<![CDATA[Closer Than You Think]]>https://www.ctyt.nethttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TmyP!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0dc31245-deb4-486c-ba2f-e25058c8c090_500x500.pngCloser Than You Thinkhttps://www.ctyt.netSubstackTue, 14 Apr 2026 02:24:07 GMT<![CDATA[Who Should I Go To for Guidance? (Episode 6)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/who-should-i-go-to-for-guidance-episodehttps://www.ctyt.net/p/who-should-i-go-to-for-guidance-episodeSun, 08 Mar 2026 23:26:04 GMTYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Join the conversation between Marc, Kaitlyn, and Justine as we ask the question, Who should we go to for important guidance?

We would love to hear your feedback. Please leave us your comments.

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]]><![CDATA[Do Only Crazy People Pray? (Episode 5)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/do-only-crazy-people-pray-episodehttps://www.ctyt.net/p/do-only-crazy-people-pray-episodeSun, 01 Mar 2026 18:32:41 GMTNote: Due to technical problems, there is no video of this episode.

Join the conversation between Marc, Kaitlyn, and Justine as we dig into the concept and practice of prayer.

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]]><![CDATA[Is Everything Spiritual? (Episode 4)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/is-everything-spiritual-episode-4https://www.ctyt.net/p/is-everything-spiritual-episode-4Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:02:50 GMTYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Join the conversation between Marc, Kaitlyn, and Justine as we ask the question, Is everything spiritual?

This one is a doozie. We bet you have strong opinions about this topic. We would love to hear your feedback. Please leave us your comments.

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]]><![CDATA[The Proposal - Is This the Right Person for Me? (Episode 3)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-proposal-is-this-the-right-personhttps://www.ctyt.net/p/the-proposal-is-this-the-right-personSun, 25 Jan 2026 16:02:31 GMTYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Join the conversation between Marc, Kaitlyn, and Justine, as we talk about relationships.

What is the most important question to ask a potential partner? What is most important to learn about them early on?

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]]><![CDATA[The Question (Episode 2)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-question-episode-2https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-question-episode-2Sun, 11 Jan 2026 14:01:01 GMTYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Join the conversation between Marc, Kaitlyn, and Justine, as we unpack our answers to the questions, Who IS Jesus to you?, and, Who WAS Jesus to you? We hope you find someone to share your answers to these questions with, and/or share them with us. Subscribe to the Community and don’t miss anything.

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Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

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]]><![CDATA[The Foundation (Episode 1)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-foundation-episode-1https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-foundation-episode-1Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:05:19 GMTYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel.

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]]><![CDATA[The Introduction (Episode 0)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-introduction-episode-0https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-introduction-episode-0Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:01:23 GMTYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Join the conversation between Marc, Kaitlyn, and Justine, as we introduce the purpose of this new podcast. Subscribe to the Community

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The two best ways to support my work are to subscribe to (and share) my Substack, and go to Amazon and post a positive review of my book here.

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]]><![CDATA[Happy Holidays from Marc at CLOSER THAN YOU THINK]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/happy-holidays-from-marc-at-closerhttps://www.ctyt.net/p/happy-holidays-from-marc-at-closerWed, 24 Dec 2025 15:02:54 GMTThanks for all of your support through another year!

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The two best ways to support my work are to subscribe to (and share) my Substack, and go to Amazon and post a positive review of my book here.

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But more than anything else, use whatever knowledge, inspiration, or resources you might find in any of my content to help others around you realize God is for them. Thank you so much!

]]><![CDATA[Cores for Kids ]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/cores-for-kidshttps://www.ctyt.net/p/cores-for-kidsSun, 16 Nov 2025 16:00:56 GMTCTYT CORE (Part 8)

This is the eighth CTYT Core lesson. We have talked a lot about theology and the Bible and the core practices of the Christian faith. In this lesson, we turn our attention to what it all means for raising and teaching children.

This is important and dear to my heart because so many of the messages children receive about God stick with them for the rest of their lives and influence everything.

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]]><![CDATA[Healthy Paradigm Shifts for Reading the Bible Effectively (Part 2)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/healthy-paradigm-shifts-for-reading-df2https://www.ctyt.net/p/healthy-paradigm-shifts-for-reading-df2Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:45:03 GMTCTYT CORE (Part 7)

This is the seventh CTYT Core lesson. The lens we use to read the Bible is often so ingrained in us that we are not even consciously aware of it, but it is important to bring it to the forefront so we can see how it may be affecting our understanding of the Bible.

