1 Peter 1:3-9 is a life-changing promise - are you listening as a co-host? In this episode Pastor Tom Pound goes solo and makes the listener the co-host, leading a candid conversation around 1 Peter 1:3-9 that blends pastoral stories, practical mental-health research, and spiritual formation. You’ll hear a funeral anecdote that lands a surprising reminder about ministry’s power, a Gallup-backed case for how faithful church patterns protect mental health, and a simple but powerful adult-learning frame (power-load margin) to evaluate whether your life requires more energy than you have. Pastor Tom then unpacks verse 5’s promise that believers are “shielded by God’s power” and draws out three practical protections faith provides - assurance of our eternal inheritance, emotional stability and purpose, and healthier relationships shaped by humility. Finally, he wrestles with verse 9’s tense - how salvation is past, present, and future - and reads C.S. Lewis to invite you into the ongoing work of being made like Jesus. This episode is for anyone ready to take inventory and step into a new season of spiritual growth. Listen now.Discussion Questions:Pastor Tom asks, “Does your life require more energy than you have?” Where would you place yourself on that question today, and why?Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 together. Which phrase stands out most to you and why?Pastor Tom describes the power-load margin theory (load vs. personal energy). What are two practical ways you could either increase your energy or lighten your load this season?The episode cites research that consistent church attenders were more resilient during COVID. How has your faith community helped you during hard seasons, and where might you need more connection?Pastor Tom unpacks verse 5’s promise that believers are “shielded by God’s power.” What does that protection look like in everyday life - what are we protected from and what are we still vulnerable to?

First Peter sermon series — Start your week anchored in identity: In this episode Pastor Tom Pound and young-adult leader Griffin Richards introduce a 13-week walk through First Peter designed to move you from hearing the Bible to living it. Griffin shares a raw testimony of encountering the Holy Spirit on the operating table at 18 and how that moment led him into church, seminary, and leading a purposeful young-adult ministry. Pastor Tom explains the four pillars of the series—daily devotionals, a weekly sermon, small-group discussions, and this Going Deeper podcast—and why adult learning theory matters for spiritual growth. You’ll hear practical tools for mastering your morning through Scripture, prayer prompts, and journaling, plus pastoral teaching on the twin truths that God chooses us and we live as “chosen foreigners” in culture. Whether you’re new to faith, returning, or leading a small group, this episode gives conversation starters, mission clarity, and spiritual practices you can try tomorrow. Listen now to join the study and start the week with purpose.Discussion Questions:Share a moment you felt unexpectedly supported or at peace in a high-stress situation. How did that experience shape you?Griffin described sensing God’s presence before his surgery. How do you respond when someone shares a miraculous or unusual faith experience?Read 1 Peter 1:1-2. What strikes you about the phrase “chosen foreigners”? How does that idea land in your life right now?Pastor Tom said, “God knew you, loved you, and chose you before the creation of the world.” How does that truth affect your identity and daily choices?The series recommends a scripture-for-the-week rhythm (daily reading, sermon, discussion). Which of these three (deliberation, hearing, discussion) is hardest for you and why? What small step could you take this week?

This episode takes a pastoral and counseling-focused look at Jesus’ parable to help listeners bridge belief and behavior. Tom and Josh emphasize how questions shape the brain (prefrontal cortex activation, serotonin and dopamine benefits) and why asking God-centered, practical questions like “How can I bless my spouse today?” or “How can I stay connected to God all day?” changes behavior. The hosts distinguish internal work (healing, scripture, prayer) from external work (serving, leading, using spiritual gifts) and remind listeners that coming from salvation compels meaningful labor — not to earn favor, but to live it out. You’ll leave with simple habits for attuning to others, practical counseling resources, and a renewed focus on discovering and doing God’s will in everyday life. Ideal for busy Christians wanting soulful formation and actionable steps. Listen now.Discussion Questions:In your own words, what are the two contrasting responses to the father’s command in the Parable of the Two Sons?How does understanding Matthew as a gospel (a kind of ancient biography) and the historical setting of Jerusalem help you read this parable differently?Where have you said “yes” to God in words but then failed to follow through in action? What held you back?What internal work (healing, prayer, scripture) do you need to pursue so your actions align with your stated faith?The hosts emphasize ‘attuning’ to others. How could you practice attuning this week with your spouse, child, or friend?

