Pocket Theology

About Pocket Theology

Pocket Theology is a short form teaching podcast hosted by John Hayes, exploring the biblical questions you didn’t know you were asking

Publisher

John Hayes

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Jan 2026

Latest episode

6 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Ep.15 "Sojourner"

   Have you ever felt like this world was never quite enough? In John 7:31-36, Jesus speaks about going where His listeners cannot follow, leaving them confused about where He is going and what He means. But beneath their misunderstanding is a powerful reminder: this world was never meant to be our final home. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we explore what it means to live as sojourners—people who are passing through rather than putting down permanent roots. Together, we wrestle with the reality that while we live on earth, our identity, hope, and citizenship ultimately belong to the kingdom of heaven. When we begin to see ourselves through that lens, our priorities change. Success looks different. Suffering takes on new meaning. The things we cling to become easier to release because we remember that we were created for something greater than this present world. This conversation is both challenging and encouraging as we ask what it truly looks like to live with eternity in view instead of being consumed by the temporary. If you've ever wondered why this world leaves you longing for more, or what it means to live as a citizen of heaven while still walking on earth, this episode is for you. Because maybe the greatest perspective shift we can make isn't learning how to love this world more—it's remembering the One, and the home, we were created for.

2. 

   9 Jul 2026

   Ep.14 "I am the Bread of Life" Pt.2

   What did Jesus mean when He said, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you"? These words have challenged, confused, and even offended people for centuries. In fact, when Jesus first spoke them, many who had been following Him turned away because they couldn't accept what He was saying. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we continue our journey through John 6, wrestling with one of the most difficult passages in the Gospel of John. Together, we explore what Jesus meant when He called His followers to eat His flesh and drink His blood, why this teaching was so shocking to His audience, and what it reveals about true faith, dependence, and life in Christ. Rather than avoiding hard passages, we believe they're often the ones that reveal the deepest truths about who Jesus is. This conversation invites us to slow down, examine the context, and let Scripture shape our understanding instead of our assumptions. Whether you've read this passage dozens of times or have always been confused by Jesus' words, this episode is an invitation to wrestle with the text and discover why this teaching remains one of the most significant in all of John's Gospel. Because sometimes the hardest words of Jesus become the doorway to seeing Him more clearly.

3. 

   25 Jun 2026

   Ep.13 "I am the Bread of Life"

   What are you really hungry for? After feeding the five thousand, the crowds followed Jesus looking for more bread. But instead of giving them another meal, He offered them something far greater: Himself. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we're doing something a little different. This conversation comes directly from one of our Wednesday night student Bible studies as we walk through John 6:22-40 and compare Jesus' teaching with the manna God provided in Exodus 16. Together, we explore what it means for Jesus to call Himself the Bread of Life, why the crowd missed what He was truly offering, and how physical hunger often points to a much deeper spiritual need. Just as God faithfully sustained Israel in the wilderness day by day, Jesus invites us to find our life, satisfaction, and dependence in Him—not in the temporary things this world offers. This conversation is both theological and deeply practical, reminding us that what we feed our souls ultimately shapes the way we live. If you've ever found yourself chasing things that never seem to satisfy or wondered what Jesus meant when He said, "I am the bread of life," this episode is for you.

4. 

   4 Jun 2026

   Ep.12 "Slaves of Righteousness"

   Every person serves something. Whether we realize it or not, we all surrender our lives to a master. The question isn't whether you're a slave—it's who or what you're a slave to. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we explore what Scripture means when it talks about slavery, righteousness, and freedom. Walking through John 5:28-29, Exodus 3:7-12, and Romans 6-7, we examine God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, humanity's struggle with sin, and Paul's powerful teaching that true freedom is not found in serving ourselves, but in surrendering to Christ. We often think freedom means having no master, but the Bible presents a different picture. Every heart is ruled by something—sin, self, success, comfort, approval, or God Himself. The question is not whether we serve, but who we choose to serve. This conversation is both challenging and hopeful as we wrestle with what it means to leave behind old masters and become slaves of righteousness. Because the gospel is not simply about being set free from something—it's about being set free for Someone. If you've ever struggled with sin, questioned what true freedom looks like, or wondered what it really means to follow Jesus, this episode is for you.

5. 

