Equipped Workshop hosted by Cumberland Trace church of Christ

Equipped 2026: "Following in the Footsteps of Our Father of Faith" by Jet Warren

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 1:15 PM Session
In this episode we unpack Hebrews 11 and ask the question: why is Abraham called the father of our faith? Using Genesis, Romans, and Hebrews as touchstones, the speaker explores Abraham not only as a literal progenitor but as a spiritual model whose life teaches us how to live by faith.
Guests Jett and Luke deliver reflections that frame Abraham’s life as a pattern to follow — three specific “footprints” are highlighted: the footprint of trust (obeying God without a blueprint), the footprint of a traveler (living as temporary residents in tents while seeking a heavenly city), and the footprint of sacrifice (willingness to surrender what we love most, exemplified by Abraham’s offering of Isaac).
The episode references key scriptures (Hebrews 11:8–19, Romans 4, Genesis 12 & 15, John 14:3, Philippians 3:20, 1 Corinthians 15:58) and translates those passages into practical application: examining modern “Isaacs” (idols like phones, social media, jobs, hobbies), reconsidering where we set our roots, and embracing baptism and a pilgrim mentality. The sermon challenges listeners to trade earthly certainty for God’s presence and to live visibly as people seeking a better country.
Listeners can expect pastoral teaching, personal illustrations, and a clear invitation to evaluate their spiritual residency. The episode closes with gratitude to Jett, Luke, their parents and congregations, and a reminder of upcoming small-group sessions and panels for further discussion.
Duration 11:06

Equipped 2026: "The Precious Nature of Unity (Gen. 13:8)" by Luke Lohden

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 1:00 PM Session
In this episode the speaker examines the biblical call to pursue unity in a world marked by division. Using Genesis 13’s account of Abraham and Lot as the central example, the message highlights how humility, selflessness, and intentional peacemaking can resolve conflict and preserve relationships even when resources or opinions clash.
Key topics include practical steps for promoting unity—addressing conflict directly and peacefully, choosing humility over advantage, and being willing to sacrifice for the sake of relationship—and New Testament teachings that shape how Christians should pursue peace, including Romans 12:18 and John 17’s prayer for oneness.
The episode also balances the call to unity with the necessity of truth: unity must not come at the cost of obedience to God. Passages such as John 3 on new birth, 2 Thessalonians 3:6 on withdrawing from the disorderly, and Matthew 18’s restoration process are discussed to show when separation may be required to encourage repentance and protect the church.
There are no outside guests; this is a focused solo message from the speaker. Listeners will come away with clear, practical takeaways: unity often requires personal sacrifice and humility, it must be rooted in love and the image-bearing worth of every person, and it must remain faithful to biblical truth, so the church’s witness reflects God rather than compromise.
Duration 12:28

Equipped 2026: Youth: "Why Bad Things Happen in the World" by Caleb Colley

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 11:00 AM Session
In this sermon-style episode Caleb addresses the classic question: Why do bad things happen if God is all-powerful and all-loving? Beginning with the philosophical problem of evil, the speaker explains why the old atheist argument against God has lost force and emphasizes that God’s providence may include reasons we can’t fully see. Using everyday analogies (a bicycle mishap, an airbag repair, the movie Sliding Doors) and real-life stories, the episode illustrates how small, unseen causes can shape far-reaching outcomes.
The speaker outlines four biblical reasons God allows suffering: (1) to draw people nearer to know and love God (supported by 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, James 1:2–4, Romans 5:3–5); (2) to glorify God by demonstrating faithful endurance in the face of trials (Job’s example and Jesus’ teaching on persecution); (3) to put temporal suffering in perspective against the incomparable, eternal reward of heaven (2 Corinthians 4:16–18; Mark 9:43–48); and (4) to show that knowing God is an incomparable good worth sacrifice (illustrated by Paul’s testimony of counting prior achievements as loss).
The episode references multiple Scripture passages (Isaiah 43:6–7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; James 1:2–4; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3–5; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18; Mark 9:43–48) and mixes theological explanation with practical applications: trust God’s providence even when reasons are hidden, allow trials to build character and deepen relationships, let suffering reveal the worth of God to others, and hold an eternal perspective that makes present pain feel small by comparison.
Listeners can expect a compassionate, scripture-rooted exploration of suffering that balances honest acknowledgement of pain with encouragement: suffering has purposes, Christians are called to persevere and glorify God through trials, and ultimate justice and restoration will be realized in eternity. The speaker invites follow-up conversations and offers to share slides or resources for further study.
Duration 39:32

Equipped 2026: "Grace from the Beginning" by Steve Higginbotham

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 11:00 AM Session
 
Grace from the Beginning - Steve Higginbotham
 
In this lecture, Steve Higginbotham challenges the misconception that the God of the Old Testament is harsh and graceless while the New Testament reveals a loving God. He argues that God has always been both just and gracious, evident from the very beginning. Using Genesis 3 as the central text, Higginbotham highlights multiple expressions of grace immediately following humanity’s fall. He explains how God initiated contact to seek, call, confront, chasten, cover, and ultimately protect Adam and Eve by expelling them from the garden—portraying these actions not as wrath, but as profound acts of loving grace aimed at reconciliation and preventing eternal life in a fallen state.
 
