In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Jill Barlow about how intentionality builds meaningful relationships and how community shapes spiritual growth. Jill shares honest reflections on starting over, facing disappointment, and finding hope when connection feels hard—reminding us that community can be a place of deep transformation.
Main Takeaways:

• Community requires intentionality, courage, and the willingness to initiate.
• Disappointment in relationships is common but can be a path to growth and grace.
• Spiritual formation happens in community, which reflects and refines us.
• If you are feeling lonely and disconnected, there is still hope for meaningful, family-like community.

Guest Bio:
Jill Barlow loves people, talking about theology, and being around a table with friends. Jill received her master's degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Director of Community & Care at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on the East Side of New York. Jill is passionate about discipleship, mercy and leadership development in the local church. Her writing has been featured in Deeply Rooted Magazine, The Village Church and The Gospel Coalition.
Reflection Question:
What is one step you can take towards deeper relationships?
Recommended Resources

• Made For People - Justin Earley

Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Bible teachers and ministry leaders Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless about what long-term discipleship looks like in real life. From friendship and mentoring to challenges and biblical wisdom, this conversation is full of insight for anyone wanting to stay faithful in making disciples.

Main Takeaways:

• How Courtney and Hunter’s friendship and mentoring relationship began
• The distinction between mentorship and discipleship
• Challenges and discouragement in disciple-making—and how to keep going
• Biblical keys to healthy discipleship relationships 
• Practical encouragement for staying faithful in busy life seasons

Guest Bios:
Hunter Beless and Courtney Doctor are passionate Bible teachers who love helping women know and love God more through His Word. Hunter is the founder of Journeywomen and has authored several children's books. Courtney serves as Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition and is the author of From Garden to Glory and several Bible studies. They’re both wives, moms, and ministry leaders who care deeply about making theology accessible and life-giving. Together, they co-authored a new Bible study on Titus—perfectly tying into our discipleship conversation in today’s episode. Want to connect with them? Go to: hunterbeless.com OR courtneydoctor.org

Reflection Question:
Who is God calling you to disciple in this season?

Recommended Resources

• Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace, Courtney Doctor & Hunter Beless
• Growing Together, Melissa Kruger
• Mentoring, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by reflecting on the life of Hannah, a woman who teaches us how to wait well, stay rooted in prayer, and trust God in seasons of longing.
Main Takeaways:

• Hannah didn’t run from her pain—she took it to the Lord.
• Every believer will face a season of waiting. The question is not if you will wait, but how well you will wait.
• Human solutions may offer temporary comfort, but only God provides lasting peace.
• Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that when we pray with thanksgiving, God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds.

Reflection Question:
What are you waiting on, and where are you tempted to take control instead of trusting God?
Recommended Resources:

• "Embrace Your Life” By Elizabeth Woodson

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In today’s episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by learning from a bold and often overlooked woman in Scripture: Huldah. Though her story is short, her courage, clarity, and closeness to God offer deep wisdom for anyone trying to walk in faith—especially when it’s costly.
Main Takeaways:

• Faithfulness requires courage: Huldah didn’t hesitate to speak God’s truth, even when it wasn’t popular or safe.
• Intimacy with God brings clarity: Her authority came from her nearness to God and her ability to discern His voice.
• Obedience has a cost: Following God may mean losing the world’s approval—but it results in lasting fruit.
• Fear is real, but God is greater: The Bible teaches us to see fear through the lens of God’s character—His power, presence, and patience.
  
  

Reflection Question:
In what area of your life do you need to move forward in courage? Is it a decision you need to make, a season of waiting you need to embrace, or a habit you need to release?
Recommended Resources:

• "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode of Starting Place, we’re kicking off a new series inspired by a conversation about the need for church mothers—women who intentionally invest in the next generation of believers. We explore what it means to leave a spiritual legacy, looking at the lives of Lois and Eunice, the mother and grandmother of Timothy, and how their sincere faith influenced his own. This conversation challenges us to consider how we are shaping those around us, not just through what we teach but through the authenticity of our everyday lives.
Main Takeaways:

• Discipleship isn’t just about teaching in a classroom—it’s about how the overflow of our lives helps show others what it looks like to be faithful in any season of life.
• Lois and Eunice were faithful examples of spiritual legacy, influencing Timothy through their sincere and consistent faith.
• True faithfulness isn’t about perfection but about authenticity—how we live offline matters more than how we appear in our highlight reels online.

Reflection Question:
What kind of spiritual legacy are you leaving for those around you? 
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode, we’re exploring one of the most pervasive ways we forget the gospel. Specifically, we forget the cost, which is surrender. We often sing about surrender, but if we're honest, we tend to surrender some rather than all. But abundant life only comes through surrendering our lives fully to Jesus.
Main Takeaways:

1. We are being formed. The culture is shaping us to prioritize ease and comfort, being driven by what feels good rather than what God says is God.
2. We all have a master. Whether we realize it or not, we are all controlled or surrendered to something or someone. The question is whether or not it is Christ.
3. Following Jesus means recognizing areas we haven’t fully surrendered and taking intentional steps to align our lives with His way.

