Ephesians 4:12 says the Lord gave leaders "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." The 4:12 podcast is created by Restoration Church in Southlake, TX with an aim to teach and discuss biblical, theological, and cultural topics for the purpose of equipping all believers for gospel ministry in today's world.
Stop Using These Verses Wrong! (Misunderstood vs. Abused Scripture) (Ep.023)
Have you ever heard a Bible verse used as a slogan, a motivational quote, or even a tool to control others? In this episode of The 4:12 Podcast, Ryan and Joel sit down to discuss the most commonly misunderstood and abused passages in Scripture.
They break down the crucial difference between misunderstanding a text out of cultural habit or lack of context versus abusing a text for power, resources, or control. Walking through fan-favorite passages like Philippians 4:13, Matthew 7:1 ("Judge not"), Matthew 18:20 ("Where two or three are gathered"), and Romans 8:28, the guys demonstrate why reading the Bible in its original context makes God's Word infinitely better and more encouraging than our misinterpretations.
Key Topics Covered:
The difference between personal misunderstanding vs. leadership abuse of Scripture
Why a text without a context is just a pretext
Philippians 4:13: Is it about dunking basketballs or finding contentment in suffering?
Matthew 7:1: Does "Judge not" mean Christians can't have discernment?
Matthew 18:20: Why this verse is about church discipline, not avoiding the local church.
Romans 8:28: Who actually gets to define what "good" means?
7 Sept 2026
Why the Pro-Life Cause Is Biblical Before It’s Political (Ep. 022)
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, support for the pro-life movement within the American church has surprisingly declined. Is the church adequately equipped to think, speak, and act on the value of human life?
In this episode of The 4:12 Podcast, Ryan sits down with Dr. David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council. Together, they cut through the partisan noise to examine what scripture actually teaches about the sanctity of life—from conception to natural death. They unpack recent abortion trends, address common misconceptions within local churches, offer guidance on how to disciple the next generation in a biblical pro-life ethic, and discuss why Christians must remain grounded in the Word of God above any political platform.
17 Aug 2026
Youth, Social Media, & Discipleship (Ep.021)
Social media isn't just changing how our kids communicate—it’s shaping their identity, attention, and relationships. In this episode of The 4:12 Podcast, host Ryan is joined by Kara Dawson (Connections Director and Girls Ministry Leader at Restoration Church) for a vital conversation on youth, screen time, and digital discipleship.
Having spent years researching and creating curriculum on the impact of social media on teenage girls, Kara offers a realistic, biblically grounded perspective on the true costs of smartphone culture. Together, they explore practical guardrails, the psychology behind infinite scrolling, and actionable strategies for parents looking to shepherd their children safely through their formative years.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The Hidden Cost: Why time and undivided attention are our most squandered resources.
Visual Comparison & Relational Aggression: How social media uniquely impacts teenage girls.
The "Wait Until 16" Rule: Why tying social media access to a driver's license builds healthy boundaries.
Overcoming Addiction: How replacing screen time with real-world alternatives works better than white-knuckling.
Parenting in Community: How families can partner together so kids don't feel isolated.
Whether you're raising young children, navigating the teenage years, or simply looking to evaluate your own digital habits, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical steps forward.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
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