Pressure reveals character - Feeling overwhelmed or caught off guard by conflict? Join Tevis and Laura as they move beyond quick fixes to offer practical habits for living like Jesus under pressure. This episode breaks down how to pause instead of react, filter decisions through compassion paired with wisdom, and trust God with outcomes when courage asks you to speak the hard truth. You’ll hear concrete rhythms to build into your life-daily time in Scripture and worship, intentional pauses before replying to texts or social posts, seeking wise counsel, and using community groups as safe places for spiritual formation. They also address common traps: people-pleasing, guilt-driven service, and the fear of conflict or rejection that leads to compromise. With scripture references and pastoral examples, this episode equips you to notice what pressure reveals about your heart and to respond in ways that reflect Christ. Share with your community group and start practicing these habits together. Listen now.Discussion Questions:Share a small moment from this week when you felt pressured-how did you respond and why?What part of the Luke 14 “Jesus under pressure” message stood out to you most, and why?Tevis and Laura say “love chooses compassion over convenience.” Can you name a time you had to choose between the two? What happened?Where do you most often find yourself reacting instead of responding? What usually triggers that reaction?What spiritual practices (pause, prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, community) do you currently use to help you respond under pressure? Which one could you practice more?How does being watched-by family, neighbors, or online audiences-affect the way you handle pressure? How can that awareness help you grow?

Bartimaeus: a blind beggar who refuses to be silenced - in this episode, Dr. Tom Pound and Matt Durst walk through Mark 10:46-52 and unearth practical lessons for individuals and churches trying to live on mission. We use Spring Hills’ mission-love like Jesus, live like Jesus, lead like Jesus—as the lens to explore Bartimaeus’ shameless faith, the crowd’s reaction, and Jesus’ tender leadership. You’ll hear why Jesus stops on the dusty road to Jericho, why Bartimaeus throws off his cloak (and what that cloak represents for you today), and why the question “What do you want me to do for you?” restores dignity and invites surrender. Tom and Matt also connect the story to everyday rhythms-mastering your morning, practicing Sabbath, and keeping a pace that notices interruptions as ministry opportunities. Listen now to be encouraged, challenged, and equipped.Discussion Questions:What’s one small thing that interrupted your week in a surprisingly positive way?How would you summarize the story of Bartimaeus in one sentence?Where in your life do you feel like Bartimaeus- overlooked, ashamed, or dependent on others?What is the 'cloak' in your life that you’re holding onto for comfort or protection?When you ask God, 'Where are my blind spots?', what practices help you stay patient and listen for answers over time?

Perfect love casts out fear: What does ‘perfect love’ actually mean, and can it really push fear out like a cannonball? Pastor Tom and Joshua take that bold line from 1 John and pair it with Isaiah’s promise of perfect peace to show how wholehearted trust rewires our hearts and minds. They trace real examples-newborn devotion, Christ on the cross, people meeting death without terror-and connect those images to daily practices: fixing your thoughts on God, serving others, and choosing fascination over flight. The episode also dives into brain-friendly counsel-how renewing the mind (Romans 12:2) helps truth lead emotion-and practical next steps to make space for faith to grow. If you’ve ever felt judged by spiritual language, you’ll appreciate their grace-forward explanation and pastoral stories that make theology feel safe and true. Perfect love is a posture and a power-discover how to step into it. Listen now.Discussion Questions:1. Share a small fear you had this week-how did you respond?2. What stood out to you about the idea that fear and faith are on a pendulum?3. Have you ever had a ‘face-the-wall’ moment like Hezekiah? What helped you through it?4. What would radical honesty with God look like for you this week?5. When anxiety rises, how can you practice ‘speaking truth to yourself’ before listening to emotion?6. In what area are you currently working on a ‘plan B’ because of fear, and how could you redirect that energy toward God’s plan A?7. How does the reality of your death motivate your priorities-spiritually, relationally, physically, and missionally?8. Choose one takeaway from this episode (e.g., make a list of fears to lay before God, serve in a ministry) and share one concrete step you will take before next group.

Worry and anxiety are the silent weight many of us carry daily, and in this episode Dr. Tom Pound pulls apart Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6 to show how faith actually frees us from that weight. We explore the Greek word marimnao—how it can be a healthy care, an anxious distraction, or a crippling perpetual worry—and why Jesus tells us to stop living like pagans frantically running after needs. Tom walks through cultural drivers of modern anxiety (the pandemic, smartphones, and certain parenting messages), gives honest pushback about hard situations, and then points to a counterintuitive cure: seek first God’s kingdom. You’ll get practical steps for daily living—how to partner with God by doing your part without being consumed by fear—and the comforting reminder that each day has enough pressure of its own. Whether you’re trapped in chronic worry or want better tools to support someone who is, this episode offers compassion, truth, and actionable faith. Listen now.Discussion Questions:What modern factors Tom mentions (pandemic, technology, parenting) do you see affecting your life or your community's anxiety levels?Read Matthew 6:25–34. What phrase in these verses stands out to you and why?In what ways might you be 'running after' needs (epi zetaō) instead of 'seeking first' God’s kingdom (proton zetaō)?If someone in the group admits they feel trapped by perpetual worry, how can the group respond with both compassion and practical help?What is one concrete habit you can adopt this week to 'seek God first' in your present moment (morning prayer, Sabbath practice, attention management)?

Overcoming fear is presented not just as theology but as a doable habit in this episode of You Matter. Dr. Tom Pound and Laura King translate Pastor Tevis’s sermon into everyday practices: memorized truth-phrases for stressful moments (for example, "God has already given me all the time I need"), praying Scripture with your own name, using music to re-center your mind, and seeking wise counsel when fretting gets loud. We explore the emotional arc of Acts 16—from exasperation and humiliation to worship and rejoicing—and underscore that faith and fear compete for your focus. The conversation is honest and relatable, especially for parents and caregivers who know midnight moments well. Practical takeaways include preparing in advance (training your mind and heart), using gratitude as an interrupt, and committing to redirecting focus toward God when fear arrives. If you need encouragement on how to move from anxious thoughts to faithful action, this episode equips you with spiritual disciplines and real-life examples. Listen now.What’s one small thing that helps you reset your mood when a stressful day turns overwhelming?Read Acts 16:16–26. What stands out to you about Paul and Silas’s response while imprisoned?Which phrase from the episode (“speak the truth to yourself,” “redirect your focus,” or a go-to prayer) resonated most with you and why?Do you tend to think before you feel, feel before you think, or act first? How does that affect how you handle fear?What is one scripture or short truth-phrase you could memorize to say in your next ‘midnight moment’? How will you practice it?

Surrounded by anxiety and shame? Overcoming fear means naming the lies fear whispers and giving them to God. In this episode, Dr. Tom Pound walks through five common insecurities—not being good enough, body image, fear of failure, relationship rejection/abandonment, and financial/career insecurity—and gives a Christian response rooted in Scripture. You’ll hear practical steps: become radically honest with God, write out your burdens, pray over your day, and try a simple breathing prayer Dr. Tom uses when cortisol narrows his vision. He also contrasts two biblical and historical leaders—Hezekiah and George Washington—asking whether different crises demand different actions, different personalities, or a cultural “work-first” American tendency to over-exert. The episode blends biblical insight, pastoral honesty, and actionable takeaways so you can stop letting fear speak for you. If you’re ready to lay down what’s weighing you down and rest in God’s care, listen now.Discussion Questions:Which of the five insecurities mentioned (not good enough, body image, fear of failure, rejection/abandonment, financial/career) do you remember struggling with first in life and why?Which of the five insecurities is most prevalent for you today and how does it show up in your behavior or decisions?How does John 15:5 (“apart from me you can do nothing”) reframe the fear of not being good enough for you?Dr. Pound describes a breathing prayer—’God has given me all the time I need to do everything that needs to be done.’ Try it together and share what you noticed afterward.In times you felt ‘surrounded,’ did you tend to adopt a Hezekiah approach (give it to God, rest) or a Washington approach (do everything you can, work through it)? Why?Do you think ‘pray like it depends on God; work like it depends on you’ is helpful or harmful? Where have you seen that mindset cause harm or good?What practical step will you take this week to ‘lay down’ one specific fear at God’s feet? (Examples: write a list, pray daily, tell a trusted friend.)How can this group pray for each person’s specific insecurities this week, and what accountability will you set to follow up next meeting?

In this episode of You Matter, Dr. Tom Pound goes deeper on the story of Jonah and the fear that often keeps us from fully surrendering to God. Through personal stories, biblical teaching, and practical reflection, he explores how fear can show up as pressure, worry, anxiety, dread, and even avoidance. The episode highlights how Jonah’s story reveals both God’s mercy and the human tendency to think we know better than God. Dr. Tom also unpacks what it means to be called by God and how believers can respond with rapid, radical obedience.Discussion Questions:1. Where in your life are you feeling pressure that could turn into worry, anxiety, or fear if you do not attend to it?2. When do you most often lose conscious connection with God, and what role does fear play in that?3. Of the seven callings Pastor Tom listed — grow, give and serve, be an example, witness, experience inner healing, love, and forgive — which one challenged you most?4. Are you afraid of what full surrender to God might cost you, and what would rapid, radical obedience look like this week?