Bible Study Besties

What do we do when life doesn't make sense? When grief lingers, prayers seem unanswered, or our hearts are weighed down by sorrow? In this episode of Summer in the Psalms , we're joined by Cynthia Hester to explore the Psalms of Lament —the prayers God has given His people for seasons of pain, loss, confusion, and waiting. Together, we discover that biblical lament isn't the absence...

In Episode 2 of our Summer in the Psalms series, we sit down with Lisa Hamilton , Bible teacher and creator of the Complete Psalms Bible Study Guide Journal , to explore practical ways to study the Book of Psalms with greater depth and confidence. Together, we discuss: How to study the Psalms using sound Bible study methods Why slowing down in Scripture transforms your relationship with God Practi...

Join us for a special milestone episode as we celebrate one year of podcasting! Over the past year, we've shared conversations, Bible Study roadmaps, and moments of deepening understanding and growth! We're so grateful to have you along for the journey. In this episode, we're reflecting on where we've been, what we've learned, and how we've seen God at work through th...

We’ve reached the finish line of our Colossians Bible study journey ! In this special recap episode, Heather and Kristina walk back through the powerful themes and key takeaways from the book of Colossians—highlighting what it means to live a Christ-centered life rooted in truth. From the supremacy of Jesus to practical encouragement for everyday faith, this episode brings together everything we’v...

At the close of Colossians, Paul lists a remarkable community of names—leaders, servants, friends, and fellow laborers who embodied the beauty of Christ’s kingdom. Jews and Greeks, slave and free, men and women stood side by side in the work of the gospel, each honored and valued by Paul. In a divided world, the early church displayed a new kind of family where status, ethnicity, and social rank n...

In this episode, we dive into Ephesians 4 and explore two powerful, everyday realities of the Christian life: prayer and salt. What does it mean to pray with urgency—not as a routine, but as a lifeline? And how are we called to live as “salt” in a world that desperately needs preservation, flavor, and fertilization? Together, we unpack how a life anchored in intentional prayer shapes the way we sh...

Is submission a dirty word? In today’s episode, we wrestle with one of the most debated passages in Scripture—Colossians 3:18–4:1. Why does Paul call wives to submit to their husbands? What does that actually mean—and just as importantly, what does it not mean? We dig deeper into the bigger story unfolding in this text: a radical, countercultural vision of relationships shaped by Christ. As husban...

In this episode, we dive into a powerful passage that challenges earthly philosophies and outward appearances. Exploring themes of freedom and who we are in Christ, we unpack what it means to live in Him rather than in human traditions. The conversation confronts the illusion of control through strict practices, revealing how these can distract from true spiritual growth. Instead, we reflect on a...

In today’s powerful episode of the Bible Study Besties Podcast, we dive deep into Colossians 2:1–15 with our special guest, Dr. Ingrid Faro —biblical scholar, author of several books, including her newest, Redeeming Eden , and a passionate teacher of God’s Word. Together we explore the heart of Paul’s message to the church in Colossae and uncover the life-changing truth of what it means to be fill...

In this episode, we dive into Colossians 1:15–29. Together, we unpack the meaning of the supremacy of Christ in Colossians. We also discuss how understanding Christ’s supremacy transforms believers today. Yet, what do we do when we encounter difficult-to-understand Bible passages or verses that seem complex? Join us as we explore practical Bible study methods and learn how to approach challenging...

Grab your Bible, your BSB notebooks, and your favorite color pencils—this episode of Bible Study Besties is all about slowing down and studying together. Today we’re walking through the epistle to the Colossians 1:1–14, looking closely at the words and themes that show up again and again in the passage. As we read, we’ll practice marking keywords to help the message stand out on the page. A great...

Epistles make up the majority of the New Testament, and they’re packed with rich theology, real people from the early church, and responses to misunderstandings and false teachings that arose in those communities. In this episode, we explore how to read an epistle in a way that helps the message truly settle in our hearts. We walk through the typical structure and outline of an epistle, talk about...

