The Boundless Show

Finding family as a Christian single, plus pastors discuss how to respond when a Christian leader falls, and overcoming different backgrounds and sin struggles in dating.   Featured musical artist: Zach Williams Roundtable: Finding Family as a SingleSingleness can feel lonely, but it also has unique opportunities for wonderful friendships. While you might not have found that special someone yet, you still have amazing chances to make last memories and connect with friends who feel like family. Our guests share how they’ve learned to find family as a single Christian after moving to a new town. They’ll also discuss how they’re learning to combat feelings of loneliness.       Culture: When a Pastor or Christian Leader Falls (Part 2)It’s become an all-too-common headline: another pastor caught in a scandal — whether sexual, financial, an abuse of power, or some other egregious failure. For certain followers, the news is so devastating, they walk away from the church. The rest of us are left to ask: What do I do? Are there any faithful leaders left? Can I trust my own pastor, or will he be next? We brought in a panel of pastors to answer the hard questions. In part two this week, they’ll address whether someone can be a Christian after a big moral slide, and how to respond when a leader fails us.        Inbox: Different Backgrounds in DatingShe’s dating a solid Christian guy, but wonders if their pasts disqualify them from dating? For one, he struggled with a porn addiction, which he has dealt with. Plus, her dad is skeptical that their background differences could eventually cause problems in the relationship. Counselor Patrick Hill offers hope and gives some practical thoughts.

Landing a great job, plus more from Greg and Michael Smalley on guys and relationships, and should your parents be involved in your love life?   Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship Roundtable: Finding Your Dream JobOne of the most intimidating journeys is the job search. You want that dream career, but questions churn in your head: How do I get hired? Will I nail or fail the interview? Will I be told I need more experience? To help settle the questions and bring practical advice, we brought in a team of hiring experts. As professionals on the lookout for great recruits, they’ll discuss how to job-hunt, network, interview, and stay positive when you feel discouraged in the process.      Culture: How Guys Do Relationships (Part 2)It’s a common perception that guys are less competent at relationships than girls. But what if that’s not the case? Marriage experts Greg Smalley and Michael Smalley compare the ways men communicate to a set of tools, and give some insights on how to use those tools efficiently. They also get real about the trials and errors of learning to communicate with the women in their lives. And ladies, if you’ve ever wondered how to talk to guys, you’ll want to tune in.      Inbox: Parents’ Involvement in DatingShe’s in her second dating relationship, but Mom and Dad always want to offer advice. It’s to a point where it feels like they’re “helicopter parents.” How can she get some peace and privacy? Counselor Jenny Coffey offers ways to respect yet set healthy boundaries with parents when you’re in a dating relationship.

Getting real about the dangers of pornography, plus Greg and Michael Smalley on guys and relationships, and advice for relating to your parents.Featured musical artist: Hollyn Roundtable: When Pornography Controls You (Part 2)According to Barna, over 60% of Christian men say they’ve viewed pornography within the last month. But before you ladies start pointing fingers, statistics also show that an increasing number of Christian women are falling prey to sexualized content and entertainment, whether online pornography or more subtle and insidious offerings like the Fifty Shades franchise. With such a pervasive problem, how can people find true freedom? In part two of a two-week discussion, our panel discusses how porn affects men and women differently, and what it means to truly defeat porn versus simply “managing” it.      For a free counseling consultation, check out Boundless.org/counselingCulture: How Guys Do Relationships (Part 1)It’s a common perception that guys are less competent at relationships than girls. But what if that’s not the case? Marriage experts Greg Smalley and Michael Smalley compare the ways men communicate to a set of tools, and give some insights on how to use those tools efficiently. They also get real about the trials and errors of learning to communicate with the women in their lives. And ladies, if you’ve ever wondered how to talk to guys, you’ll want to tune in.      Inbox: Having a Healthy Relationship With Your ParentsWhen you become an adult, maintaining a mature, respectful relationship with your parents can be a struggle. So how do you do it? Lisa Anderson weighs in with some practical tips.

