Everyone is fed up with the noise and antisocial behaviour in the town centre. So it seems to make sense for the church to lend their support to the community group trying to stop it. But what are the pitfalls in supporting a campaign that divides the church and the community? It seems like if they don’t get involved they will upset a lot of people, especially within the congregation. But on the other hand, if they do it’s going to create big problems for others. Whatever they do it seems like someone will be offended. Which should they choose? What needs to happen so that the stumbling is minimised or reduced?

We all need to know how to deal with situations we can get into without thinking. And it’s common to find that whatever action we take in certain situations someone will be displeased or even stumbled. This episode seeks to think through carefully how we ought to identify and avoid stumbling blocks in these kinds of situations. 

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

Fiona doesn’t see anything wrong with getting drunk and professing to be a Christian? Her colleague Chris is a non-Christian that always assumed otherwise. What stumbling blocks are involved in this situation? Has Fiona herself been stumbled? Is there a way of resolving a situation that is strewn with stumbling blocks? Let’s discover how to handle a real-life situation with biblical principles drawn from James Durham’s classic book.

We often encounter people who will not attend church because of the behaviour of Christians. They want to see people live up to what they profess to believe. So this stumbling block can come in various forms. If we can learn how to handle this situation, it will guide us when similar things happen in our own experience.

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

Do you need to show loyalty to your local congregation or can you hop between different places if that seems best for you? In two different cases people come to find out what impact their actions can have on others. It never occurred to Simon that he would affect anyone else. He was just acting from the best motives. And he wasn’t doing anything wrong. But Rachel has used it to her own ends and ignored her conscience. And that will create problems for others. What needs to happen so that the stumbling is minimised or reduced?

We all need to know how to deal with a situation where someone has been stumbled even though we didn’t intend it and we didn’t do anything wrong as such. It’s important that where we can we remove anything that may cause someone to stumble once we know about it. Otherwise we are then deliberately leaving a stumbling block in their way. 

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

It seemed so innocent, a lovely birthday meal. Who would have thought it could be the occasion of such hurt and upset within the wider family? But when we jump to conclusions sparked by deep seated anxieties it is certainly possible. In this episode we find out how hasty assumptions and blunt speaking can harm everyone’s spiritual growth. It happens easily in everyday contexts but we can learn a great deal from it. Such situations can be hard to mend and certainly don’t edify but is there a way to restore things and avoid all this in the future?

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

This podcast episode presents us with a real-life scenario that arises in the context of everyday relationships. We need to be on the watch for these kinds of situations. The fact that they are so ordinary can mean we are less on our guard against potential dangers. How do we both avoid being stumbled by the hurts that make resentment easy to bottle up? There are many other stumbling blocks that can impede how we exercise grace. This scenario can help us think about how to deal with those too.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

At first it seems like an innocent, even a potentially pleasant request for prayer. But it quickly becomes intensely awkward the more it is explained. It raises a controversial decision on a controversial matter. All kinds of issues are stirred up whether spoken or not. Something that should be helpful becomes a stumbling block for everyone concerned. How could things have gone differently, so that instead of people stumbling, they could have been strengthened in holiness? 

While we may not experience exactly the same situation, similar circumstances often arise from people thoughtlessly casting obstacles in the way of other people’s spiritual progress. If we can learn how to handle this situation, it will guide us when similar things happen in our own experience.

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

What do you do when your kind helpfulness is taken for granted and you are met with unrealistic self-centred demands? It is a challenge to keep exercising grace in the way we ought and to act wisely. There clear stumbling blocks that make it easy to fall into bitterness and resentment as well as getting weary in well-doing. Relationships are easily strained and suspicion brought into the life of a congregation. It is natural to withdraw in hurt and irritation that allows the damage to remain on all sides. But how could we avoid it and seek the best spiritual interests of all concerned?

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

This podcast episode presents us with a real-life scenario that arises in the context of everyday relationships. We need to be on the watch for these kinds of situations. The fact that they are so ordinary can mean we are less on our guard against potential dangers. How do we both avoid being stumbled by the hurts that make resentment easy to bottle up? There are many other stumbling blocks that can impede how we exercise grace. This scenario can help us think about how to deal with those too.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

Anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding a mini-renovation to the church building quickly descends into acrimony. People are  taking sides about design choices and proposals. Discussions are heated with a lot of personal pot shots being exchanged and relationships very strained. Is there any way of repairing the ever increasing damage?

It’s not just angry confrontations, people are genuinely hurt and have trouble in their consciences about principles they feel are involved. There are stumbling blocks everywhere. It’s tempting to try to bury it and try to move on without addressing it but the damage won’t be repaired. Sadly, churches often experience deep differences about comparatively minor things. If we can learn how to handle this situation, it will guide us when similar things happen in our own experience.

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

We all want to see a change for the good in society. It is tempting to champion any movement that has some of the right values. But political allegiances often stir up considerable controversy and heightened tension. The potential for serious consequences increases when they become closely associated with the gospel. This is what Gary and his fellow church members discover in this scenario. How can we stop our politics getting in the way of the gospel? And how do we remove the damage when they do? 

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

This podcast episode presents us with a real-life scenario where unintended consequences can result from a close association between religion and politics. We need to be on the watch for these kinds of situations. How do the opinions we share and promote and the tone in which they are expressed impact on others spiritually? There are many other stumbling blocks that can get in the way of people accessing the gospel. This scenario can help us think about how to deal with those too.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

Gordon is responsible for some very expensive damage to Paul and Emma’s car. Why won’t he, as a Christian, accept his responsibility? Especially when they are under serious financial strain. But should they stand up for their legal rights?  Or would that only inflame the situation further and provoke him? Would it be a stumbling block?

It’s a messy and painful situation that needs careful handling. It’s easy for resentment to boil when we are wronged in this way. Can the situation be recovered? If we can learn how to handle this situation, it will guide us when similar things happen in our own experience.

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com

Have you ever considered the seriousness of causing someone else to stumble? That is, to hinder someone’s spiritual wellbeing. Does it surprise you that the apostle Paul in Romans 14:20 describes it as evil?

The Concerning Scandal podcast applies the biblical principles of avoiding spiritual harm by looking at the real-life scenarios in which stumbling blocks arise. We can use the spiritual wisdom of James Durham’s classic book in situations we are all too familiar with.

In this episode, rather than examining a particular real-life scenario we need to understand why this is so important. The Bible speaks about stumbling blocks and offences and this has implications for all of us. It raises some challenging questions.

To find out more, visit www.concerningscandal.com