Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Episode Summary: "Habits That Transform Your Life with Noah Herrin"
Release Date: April 7, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt, host Madison engages in a profound conversation with Noah Herrin, founder and pastor of Way Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and author of the transformative book "Holy Habits." Released on April 7, 2025, the episode delves deep into the power of habits in fostering spiritual growth, maintaining intimacy with Jesus, and living a life rooted in holiness.

Guest Background and Journey (00:59 - 12:03)

Madison Pruitt Trout introduces Noah Herrin, highlighting his role at Way Church and his impactful book, "Holy Habits." Noah shares his personal journey, growing up in a pastor’s home, grappling with the authenticity of his faith, and eventually distancing himself from organized religion by the age of 15. His "come to Jesus" moment at 21 was transformative, leading him to start a Bible study that rapidly grew to 800 participants. Noah emphasizes that ministry growth wasn't based on strategy but rather on genuine relationships and divine guidance.

Noah Herrin (01:18): "An encounter with Jesus will set you free, but your habits with Jesus are what keep you free."

The Power of Habits in Spiritual Growth (13:30 - 25:02)

Madison and Noah discuss the critical role of habits in sustaining spiritual freedom. Noah underscores that overcoming sin isn't merely about initial repentance but about continuous spiritual disciplines that deepen one's relationship with Jesus.

Madison Pruitt Trout (20:00): "But we just don't know how to get there. And so this book is going to be so helpful."

Noah elaborates on the distinction between effort and earning, citing Dallas Willard to illustrate that relationships require ongoing effort to foster intimacy, paralleling this with the necessity of habits in spiritual life.

Noah Herrin (22:03): "If you don't put any effort into a relationship, how intimate is that relationship going to be?"

Practical Holy Habits (41:34 - 48:11)

Noah introduces one of his favorite habits, the "One Minute Prayer," designed to integrate prayer seamlessly into daily life. This method encourages believers to take 60 seconds after every scheduled event to communicate with God, fostering a continuous relationship rather than compartmentalizing prayer into isolated morning sessions.

Noah Herrin (41:34): "Instead of me praying for five minutes in the morning, now I'm praying probably for 20 minutes during the day or something like that."

Madison connects this habit to building intimacy, comparing it to maintaining a healthy marriage through consistent connection.

Redefining Goals: From Destination to Progress (45:56 - 56:18)

The conversation shifts to goal setting, where Noah critiques the common focus on destination-oriented goals. Drawing inspiration from the book "Atomic Habits," he advocates for identity-based goals that emphasize becoming more Christ-like rather than merely achieving specific tasks.

Noah Herrin (47:20): "Instead of making the goal, I'm not gonna skip reading my Bible every day this year. It's like a way more fulfilling goal would be to go, I'm going to be so much more in love with Jesus at the end of this year."

Madison echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that true transformation stems from a desire to be with Jesus rather than from a checklist of religious obligations.

Understanding Holiness and Its Benefits (49:38 - 58:26)

Noah defines holiness as an intimacy builder, contrasting it with legalistic or superficial practices. He shares personal anecdotes, including challenges faced while maintaining holiness amidst growing ministry responsibilities. Noah stresses that holiness is not about perfection but about a heartfelt commitment to Jesus, which naturally leads to virtuous habits.

Noah Herrin (53:04): "When the storms come, like, I'm built on the rock. Like my peace doesn't leave my hope doesn't leave my foundation is built on Jesus."

Madison reinforces the idea that holiness is integral to witnessing and transforming lives, drawing parallels with biblical teachings about building one's life on a solid foundation.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Building Habits (60:42 - 66:49)

Addressing the balance between personal effort and divine intervention, Noah uses the farmer analogy to illustrate that while believers must cultivate habits (plowing the field and planting seeds), the Holy Spirit is responsible for growing the harvest. He encourages listeners to show up consistently, trusting that God will cultivate spiritual growth through their dedicated habits.

Noah Herrin (61:28): "Show up consistently and let God bring the harvest in your life. Let the Holy Spirit do what only he can do."

Madison concurs, highlighting that habits create an environment for the Holy Spirit to work, reinforcing the notion that believers are called to obediently engage in spiritual disciplines while relying on divine strength.

Conclusion and Prayer (66:11 - 70:49)

As the episode nears its end, Madison and Noah summarize the transformative power of holy habits in fostering a deep, enduring relationship with Jesus. They emphasize that no matter one's past or current struggles, it's never too late to start cultivating habits that lead to holiness and spiritual intimacy.

Noah closes with a heartfelt prayer, asking God to reach listeners who may be struggling with shame or seeking deeper intimacy, affirming that God welcomes everyone and desires to transform lives through grace.

Noah Herrin (67:42): "We know that God could do that even through a podcast."

Madison reiterates the episode's key message: habitual holiness is not about achieving perfection but about consistent, loving connection with Jesus, enabling believers to withstand life's storms and reflect His presence to the world.

Key Takeaways

• Habits as Vehicles for Intimacy: Consistent spiritual habits cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus, moving beyond initial repentance to sustained freedom.

• Identity-Based Goals: Setting goals that focus on becoming more Christ-like fosters meaningful growth compared to destination-oriented objectives.

• Holiness as a Heart Posture: True holiness stems from a transformed heart that seeks Jesus out of love, not obligation or fear.

• Synergy Between Effort and Grace: Personal effort in cultivating habits creates space for the Holy Spirit to work, leading to genuine spiritual transformation.

• Community and Accountability: Engaging with a supportive community enhances the ability to maintain holy habits and resist sin.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Noah Herrin (01:18): "An encounter with Jesus will set you free, but your habits with Jesus are what keep you free."

• Noah Herrin (22:03): "If you don't put any effort into a relationship, how intimate is that relationship going to be?"

• Noah Herrin (47:20): "Instead of making the goal, I'm not gonna skip reading my Bible every day this year. It's like a way more fulfilling goal would be to go, I'm going to be so much more in love with Jesus at the end of this year."

• Noah Herrin (53:04): "When the storms come, like, I'm built on the rock. Like my peace doesn't leave my hope doesn't leave my foundation is built on Jesus."

• Noah Herrin (61:28): "Show up consistently and let God bring the harvest in your life. Let the Holy Spirit do what only he can do."

• Noah Herrin (67:42): "We know that God could do that even through a podcast."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a powerful guide for believers seeking to cultivate holy habits that lead to a transformative and enduring relationship with Jesus. Through personal stories, theological insights, and practical advice, Noah Herrin and Madison Pruitt Troutt inspire listeners to prioritize intimacy over obligation, embrace consistent spiritual disciplines, and trust in God's grace and power to sustain their journey toward holiness.

For those longing to deepen their spiritual lives and build habits that reflect Christ's love and holiness, "Holy Habits" by Noah Herrin is a must-read companion.