Locker Room

If you are a Christian, you are playing an away game. There was a day when the church was a predominant influence in culture. Not anymore. In the U.S. the church has lost influence in our communities and been pushed out to the margins, and Christ-followers are no longer warmly met, but now face vitriol and resistance.  But this is nothing new. In this episode of Locker Room Scott and returning guest Kevin Comp sit down to look back into history to a time when a group of young men who followed the Lord were faced with an ultimate test of faith versus a culture that wanted nothing to do with God. Discussion Guide: Which option would you pick between truth or dare? Why?      Describe a time when you saw someone do something courageous. Where did their strength come from? What effect did their courage have on you?   Read Daniel 1:1-21. The first chapter of the book of Daniel provides context for the type of character and courage Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego) possess

Eradicate Passivity | Locker Room

Our guest on this episode of Locker Room is Kevin Wirfel. Kevin and his wife Cheryl lost their son Nathan to suicide on April 9, 2021. In this conversation, Kevin shares about the profound grief they walked through as a family wrestling with this devastating loss. Kevin talks about struggles and warning signs in Nathan’s life; things we should be watching for as parents, and in the lives of our loved ones. Nearly every person that you lock eyes with has someone they care about who has either contemplated or attempted suicide, or knows someone who has taken their own life. People we come in contact with every day may be struggling themselves too. Even you who are reading this may feel trapped or hopeless too. We all need to know there is no shame in getting help and we don’t have to live on an island. Our enemy wants us to feel like we are all alone and have no hope. Don’t believe it. All we have to do is just take a step. The Suicide & Crisis hotline: 988. It’s a 24-hour hotline where someone is always av

God’s heart is to move us toward the deeper places that strengthen our faith and trust in Him, and the main way that happens is through prayer. Prayer can seem like a bit of a mystery. But in reality it's a conversation between our heart and the heart of God. Becoming intentional in our prayer life is something every man should lean into, because the stakes are too high if we don't. Join us on this episode of Locker Room as Scott sits down with Matt Williams to talk about how we can be intentional with our prayer. -- Discussion Guide Who was the first person you ever heard pray (E.g. family member, coach, teammate, character in a movie or TV show, etc.)? What do you remember about their prayer? In your own words, what does it mean to pray? What’s the importance of prayer? How would you describe your attitude towards prayer? Have you ever had a situation that drove you to pray earnestly to God? If so, what were the circumstances? Read Matthew 6:5-8. The phrase “when you pray…” is repeated three times in this p

In this episode of Locker Room, we are focusing on communication in marriage. Communication is critical.  It fuels our intimacy, allows us to be fully loving & be fully loved, fully knowing & being fully known.  Communication strengthens our relationships, and it’s what keeps vision and mission central in our marriage. We may be great at communication with our spouse or we may have a lot of work to do in this area, but with God’s help we can all improve.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Who is a communicator that you admire? What do you admire about them? How would you describe your communication style? How is it consistent or different depending on the context? When has ineffective communication cost you something? How did you respond? Read Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:1-2, and Proverbs 16:24. Healthy communication is vital to any relationship. The book of Proverbs has several verses that remind us to be wise with our words. Who models this well in your sphere of influence? What specific examples or situations come

Picking up from last week, Scott and Nate continue into specifics on how we as dads build into the relationships with our kids, and how to be an example of what being a godly man looks like. We’ll talk about listening well and how we can ask good questions. We’ll also talk about how to start the discipline of praying for and encouraging our children regularly.   Discussion Guide:  Who’s one of your favorite TV dads? Why are they one of your favorites?  In your opinion, what are 2-3 of the most important attributes of a father or father-like figure? Why did you select these?  Read Matthew 11:28-30. This passage is the only place in Scripture where Jesus explicitly says what His heart is like — gentle and lowly. What does it mean to be approachable? What does it mean to be understanding? Why is this important for the way we interact and engage with kids? Read Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 6:9, and 1 John 3:1. God is referred to as Father over 10 times in the Old Testament and over 150 times in the New Testament.

The most important mark that we leave on this world is the mark we leave on our kids. Raising children is important and it’s a big part of our role as men as we lead our homes. In this episode of Locker Room, Scott starts a conversation with Nate Head, who along with his wife Stefany is raising two young men. Even if you don’t have sons, you are a man, and today’s episode might help you think about how you were raised. If you are raising girls, a lot of this conversation can be transferable for us as dads, as long as we contextualize our situation.   Discussion Guide:  Share one of your favorite dad jokes.  What’s one of your fondest memories from your childhood? Why did you choose this specific memory?  The phrase “Boys will be boys…” is periodically quoted throughout our lives. What comes to mind when you hear or see this? What are certain attributes or qualities about boys that make them uniquely different from girls?  The books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel as well as some of the Psalms highlight diff

