Have you ever thought of yourself as a hope- giver, commissioned to tell God’s story? Do you ever feel weary, defeated or terrified? How do we arise in hope and awaken hope in others? (Scripture referenced: Judges 4:4-9, Judges 5: 6-7)

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What  resonates with you most in this episode?
2. How has a time when hope faded motivated you or someone you know into action?
3. When have you experienced a time when community has reminded you that you are not responsible for God’s plan all by yourself?
4. How has someone motivated you to act when your hope had become suffocated in the face of insurmountable odds?
5. What does it mean to take hope into your hands?
6. What does the term hope-giver mean to you?

Find Angela Donadio:

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How has insecurity impacted your dreams and your calling? Do you ever feel like a fraud, you don't deserve your position or role, or compelled to prove your competency? These are signs of "imposter syndrome", a common struggle with the power to sabotage our lives and relationships. (Scripture referenced: Exodus 2-4, 32-33; Deuteronomy 34:10-12; 1 Samuel 9-10, 13, 18; Isaiah 41:10.)

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonates with you most in this episode?
2. How has, or might, imposter syndrome caused you to compare yourself with others?
3. How had, or might, imposter syndrome caused you to prove your competency by powering up or shield yourself by withdrawing?
4. Why might God routinely call His children into arenas for which they feel ill-prepared?
5. How has your relationship with Christ impacted your confidence? 
6. What is one action step He might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Find Kelly Hall:

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Unshakable Hope Podcast

Find Carol McCracken:

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Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

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The church is supposed to be a safe place where we can experience healing, grow, and encounter God. Sadly, for many people, this hasn't been the case. Unfortunately, they've experienced deep soul-wounds in a religious environment. Join host Jennifer Slattery as she talks with author, speaker and pastor Sam Ranier on the impact of church hurt, how to bring our hurts to God, and ways to tell if an environment is safe for us and, if we're parents, for our children as well. (Scripture discussed: Psalm 22-23, Matthew 21:12-13,Mark 11:15-18)

Discussion/Reflective questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. When have you encountered or been in a high hospitality, low security environment?
   1. What are some signs of such an environment?
   2. What was your experience?
3. In what ways, if any, has your "trust meter" become crooked?
4. How comfortable are you bringing your anger to God?
5. What is one action step He might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Sermon referenced: When It's Appropriate to Turn Over Tables

Book referenced: Make My Church Safe: A Guide to the Best Practices to Protect Children and Secure Your Congregation from Harm

Connect with Sam Rainer:

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Church Answers

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Almost exactly twenty years ago, today’s guest, popular international speaker Carol Kent was thrust into a situation that made her feel as if her world was unraveling. Her son was arrested for murder, revealing just how little control we parents often have over our children’s lives. Though her life felt out of control, she found peace and security through surrender. She discovered God is big enough and strong enough and loving enough to carry her through she did or might someday face.

Group Discussion Questions:
1. What resonated with you most in Carol’s story?
2. When do you most feel out of control?
3. How do you typically respond when life feels out of control?
4. What lies does Satan tend to whisper to you when you feel out of control?
5. Read Romans 8:28-29. What does this passage tell you regarding our most fearful, “out of control” situations?
6. How might your current circumstances point you to heaven?

Resources:
• When I lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent, released by NavPress: http://urlme.cc/6VQd
• He Holds My Hand by Carol Kent, released by Tyndale Publishers: http://urlme.cc/rVRv

Find Carol Kent:

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the Speak Up for Hope site

Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Often, the greatest hindrance to living out our calling comes from internal, rather than external, influences. When our insecurities dominate our lives, we become our biggest limiting factor. If you’re familiar with the Bible, you may recognize, intellectually, that you are a radiant, redeemed, chosen, called and empowered child of God. The question is, how do we let this truth define us and our actions? In this episode, author and speaker Amanda Pittman discusses her latest release Stand in Confidence: From Sinking insecurity to Rising to Your God-Given Identity and shares actionable steps toward growing in courage and confidence. 

Discussion/Reflective Questions:
What resonated with you most in today’s episode?
When do you most tend to struggle with feelings of insecurity?
How has insecurity limited your calling? 
When has your insecurities caused you to strive and overwork in an area God’s already equipped you for and called you to?
In what areas are you placing your identity in insufficient things (your role/position, relationships, skills …)?
What truth most encourages you and helps build your confidence?
When has a “I should of” or “I could have” mentality hindered your confidence?
When has a human’s rejection negatively affected your view of yourself?
What is one action step God is calling you to take in the next week? (Right this down somewhere prominent to help with follow-through.)

Resources Mentioned: Stand in Confidence: From Sinking in Insecurity to Rising in Your God-Given Identity by Amanda Pittman and Emotional Healing in 3 Easy Steps (The Kingdom of God Made Simple) by Praying Medic 

Find Amanda at:

On AmandaPittman.com

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Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

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Do you feel stuck in your pain or like you keep falling into the same relational or emotional pits? When your circumstances triggers certain intense emotions, do you find yourself behaving more like a child rather than the Spirit-led adult you know you are? Or do you simply long for increased joy, peace and freedom in your life and interactions? If so, you'll gain encouragement from Jennifer Slattery's conversation with guest Dr. Marcus Warner from Deeper Walk International. 

