The data over the past several years confirms a steady decline in church attendance and participation, even among committed Christians. In this episode in our Dechurching series, Scott and Shawn raise awareness about some of the cultural assumptions that may be skewing our perspective about church. For those wondering if being part of a church is necessary, rather than giving reasons for or against, Scott and Shawn take a dive into Scripture to answer a necessary first question: “What is the church?” If you’re thinking of leaving church behind, tune into this episode to learn about the nature of the church and what it really means. This may help you think more clearly about the role church has, and your place in it. Support the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

Is the church in Canada disappearing? Data collected by StatsCan  over the past thirty years shows a steady decline in church attendance among Canadians. And the years over COVID accelerated that trend even further. But what is driving this trend? Who are the people foregoing church? And what does this indicate for the future of Christianity in Canada?In this episode, Scott and Shawn begin looking at this de-churching phenomenon that is transforming the religious landscape of the west. They look at who are de-churching, and what reasons are being given by those who used to regularly attend and participate in church life, but no longer do.This is the first episode in our series on “De-Churching”. Our goal is to help you understand what is happening in the church, how Christians should respond, and what we should expect to see happen for this trend to be reversed.📖 Resources mentioned in this episode:“The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Religiosity of Canadians”, Stats CanadaThe Great DeChurching, by Jim Davis, Michael Graham, With Ryan P. Burge“Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church When They Become Young Adults”, LifeWay Research“10 Reasons Church Attendance Is Declining (Even for Committed Christians”, by Carey Nieuwhof“New American Bible Society Study: Gen Z Exhibits Significant Openness to Scripture”, American Bible Society“Study: Gen Z Wants to Know More About Jesus”, Christianity TodaySupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

For decades now, church attendance has been in decline. And after COVID, many people are not returning to church.But let’s face it. Most churches now do a great job of delivering Sunday service online. And through the internet we have easy access to a super-abundance of worship, teaching, and discipleship resources that we used to only get from church.There is also the reality for many who, for one reason or another, have had negative or even hurtful church experiences. For these, church has become a very negative thing.This raises the question: Do we really even need churches to be a Christian?In this encore episode, Scott and Shawn tackle this very relevant question by discussing:The distinction between our experience of church and what the church is.Understanding the relationship between Christians “doing” church and “being” the church.The New Testament vision of the church as a “family”.How Jesus relates to his church, and the implications this has for us.📖 Resources mentioned in this episode:Systematic Theology by Wayne GrudemSupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

In 2015, The Pew Research Center reported that for every individual who becomes a Christian four leave (source).More recently a chain of very public and prominent Christians has emerged, declaring that they too have decided to leave Christianity. What are we to make of such phenomena, and how should we react to them?In this encore episode pulled from our podcast archives, Scott and Shawn discuss the seemingly growing trend of “deconversion” stories, asking some pointed and important questions:What are the causes behind decisions to deconvert from Christianity?What sorts of things contribute toward the likelihood that someone might deconvert?Are deconversion stories necessarily all bad? Are there some positive lessons that we can take away?And, how should we react? Are deconversions final, or is there still hope?📖 Resources mentioned in this episode:Matt from Truth Snack talks about his doubt journeySupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

We invite you to our annual Christmas Wrap-up. Meet our team and listen in as we talk about the highlights of 2023, share our favourite parts of the Christmas story, and challenge each other with some Christmas Story Trivia.As Christmas approaches, we remember that Jesus is the hope of the world. Forgiveness of sin and peace with God is for everyone who puts their trust in him. This is why we do what we do to help Christians stand firm in their faith and witness for Jesus!From our PTA family to yours, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and cherished memories!📖 Resources mentioned in this episode:“Encountering God” series, by Truth SnackTruth Snack YouTube Channel“So Much More Than Sex” series, coming soon by Prepared to AnswerYouth Pastor Theologian’s websiteSupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

Why does the Bible give us so many warnings about sexual immorality? Does God truly care? Scott welcomes Dr. Kirk Durston to delve into this critical topic. Dr. Kirk's expertise in biophysics, education, and Christian ministry provides profound insights into the biblical discussion surrounding sexuality.This captivating discussion explores the intertwined relationship between the body and the soul. Dr. Kirk unveils how lust and passion have the power to turn the body against the soul, leading to spiritual warfare within ourselves.Dr. Kirk suggests that what we witness in our culture today may be the prolonged scream of humanity losing its soul. This eye-opening revelation highlights the urgency of understanding why God warns us so clearly and frequently against sexual immorality.Join us in this transformative conversation about sexual immorality, spiritual warfare, and the battle for the soul. Gain a deeper understanding of the battle against sexual sin and the importance of nurturing a strong Christian identity.— ⭐ Get notified when the new Bible Study Series “So Much More Than Sex” is available in early 2024 — a video-based Bible Study Series for young adults that is focused on rediscovering God’s eternal purpose for human sexuality.📖 Recommended Resources:Kirk’s website “Sex and the War Against the Human Soul” by Kirk Durston“Quest for a Beautiful Mind” video by Kirk DurstonHoly Sexuality and the Gospel, by Christopher Yuan Love Thy Body, by Nancy PearceyThe Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry BridgesSupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

