Michael Easley inContext

The Lord’s Prayer may be the most familiar prayer in Christianity—and the most overlooked.
In this episode of InContext, Michael Easley sits down with Brad Gray and Brad Nelson of Walking the Text to uncover the depth, power, and biblical context behind the prayer Jesus taught His disciples.

Drawing from years of study in Israel, pastoral ministry, and personal experiences of grief and suffering, Brad and Nelson show how the Lord’s Prayer is not just something Jesus taught—it’s the prayer He lived. From Exodus imagery and the “heavens” language to forgiveness, grief, and the kingdom of God, this conversation reframes the prayer as a daily blueprint for discipleship.

Whether you’ve prayed the Lord’s Prayer for decades or rarely stop to think about its meaning, this episode invites you to hear it with fresh ears—and to rediscover how it shapes our understanding of God, ourselves, and our purpose in the world.

Chapters

00:00 – How Michael First Met Brad & Nelson in Israel
03:40 – From Sports & Business to Studying Scripture
07:50 – Why Biblical Context Changes Everything
10:45 – Why the Disciples Asked Jesus to Teach Them to Pray
13:55 – Rediscovering the Lord’s Prayer
17:20 – Grief, Liminal Space, and Prayer That Holds Us Together
22:30 – “Our Father in the Heavens” Explained
27:10 – Creation, Cosmos, and God’s Nearness
30:40 – Why Stillness Helps Us Hear God
34:10 – “Forgive Us Our Debts” and the Cost of Forgiveness
39:00 – Forgiveness vs. Reconciliation
44:00 – The Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and Grace
49:30 – Why Forgiveness Is Ongoing Work
53:40 – The Lord’s Prayer as a Blueprint for Daily Life

Key Topics


The Lord’s Prayer in biblical and historical context


Why familiarity can dull spiritual formation


Exodus imagery and the kingdom of God


God’s nearness and authority in “the heavens”


Grief, suffering, and liminal space


Forgiveness as daily soul care


Forgiveness vs. reconciliation and healthy boundaries


Why prayer shapes how we live, not just what we say

Links Mentioned:

Bringing Heaven Here by Brad Gray and Brad Nelson

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

For more inContext interviews, click here.

What if some of the most familiar Gospel stories aren’t quite what we’ve imagined?

In this episode of Michael Easley in Context, Michael is joined by renowned New Testament scholar Dr. Craig Evans to explore why historical and cultural context is essential for understanding Scripture. Drawing from his book Wow, I Didn’t Know That, Dr. Evans helps everyday believers move past assumptions and into a clearer, richer reading of the Gospels.

From the birth of Jesus and common nativity misconceptions, to repentance, Pharisees, John the Baptist, and the healing ministry of Jesus, this conversation shows how context doesn’t complicate faith—it strengthens it. You’ll discover why Jesus’ call to repentance is about renewal, not escapism, and how careful scholarship serves spiritual growth, not just academic knowledge.

If you love the Bible and want to understand it more deeply—without feeling overwhelmed—this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & prayer

01:00 – Why Dr. Craig Evans wrote Wow, I Didn’t Know That

03:45 – Making scholarship accessible for everyday believers

05:20 – Who this book (and conversation) is for

06:45 – Why misconceptions form when we ignore context

08:30 – The truth about the manger, the inn, and the nativity scene

11:15 – Why modern assumptions distort ancient texts

13:30 – Rethinking Pharisees and first-century Jewish life

16:10 – John the Baptist, family connections, and Gospel chronology

19:30 – Repentance: what Jesus really meant

22:15 – Renewal vs. end-times escapism

25:00 – The woman with the hemorrhage and ritual purity

28:10 – Jesus vs. Roman power and false healers

31:45 – Why context deepens faith instead of weakening it

34:45 – Final reflections and encouragement

📌 Key Topics Covered

Understanding Scripture in its original context

Common Gospel misconceptions explained

Repentance as returning, not earning forgiveness

Jesus’ ministry within Jewish history

Why the Gospels are historically grounded and spiritually rich

How good scholarship serves the church

Links Mentioned:

Wow! I Didn’t Know! By Dr. Craig Evans

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

For more inContext interviews, click here.

What if spiritual growth didn’t require more intensity—but more consistency?
In this episode of Michael Easley InContext, Michael is joined by Hanna Seymour to discuss her book Everyday Spiritual Habits and the powerful idea that spiritual disciplines are meant to become reflexes, not burdens.

Drawing from Scripture, spiritual formation theology, and the science of habit formation, Hanna explains how small, daily practices—what she calls “seed habits”—can lead to lasting spiritual maturity over time. Rather than chasing an idealized version of quiet times or comparing ourselves to pastors and scholars, this conversation reframes spiritual disciplines as accessible, grace-filled rhythms for real life.

