2026 Kick-off

Theology Conversations are UP!

This is interesting.

It is also specific.

I am not talking just religion, but religion conversations are up as well. As a matter of fact, over the course of 2025 the topic of religion became a growing trend. Specifically the topic of Christianity. What is Christianity, who is Jesus, what do Christians believe.

Why?

Googles Year of Searches Reveals:

Charlies Kirk was the most googled person in the United States.

Charlie Kirk was the 3rd most globally.

Number 1 most searched in “Passings”.

Pope Leo was 5th most googled person.

Number 1 Podcast of 2025: Charlie Kirk.

Most googled Scripture:

Isaiah 41:10 CSB

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

Most Popular book of the Bible: Psalms

Most Read Scripture was Psalm 91

Psalm 91 CSB

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust: He himself will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. For he will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent. Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him my salvation.

Theology discussion is on the rise.

This quote is interesting:

There was a significant rise in questions relating to “fundamental questions about God and existence”.

Some of these fundamental questions are:

What is heaven?

What is prayer?

What does “before Christ” mean?

What is evil?

Is Jesus really God?

Maybe you have had them. Maybe you have googled them.

There was another Podcast that blew up toward the end of the Year. Made waves over my social media. Blew my phone up way more than I thought:

Kirk Cameron asked a simple question: are we wrong about hell?

He just asked a question. And he really didn’t ask the question, his son asked the question of him, and then he thought about the question and studied for the question and then relayed the question FOR DISCUSSION. To get people to actually discuss it, and think about what they believe and why.

And the crazy thing is that he got BLASTED by a lot of loud religious people.

and a lot of other people started asking. studying. reading their Bible. asking me questions.

Check this out:

1 Peter 3:15 CSB

but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

We are told to BE READY to give an answer for why we believe what we believe.

Let me paraphrase:

OWN YOUR FAITH!

Why?

Own Your Faith

So you know what you believe.

I cannot emphasizes the importance of personal commitment and responsibility in your spiritual journey enough!

How else can you fully embrace your beliefs rather than relying on the faith of others.

Stand Firm in Your Beliefs

understand the necessity of nurturing a personal relationship with God, equipping them to face trials and doubts, and empowering them to share their faith confidently with others.

faith must not only be inherited or borrowed from family or tradition but must be deeply rooted in personal conviction and understanding, which leads to a more vibrant and resilient faith.

Christ through the notion that He desires a personal relationship with each believer, inviting individuals to know Him intimately and to stand firm in their faith amidst challenges.

Consider exploring the biblical principles surrounding personal faith versus inherited faith. Utilizing Logos, you could research how various biblical figures owned their faith in different cultures and challenges, which may provide a deeper understanding of individual responsibility in faith. Also, reviewing commentaries on Hebrews 11 could deepen insights for illustrating these principles.

1. Decide with Determined Conviction

Daniel 3:16–18 CSB

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate a personal conviction in their faith, standing firm even in the face of life-threatening danger.

Their decision to trust God regardless of the outcome illustrates owning one's faith and the power of a personal relationship with God.

Consider using their example to encourage believers to nurture a faith deeply rooted in personal conviction, rather than dependent upon external circumstances or pressures.

2. Pursue Passionate Personal Faith

Philippians 3:7–11 CSB

But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.

Philippians 3:7–11 CSB

More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Philippians 3:7–11 CSB

Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.

Philippians 3:7–11 CSB

My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Paul articulates a shift from relying on inherited religious status to owning his personal faith in Christ alone. His passionate pursuit of knowing Christ is an invitation for believers to examine their own faith journeys, moving from tradition to transformational relationship.

By diving into Paul's commitment and pursuit, you can learn seek an authentic and vibrant relationship with Christ that withstands life's trials.

3. Develop Deep-rooted Dependence

Hebrews 11:1-2, 6

Hebrews 11:1–2 CSB

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by this our ancestors were approved.

Hebrews 11:6 CSB

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

definition of faith and the necessity of personal belief as outlined in Hebrews. This passage underscores that genuine faith is marked not by mere assent but by trust and assurance in God's character and promises. Use these verses to challenge listeners to develop their own faith identity, moving beyond inherited belief to a confidence in God's rewards for those who earnestly seek Him.

Big Idea: A mature faith is one that is owned personally and deeply, leading to transformation and the ability to withstand life’s trials.