How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple
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God's Covenant with David (A Bible Reading of 2 Samuel 7)
20 november 2023 · 5 min
Read along with us as we read 2 Samuel 7, in which God gives Nathan a dream to tell David concerning the house of the Lord and the house of David. Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Do All The Ten Commandments Still Apply to Us Today? (A Bible Study on Exodus 20)
14 november 2023 · 29 min
Join us this week as we give you a big-picture summary of Exodus and talk through why these commandments are in God's top ten (and what is so important about the order of these commands). Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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God's Ten Commandments (A Bible Reading of Exodus 20)
13 november 2023 · 3 min
Read along with us as we dive into the 10 Commandments, which God gives Moses on tablets of stone in Exodus 20. Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Jacob: The First Prodigal Son (A Bible Study on Genesis 32-33)
7 november 2023 · 23 min
Last week, we talked about Abraham and God's promise for a son. That son was Issac, who grew up to have twin boys, Jacob and Esau. This week, we're studying Jacob and what his wrestling match with God can teach us about our own wrestling in life. Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Jacob's Wrestling Match (A Bible Reading of Genesis 32-33)
6 november 2023 · 4 min
Read along with us as we dive into the story of Jacob in Genesis 32-33! Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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God's Promise to Abraham (A Bible Study on Genesis 15)
31 oktober 2023 · 24 min
Today is the third deep dive in our new series called "The Old Testament Highlight Reel: Dysfunctional People and Divine Promises." Join Rev Rachel and Nicole as they look closely at Genesis 15 and unpack the covenant God made with Abraham. Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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The Old Testament Highlight Reel - Genesis 15 (Week 3 Scripture Reading)
30 oktober 2023 · 3 min
Read along with us as we dive into the story of Abraham in Genesis 15! Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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The Fall of Man and What It Means for Us Today (A Bible Study on Genesis 3)
24 oktober 2023 · 27 min
This week, we're looking at one of the major plot points of the Bible - Genesis 3 and the Fall of Man. It was great for two chapters in the bible, and then the wheels come off here. This is a crucial chapter of our Bible to study, and today we're going to get into the implications it has for us today - as well as the good news of salvation through Jesus. Lees meer
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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The Old Testament Highlight Reel - Genesis 3 (Week 2 Scripture Reading)
23 oktober 2023 · 4 min
Read along with us as we dive into a critical plot point in the overarching story in the Bible - Genesis 3! Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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The Beginning (The Old Testament Highlight Reel - A Bible Study on Genesis 1)
17 oktober 2023 · 28 min
Today is our first deep dive in our new series called "The Old Testament Highlight Reel: Dysfunctional People and Divine Promises." We're starting at the very beginning - Genesis 1. Join Rev Rachel and Nicole as they look closely at Genesis 1 and unpack what God has for us. Lees meer
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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The Old Testament Highlight Reel - Genesis 1 (Week 1 Scripture Reading)
16 oktober 2023 · 5 min
Hi Friends - we are doing something a little DIFFERENT in our new series called “The Old Testament Bible Highlight Reel - Dysfunctional People and Divine Promises.” Lees meer
You’ll actually hear from us TWICE a week - first, on Mondays, Rachel and I are going to read a longer passage of Scripture. Today, we're reading all of Genesis 1.
We encourage you to read along with us - using the reading guide that you can find at https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
Then, on Tuesdays, we’ll dive deep into the bible passage and study it up close. This week, we’re studying Genesis Chapter 1. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for our study!
Tune in each week as Nicole and Rev. Rachel provide insight into the narrative of Old Testament scripture and how it fits into the big story of what God is doing in the world and how He has chosen to redeem creation.
Download the FREE 9-Week Reading Plan! https://nicoleunice.com/oldtestament/.
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Answering Your Toughest Questions on Prayer!
9 oktober 2023 · 21 min
This week, Nicole is answering your questions on all things prayer! We're diving into our Bibles and wrestling with what Scripture has to say about prayer. Lees meer
Some of the questions we cover today:
How do we wait for God successfully?
How do I pray for my unbelieving child?
How to pray intentionally without it being a “wish list” type of prayer?
RESOURCES:
Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Lord, Hear My Prayer… for Others (4 Steps to Pray for People)
2 oktober 2023 · 21 min
Intercessory prayer - or praying for or on behalf of others- is one of the greatest privileges of our Christian faith. In this episode, we're making a case for praying for others by diving into a bible study on Jesus' words on prayer throughout the gospels. Lees meer
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Praying For The Ones Who Bother You: Matthew 5:44
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[q] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.Praying for Loved Ones: Matthew 6:9-13
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples: John 17:20-23
NIV Version -
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.NLT Version -
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me a… -
Lord Hear My Prayer... When I'm Disappointed in Myself (A Bible Study on Romans 7)
25 september 2023 · 18 min
Have a question about prayer that you want Nicole to answer in an upcoming episode? Send your prayer related questions to nicole@nicoleunice.com! Lees meer
This week, we are looking at one of my favorite chapters of the Bible - it is so relatable! What do we do when we're disappointed in ourselves? How do we pray? Romans 7 gives us a blueprint forward.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Romans 7BACKSTORY?
Paul (who used to be Saul) is a reformed persecutor of Christians. He had been completely wrong about who Jesus was and what the Scriptures had to say about Jesus. He lives his life after that point on mission to spread the good news of Jesus.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
As you get closer and closer to the holiness of God and the love of Christ, you become more aware of how deeply you sin.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
God knows our sins.
God forgives our sins.
Life is a journey toward allowing more and more of the “life of the spirit” to reign in our hearts.Join Our Facebook Community Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/walkingwithgodwithnicoleunice/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Lord Hear My Prayer... When I'm Angry
18 september 2023 · 16 min
The Bible has some very clear truths about what happens when we are angry and what to do about it. In this episode, we'll study what the bible has to say about anger and how we can manage our angry feelings. Lees meer
1. WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Psalm 4:4 (NIV) says, "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent."
Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) says, "Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly."
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) advises, "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."
2. WHAT'S THE BACKSTORY?
Tale as old as time: back in Genesis. Why do we get angry in the first place? Lots of reasons, some justified and some not.
Let’s talk about what happens when we are angry: we have a physiological reaction. Fight vs. flight
Anger demands an outlet, so we have to do something with it.
Turn outward: blame, bitterness, cynicism Turn inward: shame, depression
Either: unforgiveness
Backstory: the model of Jesus
3. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Anger is not sinful but easily leads to sin. Understanding and acknowledging anger and allowing God to correct and direct us in our pain is an important step toward moving through anger into love.
4. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
Remember that God can handle your emotions, even when you cannot!
RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Lord Hear My Prayer... When I'm Sad (A Bible Study on Psalm 13)
11 september 2023 · 19 min
Let’s talk about sadness. It really does feel so bad, which is why we often ignore it. But sadness is as part of the human condition as breathing: Lees meer
Crying: One of the most noticeable physical reactions to sadness is crying. Tears are the body's natural response to emotional distress, and crying can help release built-up tension and provide a sense of relief.
Changes in Facial Expression: Sadness often manifests through changes in facial expressions, such as a downturned mouth, furrowed brows, and watery or red eyes.
Sluggishness and Fatigue: Sadness can lead to a feeling of physical and mental exhaustion. People may feel tired, listless, and lacking in energy when they are sad.
Appetite Changes: Sadness can affect appetite in different ways. Some individuals may lose their appetite and have difficulty eating, while others may turn to comfort foods and overeat as a coping mechanism.
Sleep Disturbances: Sadness can disrupt sleep patterns. Some people may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, while others may experience increased sleepiness and may oversleep.
Muscle Tension and Aches: Chronic sadness or stress can lead to muscle tension and physical aches, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back. This tension can contribute to headaches and other physical discomforts.
Immune System Impact: Prolonged or chronic sadness can potentially weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses.
Hormonal Changes: Sadness can affect hormone levels in the body. Stress hormones like cortisol may increase, which can have various effects on the body, including increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Digestive Issues: Some people may experience digestive problems when they are sad, such as stomachaches, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Intense emotions like sadness can temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Our Bible Study Verse for Today: Psalm 13
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
While lame…
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Lord, Hear My Prayer... When I’m Scared (New Episode!)
4 september 2023 · 26 min
In this episode of How to Study the Bible, host Nicole highlights the power of God's Word to transcend cultural differences and unite people in their shared journey of faith. Nicole emphasizes the ever-evolving nature of studying the Bible, encouraging listeners to adopt a lifelong posture of growth and alignment with God's Word. She candidly discusses personal changes and challenges, especially during midlife, while urging the audience to embrace change as an opportunity for spiritual transformation. Lees meer
Nicole emphasizes the importance of confronting complicated emotions, avoiding superficiality, and bringing vulnerability to God as essential steps in the journey of faith.
RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Best Of: Joy Is Not a Feeling You Wait For; It’s a Choice You Make (A Bible Study on Philippians 4:4-7)
21 augustus 2023 · 19 min
Nicole is taking time off this summer to enjoy her family and rest. In the meantime, we're re-airing one of her most popular series from the past year - enjoy! Lees meer
Your life is meant to change when you begin to follow Jesus. But for so many of us, that doesn’t happen. Why the disconnect? This series is all about unlocking the good life in Christ, and what it really means to be changed by him.
Secrets of the Good Life Series:
Week 1: The First Secret of the Good Life: Consider God
Week 2: Confess and Receive: The Second Secret of the Good Life (Psalm 51)
Week 3: How to Fight Fear: The Third Secret of the Good LifeThis week (week 4), we’re looking at what it means to really choose joy.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
If you want to know how to start your day out with God, here it is!
“Always” – rejoicing is not limited to when everything is going well in our lives. Joy is not a feeling you have but a choice you make.
“Gentleness” – the fruit of our time with God is a gentle spirit, our gentleness should be evident to other people.
“Every situation” – nothing is too small
“The peace of God… will guard your heart” – his peace will keep you from spiraling into anxiety, or stop you from trying to control everything
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
Pastoral letters like Philippians give us a view of what’s happening in the church as more people believe and as Christianity is spreading.
Pastoral letters set a direction for us. We do not need to be confused about who we are meant to become – the Word shows us.
If you’re feeling down, or anxious, this is a great letter for you. The theme of joy echoes throughout Philippians, where Paul…
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Best Of: How to Fight Fear (The Third Secret of the Good Life)
14 augustus 2023 · 23 min
Have you ever wondered how your fear overlaps with other people’s fears? I think we’d find we are far more fearful that we realize. Lees meer
There is healthy fear, and unhealthy fear. One of the roles of Christianity is a new way to understand what fear is and how God helps us be confident even in the most trying circumstances. Today, we’re going to look at what God has given us to fight the fear in our lives.
If you missed the previous episodes in the series, check them out here!
The First Secret - Apple: https://apple.co/49ta4cq Spotify: https://sptfy.com/Q6ci
The Second Secret - Apple: https://apple.co/49zvd4U Spotify: https://sptfy.com/Q6cy
In a 2022 survey of Americans, almost 9 out of 10 reported daily anxiety about inflation, with over 60% reporting daily anxiety over everything from health to relationships to global events.
Our recent history as a culture is full of trials that tempt us toward fear, whether it presents itself as a low rumble of worry always operating in the background of our mind, or a crippling anxiety that controls our every decision. When it comes to fear, the Bible has good news and bad news for us. First, the bad news: fear is as present a reality today as it was when the Bible was written, and there is no promise that circumstances will improve in a way that would give us reason not to fear.
But the good news? What God promises us is not deliverance from fearful circumstances, but deliverance from a fearful heart. In Genesis 50, Joseph’s first words for his brothers were “do not be afraid.” The good news Joseph gave to his brothers pales in comparison to the good news we find in Jesus, who repeatedly affirms that we do not need to be afraid. In Christ, we can live in uncertainty and still have peace.
(For the 19-30% of Americans with an anxiety disorder, simply “trusting God” is not the answer to a complicated illness. If your anxiety interferes with your ability to lead a normal life, there are treatments that can help alongside of yo…
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Best Of: "Confess and Receive" - The Second Secret of the Good Life (A Bible Study on Psalm 5)
7 augustus 2023 · 22 min
Today, we’re going to be working through Psalm 51, and we’re going to work through it as a devotional using the Alive Method. I encourage you to get out your bible and journal as you listen. NOTE: If you missed the episode about the first secret of the good life, you can listen to it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Lees meer
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Notice what you notice. Write down what stands out to you – that is God speaking to you through his Word. That alone is a beginning of a conversation with the Spirit.
In Psalm 51:
David acknowledges specific sin
He longs for restoration, asking for it (“grant me a willing spirit”)
A willingness to talk about your sin to testify to the grace of God
WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY?
This is the psalm David wrote after his sin with Bathsheba (listen to our episode on this story).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
We cannot move into a place of joy and peace if we have unconfessed sin or thought patterns that do not align with the glory of God and the truth of his Word and promises to us.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
1. Do you have a practice of regular confession? If you feel blocked or dull in your study of God’s Word, consider what you need to confess to God. What places do you live in fear, anxiety, self-pity, or self-hatred? Are you able to say, “This thought pattern in me, does not represent the glory of God.” (If you have a clinical thought pattern problem, you might need outside therapies! Or you may not have a clinical crisis but still carry stuck thought patterns).
