How would your life change if you were trusted and loved in spite of your behavior?

In this episode, Scott and Bill discuss the detrimental effects of behavior-based accountability groups, which often act as shame incubators, rather than places of healing and growth. They explain how true Christ-like maturity stems from being fully known and loved in a safe community where judgment is replaced by grace. They challenge each of us to rethink Church and community as a safe place where we can be fully known, in spite of what is true about us. A place without fear of judgment. A place where we don’t have to fear losing fellowship.

Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode:

(00:53) Heart for a grace-based theology that focuses on love and trust, rather than legalism.

(01:50) A listener’s letter describing a behavior-focused accountability group that became a “shame incubator.”

(04:42) Accountability is helpful for business and tasks, but harmful when applied to relationships.

(05:40) Trust, not failures, is what creates true safety between people.

(08:33) A safe place values the person over their behavior, and removes the need to hide.

(12:54) A vision for Churches to become places of love and trust, regardless of what is known about a person.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

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This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Imagine you could stop working on your life, and step into a life that was already yours. We’re talking about how to rebuild your faith if your faith has been rocked. What do you think of this statement?

In this episode, Scott, Bill, and Waldemar explore how to rebuild faith when it has been shaken by life’s challenges. They discuss the concept of rebuilding faith by shifting from a performance-based lifestyle to stepping into the life and identity God has already provided. They also talk about the dangers of "sin management theology,” which traps us in a cycle of shame and self-effort. Remember that circumstances don’t define you… God does. Let Him transform your person.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(01:50) The question of how to rebuild faith when life circumstances shake belief.

(02:21) The concept of “imagine” is introduced as a parallel to faith—believing in what is not yet seen.

(03:07) The “upside-down mountain” in the Living Influence logo emphasizes trust over accumulating principles.

(05:43) The difference between trusting God for forgiveness versus trusting Him with one’s identity.

(10:48) Feelings of inadequacy, shame, and worth are connected to environments that reinforce performance-based identity.

(14:10) Adding personal responsibility to spiritual growth undermines grace.

(18:11) The power of authentic storytelling in building trust and creating environments of grace.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Can you imagine finding a community where it is actually safe for you to be fully known?

In this episode, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar explore the struggles young adults face as they wrestle with shame, confusion, and questions about identity. They explain why behavior-focused thinking often leaves people trapped in hiding and why discovering the true significance of one’s person brings freedom. They emphasize embracing a message of grace and the life-changing power of safe relationships where young adults can be fully known and guided toward hope and a real identity in Jesus.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(01:28) Young adults feel overwhelmed by shame, confusion, and uncertainty about how life and belief actually work.

(04:36) The story of a young man who asked, “What do I do now?” after becoming a believer, which changed how Bill viewed responsibility for guiding others.

(06:40) The goal is not to fix young adults but to come alongside them and honor the significance of their person and who God says they are.

(10:55) The tension many young adults feel between their sense of failure and the possibility of a completely new way of living.

(19:14) Today’s young adults are highly sensitive to what is fake and are searching for something real and authentic.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/