Following Jesus

One of the biggest differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christians is that the Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate Christmas. They believe it’s a holiday rooted in pagan traditions and that it is not approved by God. So in this video, we’ll look at the reasons they give for not celebrating it, and what they get wrong about Christmas’s historical origins. Why the Jehovah’s Witnesses Are a Cu...

After Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes, the people wanted to make Him king. But they had some misunderstandings about who Jesus was and why He came. So in today’s Bible study, we’ll see what the people got wrong and why Jesus claimed to be the bread of life. That’s coming up in today’s episode of the Following Jesus Podcast. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a...

I really wish I didn’t have to address this ridiculous conspiracy theory. But because I see Christians making this claim every year around this time, today I’m going to show you why Christmas trees aren’t pagan. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a passion for expository teaching, biblical theology, and Christian apologetics. Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads: @itsdavid...

In this week’s Bible study, we’re looking at John 6, which contains one of the most famous stories in the Bible: Jesus feeding the 5,000. We’ll see how Jesus takes one boy’s basket of five loaves and two fishes, and uses it to feed thousands of hungry people. And throughout this episode, I’m going to point out relevant truths and practical applications for our lives. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I...

I recently debated Noah (also known as Jesus and Whatnot) on the topic of Sola Scriptura. I argued for Sola Scriptura—affirming that the Bible is our only infallible rule of faith. Jesus and Whatnot argued against it, claiming that Scripture is not the only infallible authority for Christians. In this video, I’m going to debrief the debate, unpack what was discussed, and share my honest thoughts—i...

In John 5, Jesus makes some very controversial claims about Himself—claiming that He’s God, that He judges the world, and that you can only have eternal life by believing in Him. And His words were offensive, so the Bible says, “the Jews sought the more to kill him.” So in today’s Bible study, we’ll see what those claims were, the evidence for believing them, and the real reason why people rejecte...

In this video, I’m going to show you 5 major differences between Mormons (AKA Latter-day Saints) and Christians. From polytheism, to rejecting the Trinity, to their very unorthodox views about Jesus—it is undeniable that Mormons aren’t Christians, but are rather a cult. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a passion for expository teaching, biblical theology, and Christian apologet...

I recently debated Noah (also known as Jesus and Whatnot) on the topic of Sola Scriptura. I argued for Sola Scriptura—affirming that the Bible is our only infallible rule of faith. Jesus and Whatnot argued against it, claiming that Scripture is not the only infallible authority for Christians. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a passion for expository teaching, biblical theology...

Today, we’re looking at John 5 to see the story of Jesus healing a crippled man at the pool of Bethesda. We’ll see a man who couldn’t walk for 38 years and what happens when Jesus tells him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” And despite the great miracle, the religious Jews became angry—leading Jesus to one of His many claims to deity. That’s all coming up in this episode of the Following Jesus p...

Did the Catholic Church give us the Bible? Recently, I made a video explaining that the Catholic Church didn’t give us the Bible—God did. But Sam Ockeloen (AKA CatholicSam) made a response, arguing that the Bible came from God through the Catholic Church and that, therefore, the Catholic Church did give us the Bible. So today, I’m going to respond CatholicSam’s rebuttal—showing that the Catholic C...

Today, we continue our verse-by-verse study through the Gospel of John. And in this episode, we’re looking at the time when Jesus heals the nobleman’s son. We’ll see Christ’s miraculous power, how faith sometimes gets tested, how Jesus can provide in ways that nothing else can, and that God is with us in both the good times and the bad times of life. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor...

Today, we’re looking at the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, part 2. In part 1, Jesus went to Samaria, had a conversation with the woman, and revealed Himself to her as the Messiah. And in this Bible study, we’ll see her response and how she immediately tells the whole town about Jesus. Then, at the end, I’ll give you 5 practical lessons from this story. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a...

