Digging In

In this week’s episode, Mickey highlights the faith of Abraham and how he obediently walked with God into uncertainty. Abraham trusted God’s promises, and his faith was counted to him as righteousness. Mickey then examines how Abraham had to persevere and grow in faith, trust, and belief while waiting on God’s promises to be fulfilled—much like we are often called to do today. The episode also exp...

In this week’s episode, Tony highlights the faithfulness of God and how He continues to partner with imperfect people to carry His story forward. Tony also explores genealogies and how God uses them—and the people listed within them—to show how, and through whom, He faithfully advances His redemptive plan. Lastly, he discusses covenants and altars—God’s binding agreements with humanity, initiated...

In this episode, Brian introduces our 2026 Digging In and UPI Bible Reading Plan in Genesis chapters 1-4. He highlights the idea that we have a tendency to view ourselves through a Genesis 3 lens, where we should be viewing ourselves through a Genesis 1-2 lens. He then explores the Connected Kingdom that God created in Genesis 1-2 where mankind was safe and secure, but how Genesis 3 initiated a se...

For 2026, our UPI Bible Reading Plan will take us on a two-year journey through the entire Bible, reading books from both the Old and New Testaments each year as we explore its overarching story. Our podcast will once again follow the plan, releasing episodes ahead of each week’s readings. Our goal remains the same: to encourage and challenge you, to teach and highlight key themes, and to motivate...

In this episode, Brian explores how our faith is not meant to be lived in isolation, but in community—shared, practiced, and experienced together as we follow Jesus here and now, participating in God’s work of uniting heaven and earth. Brian then reflects on the hope, longing, and anticipation many of us feel—each in different ways and seasons—for the second coming of Jesus. While that future hope...

In this week’s episode, Mickey explores what is truly at stake in the final battle between the Kingdom of Heaven, which will stand forever, and the empires of this world, which cannot last. Mickey reminds us of the essential elements of a Kingdom mindset, contrasted with the values and patterns of an empire mindset. He explains that Babylon—or the beast—is not only a worldly system, but something...

In this week’s episode, Teddy highlights God’s faithfulness and reminds us that He always preserves and sends a witness in a broken and hostile world—calling people back to Himself. Teddy then explores the two beasts of the empire—its socio-economic and religious systems built on selfishness and false worship—and shows how John encourages believers to remain faithful to the Lamb, giving their alle...

In this week’s episode, Simon explores the scenes and imagery of Revelation 1–8, showing how they mirror the grand opening ceremonies of the ancient Roman Empire’s Olympic Games. He then unpacks how the world—and its empire-minded systems—has fractured the shalom of God and fallen out of sync with its Creator. But there is hope for the people of God. Finally, Simon urges us not to lose heart, but...

In this week's episode, Tony kicks off our study of The Revelation of Jesus Christ and highlights why that title is so important. He highlights the rich symbolism found throughout the book and reminds us that John was writing to a real audience in a real moment in history. To understand Revelation correctly, we must first understand what John was communicating to them before we apply it to our liv...

In this week’s episode, Brian walks through 2 Peter 1:3–8 and explores how God, through His divine power, has given us everything we need for life and godliness—and what that should practically look like in our lives. He highlights the importance of listening to the voice of King Jesus and understanding what He says about us. As we follow Jesus through the gift of the Spirit, the natural outflow s...

In this week's episode, Mickey closes out 1 Thessalonians and begins 2 Thessalonians, exploring how suffering shapes our lives—either pushing us away from God into isolation or drawing us closer to Him for deeper intimacy and spiritual growth. He highlights Paul’s call to live a life pleasing to God, even in hardship: a life increasing in love for others, marked by sober-mindedness, readiness for...

In this week’s episode, Ted wraps up our time in the Gospel according to John and begins Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. He highlights the familiar voice of the Good Shepherd—cutting through the noise, comforting the brokenhearted, and restoring the shame-filled "failure". Teddy points out that even on the cross, it was Jesus’ voice fulfilling His promise and surrendering His Spirit. As...