Discussion/Reflective Questions;

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How would you define emotional maturity?
3. What are some ways you currently differentiate what thoughts come from you, which come from your spiritual enemy the devil, and which are from God?
4. Consider Dr. Warner's discussion of A-trauma (trauma caused from things we didn't receive). How might A-traumas have negatively impacted your ability to endure stressful situations?
5. Pause to reflect on Dr. Marcus Warner's discussion of joy versus fear bonds. Which type of bond tends to influence most of your decisions?
6. How do you most tend to relate to God, through a joy bond or fear bond?
7. What are some ways, based on what Dr. Marcus Warner shared, that you can increase your joy bond with God?
8. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource mentioned: Breakthrough!: 5 Essential Strategies for Freedom, Healing, and Wholeness 

Find Dr. Marcus Warner's ministry at/on:

the Deeper Walk International website

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Facebook

YouTube

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Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Do you feel anxious when people suggest that we're living in the end times? Do you find verses related to this biblical period confusing? In this episode beloved pastor Max Lucado shares his views and insights regarding God's unfolding, eternal story and our ultimate destination. 

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How might knowing what Scripture teaches regarding the "end times" help alleviate anxiety related to that period?
3. If you've trusted in Christ for salvation, how does it feel to know, when your present time on earth ends, you will immediately be in Christ's presence?
4. If you've trusted in Christ for salvation, how does it feel to know that you will be judged according to what Christ did for you, not according to the sins you've committed?
5. If you haven't yet trusted in Christ for salvation, what are some questions or concerns you want God to address before you are ready to do so?
6. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource referenced: What Happens Next: A Traveler’s Guide Through the End of This Age

Find Max Lucado:

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Find Carol McCracken:

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One of my favorite names for Christ, especially during the often chaotic holiday season, is Prince of Peace. It reminds us that our peace is found not in our circumstances or the absence of conflict but instead through our relationship with Him. Advent provides a wonderful opportunity to evaluate our schedules, slow down, and connect in a special way with our Savior. 

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonates with you most in this episode?
2. What are some of your most cherished Christmas memories from your childhood?
3. Consider your current schedule. How has anxiety or fear contributed to your busyness?
4. What are some ways you experience the sacredness of Christ's birth?
5. What is something you can eliminate or simplify this holiday season to make it less hectic and more memorable?
6. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource referenced: Glad & Golden Hours: A Companion for Advent and Christmastide: 

Find Lanier Ivester:

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Many of us tend to judge our most intense or unpleasant emotional responses which only increases their intensity by piling on shame. In this episode, Dr. Allison Cook talks with host Carol McCracken about her latest book, I'm Not Supposed to Feel This Way, how we can gain healthy emotional distance when we feel overwhelmed, and options for dealing with toxic people. 

(Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/)

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. Consider your inner critique. How might he/she be trying to help, although in an unhelpful way?
3. How might recognizing the various moments that comprise your complex emotional system help you feel less consumed by them?
4. Consider an area in which you typically feel guilt. Using Dr. Allison's discussion on conditioned guilt as a guide, what emotions might your guilt be masking?
5. What is the difference between numbing and self-soothing?
6. How might learning to name your emotions without judgement help you become more aware of what is occurring within you?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource mentioned: I Shouldn't Feel This Way: Name What’s Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage into Brave Action by Dr. Allison Cook

Find Dr. Allison Cook:

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Find Carol McCracken:

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If you experience chronic pain or chronic illness, you understand how impossible it can feel, at times, to hold tight to hope. On our darkest, most painful nights, we can easily feel alone and abandoned by God. Singer/songwriter Katy Nichole understands. In fact, there was a time when she wasn't sure she wanted to hold on and contemplated taking her life. But God met her in that place with a truth meant for us all. 

(Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/)

Discussion/reflective questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. When have you most needed to know you remained held by God?
3. How did you feel when you heard Katy say that it's okay not to be okay? 
4. What might it look like in your life to allow yourself, in your pain, to not be okay?
5. How did you feel to hear that God has good plans for you? If this is hard to believe, share why. 
6. What might self-care look like for you?
7. How might listing tasks or goals in order of priority help you mange your time and energy level?
8. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Find Katy Nichole:

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Listen to When I Fall HERE. 

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The stress of the holidays become amplified when we know we'll spend time among dysfunctional people. As Christ-followers, this can elicit questions and confusion. How can we share the light of Christ in a way that feels emotionally safe? Is there a way to reduce the chaos? Carol's guest Pam Farrel believes, often, there is. In this episode, she shares some strategies she's developed in dealing with an alcoholic father and a mother-in-law with significant mental illness. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

(Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/)

Related episode: Dealing with Toxic People with Gary Thomas

Find Pam Farrel at: 

On her website (Love-Wise)

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Find Carol McCracken:

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Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

(Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.)

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What most resonated with you in this episode?
2. What are some ways you can plan ahead to reduce chaos and stress this holiday season?
3. What might an escape plan look like in your circumstances and what scenarios might move you to enact follow that plan?
4. What emotions might you need to work through in order to move from bitterness and healing?
5. Throughout her discussion, Pam shared how God guided her through her holidays. What is God telling you in regard to how He wants you to engage (or not engage) with certain dysfunctional people this season?
6. Sometimes God calls us to love up close, and sometimes He encourages us to love people from a distance. Which most applies to your circumstances, and what might this look like?
7. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

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