What if I told you that there’s a type of water you can drink that’ll make you never thirsty again? Well, that’s what Jesus tells the woman at the well in John 4. And in today’s Bible study, we’re looking at this story in detail, studying it verse by verse. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a passion for expository teaching, biblical theology, and Christian apologetics. Follow m...

Out of all the sins we commit, I think that selfishness might be the most common one. But today, we’re looking at a man who was anything but selfish. And that’s John the Baptist, who famously said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” So in today’s Bible study, we’ll look at John 3 to learn about him and get some practical takeaways for our lives. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pasto...

In John 3, Jesus has a conversation with an unsaved Pharisee named Nicodemus. Jesus teaches about being born again, His future death on the cross, the love of God, and how we need to believe in Him. And it’s in this chapter that we see the words of the most famous verse in the Bible—John 3:16. So, in today’s Bible study, we’ll see how Jesus explains the gospel. Is Baptism Required for Salvation? -...

Today, we’re looking at John 2, which tells about the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. We’ll see the stories of Jesus turning the water into wine, Him flipping the tables in the temple, and His prediction of His own death and resurrection. And at the end, I’ll give you five practical takeaways that you can start applying to your life today. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with...

Today, we’re looking at John 1, where we find the origin stories of Jesus’ first disciples—Andrew, John, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael. We’ll see an introduction to each of these men and how they came to Jesus, learning valuable lessons that we can apply to our lives today. Why the Office of the Pope Is Unbiblical — https://youtu.be/6f9kxmvmL7E Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a...

Today, we’re looking at John the Baptist, who according to Jesus was the greatest prophet of all time. We’ll see how the Bible describes him, and what his true purpose in life was. And I’ll show you the one thing that every Christian should have in common with him. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a passion for expository teaching, biblical theology, and Christian apologetics....

John 1 is possibly the most important chapter in the Bible when it comes to the identity and deity of Jesus Christ. So in today’s Bible study, we’ll be looking at the first 14 verses to learn about the deity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the Incarnation. And I’m going to share with you six powerful truths about Jesus. The Deity of Jesus Explained — https://youtu.be/lbuc0WVoVro Hey! I’m David Cipriano...

Today we’re looking at the last words of Joshua, one of the greatest heroes in the Bible. We’ll see his final challenge to the Israelites, and how his words to them are equally relevant to us today. And I’ll show you how Joshua is really a picture of Jesus. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor with a passion for expository teaching, biblical theology, and Christian apologetics. Follow m...

Today, we’re looking at Joshua 22, where we see a conflict between the tribes of Israel. It’s when the 2 1/2 tribes outside Canaan built an altar, and the tribes inside Canaan believed that they’d started serving pagan gods. And we’re going to see that these insider tribes made some foolish assumptions and false accusations against the outsiders. So in this Bible study, we’ll talk about why there...

Sola Scriptura is one of the most debated doctrines in the church today, because while Catholic and Orthodox Christians reject this doctrine, it’s believed by most Protestants. And as a Baptist who affirms this doctrine, I want to highlight some of the verses commonly given against it. I’ll show you why these verses don’t actually disprove it and why Sola Scriptura is a biblical belief. Hey! I’m D...

There’s often more to something than meets the eye, and that’s the case with these two chapters in the Bible, Joshua 20 and 21. These chapters describe the cities of refuge and the cities for the Levites. And even though that might not sound super exciting at first, there’s a lot of depth and beauty to these chapters when we really dig in. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor who wants...

In Joshua 13–19, the Israelite tribes are receiving their portions in the Promised Land, and they’re reminded that the job of conquering the Canaanites isn’t finished yet. So in today’s Bible study, we’re looking at these seven chapters and highlighting some practical takeaways for our lives. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor who wants to help others follow Jesus. Follow me on Instag...

The conquest of Canaan in the book of Joshua is one of the most controversial parts of the Bible. And for many Christians, it’s one of the toughest things to explain. Skeptics often call this story a genocide—and from what the Bible itself says, that may seem accurate. But in this episode, I’m going to explain why this wasn’t a genocide. And we’ll look at the context and the historical data to bri...