The Bulldog Update - Staying on Top of All Things BBA

Built on the Living Stone: Identity, Access, and Humility in Christ

In this episode of the Bulldog Update, we begin with 1 Peter 2:4–5 and a clear reminder of who we are in Christ. Peter moves us from spiritual growth into spiritual identity. Christ is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God, and now we, as believers, are being built into a spiritual house. Under the New Covenant, access to God is no longer through a physical temple or priestly system. Through Christ, we are the temple and the priesthood, called to offer our lives as spiritual sacrifices in obedience, worship, and daily faithfulness.

 

From there, we celebrate our Bulldog family with birthdays, a look at today’s lunch, and updates on our athletic events as our students represent Berean both at home and on the road.

 

We close with a focused Moment of Connection on humility. Looking to Christ, we see that humility is not weakness or self-denial of worth. It is strength under submission. Jesus fully understood His identity, received what was rightfully His, and yet submitted completely to the Father’s will. He served, loved, and when necessary, spoke truth with clarity and conviction. In Him, we see that humility is not lowering ourselves falsely, but aligning ourselves rightly under God.

Craving the Word, Living in Covenant

In this episode of the Bulldog Update, Dr. Jack Farmer walks through 1 Peter 2:2–3 and challenges us to examine what we truly hunger for. As believers who have been made new in Christ, we are called not only to remove sin, but to actively pursue the nourishment that leads to growth. Through a New Covenant lens, this devotion highlights how the Word of God is no longer external instruction alone, but the living means by which the Holy Spirit transforms us from within. If we have truly tasted that the Lord is good, our lives will reflect a growing desire for Him.

 

The episode also celebrates members of the BBA family, recognizing birthdays and sharing updates from campus life, including athletics and fellowship.

 

In the Moment of Connection, Dr. Farmer unpacks the meaning of “Covenant Community,” clarifying the commitment BBA families and staff make to walk together through both challenges and victories. Rooted in our identity as the body of Christ, this segment emphasizes unity, reconciliation, and shared responsibility in building a Christ-honoring culture that endures.

 

Living What God Made New

In this episode of The Bulldog Update, Dr. Jack Farmer brings us into 1 Peter 2:1 and the practical reality of living out the new life we have been given in Christ. Flowing from the truth that we have been born again through the enduring Word of God, this moment of reflection challenges us to take ownership of our daily walk. Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander are not small issues. They are relational sins that contradict the sincere love we are called to live out as believers. Under the New Covenant, this is no longer about external compliance, but internal transformation as the Holy Spirit shapes our hearts. The call is clear. Examine your life, remove what does not reflect Christ, and walk in the truth of who you already are in Him.

 

We also take time to celebrate the Berean family, recognizing birthdays from April 16 through April 20, including alumni, students, and faculty who continue to be a vital part of the academy’s story. Listeners will hear updates on lunch, featuring BBQ chicken, and athletic events including Golf at Cypress Lakes, Middle School Soccer at Fayetteville Christian, and Baseball at home versus Fayetteville Christian.

 

In our Moment of Connection, we highlight the vital role of the Director of Operations. This position ensures that every system within the school supports the mission of discipleship and academic excellence. It is a reminder that what happens behind the scenes is just as critical as what happens in the classroom, and through faithful stewardship, the mission of Berean Baptist Academy continues to move forward with purpose and clarity.

What Endures Forever

In this episode of The Bulldog Update, Dr. Jack Farmer brings a clear and grounding reminder from 1 Peter 1:24–25 that everything in this world fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. As Peter contrasts the temporary nature of human life with the eternal power of the gospel, listeners are challenged to examine what they are building their lives upon and to anchor their identity fully in Christ.

 

The episode also highlights several birthdays from the past few days, along with a word of gratitude for the community’s patience and support. Listeners are reminded of important daily updates, including Tax Day, lunch plans, and an opportunity to support Lady Bulldogs Softball as they take on Northwood Temple at home.

 

In the Moment of Connection, Dr. Farmer explains what truly makes Berean Baptist Academy distinct by focusing on the newly established role of Assistant Superintendent for Academic Strategy and Mission Integration. This role is designed to carry out the Superintendent’s academic vision, support principals in implementation, and invest deeply in coaching and mentoring teachers and leaders. It serves as a vital bridge between mission and practice, ensuring that academic excellence and discipleship remain unified across the school.