In this week’s episode, Simon digs deep into Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Spirit, describing Him as the ongoing voice of the Good Shepherd who guides His flock into all truth. He explores Jesus’ teaching on the vine and the branches, focusing on the spiritual fruit that grows as the life of the Holy Spirit flows through us when we remain connected to the Vine. Simon also highlights the powerful wit...

In this week’s episode Tony walks us through John chapters 9–13, focusing on the theme: “Hearing the Good Shepherd’s Voice.” Tony explores how Jesus transforms lives—not just by healing physical blindness or raising the dead, but by calling people into their true identity through His voice. He reflects on the bold faith of the formerly blind man, the resurrection of Lazarus, and Mary, Lazarus' sis...

In this week’s episode, Brian explores the depth of the Shepherd’s love for us and how, out of that great love, Jesus shepherds His flock so tenderly and faithfully. He highlights how Jesus sees people—not through the lens of shame or failure, but in their true identity—and how that recognition leads to life-changing transformation in everyone who truly encounters Him. Brian also challenges us wit...

In this week’s episode, Mickey wraps up 1 Peter and begins our journey through the Gospel according to John, focusing on the powerful sheep and shepherd theme woven throughout these chapters. He explores the transformation that happens when we follow Jesus—moving from worldly goats to sheep in His fold, and eventually growing into shepherds who reflect Christ’s heart. Mickey highlights how Jesus,...

In this week’s episode, Teddy unpacks the unified message of John and Peter: we are called to be living witnesses of the truth and hope we have in Jesus. He challenges us—don’t quit, don’t bend, and to stand firm. Teddy speaks to the real pressures we all face in a culture that pulls us away from truth, and reminds us that our hope in Jesus is a living hope that sustains us through trials, refinin...

In this episode, Simon unpacks the letter of 1 John, highlighting what the apostle John knew from firsthand experience—walking with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Simon explores three major themes in the letter: - God is light—so walk in the light, not in darkness. - Hold fast to the truth about who Jesus really is. - Let love be the defining mark of your life. He also emphasizes the heartbeat...

In this episode, Tony unpacks Paul’s continued warnings to Timothy and Titus about false teachers and the damage their influence can cause. He highlights how the inspired Word of God is powerful—useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in right living—so that the man of God is equipped for every good work that God may have for him. Tony emphasizes the repeated call in Paul’s letters...

In this week’s episode, Brian explores one of the enemy’s subtle tactics—to steal, kill, and destroy by stirring up arguments over non-essential aspects of our faith, ultimately causing division. He highlights the story of Paul—formerly Saul—a well-intentioned and passionate, but misguided persecutor of the early Church, whose flawed understanding of Scripture led him astray. Brian challenges us t...

In this week’s episode, Mickey wraps up 2 Corinthians and begins 1 Timothy, highlighting the life adjustments that come with our new identity in Christ and the Kingdom way of living we’re called to. He then reflects on Paul's challenge to the Church in Corinth to "Examine their lives in order to see if their faith was genuine." Mickey then reveals the heart behind the challenge, transformation mot...

In this episode, Teddy tackles the often uncomfortable topic of giving—sharing his own struggle with a scarcity mindset as a minor league umpire. He unpacks Paul’s teaching on godly generosity: how repentance transforms our hearts, making giving a joyful response to all we've received in Christ. Teddy also explores the sowing and reaping principle—how our generosity sows seeds for others to hear t...

In this episode, Simon introduces Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, highlighting how it serves as a window into the apostle’s heart — reaching out in love after conflict. He explores the emotional and powerful imagery Paul uses to remind the Corinthian church of who they are in Christ, and the renewed perspective they are called to have. Simon also unpacks Paul’s passionate plea to non-beli...

In this week’s episode, Tony takes us back to chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians, focusing on the Giver, the purpose, and the power of the spiritual gifts. He reminds us that every gift is given by the Spirit as He wills—not for personal recognition, but for the benefit of the whole body. Tony also highlights that love is the most essential gift we receive from God, and without it, even the most powerf...

In this week's episode, Brian unpacks how the Corinthians were learning to follow Jesus in a culture vastly different from His way—discovering what it means to live by the Spirit and reshape their lives in response. He then turns to the Lord’s Supper, highlighting the challenges the Corinthian church faced in truly understanding the significance of this sacred practice—and recognizing the One they...