2. After confession, we draw on God’s righteousness: A huge part of our faith is understanding that we throw ourselves onto the goodness of God, that we claim his character and his actions as the way we live and move (completely counter-cultural to the messages of today). I don’t have to claim to be righteous, I’m drawing on God’s righteousness. I need to own up to my mistakes and faulty and self-focused thinking.
Two verses to memorize:
Psalm 71:2: In your righteousness, rescue me and…
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Best Of: The First Secret of the Good Life - Consider God
31 juli 2023 · 23 min
What does the good life look like, according to Jesus? We have an opportunity to be a winsome follower of Jesus. If people were to see that hope in me and ask me about it, what would I say? How would I describe what the good news of Jesus is and the true, full life he offers us? Lees meer
The spiritual questions of this generation are centered on personal and societal pains, and how to choose joy, purpose and selflessness for the good of others. In this series, we’ll tackle these ideas and show how Jesus gives us the answers to our pressing questions about ourselves and the world.
The first secret to a good life in our faith is to cultivate the posture of considering. To consider means a thoughtful engagement. It requires us to focus and pay attention. Psalm 8 – “When I consider the work of your hands.” We need to create space to be intentional about thinking.
RELATED EPISODES:
"Confess and Receive" - The Second Secret of the Good Life (A Bible Study on Psalm 5) -
Apple: https://apple.co/49zvd4U Spotify: https://sptfy.com/Q6cy
How to Fight Fear (The Third Secret of the Good Life) -
Apple: https://apple.co/3SR5Gg9 Spotify: https://sptfy.com/Q6cp
Most of us don’t make space to intentionally think, because when we do, it brings up negative feelings – anxiety, un-dealt with emotions, and places where we feel grief or loss or out of control.
But when we disconnect from bad feelings, we disconnect from the good feelings of joy, hope, and love. To feel the fullness of joy, we also have to engage with the things that are difficult. Considering, then, is the first step to a more joyful life.
What might this look like in our lives? Well, first, it might look like a 5-10 minute quiet walk or spending time to explore something outside of yourself and away from technological distractions.
What our culture tends to do is look inside ourselves to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. This “Gospel according to Oprah” sounds so good but it doesn’t work.
John 4:24 tells us a bet…
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Celebration as Spiritual Rhythm: Why Is It So Hard to Believe Our God Is a God of Celebration?
24 juli 2023 · 27 min
In the episode, Nicole emphasizes the importance of celebrating as a spiritual practice and its impact on experiencing life with freedom – celebration is God’s design for human flourishing. She explains that celebrating is not just a mindset, but also a practice. We work through a Bible study on Luke 15 to see God’s heart for celebration and why it’s a practice we ought to regularly engage in. Lees meer
WHAT DOES IT SAY? Luke 15 – The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Younger Son - the son “came to his senses” – he the younger son was just released to himself. He was like released from his obligations and he found himself in this place where he's like, what am I doing? He finally names reality.
The Father - runs to his son and restores his identity and honor before the son can even explain himself. We get this concept of like this guy, this kid, this young man doing everything wrong and being met with compassion and celebration. He also leaves the party to meet his older son – he gives the same care and compassion to both.
The Older Son – Jesus is talking to the “older sons” – the Pharisees and Scribes. The punchline of the whole parable is the conversation with the older brother saying, look, didn't you don't can't you see we had to throw a party. This is worth celebrating and you can come to.
WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY?
The Old Testament deeply valued parties. If you read through the books of the law, through Leviticus, a lot of the directions are about all the parties that God wants to throw. If you look at how tithe was spent, right, you know, the 10 percent - when you give money, that was supposed to pay for three things specifically. It was supposed to support clergy and worship maintenance. You know, the workings of the temple. It was supposed to care for the poor and it was supposed to pay for all the awesome parties that they were supposed to throw in God's honor with God multiple times a year.
What This Parable Teaches Us about the Spiritual Practice of Celebration…
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Finding Sabbath: How to Create a Regular Rhythm of Rest
17 juli 2023 · 19 min
Do you need refreshment? Do you need rest? Most people would say “yes.” We’re not talking entertainment or leisure here. We’re talking about deep, restorative rest. Lees meer
Join us this week as we work through a Bible study on the Sabbath, reading about how they worked out the Sabbath law in the Old and New Testaments, and learning how it was applied then, so we can look at how we can find deep, regular Sabbath rest today.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”
25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”
27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” - Mark 2:23-28
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:8-11
Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. - Mark 2:27
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
- The Sabba…
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Creating Rhythms of Silence and Solitude
10 juli 2023 · 22 min
One of the paradoxes of Jesus is that he lived a perfect life without sin and had perfect communion with his Father, yet he still needed to withdraw from ministry success and pray. Lees meer
This observation challenges the notion that rest and solitude are only necessary for those who are burnt out or overwhelmed. Instead, it suggests that even in the midst of busyness and productivity, intentional rest and solitude are essential for reconnecting with God and being who we are meant to be.
RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.comFOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Learning to be Shaped by Scripture: Creating a Spiritual Rhythm of Bible Study
3 juli 2023 · 24 min
One of the most fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith is that the Bible is God’s Word—and these words speak to us. The Scriptures spoke to generations before us, and will speak to generations after us until Christ returns. This is why we love to study the Scriptures inductively—taking into account the context of the text, making observations, drawing reasonable inferences, and applying these truths to our lives as the Holy Spirit guides us. Lees meer
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
Begin in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time today.
INTRO QUESTIONS
Spend a few minutes reflecting on the past week. Think through the following questions:
Were you able to spend time drafting a digital rule of life? If so, how did it go for you?
What did you notice about your current digital habits? Did anything surprise you or give you pause?
Was there anything you tried that you found helpful? Was there anything frustrating?
SCRIPTURE READING
Read the following scripture passage: Psalm 119:9-16
APPLICATION
Careful study of the Bible is essential to a healthy Christian life and community. And it is not the only way to let our lives be shaped by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Lectio divina, Latin for “divine reading,” is a devotional reading of Scripture that has existed for over 1,700 years. This practice emerged when literacy rates were low, and accessibility to written texts were few and far between. Communities of believers used this method to enable followers of Jesus—with or without a copy of the Bible (or an ability to read it)—to receive God’s Word and consider how to respond.
Practicing this spiritual discipline opens us up to more ways to hear from, experience, and respond to God—individually and communally. A benefit of lectio divina is that there is less temptation to read solely in order to consume information (a temptation to study inductively). In whatever way you interact with the Bible, Scripture is meant to be read with ears open to hear God’s voice th…
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Creating Digital Rhythms That Quiet Your Soul in an Age of Distraction
26 juni 2023 · 21 min
Jesus brings quiet and stillness that's powerful and substantive. Jesus calms storms, metaphorical and spiritual and physical ones. We need his quieting power, especially in our digital lives. Lees meer
What does your everyday life look like, particularly when it comes to your digital rhythms? This week, we're inviting you right into the place where it hurts and asking the question: how much are you scrolling? How much are you on your screens, any screens of any kind?
