mature Christians recognize that spiritual freedom and material freedom are two different things, and we can have freedoms and still be enslaved to sin. How should we view patriotism as followers of Jesus...

Bryan and Brian dig down into a new Biblical Balance discussing legalism and antinomianism. They have been called the twin heresies, and both have God’s law in view. Legalism places an emphasis on God’s law that expects more out of the believer than he can possibly bear. Antinomianism (literally “anti law” at its etymological root) downplays God’s law upon the life of the believer. How do we navig...

Brian and Bryan mix it up this week with an episode dedicated to discussing the top 3 places that each of them have visited. From mission trips to majestic vacations, the guys explain the favorite travel destinations they’ve experienced, and offer some insights from these trips. Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on...

Our Hard Talks series wraps up by looking at the conversations that we have with children about the future. These hard talks are to be had over time, and they mature along with your children. So, these conversations look different at different ages, but the subjects are necessary and good. How do we talk to our children about growing up, about death, and about eternity? These are just a few of the...

Content Advisory: This episode deals with adult themes. . . This week on Families For Life, Bryan and Brian are joined by guest Matt Higgins. Matt is the Pastor of Worship and Communications at Northwoods church in Evansville, Indiana and he is a certified Biblical counselor.  It’s long been one of the hardest of Hard Talks for parents to have, the “sex talk.” With culture pushing disordered sexua...

The Hard Talks series returns! This week, Bryan and Brian are focusing in on the difficult conversations that parents have to have with their kids around the subject of friendship. What types of friends should we encourage our kids to have? How do we help them navigate friendships as they grow up? All of this and much more are presented in this episode. Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Ba...

We're debuting a new feature this week: Parenting Profiles! Bryan and Brian will begin periodically sitting down with folks to discuss their family dynamics, their parenting styles, and most importantly, the biblical principles that shape these aspects of their households. In this first edition, the guys are joined by John and Michelle Luttrell. The Luttrells are active in the life of Oakhill, and...

The next installment of Hard Talks on the Families For Life podcast focuses on the topic of failure. Bryan and Brian look at the types of failure, some of the different effects that failure can have on our lives, and the lessons we can learn through failure from a Christian context. How can we have a right understanding of failure that we can then build into our children? Gain a better understandi...

This week, Bryan and Brian examine the topic of another Hard Talk with the subject of character. Did you know that the dictionary definition of character is very simple and vague? It opens true character up to a variety of interpretations. As Christians, we want to define character according to the scriptures, so that we can possess a biblical character that impacts who we are and what we do in a...

Bryan and Brian begin a new series of episodes called ‘Hard Talks.’ This is a series of episodes geared toward helping parents to approach difficult conversations with their children on a variety of important topics. This first episode examines a biblical understanding of obedience. Why is it important to be obedient? How do parents train their kids in obedience? If you aren’t a parent, there’s st...

With Brian out welcoming his new daughter, Bryan is joined by Pastor Alan Scott for a Pastor’s Perspective on this week’s Families For Life Podcast. Pastor Alan discusses “Things I’ve said a million times,” as he looks at ideas that have shaped his ministry and leadership over the years. It is an edifying and personal discussion about a few of the concepts that have helped Oakhill Baptist Church t...

Bryan and Brian look back on our recent cultural watershed to reflect upon two years since the COVID virus changed the world. How have we moved forward from the days when society had very little information to go on? How do we continue to move forward now? For Christians, part of the answer is rediscovering the importance of coming back to corporate worship in the church building. As a result of t...

Brian and Bryan are back with a special for Easter, examining the theology, history, and trends associated with this Christian holiday.  In the midst of this season, how can we focus our hearts on the meaning for our celebration, and what types of things can families do to engage their young people to get excited about the resurrection of Jesus? Find out in this episode! Families For Life is a pod...