Getting real about the dangers of pornography, plus Joe Rigney on winning the war against lust, and spouse-hunting in a different culture.   Featured musical artist: Lara Landon Roundtable: When Pornography Controls You (Part 1)According to Barna, over 60% of Christian men say they’ve viewed pornography within the last month. But before you ladies start pointing fingers, statistics also show that an increasing number of Christian women are falling prey to sexualized content and entertainment, whether online pornography or more subtle and insidious offerings like the Fifty Shades franchise. With such a pervasive problem, how can people find true freedom? In part one of a two-week discussion, our panel shares their stories of pornography addiction and the sad and sneaky ways the culture enables sexual bondage.Culture: It All Begins With LustWhen Joe Rigney was first exposed to pornography, he never imagined it would lead to a decade-long addiction. But once he gave sexual sin a chance, it settled in his heart for the long haul. When Joe got engaged and was on the verge of jumping into full-time ministry work, he experienced a big wake-up call. In this insightful conversation, he explains how choosing obedience started him on the long road to freedom.Inbox: Cross-Cultural Spouse SearchShe’s just moved to a new continent and is looking for a church to meet guys. However, she feels like her chances of finding a mate in her new home are slim. In such a scenario, what can she do? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Wanting marriage vs. obsessing about it, plus Tim Ross on sharing the gospel with difficult people, and trusting God with unanswered questions.  Featured musical artist: Phil WickhamRoundtable: Do You Want Marriage Too Much?We dream of the beautiful wedding and of doing life with an amazing spouse. After all, that’s what God wants for us, right? While desiring marriage is a gift from God, it’s dangerous when it consumes our thoughts and becomes the thing. Our guests explain ways they and others they know have struggled with marriage obsession. They’ll also share thoughts on how to rightly prioritize marriage while being content in singleness.    Culture: How to “Upset” People by Pointing to JesusMany say we’re living in the “age of outrage.” One post or comment on social media, and before you know it, people who were friends are severing ties. How can we share Christ’s love in such a hostile environment? How do we break the ice when many in the world want nothing to do with Christians? Pastor Tim Ross reminds us that as we learn to love God, we can love difficult people through our words and actions, and, with God’s help, see transformation in their lives and ours.       Inbox: God’s Voice or Mine?How do you discern God’s will when your heart is weighed down by unanswered questions? Is there a way to be certain God himself is speaking to you rather than just another voice in your head? Counselor John Thorington offers some insights.

Guys tell all about asking girls out, plus J.D. Greear on making your life count, and should she settle for a social media pursuer?  Featured musical artist: Je’kobRoundtable: How Guys Feel About Asking Girls OutAsking a girl out is one of the hardest things for guys; it’s nerve-wracking and takes a lot of courage. Our guests relive what it was and is like for them to invite a girl on a date, and give guys tips for minimizing weirdness in the process. They also give the ladies advice for responding when a guy makes a move.   Culture: Living With Eternity in MindWe’re told the American Dream will make us happy, and many of us chase it relentlessly. But at the end of your life, will you care about your net worth or what car you drove? Pastor J.D. Greear reminds us that what we do for Jesus Christ will be what truly lasts. In the process, he downplays bucket lists and elusive “callings.” Oh, and as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, he briefly addresses the recent controversy surrounding Beth Moore’s denominational exit.     Inbox: Social Media PursuitThey’re in different states, and he stays in touch by frequently messaging her on Facebook. He seems to really like her, but she’s not interested. Time is ticking and no one else is asking; are chances running out for her to get married? Should she encourage this guy to make a move? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Helping a friend through a hard time, plus part two with Dallas and Jerry Jenkins on dramatizing the life of Christ, and rebuilding friendships after sexual sin. Featured musical artist: Darlene ZschechRoundtable: How to Help a Friend in NeedHaving a true friend to help you through life’s tough seasons makes such a difference. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, a break-up, a bleak medical diagnosis or some other discouraging situation, God loves to use other Christians to help carry our burdens when we’re low. Our guests share how they’ve both helped others and been helped by others in practical and encouraging ways when life got especially tough.   Culture: Behind the Scenes of “The Chosen” — Part 2Many filmmakers have tried to tell the story of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Some have done a good job; others, not so much. The series making headlines today is called “The Chosen,” with season one surpassing 57 million views as of last fall, and season two just released this week. Lisa went to the show’s set in Texas and visited with series creator Dallas Jenkins to get the stories behind the production as well as a sneak peek of what’s to come. She also talked to Dallas’ dad, Jerry (mega-author of the Left Behind books), about the brand-new novel based on season one. Don’t miss this exclusive interview! (part two of two)      Inbox: Friendship After Sexual SinHealthy friendships with the opposite gender can be great, but are they possible after a history of sexual sin? How do you start the process appropriately? And is there a point where it’s OK to date again? Counselor John Thorington weighs in.

