Back to the Bible Canada with Dr. John Neufeld

Good leadership is one of the most valued — and most scrutinized — things in any community, including the church. From 1 Timothy 5:17–20, Dr. John Neufeld examines what Paul says about the proper care and accountability of elders. Drawing from his own experience in pastoral ministry, Dr. John unpacks what it means to honour those who lead and teach well, why faithful pastors deserve genuine support, and how the church must hold its leaders to a high standard of integrity. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

Some of the most faithful servants in the early church were women who had lost everything — and yet gave everything. In 1 Timothy 5:9–16, Dr. John Neufeld uncovers the remarkable story of widows who devoted themselves fully to prayer, service, and the care of others. Drawing from Paul's instructions to Timothy, Dr. John explores what it meant for these women to make a solemn pledge of ministry, and why their extraordinary sacrifice left a lasting mark on the church. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

Every family has rules — and those rules shape who we become.In this message from 1 Timothy 5:1–8, Dr. John Neufeld explores what it looks like to live as the family of God. Drawing from Paul's instructions to Timothy, Dr. John unpacks the relational principles that define a healthy church: honouring those who are older, treating one another with genuine purity, and taking seriously our responsibility to care for those in need. If you've ever wondered what a Christian community should look like from the inside — this message is for you. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

What does a successful pastor actually look like — and how would you know if you were one? In today's from Living the Truth, Dr. John works through 1 Timothy 4:11–16, where Paul gives Timothy a clear and practical picture of faithful ministry: teach the Word publicly, live in a way that earns trust, and keep a close watch on both your life and your doctrine. Because in the end, your hearers' salvation — and your own — depends on it. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

What does Paul mean when he calls God "the Savior of all people" — and does that mean everyone ultimately makes it to heaven? In this message from Living the Truth, Dr. John Neufeld works through 1 Timothy 4:10, dismantling two common misreadings before arriving at a richer, more biblical picture of God's saving work — one that stretches from David's battlefield to a pagan harvest, and fuels Paul's relentless labour for the gospel. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

What is the most important thing a pastor can do? In today's message, Dr. John opens 1 Timothy 4:6–9 to make the case that job one for every shepherd is protecting the flock through faithful, patient teaching — keeping false doctrine in check while grounding the congregation in truth. But Paul doesn't stop there. The best thing any pastor can offer his people isn't a leadership strategy or a counselling model. It's a life trained in godliness. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

Can a person truly fall away from the faith — and what does that mean for the security of the believer? In this message, Dr. John continues in 1 Timothy 4:1–5, examining the character of false teachers and the subtle dangers of asceticism. When we view life apart from God's intention — denying what He has called good, or abusing what He has given freely — we open the door to deception. The remedy is simple: receive God's gifts with thanksgiving, and let His Word define what is holy. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

False teaching isn't simply a matter of human opinion — according to Paul, there are demonic forces actively working to lead the church astray. In this first message from Living the Truth, Dr. John Neufeld opens 1 Timothy 4:1–5 and unpacks the Holy Spirit's explicit warning: that throughout the church age, some will depart from the faith. Dr. Neufeld traces this pattern from the early church to the theological drift of the 20th century, and reminds us why faithful, obedient Bible teaching isn't optional — it's the church's first line of defence. Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

Why does suffering feel so personal — and could it actually be? In this message from Romans 6:5, Dr. John unpacks one of the most profound doctrines in the New Testament: union with Christ. Far from being random or meaningless, our suffering is the means by which God unites us to Jesus in His death — so that we might also share in His resurrection. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

When someone we love suffers, what do we say — and what should we never say? Drawing from the story of Job and Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, Dr. John offers a deeply personal and practical message on how to comfort those who are hurting. Along the way, he shares honestly from his own experience of grief — and points to the one source of comfort that never runs dry. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

When life gets hard, complaining comes naturally — but gratitude is what God calls us to. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and the repeated failures of Israel in the wilderness, Dr. John Neufeld examines the danger of a grumbling spirit and what it means to give thanks in all circumstances — not just the good ones. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Suffering is never random — it has a purpose. In this message from 1 Peter 4:1, Dr. John Neufeld explores how God uses suffering to sanctify His people, burning away what is false and producing a faith that is genuine, tested, and eternal. Drawing from 1 Peter and the doctrine of union with Christ, Dr. John shows why trials are not only allowed by God, but appointed by Him — and how, in the hands of a loving Father, even our deepest pain becomes the means of our greatest growth. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

When we're suffering, it's tempting to question God's wisdom — or tell Him how He should act. In this message from Romans 11:33–36, Dr. John Neufeld examines what it means to truly submit to God's wisdom, exploring why His ways so often confound our expectations, and why trusting Him is always the wisest response. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

People say it all the time — "that was heaven" or "that was hell." But what if they're more right than they realize? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores the idea that our most glorious and most devastating experiences on earth are foretastes of what is to come. From the beauty of creation to the brutality of suffering, God has purposes in both — and understanding that changes the way we face whatever season we're in. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

If God is truly sovereign, what do we do with the evil that people inflict on us? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld tackles one of the most challenging tensions in the Christian faith — human free will and the sovereignty of God. Drawing from Lamentations, the story of Joseph, and the crucifixion itself, Dr. John makes the case that nothing happens outside of God's control, and that even our darkest experiences are held in the hands of a God whose mercies never come to an end. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Have you ever cried out to God and heard nothing back? You're not alone — and you're in good company. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores one of the most honest and uncomfortable realities of the Christian life: the silence of God. The experience is real, it's biblical, and it doesn't mean God has abandoned you. Dr. John helps us understand why God sometimes seems distant — and what to do when heaven feels quiet. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

When suffering hits, everyone has an explanation. But are the most common answers actually helpful — or do they miss the point entirely? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld takes a closer look at John 9 and the question Jesus' disciples brought to him about a man born blind. What Jesus says in response challenges some of our deepest assumptions about pain, and points us toward a definition of good and evil that changes everything. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Suffering is real — and pretending otherwise doesn't make us stronger. In this opening episode of a new series on trusting God in suffering, Dr. John Neufeld tackles one of the most honest questions a believer can ask: where is God when life falls apart? Drawing from Scripture, literature, and his own personal loss, Dr. John makes the case that authentic faith doesn't shy away from the reality of pain — it faces it head on. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Giving is never just about money — it's a declaration of trust. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 26, the closing chapter of Moses' second sermon, exploring two ancient acts of worship tied to giving: the firstfruits offering and the third-year tithe for the poor. With characteristic honesty about why money sermons make people uncomfortable, Dr. John unpacks what faithful generosity looks like — and why it flows not from obligation, but from remembering all that God has given. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

The family isn't just a social unit — it's the foundation God built society upon. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 25:5–19, examining four laws designed to protect family life in ancient Israel: caring for widows through levirate marriage, safeguarding future generations, ensuring honest dealings in business, and remembering the ruthless attack of Amalek on Israel's most vulnerable. Ancient laws with a timeless message about why family still matters. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.