Reflection Question:
What in your life do you need to surrender to God?
Recommended Resources:
Leverage: Life Without Regret by Jon Tyson (Sermon)
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode, we explore how insecurity and shame reveal our tendency to forget the gospel. Looking at the story of Mary Magdalene, we see how the power of Christ transforms our past, freeing us from shame and equipping us to walk boldly in our new identity. If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of unworthiness or fear that your past defines you, this episode will remind you of the truth: you are made new in Christ.
Main Takeaways:

• Shame keeps us stuck, making us believe we don’t belong or deserve God’s love.
• The gospel reminds us that our identity isn’t in our past but in what Christ has done.
• Like Mary Magdalene, we can walk in courage and live in the freedom of the gospel.

Reflection Question:
What past experience or insecurity makes you feel stuck in shame? How can you bring it before God and walk in the freedom of His grace?
Recommended Resources:
The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

We explore how boredom in the mundane moments of life can lead to spiritual forgetfulness. When our daily routines feel repetitive, we may struggle to see their significance in God's greater plan. But what if every moment—no matter how ordinary—was an opportunity to dwell with God and live on mission? We’ll discuss how the gospel reframes our perspective, helping us embrace faithfulness in the small things.


Main Takeaways:

• Boredom can deceive us into believing our work doesn’t have value, because we have been trained to look for immediate results.
• The gospel is not just about what we are saved from—it’s about what we are saved to, transforming the ordinary into moments sacred moments lived with and for God. 
• To overcome spiritual boredom, we must be intentional about our witness, remembering our Savior, and guarding our God-given assignment.

Reflection Question:
What has God entrusted to your care, and what could He do through you if you were faithful with your assignment?


Recommended Resources:

1. Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren 
2. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer 

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!


Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode, we are featuring an interview Elizabeth did on the Culture Matters podcast with Adam Hawkins and Tymarcus Ragland, sharing about the heart behind her new study, Live Free. Elizabeth discusses how Paul's message remains relevant today, addressing the timeless challenges of being right with God and experiencing true freedom from sin.
Recommended Resources:
Learn more about Elizabeth’s new Galatians study, Live Free, at Lifeway.com/LiveFree!
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode, we explore how gospel forgetfulness can show up in our faith. While we often say we live by faith and not by sight, in reality, we can struggle to trust God when we lack control or certainty. We discuss the common reasons we resist stepping out in faith—our desire for control, fear of failure, and the cost of obedience. Using biblical examples like Abraham and Peter, we see both the challenges of walking in faith and the grace available when we falter.
Main Takeaways:

• Living by faith means trusting God even when we lack full understanding or assurance.
• A desire for control can lead us to take matters into our own hands rather than waiting on God.
• Fear—whether fear of failure, others' opinions, or the cost of obedience—often keeps us from stepping out in faith.
• Biblical figures like Abraham and Peter remind us that faith is a journey, and God’s grace is present even when we struggle.

Recommended Resources:
This series is inspired by my new Galatians study, Live Free—pre-order now at Lifeway.com/LiveFree!
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode, we explore how legalism and an abuse of grace can hinder our faithfulness to God. The gospel is not just for salvation—it shapes our daily lives. Learn how to recognize and overcome these tendencies.
Main Takeaways:

• Legalism turns faith into a performance checklist, making us believe God’s favor depends on our actions.
• Abusing grace leads to complacency, excusing sin instead of growing in holiness.
• True faith balances obedience and grace, relying on Christ’s work rather than our own efforts.

Reflection Question:
"As you reflect on today’s episode, ask yourself: In what areas of my life do I tend to lean toward legalism or abusing grace? How can I align my heart more closely with the truth of the gospel?"
Next Steps:

• Check out my LIVE Free study on Galatians—explore how the gospel transforms daily life.
• Talk with a trusted friend or mentor about struggles with legalism or grace.
• Pray for wisdom to live in the balance of truth and grace.

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Welcome back to Starting Place! Today, we’re kicking off a mini-series on why you still need the gospel—even if you've been a Christian for years.

It’s easy to become overly familiar with Christianity, knowing all the right things to say but forgetting the basics. The gospel isn’t just the starting point of our faith—it’s the foundation we always need.


Main Topics Covered:
✔️ What the gospel really is: not just about forgiveness, but fellowship with God
✔️ Why we slip into earning God’s favor instead of trusting His grace
✔️ How the entire Bible tells the gospel story—from creation to restoration


Recommended Resources:
This series is inspired by my new Galatians study, Live Free—pre-order now at Lifeway.com/LiveFree!


Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!


Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

We’re kicking off a new season of Starting Place! In this episode, I’m sharing life updates, including my new book coming in 2026, my upcoming Bible study on Galatians (Live Free), and starting a new doctoral program.
I’m also reflecting on the year ahead—big goals, little goals, and what holds us back. Fear, self-sufficiency, and sin can sabotage our faithfulness to God, but prayer realigns our hearts, reminds us of God’s power, and reconnects us to our purpose.
Key Takeaways:
🔥 Fear makes us forget God’s faithfulness—prayer helps us remember.
🔥 Self-sufficiency tricks us into thinking we don’t need God’s power.
🔥 Sin is more than immorality—it’s idolatry that distracts us from glorifying God.
Reflection Question:
How have fear, self-sufficiency, or sin impacted your spiritual growth?
Share your thoughts with a friend, because we always learn more in community.
Recommended Resources
Live Free Galatians Bible Study
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Elizabeth Woodson reviews the Old Testament story and jumps into the New Testament, seeing how the story of Jesus' birth brings us hope that God can use and even redeem the messy areas of our lives.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• What is the story of the Old Testament?
• What happens between the Old Testament and the New Testament?
• How does the book of Matthew begin?
• What are the three main sections of the New Testament?
• What are the gospels?
• What is one thing we can focus on and learn from the genealogy on Jesus?
• What do we learn from the story of the birth of Jesus?
• How does the complicated nature of Jesus' birth point us to the gospel?

Reflection Question:
Think of a situation or person you think is too broken for God to redeem. What would it look like to embody hope in this situation? Specifically hope that the same God who used broken people to bring Jesus into the world, can redeem a broken or imperfect situation for his good.

Continue Learning:

• Read Matthew 1 & Luke 1-2
• Jesus’ Troubled Family History by Nancy Guthrie
• Gospel Coalition articles on the Birth of Christ

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Elizabeth Woodson is joined by Kat Armstrong to finish up the journey through the Old Testament by talking about The Intertestamental Period and the themes of waiting on God. 

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• What happens during The Intertestamental Period? Why is this a significant time in the life of Israel?
• What makes waiting difficult for us?
• What does The Intertestamental Period teach us about what it means to wait on God?
• What does it look like for you to wait on God in your own life?
• How does The Intertestamental Period and the theme of waiting on God point us toward the gospel?

Helpful Definitions:

• The Intertestamental Period: A 400-year period of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Guest Bio:
Kat Armstrong loves encouraging curious Christians to explore Bible stories and has also recently released a 6-Study Series called The Storyline Bible Series that will guide you through your study of the Bible. She is the co-founder of the Polished Network, an organization emboldening women in their faith and work. Kat is the author of No More Holding Back and The In-Between Place. She received her master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and is pursuing a doctorate of ministry in New Testament context at Northern Seminary. 

Reflection Question:
What would it look like for you to be faithful in your waiting season? 

Continue Learning:
If you want to learn more about the entire story of the Bible check out Elizabeth’s new study, From Beginning To Forever.

• Scripture Passage: Malachi 4:5-6, Jeremiah 29:1-11
• Article: What happened in the Intertestamental Period? 
• Book: The Time Between The Old and New Testament by Henry Halley
• Article: What happened between the Old and New Testament
• Books: Kat Armstrong’s Storyline Series

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Elizabeth Woodson is joined by Mason King to have a conversation about how the prophets called Israel back to repentance but they did not listen, so God eventually responds by enacting judgment upon them by sending them into exile.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• What is exile and why is this event significant in the life of Israel?
• What hope does God give Israel while they are in exile? What is the significance of this hope being given during a season of suffering/judgment?
• We love talking about hope, but we don’t always like talking about judgment. What are some of the reasons we have a hard time embracing this part of God’s character?
• How has your understanding of these interconnected themes of judgment and hope impacted how you love God and love others?  
• How do The Prophet and the themes of judgment and hope point us toward the gospel? 

Helpful Definitions:

• Exile: Having to leave where you are from to go to another place against your will, knowing you can’t go back and you want to go back.

Guest Bio:
Mason King serves as a pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. He also serves as the Executive Director of The Village Church Institute, Groups, and Leadership Development. He is currently completing Ph.D. in Church History from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds a  D.Min. in Executive Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A native Texan, Mason and his wife Carly have three kids and two labs. You can find him writing at masonking.org and on Instagram at @MasonKing.

Reflection Question:
How have you seen God use tough love or his judgment to bring you back to a place of faithfulness in your walk with Jesus?

Continue Learning:
If you want to learn more about the entire story of the Bible check out Elizabeth’s new study, From Beginning To Forever.

