Back Porch Bible Studies

The pull of the world we tell us it is worth it. But the world will leave us spinning on the dance floor. Abiding in God is like a beautiful dance, with a lead who always has our best at heart. He gently guides us through the He specifically choreographed for us individually. But the world cares little about our heart, it just wants to cut in and steal the lead. Join us as we discover the beauty o...

The Evidence of Abiding: A Life of Love What does real love look like—and where does it come from? In today’s episode of Back Porch Bible , we explore how love is not just a command but the evidence that we are truly abiding in Christ. Drawing from 1 John 2:7–14, we’ll see how abiding leads to love that surprises even us—love that forgives, serves, and overflows from God’s Spirit within us. Whethe...

In Part 2 of Episode 6, we move from the comforting truth of Jesus as our Advocate to a practical look at what it means to walk with Him. John gives us a spiritual mirror—not to cause doubt, but to help us see the fruit of truly knowing Christ. Obedience isn’t about striving to earn God’s love; it’s the natural result of abiding in Him. Like breathing, abiding is continual and life-giving. And as...

What do you do when you stumble—when sin feels too heavy, and shame whispers that you're too far gone? In those moments, Scripture reminds us of something profound: we have an Advocate. Jesus stands before the Father on our behalf—not because of anything we've done, but because of everything He has done. His perfect life, His sacrificial death, His ongoing intercession—it’s all Him. He doe...

In today’s episode, I want to begin with a story --my story. It was one of the most pivotal moments in my relationship with Jesus—when I finally realized I wasn’t in control, and yet, I had never been more secure. That moment changedeverything. Trying to keep all the plates spinning, thinking that if you just plan well enough, pray hard enough, prepare thoroughly, or schedule accurately, you can k...

Trusting God’s Life-Giving Power In John 15, Jesus invites us to abide in Him—an invitation to remain connected to the source of life itself. Abiding isn’t about striving harder or doing more. It’s about staying close to Jesus, drawing our strength and life from Him. This study will explore what it means to live in that deep, ongoing connection with Christ. It’s through the Holy Spirit that we are...

What does it mean to abide in the light? In this episode of the Back Porch Bible Podcast, we explore how abiding in Christ is more than just staying connected—it’s about walking in His truth, experiencing real fellowship, and allowing His holiness to transform us. Scripture teaches that God’s light purifies us, not just at salvation but continually as we remain in Him. Join us as we study the beau...

Have you ever longed for a deeper connection with someone—one that goes beyond small talk and surface-level interactions? That’s what John is offering us in his letter. He’s not just writing to teach theology; he’s inviting us into something real, something life-giving: fellowship with God and with one another . For the STUDY GUIDE please go to ⁠WomenInChristianLeadership.org

Welcome to the Back Porch Bible Podcast's new series, 'Abide and Thrive: Knowing the One Who Knows You.' Join me on my back porch as we explore 1 John. Grab a comfy chair and your drink, and let's delve into truths about abiding in Christ, walking in light, and knowing God's love.   1 John encourages believers, showing how faith transforms our lives through love, obedience, and discernment. We'll...

Waiting on God often means living without immediate answers to prayer, wondering why the wicked prosper , or enduring the delay of our desires, leaving hope deferred. Yet God’s perspective is eternal, and His ways and timing are perfect and holy because He is perfect and holy. There is a special blessing in the waiting, join us and discover how waiting on God may be just what you needed!

Every book of the bible should be looked at as a whole in order to understand the individual parts. Context is king! We will look over the entire book in this section to see what the author wanted to share and how God is revealed throughout.

Welcome Friend to my BACK PORCH !! My name is Debra Ghysels and I'll be your host on this weekly podcast.  In a world where truth is toted as "Relative" and can't be known, we will learn from the Author of Truth and build our lives on that firm foundation.  So grab your drink and meet me on....My Back Porch, where we talk about what the Bible says about our God. 

Satan attacks on many fronts, and he will aim at any point he considers vulnerable. That’s why we need to be fully dressed in God’s Armor! We can’t select our own armor; we wouldn’t know where to begin. This invisible, spiritual warfare must be fought with “spiritual” armor.  Why else would Paul be so emphatic about putting on the full armor of God, describing it piece by piece, if there were any...

Satan uses the allurements of the world and the appeal of the flesh (the first two enemies) to try and get us to do what God prohibits. Satan’s biggest weapon is accusation bringing shame, defeat, and feeling of worthlessness. He wants us to become downhearted and to lose confidence. He works hard to bring depression and despondency into our lives. The stakes in the conflict between Satan and God...

You are called by God to be strong in the strength of the Lord . This strength is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, a strength that emanates from the very essence of the Lord Himself. It is the kind of strength that develops within you through the trials you will face. You must face them with the presence of God living within you, His mighty power working through you.

YOU CANNOT WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING IF YOU AREN’T LOVING PEOPLE!! Our unity, rooted in mutual submission, and reverence for Christ, serves as a powerful testimony!  Authentically demonstrating the beauty of Christ's love through submission, we draw others towards the life-changing relationship with Christ that leads to eternal salvation.

Join our granddaughter as she narrates the Christmas story as only Caprina can! Your heart will be blessed as she shares this story from a child's view!

We will look at how Paul brings fellowship home: we will see how marriage symbolizes the unity and oneness that God desires in all of our relationships, particularly within the family of God! Just like the husband and wife become one, believers become one with Christ and with each other in the body of Christ.

We were created in His image and to think that to be out of fellowship with one another is no big deal, is as absurd as proclaiming that the Father has no use for the Son, or that the Spirit can exist in isolation from the Father. It's through the tapestry of relationships that we truly experience the divine Fellowship God intended, for it is in embracing one another that we draw closer to the ver...

Jesus says this isn’t about who YOUR NEIGHBOR IS .  This is about “are you a neighbor?”  It’s not, “Who is my neighbor?” “Who qualifies to be loved?” But it’s about “AM I A NEIGHBOR WHO LOVES LAVISHLY?”  Forget trying to decide who qualifies for you to love them and demonstrate love that HAS NO QUALIFIERS. 

Do you ever wonder how much God loves you?? Check out this week's episode on God's Jealousy!!

Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. This love, AGAPE love, might be defined as a steadfast commitment to the highest good of others . That’s good. That was how Jesus loved…That’s a great start, but Love, being such a vast concept, defies a simple definition. Attempting to define love is like defining the boundless ocean with all the teeming l...

In the book of Ephesians, the call to unity remains at the forefront, as God desires His people to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. And we've seen that by that Worthy Walk we ‘preserve the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’, the unity of believers. Unity, one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all! Our unity is most pronounced wh...

Wisdom is a skill! Not just having the youTube knowledge of how to do something, but actually becoming good at it!! God's Word is full of both knowledge and wisdom! But do you know how to use it??

As Children of Light, we are called to be a light to the world! Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Is that what the Holy Spirit wants exposed, the darkness in this world? Or is there something else we need to expose? Join us in Ephesians 5:6-14.