Small Steps with God

73 - Jesus and Passover Today, we discussed the historical and religious significance of Passover. The profound meaning of this Jewish holiday celebrates not only the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt but also the concepts of freedom and salvation. As Christians, we explored how understanding the full story of Passover can deepen our appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus, our ‘Passover Lamb.’ During...

72- The Significance of His Death and Resurrection We look into the significance of the anointing of Jesus by Mary, a moment that marked both a royal and a burial ceremony. The apostles misunderstood this moment. We also discussed the Passover meal, where Jesus announced the new covenant and instituted communion. He also announced the new covenant from God to his people. We see that Jesus’ foretel...

72- The Significance of His Death and Resurrection We look into the significance of the anointing of Jesus by Mary, a moment that marked both a royal and a burial ceremony. The apostles misunderstood this moment. We also discussed the Passover meal, where Jesus announced the new covenant and instituted communion. He also announced the new covenant from God to his people. We see that Jesus’ foretel...

71 - The Last Week Begins In this podcast, I delve into the final week of Christ’s life, providing an in-depth exploration of the events and teachings that led to his crucifixion. We also review and discuss aspects of the book The Last Week, a day-to-day account of Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem by Marcus Borg and John Crosan. We discuss the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the confron...

70 - Rome and the People of Israel Today we discuss the historical context of Roman influence in the time when Jesus was crucified. It’s important to note the paradoxical nature of the Roman civilization - their aim was to establish peace, yet they employed force and conquest to achieve it. They installed friendly governments and maintained peace in their conquered lands by ensuring basic necessit...

69 - Setting the Greek Stage for Jesus In this episode, we'll be delving into the extensive history and influence of the Greeks on the land of Israel, setting the stage for the time of Jesus.  The Greeks, who had conquered Israel in 330 BC, brought about a significant cultural shift. As I explored the topic, I found it fascinating how the Jewish people began to appreciate Greek sophistication, phi...

68 - Israel, the North, and the South in the Time of Jesus Today, we’re going to explore the different people groups that existed during the time of Jesus, specifically within Israel. We’ll focus on the tribe of Judah, which is made up of the descendants of Jacob’s grandchildren from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. These two tribes were the only ones to survive the exile and were allowed to retu...

67 - People Roles in the Time of Jesus In this podcast, we’re going to explore the different groups of people in the New Testament and why Jesus addressed them directly with what they needed to do to see the kingdom of God. As we go through this journey together, we’ll examine the Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin, and other groups, understanding their roles and beliefs during the time of Jesus. The...

66 - Uncovering Compelling Evidence Hey there! In this episode, I’m diving deep into the fascinating work of Josh McDowell and his son, Sean. These two are renowned for their thorough research into the authenticity of the Bible, and their books, such as “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” and “More Than a Carpenter,” provide compelling evidence supporting the Bible’s truth. As we explore the consist...

65 - The Remarkable Journey of Josh McDowell In this episode, we delve into the life and works of Josh McDowell, a renowned Christian apologist known for his extensive research on the evidence of Jesus. McDowell initially set out to disprove Christianity as an atheist, but his meticulous research ultimately led him to convert to Christianity. This transformation is documented in his book “Evidence...

64 - Herod, Political and Architectural Mastermind In this episode, we're diving deep into the life and reign of Herod the Great, an influential figure in the biblical era. You might have heard of him as a crazed, diseased maniac in popular media, but I'm here to tell you that he was actually quite complex. Herod was a shrewd, politically savvy figure who demonstrated great cunning. Despite his ru...

Go From Self-Help to God’s Help We’ll be discussing an amazing book by Father Jonathan Morris called “God Wants You Happy, From Self-Help to God’s Help”. Join me as we explore the concept of God’s desire for our happiness and how it differs from the self-help industry, which often promotes self-reliance rather than reliance on God. We’ll contemplate being junior partners with God in our lives, ack...