Duration 33:33
 

Equipped 2026: Ladies: "Genesis in the Gospels" by Cherie Vestal

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 11:00 AM Session
In this solo teaching episode, Cherie uses the image of family photo albums to lead a flyover tour of Genesis and its echoes in the Gospels. Opening with Psalm 115 and a personal anecdote about a calligraphy plate, the lesson frames Genesis as "God's family album #1" and the Gospels as album #2, exploring how God’s plan moves from infancy to maturity and how the Old Testament portraits find fulfillment in Jesus.
The episode is organized around eight snapshots: four major events (Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel) and four key personalities (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph). For each picture the teacher draws parallels to the Gospels: Creation as God’s preparation and Jesus as the Word made flesh; the Fall as humanity’s problem and Jesus as the rescuing way; the Flood showing God’s loving patience and righteous judgment with warnings about readiness; and Babel as a caution against self-reliance and presumptuous religion.
Turning to the four personalities, the talk examines Abraham as the recipient of God’s promises fulfilled in Christ, Isaac as a picture of God’s provision, Jacob as a portrait of struggle leading to divine purpose, and Joseph as an example of God’s sustaining presence through hardship. Along the way the speaker points listeners to key Bible references (Genesis, John, Matthew, Luke and Pauline and epistolary echoes) and weaves in practical applications: cultivate daily awe, accept Christ’s rescue, live ready and faithful, avoid self-reliant towers of riches or religion, and trust God’s promises and presence.
The episode includes personal touches (travel Bible, family stories), brief engagement with archaeological and cultural references related to the flood, and frequent Scripture citations to ground the teaching. There are no external guests—this is a solo, pastoral-style exposition intended to help listeners see their own place in God’s story and to anticipate the next "album" yet to come: the Lamb’s Book of Life.
 
Duration 42:39

Equipped 2026: "Sibling Rivalry and Sovereignty (Gen. 26-28)" by Allen Webster

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 11:00 AM Session
 
This episode takes a close look at Genesis chapters 26–28, moving from a broad overview of the book into a focused study of the characters, events, and theological lessons in these three chapters. The host reviews the historical sweep of Genesis, summarizes chapters 26–28 (Isaac in Gerar, the stolen blessing, and Jacob’s ladder), and reflects on how these stories illustrate both human failing and God’s unshaken rule. The program references earlier contributions by guest Chance and includes insights offered during the class session.
Chapter-by-chapter, the episode covers: Genesis 26 — Isaac following Abraham’s footsteps in Gerar, repeating the ‘‘sister’’ deception, growing prosperity, conflicts over wells, the covenant with Abimelech, and Esau’s disappointing marriages; Genesis 27 — Rebekah’s plot and Jacob’s deception that results in the stolen blessing, Isaac’s blindness and trembling, Esau’s bitter reaction, and the theological tension between human scheming and God’s prior will; Genesis 28 — Jacob’s departure, the famous ladder-to-heaven vision, his vow and tithe promise, and the beginning of his long exile.
The episode pulls out two central themes: sibling rivalry and divine sovereignty. It traces sibling conflict as a recurring, corrosive thread in Scripture (Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers), and identifies four biblical causes of sibling rivalry illustrated here — favoritism, worldliness, selfish ambition, and envy. It also examines the reality of divine sovereignty: how God’s purposes are accomplished despite human sin, why God is neither dependent on nor endorses sinful means, and how individual justice and consequences still play out.
Listeners will get practical application and pastoral guidance: how to respond to God’s sovereignty in uncertain times (trust, obedient service, confident witness, and worship even when it is difficult), and a set of relational prescriptions for families and churches — pursue love not hate, cooperation not competition, unity not separation, honor not innuendo, edification not envy, reconciliation not rivalry, and brotherhood not division. The speaker also highlights the personal costs of ‘‘right outcome, wrong method’’ and invites the audience to examine where they stand in these narratives.
Overall, this episode blends biblical exposition, pastoral application, and theological reflection — equipping listeners to understand the narrative arc of Genesis 26–28, recognize the spiritual dynamics at work in family and church life, and apply lessons about faithfulness, justice, and the sovereign reign of God in their own lives.
 
