Discover the Word Podcast

There is a section of scripture in the Old Testament that most of us rarely turn to—the Minor Prophets. These prophets have come to be known as the minor prophets, not because they are of minor importance, but because of their shorter length in contrast to the major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel). We’ll take several weeks to get an overview of these important, yet often...

There is a section of scripture in the Old Testament that most of us rarely turn to—the Minor Prophets. These prophets have come to be known as the minor prophets, not because they are of minor importance, but because of their shorter length in contrast to the major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel). We’ll take several weeks to get an overview of these important, yet often...

“Lord, have mercy.” It’s the most prayed prayer in the Bible. In this series of 10 conversations, pastor and author Robert Gelinas joins Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan at the table to explore what happens when the Bible’s most prayed prayer becomes our most prayed prayer. The Mercy Prayer—learn how it is the one prayer God always answers.   WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE: 📱On our website: https://w...

“Lord, have mercy.” It’s the most prayed prayer in the Bible. In this series of 10 conversations, pastor and author Robert Gelinas joins Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan at the table to explore what happens when the Bible’s most prayed prayer becomes our most prayed prayer. The Mercy Prayer—learn how it is the one prayer God always answers.   WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE: 📱On our website: https://w...

There are so many stories we read in the Gospels where we wish we had more details. Jesus tells parables that we wish had more of an explanation. Jesus often uses complicated metaphors that we wish came with more questions and answers. Basically, we often wish we had more context to understand what Jesus is driving at. Well for the next two weeks, we are going to focus on one of the stories in the...

There are so many stories we read in the Gospels where we wish we had more details. Jesus tells parables that we wish had more of an explanation. Jesus often uses complicated metaphors that we wish came with more questions and answers. Basically, we often wish we had more context to understand what Jesus is driving at. Well for the next two weeks, we are going to focus on one of the stories in the...

In this series we’ll look at five sentences that describe Mary of Bethany and the progressive relationship she had with Jesus. We’ll consider what Mary’s encounters with Jesus meant to her, how they layered to form a powerful relationship and how we too can enjoy such a relationship. How might these same sentences describe our journey to Jesus – and the difference He makes in our lives?   WAYS TO...

End 2023 with a collection of episodes from the past 12 months and beyond in this "Best of Discover the Word" week. Start with some classic Christmas conversations Haddon Robinson and Alice Mathews had with Dr. Kenneth Bailey. Will they wreck many things about Christmas for you, or will they enhance your understanding of Christmas? Then flash back to some memorable conversations the group had with...

When the angel, Gabriel, informed the teenage virgin, Mary, that she would become pregnant with the Messiah, she responded with a firm “yes!” And then she offered up what Luke calls a song of praise. Because she began her words with attributing majesty to God, her song was named “The Magnificat” in Latin. What did her melody to God mean for her in her day? And how can it sing truths we need to hea...

In this series of conversations, the group goes in-depth on a word we talk about a lot on Discover the Word. It's the Hebrew word hesed. It's one of the primary ways God introduces himself to the world, and implies perhaps the biggest promise God made to people. So what does that word hesed mean? And what is the promise? Explore how hesed dominates how God is described throughout the Bible, and ho...

I think we can agree that we live in an amazing world filled with amazing things and people. But there are also amazing things to ponder in the spiritual realm. Most notably, when we consider the story of the scriptures we should be amazed continually. This was so front of mind for the gospel writer Mark that no less than nine times in his account of the story of Jesus, he describes the people who...

I think we can agree that we live in an amazing world filled with amazing things and people. But there are also amazing things to ponder in the spiritual realm. Most notably, when we consider the story of the scriptures we should be amazed continually. This was so front of mind for the gospel writer Mark that no less than nine times in his account of the story of Jesus, he describes the people who...

Is Hebrews 4:12 referring to the Bible when it says, “The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword?” Pastor, author, and longtime seminary professor Sid Buzzell leads the group in a study of Hebrews 4:12-16. The book of Hebrews is, from beginning to end, about Jesus and so explore with Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and Sid Buzzell the difference a proper understanding of...

Spend four weeks studying through Paul's letter to the Philippians with Bill and Elisa and Daniel and Rasool. They'll each take turns leading a chapter as they discover how it's possible to have joy in the struggles of life; how we can find joy in serving; and in what sense we can "do all things." It's another study through a book of the Bible that will inform how you read the Scriptures and chall...

Spend four weeks studying through Paul's letter to the Philippians with Bill and Elisa and Daniel and Rasool. They'll each take turns leading a chapter as they discover how it's possible to have joy in the struggles of life; how we can find joy in serving; and in what sense we can "do all things." It's another study through a book of the Bible that will inform how you read the Scriptures and chall...

Spend four weeks studying through Paul's letter to the Philippians with Bill and Elisa and Daniel and Rasool. They'll each take turns leading a chapter as they discover how it's possible to have joy in the struggles of life; how we can find joy in serving; and in what sense we can "do all things." It's another study through a book of the Bible that will inform how you read the Scriptures and chall...

Spend four weeks studying through Paul's letter to the Philippians with Bill and Elisa and Daniel and Rasool. They'll each take turns leading a chapter as they discover how it's possible to have joy in the struggles of life; how we can find joy in serving; and in what sense we can "do all things." It's another study through a book of the Bible that will inform how you read the Scriptures and chall...

Pastor and author Timothy Keller says the the "sexual revolution" that started in the 1960's was not the first sexual revolution. In fact, he believes it's a step back from the first, Christian sexual revolution that Jesus and his first century followers initiated. And while Christian sexual ethics might look more restrictive on the surface, he contends that they actually promote a much higher vis...

There is a phrase that appears continuously in the scriptures, particularly it seems to be an idea that is important to the writer of the letter to the Hebrews. And what makes this phrase interesting is that some see it as a command. I would suggest, rather, that it is an invitation—an invitation to join with the writer in walking with Jesus. The phrase? “Let us…” He is not telling his readers wha...

"Eating the bread of anxious toil." How does that make you feel? Well, the Discover the Word group goes on a journey this week, searching for the word "toil" in the Bible. They'll start at the beginning in the story of Creation in Genesis, touch down twice in the middle of the Old Testament, and then find the word "toil" in two New Testament passages. And interestingly, in following the theme of "...

How do you read your Bible? Behind every story or character, there is bigger theology happening behind the scenes. At the heart of the stories, we see ordinary people like us encounter and be transformed by the Creator of the universe. Join us on Discover the Word this week as we dive into the stories of the men featured in 3rd John and see how each story explores their understanding of Christ.  ...

We have all seen the glorious crowns that royalty wear, but did you know you have a glorious crown too? Scripture tells us that “when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory” (1 Peter 5:4 NLT). Join us on Discover the Word this week as we examine different references to our crowns through the Bible and how our understanding of them affects our daily spiritual liv...

Have you ever been told you’ve used the Lord’s name in vain but not understood why? The third commandment is often misunderstood and misapplied. Why is that? Join our conversation in this episode of Discover the Word about the third commandment and discover how “bearing God’s name” is a theme throughout Scripture that is often misunderstood.   WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE: 📱On our website: http...

If we understand how precious the gift of grace is, it becomes our responsibility to share that gift with others. Each day there are opportunities to serve one another and sow seeds that bring joy, but only if we are willing to extend the kindness and grace that God shows each of us. Join us in Discover the Word as we conclude our study on Galatians and see that, yes, it is all about grace.   WAYS...

We talk about grace a lot, but do we really understand it? Paul shares that “Christ has truly set us free” (Galatians 5:1), but do we experience freedom if we don’t embrace the grace that only He can give? Join us in Discover the Word as we examine what grace from God looks like, and how that completely changes the way we view ourselves and others.   WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE: 📱On our websit...