Podcast Summary: Living Influence with Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd
Episode: How Grace Moved Us Toward Jesus
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "How Grace Moved Us Toward Jesus," co-hosts Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd delve deep into the transformative power of grace in their personal journeys toward faith. Rooted in the scripture Titus 2:11, "The grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all people," the discussion emphasizes the profound impact of understanding one's identity in Christ and how this realization shapes their influence in the world.
Personal Journeys to Grace
Bill Thrall's Story
Bill begins by sharing his tumultuous introduction to the concept of grace and salvation. Growing up in a family devoid of faith, his first encounter with Christian teachings occurred at a young age through his father-in-law, Gus Quint. At seven years old, Bill was invited to Bible camp by Gus, despite his family's financial struggles. This experience was marred by fear-inducing messages about hell, leading Bill to accept Jesus multiple times a day out of fear rather than genuine understanding or belief.
Bill [02:31]: "That was my introduction to it... But that was my introduction to it."
This fear-based approach left Bill feeling that his life lacked meaning, a sentiment that persisted until his older brothers, who had also embraced Christianity fervently, invited him to work with them in Wisconsin. It was during this period that Bill's perspective shifted from fear to a genuine desire to know Jesus personally. A pivotal moment occurred on August 11, 1957, when his brother Bob confronted him with a simple yet profound question:
Bob [06:00]: "What are you gonna do with Jesus?"
This question led Bill to a heartfelt prayer where he expressed his desire to invite Jesus into his life, moving beyond the superficial fear of hell to a transformative relationship with Christ.
Scott Boyd's Story
Scott shares a contrasting yet equally profound journey. Unlike Bill, Scott's early exposure to faith was inconsistent. Raised in a Lutheran household with a strained relationship with church activities, his initial experiences were unremarkable and lacked personal significance. However, his perspective began to change when he met his wife, Bev, a Southern Baptist, and was exposed to different facets of Christian worship and community.
Scott [09:26]: "I was 20... and I felt like he told me, no, you need to get your degree."
Scott's encounter with his stepmother's unwavering faith and the vibrant community of a non-denominational church ignited a passionate and authentic faith in him. Unlike his early experiences, where faith felt obligatory, this new environment offered genuine relationships and a lively expression of worship that resonated deeply with him.
Key Discussions: Grace as a Personal Encounter
Both Bill and Scott emphasize that true grace extends beyond mere messages about salvation; it is an experiential relationship with Jesus. They reiterate that making salvation a mere message can inadvertently condemn people, whereas focusing on Jesus as a person allows individuals to experience grace authentically.
Bill [12:25]: "It's interesting, both of us... Grace is about a person. His name is Jesus."
The hosts discuss how their personal relationships and encounters with believers shaped their understanding of grace. Bill recounts his experiences in Bible college and his early evangelistic efforts, highlighting a pivotal moment where his preaching was met with unexpected resistance, leading him to realize the importance of conveying grace through the person of Jesus rather than a judgmental message.
Bill [15:07]: "A guy in the second row starts swearing at me... as he started to walk up, I said, 'Wait, wait, stop, stop, stop.'"
This incident taught Bill the significance of embodying grace and approaching evangelism with humility and authenticity, focusing on personal transformation rather than fear-based rhetoric.
Scott echoes this sentiment, sharing how his journey was less about bold evangelism and more about developing a heartfelt relationship with Jesus, supported by a community that valued genuine faith over traditional, rigid expressions of Christianity.
Scott [19:15]: "I felt like he told me, no, you need to get your degree... Make these people those priority."
Insights: Transformative Power of Personal Relationships
A recurring theme in the episode is the transformative influence of personal relationships in understanding and embracing grace. Both hosts credit their respective brothers and family members for modeling authentic faith, which in turn fostered their own spiritual growth.
Bill's interaction with his brothers, especially the impactful summer spent working alongside them, revealed a new dimension of faith—one that was lived out with integrity and genuine love, rather than just preached.
Scott's relationship with his stepmother and the vibrant non-denominational church community provided him with a model of faith that was both passionate and relatable, encouraging him to pursue his spiritual and personal growth seriously.
Conclusions: Embracing Grace as a Personal Experience
Bill and Scott converge on the idea that grace must be experienced personally to be truly transformative. By shifting the focus from salvation as a mere message to salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus, they argue that individuals can experience authentic grace that leads to meaningful change and influence in their lives.
Bill [17:59]: "Now I can clearly say I met God that day."
They conclude that understanding grace as a personal encounter with Jesus is essential for genuine spiritual growth and effective influence, aligning with their podcast's overarching theme that one's view of themselves profoundly impacts their ability to influence others.
Bill [18:17]: "Because of what we talked about last week. Because he who was the only means to salvation did something. He brought something to us. He brought grace to us."
Final Thoughts
In "How Grace Moved Us Toward Jesus," Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd share heartfelt narratives that illustrate the profound impact of experiencing grace through personal relationships and authentic encounters with Jesus. Their stories serve as a testament to the transformative power of faith when it is lived out with sincerity and love, reinforcing the podcast's message that understanding one's identity in Christ is paramount to influencing the world positively.
Notable Quotes
- Bill [02:31]: "That was my introduction to it... But that was my introduction to it."
- Bill [06:00]: "What are you gonna do with Jesus?"
- Bill [12:25]: "It's interesting, both of us... Grace is about a person. His name is Jesus."
- Bill [15:07]: "A guy in the second row starts swearing at me... as he started to walk up, I said, 'Wait, wait, stop, stop, stop.'"
- Scott [09:26]: "I was 20... and I felt like he told me, no, you need to get your degree."
- Bill [17:59]: "Now I can clearly say I met God that day."
- Bill [18:17]: "Because of what we talked about last week. Because he who was the only means to salvation did something. He brought something to us. He brought grace to us."
Conclusion
This episode of "Living Influence" beautifully encapsulates the essence of discovering grace through personal relationships and authentic faith experiences. Bill and Scott's candid sharing offers listeners a relatable and inspiring perspective on how grace can profoundly shape one's life and influence.