The Session: The Impact of Media on America

We Set out to Examine What Impacts the World View of Americans Today

Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Religious Radio Across America, from the Pew Research Center

The project took place over the last year and analyzed 440,000 hours of radio broadcasts in July 2025 with over 5,000 adults in the survey. Those questioned were asked about their experience listening to Religious content on the radio.

Key findings in the Pew study:

• 45% of Americans listen to Religious programming on a regular basis
• Most religious radio stations describe evangelism as part of their mission
• The survey revealed that adults ages 18–29 account for 87% of online religious audio streaming, while also demonstrates the format’s broad appeal across generations. Notably, 65% of adults aged 50–64 also listen to religious content online.
• Approximately 37% of religious stations focus primarily on music, 35% emphasize talk programming, and 28% maintain a more balanced mix of the two.
• According to the survey of U.S. adults, most listeners do not cite news and politics as a primary reason for tuning into religious audio programming. Only 14% of listeners say keeping up with current events is a major reason they listen, though 40% say it is at least a minor reason.

Issues that people listen for, according to the survey:

• The economy, crime, and immigration — issues that consistently rank among the most important concerns in national surveys of Americans.
• Two social and cultural issues: abortion and LGBTQ rights.
• President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, the Republican Party, and the Democratic Party.
• Modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories, including references to the war in Gaza.
• 98% of the U.S. adult population lives within range of at least 1 religious radio station
• 18 to 29-year-olds represent 87% of online religious streaming

Summary:

• 45% of Americans listen to religious radio that have a evangelism focus
• 18 to 29-year-olds represent 87% of online religious streaming. 65% of Americans 50 to 64 listen to religious radio.
• Two social and cultural issues discussed on religious radio was abortion an LGBTQ
• Presidential differences

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: For a Successful Marriage, Avoid “The 5 R’s”! From Focus on the Family.

Here’s the link to the full article, if you want to read more:

For a Successful Marriage, Avoid These 5 Rs - Focus on the Family

Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

1. Rejection

Something happens or is said, done, not said, or not done that results in a spouse feeling rejected.

2. Resentment

Resentment is any negative emotional reaction to what you think was said or done, or not said or not done.

3. Resistance

Resistance is putting up walls and cutting off communication and relationship. Resistance is being shut down emotionally and relationally to someone.

The solution: Engage. What emotions are you avoiding? Make eye contact, have conversations. Consider getting clear by saying, “The story I’m making up in my head about ________ is _______________.”

4. Revenge

Revenge is the attempt to get even. Revenge is taking advantage of a situation or setting up an opportunity so another can feel the rejection you felt. Examples include. Revenge is the attempt to get even. Revenge is taking advantage of a situation or setting up an opportunity so another can feel the rejection you felt.

5. Repeat

A toxic pattern is to believe that because you are hurt, you have the right to be unkind and hurtful. Then you hurt someone, and they hurt you, and you are offended, and they are offended, and in that offense both parties deeply dive into the 5 Rs.

Coaches Feedback

If we are intentional in our marriages, we will have less time with or when the five R’s show up.

Making your marriage, a priority will also help prevent the five r’s from showing up.

Particularly for families with children still at home it is very important to think about what you want your children to think about marriage and what they believe in about marriage based on what they saw their parents do?

What do you want your children say someday at your celebration of life? The powerful part of that is when that day comes there is nothing that you’ll be able to do about it. However, today you can write what you want them to say, based on how you manage your own life and marriage.

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Forgiveness versus Unforgiveness, from Dr. Paul Tripp

(Ephesians 4:31-5:2) Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

First, an introduction. Dr. Paul David Tripp was born in Toledo. He is a pastor, international event speaker, and author of more than 30 books and video series. He defines forgiveness in a single, simple sentence: Forgiveness is a vertical commitment followed by a horizontal transaction. What we are going to share is a summary of several articles and videos Dr. Tripp has done on forgiveness. His website is Paul Tripp dot com.

The Beautiful Power of Relational Debt

• Holding on to someone else’s wrongs gives us the upper hand
• Holding a record of a person’s wrongs gives us the upper hand in that relationship

The Dark Unhealthy Benefits of Unforgiveness

• Debt is power. It protects us in an unhealthy way.
• Debt is identity. It helps us feel more righteous and mature than the person we’re angry at.
• Debt is entitlement holding another person. Send against them makes us feel entitled.
• We can weaponize unforgiveness and use it for our advantage

Unforgiveness makes us equal with God

• It is not our job to dispense consequences to those who have hurt us

The Ugly Selfishness of Relational Unforgiveness

It has nothing to do with God and loving others

The Beauty of Forgiveness

The beauty of leading a life of forgiveness shows us how much we have embraced our forgiveness of our sins.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

After pleading with his his master for forgiveness and being granted forgiveness, he goes out and demands repayment from people who owed him. Matthew 18:21-35

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.