   28 May 2026

   Ep.11 "Your Purpose is Not on Pause"

   Waiting is not a wasted season. In a culture obsessed with speed, progress, and visible success, waiting can feel frustrating, confusing, and even pointless. But what if the waiting season is actually where some of God’s deepest work happens? In this episode of Pocket Theology, we talk about trusting God in seasons where life feels slow, uncertain, or unresolved. Not treating waiting like a pause on life, but understanding it as a place of preparation, refinement, and dependence on the Lord. We wrestle with the tension of wanting clarity while God calls us to faith, the danger of tying our identity to success or achievement, and the reality that our true purpose is not found in what we accomplish—but in being fully known and fully loved by God. This conversation is reflective, grounding, and honest. Because sometimes the greatest danger in waiting is not delay—it’s forgetting what you were made for in the first place. If you’ve been feeling restless, discouraged, impatient, or unsure of what God is doing in your life right now, this episode is for you.

6. 

   14 May 2026

   Ep.10 "WAKE UP"

   Wake up! Not out of fear—but out of awareness. Because it’s possible to slowly drift into a place you never intended to be. In this episode of Pocket Theology, this isn’t a polished conversation—it’s raw, late-night, and honest. After a long week of conviction, this episode comes from a place of realizing just how easy it is to become spiritually passive… to go through the motions, to settle into comfort, and to call it faith. We wrestle with what it means to be lukewarm, why it’s so dangerous, and how subtle the drift can be. Looking at passages like 2 Kings 4, Matthew 7:7–11, and Revelation 3, this episode is both a warning and an invitation—to return to the secret place, to store up oil, and to seek God with urgency again. Because God is not distant. He is willing to meet you. But you have to actually come. This conversation is heavy, reflective, and necessary. If you’ve felt distant, numb, or just “going through it” in your walk with Christ—this is your moment to wake up.

7. 

   30 Apr 2026

   Ep.9 "What's Your Motive?"

   Why do you do what you do? Not on the surface—but underneath it.Beneath the habits, the routines, the “right” actions… what is actually driving your life? In this episode of Pocket Theology, we take an honest look at motive—why it matters, why God cares about it, and how easily it can become misaligned without us even realizing it. It’s possible to do the right things for the wrong reasons, to serve, lead, and live in ways that look good externally but aren’t rooted in a desire to truly please God. Through passages like Psalm 54:3 and 1 Thessalonians 2:4, we unpack what it means to live for the approval of God rather than people, and how a shift in motive doesn’t just change what you do—it transforms who you are becoming. This conversation is direct, exposing, and necessary. Because God isn’t just after your actions—He’s after your heart. If you’ve never really stopped to ask why you live the way you do, this episode will challenge you to. — We also highlight Simply Better Market, a curated marketplace launching Fall 2026 focused on high-quality products and meaningful impact. Learn more at simplybettermarket.com (simplybettermarket.com). Plus, our senior pastor is working toward publishing his new book The Trigger Cycle. You can support him by following along on Instagram at drewoakleyofficial (https://www.instagram.com/drewoakleyofficial/) and being part of the journey as this message gets out.

8. 

   16 Apr 2026

   Ep.8 "Psalm 91: Constant Dwelling" w/Hopkins Long & Isaiah Amantine

   In a world full of noise, distraction, and constant movement, Psalm 91 offers something radically different — an invitation to dwell. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we sit down and dive deep into Psalm 91 and what it truly means to live in the “secret place” of the Lord. Not just visiting it in moments of need, but building a life that remains there — steady, rooted, and dependent on God in every season. We talk about the difference between knowing about God and actually abiding in Him, what it looks like to trust His covering in both peace and pressure, and how constant dwelling reshapes the way we think, respond, and live. This isn’t about temporary refuge — it’s about a permanent posture. This conversation is reflective, challenging, and grounding — a call to stop drifting in and out of God’s presence and instead learn to remain. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent in your walk with God or wondered what it really looks like to live close to Him daily, this episode is for you. — We also briefly highlight Simply Better Market, a curated marketplace launching in Fall 2026 focused on high-quality products and meaningful impact. If you’re building something with purpose and want to grow alongside a mission-driven platform, check them out at simplybettermarket.com (simplybettermarket.com)

9. 