Hi, this is Jill from the Northwoods. Welcome to The Bible in Small Steps, where we will explore the Bible one chapter at a time. Whether you’re a long-term believer, just curious about the scripture, or just someone like me who wants to do a deeper dive and understand the most important text ever written, that’s what we’re going to talk about. Three times a week, we’re going to read a chapter a d...

62 - Wise Men Go Home By Another Way In this episode, we explore the story of the Magi, the wise men mentioned in the Bible, and their significance in the birth of Jesus. The Magi were highly educated individuals who studied various religions and had access to a wealth of science, mysticism, the occult, and knowledge. They were drawn to Jesus' birth by a star and their understanding of the prophec...

61 - Unveiling the Stories Behind Christmas Hymns In this episode, I'll explore the messages and meanings behind Christmas hymns. We'll be discussing the importance of singing hymns during the Christmas season and how they can deepen our understanding of the true meaning of Christmas. I'll be referencing the book "Come, Let Us Adore Him! Stories Behind the Most Cherished Christmas Hymns" by Robert...

60 - Charlie Brown Discovers the Meaning of Christmas I explore the significance and underlying message of the beloved holiday special "A Charlie Brown Christmas." As we dive into the show, I reflect on how a religious message found its way into a kids' show and why it stands out from other children's Christmas stories. Charlie Brown's struggle to understand the true meaning of Christmas amidst co...

59 - Faith in the Christian Journey Today, I'll discuss various aspects of faith and finding peace with God. As I explore these topics, I want to remind you of the importance of understanding sin and its consequences, as well as the temptations that the world. I talk about the book by Billy Graham Peace with God which says to reject sinful behaviors and strive for a life focused on God's teachings...

58 - Finding Lasting Peace Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the book “Peace with God” by Billy Graham and the impact on all of us who are seeking to understand and draw close to God. I found it incredible and inspiring. It helped me understand what God wants from us and how to navigate an age of anxiety. While politics and science and our own efforts have their place, they are not the ultimate so...

57 -Creating a Peaceful Atmosphere I dive deeper into the meaning of hygge beyond just creating a cozy atmosphere in our homes. We take inspiration from Jamie Erickson's book, "Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow," and discuss how we can cultivate gratitude and contentment in all aspects of our lives. We explore how aspects of hygge is inspired by Jesus' exampl...

56 - Finding Peace and Hospitality through Hygge Today, we will explore the Danish practice of hygge and how it can bring comfort and warmth to our Christian lives. We'll dive into Jamie Erickson's book, "Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow," and examine how we can incorporate hygge into our daily routines. Creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere allows us to s...

55 - The Power of Words Spoken with Authenticity We're going to explore the power of our words and the responsibility we have in presenting God's message. In his book Don’t Drop the Mic, TD Jakes emphasizes the importance of making our presentations timeless, relatable, and authentic, ensuring that our message resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. It's not about the size of our audien...

54 - Communicating the Word of God with Impact Today we discuss the book Don't Drop the Mic, The Power of Your Words Can Change the World by T.D. Jakes and Dr. Frank Thomas, where we're diving into the art of public speaking and how it can be used to communicate the Word of God in a powerful way. We'll be exploring the importance of building connections and trust with your audience, adapting your...

53 - Harnessing the Power of Speech to Change the World We dive into the fascinating world of communication. We draw inspiration from T.D. Jakes' book "Don't Drop the Mic" and explore the power of words and their impact on the world. In today's world, where our voices are our primary means of communication and now, it's more important than ever to articulate our thoughts effectively. We also discu...

52 - A Recap of the Past Year I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year of our podcast and share some of the main concepts and lessons we've discussed. First off, let me say THANK YOU! I appreciate you being on a journey of exploring the Bible and learning more about it. It's been a great adventure with God's help! 2 - Better Than Eden - https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=65 3 - Going Home...

51 - Transforming Your Life Through Bible Study We explore the importance of studying the Bible and how it can deeply impact our lives. God wants to communicate with us through His written word even in the 21st century. Studying the Bible helps us grow personally, mature spiritually, and equip ourselves to fulfill God's purposes. We reference the book "10 Principles for Studying Your Bible" by Cha...