Adoption is the highest privilege that the gospel offers.‘Father’ is the Christian name for God., and our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption. All of us have been adopted into God’s family when we follow Jesus. Eric is back this week with Scott to talk about how adoption has become a part of each of their own family’s story. _______ If you had to choose between listening to a story or reading a story, which would you choose? Why?  What’s a pivotal choice you’ve made that you’ve never regretted? What led you to make this decision?  Eric and Scott mentioned that adoption is a key theme throughout the pages of Scripture (see Exodus 2, 1 Samuel 1, the Gospels). In your own words, how would you describe what it means to be chosen? How has adoption directly or indirectly impacted you?   Read Luke 4:28-29, John 6:63-67, and Luke 23:13-25. Arguably, the opposite of being chosen is being rejected. These verses highlight how Jesus experienced rejection. When have you deal

Whether or not we’ve personally dealt with infertility, we’ve all experienced unmet expectations and disappointment. This can have a significant impact in our relationships with other people as well as our relationship with God. In this week’s episode, Scott is joined by Eric to walk through their family’s respective journeys with infertility and what God has taught them in the process.    Watch Locker Room on Youtube: https://bit.ly/lockerroompod Find other Southland.Church Podcasts: https://southland.church/podcasts  

Spiritual markers are defining moments or critical places in our lives where we can look back and see evidence of God’s activity. As a result, our faith can be strengthened instead of shaken if we allow God to use it for our good and for His glory. Scott sits down with Reecie Stagnolia to look at four specific spiritual markers in Reecie’s life. _________ Discussion Guide: What’s one of your all-time favorite moments from a movie, TV show, or sports event? Why is this one of your favorites?  In your own words, what makes a moment a “defining” moment?  Read Luke 5:1-11. Describe one defining moment from your life that impacted you physically. (E.g. career change, illness, injury, surgery, weight loss, etc.)  Read Matthew 14:22-33. Describe one defining moment from your life that impacted you mentally. (E.g. addiction, anxiety, counseling, deployment, depression, incarceration, etc.) Read Matthew 16:13-20. Describe one defining moment from your life that impacted you relationally. (E.g. biblical commu

One phone call, one text, or one email can drastically change the trajectory of our day and potentially our lives — especially as it pertains to our physical health and wellbeing. In this episode, Scott discusses his friend Phil’s recent cancer diagnosis, and how Phil is navigating this current season.

Whether we want to believe it or not, our stories matter. Reflecting on our stories provides an opportunity to see how God has been at work in our lives and how He’s still at work in our lives. Scott unpacks his story with his lifelong friend, Phil Miller, who has played an instrumental role in who Scott is today.

Fear Less, with Gary Black This episode of Locker Room is all about helping men fight back against fear. Fear has been bullying people for far too long. Fear is an emotion. To resist fear is really about the decisions we make to not be overcome by it. Gary Black joins Scott this week to share three decisions he has made—that we can all make—to push back on fear, live by faith and be resilient. When fear ambushes us and even slams us to the ground, we'll learn how to rise up, fight back and conquer it. We’ve kicked off Fight Club at the Nicholasville Campus on Monday nights. If you’re interested in jumping in with us—come on. Go to southland.church/groups, click on the NIC campus, scroll through the Group selections and choose Fight Club to sign up. Want to start or join a Locker Room Men’s Group—go to southland.church/groups, pick your campus and start one or jump into one! -- LOCKER ROOM DISCUSSION GUIDE Do you have any irrational fears? (E.g. clowns, the dark, mannequins, etc.) What other fears do you wrest

Enduring Faith, with Brian Lucas Trials and hard times are a part of our story. There is no such thing as a prosperity gospel. It’s not in Scripture. Faith in Jesus doesn’t take away our pain, it doesn’t remove our circumstances and it doesn’t mean we’ll always be happy, healthy and wealthy. It’s not in there. Hard times will either build our faith or if we’re not careful—will destroy our faith. On this episode of Locker Room, Scott is joined by Brian Lucas to share about many trials that he and his wife Jenn have endured together, with God’s help along the way. We hope you’ll be encouraged hearing their story and may identify with some of these same challenges in your own life. -- We’ve kicked off Fight Club at the Nicholasville Campus on Monday nights. If you’re interested in jumping in with us—come on. Go to southland.church/groups, click on the NIC campus, scroll through the Group selections and choose Fight Club to sign up. Want to start or join a Locker Room Men’s Group—go to southland.church/groups, pi