Together, Michael and Hanna explore prayer, Scripture, joy, gratitude, celebration, solitude, and practicing the presence of God in ordinary moments—while also addressing distractions, comparison, and the pressures of modern life. This episode offers a hopeful vision for anyone longing to walk tethered to Jesus in the middle of busy, demanding seasons.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Why Habits Matter
02:45 – The Survey That Sparked the Book
05:10 – Atomic Habits Meets Spiritual Formation
08:30 – Consistency vs. Intensity
12:10 – Reframing Spiritual Disciplines for Real Life
15:20 – Prayer as a Daily Reflex
18:45 – Habit Triggers and Spiritual Cues
22:40 – Technology, Distraction, and Attention
26:50 – Joy, Gratitude, and Celebration
31:20 – Practicing the Presence of God
36:10 – Seed Habits and Spiritual Growth
41:45 – Closing Encouragement

Key Topics Covered
-Spiritual disciplines as habits and reflexes
-Why consistency matters more than intensity
-Habit formation and Christian growth
-Prayer in busy seasons of life
-Scripture intake without overwhelm
-Gratitude, joy, and celebration
-Practicing the presence of God
-Technology, distraction, and attention
-Spiritual formation for ordinary believers

Links Mentioned:
Everyday Spiritual Habits by Hanna Seymour

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For more information on Dr. Michael Easley and Ask Dr. E
Visit: https://www.michaelincontext.com

In this episode, Michael Easley sits down with Jon Gauger, author, radio personality, and lifelong lover of Scripture, to explore how the Psalms can transform the way we think and speak to ourselves. From anxiety and impatience to sleepless nights and moments of regret, Jon shares how memorizing and meditating on Psalms reshapes our self-talk, helps us navigate life’s challenges, and strengthens our relationship with God.

Jon shares his personal journey of replacing negative thoughts with Scripture, including practical examples from his daily life, work, and travels. Michael and Jon also discuss the life of David—the ultimate example of a man after God’s own heart—and how his Psalms provide guidance, encouragement, and hope for us today.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, worry, or mental fatigue, this episode will show you the power of Scripture to renew your mind and bring peace to your soul.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

-How to use the Psalms to combat negative self-talk and anxiety

-Practical steps for memorizing Scripture and making it a daily habit

-Ways Scripture can bring calm during sleepless nights and stressful days

-Lessons from the life of David on repentance, humility, and faith

-How to respond wisely and peacefully in moments of crisis

-Why worship, patience, and praise are choices that shape our thinking

-Real-life stories of mentors, travel experiences, and moments of faith in action

Timestamps & Topics Discussed:

0:00 – Opening prayer and welcome

0:29 – Michael’s love for the Psalms and teaching them

1:27 – Introduction of Jon Gauger and Powerful Self-Talk from the Psalms

3:12 – Why Jon wrote the book: transforming negative self-talk

7:31 – Understanding constant self-talk and what Scripture says about it

10:21 – Using Psalms for rest and sleep

13:19 – Waiting patiently and trusting God (Psalm 27)

18:12 – “Relax, He’s Doing the Doing” and committing your soul

19:41 – Choosing worship and praise in daily life

20:56 – How social media affects self-talk

25:36 – Pausing and trusting God in crises

28:46 – Brag on God: encouraging others through our response

33:58 – How Scripture memorization influences thought, speech, and action

35:16 – David’s life as a model for self-talk, repentance, and faith

38:16 – Psalm 51: turning to God in moments of sin and regret

39:15 – Closing reflections and encouragement to engage with Scripture

Links Mentioned:

Powerful Self-Talk From The Psalms by Jon Gauger

Follow on Instagram and Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelinContext

https://www.instagram.com/dreasley/

For more information on Dr. Michael Easley and Ask Dr. E

Visit: https://www.michaelincontext.com

In this episode of Michael Easley in Context, Michael sits down with his pastor and longtime friend Darren Tyler, lead pastor of Conduit Church in Franklin, Tennessee, to address a growing cultural shift: many people—including professing Christians—no longer believe that sin is real, universal, or serious.

Using recent Barna research as a starting point, Michael and Darren explore how ideas like “people are basically good,” “follow your heart,” and therapeutic explanations for sin have reshaped how we talk about responsibility, repentance, and grace. They discuss why minimizing sin weakens evangelism, erodes discipleship, and ultimately obscures the beauty of the gospel.

This conversation doesn’t minimize real pain, trauma, or injustice. Instead, it offers a biblical framework for owning our present reality, understanding the deceitfulness of the human heart, and running toward joyful obedience in Christ. From pastoral ministry and generational shifts to cultural algorithms and everyday gospel conversations, this episode provides clarity for navigating faith in a confused age.

If you’ve wondered how to talk about sin without shame—or why the gospel feels less compelling in today’s culture—this episode is for you.

🔑 What You’ll Learn
-Why many Americans—and Christians—no longer believe sin is universal or serious
-How cultural narratives about the heart reshape responsibility and repentance
-The connection between diminished views of sin and weakened evangelism
-Why following your heart often leads away from biblical truth
-How pastors can address sin without shame while still preaching clearly
-Practical ways to talk about sin and grace in everyday conversations
-Why the gospel is more than an example—it’s a substitution
-How discipleship suffers when churches stop teaching core doctrine

Chapters
00:00 – Why the conversation about sin matters right now
02:45 – Darren Tyler’s journey from the music industry to pastoral ministry
06:10 – Barna’s findings: Are people really “basically good”?
09:30 – How culture redefines sin as trauma or preference
13:45 – The danger of “follow your heart” theology
17:30 – Sin, abuse, and responsibility: drawing biblical distinctions
21:40 – Why minimizing sin undermines evangelism
26:00 – The missing piece in modern discipleship
31:10 – Talking about sin without shame
35:45 – Algorithms, the heart, and modern temptation
40:20 – Why Jesus had to pay the price for sin
45:15 – Sin against God and the meaning of forgiveness
50:30 – Romans 7, Romans 8, and hope for believers
54:20 – Why the gospel is more needed than ever
58:30 – Final encouragement for pastors and everyday Christians

Links Mentioned:

Conduit Church

Follow on Instagram and Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelinContext
https://www.instagram.com/dreasley/

For more information on Dr. Michael Easley and Ask Dr. E
Visit: https://www.michaelincontext.com