Discover the Word Podcast
Discover the Word is a weekly, Bible-study podcast that invites you to join a team of hosts — and maybe a special guest or two — in breaking down passages of Scripture to discover fresh perspective and practical application.
Episodes
Paul, the Runner
The apostle Paul often used the theme of running in his letters. Discover what he might have been trying to tell us through his running metaphor. Receive The apostle Paul often used the metaphor of running a race to remind his readers, and us, how important it is to run our race well. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul encouraged believers to run away from sin and temptation and
In God's Presence
In a sense, you could say that the entire Bible is about God’s desire to dwell with his people. Immanuel—God with us. Experiencing God’s presence is what we were created for. And we are promised in Scripture that if we seek God, we will find Him. But how do we experience the presence of God when we don’t see Him or feel like He’s with us? Well, in this series of conversations with Dr. Dav
Nicodemus (John 3)
What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus that he must be “born again”? Join us as we explore Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Discover why the concept was so difficult for Nicodemus to grasp and why we also sometimes struggle with the truth that is so central to the Christian faith. Receive Jesus often said things that unsettled the very people who thought they understood God best. W
What's with All the Trees?
The word “trees” shows up more than 200 times in the Bible. Discover why it may not just be “the heavens that declare the glory of God” but also trees.Receive The Bible mentions trees more than 200 times throughout the Old and New Testament. From Genesis to Psalms to Matthew and into Revelation, it seems as though many significant theological events in the Bible are marked by a tree. As w
Tables in the Story of God - Week 2
The Bible is filled with feasts and tables set for God’s people. Discover the significance of these meals and gatherings and why they still matter today.Receive God delights in setting a table for His people. From the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples before His sacrificial death to the meals He shared with His disciples after His glorious resurrection, there are various lovely
Tables in the Story of God - Week 1
Whether it’s in the Garden of Eden, Egypt, the wilderness, or a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee, God knows how to provide for His people. Let’s learn about the tables and meals in Scripture.Receive How lovely that the story of God happens around tables. From the farm-to-table picnic of lavish eating in the Garden of Eden, to the “fast food,” rushed meal during the first Passover, to
The Apocrypha
Discover the Jewish writings between the Testaments, known as the Apocrypha, and why they still matter for Christians today. Receive The books in the Apocrypha may be a mystery to us, but when we consider that they played a role in shaping Judaism during Jesus’ time and the apostle Paul’s life and that they would have influenced the early church, it may be worth learning about these ancie
More Than Conquerors - Week 2
What are you conquering—or being conquered by? Explore how God’s surprising plan for His people to both conquer and be conquered is revealed throughout the Bible! Receive The word “conqueror” may make you feel uncomfortable for various reasons. But what if the Bible’s idea of conquest is better than we could ever imagine? As we ponder what it means for us to be more than conquerors throu
More Than Conquerors - Week 1
Conquerors can be scary—but God’s power is different. Discover from Genesis to Revelation how He makes us more than conquerors!Receive The word “conqueror” can stir up many mixed feelings and rightfully so. But the idea of conquest is found in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. What if instead of avoiding the complicated topic, we pondered how the Bible points to a better idea of conqu
Of First Importance
Overwhelmed by life’s headlines? 1 Corinthians 15 points to the news that truly matters: Jesus is risen! Receive Even though we live in an information-saturated world, we don’t have to be overwhelmed and distracted by all the news and headlines fighting for our attention. The apostle Paul wanted to remind the Corinthian church not to lose sight of what truly matters in life. The greatest
Cross Stations - Week 2
Come along with us as we continue tracing Jesus’ final steps in Scripture toward the crucifixion. Remember what He did for you by exploring where He stopped to speak with women and criminals, where He cared for His mother, died on the cross, and was buried. Follow our Savior’s journey to save us—and embrace how this can impact our lives today.Receive Christians once retraced Jesus’ final
Cross Stations - Week 1
Have you ever traced Jesus’ final steps in Scripture toward the crucifixion? Come along with us as we explore where Jesus prayed alone, was betrayed and arrested, tried and condemned, mocked, and carried His cross with Simon’s help. Let these moments in the Bible help you experience our Savior’s journey to save us.Receive Early Christian pilgrims once walked the path Jesus took to the cro
Rediscovering Friendship