• Scripture: Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah 31:31-34, 2 Kings 17, Ezra 3, Matthew 1:1
• Video: The Bible Project - Exile
• Online Course: Knowing the Bible: Daniel
• Sermon: Bless the Block - Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile 

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Elizabeth Woodson is joined by Jen Wilkin to talk about The Law. The Law shows us who God is and what he loves, freeing us to live in our divine design as image-bearers.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• How is The Law designed not to simply restrict Israel, but to form them as the people of God?
• Why do you think God begins this discussion by reminding Israel of how he delivered them out of Egypt?
• Why do you think Christians say that Christianity is not about rules but about relationship?
• How should we think about the law that we read in the book of Exodus?
• What does it look like for you to find delight in God’s law?
• Why do we want to obey the law?
• How do The Mosaic Covenant and the theme of the law point us toward the gospel?

Helpful Definitions:

• Moralism: You do the right thing in order to win approval, favor, or status.
• Morality: Obeying God’s law because it is right to do so, it brings glory to Him, and it is how you were designed to function.
• Civil Law: How to deal with disputes between citizens. How the moral law is practiced.
• Ceremonial Law: How do we approach God specifically in the worship patterns He has instituted for us. How the moral law is practiced. In our current time; shadows that have been fulfilled in the work of Christ.
• Moral Law: Expression of the heart of God. Shows us who God is and what God loves.

Guest Bio:
Jen Wilkin is an author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. She has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God. You can follow her on Instagram.

Reflection Question:
How has following in the way of Jesus formed you to love God and love God’s people?

Continue Learning:
If you want to learn more about the entire story of the Bible check out Elizabeth’s new study, From Beginning To Forever.

• Scripture Passage: Exodus 19-20, Matthew 5-7
• Book: Ten Words to Live By - Jen Wilkin
• Book: Journey to Freedom by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson
• Video: Bible Project - Covenants

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Episode Summary:
In this final episode of the season, we reflect on the transformative habits we’ve explored over the past weeks. Discipleship is never neutral—we are always being shaped by our choices, habits, and surroundings. Join us as we close the season with a thoughtful challenge: to evaluate how we’ve grown this year and intentionally align our lives with the way of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. Discipleship requires intentionality—spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident.
2. Our habits and choices either form us into the image of Jesus or conform us to the world.
3. A rule of life can help us structure our days, weeks, and months to live faithfully as disciples.

Challenge:
As you reflect on 2024, ask yourself the following questions. Also, invite your family and friends into the conversation to discern how to live intentionally for Jesus in the coming year.

• How have I been shaped by the way I use my time and resources?
• Where do I see evidence of God’s work in my life?
• What simple habits can I practice consistently in 2025 to grow as a disciple?\

Recommended Resources

1. In Good Time - Jen Pollock Michel
2. The Common Rule - Justin Earley
3. Rule of Life Builder - John Mark Comer

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In this episode of Starting Place, we dive into the spiritual practice of disciplemaking and why it’s central to living as followers of Jesus. Drawing from Matthew 28:19-20, we explore the “discipleship crisis” in today’s Church, discuss key challenges like biblical illiteracy and disembodied discipleship, and offer practical steps for becoming a disciple who makes disciples.

Key Takeaways:

1. Discipleship is meant to happen in the context of relationships, not just through consuming content.
2. Disciplemaking involves content (God’s Word), context (relationships), and consistency (regular, intentional meetings).
3. The Great Commission calls us to multiplication—helping others grow so they can disciple someone else.

Challenge:
Pray and ask God to show you one step you can take toward disciplemaking. Talk about it with a friend or loved one, and consider starting with one person who can grow alongside you in faith.

Recommended Resources

1. The State of Theology Research Study
2. Growing Together by Melissa Kruger
3. Discipleship As Holy Collaboration - Yolanda Solomon
4. Deep Discipleship - JT English

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

In today’s episode, we explore why Christians are called to serve and what that looks like in a divided, individualistic culture. We discuss service as an essential discipline that not only glorifies God but seeks the flourishing of humanity. This episode sheds light on how service shapes us, draws us closer to Christ, and reflects God’s love to the world around us


Key Definition:
The spiritual practice of service is a way of life that reflects the helping, caring, and sharing love of God in the world. - Adele Calhoun (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook)

Main Takeaways:

• God designed us to serve to help creation flourish (Genesis 1:26-27) and to point to his glory. (Matthew 5:13-16).
• Service is self-sacrificial and grounded in mercy and compassion, as illustrated by Jesus in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-35).
• Our motivation for serving comes from how God has served us through Christ. (Romans 12:1)

Weekly Challenge:
Think of one person you interact with regularly (friend/family member/coworker) and ask God to show you one way you can serve them this week. 

Follow Us:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok