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In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we confront a bold question: “How do you know you’re truly in the faith?” Drawing on Paul the Apostle’s letter to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 12–13), we explore how genuine faith is more than appearances, more than impressive speech or credentials. It’s about the living power of Christ at work in weakness and integrity in community.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
After listening you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how the gospel changes the way you view strength and weakness. You’ll feel encouraged that authentic faith isn’t about putting on a show—it’s about letting Christ live through you in honesty, dependence, and love for others. You’ll be equipped to ask yourself healthy questions about your own walk with God and your community in light of what Paul lays out here.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we wrestle with one of the most surprising turns in the Christian life: sometimes faith doesn’t bring relief, it brings reliance. Turning to 2 Corinthians 12, we hear Paul the Apostle describe a persistent struggle, a “thorn in the flesh,” and how it becomes the very soil in which Christ’s power grows.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode you’ll understand that faith isn’t a guarantee of trouble-free living. You’ll feel the freedom that comes when you stop hiding your weakness and let the gospel carry you. And you’ll be equipped to walk through challenges with the confident humility that turns brokenness into a platform for God’s strength.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we wrestle with a tough reality: just because someone looks like a spiritual leader does not mean they are pointing us to the true gospel. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul exposes the danger of “false apostles,”impressive-speaking teachers who distort the message of Christ. He invites us to discern leadership by substance, not style.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode you’ll be equipped to recognize when a message sounds right but leads wrong. You’ll feel empowered to trust substance over surface, and you’ll be better able to choose leaders who reflect the true gospel. You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of how to ground your faith in Christ alone and follow him, no matter how polished the alternatives may appear.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at what it really means to confront error with the meekness of Christ. Through 2 Corinthians 10, Krisan shows how Paul stands up to false teachers without copying their showy style, and how real spiritual authority uses strength to serve, not to impress.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode, you will better understand how Paul confronts lies without becoming harsh or self-protective. You will feel both challenged and reassured as you see that humble, servant-hearted leadership can still be strong and decisive. And you will be more equipped to evaluate the voices you listen to, to value truth over entertainment, and to stand for the gospel with the same mixture of gentleness and courage that Paul learned from Christ.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we rethink what it really means to give generously. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 show that Christian giving is not about pressure, formulas, or getting rich. It is a voluntary response to grace that expresses our unity as God’s family and our trust that he will care for us as we care for others.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode, you will see giving in a richer and more hopeful light. You will understand why Paul cares more about cheerful, willing generosity than impressive amounts. You will feel encouraged to think about your own resources in terms of family, gratitude, and faith rather than fear or pressure. And you will be better equipped to use your money in ways that reflect the grace you have received and the unity you share with other believers.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we step behind 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 to uncover the story of the Jerusalem Collection. Krisan shows how this long term fundraising project was never just about money for a famine. It was about caring for real people in real need, healing tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers, and strengthening the bond between Paul and the original apostles in Jerusalem.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode, you will see the Jerusalem Collection as a living picture of one worldwide church family, not a dry historical footnote. You will understand how generosity can express unity, gratitude, and shared faith across distance and difference. And you will be better able to read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 in context, with a clearer sense of what God was doing through Paul, the Jerusalem apostles, and the many believers who gave so that others could stand firm in Christ.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at one of the hardest parts of real relationships: when to say the hard thing that might hurt in the moment but heal in the long run. Walking through 2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Krisan traces Paul’s emotional journey after sending a painful letter to the Corinthians and shows how God uses honest words, godly grief, and true repentance to restore broken fellowship.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode, you will better understand how God can use painful conversations to bring real change, not just hurt feelings. You will see more clearly what godly grief looks like and why repentance is a gift you will never regret. And you will be better equipped to examine your own motives, to speak hard truth in love when needed, and to receive loving correction as part of God’s care for your soul.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at what Paul really means when he warns believers not to be "unequally yoked." Far from a random rule about who you can associate with, this passage in 2 Corinthians 6:13-7:2 is a heartfelt plea for the Corinthians to open their hearts to Paul, turn away from idolatry, and recognize that believers and unbelievers are walking two very different roads.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode, you will see that Paul’s warning about being unequally yoked is really an invitation to clarity and courage. You will better understand what it means to fear the Lord, to pursue holiness, and to recognize when a relationship or partnership is pulling you down the wrong road. You will feel encouraged to love unbelievers well without pretending you are headed in the same direction, and you will be more equipped to make wise choices about whom you walk closely with as you follow Christ.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
What does it really mean to receive God’s grace in a way that changes you, not just your labels?
Looking at 2 Corinthians 6:1-12, Krisan shows how Paul urges the Corinthians to stop judging by appearances, respond to the message of reconciliation, and treat the gospel like a check you actually cash, not a nice idea stuck on the fridge.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of what it means to truly respond to God’s grace instead of letting it slide past you. You will understand why Paul presses his readers to examine what they really value and who they really trust. You will feel both challenged and encouraged to stop judging the gospel by how flashy its messengers look, and instead to cling to the simple message that brings real reconciliation with God and real hope for your life.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we ask what really changes when someone comes to Christ. Walking through 2 Corinthians 5:12-21, Krisan explains how believers become a “new creation” and why that means we can no longer judge ourselves or others by outward appearances, natural talent, or worldly success. Instead, we learn to see people through the lens of the gospel and God’s work of reconciliation.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of what it means to be a new creation in Christ and why that truth reshapes how you see yourself, other believers, and even your spiritual leaders. You will understand the heart of Paul’s message of reconciliation, feel encouraged that your worth does not rest on your resume or reputation, and be better equipped to evaluate people by the quiet work of God’s Spirit rather than by surface impressions.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In 2 Corinthians 5:1–11, Paul continues his defense of his ministry by explaining how his confidence in the resurrection shapes his message, motivates his courage, and defines his integrity.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
Paul offers a powerful defense of his ministry, explaining how the gospel he proclaims is not about him, but about the transforming power of God. Though Paul faces rejection, suffering, and accusations, he remains unwavering because he knows the source of the message and the One who is truly at work through it.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta explores Paul’s bold claim that his ministry as an apostle is more glorious than the ministry of Moses. By comparing the Old and New Covenants, Paul shows that spiritual transformation doesn’t come from the Law but from the work of the Holy Spirit.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
Trying harder won’t fix the human heart, and that’s exactly why the new covenant is such good news. In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks us through 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, where Paul defends his ministry by pointing not to his qualifications, but to the life-giving work of the Spirit. Paul’s confidence doesn’t come from his own strength. It comes from what God is doing through him.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
Paul’s ministry didn’t look successful. He was often rejected, beaten, and misunderstood. But in 2 Corinthians 2:5–17, Paul reminds us that the gospel doesn’t need to be repackaged to be effective.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
When Paul didn’t return to Corinth as expected, some accused him of being unreliable. In 2 Corinthians 1:12–2:4, Paul explains his decision did not result from selfish motives but from pastoral care. His example gives us a window into how mature faith navigates conflict, disappointment, and the hard work of loving others well.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
When Paul opens his second letter to the Corinthians, he doesn’t start with doctrine. He starts with suffering, comfort, and prayer. This passage gives us a glimpse into the personal cost of gospel ministry and the beauty of how God uses suffering to encourage others. Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church was complicated. These opening verses set the tone for a letter that’s both tender and urgent.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
Corinth was one of the most influential and morally corrupt cities in the Roman Empire. Yet it became home to a growing church. In this episode, we study Acts 18 to explain how and why Paul founded a church in Corinth, what made Corinth strategic, and how God used unexpected partnerships to advance the gospel.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
Wednesday in the Word Season 26 kicks off July 9 with a series on 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode, Krisan and David John Marotta present a biblical perspective on money. Drawing from Scripture and their extensive experience in financial management, they blend theological insights with practical advice.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word, we summarize the themes of the Gospel of John as we learned in this series. We focus on John 20:30-31 as a lens to understand John’s purpose and the transformative power of belief.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By listening, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of John’s purpose in writing his Gospel and how its themes of signs, testimony, and belief apply to your life today. Krisan Marotta breaks down complex ideas into an accessible overview, showing you how to connect the dots between Jesus’ actions and the hope of salvation. Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned reader, this episode offers practical insights into why faith matters and how John’s words continue to resonate 2,000 years later.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we tackle the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17) where Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure. Jesus addresses both the unique role of his apostles and the universal call for all his followers to live faithfully in his absence.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By listening, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Upper Room Discourse’s historical context and its profound implications for Christian life today. You'll understand what applies uniquely to the apostles and what extends to all followers of Jesus. You’ll also discover practical insights into living out Jesus’ teachings on love, perseverance, and faith in a world where he is no longer physically present. This episode not only enriches your knowledge of the Gospel of John but also offers encouragement through the assurance that, though Jesus has left, his Spirit remains with us, and he will one day return.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we study the narratives of Mary anointing Jesus and his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. These events underscore Jesus’ identity and mission while contrasting the responses of belief and unbelief, culminating in his voluntary path to the cross.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
Listening to this episode offers a compelling look at how John chapter 12 weaves together key themes of faith, sacrifice, and divine purpose. You’ll gain insight into the significance of Jesus’ action
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we explore the story of Lazarus in John 11. This event serves as a pivotal moment where the major themes of John’s Gospel converge, illuminating Jesus’ identity, mission, and the responses he elicits from those around him.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
By listening to this episode, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how the raising of Lazarus ties together the central themes of John’s Gospel. Krisan Marotta’s thoughtful exploration offers fresh insights into Jesus’ mission, his power over death, and the hope he extends to believers, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the text and its relevance to faith today.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text
This episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast examines John 10:22-42. We explore how Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders’ skepticism about his identity, using his works and words to affirm his role as the Messiah while foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice that will secure eternal life for his followers.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
.Listen to this episode to gain insights into the theological themes of belief and testimony in John’s Gospel, as well as the historical context of Jesus’ teachings during the Feast of Dedication. The episode also offers a thoughtful analysis of Jesus’ claim to oneness with the Father, helping you appreciate the depth of his identity and mission as the Christ.
Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.
17 Examine Yourself: Paul’s Warning to Corinth (2 Corinthians 12:13-13:14)
34:34
16 Thorn in the Flesh: How to Embrace Weakness (2 Corinthians 11)
35:04
15 False Apostles: Why Were They So Convincing? (2 Corinthians 11)
39:59
14 How To Confront With the Meekness of Christ (2 Corinthians 10)
44:15
13 Cheerful Giver: How to Sow for a Lasting Harvest (2 Corinthians 8-9)
45:57
12 Why Gentiles Gave to Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8-9 Background)
44:47
11 Godly Grief and Worldly Sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:2-16)
38:14
10 Unequally Yoked: Understanding Paul’s Warning (2 Corinthians 6:13-7:2)
45:30
09 Receiving Grace in Vain (2 Corinthians 6:1-12)
48:39
08 New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:12-21)
37:46
07 Why We Should Not Fear Death (2 Corinthians 5:1-11)
39:19
06 Why Paul Did Not Lose Heart and What We Can Learn From Him (2 Corinthians 4)
37:36
05 Why Paul’s Ministry Outshines Moses (2 Corinthians 3:7-18)
43:41
04 What’s New About the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:1-6)
54:06
03 Why Paul Refused to Change to Win More Converts (2 Corinthians 2:5-17)
38:06
02 Why Paul Didn’t Visit Corinth and What That Means for Us (2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4)
40:06
01 Suffering, Comfort & Prayer: What Paul Teaches about Ministry (2 Corinthians 1:1-11)
48:38
Founding the Church in Corinth (Acts 18)
28:22
Wednesday in the Word Season 26
3:07
A Biblical Perspective on Money
1:11:17
24 Why Believe? Themes from the Gospel of John’s Final Chapters
41:35
23 The Upper Room Discourse: Jesus’ Final Teaching (John 13-17)
1:01:04
22 Mary Anoints Jesus and the Triumphal Entry Explained (John 12)
44:37
21 Why Jesus Delayed Raising Lazarus (John 11)
44:24
20 Why Jesus said “I and the Father are One” (John 10:22-42)
39:26