Friendships are an essential part of our lives but many of us struggle to build healthy ones. Rediscover how friendships can be nurtured by exploring Jesus’ friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.ReceiveJesus demonstrated the importance of friendship throughout the Gospels. His relationship with the Bethany siblings—Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—provides a great example of how much we need
Silver and Gold
The battle for contentment is one of life’s biggest challenges—even for followers of Christ. And that battle for contentment runs headlong into how we view money. What we use to purchase things. The phrase “silver and gold” appears in the scriptures no less than 58 times and we want this week to examine a handful of those texts to try and get some wisdom about money in general and silver
God and the Impossible
Several times in the Bible, we read that what is impossible for man is possible for God. What does this mean in various settings? Is making the impossible possible a matter of faith? Character? God’s power? What might be dangerous about the possibility for humans? How can we understand and fully live within the boundaries of the possible while stretching to experience God’s power in the i
The Fear of the Lord -Week 3
Being afraid of something doesn’t sound preferable, but throughout the Bible we see benefits from fearing the Lord. Find out what that can look like for us today and what we’ll experience when we do!Receive The fear of the Lord is the starting place for wisdom and it leads to a never-ending friendship with a loving God. Scripture reveals that fearing the Lord is intended to comfort us not
The Fear of the Lord - Week 2
What happens when people “fear the Lord” in a healthy way? Explore how this can lead to wisdom and relationship with God!Receive The Bible’s wisdom books remind us again and again that the fear of the Lord is where real wisdom begins—and that’s the kind of wisdom we need for everyday life. From big decisions to ordinary moments, we all need God’s perspective to help us navigate what’s in
The Fear of the Lord - Week 1
We want to live wisely, but that can seem impossible at times. Discover what the Bible means when it says that wisdom begins with “the fear of the Lord.”Receive What does it look like for you to grow in wisdom? Scripture invites you to begin by fearing the Lord—by learning to revere Him for who He truly is and letting that reverence shape your daily choices. Reflect Read the verses conne
Let Us - Week 2
The Bible is a book of invitations, and in this series, we will explore such invitations in the form of "let us" statements inviting us to join in some aspect of the life of the Christ follower. From worship to purity to endurance to love, these invitations welcome us to live with and for our Lord. Receive After exploring some Let Us invitation in the letter to the Hebrews in our last stu
Let Us - Week 1
Have you ever noticed that the phrase “let us...” appears thirteen times in the book of Hebrews? Join us as we explore why this phrase was important to the author and how it invites us to walk with Jesus! Receive Join together with other believers and walk with Jesus through a series of five “let us” invitations from the book of Hebrews: let us hold fast to our faith, let us approach God
The Story of Dan - Week 2
What happens when God’s people worship other things? Find out as we continue exploring the wayward tribe of Jacob’s son Dan with archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer. Receive The Danites focus on God but they distort their worship of Him. By subordinating Him to other things, establishing their own version of religion, and lacking justice, they actually keep themselves from God. While their s
The Story of Dan - Week 1
While some Bible stories surprise us, they all help us understand more about God and His plan! Discover how God was faithful to redeem the tribe of Dan and all of Israel with special guest and archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer. Receive So much of Dan’s story leaves us saying “That's not the way it's supposed to be.” From his troubling conception to the Danites forced migration, this tribe
Seekers of His Heart
When you hear the word "seek," what comes to mind? Hide and seek? Explorers? Searching for something you lost? Well, Matthew 6:33 is one of the best-known scriptures in our Bible. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” What does this summation mid-way through the Sermon on the Mount actually mean and how can following i
Celebrating Our God - Psalm 95
How is God celebrated in the Bible and how can this inspire your celebration of God throughout the coming year? Join us to discover some of the many praiseworthy qualities that Psalm 95 reveals about our mighty God!WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: ht
The Women of Christmas
While Old Testament genealogies often include lists of fathers and sons, join us to explore the four women who are presented in the genealogy of Jesus. Discover their important stories as you celebrate Christmas! WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: http
The Family of Jesus
Have you thought much about Jesus’s earthly family and His heavenly family and the impact they all had on His life? Discover what we can learn from people like Mary, Joseph, and the Trinity! WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv🎧Yo
