Equip The Next

The digital landscape is rapidly changing how we encounter spiritual messages, and not always for the better. Deepfakes, AI-generated content, and manipulated media are creating a troubling new frontier where false teachers and prophets can appear startlingly authentic—all without saying a word themselves.

Our exploration of this phenomenon reveals how easily AI can now mimic trusted voices in Christian circles, creating s...

Have you ever been fooled by something that looked real but wasn't? As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly sophisticated, Christians face new challenges in discerning truth from deception online.

In this thought-provoking episode, I share my own encounter with an AI-generated video that attempted to portray a church leader in a controversial situation. The experience highlighted how easy it can be to fall for...

Have you ever struggled to clearly articulate what the gospel actually is? You're not alone. Many believers know Jesus saved them but stumble when asked to explain exactly what that means. This episode tackles this fundamental question head-on, breaking down the essence of Christianity's core message in practical, approachable terms.

The beauty of the gospel lies in its simplicity and accessibility. Salvation is ...

What would you do if someone told you Jesus was returning tomorrow? For the Thessalonian Christians, many abandoned their responsibilities and simply waited. Paul's second letter to this community reveals a fascinating window into early church challenges that mirror our own modern dilemmas.

The Thessalonians had received fraudulent information—a fake letter claiming to be from Paul himself—suggesting Christ's ret...

Persecution and confusion often go hand-in-hand for new believers. The church at Thessalonica faced both in abundance - a powerful mob had already driven Paul from their city, and now misunderstandings about death and Christ's return threatened their hope. 

Through Paul's tender yet authoritative response in 1st Thessalonians, we discover timeless truths about grief, hope, and Christian community. The apostle add...

Have you ever wondered how ancient wisdom might transform your daily life? In Episode 93 of Equip the Next, we journey through 1st Thessalonians to discover timeless principles that remain revolutionary even today.

The backdrop of severe persecution sets the stage for understanding Paul's powerful message to the Thessalonian believers. We explore chapters 3 and 4, where Paul addresses two critical aspects of Christian...

Ever wondered how brand-new Christians could withstand intense persecution? The story of the Thessalonian church provides a remarkable answer that still resonates today.

The Thessalonian believers were essentially spiritual infants when Paul and Silas were forced to flee their city under the cover of darkness. An angry mob had formed against these missionaries, dragging a believer named Jason before city authorities and ac...

Change is coming to the Woman 31 Podcast! After three years of ministry and 91 episodes, we're unveiling a new name that better aligns with our mission of equipping believers through comprehensive Bible teaching.

The decision didn't come lightly. Though "Woman 31" holds special meaning (my husband once encouraged me by saying "you're a Proverbs 31 woman" after I had shelved the name), we&...

The veil between ancient times and today's world falls away as we journey into episode 90 of the Woman 31 podcast, exploring the transformative role of women in the Greco-Roman world and early Christianity. 

Have you ever wondered why Jesus speaking to a Samaritan woman at a well was so revolutionary? Historical context illuminates scripture in remarkable ways, revealing how radical the gospel message truly was. Throu...

Have you ever wondered why Jesus talking to the woman at the well was such a big deal? Or why Mary sitting at Jesus' feet caused such a stir? The cultural context changes everything.

In Episode 89 of the Woman 31 Podcast, we dive deep into the revolutionary ministry of Jesus toward women. Against a backdrop where women were segregated, likely illiterate, and forbidden from religious education, Christ's interactio...

Have you ever wondered what life was truly like for women in biblical times? The shifting status of women from the Old Testament to the New Testament world reveals fascinating and sometimes troubling changes in how half of humanity was viewed and treated.

While exploring the Hellenistic world of the New Testament, we discover a society that increasingly isolated women, categorizing them alongside other marginalized groups ...

Have you ever wondered what daily life was really like for women in biblical times? Beyond the familiar stories, what was the actual experience of being a woman in ancient Israel?

In this episode, we take a fascinating detour from our usual book-by-book Bible study to explore the often-overlooked backdrop of women's lives throughout Scripture. Providing essential context for deeper biblical understanding.

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Faith takes root when watered with truth. In this enlightening exploration of 2 Peter, we unpack the apostle's final written words before his martyrdom—a powerful testament to authentic faith in challenging times.

Peter, signing his letter with both his birth name (Simon/Shimon) and the name Jesus gave him (Peter/Petros), establishes his identity as both a Jewish believer and a Christian leader appointed by Christ Him...

What does it mean to lead faithfully during times of suffering? We're diving deep into 1 Peter 5, exploring Peter's powerful conclusion to his letter about leadership in the face of persecution.

Peter's final words carry special weight as they were written when he knew his time was short. Having personally experienced Christ's restoration after his denial, Peter understood both the crushing weight of fa...

What does it mean to find joy in suffering? When early Christians faced the horrors of Emperor Nero's persecution – being burned at stakes and crucified for their faith – they discovered profound spiritual truths that still speak powerfully today.

Continuing our journey through 1 Peter, we explore chapters 3 and 4 to understand how these ancient believers maintained their faith despite unimaginable hardship. The histo...

Ever wonder how the early Christians found hope when they were being hunted down and used as human torches? Welcome to our deep dive into 1 and 2 Peter, where we uncover how one of Jesus' closest followers wrote secret coded messages to encourage believers facing unimaginable persecution under Emperor Nero.

This episode transports you between 61 and 64 AD, when Rome burned for six days. Nero, having orchestrated the d...

Freedom in Christ comes with both personal responsibility and community obligation. As we conclude our journey through Galatians, Paul's final words challenge us to examine what we're truly investing in spiritually.

The contrast couldn't be clearer: those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption, while those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life. But what does this spiritual investment actually look ...

The battle between flesh and Spirit defines every believer's journey, and nowhere is this conflict more vividly depicted than in Paul's letter to the Galatians. Diving into chapter 5, we explore this spiritual tug-of-war and Paul's urgent warning against returning to legalism after tasting freedom in Christ.

Paul's message to the Galatians is strikingly relevant today. When we attempt to add requirement...

Have you ever felt like your faith has become a checklist of dos and don'ts rather than a relationship with Christ? Episode 80 of the Woman 31 Podcast tackles this fundamental struggle head-on as we continue our journey through Galatians, focusing on chapters 3 and 4 where Paul confronts the dangerous infiltration of works-based religion.

At the heart of this episode is a profound contrast that still resonates today: ...