Wednesday in the Word

This episode explores why believers can have real confidence that their hope in God will not fail. In Romans 5:1–11, Krisan Marotta explains that salvation does not rest on the strength of our love for God, but instead on God's love for us. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll better understand why the Christian life is not sustained by your own strength, but by God’s faithful love. This episode offers comfort for anyone who fears falling short, showing that the God who reconciles sinners to himself is also the God who brings them safely home. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

This episode explores how the Holy Spirit gives believers real assurance that they belong to God. Looking closely at Ephesians 1:13–23, Krisan Marotta explains that the Spirit is not only the fulfillment of God’s promises, but also God’s seal of ownership and his guarantee that he will bring his people safely into their promised inheritance. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why the Christian’s confidence rests not in feelings, rituals, or circumstances, but in God’s own work through the Holy Spirit. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

You can look faithful on the outside and still be building your life around the wrong treasure. In this epsidoe, Krisan Marotta walks through Matthew 6:19–24 and shows how Jesus exposes the false security of worldly wealth, approval, and success. The real issue is not simply money, but whatever we cling to for meaning, safety, and hope instead of trusting the promises of God. In this week’s episode, we explore: After reading, you’ll have a clearer picture of what Jesus is warning against in the Sermon on the Mount and why this warning matters for every believer. This post invites you to examine what you are really living for, to see the emptiness of temporary treasure, and to fix your hope on the one treasure you can never lose. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

Authority and submission often feel like problems to solve or power struggles to survive. In this episode, Krisan Marotta explores Colossians 3:18–4:1 and shows how Paul reframes those relationships through the gospel. Rather than asking how to protect ourselves or get our way, Paul calls us to live as people who belong to Christ, acting in every role with humility, responsibility, and trust in God. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll have a clearer framework for thinking about authority, submission, work, and responsibility in light of the gospel. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta returns to Genesis 2:15–25 to recover a biblical vision of marriage—not as a checklist of moral rules, but as God’s beautiful design for human intimacy and flourishing. By watching how God creates Adam and Eve, Krisan shows why marriage is God’s wise provision for a need we were made to have: the need to know and be known in a uniquely human relationship. In this week’s episode, we explore: leaving, holding fast, and becoming one fleshAfter listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, more compelling picture of what marriage is meant to be: a covenant where two people reorder life around one another, stay committed through hardship, and learn to live as “we” instead of “me.” Most of all, you’ll be invited to see God’s design not as restrictive, but as the path toward the intimacy and security our hearts were made to seek. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast ENTER THE GIVEAWAY to win a free ebook of Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity.

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta walks through 1 Corinthians 6:9–14 to answer a question many believers quietly carry: If I still struggle with sin, does that mean I’m not truly saved? Paul’s warning is sobering, but it’s not meant to crush the repentant struggler. Instead, it exposes the danger of self-deception and clarifies the difference between stumbling into sin and settling into it as a way of life. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll have a clearer framework for examining your own heart without despair or denial: not whether you’ve ever sinned, but whether you’re willing to repent, be taught, and move toward the Lord. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast ENTER THE GIVEAWAY to win a free ebook of Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 8 of Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity. Do you ever feel like a trial has you cornered, like you have to choose between trusting God or taking matters into your own hands? In this episode, we walk through James 1:1–8 and learn why James can say to “count it all joy” when life gets hard. In this week’s episode, we explore: By the end, you’ll have a clearer, steadier way to think about hardship: not as random pain or a spiritual failure, but as a proving ground where God strengthens faith, grows endurance, and teaches wisdom. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast ENTER THE GIVEAWAY to win a free ebook of Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 7 of Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity. In 1 Corinthians 12:1–3, Paul speaks to a church that’s confused about what makes someone “spiritual.” The Corinthians had started treating dramatic experiences—especially speaking in tongues—as proof that God was truly at work. Paul redirects them to something far simpler and far more decisive: the Spirit’s work is shown in a person’s confession and conviction that Jesus is Lord, not in how impressive their worship looks or how extraordinary their experiences feel. In this week’s episode, we explore: By the end of this episode, you’ll have clarity and relief: the Spirit’s presence isn’t measured by flash, intensity, or spiritual comparison. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Give more than an invitation this Easter; give a guide to the Christian faith. Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available wherever books are sold.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 6 of Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity. In Matthew 10:40–42, Jesus makes a startling connection: the way we welcome His people reveals the way we welcome Him and, ultimately, the God who sent Him. This episode clarifies what it means to “receive” Jesus in Scripture, showing that it’s not a passive feeling but an active choice to accept, listen, and embrace His messengers and message. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll have a clearer, more biblical understanding of what it means to “receive” Jesus and why faith shows up in concrete, everyday welcomes. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 5 of Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity. Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a warning that is both sobering and hopeful: it’s possible to talk like a disciple while walking the wrong road. In Matthew 7:12–29, we learn how a God-centered worldview reshapes what “love” looks like in practice—and how the Golden Rule, true spiritual fruit, and the foundation we build on reveal whether we’re actually headed toward life. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with clearer “markers on the road” for examining your faith—not through fear or performance, but through the settled direction of a life built on Jesus’ teaching. You’ll be invited to center your worldview on God, practice love with wisdom and integrity, and choose the narrow path that leads to life. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 4 of Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity. What does saving faith actually look like and how did Jesus define it? In this episode, we turn to Matthew 5:1–12 and the Beatitudes to hear Jesus describe the people who are truly “blessed.” Rather than offering a path to personal happiness or self-improvement, Jesus paints a picture of saving faith that recognizes sin, depends on grace, and trusts God for eternal life. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer understanding of what saving faith is—and what it is not. You’ll see how the Beatitudes describe the heart posture of those who trust God rather than themselves, and why faith is ultimately about where you are headed, not how comfortable you are now. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 3 of Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity. If all religions lead to God, why did Jesus have to die? This episode walks through John 3:14–21 to show why the cross is not one option among many, but God’s gracious and necessary provision for a guilty world. Through Jesus’ nighttime conversation with Nicodemus and the Old Testament story of the bronze serpent, we see why believing in Jesus is the only way to escape condemnation and receive eternal life. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer grasp of why the cross was necessary, why belief in Jesus matters so profoundly, and how your response to Him reveals the true condition of your heart. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold. Support the show