How can we place our sexual attractions into a biblical context?Listen in as Scott and Shawn challenge the modern trend to use sexual orientation as the framework that defines us. They tackle the problem that our modern, secular notion of sexual orientation is a virtual catch-all for who and what we are.They go on to encourage Christians to stop using aspects of our fallen nature for describing our identity in Christ. Rather, to “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)Sexual orientation does not define us. Join Scott and Shawn as they focus on claiming our identity in Christ.—⭐ Get notified when the new Bible Study Series “So Much More Than Sex” is available in early 2024 — a video-based Bible Study Series for young adults that is focused on rediscovering God’s eternal purpose for human sexuality.📖 Recommended Resources: Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, by Christopher Yuan The Holy Sexuality ProjectSupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

What's the Deal with Sexual Orientation? Is there really such a thing as a heterosexual, homosexual, or even a bisexual person?Have you ever questioned the seemingly obvious answers?In this episode, we delve into the perplexing world of sexual orientation. Scott and Shawn challenge us to stop and ask: Why does it feel so natural to label people as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual? When and how did sexual orientation become such a clear and fixed category in our minds such that the question itself just makes sense to us? Is sexual orientation really a core, fixed, and essential aspect of human nature?Join Scott and Shawn as they dive into these really important questions, you might find some unexpected conclusions. Listen now! —⭐ Get notified when the new Bible Study Series “So Much More Than Sex” is available in early 2024 — a video-based Bible Study Series for young adults that is focused on rediscovering God’s eternal purpose for human sexuality.📖 Resources mentioned in this episode: The Invention of Heterosexuality, by Jonathan Ned Katz The History of Sexuality: An Introduction, by Michel Foucault “Sexual Matters: On Conceptualizing Sexuality in History,” by Robert A. Padgug The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, by Carl R. Trueman Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, by Christopher Yuan “What Is the Opposite of Homosexuality? Why Marriage Is Not My Mission”, by Christopher YuanOpenness Unhindered, by Rosaria Butterfield “A Safe Place for Sexual Sinners”, by Phillip Holmes, featuring Rosaria Butterfield“AgainsSupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

Our culture is obsessed with sex, and Christians are not immune from its impact. Records show that internet porn sites receive more online traffic than ‘X’ (Twitter), Instagram, Netflix, Pinterest, and LinkedIn combined. Living in such a culture means that Christian young people especially are feeling pressure and asking questions never imagined by previous generations. So, we can’t be squeamish. For Millennials and Gen ‘Z’ believers, questions about sexuality saturate their everyday reality. We need to talk about sex! In this first of a series of episodes about sexuality, Scott and Shawn begin by looking at some of the foundational ideas behind our culture’s sex obsession. They talk about the difference that a biblical view of sexuality makes and warn about some impacts we can expect which highlight the church’s need to address the subject of sex thoughtfully, graciously, and above all biblically. Join Scott and Shawn for this important conversation to help Christians begin thinking biblically about sex. —⭐ Get notified when the new Bible Study Series “So Much More Than Sex” is available in early 2024 — a video-based Bible Study Series for young adults that is focused on rediscovering God’s eternal purpose for human sexuality.📖 Resources mentioned in this episode: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, by Carl R. TruemanLove Thy Body, by Nancy PearceySupport the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite

Christians can sometimes be accused of cherry picking the Bible, especially from among Old Testament laws and commands. For example, quoting commands that prohibit homosexual behaviour (Leviticus 18:22), but then completely ignoring commands that prohibit weaving two different fabrics together. (Leviticus 19:19).In truth, Christians can be guilty of selective Bible reading. We dismiss some commands as no longer applicable while affirming others as still binding without really knowing or explaining why. When we do, it does tend to look like we're just picking the commands that reflect the values we already hold.The solution is to allow the Bible to speak for itself.In this throw-back episode, Scott and Shawn discuss three principles to use to determine from the Bible when to consider laws or commandments as particular to Israel, and only for a time in the past, and when to take them as universal for all people in all places and for all times.Support the show🔔 Follow for more Prepared to Answer, or subscribe on YouTube and hit that notification bell to get notified whenever we post new contentLearn more on our websiteListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on OvercastStay connected! 🔗FacebookInstagramWebsite