This is part 2 of 2 video lessons in which we look at a total of four paradigm shifts that will help us have a much healthier perspective on the Bible. There are five shifts altogether when you take the prior lessons into account, and these shifts will help us accept and understand the Bible on its terms.

This series of videos comes out every other Sunday in the Fall of 2025.

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]]><![CDATA[Healthy Paradigm Shifts for Reading the Bible Effectively (Part 1)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/healthy-paradigm-shifts-for-readinghttps://www.ctyt.net/p/healthy-paradigm-shifts-for-readingSun, 19 Oct 2025 14:59:26 GMTCTYT CORE (Part 6)

This is the sixth CTYT Core lesson. The lens we use to read the Bible is often so ingrained in us that we are not even consciously aware of it, but it is important to bring it to the forefront so we can see how it may be affecting our understanding of the Bible.

This is part 1 of 2 video lessons in which we look at a total of four paradigm shifts that will help us have a much healthier perspective on the Bible. These shifts will help us accept and understand the Bible on its terms.

NOTE: There were technical difficulties that cut this video lesson short.

This series of videos comes out every other Sunday in the Fall of 2025.

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]]><![CDATA[The Bible is Not Good For What We Think]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-bible-is-not-good-for-what-wehttps://www.ctyt.net/p/the-bible-is-not-good-for-what-weSun, 05 Oct 2025 14:45:24 GMTCTYT CORE (Part 5)

This is the fifth CTYT Core lesson. If you hear people complaining about the Bible being used as a weapon, then this lesson explains how that might happen. Our preoccupation with forming lists of doctrines to define who is in and out of our tribes or camps is not only unhealthy; it is unbiblical. I argue in this lesson that the Bible is much better designed to give us a relational theology than a systematic theology. This will surprise (and may even upset) some Christians and church leaders. I welcome your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting.

This series of videos comes out every other Sunday in the Fall of 2025.

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]]><![CDATA[The Four F's of the New Testament]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-four-fs-of-the-new-testamenthttps://www.ctyt.net/p/the-four-fs-of-the-new-testamentSun, 21 Sep 2025 15:02:08 GMTCTYT CORE (Part 4)

This is the fourth CTYT Core lesson. The New Testament was formed through the writings of letters and Gospels that were circulated beginning in the first century. This lessons highlights some of the characteristics of its rapid formation and acceptance. The early followers of Jesus, who recognized Him as the Christ, went to great effort to demonstrate He was the fulfillment of the prophecy and scriptures that made up the TaNaK, or Hebrew Bible.

This series of videos comes out every other Sunday in the Fall of 2025.

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]]><![CDATA[Where is God?]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/where-is-godhttps://www.ctyt.net/p/where-is-godSun, 14 Sep 2025 13:13:03 GMTI just finished the short book, Where’s God?, by Frank Viola. Viola compiles the responses from more than 20 well-known Christian ministers and thought leaders on the topic of suffering and unanswered prayers.

I may not agree with all of them, but I did gain some insights. I always think it is beneficial to the larger body of Christ when we get to hear from diverse voices, so I greatly appreciate works like this one.

The main reason I am promoting this book is that they have made it available for FREE to anyone. You can get your copy here: https://www.frankviola.org/whereisgod/

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]]><![CDATA[The Bible That Jesus Used]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-bible-that-jesus-usedhttps://www.ctyt.net/p/the-bible-that-jesus-usedSun, 07 Sep 2025 15:02:20 GMTCTYT CORE (Part 3)

This is the third CTYT Core lesson. It focuses on the culmination of events to form the TaNaK and the Septuagint, the primary scriptural texts that Jesus and His apostles would use.

This series of videos comes out every other Sunday in the Fall of 2025.

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]]><![CDATA[The Bible is Not the Word of God, But It Is Something!]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/the-bible-is-not-the-word-of-godhttps://www.ctyt.net/p/the-bible-is-not-the-word-of-godSun, 24 Aug 2025 16:21:40 GMTCTYT CORE (Part 2)

This is the second CTYT Core lesson. It focuses on the development of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) from a historical view.

This series of videos comes out every other Sunday in the Fall of 2025.

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]]><![CDATA[Getting Through the B.S. to Get to God]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/getting-through-the-bs-to-get-to-1a5https://www.ctyt.net/p/getting-through-the-bs-to-get-to-1a5Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:10:26 GMTCTYT LIVE/CORE (Part 1)

This attempt at CTYT LIVE introduces the Four Core Practices of Christianity, presents a short lesson on what the difference is between Bible Study and Theology and why it matters, features a story from a CTYT subscriber (spoiler: it’s my mom) about a grief support ministry, and more.

