Locker Room

Deconstruction is a word used frequently in regard to people who are 'deconstructing their faith.' Sometimes at the end of this process, people end up denying their faith altogether. Usually the first stop on this journey of deconstruction is 'Progressive Christianity.' In this episode, Scott breaks down some of the main drivers of the progressive Christian movement, and talks about how we equip ourselves to call others home by being immersed in scripture while simultaneously understanding our culture. The four books referenced at the end of this episode: Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers The Gathering Storm by Albert Muller That Hideous Strength: How the West Was Lost by Melvin Tinker A Grand Illusion by David Young 1. Have you experienced the idea of “Deconstruction” in the way society views it today? Is there a sense of tension when you hear the ideas of Deconstruction and Progress in the same ideology 2. When you think of Progressive Christianity, do you feel uncertain what the Progression is actually mov

Fear isn't a sin, but our response to it can be. Sometimes we have to march forward even though we are afraid. In this episode, we talk about pursuing a sound and healthy mind by saturating our thoughts in the word of God instead of the headlines. 1. Scott shared his thoughts about all the talk about the virus. Where are you at with the conversation about COVID? Are you tired, afraid, something else 2. As a whole, we seem to have no goals or target or clear objective when it comes to dealing with COVID, and without that limiting principle we're looking at ongoing and changing restrictions. Some people fear the virus, others are more concerned with the government's response. Where do you land on that spectrum and why? 3. Whether it's the current era or earlier in life, in what ways have you seen fear become a controlling force in your experience? 4. After World War II, the new reality of the atomic bomb created a growing fear of the potential for destruction. C.S. Lewis landed with a conclusion that we are liv

Why in the last decade, has the diagnosis "gender dysphoria" transformed from a vanishingly rare affliction, applying almost exclusively to boys and men, to an epidemic among teenage girls? We are all disordered in some way because of sin - we all have sins and struggles and thoughts and feelings that don't correspond to truth and reality. Our challenge is not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2) In this episode, Scott reads and reflects from Irreversible Damage: the Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, by Abigail Shrier. 1) What did you think about Scott’s opening analogy about a girl going to the doctor for anorexia, where the doctor affirmed all of her thinking that she was in fact fat, even though she was severely underweight by medical standards? Do you think this is a good analogy for the issue of gender dysphoria, and what is currently happening in our culture? 2) Scott pointed out that in Abigail Shrier’s book “Irreversible Damag

How does the world around us handle sin, offenses and shortcomings? How should we as Christ-followers handle the presence of sin in our world? Should we join in the stone-throwing? In this episode we'll explore how we must address the sin in our own lives, and then we can help our brother and sister out. 1. Scott starts off our discussion today with an example of the way our cultural model tells us to handle perceived injustices or infractions. Have you seen situations where this model has played out? Were the outcomes positive or negative? 2. The current model of dealing with faults is described as a four step process. Which step do you feel pushes a conversation or interaction towards hopelessness the most? 3. Narratives are mentioned several times in our discussion, what narratives are you struggling to navigate, or which have you encountered recently? How can we redeem these narratives? 4. Christians have started to follow the path of culture in virtue-signalling and cancelling, almost as a knee-jerk reac

In this week's episode we wrap up our discussion on race: responding instead of reacting, and how as Christ-followers, the ball is in our court. 1) What is your understanding of “intersectionality”? How does looking through the lens of intersectionality affect interactions with people? How has it affected conversations in your experience, recently or in the past? 2) Why do you believe so many churches are recently prioritizing diversity as their main mission? What do you think the mission of the church should be? What does the Bible have to say about that mission? 3) Ariea said, “It would do your church no good to be diverse with all different types of ethnicity and no one saved.” Is there anything in your life that you are striving for in place of bringing people to Jesus? 4) Rod stated, “Fear stands for: False Evidence Appearing Real.” What is appearing real to you that is causing you to be afraid? What’s true and what’s false in the way you’re processing this situation/threat in your world? Identify the “f

This week's episode picks up where we left off with Ariea, Rod, and Scott discussing race and how we as Christ followers can approach reconciliation. 1) When you hear “Solution for Racism” what emotions are stirred up? Do you feel like the conversation will be a positive or a negative one? Will the conversation be civil? 2) Scott Ariea and Rod discuss their solution for racism—fathers in the house and strong male leadership. Rod says that you need examples of how to Look, Live and Love like Jesus as a youth growing up. How might a community transform when there are examples of male leadership in households? 3) In the discussion we hear a call back to the thought that: “We are most helpful to the world when we look least like the world”. Do you find it hard to avoid looking like the world when discussing issues of large concern like race? Does this difficulty stem from a disconnect between how things are handled for world concerns versus spiritual concerns? If so, how? 4) Rod tells us a story from his past and

In this episode Scott sits down with friends Ariea King and Rod Butler to discuss the subject of race: how it has shaped our lives and how we as Christ followers can move forward. 1) The guys provided their definitions of racism early in this episode. How would you define racism? 2) What, do you believe, is really the root problem behind racism? What is it that people are scared of, insecure about, or just don’t understand that makes them view people of a different race as anything less than themselves? 3) Have you ever experienced racism, or have you ever come to the realization that some of your thoughts and beliefs might be what some would consider racist? This is a question that requires us to be very transparent, self-aware, and to have humility. Who can share? 4) The guys had a conversation about how not all black people have the same experience just based on the color of their skin. How did that conversation strike you? Where do we need to allow for more diversity of thought and experience? Should our