Reasons to end a dating relationship, plus Dallas and Jerry Jenkins on dramatizing the life of Christ, and how to recognize a manipulator. Featured musical artist: Jeremy RosadoRoundtable: Dating Deal-BreakersLet’s be honest: None of us have it all together. Especially when dating, it’s easy for quirks and flaws to create tension between us and our significant other. But what about when an issue or sin is serious or persistent? Could it become a relationship deal-breaker? The fact is, some things are a big red flag that scream caution or even stop. Our guests share how to spot a deal-breaker in a dating relationship, and offer wisdom for how to address a serious situation when it crops up.   Culture: Behind the Scenes of “The Chosen” — Part 1Many filmmakers have tried to tell the story of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Some have done a good job; others, not so much. The series making headlines today is called “The Chosen,” with season one surpassing 57 million views as of last fall, and season two set to release any day now. Lisa went to the show’s set in Texas and visited with series creator Dallas Jenkins to get the stories behind the production as well as a sneak peek of what’s to come. She also talked to Dallas’ dad, Jerry (mega-author of the Left Behind books), about the brand-new novel based on season one. Don’t miss this exclusive interview! (part one of two)      Inbox: Spotting a ManipulatorYou meet someone who seems nice, but as you get to know them, something doesn’t feel right. They always seem to have a hidden agenda and often succeed in making you feel bad or “not enough.” Surprise! You may have found a classic manipulator. So what do you do? Counselor Patrick Hill weighs in.

Keeping friendships strong during the pandemic, plus more lies young adults believe, and what are essential habits to establish before marriage?    Featured musical artist: Daniel BashtaRoundtable: Preserving Friendships During a PandemicAs the world still reels from the effects of COVID-19, isolation is a common challenge nearly everyone is facing. Not being able to gather in public places, see family or visit friends has now become the norm. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, no one likes to feel completely cut off from everyone else. Is it possible to keep friendships alive during seasons of isolation? Our guests describe what the friendship journey has been like for them over the past year, and they give helpful tips for staying in touch, prioritizing in-person connections, and making good use of technology when necessary. Guests: Peter Gooch, Laura Williams, Bill ArbuckleCulture: Lies Young Adults Believe (Part 2)Many millennials and Gen Z adults are discouraged. The seemingly impressive accomplishments of our peers are only a click away. By fixating on others, it’s easy to feel like our lives aren’t special. Or that we’re not far enough along in our life plans. Paul Angone has a passion for helping young adults discover their true identity in Christ. In part two of our discussion, he’ll address why technology doesn’t necessarily make us better connected, the dangers of being too nostalgic, the difference between knowing information and being informed, and he finishes with positive declarations to debunk the lies of the world.      Inbox: Getting Myself Ready for MarriageGood habits and character qualities are important no matter what season of life you’re in. But what’s especially important to cultivate before tying the knot? What are those essential skills, habits and maturity markers to master in order to best ensure relational harmony with your future spouse? Counselor Jenny Coffey weighs in.