   2 Apr 2026

   Ep.7 "Choosing Death" w/Bibb Albright

   In a culture that constantly tells us to seek comfort, avoid pain, and chase what feels good, the way of Jesus calls us to something completely different. In this episode of Pocket Theology, we dive into what it truly means to follow Christ through suffering. From fasting to baptism to the daily call to “die to self,” this conversation explores the reality that the Christian life isn’t about avoiding pain — it’s about being transformed through it. We talk about what it looks like to choose obedience when it’s hard, to trust God in seasons of discomfort, and to embrace the kind of surrender that leads to real life. This isn’t a conversation about having all the answers, but about stepping into the tension of what Jesus actually asks of us. It’s honest, challenging, and deeply reflective — a reminder that the path of life often looks like death before it ever looks like victory. Also… quick heads up — the audio in this episode didn’t quite cooperate with us. Turns out microphones don’t always enjoy suffering as much as we do. Stick with us though — we promise the conversation is worth it. If you’ve ever wrestled with what it means to follow Jesus when it’s difficult, this episode is for you.

10. 

    19 Mar 2026

    Ep.6 "Put on Your Glasses"

    In this episode of Pocket Theology, we step into something simple, but deeply important: learning to recognize the voice of God. So often we assume that if we’re not hearing from God, it must mean He isn’t speaking. But what if the issue isn’t His silence — it’s our awareness? This conversation centers around a practical idea: just like glasses help bring clarity to what’s already in front of us, there are ways we can begin to better recognize when God is speaking in our lives. Rather than overcomplicating the process, we slow things down and walk through a few simple practices that help posture our hearts to listen — creating space for clarity, attentiveness, and relationship with the Lord. This isn’t about mastering a formula. It’s about learning to be present. Take some time to listen, reflect, and try the practice for yourself this week. Because God is still speaking. The question is — are we learning to recognize His voice?

11. 

    5 Mar 2026

    Ep.5 "Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit" w/Leo Kelly

    The Holy Spirit is one of the most talked about — and often most misunderstood — parts of the Christian life. But instead of approaching this episode with a list of questions or a strict outline, we simply opened the conversation and allowed it to unfold naturally. In this episode, we sit down with Leo Kelly and talk about the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Rather than trying to solve every theological question, this conversation simply opens the door to who the Holy Spirit is and how He moves in the lives of believers. It’s honest, reflective, and conversational — the kind of discussion that reminds us the Spirit of God is not just a topic to study, but a presence to know. If you’ve ever wanted a more real and unscripted conversation about the Holy Spirit, this episode is a place to start.

12. 

    19 Feb 2026

    Ep.4 "Holiness" w/Hopkins Long

    Holiness is one of the most misunderstood words in the Christian life. Is it about behavior? Separation? Perfection? In this episode, we slow down and think deeply about what Scripture actually means when it calls us to be holy. We’ll explore what holiness is — and what it isn’t — and why it’s not about becoming distant from the world but becoming more aligned with the heart of God. If you’ve ever struggled with the tension between grace and obedience, this conversation is for you.

13. 

    5 Feb 2026

    Ep.3 "All Things Worship" w/ Jacob Malo

    What is worship really about? Is it just music, a Sunday moment, or something much deeper? In this episode of Pocket Theology, we sit down with Jacob Malo to unpack what it means to live a life of all things worship. Together, we explore how worship moves beyond songs and into surrender, shaping the way we think, lead, serve, and follow Jesus in everyday life. Whether you are new to faith or have been walking with God for years, this conversation will challenge you to see worship not as an event but as a posture of the heart. Lean in and discover how a life centered on God transforms the ordinary into an offering.

14. 

    22 Jan 2026

    Ep.2 "Sabbath: A Look into Biblical Rest"

    What does the Bible really say about Sabbath? This episode explores the theology of rest, from Genesis to Jesus, and how Sabbath was designed as a gift, not a burden. We examine why Sabbath mattered, how Jesus reframed it, and what it looks like to practice biblical rest in modern life.

15. 

    8 Jan 2026

    Ep.1 "Hearing the Voice of God" w/Lars Griffin

    “Hearing the voice of God” is a phrase often used but rarely examined. In this opening episode of Pocket Theology, Lars Griffin and I slow down and ask what Scripture actually teaches about God’s voice. Grounded in John 10, we explore the nature of divine communication, the role of Scripture, and the formation of discernment within the life of faith. Rather than offering shortcuts or sensational answers, this episode seeks theological clarity, spiritual maturity, and a deeper trust in the God who speaks to His people.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings