Locker Room

Locker Room listeners: we truly believe God wants to help us in the middle of our pain.  Whatever it is you’ve experienced. He wants to draw close. The Holy Spirit wants to comfort, heal and restore whatever it is that has caused you so much pain. Jesus wants to give you the grace and  strength as you make the decision to forgive. In this episode, we want to make sure we unpack what forgiveness is, what it’s not, and what it looks like when we make that call—the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Join us in the conversation this week with returning guest Gary Black, to talk about the healing available to us through forgiveness.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Opening Questions: Where are you winning this week?  What are some things that come to mind when you think of forgiveness? Think about two people that you have the hardest time forgiving. What comes to mind? What about forgiveness is so hard?  Unhealthy ways that Men attempt to process hurts: We ignore our hurts  We escape our hurts through

“We truly live at the mercy of our ideas.” —Dallas Willard. The ideas we believe in our minds and then let into our lives give shape to the trajectory of our souls. They shape how we live and who we become. No one talks more to you than you do! Most men would never let another man talk to them the way that they talk to themselves. You wouldn’t be friends with them! You might even fight them! Men, we’ve got to stop all this brutal talk and inner dialogue. Shut that guy up! Our guest this week on the podcast is Christian counselor Allen Connor. Allen has been in ministry and counseling for forty years. Allen was on staff at Southland for many years before leaving to focus on his counseling practice. Join us this week as we talk about the ways the enemy plays our thoughts against us, and how to fight back. DISCUSSION GUIDE Opening Questions: Where are you winning this week?  What are some things that come to mind when you think of Christian counseling?  “The enemy weaponizes thoughts in the effort to dest

Purity is a battle for most every man. It’s a consistent battle. We are constantly at war against the enemy, our own flesh. We have to stay vigilant in guarding our eyes, mind and heart because the enemy is serious about taking men out. Purity is a big weapon that he uses to destroy the work of God in men, marriages and families. We’re praying this episode will be helpful not only for you, but also for your middle and high school students—even your daughters. You know your kids and their maturity level. Listen to it and then discern if they’re ready for it. DISCUSSION GUIDE Opening Question: Got any funny fire stories? Where are you winning this week? Purity is a battle for most men. “Men: waiting until middle school to address puberty, sexuality and dating is a real problem and it puts our kids in harm's way.” Why is it important for us to take on the difficult and uncomfortable conversations with our kids? 73% of teen respondents age 13 to 17 have watched pornography online and more than half (54%) re

It’s critical for us as men to take some personal inventory around anger. We have to know our tendencies in order to take care of our own hearts and to respond—not react—in a way that moves us towards building and not destroying, towards peace and resolution—not resentment and hatred. We must learn to handle our feelings with grace and truth—the way that Jesus has done with us. This week on Locker Room, guest Parker Sherwood and Scott sit down to dig into the fire of anger and talk about healthy ways we can identify, acknowledge and take responsibility for our emotions. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Opening Question Where are you winning this week? Questions to think about as we get into this episode  Where does anger seem to get the best of you?  Who are the people in your life that always seem to be on the receiving end of your addressed anger?  How quick are you to lash out? How many marriages, friendships or significant relationships have become casualties because of your anger? The hard one… Do you

Scott Nickell returns to the podcast this week to explore building blocks found in the book of Proverbs, from which God shows us how to build a life—a life that looks like Jesus. DISCUSSION GUIDE Opening questions  Nickell talks about his sabbatical and the importance of rest. Did you get the chance to rest this Labor Day weekend? Where have you been winning in your walk with Christ this week? Nickell talks about the importance that he has found in surrounding himself with people in similar roles with similar responsibilities as him. How have you seen this principle ring true in your life? What is the difference between direction and vision? There are a lot of upcoming changes in our church. What are some things you’re excited about? Is there any way that you feel the Holy Spirit tugging on your heart to serve? “When we are at war, what really matters becomes really clear.” How does understanding the fact that we are constantly in a battle with the enemy change how you prioritize things in your life? Do

This week on the podcast we welcome a very special guest: Ernie Coburn. Ernie has been a leader and a source of wisdom around Southland for many years. He was there serving and leading alongside Wayne Smith, Mike Breaux, Jon Weece, and has continued being a part of leadership during our current transition to Scott Nickell stepping into this role in this very important season for Southland. In this conversation, Scott and Ernie lay out a road map for faithfulness and integrity over the long haul in our walk with God, our marriages and how to finish strong.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Scott described Ernie with a lot of words, two of which were wise and old. Who comes to mind in your own life when you hear the description of wise and old? Ernie described the changes our church has experienced over the past 30 years or so. When have you experienced change in church? What have you learned about how to do it well? Ernie spoke about how he spends time reading the Bible and in Prayer. What wisdom did you learn from him in th

Welcome back! This week on Locker Room our guest Jon Weece sits down with Scott to unpack 16 'Laws of Leadership' that should define us as we lead in our families, our workplace and ain our relationships. In this discussion we'll lean on scripture and talk about ways we can grow in these key areas.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Opening Questions: Who were some of your favorite wrestlers back in the day? Where have you been winning in your walk with Christ this week?   Jon’s 16 Laws of Leadership The Law of Love- Lead with Grace, Land with truth  The Law of Responsibility- Something doesn’t have to be your fault to be your responsibility The Law of Stewardship- Leave people and places in better shape than you found them. The Law of Humility- Serve from the trench not the tower The Law of Faith- Be a risk taker not a thrill seeker The Law of Wisdom- Talk less, listen more The Law of Friendship- Vulnerability unlocks intimacy The Law of Maturity- Don’t let compliments go to your head. Dont let critici

Welcome back! We're kicking off this season with a series called Lead! Leadership is crucial to every family, sports team, company, institution and organization! Everything sinks or swims because of leadership or the lack thereof. In this episode we will look at three steps we can all take to elevate leadership in our daily lives: studying the blueprint Jesus laid out for us, learning to take responsibility to carry heavy things, and walking a path for others to follow.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Get to know you questions: Name three things about yourself. Share why you jumped into a Locker Room Group. “We have a man problem.” God has put a high calling on us as men to lead and when we don’t, it has a dramatic impact on everything around us. What are some ways that you see this “man problem” in our world, or for you personally? Scott said, “Everyone ends up somewhere, but few people end up somewhere on purpose.” How can you be more intentional and deliberate about leading yourself so you can better lead those

Season 14 has been a great one for Locker Room. There have been so many stories of men and encouragement we can apply daily in our fight. This week on the podcast, Ian Schweitzer joins Scott to reflect on all we’ve learned in this season together. — We want to challenge you to ask this question over the next several months in your quiet time: Jesus/Holy Spirit: What’s my next step as a Christ-follower, husband, dad or kingdom worker? The book Scott referred to in this episode is Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger.   NEXT STEPS The live version of Fight Club—the men’s group Scott leads—will be at our Nicholasville Campus in August 2025. If you’ve not jumped in with us, or know someone who needs to—get the word out. We’ll have Fight Club on the Groups Directory at the end of July or early August so you can sign up. If you want to be a Table Leader at Fight Club who invests in the men, shoot an email to Scott at shatfield@southland.church. Before we sign off for this season we ask our Locker Room family to be

Most of us know a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or someone we went to school with that is in a battle with some kind of addiction. The truth is, it may be you, reading this now. Maybe you’ve never acknowledged it. Maybe you’ve lived in denial about the daily struggle that you’re experiencing. Regardless of how this subject has impacted you, we hope that you’re encouraged in our conversation today. Our guest this week is Mike Mueller. Mike is a husband, father and coach in our community who has been a part of Southland for 13 years. On this episode Mike shares the story of how God changed his life and is now using him to impact lots of people who have struggled with some of the same things.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Have you ever coached at the youth sports level? What is your favorite story from coaching kids? Mike has served in several areas in the church (Connections, security, small groups, Men’s Retreat). What areas have you served in? If you don’t currently serve, what areas of ministry would you be bes