How Technology Tells the Story of the Bible - Week 2
It's astonishing how technology (smartphones, tablets, laptops, GPS, etc.) has influenced our lives--for both good and bad? So, would it surprise you to know that "technology" shows up in the Bible and plays a vital role in God's story? In this Discover the Word study, the group explores several stories where technology plays a role. And as we study those passages together, we may find wi
How Technology Tells the Story of the Bible - Week 1
It's astonishing how technology (smartphones, tablets, laptops, GPS, etc.) has influenced our lives--for both good and bad? So, would it surprise you to know that "technology" shows up in the Bible and plays a vital role in God's story? In this Discover the Word study, the group explores several stories where technology plays a role. And as we study those passages together, we may find wi
Dream Big, Think Small - Week 2
Have you noticed how it usually takes a lot of ordinary steps to achieve something extraordinary? Join us and special guest Jeff Manion to explore some ordinary habits that can lead to an extraordinary life of faith!WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: h
Dream Big, Think Small - Week 1
Most followers of Christ want their lives to count, but it's easy to get impatient with the slow pace at which a life of significance often happens. In these two weeks of conversations with pastor and author Jeff Manion, the Discover the Word group explores how living a life marked by steady faithfulness can have tremendous and lasting results. Learn how, most often, what God considers a
The Biblical Call to Justice
When you hear the word "justice" what comes to mind? Courts? Activism? Legal TV dramas? Well, justice is a major theme in the Bible, appearing over 400 times. But what does it look like for God to "act justly?" And what does it look like of us to do justice? In these conversations, the Discover the Word group looks at some specific examples of what Biblical justice looks like, with the ho
The Heart of the Church (Acts 2)
What are some things you are devoted to? Family? Career? A sports team? In Acts 2, we find Luke telling us what the earliest followers of Jesus were devoted to. Can those areas of devotion inform our living today as well? It's a Discover the Word study that asks us to reflect on the question "what am I devoted to?"WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword
Life to the Full
What does it mean to live life to the full? Discover how seeing Jesus as our “good shepherd” helps us understand His promise to give us full life!WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv🎧YouTube Music: https://go.odb.org/yt-music-pla
Friendship - Week 2
How have good friendships helped you through life? Explore some of the best parts of friendship from the Bible and be encouraged to strengthen your relationships!WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv🎧YouTube Music: https://go.odb.
Friendship - Week 1
What makes a good friendship? Explore some examples of friendship in the Bible that encourage you with wisdom for healthy relationships!WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv🎧YouTube Music: https://go.odb.org/yt-music-playlist🎧 You
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Gain a deeper understanding about the Holy Spirit and how this gift from Jesus works in our lives! WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv🎧YouTube Music: https://go.odb.org/yt-music-playlis
Parenting
Do you feel like you’ve got parenting figured out or could you benefit from some reliable wisdom? Explore parenting stories from Scripture and discover how they can help parents and guardians today!WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9
A Trust Trial
We can all struggle to trust God in moments of crisis. We wonder…Where did He go? Why has He allowed this? When will He intervene? In a boat on the waves, the disciples (Peter in particular) undergo a trust trial where despite some terrifying circumstances, Jesus asks them to trust Him. Will they? What principles will they draw on? What can we learn from their trust trial for the trust t
The Way of the Cross (Mark 8)
In Mark 8, Jesus sets forth the path of discipleship—what it means to follow Him. It is not an easy, casual path, but an exceedingly important one that we explore this week.WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv🎧YouTube Music: http
What the Bible Can Teach Us About Reading It
Has the way you read the Bible changed over the course of time? What sparked those changes? In this week of Discover the Word conversations, ODBM Senior Director of Bible Engagement, JR Hudberg, joins the group to talk about 3 vital characteristics of reading and engaging the Bible well. JR says these characteristics are not new or original with him, but they have changed the way he read
The Miraculous Life of Elisha - Week 7
It’s easy to confuse Elisha with his mentor Elijah. Not only do their names sound similar but they also performed similar miracles. Come along with us to explore how Elisha and Elijah were similar, how they were different, and how they both represented God’s nature. Discover how Elisha went on to do even greater things than Elijah and how through their story we find out what God can do fo
The Miraculous Life of Elisha - Week 6
It’s easy to confuse Elisha with his mentor Elijah. Not only do their names sound similar but they also performed similar miracles. Come along with us to explore how Elisha and Elijah were similar, how they were different, and how they both represented God’s nature. Discover how Elisha went on to do even greater things than Elijah and how through their story we find out what God can do fo
The Miraculous Life of Elisha - Week 5
It’s easy to confuse Elisha with his mentor Elijah. Not only do their names sound similar but they also performed similar miracles. Come along with us to explore how Elisha and Elijah were similar, how they were different, and how they both represented God’s nature. Discover how Elisha went on to do even greater things than Elijah and how through their story we find out what God can do fo
The Miraculous Life of Elisha - Week 4
It’s easy to confuse Elisha with his mentor Elijah. Not only do their names sound similar but they also performed similar miracles. Come along with us to explore how Elisha and Elijah were similar, how they were different, and how they both represented God’s nature. Discover how Elisha went on to do even greater things than Elijah and how through their story we find out what God can do f
The Miraculous Life of Elisha - Week 3
It’s easy to confuse Elisha with his mentor Elijah. Not only do their names sound similar but they also performed similar miracles. Come along with us to explore how Elisha and Elijah were similar, how they were different, and how they both represented God’s nature. Discover how Elisha went on to do even greater things than Elijah and how through their story we find out what God can do f
The Miraculous Life of Elisha - Week 2
It’s easy to confuse Elisha with his mentor Elijah. Not only do their names sound similar but they also performed similar miracles. Come along with us to explore how Elisha and Elijah were similar, how they were different, and how they both represented God’s nature. Discover how Elisha went on to do even greater things than Elijah and how through their story we find out what God can do f
The Miraculous Life of Elisha - Week 1
It’s easy to confuse Elisha with his mentor Elijah. Not only do their names sound similar but they also performed similar miracles. Come along with us to explore how Elisha and Elijah were similar, how they were different, and how they both represented God’s nature. Discover how Elisha went on to do even greater things than Elijah and how through their story we find out what God can do fo
The Bible Reset
Has connecting with God—through the Bible—sometimes seemed confusing or frustrating? Author Alex Goodwin joins us to explore how we can approach the Bible differently and enjoy an easier more fruitful experience reading it!WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify🎧Amazon M
Seemingly Impossible Commands - Week 2
There are times in the gospels when Jesus gives commands that can confuse us – because they seem downright impossible. The Ten Commandments are hard enough – and we know that we’ll be imperfect in keeping the Law of the Old Testament. That’s why God provided a way out for us in Jesus. So what did Jesus mean in His seemingly impossible commands? Perhaps the truth He wants us to grasp is th
Seemingly Impossible Commands - Week 1
There are times in the gospels when Jesus gives commands that can confuse us – because they seem downright impossible. The Ten Commandments are hard enough – and we know that we’ll be imperfect in keeping the Law of the Old Testament. That’s why God provided a way out for us in Jesus. So what did Jesus mean in His seemingly impossible commands? Perhaps the truth He wants us to grasp is th
Becoming Fully Alive - Acts 17 - Week 2
"The glory of God is a human fully alive." This is a paraphrase of something an early church Father wrote, and it sounds inspiring! We go through our lives often wishing there was more. Let's explore what it means to step into the abundant life God offers, by considering a very famous speech from Acts 17 that's full of some pretty surprising and often humorous moments. And through this, w
Becoming Fully Alive: Acts 17 - Week 1
"The glory of God is a human fully alive." This is a paraphrase of something an early church Father wrote, and it sounds inspiring! We go through our lives often wishing there was more. Let's explore what it means to step into the abundant life God offers, by considering a very famous speech from Acts 17 that's full of some pretty surprising and often humorous moments. And through this, w
Follow Me: Insights from a Fisherwoman About Following Jesus
Author Leslie Leyland Fields joins the Discover the Word group from her home on Kodiak Island, Alaska and shares Insights from a Fisherwoman About Following Jesus. In a time when so many are "unfollowing" Jesus and leaving the church, Leslie's experience in her family's commercial fishing business provides a helpful perspective about what it meant for those first fishermen disciples to fo
Psalm 16: A Psalm of Trust
This week, the Discover the Word group focuses on Psalm 16--A Psalm of Trust. So, what does it really mean to "trust God," and how do we know if we're doing so? Vivian dives into this Psalm of David with Daniel and Elisa and Rasool, to discover how struggle and opposition can drive us to a deeper sense of God's presence, and a trust that He is out for our good. WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCR
