LIVING FAITH BIBLE INSTITUTE

The Book of Judges is one of the most sobering leadership books in the entire Bible. It tells the story of a people who had been given a clear mission, a rich spiritual inheritance, and every reason to move forward in faith, yet generation after generation drifted. Compromise led to spiritual weakness, spiritual weakness led to oppression, and God raised up leaders to set things right. But the judges were not all the same. Some were courageous and decisive. Others were reluctant. Some were deeply flawed, while others became ambitious for the wrong reasons. Their stories give us an honest picture of biblical leadership—how God develops leaders, how fear can hinder them, how pride can corrupt them, and how character determines whether a person's influence becomes a blessing or a liability to the ministry. 

What does Judges teach us about raising the next generation of Christian leaders? How can pastors, fathers, and mentors develop men who are willing to take responsibility and faithfully serve God? What happens when giftedness exists without character? How can fear, pride, self-promotion, ambition, or a desire for comfort derail a leader?

Brandon and Lee discuss Joshua's leadership and the generation that followed him, the warning of Judges 2:10, the importance of discipleship and spiritual inheritance, and the examples of leaders including Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Barak, Gideon, Abimelech, Jair, Jephthah, and Samson. They also address the dangers of self-promotion, the difference between gifting and godly character, the temptation to maintain ministry rather than advance the mission, the importance of humility and contentment, and the need for fathers and mentors to intentionally train the next generation.

The Book of Judges reminds us that biblical leadership is not ultimately about charisma, position, or gifting. Faithfulness, humility, character, discipleship, and obedience matter. The question for every Christian leader is whether we will faithfully steward what God has entrusted to us and help prepare others to serve Him. Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, father, young man preparing for ministry, or simply a Christian seeking to grow in biblical leadership, this conversation offers practical lessons from one of the Bible's most challenging books.

And don't forget to catch this week's episode of SoundMind! 

 

 

What if the things filling our lives are only imitations of what we were actually made for? In this episode of the Quit You Like Men series, Jonathan Kindler explores the counterfeits that can quietly capture a man’s attention -- pornography, gaming, gambling, endless content, productivity, and even good things that slowly begin replacing better ones. Blending scripture, cultural research, and personal reflection, this episode looks at how men can stay busy, entertained, and stimulated while slowly falling asleep to the life God has actually given them.

What does it actually mean to be a man? In this opening episode of the Quit You Like Men series, Jonathan Kindler explores the biblical call to courage, strength, responsibility, and love. Beginning with 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, Jonathan unpacks the strange but powerful phrase “quit you like men” and asks what kind of strength God actually calls men to carry.

Prayer is one of the most familiar practices in Christianity—and yet it may be one of the least understood. 

In this episode, Brandon Briscoe sits down with Pastor Troy Stogsdill to discuss the biblical theology of prayer and to preview this year's Certainty Conference: The Theology of Prayer.

What actually happens when we pray? Does prayer change things? What does it mean to pray "in Jesus' name"? How should we understand God's promises to answer prayer? And how does prayer relate to God's sovereignty, providence, and His work through the local church?

The discussion ultimately challenges believers to move beyond treating prayer as either a way to manipulate circumstances or merely a mystical experience. Biblical prayer brings us before God in worship, faith, submission, and dependence—and it has profound implications for the mission of the church. Pastor Troy also shares what listeners can expect from the upcoming Certainty Conference, including teaching on the doctrine and practice of prayer and a fellowship-wide time of prayer.

And don't forget to catch this week's episode of SoundMind! 

How do we hold compassion and accountability at the same time? In this episode, Jonathan Kindler reflects on the devastating Lindsay Clancy case and the larger question underneath it: what responsibility remains when someone’s capacity is genuinely impaired? Blending biblical counseling, personal reflection, and scripture, Jonathan explores how trauma, mental illness, diagnosis, history, and real suffering can help explain our behavior without becoming our identity—or removing our responsibility.

Hey Everyone,

No lectures will be released this weekend (9/5) in light of Labor Day, but this is a great opportunity to get ahead on your reading and assignments. The library will also be closed. 

Have a restful weekend.

The LFBI Team