“I need you to know that God seems to throw me hard things. You just need to know what you’re getting into.” - Kailen Combs Taylor This week on Locker Room our guest Bryan Taylor sits down with Scott to share a powerful story of love, loss and hope. Bryan and Kailen shared five years together before they were separated by her death from cancer in 2015. In our conversation today, Bryan shares about navigating the grief that began with Kailen’s diagnosis and what life was like after she passed away. Bryan also shares how he was able to move forward, choosing hope and rediscovering life after such a profound loss.   DISCUSSION GUIDE If you had to give a title to the last 9 months of your life, what would it be and why? “War” is the title of the story that Bryan labeled such a hard period of his life. Has there been a time in your life that looking back you would label as “war?” In grief you often don’t know what to say, and sometimes people say things that aren’t helpful. What is something someone has said to yo

Providential relationships and pivotal circumstances are critical parts of great stories. Providential relationships are significant people God orchestrates to guide, support and shape our faith journey. Pivotal circumstances are events—both good and bad—that mark us, shape us and become a critical part of our story and testimonies. Our guest this week—Daniel Mitchell—has lived a life marked by many providential relationships and events. Daniel joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age seventeen, landing in Tactical Air Navigation and later becoming a SERE instructor, also serving as a Chaplain. Daniel and his wife Angela met while serving together at Southland's Lexington campus. Daniel now runs a handyman business/ministry and is also a counselor specializing in PTSD and sexual assault. Jump in with us this week as we hear Daniel’s story, pivotal moments in his life and how, with God’s help, hope can drive out despair.   DISCUSSION GUIDE If you could have any accent besides your own what would it be? (British, We

For most men, the key to our future and the quality of their life is in direct proportion with how we engage our past. We have to move towards our wounds in order to find healing. Regardless of our earthly father/step dad/absent dad, we need our good Heavenly Father to begin the work of healing us by fixing our past. Our guest this week is no stranger to a challenging past. Brian and Scott sit down at the table to share from his life story of being put up for adoption and growing up in a tough family, but then allowing Jesus and godly people to help by acknowledging his wounds and finding healing. We’ll also dive into investing in our marriages, being an intentional dad, and expanding the circle through mentoring and discipling others.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Brian takes the first 5 minutes of the episode to brag about his wife. It is so important to verbally express the things that you love about your wife. What are 2-3 things you are grateful for related to your significant other? Be sure to also express those f

Today’s episode is big topic in this Breaking Chains series: Navigating Grief. It’s not called overcoming grief, it’s not called conquering grief or dismantling grief, because—like it or not—grief is part of the story. You have to go through it. It’s not good for us to avoid it or go around it. Grief is universal. Join us In this episode as Scott and Gary walk through many different types of profound loss we may experience in life, including stories from their own experiences. Along the way, we will find wisdom and hope in God’s word on how to move forward.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Grief is a heavy topic so let’s start with a light question: Can you remember the time you laughed the hardest? (Or one of the times you’ve laughed the hardest?) Share the story with the group. How do you define grief? The podcast defines grief as feelings of great sorrow, distress and emotional pain that stems from significant loss. What significant losses have you grieved in life? The 5 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depre

Our enemy understands the power of sin: the impact it can have on our lives and those we love. He knows if he can tempt, lie and deceive us into choosing sin—anything other than God’s best—then he can send us down a path that can really destroy our lives as men and wreck the things that matter to God. Guests Will Briggs and Matt Williams join us this week on the podcast as we look at how we can recognize the plays of the enemy, the temptations and tendencies in our own hearts, and move forward on God’s path, breaking free of the chains of habitual sin.   DISCUSSION GUIDE What are some of the daily habits in your life? Did these parts of your day become a habit intentionally or unintentionally? What comes to mind when you think of the term “habitual sin.” Is it a specific sin? It is a certain memory? Is it a particular feeling or emotion? The guys talked about how no one chooses to just blow up their life one day, but that sin begins to creep into our lives in small ways. Sometimes just a “small” lie of asking

