Tension

As we begin to take a fresh look at our faith, it's easy to go from the religious fundamentalism we grew up around and turn that into fundamentalism against Christianity. In the first episode of our new format, we look at the tension between deconstructing our faith and deconverting from it and how we have to decide if we’re deconstructing the toxic parts we grew up around while trying to find Jes...

After our episode on Christians and alcohol last season, we got a lot of questions about cannabis use as Christians. Today we attempt to tackle that topic while also giving you a gigantic, life altering announcement about the show. If you don't care about weed but want to hear about the announcement, fast forward to 24 minutes. Love you, bye. __________________ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g...

The church is supposed to be a place of refuge - one where we can follow Jesus together with other believers. But unfortunately that isn't always the case. This week we give four responses for you to walk through as you begin to process the hurt you've experienced. For a FREE week of Better Help (not sponsored):  http://www.unlearningyouthgroup.com/help PS - a couple four letter words slipped...

It seems like everywhere we look, people are talking about how they've been hurt by the church. Many of us have experienced it ourselves. But how should we respond when someone tells us the church has hurt them? This week we give you three ways to respond when you're having those conversations. __________________ Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/dFJ2GOASNN8 Get your merch or submit a funny youth...

Some call it the Billy Graham Rule, others the Mike Pence Rule. Regardless of the name, there's an idea amongst Christians that married people can't be friends with someone of the opposite gender. It even got Matt Chandler suspended. But is a hard rule against it really the way it should be? This week we talk about the friendship dynamics with the opposite gender when you're married. _____________...

One of the most damaging thing of youth group in the 90's and 00's was purity culture. But that doesn't mean we don't teach biblical sexual ethics to our kids and students. This week we talk about the difference between teaching sexual purity and what became purity culture before offering what we believe is a better way moving forward. __________________ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OB5in3OT...

It's the age old debate: can (or should) Christians drink alcohol? This week we look at the three main views on how American Christians have approached alcohol, look at what scripture says about it, and give you a game to play for the next time you think about drinking. __________________ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ElU3SV_l_Yo Get your merch or share your funny youth group story at: https:...

Women make up half our population but only 20% of pastors are women. Is that by design? Are we not ordaining women when we should be? What is the role of women in ministry? In this week's episode, we dive into the distinctions between complementarianism and egalitarianism, discuss the Biblical examples of women serving in ministry, and try to figure out how we should view women in ministry as we m...

Did you grow up reading the Left Behind books? Or do memories from A Thief in the Night still haunt you? This week we talk about rapture theology, the anxiety it caused, and how we should approach that topic moving forward. Plus Eric leaves a little treat at the end. __________________ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KnrzRYg2NE Buy merch or send in your youth group story at http...

You've heard the phrase love the sinner, hate the sin. But is it even biblical? Should we be using it? This week we talk about the origins of that phrase, how it's harmful to those around us, and what a better way forward would be. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi2-37gJvsY Share your Youth Group story or buy merch: http://www.unlearningyouthgroup.com Follow us on social: http:/...

Merry Christmas everybody! We're here with a bonus episode of the podcast - and the first ever YouTube episode - putting together our Top 5 Worst Christmas Song list. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MnhYr9cOYg Get Merch or share your youth group story: https://unlearningyouthgroup.com Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone http://instagram.com/ericw712 https:/...

Politics are a necessary evil. As Christians, we should be active in them, but to what extent? In the final episode of Season 5, we talk about how we got to the point in the church where we are divided by politics instead of united by Christ. After looking at that history, we discuss a healthier - and holier - view of how Christians should frame politics into their daily life. Follow us on social:...

Before the fall, God commanded us to care for the earth. It was one of our first duties as humans. But in most evangelical churches, we were taught climate change was just a left wing hoax and that people who cared about the planet were hippies. This week we talk about how we can disagree on the governmental policies, but we have to care for our planet and steward God's creation. Follow us on soci...

We were taught marriage is a religious covenant between a couple and God - which it is - in some forms. However, the Bible didn’t address health care, power of attorney, and other things relevant to today’s culture - the things that make up governmental marriage. In this episode we talk about the three different types of marriage we see throughout history and how equal rights under the government...

Most of us grew up in the height of the Pro Life movement and were taught Christians had always believed abortion in any form was wrong and that life absolutely begins at conception. But did you know that view doesn't match up historically with past views on abortion within the Church? This week we talk about the history of the Pro Life movement and how we got to a place where many Christians woul...

Have you ever been taught the racial history of the Bible? Or about the rich depth of the early African church? If you're like most Christians - the answer to that is no. In this week's episode we look at two parts of the racist history within the Church (whitewashing and color blindness) and try to find a better path moving forward. Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone http:/...

The first two episodes of this season were big picture views at how we should approach politics and government. Now we start getting into the weeds where things are messy. This week we talk about what Christian Nationalism is (and what it isn't!), where it came from, and how we should approach Christian Nationalism in our culture today. Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone htt...

Last episode was getting a little long so we cut this segment out as its own bonus episode. We talk about the concept of campfires and how American culture has elevated political campfires over all others. Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone http://instagram.com/ericw712 https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathan_carone https://www.tiktok.com/@ericw712 https://www.twitter.com/@jonathan...

"Yuh cain't be a democrat and be a Christian!" - Many of us were taught that growing up. But is it true? Is there only one political party for Christians? And if it's true - why are so many younger Christians going away from that idea? This week we talk about the tribalism that comes with our current political climate and how Christians should approach things differently. Follow us on social: http...

If you grew up in the evangelical church, you were probably taught there was one certain way to vote if you were a Christian. The problem with that was Jesus never spoke on how to apply our religious beliefs to government. In this week's episode, we unlearn what we were taught growing up and talk about how Christians actually should approach politics and government. Follow us on social: http://ins...

Season 5 is going to be totally different from the last four. Before we get into it, there are some ground rules you need to know about. In this preview episode we talk about why we're doing things differently, what we hope to accomplish, and what you can expect over the next eight weeks. Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone http://instagram.com/ericw712 https://www.tiktok.com...

How do we live in the tensions between modifying our behavior to avoid sin and being free because of God's grace poured out through Jesus? That's the underlying question in almost everything we've talked about in four seasons, so we're closing out season four talking about it. Plus we give you a preview of what Season 5 (starting September 12) will look like and what you can expect with that. Foll...

A friend is a friend forever, right? Especially if the Lord's the Lord of them. But seriously, church camp was usually a pretty great experience. We made leaps in our faith and built relationships that are still around today. But how do we get church camp experiences now that we're adults? Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone http://instagram.com/ericw712 https://www.tiktok.co...

Ricky Bobby said it and thousands of preachers started copying it. But did you know that phrase has had a lasting impact on an entire generation? This week we talk about its impact and how to talk to and about our spouses and kids in healthier ways. Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone http://instagram.com/ericw712 https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathan_carone https://www.tiktok.com...

Did you ever hear an altar call that included giving your life to full-time Christian service? This week we talk about how we elevated being a missionary or going into full-time ministry into the goal of the Christian. Plus we talk about the Power Team. Follow us on social: http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone http://instagram.com/ericw712 https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathan_carone https://www.tiktok...