If you asked ten Christians to define the word ‘disciple,’ you’d probably get eleven answers—and most of them would sound like ‘a follower of Jesus,’ without really explaining what that means in real life. So today we’re going to clear the fog. In the first century, a disciple wasn’t a casual listener or a weekend attendee—discipleship meant apprenticeship: proximity to Jesus, obedience to Jesus, and transformation into the likeness of Jesus. We’re also going to draw some necessary boundaries—what discipleship is not, how you can be busy around church and still avoid surrender, and why the difference between Judas and Peter isn’t that one failed and the other didn’t…it’s what they did with their failure. This is an honest conversation about the cost, the call, and the daily reality of reorganizing your life around Christ.

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Copyright 2025 First Christian Church, Champaign, IL.

Be honest—when you hit a genealogy in the Bible, do you read it… or do your eyes suddenly develop spiritual speed-walking? Today we’re talking about why Scripture spends so much ink on names, and why that’s not a pointless detail—it’s a pattern. In the Bible, names aren’t just labels; they’re identity, calling, and often a clue to what God is doing in the story. We’ll look at the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, why certain names show up on purpose, and even why John bothers to name Malchus in the garden. Because the Bible doesn’t just tell stories—it remembers people. And if God is that intentional with names on the page, it might tell us something about how personal He is with the people in His story… including us.

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Copyright 2025 First Christian Church, Champaign, IL.

Last time, we talked about why the Old Testament matters, but today we’re getting into the how. If we’re honest, most of us have felt the 'Bible Guilt'—that feeling that Scripture is just a textbook we’re supposed to study or a checklist to complete. But what if the Bible isn't just a book of information, but a place of encounter? Today, we’re talking about the power of hearing God’s voice through His Word. We’re diving into the ancient practice of reading Scripture aloud, why your 'quiet time' might actually need to get a little louder, and how to move past the 'I have to' mindset into a genuine 'I want to' relationship with the Living God. It’s time to stop just reading the page and start listening for the Voice behind it. Let’s get into it.

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Today, we are building a bridge. We’ve spent this series looking at the Old Testament, but today we’re seeing how the New Testament writers—specifically the author of Hebrews—viewed those ancient texts. If you’ve ever felt like the Bible is two different stories with two different versions of God, this episode is for you. We’re exploring how the New Testament doesn't replace the Old; it reveals it. From the sacrificial system to the priesthood, we’re looking at how every shadow in the Old Testament finds its substance in Jesus. We’re talking about the 'Better' covenant, the 'Greater' High Priest, and why you can’t fully understand the Gospel of the New Testament without the foundation of the Old. It’s an ultimate 'Aha!' moment of Scripture. Let’s dive in.

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We’re kicking things off with a brand-new look, but we’re diving straight into one of the oldest, messiest, and most misunderstood parts of our faith: The Old Testament. For a lot of us, the 'First Volume' of the Bible feels like a confusing collection of hard-to-pronounce names, weird laws about bacon and fabric, and a version of God that feels… well, different. But if we skip the Old Testament, we’re skipping the very foundation of why Jesus had to come in the first place. Today, we’re stripping away the 'VeggieTales' versions of these stories to look at the raw, unfiltered heart of God. We’re talking hermeneutics, the true purpose of all those laws, and why the Old Testament isn't just a history book—it’s a mirror. Grab your coffee and your Bible; it’s time to see how the ancient Word meets our modern world. Let’s dive in.

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In this unfiltered Season 1 finale of the Go Be the Church Podcast, Eric and Stephen tackle the questions you actually wanted answered. From Jesus’ model of ministry to Revelation’s real meaning, from dating advice to Dodgers fandom, nothing is off-limits. Expect hot takes, honest answers, and a few laughs along the way as we wrestle with what it really means to follow Jesus in everyday life.

Whether you’re sorting through faith, leadership, or relationships, this episode offers real talk, biblical wisdom, and a reminder that church isn’t a place—it’s a people.

Keywords: Christian podcast, discipleship, Q&A, church leadership, faith questions, following Jesus, Revelation, Christian dating, spiritual growth, Go Be the Church

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Copyright 2025 First Christian Church, Champaign, IL.

Hosts: Eric Friedmann and Stephen Albi, with special guest: Blake Porter

God doesn’t call us to be perfect messengers—just willing ones. In this episode, we’ll help you find the courage and clarity to share your faith with the people who need it most.

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Copyright 2025 First Christian Church, Champaign, IL.

Hosts: Eric Friedmann, Jared Prince, and first-time guest: Michelle Jacob!

We no longer bow to statues, but we still bow to the things we chase for security or identity. What’s the hardest idol for you to let go of? Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram (@gobethechurchpodcast) or email (podcast@fcc-online.org).

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Copyright 2025 First Christian Church, Champaign, IL.