Brandon Robbins is a pastor and YouTube content creator with more than 320,000 subscribers and 32 million views. He is a #girldad with two beautiful daughters and an amazing wife, LeeAnn. When he isn’t leading his church or making videos, Brandon loves to read, travel, and search for the world’s best hot sauce.

Brandon joins Dale on today’s 95Podcast to discuss his latest book, The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus: Rediscovering the Bible with The Chosen: Season Two.  The conversation offers a refreshing look at the settings in which Jesus taught in person over 2,000 years ago. After all, it’s hard to truly understand the impact of many of Jesus’ teachings if they are viewed through a current worldview.

Description

Dale welcomes pastor and author Brandon Robinson to discuss sustainable rhythms for ministry, Sabbath as formation against slavery to busyness, and how first‑century context unlocks Scripture today. They trace Brandon’s journey from YouTube teaching on The Chosen to writing two books that help modern disciples bridge the 2,000‑year gap to Jesus’ world, and they close with hope and cautions for the American church today.

---

Key Points in Brief

• Healthy ministry requires clear boundaries, Sabbath, and pre‑planned rest on the calendar.
• Discipleship in Jesus’ day meant “follow me” as an invitation to become the rabbi’s reflection, not mere information transfer.
• The Chosen can act as an on‑ramp: imperfect art that helps modern viewers “enter” the world behind the text and then return to Scripture with new eyes.
• Community and accountability are essential antidotes to isolation and performance‑driven ministry.
• American individualism often clashes with Jesus’ collectivist vision of the church; we need Jesus at the center above politics and culture wars.

---

Key Takeaways

• Put rest on the calendar first. Systems and teams make Sabbath possible in practice.
• True discipleship = reordering life to reflect Jesus, not just learning about Jesus.
• Historical‑cultural context is a “forgotten teaching” that unlocks familiar passages and fuels spiritual renewal.
• Growth accelerates in trusted, accountable community, not only in private study.
• The cultural moment is ripe: spiritual hunger is visible in mainstream media; the church can meet it with depth and grace.

---

Notable Quotes

• “A disciple organizes their calendar around their relationship with Jesus.”
• “Sabbath teaches us how not to be slaves.”
• “Follow me… were the words any rabbi used to invite a disciple to become their reflection.”
• “We’re not the saviors. The church can thrive when we rest.”
• “Approach Scripture like you know nothing—let the Holy Spirit speak.”

---

Next Steps

• [ ] Block a weekly Sabbath and pre‑plan quarterly rest; protect it with team systems and “non‑negotiable” boundaries.
• [ ] Form or join a 4–7 person discipleship group with weekly accountability: listen for God, set one concrete action, and follow up.
• [ ] When engaging media like The Chosen, always return to the text: note insights, then verify in Scripture.
• [ ] Teach discipleship as “becoming Jesus’ reflection” and model it with calendar, family rhythms, and delegation.
• [ ] Preach Jesus above partisanship; call the church to a Jesus‑first identity and communal life.

Link To Podcast Audio: 95Podcast 321

 

Link To Podcast YouTube:

Q & A Transcript (Condensed)

• Q: How do you maintain balance with pastoring, family, and writing?
  • A: Build systems and leaders, set boundaries, schedule Sabbath and family first, and trust others to carry ministry.
• Q: What would you say to pastors who never take a day off?
  • A: You’re not the exception. Sabbath is commanded for freedom from slavery to work; plan rest and create coverage.
• Q: Why engage The Chosen if it takes creative liberties?
  • A: It’s imperfect but powerfully situates us in Jesus’ world, opening our eyes; the key is returning to Scripture to test and learn.
• Q: What is biblical discipleship?
  • A: In first‑century terms, “follow me” means leaving lesser loyalties to become the rabbi’s reflection in life and practice.
• Q: What excites and worries you about the American church?
  • A: Excites: widespread spiritual interest and media reach. Worries: culture‑war identity displacing Jesus at the center.
• Q: How can a weary pastor recover joy?
  • A: Remember your call, return to personal discipleship with Jesus, let non‑essentials die, and trust God’s sufficiency.