Back Porch Bible Studies

When someone hurts us, what does God actually require? Must we trust them again? Does forgiveness mean pretending it never happened? And what happens when reconciliation isn't possible? In this Porch Light episode, we'll explore the biblical differencesbetween forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. We'll discover why forgiveness is always commanded, why reconciliation requires p...

What if loving someone well doesn't change them? Jesus loved Judas perfectly, yet Judas still chose betrayal. That truth frees us from a burden many of us carry: the belief that if we just loved better, people would respond differently. In this Under the Porch Light episode, we explore how mature agape shifts our focus from controlling outcomes to pleasing our heavenly Father. Discover why loving...

How does loving others prove that I love God? In 1 John 5:1–5, John ties together everything he's been teaching about assurance. Faith in Christ, love for God's people, joyful obedience, and overcoming the world are not separate spiritual achievements—they are the natural fruit of being born of God. Join us as we discover why God's family resemblance reveals the reality of our faith an...

What would your life look like if fear was no longer in control? What if you truly believed you were fully known, fully forgiven, and fully loved by God? In 1 John 4:17–21, John reveals that fear and love move in opposite directions—and that perfect love doesn’t just comfort fear… it casts it out. Join us on the Back Porch as we discover how the agape love of God brings assurance, security, and fr...

What if love is far more than emotion, attraction, or acceptance? In this episode of Back Porch Bible, we uncover the powerful meaning of biblical agape—the self-giving love of God that moved toward sinners through Jesus Christ and still transforms hearts today. Journey with us through First Epistle of John 4:7–16 as we confront modern distortions of love, discover why truth and love can never be...

How do you recognize the voice of truth when so many spiritual voices sound convincing? In 1 John 4:1–6, John warns believers to test the spirits while reminding us that we do not stand alone—the Spirit of God within us is greater than the spirit of the world.

If you belong to Christ, what actually happened to your sin? Did it disappear… or do you still have to fight it? In this Porch Light bonus episode, we explore why sin no longer rules the believer, how your identity changed at salvation, and what it means to live under a new Master. If you still struggle but wonder where you stand, this conversation will help you understand why sin may still tempt...

Ever wonder if your salvation is really secure — especially when your heart condemns you? In 1 John 3:19–24, we discover that assurance isn’t based on feelings but on the transforming work of God within us. Learn the difference between conviction and condemnation, why God is greater than your doubts, and how faith and love confirm that you truly belong to Him.

How do we know if God’s life is truly in us? In this episode of Back Porch Bible , we explore 1 John 3:10–18 , where the apostle John gives a powerful and sobering answer: look at how you love. Biblical love isn’t sentimental or convenient. It’s not merely words, intentions, or feelings. Scripture teaches that agapē love is evidence of spiritual life —the visible proof that we have passed from dea...

Who are you because of whose you are? In this episode of Back Porch Bible Podcast , we continue our Abide & Thrive study through 1 John and explore the powerful truth of our identity as children of God . In 1 John 3:1–10 , John invites us to stand in awe of the Father’s love—a love that doesn’t just forgive us but welcomes us into His family . We explore: • What it means to truly belong to God...

What protects us from deception? John’s answer may surprise you — not just discernment, but belonging. As we continue Part 2 of our journey through 1 John (chapters 3–5), we pause at 1 John 3:1 to behold the astonishing love of the Father — agapē — the initiating, redefining love that calls us His children and anchors our identity in Christ. Together, we explore how abiding in God’s love reshapes...

Step into Part 2 of our journey through 1 John (chapters 3–5) as we explore 1 John 2:18–29 and John’s urgent reminder for believers living in “the last hour.” When deception sounds sincere and truth feels harder to recognize, how do we stay steady? John’s answer is surprisingly simple: abide in Christ. In this episode, we talk about antichrists, discernment, and how the Spirit anchors us so we can...