This week on Locker Room we’re starting a three-part series called Breaking Chains, looking at three things that can lock us down and stop the work Jesus wants to do in us. First up is perfectionism. Join Scott and returning guest Gary Black as we talk about some of the downsides of perfectionism and offer practical suggestions to get a handle on it, so we can step onto the path of freedom—freedom from self-imposed guilt, needless anxiety, unnecessary pressure, and the many compulsions associated with perfectionism that can drain the joy from our lives.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Who was your favorite teacher growing up? What made them so great? Has anyone made an impact on your life that you only met once? Who was it and what impact did it have? What comes to mind when you hear the word “perfectionism”? Is that something you struggle with? Or are you on the other side and no one would ever call you a perfectionist? The Dangers of Perfectionism: It destroys your initiative. It damages relationships. It destroys happi

The words we speak should reflect a heart transformed by God. Grace and truth should drive us in our conversations, whether it be with our wives, our kids, our friends, people at church, people at work, people that don’t believe what we believe, and those who aren’t fans of Christianity at all. Grace and truth, in every conversation. Our special guests this week are two of Southland’s elders, Rob Campbell and Rob Workman. Join us as we dive into how to speak life with our words.   DISCUSSION GUIDE What is something you learned from the guys as they talked about the ways other men have invested in them and how they’re investing in their marriages & their kids? Scott mentions a number of times in the Bible where the words that are said have power. God speaks creation into existence. Jesus literally speaks life into Lazarus. Jesus speaks the words “Be still!” and a storm ceases. What do these passages say about the importance of words? Read Matthew 12:36-37. What is Jesus saying about the impact our words ha

This week on the podcast we’ve invited returning guests Jason Byerly and Kevin Comp to kick off a two-part series called Watch Your Mouth. Even though this series is short, be prepared for it to get into your business and step on your toes. Today’s episode is about the power of our words—an area that all of us men need to work on.   DISCUSSION GUIDE The Super Bowl is just a week away. Who are you picking to win? Who will be the MVP? Is the NFL rigged Three important Questions: What did you learn from Kevin & Jason about how they are investing in their marriages & kids and the men that made an impact in their lives? What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Watch your mouth”? Share a story of when your words got you into trouble. Read Luke 6:45. What would you say your heart is full of based on what comes out of your mouth? Read James 3:1-12. How have you seen words set things on fire and cause destruction? Why do you think man cannot tame his tongue? If this is impossible for man, what are we to do

Every day we have to choose between comfort or growth. Comfort may be the American Dream, but it’s not God’s heart for us. God calls us to grow, and grow up. We have to take risks, step out on faith and trust Him if we’re going to become the men He created us to be. This week we are looking at a story found in Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6. It’s the account of Jesus walking on water and Peter asking Jesus to call him out to walk on the water too. Join us as Scott and our guests, Ian and Ariea break down what it looks like to push through fear and step out on faith.   DISCUSSION GUIDE Winter has been in full swing the past couple weeks. What are your thoughts on the winter season? Do you love the cold and the snow? Do you hate it because scraping off your car in the morning is annoying? Are you somewhere in between? What is one way you’ve been winning this past week? This could be in your marriage, with your kids, with your career, or any other part of your life. Read Matthew 14:22-32. Is there anything from

Sometimes when we bring our pain and circumstances before God—if we don’t see results or quick fixes to our lives instantaneously—we just give up. Or we forget that we’ve journeyed off the path for years or even decades and we think we can microwave it and just instantly be better, healed or whole. Jesus isn’t looking for you to give him the one thing that’s keeping you up at night—He wants you. He wants everything. He wants your heart. He wants all of you. He wants to build our faith. He wants to build our relationship with Him. This week on the podcast, Scott sits down with our guests Mike Allen and Neil Gregory to unpack a conversation Jesus had with a man at a pool, when he asked, “Do you want to get well?”   DISCUSSION GUIDE Did you grow up going to the pool? What comes to mind when someone says “Let’s go to the pool?” Share any good pool stories you have. Read John 5:1-15. What stands out to you about how Jesus interacts with this paralyzed man? What came to mind when the guys were discussing the prospe