Jon joins Scott to reflect on the topics we've covered this season and lessons learned from his own marriage. 1. Marriage and parenting teach us a ton. But especially help us grow to be selfless in a way nothing else can. Why do you think this is true? How have you experienced this kind of transformation in your life? 2. Marriage is a visible demonstration of the love of God for people. Marriage apart from the picture of Christ and His bride isn’t going to find fulfillment. How can we intentionally pursue this biblical picture of marriage? 3. Which of Jon’s tips for building a strong marriage have been helpful to you? Which do you want or need to pursue? Take your time and learn from older couples. Pray a lot. Serve together. Invest in the church. Be realistic with financial expectations. Work on conflict resolution. Invest in relationships with a few other couples. 4. What is it about sharing a meal together with the people we love that transforms us? How does it build your family’s relationships? What is ac

Scott Hatfield returns for this episode of Locker Room to talk about those important words many of us have said in our vows, "...in sickness and in health." Scott and his wife Sarah have walked through many tough seasons over the 27 years of their marriage. 1. Everyone has a unique story about how they met their wife. Share your story or, if not married, where you’re at in the journey toward marriage. 2. Hatfield was led by God to make some decisions relationally that paved the way for his marriage to Sarah. How do prayer, worship, and God’s word feed into your own relational world? 3. As you heard Hatfield share his story, which parts of their “adventures together” resonated most to encourage, challenge, or inspire you? 4. Sarah jokes that she was in great health and perfect condition before she and Scott met. They quickly faced challenges that required faithfulness to their vow: “In sickness and in health.” How has this vow, or another wedding vow, been a challenge and/or an anchor in your life? 5. Both Ni

Kevin Comp joins Scott on this episode of Locker Room to share his story. Kevin was married and divorced early in life and went on to work through pain, forgiveness and redemption. Kevin serves as the Campus Pastor for Southland's Georgetown location. He has been married to his wife Stacey for 21 years and they have 3 children. 1. Kevin mentioned that Middle School age is a very formative time. What were the positive and negative influences on your life in Middle School that had long-lasting effects? 2. Kevin mentioned that being a “workaholic” was really an excuse to hide from his leadership role at home. How does that quote resonate with you? What other leadership roles might we tend to hide from? 3. Bob Cherry took Kevin out to lunch after his divorce and showed him grace. Who has shown you grace in some of your lowest moments? 4. Have you ever wrestled with the tension of knowing God’s grace covers others but having trouble believing it to be true about yourself? 5. Have you ever felt like God was “done w

In this episode, Scott sits down with Nathan Head and Jason Eaton to discuss how their marriages and families have grown through choosing to adopt. 1. How did you and your spouse meet? How long have you been married? Do you have kids? If so how many? 2. For those with kids: Did you always want kids? For those without kids: How many kids do you want? What are your thoughts, fears, excitements about having kids? 3. How does hearing Nate and Jason talk about their adoption processes shed light on the power of what the Bible says about God adopting us into His family? 4. Scott mentioned the C.S. Lewis quote, “All love involves risk.” How has this been true in your marriage? In your parenting? 5. Going through the adoption process requires radical dependence upon God for everything. What are you currently needing to radically depend on God for? 6. Nate mentioned “the adversity you face will make you stronger because it becomes a bond of intimacy that otherwise would not be created.” How has this been true for you

On this episode Austin Ketron joins Scott to talk about what it looks like to build a marriage out of the rubble of addiction and recovery. Austin and Monique have been married for 8 years and have four children, and now focus on building into their family and helping others. 1. Austin was very transparent and vulnerable about his past and struggles. Do you feel like you have a safe place to be known? Or do you feel like you have to pretend and manage your image? Have you ever worried about being found out as a fraud? 2. How have you struggled with addiction? Whether it be alcohol, substance, sex, pornography, greed, etc. Where do you stand in recovery? And what did that process look like? 3. God often works in ways we never imagined. Share some of those with the group. 4. At some moments, it can be hard to see God’s hand and provision. But years later it can be very obvious. Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in your past to bring about healing and wholeness? 5. How do you wrestle with the tension of be

James joins Scott for this episode to share his story. James and his wife Lauren had just married, returned from a honeymoon and were settling into life together when everything changed in the blink of an eye.   1. Where was your first date and how did it go? How long was it before you knew you were going to marry your spouse? 2. Did you ask your father-in-law for permission to marry his daughter? If so, how did that conversation go? 3. What is the scariest moment you have ever had with your spouse? Have you ever been in a situation where you thought either of your lives were in danger? 4. James mentioned the power of Jeff’s presence when he stayed overnight with him after Lauren passed away. Share a time you were blessed by a friend in a tough season. 5. Were you the kid in the family who resonated with the “prodigal son” or were you the older brother? 6. James mentioned how grief is like waves on the ocean: the ups and the downs, but that, over time, you remember less of the bad and more of the good. What

