The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 353: Sharing the Gospel
Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast by: Ascension

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode centers on how Christians are called to share the Gospel—both by defending their faith with gentleness and by sharing their very selves with others. Through readings from 1 Peter 3-5, 1 Thessalonians 1-3, and Proverbs 30:15-16, Fr. Mike reflects on the call to witness with hope, kindness, and authenticity, highlighting both the importance of knowing why we believe and the impact of living out the faith in relationships and community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Suffering for Righteousness and Authentic Witness

• Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 3–5.
• Suffering for doing good is highlighted as not just inevitable, but even blessed for believers.
  • Fr. Mike acknowledges that we suffer both for righteous reasons—and sometimes for our own failings:

    “Too often I said that thing I shouldn’t have said. I didn’t do the thing I should have done. You know what I’m saying? And so I just need the Lord’s grace to meet me in all situations and all times.” (18:45)

• Key Message from Peter (3:15):
  • Always be prepared to give a reason for your hope, but do so gently and with reverence.
  • This verse was a personal touchstone for Fr. Mike:

    “This is a verse that defined and charted the course of much of my life… I want to be able to give a reason for why I believe what I believe.” (19:35)

  • The importance of how we defend the faith:

    “Not with a sledgehammer, not with any power tools, not with just this kind of club you want to beat people over the head with. But do it with gentleness and reverence and keep your conscience clear…” (20:18)

2. Baptism’s Power and Sacramental Theology

• Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 3:21.
  • Baptism is not just a sign, but a saving action.
  • All sacraments do something real:

    “Baptism actually saves us. It’s not simply a sign of a preexisting condition, it actually does something.” (21:20)

  • Analogy with Noah’s ark: as the ark actually saved Noah, so too baptism saves us.

3. Encouragement toward Christian Living and Resistance

• Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 4:7–5:11.
• Practical counsel from Peter:
  • Keep love and hospitality central: “Above all, hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly…” (22:10)
  • Use your gifts for others and for God’s glory.
  • Be on guard: “Be sober. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion…” (23:02)
  • We’re not alone in our suffering and spiritual battles.

4. Paul’s Special Joy in the Thessalonians

• Scripture Focus: 1 Thessalonians 1–3.
• St. Paul’s affection comes through strongly:
  • Highlights how the Thessalonians have received the faith and are living it out as an “example to all the believers.” (25:10)
  • Fr. Mike notes Paul’s loving encouragement as especially noticeable compared to his other letters:

    “You’re talking about someone’s favorites. Okay, I think the Thessalonians might be Paul’s favorites… In this case, St. Paul, he is just so encouraged. He is so encouraged by the faith of the Thessalonians.” (26:45)

• Sharing the Gospel and Your Life:
  • Paul’s model:

    “We were ready to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (2:8; cited at 28:22)

  • Fr. Mike applies this to missionary work—not just preaching, but entering into people’s lives.
  • He references FOCUS missionaries as living this out (29:10).

5. The True Spread of the Gospel: Families and Friendships

• Fr. Mike’s strong conviction:

  “The gospel in our culture… will not be advanced from a stage or… a podcast… but the gospel will be truly advanced through families and through friendships.” (30:02)

• He commends listeners for sharing Bible insights with loved ones, emphasizing actual relationships over platforms.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you. Yet do it with gentleness and reverence and keep your conscience clear.” — Fr. Mike citing 1 Peter 3:15 (19:15)
• “Baptism actually saves us. It’s not just a sign… but it actually does something.” (21:20)
• “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.” — Fr. Mike citing 1 Peter 5:7 (22:38)
• “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…” (23:02)
• “We were ready to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own selves…” — Fr. Mike paraphrasing Paul, 1 Thess 2:8 (28:22)
• “The gospel will be truly advanced through families and through friendships.” (30:02)

Important Timestamps and Segments

• [00:04] – Podcast opening and overview of readings (1 Peter 3–5; 1 Thess 1–3; Prov 30:15-16)
• [02:00–17:30] – Full scripture readings (not detailed in this summary)
• [17:32] – Opening prayer
• [18:45] – Suffering for doing right vs. suffering from our own mistakes; the need for God’s grace
• [19:35] – Life-defining impact of 1 Peter 3:15
• [20:18] – “Defending faith with gentleness and reverence”—the ‘how’ matters
• [21:20] – The power of baptism and sacraments
• [22:10] – Peter’s guidance for daily Christian living
• [23:02] – The reality of spiritual warfare and the call to vigilance
• [26:45] – Paul’s affection for the Thessalonians and the joy of shared faith
• [28:22] – Real missionary work is sharing life, not just doctrine
• [30:02] – Gospel advances through relationships, not just media
• [31:50] – Fr. Mike’s gratitude and call for mutual prayer

Episode Flow & Takeaways

• The episode opened with scriptural readings and moved into a prayerful reflection focused on hope in suffering, witnessing faith, and practical discipleship.
• Fr. Mike’s tone is empathetic, encouraging, and personal, blending scriptural exposition with stories from his own spiritual journey and contemporary applications.
• Listeners are invited to both know the faith well enough to defend it gently (especially inspired by 1 Peter 3:15) and to live the faith through deep, authentic relationships—mirroring the approach of St. Paul and the Thessalonians.
• The episode closes with gratitude, encouragement, and a reminder to keep praying for each other.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you’re seeking guidance on how to defend and share your faith — with friends, family, or anyone who asks — this episode distills both scriptural wisdom and modern application. You’ll be inspired not only to know the “reason for your hope,” but to share it with humility, love, and authentic engagement with those around you.