Leesburg Grace Teachings

References to Jesus Christ the Lord overwhelm Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In this episode Pastor Tim looks key passages that mention Jesus (24x), Christ (59x), the Lord (65). He begins by reading 1 Corinthians 15:3-12, 20-28. Then he shares seven truths about Jesus from the letter. Jesus is God in flesh (8:6). Jesus is the Crucified Savior (1:23; 2:2; 5:7; 11:23-26) Jesus is the Ri...

1 Corinthians provides a rich portrait of God the Father. In this episode, Pastor Tim describes 7 attributes of God mentioned in the opening chapter and reiterated throughout the book. This begins a new season of Leesburg Grace Teaching podcast, which will look at key themes in 1 Corinthians.

The apostle Paul encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). Easier said than done! The mind, brain, and body have a complex connection. Often we do not think about what we think about. Intrusive thoughts take hold before we can take them captive. In this final episode, Pastor Tim defines several terms from neuropsychology and provides a brief theology of the brain. T...

God made us for relationships (Gen. 1:26-28). Relationships are the cause of our greatest joy and greatest pains. In this episode, we will contrast healthy and unhealth (or toxic) relationships. We will consider characteristics of healthy relationships and warning flags in unhealthy relationships. John will provide an overview of many New Testament "one another" commands, and conclude wi...

In our fast-paced, digital age, we cannot escape the constant stream of unhealthy inputs to our bodies, brains, and relationships. We suffer sensory overload and it affects our sleep, diet, and overall mental health. This episode features descriptions of digital addiction, data about sleep and cell phones, and several ways in which our inputs enslave us. It concludes with four practices for regain...

Anger comprises a range of emotions that may lead to aggressive behavior and hostile attitudes. Because it is a natural response to perceived injustice, anger is not inherently bad. However, unhealthy expressions of anger can damage our bodies, minds, relationships, and spiritual life. In this episode John describes anger, helps us pay attention to our anger (e.g., safe spaces, triggers), and attu...

Thoughts flood our minds. Some flow in and out. Others get stuck and cause guilt, fear, or excessive rumination. In this session, we describe intrusive thoughts and how they affect our mind, body, relationships, and spiritual lives. We then provide advice for helping those who struggle with intrusive thoughts.

In this episode, we describe anxiety in its various forms (physical, social, panic attacks) tracing IFs (intensity, frequency, span) through two testimonies. Then we pay attention to anxiety clues in the body, mind, relationships, and spirit. Finally, we close with three principles for attuning to others' anxiety, so they are not alone in their struggle. Citations from The Anxiety Opportunity...

In this episode, we describe depression using several testimonies and tracing IFs (Intensity + Frequency + span). Next we consider how to attune to depression as it shows up in the body, mind, relationships, and spiritual life. Finally, we offer a few practical suggestions for attuning to those struggling with depression. Key resources: 1 Kings 18-19; Psalms 6, 13, 51, 88, 137. Hope Always by Matt...

The mental health crisis is real. We hear it in stories. We see it in data. This epidemic is an opportunity for the church to pay attention and attune to those suffering among them. In this introductory session, we will discuss the crisis and describe our approach to addressing it.

Scripture is revelation. God revealed himself in Scripture and Son because he wants to relate to us. This brief episode comes from the end of a sermon in the Gospel of Luke about Jesus's Transfiguration. You will hear for reflections on Scripture (or divine revelation) and two practices: attentive Bible reading and conversational prayer. The episode closes with a reading of Ephesians 1:14-17.

"The Bible knows no such thing as casual prayer." This remarkable insight from David Thomas's CT Article about prayer and revival frames my reflections on contending prayer. To contend in prayer is to imitate Jesus, ancient Israel, and the Holy Spirit who groans to bring new life to creation. Is your prayer to casual? Will you contend? (NOTE: The reference to Isaiah 62:7 was correct; however, it s...

Loneliness is dangerous and deadly. It hurts our bodies and distorts our souls. In this issue, I talk about the need for spiritual friends, four kinds of relationships in the New Testament, the role of spiritual companionship in our discipleship to Jesus. I draw upon insights from the Surgeon General's report on the Loneliness Epidemic , Michael Wilkins's biblical theology of discipleship, and Jes...

In this dialogue, Tim and Liz talk about the practice of solitude. Liz shares about her introduction to solitude, its development in recent years, and its positive impact on her spiritual life. Then she provides encouragement to those looking to begin the practice of solitude, including finding a quiet place, having realisitic expectations, and dealing with noise. Liz references Finding Quiet by J...

Jesus had a set of customs in his life (e.g., Luke 2:42; 4:16, 42; 9:18, 28; 22:39). We should, too. In this discipleship dialogue, Pastor Tim explains what it looks like to map your customs and why it matters. The more popular phrase for this idea is a Rule of Life . Mapping our Customs helps us pause, take our spiritual pulse, realign our passions toward God, and keep practicing on a daily, week...

To kick off the 2025 season of Discipleship Dialogues, Pastor Tim Sprankle talks about Simply Jesus Moments. The idea stems from the work of John Dickson, whose book The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission features talking points called "Jesus Bites." These are quick, culturally relevant stories about Jesus that can be helpful in everyday conversations. In his version, Sprankle provides four par...

In this final installment, we discuss our highest purpose: to glorify the Triune God. We also make a defense of praying to each member of the Trinity, as well as how our ordinances (Baptism and Communion) and spiritual formation are Trinitarian practices.

Our God is a missional God. Father, Son, and Spirit work together in reaching the world. They invite us to partipate in their mission. The storyline of God's mission runs through the Scriptures, unfolding in various stages. A critical part of our spiritual formation is to join God on his mission. This episode talks about it.

Father, Son, and Spirit work together in our salvation. This episode describes the roles each person plays, as well as defines terms like "order of salvation" and "atonement." Ephesians 1:3-14 is a key text.

The Father, Son, and Spirit collaborated in creation. This is the first of three episodes describing the economic Trinity. From the beginning of creation to its daily preservation, each member of the Trinity plays a part. This episode considers key Scriptures and theological insights about collaboration in creation.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus had a special relationship with the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the Spirit guided him in his ministry. Then the Spirit became Jesus's personal gift to the church, empowering believers to bear witness to him and give glory to the Father. A fundamental way we give glory to the Father is by becoming like the Son with the Spirit's aid. This episode engendered great dialogue...

Jesus and the Father have a special relationship. We see the dynamic play out during Jesus's earthly ministry. He is beloved of the Father. He obeys the Father. This blessed relationships opens the door for Jesus's followers to experience the Father's abiding love (John 17:24).

This episode surveys Old and New Testament teaching on the Holy Spirit. Sadly, pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit) often gets caught up in debates about how spiritual gifts play out today (continuation vs. cessation). While that is mentioned in this lesson, more focus is given to the Holy Spirit's nature, intimacy, and role in our growth.

Jesus, Son of God, is the second person of the Trinity. His Sonship speaks to his eternal, affectionate relationship to the Father. Jesus was the perfect image and human embodiment of the Father. His life modeled full submission to the Father and reliance on the Spirit. Not only did he atone for our sins but he currently intercedes and advocates for his people. We can be with him and become like h...

This talk explores several characteristics and actions of the Heavenly Father. The Father is eternal and immaterial; creative, loving, and generous; the source of all life. The Father is always the sender, never the one sent: he sent the Son and Spirit. The Father adopts us into his family. This episode cites many biblical texts, mostly from the New Testament.