The Legend of the Martyr

Peter and John are arrested and dragged before the Sanhedrin.

We learn of a 5th century patriarch of the Church and hear Peter's second sermon in the book of Acts.

In honor of the anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V on June 25, 1530, today we hear the full letter of what the Lutherans believed about Scripture and the Gospel, and what they were willing to even risk their lives for, that such a Gospel of Jesus Christ may continue to be shared. The text is read from https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/augs...

We learn some stories of the persecution of Christians in Japan and then conclude Acts 2.

We learn about an eighth century priest who helped share the gospel in Germany and then hear Peter's Pentecost sermon.

A free resource for congregations to encourage and equip their families to teach the faith at home. https://sandhandrews.wordpress.com/resources/faith-at-home-milestone-series/

We learn about the Venerable Bede, a priest and monk in the 7th-8th century, and hear the beginning of Luke's account of Pentecost.

Esther is at first hesitant, but ultimately stands up in love for her neighbor at risk of her own life. Matthias is chosen and appointed the twelfth apostle.

We learn about a pair of brothers who share the faith with the Slavic peoples in part by creating an alphabet so that they can read the Word of God, and also by serving amongst them. Then we begin a new Bible study on the book called The Acts of the Apostles, better-known today simply as "Acts." Cyril and Methodius references: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qMfqG6IRzA https://www.youtu...

Funerals are another opportunity to proclaim the hope that you have in Christ to your loved ones. Funeral planning worksheet mentioned: https://www.hope-aurora.org/docs/FPW/FPWWorksheet.pdf

21st century - 30 martyrs killed by ISIS in April 2015 4th century - 40 martyrs killed by Rome in 320 AD There's nothing new under the sun!

We take a look at Christian persecution in Finland, Canada, Nigeria, and Iran specifically. Mentioned in the episode was an annual persecution report which can be downloaded here: https://persecution.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Global-Persecution-Index.pdf

We learn of a faithful family, of whose ten children, five are considered saints by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. We also study together from Matthew 7:1-6.

Declining populations have already begun to happen in nearly 1/3 of the world's countries, a number that will only increase in the years to come unless children are seen as a gift again. As Christians, how can we love and serve our neighbors faithfully in such a setting?

We read selections from Matthew 21-28 for this our celebration of Holy Week, focusing on Christ's death and resurrection.

Today's interview is with LCMS career missionary, Makia Adler, currently training in the Dominican Republic, preparing to serve as the volunteer coordinator in Belize. You can learn more about her and her work at https://www.lcms.org/adler where you can also sign up to receive her monthly newsletter (it's a link in the right column)

We learn about some of the men who helped bring God's Word into English as well as continuing our Bible study with Matthew 6:16-34.

We learn about Joseph, the Guardian of Jesus and also about Joseph, the Patriarch, and the other ten Josephs mentioned in the Bible. Then we start into Matthew 6.

We explore several New Testament passages for a solid Biblical foundation for why suffering happens and what role it has in our lives.

We learn of the people Paul speaks of in his epistle to Philemon.

We learn of a first century bishop and then hear Jesus' teaching on how we are the light of the world when it comes to anger, lust, and divorce.

1st century bishop of Pergamum, often suggested that he was martyred in 92 AD.

We cover a wide variety of topics: martyrdom, fleeing, violence, worship, vocation, evangelism, worldview, law and gospel, love, hate, judging, truth and lies

We learn about one of the brothers who traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys.

We learn about Timothy, a 1st century Christian, pastor, bishop, and confessor of the faith, and read from one of Paul's letters to him.