In this episode, we take the next step on our biblical roadmap by exploring the historical, cultural, and theological context of the book of Colossians. Understanding Colossians in context is essential for interpreting Paul’s message as it was first heard.  We’re joined by Dr. Cynthia Hester, who helps us unpack Colossians at the time of Paul’s writing. Together, we discuss who the Colossians were...

In this episode of Bible Study Besties , we zoom out for a big-picture overview of Colossians . After reading the entire book straight through in multiple translations, we take a bird's eye view of the letter, explore its main themes, and share our personal takeaways. This episode is the first stop on our Colossians roadmap and sets the foundation for deeper Bible study. Call to Action: Answe...

Drum roll please—we’re studying the Book of Colossians this semester! 🎉 Join us on this Bible study podcast as we dive deep into Scripture, exploring Colossians verse by verse with practical tools for studying the Word of God . Grab your Bible, journal, and colored pencils and follow along as we create a clear, engaging roadmap for meaningful Bible study methods . This podcast is designed to help...

For all times there has been a great battle between two Kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this earth. Jesus came to secure complete and final victory. Join us today as we talk about Herod, the earthly king who rages against Jesus, the true King. 

In today’s episode, we turn our attention to Jesus as our Great High Priest —the one who makes atonement and intercedes, asking forgiveness on behalf of the people. Our scripture comes from Luke 2:22-30 , where Mary and Joseph faithfully bring the infant Jesus to the temple, just as the Law in Leviticus required. What seems like a simple act of obedience becomes a powerful moment of revelation. Th...

In today’s episode, we turn our attention to Jesus as our Shepherd. Reading Luke 2:1–20, we reflect on the wonder that God chose shepherds, men in a lowly and often overlooked occupation, to be the first witnesses of Christ’s birth. These humble shepherds hurried to the manger and bowed before the newborn King, foreshadowing the way Jesus would one day call Himself the Good Shepherd who knows His...

In this episode, we explore how the birth narrative of Jesus reveals Him as the fulfillment of Israel’s deepest longings. Reading Luke 1:67–80, we trace the prophetic words of Zechariah and look back to several Old Testament prophets to understand how Jesus is the true prophet God promised throughout the ages. Together, we discover how Jesus is the true and better Prophet—He not only speaks the wo...

In today's episode we take an inspiring look at the covenants of the Bible — the sacred vows made and upheld by God. A covenant is more than a contract; it’s a divine promise that reveals God’s unchanging faithfulness to His people. From the covenants with Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, and David to the New Covenant fulfilled through Jesus Christ, each one points to the ultimate redemption foun...

In this episode, we talk about how and why to study God’s Word through every season of life—whether you’re a young mother in a busy chapter, walking through a season of grief, or entering a time of quiet abundance and reflection. God’s Word is not just a book—it’s our life, our sustenance, and our anchor when the waves of life rise high or the days feel long. We’ll share practical Bible study tips...

When you open your Bible, do you know what kind of writing you’re reading? In this episode we dive into the genres of the Bible —from poetry and prophecy to narrative, wisdom literature, law, and letters —and why recognizing them is essential for accurate Bible study and interpretation . Understanding the literary genres in Scripture helps us read God’s Word as it was intended, uncovering deeper m...

In this episode we talk about the lens through which women can study Scripture and how to approach hard Bible passages about women. We discuss how to interpret Paul’s writings on women in the church, explore resources for women studying the Bible, and take a closer look at Ruth in the Bible as a model of faith and courage. If you’ve ever wrestled with understanding difficult verses about women in...

In this heart-to-heart wrap-up of our Bible Study Besties journey through Ruth, we reminisce on the powerful lessons we’ve gathered along the way. From rich analogies of the seed of hope and the beauty of a spiritual harvest , to the breathtaking love of God revealed on Boaz’s threshing floor , we celebrate God’s faithfulness on every page. We also unpack the fascinating history of the sandal exch...

In this episode, we explore how Boaz became the redeemer for Naomi and Ruth, and how this points us directly to Jesus Christ, our ultimate Redeemer. Just as Boaz paid the price to rescue Ruth, Christ shed His blood on the cross to buy us back from sin and death. We’ll dig into the biblical definition of a “redeemer” and trace the Hebrew word go’el through the Old Testament, uncovering its rich lay...