Things Above

The Gospel Is Bigger

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this episode is, “The Gospel Is Bigger.” In this episode, Smith discusses an article from Christianity Today that led him to the thought above. Smith cites Dallas Willard, John Mark Comer, and Scot McKnight to explain his thoughts above. James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “God is the most joyous being in the universe.” In this epiode Smith explains how and why God is joyous. He gives examples from the book of Job and The Divine Conspiracy. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Related Episodes: 1. God Is Joyous [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/01/22/god-is-joyous/] 2. God is Looking for You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/22/god-is-looking-for-you/] 3. Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/] 4. Love Has You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/] 5. Deny [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/] The post The Gospel Is Bigger [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/03/11/the-gospel-is-bigger/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

God Is Joyous

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “God is the most joyous being in the universe.” In this epiode Smith explains how and why God is joyous. He gives examples from the book of Job and The Divine Conspiracy. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Related Episodes: 1. God is Looking for You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/22/god-is-looking-for-you/] 2. Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/] 3. Love Has You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/] 4. Deny [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/] 5. Conversation with Aundi Kolber [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/] The post God Is Joyous [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/01/22/god-is-joyous/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

God is Looking for You

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “God is looking for you.” In this Christmas-themed episode, James talks about how God invites us into a relationship with him through the Holy Spirit. Smith quotes a sermon from St. Augustine to help explain his thought from above. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/] 2. Love Has You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/] 3. Deny [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/] 4. Conversation with Aundi Kolber [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/] 5. Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] The post God is Looking for You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/22/god-is-looking-for-you/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta about their book, “Slow Theology.” [https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436437_slow-theology] In our fast-paced world of outrageous headlines and knee-jerk reactions, we struggle to hear God’s voice amid the noise. Despite constant connectivity, our lives lack true spiritual connection and depth. A. J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta offer a practical theology guide for building resilient faith through Christian discipleship. Addressing spiritual deconstruction and doubt with honesty, they show how to fortify your faith against cultural challenges through eight transformative spiritual practices, including ● taking your time in prayer and Bible study, ● building patience for your spiritual journey and faith formation, ● slowing down your thinking and decision-making process, ● finding peace with unanswered questions rather than demanding easy solutions, and ● facing spiritual difficulties head-on instead of avoiding them. This Christian living book helps weary believers reconnect with God and neighbor through intentional spiritual growth. With a foreword by Glenn Packiam, it’s perfect for devotional reading, small group study, or anyone seeking authentic faith formation. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Love Has You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/] 2. Deny [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/] 3. Conversation with Aundi Kolber [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/] 4. Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] 5. Your Project [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/] The post Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

Love Has You

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “Love Has You.” Smith talks about the impact five authors have had on his spiritual life. These five authors are: Ian Morgan Cron, Michael Cusick, Aundi Kolber, Alison Cook, and Curt Thompson, M.D. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with Aundi Kolber [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/] 2. Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] 3. Your Project [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/] 4. Live By The Spirit [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/07/16/live-by-the-spirit/] 5. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/06/19/conversation-with-michael-stewart-robb/] The post Love Has You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].