This isn’t about shame or guilt. Technology in it of itself is a bad thing. But what the digital age has done is numb us into a place of constant distraction where distraction is actually what feels like the norm.
So, you are as susceptible as anyone else to finding yourself numbed into distraction in a way that makes you continue to have a chaotic soul without the space to allow Jesus to come in and bring the kind of peace that he can. Now, it's not that Jesus can't master over anything. But Jesus is a gentleman. God is very invitational in nature. And that means that we must place ourselves in a position to hear from him.
Check out my free download to walk through these practices together:
nicoleunice.com/spiritualpracticesWHAT DOES IT SAY?
Mark 4: Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
WH…
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Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
19 juni 2023 · 18 min
Check out my free download to walk through these practices together:
nicoleunice.com/spiritualpractices Lees meerThe right pace creates the right perspective. The right perspective is wisdom and peace.
The purpose of our series:
1. Take a minute to think about the pace of your own life. What do you notice?
2. What does the way you spend your time say about what you care about the most?
3. Is there any aspect of your life that feels overwhelming right now? What does that look like?
4. Take a minute to reflect on your life with God. How would you describe it?
5. If you could change something about your schedule, what would it be?Passage:
Matthew 11
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
– Jesus, Matt. 11:28-30, The MessageI am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.
– Jesus, John 15:5, The MessageWhat does it say?
Rest and relationship are God’s priorities
-recover your life? What does that mean to you?What’s the backstory?
1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Psalm 23You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in You.
– St. Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.1.What does it mean?
The Christian life is meant to represent the fruit of the spirit
Our Christian character is based on our Christ connectionWhat does it mean for me?
personal touchRESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study … -
Sacred Strides: A Better Way to Think about Work and Rest
12 juni 2023 · 24 min
It can be challenging to find time for rest and relaxation. We are often consumed with work, and the busyness of life makes it hard to slow down and connect with Jesus. However, it is essential to recognize that work and rest are complementary. They are not opposing forces, but rather two sides of the same coin that draw us back to the same source. Lees meer
In his new book, Sacred Strides, speaker, musician and coach Justin McRoberts explores the idea of work and rest and how they can be transcendent experiences that connect us with the heart of the divine. McRoberts argues that work is not the enemy, but rather, can bring us closer to God. He suggests that rest is not about divorcing ourselves from the world, but about disconnecting from the machinery that keeps us from having transcendent experiences.
McRoberts' perspective is refreshing because it challenges the notion that work and rest are at odds with each other. It is not a matter of choosing one over the other, but rather finding congruence between the two. When we work from a place of rest, we can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from doing meaningful work. Conversely, when we rest from a place of work, we can recharge our batteries and reconnect with the divine.
Work and rest are intertwined.
There is a common belief that people are either good at resting or good at working, but this is a false dichotomy. Work and rest are complementary and that they are both necessary for a fulfilling life.
Rest is essential for wholeness.
It can be difficult to capture the balance. Many of us have been taught a narrative of being rescued from all the bad things in the world, including work. We have been conditioned by hustle culture to believe that our limitations are problematic and that we must constantly strive to do more. This narrative is not rooted in the biblical narrative of wholeness, which teaches that our limitations are actually part of what makes us human and that work can be a sacred and fulfilli…
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How to Know You’re on the Right Path (A Bible Study on Matthew 7:13-14)
5 juni 2023 · 20 min
This week, we’re wrapping up our time in the Sermon on the Mount – a part of scripture that is rich, profound, and full of depths to plumb. In a world that can make us feel ambivalent, this is what Jesus wants us to know about following him. Lees meer
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Our verses this week are Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Is this a passage about salvation? How do I know if I have found the road? This passage lends itself to a lot of questions.
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
Psalm 1 – Jesus is bringing us back to this psalm – we can see how this sermon might be an expounding on this Psalm.
Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse, therefore choose life…” Jesus would be speaking to people who understand the law and sets up two choices just like this verse does, blessings vs curses.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Our fruit is evidence of our salvation or lack thereof. Success is not the same as fruit. The unsparkly faithfulness and obedience are what looks like attractive fruit to him.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
Are you bearing fruit for the kingdom? Not the fruits of this world (success, wealth, fame) but the steady persevering fruit that makes you planted like a strong, sturdy oak tree.
Are you bearing the aroma of Christ? Are people drawn to Christ because of you?
If you feel like you are incapable of doing this, you might be just where God wants you. The invitation is generous and inclusive – anyone who comes to me, Jesus says – will have eternal life.
ABOUT RACHEL:
Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for …
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How to Live Out the Golden Rule (A Bible Study on Matthew 7)
29 mei 2023 · 16 min
In Matthew 7, Jesus speaks of not judging others, of not giving away what is holy to dogs, and of seeking and asking the Father for help. These three points, when taken together, create a powerful message about how we should live our lives. This is the passage of scripture that liberates the church from experts. It’s not too hard to interpret, but it’s challenging to truly apply and live it out. Lees meer
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
First, Jesus speaks of not judging others. He says, “Do not judge so that you may not be judged, for with the judgment you make, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Matthew 7:1-2). This is a reversal of our natural tendency – to be lax on ourselves and critical of others. But Jesus wants us to believe the best in others. This is a reminder to us all that we should not be so quick to judge others. We should be careful to not be hypocrites, and instead, look at our own flaws before we point out those of others.
Second, Jesus speaks of not giving away what is holy to dogs. He says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs and do not throw your pearls before swine or they will trample them underfoot and turn and maul you” (Matthew 7:6). This is a reminder to us to be careful about how we share our faith with others. We should not be so quick to share our beliefs with those who may not understand or appreciate them.
Finally, Jesus speaks of seeking and asking the Father for help. He says, “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives” (Matthew 7:7-8). This is a reminder to us that we should not be afraid to ask for help. We should not be afraid to turn to the Lord for guidance and strength.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
1. God wants to give good gifts, just full stop. When you come to Him in prayer, he wants to give you gifts. When you come to Him each day, He wants to give you gifts. Every day is ripe with the possibility of good gifts. What …
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What Jesus Has to Say about Wealth and Worry (A Bible Study on Matthew 6:25-34)
22 mei 2023 · 20 min
Jesus consistently shows us the importance of authenticity. And not in a cheap social media way; he wants the person on the inside to match the person on the outside. He wants your prayer life, your generosity, your spiritual disciplines, everything to be consistent inside and out. Lees meer
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to what is one of the most defining and important habits and practices, which is how we deal with money and how we deal with our anxieties, two closely related things.
