Bible Book Club

In 1 Samuel 13 and 14,  the Israelites are hopeful that Saul is the answer to the long-awaited promise made in Genesis. While it looks to them that Saul is the king--often called the "second Adam"--he is not. His fall comes fast. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes Blog The Old Testament Books The New Testament Books Bible Timeline Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagr...

In 1 Samuel 10, 11, and 12, our story has a back-and-forth feel like a game...a chess game. Each team now has a king. Team Israel has a king – Saul. Team God has a king – God and a voice -- Samuel. Let's study the rise of King Saul together. Thank you for being part of the club. Blog Bible Timeline Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : A...

 In the first seven chapters of 1 Samuel, we learn the story of Samuel himself. In the following six chapters, we learn of the first King of Israel, Saul.  Israel once again is not satisfied by having the one true God as their king. They want a human ruler and so the search begins...and ends with Saul. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes Blog The Old Testament Books The New Testamen...

When we open today in 1 Samuel 6,  the Israelites have lost the ark and are suffering without the presence of God. The Philistines have gained the ark but are suffering with the presence of God! Samuel is nowhere to be seen...yet. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes Blog The Path to Good or Evil The Old Testament Books The New Testament Books Bible Timeline Contact Bible Book Club!...

Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of 1 Samuel, are part of what is called the ark narrative because they tell the story of the Philistine's victory over Israel and their possession of the ark of the covenant.  Samuel is absent from these chapters. The focus is on the failure of Eli and his sons as spiritual leaders.  The loss of the Ark of the Covenant was a visible symbol of Israel’s broken coven...

In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of 1 Samuel, the story transitions from Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel who will be the future prophet and priest, to Eli, the current high priest. The story of Eli's wicked family is a sad contrast to Samuel's faithful family. Hophni and Phinehas are not qualified to lead the people. But God has provided one last judge to lead Israel and transition...

In chapter 1 of the Book of 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah.  At this point in her life, her husband is not enough to bring her joy. She is overwhelmed by her barrenness and prays to God in her distress. We see God provide Hannah with a blessing in the form of a son, whom she names Samuel. What Samuel becomes to Israel is where our story gets more interesting! Thank you for being a part of the club. Show...

In this final episode from the Book of Ruth, we will bring Ruth’s story full circle back to Christmas because Ruth's genealogy leads to Christ. For those of you who have listened to all of season 8, the 4 regular episodes and 4 bonus Advent episodes, it is our prayer that the focus of these episodes on hope, love, faith, and joy has given your season memorable meaning. I know I will never cel...

Welcome to the Ruth Advent series! We hope this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way.  We recommend you play Ruth Episode 4 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode. This is the fourth of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent focus...

In the Book of Ruth chapter 4, we will come to the climactic end of our story. We began the Book of Ruth with a story of famine and death. We will end the book of Ruth with a story of provision and birth. The book of Ruth is, above all else, a story of redemption. God is in the business of redeeming what was lost. Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes:   The Book of Ruth is creatively a Christmas Story becau...

Welcome to the Ruth Advent series! We hope that this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way.  We recommend you play Ruth 3 Episode 3 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode. This is the third of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent...

In chapter 3 of the Book of Ruth, Naomi plays matchmaker with a crazy plan to get Boaz’s attention. Naomi is beginning to see some hope in Ruth’s growing relationship with Boaz. But after months of Ruth gleaning in Boaz’s field nothing has happened. So Naomi comes up with a plan of her own. She instructs Ruth to get dressed up and lay at Boaz’s feet while he is sleeping on the threshing floor. It...

Welcome to the Ruth Advent series! We hope that this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way.  We recommend you play Ruth 2 Episode 2 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode. This is the second of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent...

In chapter 2 of the Book of Ruth, Ruth meets Boaz. The chapter is loaded with five scenes–all conversations between the three main characters, Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz.  Naomi and Ruth are settled in Bethlehem, but their situation is not good. They need to provide for themselves, but Naomi seems unable to help. Ruth must take matters into her own hands despite the fact that she is the unwelcome Moabi...

Welcome to the Ruth Advent series! We hope that this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way.  We recommend you play Ruth 1 Episode 1 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode. This is the first of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent...

The story in Ruth begins with Naomi and her family relocating to Moab from Bethlehem due to a famine in Israel, which is ironic given that Bethlehem means "house of bread." Naomi's husband, Elimelek, meaning "my God is king," reflects a connection to the final verse of Judges, stating that in those days, Israel had no king.  Tragedy befalls Naomi, whose name means sweet, i...

In Judges 19-21, we witness a series of horrifying events that epitomize the moral decay in Israel during those dark days. The story unfolds as a street-level view of a nation where everyone does as they see fit. The Levite, who had shown a complete lack of compassion for his concubine, takes a gruesome turn. Upon returning home, he cuts her into twelve pieces and sends them throughout Israel, pro...

In Chapters 17-19 of the Book of Judges, we delve into the grim realities of a time when Israel had lost its moral compass. These chapters offer a street-level perspective on the chaotic lives of the people, each person living as they saw fit. We begin with the story of Micah, a man who attempted to manipulate God's favor through a lost Levite. However, the Levite's stay was short-lived,...

In this gripping episode, we dive into the intense narrative of Judges Chapters 15 and 16, which chronicles the relentless conflict between Samson and the Philistines. This cycle of revenge and retaliation begins with a shocking betrayal by Samson's new father-in-law, who gives his wife to a Philistine groomsman, inciting Samson's fiery response of burning the Philistine crops. The situa...

In this episode, we journey through Judges 13-14 exploring the brief mention of the last three minor judges: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. Their stories set the stage marked by the ominous phrase, "again, the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” giving way to our meeting of the final judge, Samson; the most famous, and arguably worst, judge of all. The Angel of the Lord heralds his birth w...

In this podcast episode, we witness the Israelites caught in a familiar cycle of wrongdoing and crying out to God for help. Surprisingly, they appoint Jephthah, an outcast, as their leader. Jephthah's tale takes a sorrowful turn when, lacking knowledge of the covenantal history between God and the Israelites, he makes a rash vow to God. He promises to sacrifice the first living being to greet...

In this episode,  we meet Gideon's illegitimate son, Abimelek. Abimelek's rise to power is full of violence toward strangers and family alike. Abimelech cut a deal with the people of Shechem to become king. His first task was to assassinate his 70 brothers, except for one. The one who escaped, Jotham, appeared at Mount Gerizim and told a fable about Abimelech, the thornbush. God avenged...

Chapter 6-8 of Judges describes the story of Gideon, a deeply flawed judge who really wanted to be king. Despite his flaws, Gideon was also a man of great faith who was used by God to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. Gideon's faith was put to the test when God called him to lead the Israelites to victory. Gideon was initially reluctant and asked for signs from God to confirm His ca...

In this episode, the next 3 major judges have longer stories and more character flaws that worsen with each story and each cycle of sin. Thank you for being a part of the club. Take a peek at the show notes below for Hayley's recap! Show Notes 12 Judges of Israel Chart Blog Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify J...

In this episode, we dive into Deborah's story. Deborah has quite the story of victory and even has a song penned after her. Thank you for being a part of the club. Take a peek at the show notes below for Hayley's recap! Show Notes 12 Judges of Israel  Chart Blog Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the...