When We Sin - Week 2
How do you respond when you sin? Embarrassment? Shame? Horror? Or denial, hiding, running away? Some respond with confession and reception of grace. Scripture shows a variety of responses in Peter, Thomas, John Mark, the “sinful woman” and even Judas and we can learn from each. And what about when people don’t respond by receiving Jesus’ provision for sin? WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱
When We Sin - Week 1
How do you respond when you sin? Embarrassment? Shame? Horror? Or denial, hiding, running away? Some respond with confession and reception of grace. Scripture shows a variety of responses in Peter, Thomas, John Mark, the “sinful woman” and even Judas and we can learn from each. And what about when people don’t respond by receiving Jesus’ provision for sin? WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱
Beware False Teachers - A Study of Jude - Week 2
Though the fifth shortest book in the Bible, the letter of Jude is packed with mystery, theology, and important information. We want to take the next couple of weeks to explore it together, and discover the simplicity of the Gospel message that shines through the complex things that Jude points to in the story of the Bible. WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.disco
Beware False Teachers - A Study of Jude - Week 1
Though the fifth shortest book in the Bible, the letter of Jude is packed with mystery, theology, and important information. We want to take the next couple of weeks to explore it together, and discover the simplicity of the Gospel message that shines through the complex things that Jude points to in the story of the Bible. WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.disco
Discovering Communal Bible Engagement
Co-founder of The Institute for Bible Reading (IFBR), Paul Caminiti, joins the group to talk about one of the barriers to robust Bible engagement--the fact that we tend to want to read the Bible in isolation. One of the strategies of the IFBR is to introduce, or actually re-introduce, us to reading the Bible in community. Discover how "Communal Bible Engagement" can be a transformational
Life After Easter
How does the resurrection of Christ change us? Life after Easter can either go on as normal, or transform us into more of who we are in Christ. By examining three women who came and experienced the empty tomb, we’ll be challenged to see how we ourselves “look for the living among the dead” and how God wants to raise our eyes to see him here, in our everyday. WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
It is Finished
Of the seven sayings of Christ on the cross, this triumphant declaration drew His act of self-sacrifice to a close. How would the people at the foot of the cross have understood these words? And, what was Jesus claiming in this statement of completion? This passion week, an understanding of Jesus’ last words from the cross can deeply enrich our appreciation of the love He expressed for us
Praying with God
If God already knows everything and knows what you need, why pray? If God is in control of history and the world, why pray? If God is already going to accomplish his work, in his timing, and in his way, why pray? And what is prayer, anyway? Let's explore these questions together, and see how the Bible not only defines but also models prayer. And together, we can discover the invitation fr
Proverbial Wisdom
Sometimes the practical nature of the book doesn’t seem "spiritual" enough to be part of the Bible. Verses addressing laziness and hard work, or not co-signing on debt can feel too worldly or practical, but in fact the great insight Proverbs gives us is how innately spiritual every day is. If God created the world, and He did, then it would make sense that God has something to say about h
The Times of the Judges - Week 2
Do you ever get tired of reading the Old Testament because you’re pretty sure you know the story? God gives laws and his people break them, over and over again. But what if the story was about more than that? What if the OT is about more than that. Well, in this study on Discover the Word, Dr. Michelle Knight joins the group to take a closer look at the "poster book" for disobedience--the
The Times of the Judges - Week 1
Do you ever get tired of reading the Old Testament because you’re pretty sure you know the story? God gives laws and his people break them, over and over again. But what if the story was about more than that? What if the OT is about more than that. Well, in this study on Discover the Word, Dr. Michelle Knight joins the group to take a closer look at the "poster book" for disobedience--the
Fruitful Living - Week 2
Do you like fruit? Why or why not? Do you have a favorite fruit? Well, growing a life that matters, is the result of God’s fruit of the Spirit growing in our lives. But just what is "the fruit of the Spirit" and how does it grow in our lives? Galatians 5 contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh and then Paul explains how the fruit of the Spirit is God’s characteristic
Fruitful Living - Week 1
Do you like fruit? Why or why not? Do you have a favorite fruit? Well, growing a life that matters, is the result of God’s fruit of the Spirit growing in our lives. But just what is "the fruit of the Spirit" and how does it grow in our lives? Galatians 5 contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh and then Paul explains how the fruit of the Spirit is God’s characteristic