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 2 of Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity. Why do you still feel guilty even after you’ve apologized and tried to move on? In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks through Romans 1:18–32 to show that guilt is more than a feeling to shake off—it’s the real and serious result of rebelling against a holy God. Paul’s words expose a pattern of rebellion, death, and wrath that explains why life unravels without God, and why real guilt can only be answered by real forgiveness in Christ. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll see guilt in a new light, not as something to ignore or manage, but as a truthful indicator that you need more than a fresh start. You’ll come away with a clearer grasp of what Romans 1 teaches about sin, spiritual death, and God’s wrath, and you’ll be better prepared to understand why the good news of Jesus is not just helpful advice, but the only way out of the prison of sin and death. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold. Support the show

Most people today assume we’re basically good—and that sin is a few bad choices sprinkled on top. In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks through Romans 6:15–7:6 to show why that view quietly empties the gospel of its power. Paul’s argument reveals that grace doesn’t make sin safer; it exposes just how destructive it really is—and why understanding sin is the first step toward real hope. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer understanding of what sin really is, why it always brings some kind of death into your life, and why grace is not permission to drift but the power that frees you from slavery to sin. You’ll see how Romans 6:15–7:6 reframes the Christian life—not as anxious law-keeping, but as learning to walk in the life-giving reality of belonging to Christ. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold. Support the show

Krisan Marotta, host of Wednesday in the Word podcast, joins Rob Schilling on AM 1070 WINA's The Schilling Show to discuss her book Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity. Instead of talking about why she wrote the book, they dive straight into the theology, covering what new believers need to understand and why it matters. Key takeaways: AM 1070 WINA's The Schilling Show January 27, 2026 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold. Beginning February 4, join us for Season 27 of the podcast, Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast. Each episode walks through the Scripture behind the book. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. Support the show

Season 27 of Wednesday in the Word begins February 4, 2026, and I couldn’t be more excited to share what’s ahead. This new season is a companion to my book Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity, and it's designed especially for those who are new to faith, returning to church after time away, or walking alongside someone who is. Each week, we’ll unpack one key passage from the book’s “See for Yourself” section, helping you build a solid foundation, one truth at a time. I’m also introducing something brand new: Krisan Marotta’s Bookcast—a subscriber-only podcast where you can listen to the audiobook version of Start Strong, one chapter at a time. Each chapter will release one week before the matching podcast episode, giving you a chance to hear the full teaching, then explore the biblical passage in depth. If you’ve ever wanted a trusted guide to walk with you through the basics of Christianity—or wished you had a resource to share with someone just starting out—this is for you. Podcast: Start Strong: A New Believer’s Podcast Book: Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity Krisan Marotta's BookCast - click on the support the show link Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now or buy it on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. Support the show

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text Psalm 110 doesn’t mention a manger, shepherds, or angels. Yet it gives us one of the clearest pictures of who the baby in Bethlehem really is: the eternal King and Priest who will rule over all and bring His people back to God. In this Christmas episode, we trace how Psalm 110 reveals the identity and mission of the Messiah and how the New Testament writers apply this ancient psalm directly to Jesus. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, richer vision of who Jesus is at Christmas, not only the promised son of David, but the greater Lord whom David himself calls “my Lord.” You’ll see how Psalm 110 anchors the Christmas story in God’s larger purpose: a reigning King, a forever Priest, and a sure promise that history is moving toward the day when every enemy is subdued and God’s people stand secure in His kingdom. Series: Christmas 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 How can a believer live with real confidence that they belong to God, even while they still struggle with sin? In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta walks through key New Testament passages to show how God marks His people inwardly (by a changed heart that endures through testing) and how that mark becomes the basis of true assurance of salvation. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, more biblically grounded understanding of assurance. You’ll see that the evidence of salvation is not a flawless life or a perfectly steady heart, but a tested faith that continues to seek God, hate sin, and long for His kingdom. And you’ll be encouraged to view your trials not as proof that God has abandoned you, but as the very means by which He makes it visible that you belong to 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.

Paul’s closing charge is often misunderstood. In this passage, “examine yourself” is not a call to anxious introspection but a corrective to a church testing Paul while overlooking the evidence of Christ at work among them. Paul redirects attention from his credentials to their shared life in Christ, using his authority to build them up and aiming for restoration, unity, and peace.

What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh and why didn’t God remove it? Discover how weakness can reveal God's power and reframe your own struggles.