Born Again to Love: Living the Mission Through Truth and Teaching

In this episode of the Bulldog Morning Update, Dr. Jack Farmer walks through 1 Peter 1:22–23 and brings the focus from theological truth to daily Christian living. Because we have been purified through obedience to the truth and born again through the enduring Word of God, our lives should be marked by sincere, constant love for one another. This is not external religion, but internal transformation that produces visible evidence in how we treat others.

 

The episode also celebrates BBA students Samantha, Elijah, Isabel, and Delilah on their birthdays, along with a lighter moment featuring pizza for lunch and a day of rest from athletics.

 

In the Moment of Connection, the focus turns to what truly makes BBA what it is. The role of the teacher is elevated as the primary driver of both discipleship and academic excellence. Teachers are called to be proactive in building partnerships, intentional in mentoring, and clear in communication. At BBA, the classroom is not simply a place of instruction, but a place of formation. When teachers are aligned with the mission, the entire school reflects Christ more faithfully in both word and practice.

Anchored in Christ, Strengthened in Leadership

In this episode of The Bulldog Update, Dr. Jack Farmer walks us through a powerful reminder from 1 Peter 1:21 that our faith and hope are not rooted in performance, systems, or even religious practice, but fully in the resurrected and glorified Christ. Building on the foundation that God’s redemptive plan was established before the world began, this moment of reflection brings the truth into personal focus. Because of Christ, we now have direct access to God, and because of the resurrection, we can live with confidence that our salvation is complete and secure. The call is clear: stop striving and start living from what Christ has already accomplished.

 

The episode also includes moments of celebration, recognizing alumni and student birthdays, along with updates from campus life and athletics.

 

In the Moment of Connection, Dr. Farmer explains what truly makes Berean Baptist Academy distinct by examining the structure that supports its mission. Focusing on the role of the Assistant Principal, he highlights how this position provides daily leadership, supports teachers in real time, and ensures that discipline and culture are handled in a redemptive, Christ-centered manner. When this role is strong, the entire school is strengthened, aligned, and positioned to live out its mission with clarity and purpose.

Foreknown and Revealed: Living in God’s Eternal Plan

In this episode, we begin with a powerful reminder from 1 Peter 1:20 that our salvation in Christ was not an afterthought, but part of God’s eternal plan before the foundation of the world. What was once foreshadowed through the Old Covenant sacrificial system has now been fully revealed in Jesus Christ, the perfect and final Lamb. This truth grounds our faith in certainty and calls us to live with confidence, reverence, and gratitude, knowing that our lives are held within God’s sovereign purpose.

As we return from Resurrection Weekend, we celebrate the lives within our community through a series of birthdays and shared moments that remind us of the joy of doing life together. We also look ahead to today’s activities, including lunch and athletic events, as part of our daily rhythm as a school family.

Finally, in our Moment of Connection, we focus on what makes Berean Baptist Academy truly distinct by examining the role of the principal. This position serves as the bridge between vision and daily practice, ensuring that the mission of developing disciples of Christ is lived out in every classroom. Through alignment with the Superintendent and a commitment to developing teachers, principals play a vital role in shaping both the academic excellence and spiritual formation of our students.

Redeemed by the Blood: Living as Strangers with Purpose

In this episode of the Bulldog Morning Update, we begin with a powerful reflection on First Epistle of Peter 1:17–19, where Peter calls believers to live with reverence, not מתוך fear, but from a deep understanding of what it cost to redeem us. This passage reminds us that while we now approach God as Father through Christ, our lives still matter as evidence of transformed hearts. We were not purchased with temporary things, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the spotless Passover Lamb. Because of that, we are called to live differently, as strangers in this world who belong fully to Him.

 

We then celebrate members of our BBA family, including alumni Damion Aarons II, students Kanye, Gayeon, and Seth, and faculty member Mr. Jerome Keels. The day continues with Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry for lunch and exciting athletic matchups as Varsity Soccer and Baseball compete.

 

In our Moment of Connection, we take a clear look at the role of the Superintendent. As the sole employee of the Board, this role carries the responsibility of leading every aspect of the academy, from academics to operations, while remaining aligned to the mission of developing disciples of Christ who pursue academic excellence. This is leadership rooted in stewardship, accountability, and faithfulness to God’s calling.