Duration 40:58

Equipped 2026: Youth: "Strength in the Face of Sexual Pressure" by Corey Sawyers

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 10:00 AM Session
This episode features a heartfelt sermon-style teaching from a pastor/teacher working through Genesis 39, aimed especially at teens, parents, and church leaders. The speaker uses Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife to explore how private decisions reveal character and how young people can stand firm in the face of sexual pressure.
Topics covered include: the biblical account of Joseph in Genesis 39; three crucial decisions for resisting temptation—deciding who you belong to, deciding how you will respond to temptation before the moment arrives, and deciding what matters more than comfort; the difference between public failure and private character; and the long-term cost of compromise versus the immediate cost of faithfulness. The sermon emphasizes that strength is choosing God in private, and that fleeing temptation is often the right strategy.
The speaker illustrates key points with contemporary examples—phone screen-time reports, online temptations and apps, and the marshmallow self-control test—and practical research-backed suggestions such as talking openly about sex and purity, providing a positive home environment, monitoring media, staying busy with good activities, and studying God’s design for relationships. The message also includes pastoral encouragement: even when doing right leads to hardship (as it did for Joseph), God’s presence and favor remain—"the Lord was with him"—and failure is not final.
Listeners can expect candid, practical guidance, clear biblical teaching, and a compassionate call to seek accountability and support from parents, elders, and youth leaders. The episode closes with encouragement to build an identity in Christ, make preemptive decisions about temptation, and accept the cost of faithfulness while trusting God’s continued presence and purposes.
 
Duration 38:32
 

Equipped 2026: "Is Genesis 3:15 The First Messianic Prophesy" by Bart Warren

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 10:00 AM Session
 
Text Questions:  Is Genesis 3:15 The First Messianic Prophesy? - Bart Warren
 
A rigorous theological analysis arguing that Genesis 3:15 is the “protoevangelium”—the first gospel and first messianic prophecy—grounding the claim in narrative context, Hebrew linguistic features, cross-textual biblical themes, and historical reception. The talk concludes that the verse promises a human deliverer who will be wounded yet ultimately triumph over the serpent (Satan), restoring hope and access to life through Christ’s victory.
 
Duration 41:18

Equipped 2026: Panel Discussion: "Questions about Spiritual Growth and Development" by Glen Hitchcock, Adam Faughn, and Carl Pollard

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 10:00 AM Session
 
Questions About Spiritual Growth and Development 
Discusses the multifaceted nature of Christian spiritual growth. Key indicators of increasing faith include decreased fear, increased obedience, sensitivity to sin, and the fruits of the Spirit. Maturity is a disciplined, lifelong process nurtured by consistent engagement with Scripture, prayer, enduring trials, and active participation in a supportive church community. This resilience is built by trusting God's character, especially during life's unexpected challenges.
 
Duration 41:33

Equipped 2026: "Abraham and Isaac (Gen. 20-25)" by Chance Hicks

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 10:00 AM Session
This episode is a sermon-style teaching that walks through Genesis 20–25, using the lives of Abraham and Isaac to reveal the character of the God who is called the friend of Abraham. Rather than focusing only on the biographical details of Abraham, the message unpacks how these chapters help us know God better — his pursuit of people, his faithfulness to promises, and his gracious provision.
Topics covered include Abraham's journey to Gerar and the Abimelech episode, God’s intervention in dreams, the opening of Sarah’s womb and the birth of Isaac, the covenant at Beersheba, Hagar and Ishmael’s desert deliverance, the testing on Mount Moriah, Sarah’s burial in Machpelah, the servant’s mission to find Rebekah, and the blessing of Ishmael and Isaac leading to the Jacob and Esau scene. The episode ties these Old Testament narratives to New Testament fulfillment in Jesus, the Spirit as our guarantee, and the hope of resurrection.
Key points emphasized: God is a pursuing God who draws his people back in times of weak faith; God is a fulfilling God who keeps his promises; God is a providing God who brings life in the face of certain death; God is a resurrecting God who inspires trust beyond the grave; God guides and directs his people; and God is the blessing-giver whose gifts we must not trade for immediate gratification. The teaching highlights numerous typological connections to Jesus — the Seed, the Lamb, the Resurrected One — and explains how those themes shape Christian hope and discipleship.
Listeners can expect a pastoral, Scripture-saturated exposition (no external guests), practical application for seasons of wavering faith, and a steady invitation to trust the God of Abraham — the friend who pursues, provides, fulfills, leads, and blesses his people now and forever.
Duration 37:47