The Gospel & Gradebooks Podcast

Teach Boldly Ep 19: Choosing Righteousness

As educators, we make countless choices each day—how to respond to a disrespectful student, whether to cut corners on lesson planning when we're exhausted, or how to treat a colleague who has wronged us. In these moments, we have the opportunity to choose righteousness—to honor God in our actions, even when it's difficult. Righteousness isn’t about being perfect; it’s about striving to do what is right in God’s eyes. Proverbs 21:21 reminds us that pursuing righteousness leads to life, prosperity, and honor.

Teach Boldly Ep 18: Balancing Family and Work Life

If you’ve ever felt torn between your responsibilities at school and your commitments at home, you’re not alone. Teaching isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. We pour our energy into our students, staying late for meetings, grading on weekends, and constantly thinking about how to improve our lessons. At the same time, our families need us, too. It’s easy to feel guilty—guilty for spending time at school when our families need us, and guilty for stepping away from work when there’s always something more to do. But Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time for everything.

Teach Boldly Ep 17: Encouraging Our Administrators

School administrators carry a heavy load—making tough decisions, supporting teachers and students, and ensuring the school runs smoothly. Their role often comes with stress, pressure, and little recognition. Galatians 6:9 reminds us to keep doing good, even when the work is difficult, because God promises a harvest in due time. Join us in encouraging your administrators this week!

Episode 17: Grandfatherhood, Chaos, and the Story of Joseph

In this episode of Gospel and Gradebooks, Timm shares the exciting news of becoming a grandfather for the first time! Meanwhile, Jamie recaps a whirlwind week of balancing life—his wife being away for work, kicking off softball season with his daughter, and keeping the podcast rolling. Then, the guys dive into their Men of the Bible series with a study of Joseph from the Old Testament. From betrayal and slavery to rising as Egypt’s second-in-command, Joseph’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and ultimate forgiveness. How did he resist the temptation for revenge and instead trust in God's greater plan? Join us for this powerful discussion on how Joseph’s life lessons still apply today.

Teach Boldly Ep 16: Rest in God's Presence

Have you every just sat in your quiet classroom and prayed for God to help you through a difficult day? Difficult week? Difficult year? Then this episode is for you! Join Jamie as he talks about Jesus' promise in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened...". God wants to provide that more than just a physical rest, but a spiritual one. And we teachers need that more than most!

Teach Boldly Ep 15: A Heart of Service

Teaching is one of the most selfless professions, requiring us to put others’ needs ahead of our own daily. In Mark 10:45, Jesus reminds us of the ultimate example of service: Himself. Service is not about recognition or rewards. It’s about a heart willing to love, to give, and to lift others up—even when it goes unnoticed. Jesus, the King of Kings, humbled Himself to serve, and He calls us to do the same.

Teach Boldly Ep 14: Courage in Adversity

Joshua 1:9 is one of the most empowering verses in Scripture. God speaks directly to Joshua, who is stepping into Moses’ role as leader of Israel. Imagine the pressure he must have felt, the doubts that crept in as he considered the enormity of the task before him. And yet, God doesn’t just suggest courage—He commands it.

Episode 16: Faith, Failure, and the Future of Education

In this episode of Gospel & Gradebooks, Timm and Jamie tackle some of the biggest education headlines making waves today—Texas' bill mandating the Ten Commandments in classrooms, the growing shift to four-day school weeks, and the debate over banning cell phones in schools. How do these issues impact teachers, students, and faith in education?
Then, they take a deep dive into the life of Abraham, a man known for his unwavering faith yet marked by human struggles. From leaving everything behind to follow God, to moments of weakness like lying about Sarah in Egypt and fathering Ishmael with Hagar, to the ultimate test of faith in nearly sacrificing Isaac—Abraham's story is one of triumph and trial. What can modern Christian educators learn from his journey? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on faith, failure, and trust in God's plan.

Teach Boldly Ep 13: Faithfulness in Small Things

When we think of faithfulness, our minds often jump to big commitments—being steadfast in our marriage, showing dedication to our jobs, or standing firm in our beliefs during times of trial. But Jesus, in Luke 16:10, shifts our focus to the small, daily acts of faithfulness that shape our character and build our reliability in God’s eyes.

Teach Boldly Ep 12: Unity Among Colleagues

A harmonious and united team can transform a school environment, creating a space where both teachers and students thrive. However, maintaining unity among colleagues can be challenging, especially when opinions differ or tensions rise. Ephesians 4:3 calls us to actively pursue unity through the Spirit, fostering peace and collaboration in our interactions.