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
Matthew 6:22-23 might throw you off simply because that's he's using a Jewish expression. He's talking about how the eyes are the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. And if it's unhealthy or dark, you'll be body will be full of darkness. In this kind of Jewish idiom, a good eye meant you were generous, and a bad eye meant you were stingy.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Jesus links money and anxiety. How we spend money shows what we do and do not trust. We have more but are less happy than ever before. Nothing is more anxiety-producing than trying to put your identity in external things that you cannot control.
Jesus addresses this issue in his teachings on money and anxiety, calling us to focus on internal factors like connection and belonging, rather than external validation. Ultimately, dealing with money and anxiety is a heart issue, and we need to address the underlying causes of our anxiety to find true security and happiness.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
What are your “What shall we’s”? Our need for security and validation can only be met by God. He is the only one who can truly provide us with a sense of peace and assurance. Jesus tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). In doing so, we will be directing our energy towards what is most important—our spiritual growth and investing in the kingdom of God. We can trust that God will provide all we need.
God cares about us a…
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Teach Us to Pray: Pray THIS in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day!
18 mei 2023 · 15 min
Do you wake up anxious first thing in the morning? Does your mind race with thoughts of what you need to get done today and what you failed to do yesterday? If this is a pattern for you, we challenge you to break the morning cycle of worry with prayer! Lees meer
In this episode preview from Teach Us to Pray, host Christina Patterson shares what to pray in the morning for a worry-free day.
Discover More Episodes of Teach Us to Pray with Christina Patterson:
3 Signs God Is Trying to Get Your Attention: https://apple.co/3pmZYHN / https://spoti.fi/42uBdYS
How to Turn Your Worries into Prayers: https://apple.co/3I4FPgd / https://spoti.fi/3VTyWUO
How to Pray When You Sense God Moving You In a New Direction: https://apple.co/42tOrVJ / https://spoti.fi/3BoBwIJ
Why Prayer Is So Hard: https://apple.co/3pz8jZ9 / https://spoti.fi/3LUNSx9
Follow the Teach Us to Pray Podcast:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NBnXgt
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3NXSghL
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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How Jesus Fulfills All the Law (A Bible Study on Matthew 5:17-20)
15 mei 2023 · 28 min
Context: This is King Jesus’ Inaugural address. He starts with who belongs in the kingdom of God and builds on that to describe what those people are like on the outside (salt and light) and on the inside. Now, Jesus turns up the temperature – this is some of the hardest ethical teachings in world history. Lees meer
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” – Jesus means not only everything already spoken in the OT law, but also what he is about to discuss.
Cf Galatians 3:24-26 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith…
“Until everything is accomplished” – cf Matthew 24:34: 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
What’s the role of the OT in the lives of Jesus’ followers? We read ALL of Scripture through Jesus. He is the hermeneutical key – he is the one through whom we interpret the Bible through.
God is consistent. What God desires for flourishing in the OT is the same in the NT. Jesus is fully interpreting the law, not changing it.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
Read the OT! You will understand Jesus and your faith in new ways through it!
Jesus raises the bar on how precious humanity is.
ABOUT RACHEL:
Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by…
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What Does It Mean That We Are Salt and Light? (A Bible Study on Matthew 5:13-16)
8 mei 2023 · 20 min
Salt and Light make everything better. Do you make every room better that you come into? Lees meer
Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole’s free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Matthew 5:13-16: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Properties of Salt and Light:
Two normal things that most people like and have around them.
Specific Properties of Salt:
A mineral that our bodies need.
Makes bland food good.
It amplifies all other flavors around it
Specific Properties of Light:
Illuminates what is around you.
You’re not looking at the light, you’re looking at what the light is shining on.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Questions to ask the text: What Does it Mean That God’s People Are Salt and Light?
We are useful in the kingdom of God.
“You are the Light of the World” Cf John 8:12 – Jesus says he is the light of the world. We are called to be like Jesus!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
Questions to Self-Examine Yourself With:
How does the world experience you?
How do you show up in a room?
Are you making your environment better?
The motive is NOT “I’ve got to level up, I’ve got to be better” – the call is “Man, look what God has done, I want to opt into that.”
Lord, help us be aware of what it means to be a citizen in the kingdom of Heaven.
ABOUT RACHEL:
Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is curre…
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This Is What it Really Means to Be Blessed (A Bible Study on Matthew 5:1-10)
1 mei 2023 · 21 min
This week, Nicole and her friend Rev. Rachel dive into Matthew 5 together and discuss the implications of the greatest sermon ever told. Lees meer
For now, the invitation is just to read the Sermon of the Mount. Let it sit with you. Don’t worry about perfect understanding. Over the coming weeks, we will dive deep and unlock interpretation and application.
Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole’s free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk
WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY?
Let’s set the context for the sermon of the mount. What happens right before chapter 5? (How to Study the Bible Tip) When you don’t understand a phrase in scripture, often you can use cross references to get a better sense of what is going on.
Matthew 4:23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Jesus is sharing the good news of the kingdom, and how you access that kingdom. He is embodying it before he explains it. He is reversing everything that sin and death have done by going into these villages and healing the sick. He is giving people back whole life in this action, and then he switches to teaching about what full life looks like in him.
Matthew is writing to Jews. He is building directly on important Old Testament references. The cross-references will help you interpret Matthew correctly!
The listeners would have made connections between what Jesus was preaching and their knowledge of Moses’ law and the themes of the Prophets. The first words out of his mouth would have alluded to the Psalms. So the whole of the Old Testament – the Law, the Prophets and the Wisdom writings – are all packed in.
Read Psalm 1 as a key connection to what it means to be blessed in the kingdom of God.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Blessed – clearly, blessed means something different here than it does in our current, Instagram hashtag way of describing it. In Psalm 1, the Hebrew word for blessed means going the rig…
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Take Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy for the Mind of Christ
24 april 2023 · 25 min
Today it is my great privilege to talk with author Kelly Balarie about her latest book, Take Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy for the Mind of Christ Lees meer
ABOUT KELLY:
Kelly is a speaker, blogger, and author of the books Fear Fighting and Battle Ready. She comes alongside women to help them live wholeheartedly, rather than in uncertainty, fear, and doubt. Her work has been featured on The Today Show, The 700 Club, Moody Radio and many other television and radio broadcasts.
Visit Kelly at www.purposefulfaith.com or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/kellybalarie
RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com
FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Kids' Big Questions for God
17 april 2023 · 24 min
If you’re a parent, you might have several of Sandy’s books on your shelves! Sandy is the award-winning creator of the Great Bible Adventure children’s series, several joke books for kids, The Best Worst Dad Jokes, and Kids' Big Questions for God. He says, “There’s something about children – their innocence and trust – I truly believe that that’s why Jesus said we need to become child-like to enter the Kingdom of God.” Lees meer
On this episode, Sandy and Nicole talk about a number of things, including:
The great responsibility of children’s ministry
Sandy’s creative process and how his latest book has come together
The questions kids have about God and why God delights in our questions
How does God hear all our prayers at once?