In the future, these video lessons will be published on Sunday mornings and be called “CTYT Core". They will not continue to be recorded live on Zoom.

Hope you enjoy! Please send me your feedback.

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]]><![CDATA[CTYT Live: "Getting Through the B.S. to Get to God"]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/ctyt-live-getting-through-the-bshttps://www.ctyt.net/p/ctyt-live-getting-through-the-bsSun, 27 Jul 2025 13:05:14 GMTThis is the first of the LIVE teaching sessions, and we are going to explain a very simple distinction between Bible Study and Theology, which could be a game-changer for your faith journey.

If you grew up in the church, you may have been told to read your Bible, and God will speak to you through the text. Maybe you went to Bible Studies only to leave confused or disappointed. Oftentimes, churchgoers are told to just open their Bible and follow the principles or directions they read in it. We will see how this can sometimes be very bad, even harmful, advice.

Join LIVE Zoom on 8/10 at 10 AM

There is a way to respect the Bible without the pressure of figuring out “God’s will” every time you open it! There is hope for growing in your faith in a healthy way that allows you to develop theology (your attitudes toward God) with a healthy approach to Biblical studies (seeing how other people developed their theology).

We have been told for years that the Bible will tell us what to do; it is a guidebook for life; it has all of the answers we need. This has caused many of us to “follow God’s word” without any respect or understanding of the design and purpose of the Bible. Some of the most dismissive and disrespectful uses of Scripture come from the people who quote it the most!

Join LIVE Zoom on 8/10 at 10 AM

PAID subscribers ($5 per month OR $30 per year) will usually get access sooner, be able to participate in future live sessions, and access more community activities.

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WHAT TO EXPECT:

  • Each live session is about 20 minutes or less.

  • Each live session includes the FOUR CORE PRACTICES of healthy Christianity.

  • Most of the session is the teaching component on a specific topic.

  • You can hop off the Zoom meeting anytime you want. You can engage by asking questions or leaving comments in the chat.

  • A recording of each live session will be published about two weeks later for everyone, including free subscribers.

Join LIVE Zoom on 8/10 at 10 AM

If asked for a passcode…

Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83041080917?pwd=e3rGWY9n267foQqNVoGhltrbo6paEv.1

Meeting ID: 830 4108 0917

Passcode: 8RtaVx

]]><![CDATA[Magnify the Power (Part 7)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/magnify-the-power-part-7https://www.ctyt.net/p/magnify-the-power-part-7Sat, 26 Jul 2025 13:02:33 GMTIn this final episode of this series, we slow down to reflect on what we have learned. This session gives you an opportunity to explore and discuss questions related to the prior learning.

I want to thank you for joining me in this course. Please take a moment to share feedback with me. I hope and pray this experience has been helpful.

Remember, GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!

Copy of Lesson 7 Notes

Guess what? The number on the notes handout actually matches the session number for this episode/lesson. See, I got it worked out eventually.

The two best ways to support my work are to subscribe to (and share) my Substack, and go to Amazon and post a positive review of my book here.

Subscribe now

Share Closer Than You Think

But more than anything else, use whatever knowledge, inspiration, or resources you might find in any of my content to help others around you realize God is for them. Thank you so much!

]]><![CDATA[Magnify the Power (Part 6)]]>https://www.ctyt.net/p/magnify-the-power-part-6https://www.ctyt.net/p/magnify-the-power-part-6Sat, 12 Jul 2025 13:02:51 GMTIn this lesson, we focus on the evidence, or proof, of our Christian witness as we engage our second important mindset shift, which is related to Christian character. In our last module, we explored the shift from Gifts--> Fruit in our understanding of Christian character and witness.

Now, we focus on the next important shift: DOING --> BEING, to help us understand the Spirit's work in our lives from a different perspective. This module is one of the most important in the course and the entire series. We will relearn how God is the initiator and deliverer of all spiritual growth in our lives.

In addition to listening to the lesson, you may also access these videos. (Reminder: Go by the title and content of the notes handout, not the number in the corner.)

Copy of Lesson 6 Notes

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The two best ways to support my work are to subscribe to (and share) my Substack, and go to Amazon and post a positive review of my book here.

Subscribe now

Share Closer Than You Think

But more than anything else, use whatever knowledge, inspiration, or resources you might find in any of my content to help others around you realize God is for them. Thank you so much!

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