Psalm 88 - A Most Gut Wrenching Psalm
What is the most honest thing you can say to God right now and is it okay to say it? We all experience difficult seasons in our lives, and sometimes they last a really long time. This seems to be the case for Heman, the author of Psalm 88 and a worship leader of Israel. How does he respond to God? Well, it's rather raw, and perhaps a bit uncomfortable, but it's honest. And there could be
Caring for Creation
It's unfortunate that being concerned about the environment has taken on political undertones. But what we'll about this week is not about politics. We as Christians belong first to a heavenly kingdom and our value system is shaped and formed by our God. And part of our stewardship and responsibility is to care for the earth God created. God has entrusted us with the care of his creation;
God of Wonders
A question seen often in the Old Testament is “Who is like you, God?” and demands the answer, “No one is like our God.” His wonders are incomparable and the gods of the nations don’t come close to him. Often when that question is asked, a descriptor of God’s uniqueness is provided to show just one area in which the God of wonders stands apart from all others. We want to explore a handful
God, the Baker
Do you like bread? What kinds? Do you bake bread? Bread shows up throughout the entire Bible—over 300 times, actually. But it doesn’t just represent food, it comes to represent the story of the Bible and the story of the Gospel. In a way, you could say that God is a Baker, and when we eat God’s tasty bread we may find that we never hunger again. Join the Discover the Word group as Daniel
Jerusalem! - Week 2
Did you know that Jerusalem is the most frequently mentioned place named in the Bible? And if, as Bible geographer Dr. Jack Beck contends, place/location always matters, there's something extra special about Jerusalem in the Biblical story. Jerusalem is like no other city. And if you understand its uniqueness, you will understand not only all the attention it gets in the Bible but also wh
Jerusalem! - Week 1
Did you know that Jerusalem is the most frequently mentioned place named in the Bible? And if, as Bible geographer Dr. Jack Beck contends, place/location always matters, there's something extra special about Jerusalem in the Biblical story. Jerusalem is like no other city. And if you understand its uniqueness, you will understand not only all the attention it gets in the Bible but also wh
Psalm 30-Understanding God's Heart
If any Bible character lived a life of seemingly constant danger, it was David—and we feel the weight of that danger most clearly in many of his psalms. Psalm 30 was one of those psalms where David wrestled with his experiences of danger, but in retrospect. Explore with the group how David learned to trust God's long game through all the downs and ups of life, and how we can learn to trus
Give Up!
Do you give back to God for all He’s given you? Why or why not? How? Do you give to the church, support a missionary, donate to a nonprofit, recycle your possessions for others, share a meal, stop at a traffic light to help someone hungry? The practice of giving traces through the Old and New Testaments, outlining how God invites His people into a practice of generosity in both receiving
One Thing
What distracts you? Is it always a bad thing? Are there specific distractions that can be negative? In a world of distractions, sometimes there is the need to focus on one thing—and the Bible reminds us of this on several occasions where the phrase “one thing” points us to issues and concerns that are deserving of our undistracted focus. WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: htt
More... Christmas Names
Last week, we listened to some conversations the Discover the Word group had some time ago, entitled “Christmas Names of Jesus,” which focused on Isaiah 9:6. This week, Bill leads Elisa and Rasool and Vivian back into some conversations in which they consider the same idea of Christmas names but from a different text: Matthew 1. More...Christmas Names in this edition of Discover the Word.
Christmas Names
Isaiah provides us with more messianic prophecy than any other Old Testament prophet. It should be no surprise that, when He speaks of the Messiah’s birth in Isaiah 9:6, the names he gives to Messiah describe the nature of the God-man who was to come, and whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org🎧Apple Podcasts:
Surviving a Death Sentence
Have you ever received a death sentence? Perhaps…we have many listeners from prisons in our world who cling to the hope of Jesus in the face of death. Some wrongly sentenced and unfairly treated. Some of us might be facing a literal death sentence of suffering in illness. Then, many of us experience a more figurative death sentence in terms of a call placed over our lives to commit to a c
The Connected Life
In today's world, we're facing a connection crisis. Despite being more digitally connected than ever, many people feel a deep sense of loneliness and disconnection. This crisis has been amplified by the pandemic, leading to increased stress and mental health issues. But what's at the root of this connection crisis, and how does it impact our spiritual lives? Cultivating deep growth is a l