Faith Obeys Most of the significant life-change, transformation and breakthrough in our lives will come on the other side of obedience: hearing God's Word, receiving it humbly, and wholeheartedly putting it into practice. Join us this week as Scott unpacks from the book of James and digs into two words: faith obeys. Locker Room is back and we’re going to continue the theme from last season—taking two words at a time, doing a deep dive, unpacking God’s Word and God’s heart for us as men around things that matter. We’d love to hear from you. Shoot us an email at lockerroom@southland.church. We’d love to hear how this podcast is encouraging you and would be honored to help you in any way that we can! If you want to join a Locker Room Group at Southland, go to southland.church/groups and click ‘Join a Group’. LOCKER ROOM DISCUSSION GUIDE Were you mainly obedient or disobedient as a kid? Is it possible to do the right things for the wrong reasons? Why or why not? Read James 1:19-20. When has being slow to listen,

How is your summer going? What have you been doing along the way? Hopefully you’ve gotten to have some downtime. Hopefully you’ve been able to downshift, get some vacation time, put your feet in some sand, knock out some projects around the house, and get in somebody’s pool or the lake. Circle up with Scott in this episode as we wind out the summer season. Scott shares what’s been going on in his world, and about some exciting things going on here at Southland. We’ll also talk about an additional new podcast and a new resource coming your way in the fall. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks to kick off season 11 of Locker Room. Here's what's happening this fall: - “Fight Club” Men’s Group | Begins Monday, August 21st | 7PM-9PM | Nicholasville Campus (Building B) | southland.church/groups | shatfield@southland.church - “Locker Room” Men’s Podcast | New episodes begin Friday, August 25th | Join or lead a Locker Room group | southland.church/groups | lockerroom@southland.church - Two new podcasts: “Tell Me More”

Sacrificial Surrender Sacrifice is laying down something you love for something you love even more.  It doesn’t matter if what you’re laying down in surrender is good, destructive, toxic or awesome—it’s laying down something that you love for something you love even more. It’s what Abraham did. It’s what God the Father did for us in sending Jesus. It all comes down to the question, “Can I trust God with what He’s asking me to surrender?” Genesis 22:14 says, “...The LORD Will Provide.”  God provides. God meets us where we are and He provides.  He provides us with grace, strength, and peace. He provides us with healing. He provides us with freedom! Pain and beauty are found in these two words: sacrificial surrender.   This is the final episode of this season, but we’ll be back in the fall. In the meantime we’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email at lockerroom@southland.church with responses to these three things: -  Share a couple of the episodes that were helpful or resonated with you. -  Share two words t

10 Passages This week on Locker Room we’re going to take 10 passages from God’s word and look at them closer. These words from God are important because they lay a firm foundation to build your life, your marriage and your family on. We’d love for you to go on this journey for yourself! Please feel free to dig out your own set of 10 passages and then email us at lockerroom@southland.church.   LOCKER ROOM DISCUSSION GUIDE S10 E17 - “Two Words: Ten Passages” What’s one of your favorite quotes? Why is this one of your favorites? Read Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:27. Genesis Ch.1 is known as the “Creation Account.” What resonates with you about this text? Why is this foundational to our faith? Read Mark 12:30-31. The “Great Commandment” can also be found in Mark’s and Luke’s gospel accounts. It’s important to note this is a commandment from Jesus, not a recommendation or a suggestion. Why does Jesus cover all aspects of who we are (e.g. emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically)? What’s the significance of

Imago Dei Two words: Imago Dei - the image of God. In this week’s episode of Locker room we are talking about identity. Identity is something the enemy loves to distort in men’s lives.  Identity is foundational.  Who we think we are cuts a channel for how we live, how we interact with others, how we interact with God, how we view our vocation, how we handle success and failure, and how we view others. So what is it?  Where does our identity come from?  How do we know that we have value, significance and worth? It’s who God says that we are!  You are who your Creator says that you are!  And it’s the only thing that will satisfy you, anchor you; it’s the only firm foundation that we can build our lives on.   LOCKER ROOM DISCUSSION GUIDE S10 E 16 - “Two Words: Imago Dei” Who would you say is your celebrity lookalike?  How would you define the word “identity”? Why is it critical to have a proper perspective on where our identity comes from? Read Proverbs 23:7, Philippians 4:8, and Colossians 3:1-4. What or who ha

Healthy Rhythms Jesus had the habit of getting alone with the Father and then being with people. Over and over again, we see Him withdraw to the wilderness to pray and connect with the Father. He had this rhythm of connecting with the Father (filling his tank) and then spending time with people (pouring out from the well of His time with God). We have to realize that we’re not God. We have limits. But if we will fight to protect our relationship with Jesus, and we will love ourselves enough to take care of our bodies, we’ll be healthier men and stronger men. Then we’ll be able to invest in our families, relationships, work and kingdom stuff that God calls us to be a part of. Join us in this episode of Locker Room as we circle up with Scott Nickell and Jon Weece to talk about two words: Healthy Rhythms.   LOCKER ROOM DISCUSSION GUIDE S10 E15 - "Two Words: Healthy Rhythms” We all have at least 1 or 2 weird habits. What’s one of yours? Would you describe yourself as a disciplined person? Why or why not? It’s bee