Why doesn’t God just make all of us follow him?
How Jesus opens up the door for us to go to heaven
Why, oh why, did God make mosquitoes?!
FIND KIDS' BIG QUESTIONS FOR GOD -
https://sandysilverthornebooks.com/book/kids-big-questions-for-god/
https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Big-Questions-God-Things/dp/0800741765
ABOUT SANDY:
Sandy Silverthorne is a children’s illustrator and author; whose mission is to help parents and grandparents discover fun Bible stories and Bible lessons to share with the kids in their lives. His goal is to make God’s Word come alive and be easy to understand for kids. Sandy has worked as a cartoonist, author, illustrator, actor, pastor, speaker, and comedian. Apparently, it's hard for him to focus. Connect with him at www.sandysilverthornebooks.com.
RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com
FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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The Resurrection Is the Reason for Our Joy (Do You Have It?)
10 april 2023 · 19 min
Jesus has not only beaten death and fulfilled all the promises he said he would, but he is telling us that our greatest purpose in life is the way we pass along our faith to others, and how we baptize and disciple them. This is the commission of the church. Lees meer
We are wrapping up our Jesus 101 series this week by looking closely at Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for us.
Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole’s free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
This week we are diving deep into Matthew 28 – the Resurrection and the events that immediately followed for his disciples and the women who followed him to the cross and beyond.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
“Women were filled with joy” - The marker of belief is joy. When you are getting close to the goodness of God, you will experience joy. Joy is a hallmark of the Christian faith. The good news of the gospel, when understood, always brings joy.
“Clasped his feet and worshipped him”- This is huge for our theological understanding! Jesus accepts worship of himself. It’s very clear in the Jewish tradition that God is one God, and you cannot worship anything or anyone other than God (1st Commandment).
For a Jewish teacher to receive personal worship would have been completely offensive to their faith and a violation of the law. This is one more piece of evidence that Jesus is not a mere prophet or mystic, but is the Son of God – fully God and also fully man.
The Great Commission - Jesus allows worship but also tells them not to hold onto him (John 21) but to go and tell others about him. In setting the disciples’ purpose, he sets our purpose as well.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
1. Want to do a diagnostic test on your faith, ask yourself: Am I experiencing joy today? If the answer is no, ask God to remove what might be blocking you from experiencing the joy of the gospel. You can have pain and sadness and still have joy. This deep joy is knowing that everything Jesus says about himself is true.
2.…
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The Passion of Christ: Our Pathway to Freedom
3 april 2023 · 20 min
Has the true story of the cosmic reality of what Jesus has done for us on the cross and through his resurrection been lost on you? Has the story grown stale? My prayer is this passion week, you might here something in this chapter you haven’t noticed before, and remember the joy your salvation. Lees meer
This is week 4 of our Jesus 101 series, where we look at 5 foundational movements of Christ. Be sure to go back and listen to weeks 1,2 and 3!
You can find full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
Free Resource: check out and sign up for Nicole’s newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
This week, listen to Nicole read Luke 23:1-43 and perhaps read it aloud to yourself or your family. The darkness of humanity is on display.
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
Pilot and Herod – power players in this passage. They almost play with Jesus like he’s an object.
The crowd – would have been some of the same people who were fed by him on the hillside, heard his teachings, put palm branches down for him – has now turned on him.
Barabbas – an actual criminal. Jesus, the innocent one literally takes the place of the guilty one. The passion of Christ is to take the sin and guilt of the world upon himself, even for those who do not know what he is doing.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Often the temptations and trials that come to us are meant to prepare us for a future moment of greater temptation. Jesus’ temptation by Satan (that we discussed earlier in the series) prepares him for his encounter with Herod.
We are a fickle kind of people. We are swayed by power and fear.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
In the darkest that the world has to offer, Jesus is still so close. He is taking the punishment for your sin, the weight of sin for you, so that we can be with him in paradise. Fall upon his mercy, even though you don’t deserve it. Jesus remembers you, you are blessed.
What kind of person comes to Jesus? See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For consider your calling, bro…
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Jesus’ Manifesto of the Kingdom: A Bible Study on The Beatitudes
27 maart 2023 · 22 min
When we come to the end of ourselves, we enter the blessing of God. Lees meer
This is week 3 of our Jesus 101 series. Be sure to go back and listen to weeks 1 and 2!
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
Free Resource: check out and sign up for Nicole’s newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk
RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com
FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Breathe: What You Can Do to Stop the Stress Cycle
24 maart 2023 · 21 min
What type of mindset makes us vulnerable to chronic stress, anxiety & depression? When you are stressed, what automatic coping mechanisms have you adopted that don’t help, but diminish your wellness? What holds you back from getting the rest that you need when you’re stressed? Lees meer
In this episode from Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast (another free show from LifeAudio), soul care coach Bonnie shares how to ditch mindsets that keep you stuck in anxiety, worry, and stress and what you can do to stop the stress, when you need it most.
This episode will help you let go of unhealthy thinking patterns and replace them with a healthy biblical mindset to create a new rhythm to stop the stress cycle.
DISCOVER MORE EPISODES OF BREATHE: THE STRESS LESS PODCAST FROM BONNIE GRAY:
Is Self-Care or Soul-Care Selfish or Unspiritual? - https://apple.co/40lhHxb / https://spoti.fi/3FIg305
How to Stop Numbing Your Emotions & Stop Negative Self-Talk with Jesus - https://apple.co/405mcvz / https://spoti.fi/3Z2b0hP
Feeling Anxious? Cast Your Cares on God Because He Cares For You - https://apple.co/3FHsQA5 / https://spoti.fi/3ZWQb8R
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Take the Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com – your FREE personal wellness assessment – to learn which areas of wellness you’re missing most to flourish with God’s peace and joy in your life.
Grab Bonnie’s new book to lower stress, Breathe: 21 Ways to Stress Less & Transform Chaos to Calm
Join the FREE Breathe Wellness Book Club to tackle for areas of wellbeing: emotional, physical, spiritual, and social wellness at http://thebonniegray.com/breathe. Get 4 LIVE sessions + community support!
Want scientific articles mentioned in today’s show? Sign up for the FREE Breathe newsletter https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe/
Get Bonnie’s FREE 7 Prayers & Scriptures to Calm Anxiety here!
