Word & Flesh

Who Will Teach Your Kids About Sex? | Parenting in a Confused Culture

Somebody is going to disciple our children. Who will it be? Questions about sex, identity, relationships, and God's design are arriving earlier than ever, and Christian parents cannot afford to remain passive. In this episode, the elders of Riverview Baptist Church discuss how to talk to children about sexuality in an age of confusion and competing worldviews. Rather than relying on one awkward conversation, we argue for hundreds of small conversations that build a strong, positive vision of God's design, over time. Topics include: * Biblical manhood and womanhood * Talking to children about sex * Identity and feelings * Social media and entertainment * Homosexuality/transgender issues and cultural pressure * Grace and truth * Healthy parental boundaries * Modeling a beautiful Christian marriage God's design for humanity is good, beautiful, and life-giving. Parents have the privilege and responsibility of helping their children see that before the culture teaches them otherwise.

The Glory of Submission | Women's Struggles & Biblical Womanhood (Ep 11)

Submission. For many people, it's one of the most uncomfortable words in the Bible. Our culture has spent decades teaching women that submission is weakness, oppression, or the loss of personal freedom. Scripture paints a very different picture. In this episode of Word & Flesh, we continue our series on biblical womanhood by exploring one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life: submission as an act of faith. We discuss: * Why submission ultimately begins with trusting God * The difference between biblical submission and worldly caricatures * Why women are called to joyful partnership, not passive silence * How older women are called to disciple younger women * What wisdom looks like in everyday life * What to do when a husband isn't leading well * Why encouragement often accomplishes what criticism never can * How feminism has shaped modern assumptions about marriage, authority, and fulfillment We also tackle practical questions that many Christians are afraid to ask: * What if my husband and I disagree? * What if he's passive? * What if he's wrong? * What does submission actually look like in a healthy Christian marriage? But beneath all of those questions lies a much bigger one: What if God's design is actually glorious? In Titus 2, women are called to be self-controlled, pure, kind, and submissive to their own husbands "that the word of God may not be reviled." That's a breathtaking calling. The goal isn't merely a better marriage. The stakes are bigger than that. A woman's faithfulness can adorn the gospel, strengthen the church, bless her family, and display the beauty of God's wisdom to a watching world.

Why Men Fail to Lead | Ep 10

What causes men to shrink back? In this episode of *Word and Flesh*, we continue the conversation on biblical masculinity by turning to one of the central struggles of men: passivity, fear, and abdication. From Adam in the Garden to Peter denying Christ, Scripture repeatedly shows men failing to step into the responsibilities God has given them. Facts: modern men struggle with the same thing. Riverview Elders Nathan Bechtold, Michael Beene, and Ryan Anderson talk about: * why men avoid leadership * the difference between taking initiative and taking control * how insecurity fuels both passivity and domination * why “happy wife, happy life” is a terrible vision for marriage * what it looks like to shepherd your wife spiritually * how men can begin leading their homes in family worship * and why shrinking back is so spiritually dangerous We also discuss practical realities many Christian men face: fear of conflict, fear of failure, feeling spiritually inadequate, emotional disengagement, and the temptation to substitute career success or hobbies for real kingdom responsibility. At the center of the conversation is this call: Do not shrink back. Christ has already won the victory. Men are called to press in, bear burdens, lead courageously, and take initiative for the good of others and the glory of God. Look to the King!

Lead. Provide. Protect. Virtuous Manhood in a Broken Culture | Ep 9

What does it actually mean to be a man? In this episode, we explore a biblical vision of masculinity that goes far deeper than cultural stereotypes. Instead of passivity on one side or domination on the other, Scripture calls men to something better. We define a virtuous man as one who takes initiative to lead, provide, and protect others with humble, self-sacrificing love under God’s authority. From there, we walk through what that looks like in real life—at home, at work, and in the church. We also address: * why many men feel stuck or unsure of their role * how fear and comfort can lead to passivity * what true provision and protection actually look like * and why the cross is the clearest picture of real masculinity This episode is about recovering a vision of manhood that is strong, purposeful, and ultimately shaped by Christ. Music Credit Intro/Outro: Old Neptune, He's Roaring by Brian Sauvé, used with permission

What Is a Woman? The Beauty of Virtuous Womanhood | Ep 8

What is a woman? It’s a question our culture struggles to answer—yet Scripture speaks to it clearly, beautifully, and with purpose. In this episode of Word and Flesh, we begin a two-part conversation on virtous womanhood, not shaped by culture, but grounded in God’s design. We explore a biblical definition of a virtuous woman: A woman who nurtures and cultivates others with gentle strength, wisdom, and joyful partnership under God’s authority. From there, we begin to unpack what that actually means. In this episode, we cover: * Why the question “What is a woman?” even matters * How culture has distorted and confused womanhood * What it means that a woman is designed to nurture and cultivate * The beauty and dignity of being a “helper” (and why that word is misunderstood) * How God uniquely designed women as life-givers—physically, relationally, and spiritually * What virtuous womanhood looks like for married and single women alike * Why God’s design is not restrictive—but life-giving We also begin to address the tension many feel when approaching this topic—especially in light of cultural messaging and personal experiences. This is about recovering a vision of womanhood that is strong, dignified, and deeply rooted in truth. And that's a beautiful thing.