In this final workshop episode, we move from study to living—where God’s Word shifts from information to transformation. Application is where truth takes root in your daily life. Learn how to bridge the gap between hearing the Word and living it out with clarity, courage, and joy. WomenInChristianLeadership.org

Ever wondered what a single word can unlock in your Bible study? Word studies let you dig beneath the surface, discovering shades of meaning and richness often lost in translation. We’ll walk step by step through how to do a word study so you can uncover the depth God has woven into His Word. Grab your tools—it’s time to dig! WomenInChristianLeadership.org

Want to slow down and let Scripture speak for itself? Bible phrasing helps you break a passage into natural thought lines so you can see the flow and emphasis the writer intended. It’s like putting the text in 3D—suddenly patterns, contrasts, and connections pop off the page. Join us and learn how to phrase your way into deeper understanding! WomenInChristianLeadership.org

Lists may seem simple, but they’re a powerful way to see what really matters in a passage. In this episode, we’ll explore how making a list highlights key themes, reveals patterns, and deepens your understanding of Scripture. Join us as we walk through an example from Galatians chapter one—you won’t want to miss it! WomenInChristianLeadership.org

Want to see the whole letter come alive? In this episode, we’ll grab the Book Chart—a tool that helps you step back and catch the big picture of Scripture. By laying out each chapter side by side, you’ll spot themes, patterns, and connections you might have missed before. It’s like zooming out on a map so you can follow the author’s message from beginning to end. Join me as we chart the book toget...

Before we can understand what the Bible means, we first need to see what it says. In this episode, we’ll pull out our first tool: the Observation Worksheet. This simple method helps you slow down and really notice the details of a passage. Together, we’ll walk through how to mark key words, repeated ideas, and patterns so the text begins to open up before your eyes. You’ll see how an overview of a...

Ready to dig deeper into God’s Word? This workshop will give you a toolbox of practical skills to help you slow down, see details you’ve never noticed, and discover truth straight from Scripture. Each episode introduces a simple tool—like observation worksheets, book charts, and lists—and shows you how to use it. Whether you’re brand new or a longtime student of the Bible, you’ll gain fresh eyes a...

Pride often hides behind fear and whispers, “It’s all on you.” But God’s love tells a different story. In this final episode of our Pride Wears a Mask mini-series, we’ll pause to reflect on the love that formed us before birth, pursued us through redemption, and still holds us today. This is the love that unmasks pride, silences fear, and invites us into trust, rest, and freedom in Christ.

What if humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself, but about seeing yourself rightly—as a created, dependent being, fully known and fully loved by God? In this episode, we explore the beauty of creatureliness and how embracing it frees us to trust the One who formed us, understands us, and leads us with perfect love.

What if the control you’re clinging to is costing you more than you realize? In this episode of Pride Wears a Mask , we explore how fear often hides beneath our efforts to manage outcomes—and how surrendering that control can become a powerful act of worship. When we place our fears on the altar, we find freedom… and meet the God who’s already holding it all. There is a downloadable study guide av...

We’re so glad you’re joining us for this 4-part mini-series in our 1 John study, Abide and Thrive. In this series, we’ll explore how pride often hides behind fear and control—and how God’s love gently unmasks us, inviting us into deeper trust and freedom through humility. There’s a downloadable study guide available to help you go deeper, whether on your own or with a group. www. WomeninChristianL...

In this final episode of Part 1, we pause to reflect on eight expressions of abiding faith drawn from 1 John 1–2. More than a set of behaviors, these are the natural outflow of a heart that desires to remain in Jesus—a life transformed through an intimate union with Him. Abiding isn’t passive. It’s a responsive, growing relationship where we learn to stay close, walk in His light, trust His truth,...

In this episode of Back Porch Bible , we step into the heart of 1 John to hear a fatherly warning filled with urgency and love. As false teaching crept into the early church, John reminded believers—and reminds us today—to stay anchored in the truth. We’ll unpack how Gnosticism distorted the gospel, how the spirit of deception still operates, and why knowing Jesus and abiding in Him is everything....