FOLLOW BONNIE:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebonniegray
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebonniegray
Website: http://www.thebonniegray.com
Discover mo…
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How the Enemy Tempts Us and How We Can Resist Temptation (A Bible Study on Matthew 4)
20 maart 2023 · 24 min
Every time you fail, God’s grace outruns your failure. He is ultimately merciful, so don’t let your failure separate you from God. That’s what the enemy wants you to do. What God wants you to know is that he is always willing to welcome you back, he is always ready to embrace you. Come back to him today. Lees meer
This is Week 2 of our Jesus 101 series. Be sure to go back and listen to Week 1!
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
Free Resource: check out and sign up for Nicole’s newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Matthew 4
Right after his baptism, Jesus is led into the wilderness, fasts for 40 days and nights, and is tempted by the devil. He endures three temptations, and then angels came and ministered to him.
Three temptations – what is the enemy really tempting Jesus with?
The first temptation - Satisfy your appetite (v 3). Make yourself feel good right now. We don’t want to wait for God, we want to remove discomfort.
The second temptation – Show your approval (v 5). Prove you have God’s approval, do it yourself.
The third temptation – Choose a shortcut to authority (v 8). “What you want to see happen in the world, I can make happen… just make this one concession.”
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
Deuteronomy 8:1-5
Jesus’ desert temptations echo back to the Israelites’ wandering in the desert for 40 years after the exodus. Those years were marked by constant disobedience and complaining. God’s people were incapable of doing what God commanded them to do.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Jesus did what God’s people could not do when tested: he stayed obedient to the Father. In this way, he is the new and better Moses. How he overcomes temptation is a blueprint for how we – the new Israel - can overcome temptation.
If Jesus was tempted, we will be too. You’ll be tempted to make a shortcut for your appetites, to prove yourself, and you’ll be tempted to find life outside of God.
All temptations will pass over time. …
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Jesus 101: What His Baptism Means For You (A Bible Study on Matthew 3)
13 maart 2023 · 19 min
Can you believe that the God of the universe knows you? He knows your sin and limitations, and yet loves you beyond what we can imagine. He gives us belonging, he gives us his acceptance, he gives us his approval. Which one of those do you need to believe is true? Lees meer
As we approach Easter, we’re getting back to the basics of Jesus' life, the movements of his earthly ministry that lead to his death and resurrection. He has moved in this world and is moving in our lives as well. This week, we’re looking at Matthew 3 and the story of Jesus’ baptism.
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
For the first 30 years of Jesus’ life, he had a quiet life. Now he’s stepping into the spotlight, into his calling.
Meanwhile, John, a righteous Jew who is seeking the Messiah as foretold in the Old Testament. is preaching in the desert. People are coming to him to be baptized – a common cleansing rite that many kinds of religious orders would have participated in.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
We learn at least three groups of people approaching John. He calls them to bear the fruit of repentance.
Some were being baptized and repenting, others were standing around watching (judging?)
Then Jesus walks up. John doesn’t want to baptize him, knowing he is not worthy. But Jesus insists – he is obedient to the Father.
“This is my son” – there is connection and belonging
“whom I love” – there is acceptance
“with whom I am well pleased” – there is approval
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
All the prophecies of the Old Testament are coming to fulfillment in Jesus. This is an incredibly important moment, where God offers Jesus his full belonging, acceptance, and approval.
Jesus was beloved, and that same standing is conferred (given, transferred) to us when we believe: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
Before we can do anyt…
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4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture: A Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 10
6 maart 2023 · 18 min
What does it look like to live wisely? When you don’t know what to do, go find a commandment of God, and say to yourself, “I can work on this in my life today.” We never outgrow God’s Word. At the end of the day, we are all to “fear God, and keep his commands.” Lees meer
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
If you just read these words as they are, you’re going to read them literally or it’s all going to go over your head. So, in order to unlock meaning, we need context.
We need basic hermeneutic skills – that’s a fancy word that just means bible interpretation skills. Here are four basic interpretation principles for passages of scripture that are hard to interpret:
Return to main themes – you can use the intro to the book of Ecclesiastes in your study notes to help with this.
Look for repeating ideas – helps us to come back to the big picture
Consider context & tone – if I don’t understand a passage, I might consider re-reading it in a different tone. (10:19 in this example – can be read ironically, with a wink)
Zoom out – zoom way out to what you know is true, where else can I read to interpret the trickier passages.
In this passage, we’re thinking of authority structures in the world. The Teacher might be drawing his listeners back to the history of their government. “Eat, drink and be merry because money is the answer to everything” – that’s the way of the world. Yet, “Don’t revile the king” – you are going to have to live in the world, the way the world works. But you need to live uprightly amid that.
Cross Reference: Romans 13
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who d…
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Sadness, Conflict and True Righteousness: A Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 7
27 februari 2023 · 22 min
You and I were made for righteousness. But sin entered in and created brokenness beyond repair, and it has caused us to seek out many different schemes to make ourselves feel okay. Lees meer
Today, we return to what we are focusing on throughout the book: How do we make sense of a dark and broken, and complicated world in light of God’s promises and goodness?
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
The preacher addresses three different concepts in Ecclesiastes 7:
First - The Role of Sadness in Our Lives (7:2-5)
What really brings wisdom? What helps us grow as people? The reality is, pleasure and good times don’t grow us. None of us like hard times, but we grow in those times. So allow the hard things to teach you to number your days. It will move you toward a greater purpose. The things that move and break our hearts are sometimes the places where God calls us to be activated.
Second - Conflict and the Reality of People (7:8-9; 21-22)
How do we live well in relationship with people? Set an intention for what you want to have come out of conflict (being patient is better than pride). We get so caught up in being right, heard, or getting our way. If we take lightly what people say about us, we acknowledge that everyone (including ourselves) is broken, hurting people.
Are you focused on getting to the resolution of the conflict, or are you focused on being right?
Are you easily angered and provoked?
How is your patience – are you showing up with a spirit of listening?
How are you doing with forgiving – are you able to let go of small slights?
Third: True Righteousness (7:27-29)
This is challenging scripture. He’s laying out an axiom – an accepted truth – that there is no one on earth who is righteous. This is one of the mega themes of the Bible.
Why is it written out like this? Perhaps to draw out this idea of the rarity of righteousness. It might be a literary technique to gather up a statement of wisdom. But there i…
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The Superpower of Contentment: A Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 5
20 februari 2023 · 14 min
Have you ever struggled with being content? Have you ever had that little thought in your mind, “if only I had more, if I only had that thing, then I would be at peace.” Today, we’re talking about the superpower of contentment for your lives. This ancient Scripture is incredibly relevant for our age, as we wrestle with our own contentment and the American Dream culture in which we live. Lees meer
Truly, our whole lives are absolutely bombarded with the message that there is just one more thing around the corner. That if you experience contentment, you will get peace and experience contentment. But is that true? Let’s examine this in light of what the teacher of Ecclesiastes tells us about contentment.
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
Ecclesiastes 5 -
“Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.”The teacher is saying, “If you love money, you’re never going to have enough of it.” Money is a tool that has a lot of power to corrupt us. One of the ways it corrupts us is in our belief that we can buy our contentment and fulfillment.
“As goods increase, so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep.”It might seem like it would be better to have more money, but in reality, there’s something about a simple life that makes it easier to rest in the world.
“Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”
The secret of contentment according to these verses:
The ability to enjoy what we have
The ability to accept our lot in life
The ability to be happy i…
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Planning Life in Light of Eternity (A Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 3:1-9)
13 februari 2023 · 19 min
Ecclesiastes is a book designed to provoke emotion and get us thinking. The preacher – probably Solomon – wrote this to make sense of a good God in a broken and dark world. In this section, he ponders what it means to number our days wisely. Lees meer
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
Bible Reading Tip: When we read the bible, we should look for the tone and emotion of the author, as well as the words and structure. In wisdom literature, like Ecclesiastes, we need to see the poetic, literary form that the wisdom is held in.
Part 1: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - Understanding Time
Turn, turn, turn by The Byrds - they took these words from Ecclesiastes and made it into a hit song and anthem of a volatile age (1965).
Our time is short, full of ups and downs, full of work, and also time to rest. There are times when things are falling apart, and when things are coming together.
Application:
What would it look like to open your hands and heart and say, “I want to live fully in the day I have”?
What season are you in? Is there room for both sides of what is presented here? Joy, and also grief? Work, but also rest? Tearing down, but also building up? We want to avoid lopsided living.
Pray to understand what season your loved ones are in as well. Ask God to give you discernment to see and understand where loved ones are, and give them grace and compassion for the place they are in.
Part 2: Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 – Our Experience of Time, God’s Experience of Time
“What do workers gain from their toil?” [cf: Genesis 1-3] – we’re trying to figure out work, with knowledge of good and evil, in a way that we can’t fully comprehend. But God knows the whole story.
God knows all and is above and beyond time, and therefore is the one we can trust. Rightly numbering our days and seasons leads to a content and peaceful human life.
Application:
Allow seasons to come. Trust that our God is good and sovereign. He knows what is happening in your…
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All Is Vanity: A Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 1-2
6 februari 2023 · 19 min
Ecclesiastes is a complicated book. It’s meant to be provocative. It’s meant to be emotional, to create emotion in you. It’s meant to raise questions. Lees meer
Ecclesiastes means assembly. Most people think it’s written by Solomon. You can think of it as a preacher’s manifesto. The opening line is “vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
Vanity of vanities is repeated 38 times in this book! The meaning of which becomes clearer as we go along. The literal meaning is’ vapor.’ Something that dissipates.
It’s okay if you can’t immediately interpret everything in Ecclesiastes. Right now, we want to hear it, Step back and read a larger portion, and see what the larger theme is. The theme of Ecclesiastes might be, ‘what is the good life?’ What is man meant to get out of the world, in his vapor of time on it?
You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
Section 1: Finding Life in Wisdom
What does man gain?
This is the journey of the book. How do we make sense of a dark and broken and complicated world considering God’s promises and goodness?
What is it like to wrestle with the concept that life does not always improve? What do we do when righteousness doesn’t lead to blessing and goodness? All the frameworks we use to make sense of the world are being inspected and attacked here.
“Vanity of Wisdom”
v 18 – in much wisdom is much vexation, he who increases wisdom, increases sorrow.
The preacher is willing to address the flip side of wisdom. Solomon asked for wisdom, sought it out, gained it – and he admits, it’s a mixed bag. As you grow in wisdom, you can grow in sorrow. “Vexation” – sad and angry. We might call this an existential crisis – the more you know about the world, instead of finding hope, you find sorrow.
Everything can be hard. There’s a plus and a minus to everything in life, even wisdom.
Section 2: Finding Life in Self-Indulgence
The preacher tried wisdom, it led to sorrow, so he turns to pleasure to see what it can off…
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Why ‘Crucifying Self’ Is Key to the Good Life (A Bible Study on Galatians 6:14)
30 januari 2023 · 19 min
Today we’re exploring the highest call we have in following Jesus: what it means to crucify the self. Why does the call to Christ have to seem so wholesale, so violent, so destructive to ourselves? Why does following Christ have to feel like a death? How do we reconcile being made in the image of God with this sense that we are worthless? Lees meer
Let’s explore all of that together today. You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/
Secrets of the Good Life Series:
Week 1: The First Secret of the Good Life: Consider God
Week 2: Confess and Receive: The Second Secret of the Good Life (Psalm 51)
Week 3: How to Fight Fear: The Third Secret of the Good LifeWeek 4: Joy Is Not a Feeling You Wait For; It’s a Choice You Make (Philippians 4:4-7)
Galatians 6:14
14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
What questions does it generate in me? If you try to re-write this in your own words, what do you come up with? What is Paul trying to get us to see and understand in this analogy?
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
Is this a train of thought or a point of teaching that we find repeated in Scripture?
Cross references: 1 Corinthians 2:2; Philippians 3, Romans 6:6
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Let’s put these cross-references together to get a clearer picture of what Paul is talking about:
1 Corinthians 2:2-5: For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified… so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
There are two systems at work in the world: human wisdom and human strength, and then there is this whole other system: God’s power
Philippians 3:3-9
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence… But whatever were gains to me I now consid…
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Joy Is Not a Feeling You Wait For; It’s a Choice You Make (A Bible Study on Philippians 4:4-7)
23 januari 2023 · 19 min
Your life is meant to change when you begin to follow Jesus. But for so many of us, that doesn’t happen. Why the disconnect? This series is all about unlocking the good life in Christ, and what it really means to be changed by him. Lees meer
Secrets of the Good Life Series:
Week 1: The First Secret of the Good Life: Consider God
Week 2: Confess and Receive: The Second Secret of the Good Life (Psalm 51)
Week 3: How to Fight Fear: The Third Secret of the Good LifeThis week (week 4), we’re looking at what it means to really choose joy.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
If you want to know how to start your day out with God, here it is!
“Always” – rejoicing is not limited to when everything is going well in our lives. Joy is not a feeling you have but a choice you make.
“Gentleness” – the fruit of our time with God is a gentle spirit, our gentleness should be evident to other people.
“Every situation” – nothing is too small
“The peace of God… will guard your heart” – his peace will keep you from spiraling into anxiety, or stop you from trying to control everything
WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?
Pastoral letters like Philippians give us a view of what’s happening in the church as more people believe and as Christianity is spreading.
Pastoral letters set a direction for us. We do not need to be confused about who we are meant to become – the Word shows us.
If you’re feeling down, or anxious, this is a great letter for you. The theme of joy echoes throughout Philippians, where Paul is making it clear that joy is based on trusting the sovereignty of God and is always available.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
What does it mean to choose joy? It is abo…