Rooted Discipleship

Is It Okay to _____?

In this episode of the Rooted Discipleship Podcast, Walker Davis and Chad Gott step away from Colossians to tackle a common question many believers wrestle with: “Is it okay to ______?” Whether it is drinking, smoking, certain habits, or everyday choices, they discuss how Christians should think biblically when trying to discern what honors God and what leads them away from Him. The conversation begins by defining sin—not simply as rule-breaking, but as anything that separates us from fellowship with God. Walker and Chad explain how many modern questions are less about specific actions and more about the condition of the heart. Rather than asking how close we can get to the line, believers should ask whether something draws them closer to Christ or creates distance in that relationship. They also discuss Christian freedom, personal conviction, and the importance of discernment through the Holy Spirit. Some matters may not be explicitly named in Scripture, but biblical principles still apply. Topics like self-control, drunkenness, idolatry, witness to others, and surrendering our desires to God all play a role in how we navigate gray areas of life. Most importantly, the episode centers on the gospel. Walker and Chad explain the difference between justice, mercy, and grace, showing how Jesus Christ paid the price for sin through His death on the cross. Because salvation is rooted in Christ’s finished work—not our perfection—believers can walk in freedom, repentance, and confidence even when they stumble. This episode is a reminder that the Christian life is not about finding loopholes or pushing limits—it is about surrendering to Jesus, seeking holiness, and living in communion with the God who saved us. Have a question you want us to answer on a future episode? Email us at: walker@rooteddiscipleship.com [walker@rooteddiscipleship.com] chad@rooteddiscipleship.com [chad@rooteddiscipeship.com]

Ep 16 | Wrapping Up Colossians!

In this episode of the Rooted Discipleship Podcast, Walker Davis and Chad Gott conclude their study through the book of Colossians by walking through Colossians 4:2–18, where Paul gives his final instructions and closing greetings to the church. The conversation begins with Paul’s call to remain steadfast in prayer—being watchful, thankful, and spiritually alert. Walker and Chad discuss how gratitude keeps our focus on God, strengthens our walk, and helps guard us against distraction and temptation. They also highlight Paul’s request for prayer while imprisoned, showing that even in hardship, his greatest concern was that more doors would open for the gospel to be shared. The discussion then turns to Paul’s command to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. They unpack the urgency believers should have in representing Christ well through gracious speech, intentional living, and readiness to share the hope found in Jesus. Every interaction, every conversation, and every season of life is an opportunity to reflect the character of Christ to the world around us. As they close the letter, Walker and Chad also reflect on Paul’s personal greetings, showing the importance of Christian community, faithful friendship, and the many people God used to strengthen the early church. Even Paul, one of the greatest missionaries in history, was not serving alone. Ultimately, this episode serves as a reminder that prayer, gratitude, wisdom, and faithful community are essential marks of the Christian life. Whether in seasons of freedom or hardship, believers are called to remain steadfast, use their time well, and live in a way that points others to Christ. Have a question you want us to answer on a future episode? Email us at: walker@rooteddiscipleship.com [walker@rooteddiscipleship.com] chad@rooteddiscipleship.com [chad@rooteddiscipeship.com]

Ep 15 | Rules for Christian Households!

In this episode of the Rooted Discipleship Podcast, Walker Davis and Chad Gott continue their study through Colossians by walking through Colossians 3:18–4:1, where Paul shifts from personal spiritual transformation to how believers are called to live within the home, the workplace, and everyday relationships. Paul begins with the household, addressing wives and husbands, children and parents, servants and masters. Walker and Chad unpack how Paul’s teaching was radically countercultural for its time, elevating those who were often overlooked and showing that the gospel transforms every level of human relationships. Rather than reflecting worldly power structures, Christian relationships are to reflect humility, sacrificial love, fairness, and service. The discussion focuses on the biblical design of marriage, where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church and wives are called to live in willing alignment with God’s order. They also explore the responsibility of parents to disciple their children in the Lord and the importance of fathers leading the home with authenticity and faithfulness. The episode then turns to Paul’s instruction on work and service, emphasizing that whatever we do should be done wholeheartedly as unto the Lord. Whether in seasons of blessing, difficulty, leadership, or hardship, believers are reminded that God is purposeful in every circumstance and that no moment is wasted in His plan. Ultimately, this conversation points listeners to a life of faithful stewardship—honoring Christ in marriage, family, work, and suffering—while living with the hope that comes from knowing where the story ends in Him. Have a question you want us to answer on a future episode? Email us at: walker@rooteddiscipleship.com [walker@rooteddiscipleship.com] chad@rooteddiscipleship.com [chad@rooteddiscipeship.com]

The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees!

In this episode of the Rooted Discipleship Podcast, Walker Davis and Chad Gott take a break from their Colossians study to walk through Matthew 23:1–12, where Jesus directly confronts the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Jesus warns the crowds and His disciples about religious leaders who preach truth but fail to live it out. While the Pharisees knew Scripture deeply, their lives were marked by pride, self-promotion, and a focus on outward appearances rather than inward transformation. Walker and Chad unpack how this disconnect between words and actions led to people being burdened and ultimately led away from God. The conversation highlights several key warnings from Jesus: practicing faith for the approval of others, placing heavy and unnecessary burdens on people, elevating self over service, and focusing more on tradition and appearance than on the heart. They also explore how the Pharisees missed the true purpose of God’s law—using it to elevate themselves instead of allowing it to shape them into people who reflect God’s character. At the center of this passage is Jesus’ call to humility. True greatness in God’s kingdom is not found in status or recognition, but in servanthood. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” becomes the defining principle for how believers are to live. This episode serves as both a warning and a challenge—calling listeners to examine their own lives, guard against subtle forms of hypocrisy, and pursue an authentic faith that reflects Christ not just in words, but in action. Have a question you want us to answer on a future episode? Email us at: walker@rooteddiscipleship.com [walker@rooteddiscipleship.com] chad@rooteddiscipleship.com [chad@rooteddiscipeship.com]

Ep 14 | Do Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus!

In this episode of the Rooted Discipleship Podcast, Walker Davis and Chad Gott continue their study through Colossians, focusing on Colossians 3:5–17. After Paul’s call to set our minds on things above, he now turns to the practical application of what it looks like to truly live out the new life in Christ. Paul first calls believers to “put to death” the old self — addressing sins such as sexual immorality, impurity, anger, slander, and deceit — reminding Christians that these behaviors belong to the life they have left behind. Walker and Chad discuss how these sins not only damage our relationship with God but also tear apart the relationships and community God designed for His people. The conversation then shifts to the second half of Paul’s instruction: not just removing sin, but replacing it with Christ-like character. Compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love become the defining marks of those who have been made new in Christ. They also unpack Paul’s powerful reminder that believers are called to forgive just as they have been forgiven, and how forgiveness leads to freedom, peace, and unity within the body of Christ. Throughout the discussion, Walker and Chad emphasize Paul’s final encouragement — to let the word of Christ dwell richly within us and to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. This passage becomes a practical guide for daily living, calling believers to continually realign their hearts, actions, and attitudes with their identity as children of God. This episode highlights the transformation that takes place in the life of a believer — putting off the old self, putting on the new, and living each day in love, unity, and gratitude as ambassadors for Christ. Have a question you want us to answer on a future episode? Email us at: walker@rooteddiscipleship.com [walker@rooteddiscipleship.com] chad@rooteddiscipleship.com [chad@rooteddiscipeship.com]