Gary and his wife Linda have been married for 47 years. On this episode, Gary shares memorable moments and wisdom he has learned over many years from both his own marriage and counseling married couples. 1. Tell your group the story of your first date. 2. Marriage is a journey not a destination. Share some of your journey—the highs and the lows—with everyone. What image would you use to explain where you are at on your journey? 3. How do you resonate with the thought of marriage being a “box” to check off? 4. “If you don't like what your wife is, consider what you have done to help her become that?” 5. How do you express to your wife that you cherish and value her? What is your favorite thing about your spouse? 6. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your understanding of your spouse? How well do you think they would say they understand you? 7. Who, if anyone, ever shared biblical wisdom about what it means to be a godly husband with you? 8. “Listens a lot, corrects little, cares deeply.” Would your spou

In this episode, Scott sits down with Chapman Bean to talk about life in a new marriage. 1. Why is non-sexual intimacy something many men are not good at in marriage? How do you struggle with intimacy and vulnerability in your marriage (and other relationships)? 2. Sex is one of the most complicated aspects of marriage, and it oftens goes unaddressed, with no time, thought, or conversation given to it. Why is it embarrassing for men to be honest about their sex lives? 3. What is the personality-makeup of your marriage in terms of extroversion and introversion? How has Jesus redeemed the pros and cons of these in your relationship? 4. How has Jesus sustained your love and commitment for your spouse? 5. How do you and your spouse navigate what and who is a priority in your lives? 6. What are unhealthy characteristics you see in some marriages? What about healthy characteristics? How do you see yourself growing in the healthy areas? 7. What is the most obvious way Jesus is growing you as a husband in this season

There's a path God provides for men to take on responsibility and humbly steward it; a path that has a home - a place where you belong, and people you belong with. And it is good. 1) If you’re married, how old were you when you got married? What led you to marry at that age? If single, what has led you to be single to this point? 2) Scott mentioned that nothing in your life will help you become more like Jesus and learn self sacrifice than marriage and having children. How does marriage and parenting show us God’s design for His creation? How does this show us what God values most? 3) In the Bible children are viewed as having immense value and being a huge blessing. How does this differ from what culture tells us about having kids? In what ways does this challenge you? 4) There is a path to manhood that consists of self-sacrifice. Why do you think God designed it this way? Why do you think so many men today resist or delay the journey down that path? 5) What areas of our culture and communities do you see be

The family, the church, and government--three institutions of authority living in tension with one another. In this episode Scott explores the context of Romans 13 and how we can remain faithful to Jesus with a clear biblical worldview on authority. 1) Would people label you as too political or not political enough? Why would they think that? 2) Who do you receive more attacks from: The "left" or the "right"? How come? 3) Read Romans 13:1-7. Check out multiple versions if possible. What observations stick out? 4) How have you wrestled in the past with the tension between government and God? What are some decisions you have had to make where you were obedient to God when the government overstepped? 5) What does the phrase “Jesus is King,” mean to you in this season? How has this affected the decisions you have been making? 6) What are some ways that you need to grow your Biblical Worldview? What avenues and resources help you the most in growing in your knowledge of Jesus and the Bible?

"...Until we see ourselves and each other as God sees us, and respond with an intentional embrace of his oneness, we will forever ring flat in a world that longs to hear the liberating cadence of truth." In today's episode Scott reads from and reflects ond Oneness Embraced by Tony Evans. Tony is the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX. 1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “Oneness?” What do you envision when you think about racial oneness? How have you seen the discussion and the reality of racial oneness embraced in your local community change over time? 2. Tony Evans says racism still exists because the church, which is the most qualified to talk about racial reconciliation, has not addressed its root. How has the root of racism been addressed at churches you’ve been part of throughout your life? 3. “Cognitive Dissonance” is defined as holding contradicting views simultaneously. What contradicting views do you hold or struggle with currently? 4. “Authentic oneness comes from th

"Our greatest challenge as men is to carry our assigned weight. Carrying our weight means doing the things only we can do--the things for which we are responsible..." In this episode Scott reads from The Heroic Path: In Search Of The Masculine Heart by John Sowers. 1. Why do you like or dislike to read? What ways to you prefer to be informed or inspired? What is the best book you’ve ever read? 2. Who played the most significant role in your life, shaping what you believe manhood to be? 3. “Men stand tallest when they stand for others.” Who are you standing for? Who is standing for you? 4. What “weight” are you carrying that is the heaviest in this season? 5. What tempts you most to stall out? 6. What or who encourages you the most? 7. How have you grown the most in your journey into manhood?

We pick up from our last episode, continuing conversation on leading teams with Scott Hatfield and Mike Vandemark. 1. “Calling” isn't power, it is submission. How do you use your calling to elevate others? 2. A lack of trust will crumble any team. How well do you trust others? How well do others trust you? 3. Do you listen to those you lead more than you talk or coach them? 4. The best example of courageous leadership is saying you’re sorry and that you were wrong. How willing are you to apologize? 5. Security as a leader is key in being able to take push-back or critique. Where are you the most secure and insecure as a leader?