Exploring the Bible with Scott & Ken

Scott Allen leads today's study from Genesis 41:14-21, 33-40. Joseph seems to have experienced repeated misfortunes in life that landed him first as a slave and now a forgotten prisoner, yet everything he supervises goes well. Has God been fair to Joseph? What is God's plan for Joseph? When a troubling dream indicates a national crisis for Egypt, Joseph is brought to Pharaoh's attentio...

Ken Travis leads today's lesson as an overview of the start of Joseph's story that begins in Genesis 37 and then continues in chapter 39. Joseph is betrayed by older brothers who can't stand him being daddy's favorite and his big dreams. God watches over him as he is sold into slavery, lands a position of responsibility, proves his integrity, and yet is sent to prison by a scorned woman.

Ken Travis leads today's lesson in Genesis 35:1-15. Faced with another family crisis, this time instigated by his sons, Jacob commits to obeying God's summons and seeking God's cleansing. His earnest consecration serves as an example of spiritual renewal.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Genesis 32:21-32. Returning home more than two decades after stealing his brother Esau's blessing, Jacob was alarmed to hear that Esau was approaching with a company of 400 men. Seemingly defenseless, Jacob sent an array of gifts to appease Esau and then divided his family into two camps and send them across the Jabbok River. Jacob was alone, except fo...

Ken Travis leads us in a study of Genesis chapter 30 and summarizes Jacob's time working for and living with his uncle Laban. Jacob's family grew as he obtained not one but two wives, but his desire to return to his homeland led to conflict. Uncle Laban proved to be devious like his nephew Jacob, but in the midst of man's greed and deception, God proves faithful over our past, present,...

Scott Allen leads a timely investigation of the resurrection story through the eyes of Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, and John the beloved disciple. Was the resurrection story a long-planned conspiracy? Is our faith just a religious fairy tale without supporting evidence? Is the gospel impersonal? Join us as we see what the Bible says about Easter Sunday.

Ken Travis leads today's study of Genesis 28:10-22 about Jacob's vision while fleeing his brother Esau and traveling to meet his uncle Laban. A stairway to heaven appears (sometimes called Jacob's ladder) and more importantly God appears and promises His presence and protection, affirming that Jacob is the heir of the blessing of Abraham.

Scott Allen leads this study, focused on Genesis 27:18-33, which completes the first chapter of the stories of Jacob and Esau. While it may seem strange that God would reward a trickster like Jacob, a deeper view reveals it was Isaac and Esau who were in rebellion against God's prior decision to extend His blessing to the world through Jacob's descendants, the future Israelites. This lesso...

Ken Travis leads today's study of Genesis 24:1-27. Isaac is about 40 years old and has never married. After the passing of Isaac's mother, Abraham sends his servant on a mission to seek out a wife for Isaac from the land of his kin. Faced with a daunting task, the servant asks God guidance in finding the right girl, and thus begins the story of Isaac and Rebekah.

Scott Allen leads a study of Genesis 22:1-14. Isaac was the sole heir of Abraham and thus the child of promise. But did Abraham value the promise more than the God who promised? God puts Abraham's faith to the test for the benefit of all, foreshadowing the blessing of the Messiah that God would give for all nations.

Ken Travis leads a tragic study of the fate of the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities failed to heed God's warning about homosexual acts and other sins. Their utter depravity and selfish desires made them unhospitable and unloving. Moreover, they had crossed into God's judgment and would soon face His fiery wrath. Only Lot and 3 of his family members, led out by two angels, wo...

Through several personal appearances, God made Abram remarkable promises regarding his descendants and their eventual promised land. Scott Allen leads today's study where God clarifies his covenant with Abram, renaming him Abraham, establishing a physical sign of the covenant and narrowing those who qualify for the promises.

Ken Travis catches us up on the events of Genesis after chapter 13. After a successful rescue of his nephew Lot in chapter 14, in chapter 15 childless Abraham receives confirmation about the promise of a multitude of future descendants. Abraham's response of faith establishes the standard for all followers of God, but in chapter 16 Sarai's impatience in receiving God's promise leads to...

Noah and the survivors of the ark knew both the surety of God's judgment of sin and the relief of God's grace towards them. God had reset their world, and with it came new relationships, new requirements, and new reassurances. God gave all future generations a heavenly sign. It is of utmost importance that we understand God's message as one of individual justice, judgment, and redempti...

Generations after Noah, Abram (later renamed Abraham) was the next recorded recipient of a covenant with God. God's promises to Abram occurred in a series of statements throughout Abram's life. Although Abram was childless, we learn God's grand plans to make a nation out of Abram's descendants. Yet God had more than just one family in mind to bless. God would bless every nation on...

Ken Travis leads a study of Genesis 11:1-9, a "flashback" that gives context to Genesis chapter 10. God had commanded man to fill the earth. Instead of obeying and honoring Him, some sought to gather together and make a name for themselves. At Babylon, God scattered and confused their speech, leading to a world full of nations and different languages, a precursor to today's world.

Ken Travis catches us up on the story of Genesis chapter 6 through 8 as Noah is tasked with building an ark. Noah's family and select animals would find salvation, while judgment awaited a world given over to wickedness.

Scott Allen leads today's study over Genesis 4:1-15. The first pair of sons led to the first sibling rivalry and the first homicide. We see that sin hinders worship and leads to destructive behavior, while God always acts with justice and offers mercy to prevent violence from cycling out of control.

Ken Travis leads today's lesson over mankind's fall into sin and death in Genesis 3:1-14, 20-24. Satan's deceptive and destructive tactics have not changed as we study the old serpent's bait, hook, landing, and stringer.

Ken Travis leads our study of Genesis 2:7-9, 15-25 as we focus on the sixth day of creation and explore man's accommodations, assignment, and aloneness. This aloneness remains "not good" until remedied by the creation of woman and the first complementary marriage relationship.

Scott Allen begins a new quarterly study of the first book of the Bible, Genesis. In Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31, and 2:1-3 we consider how God's activity in creation relate to our everyday lives as believers in Christ.

Scott Allen leads our concluding lesson from the book of Mark from Mark 16:1-14. Jesus resurrection is proclaimed and confirmed by the first news and first appearances of the resurrected Jesus. Amid the surprising events of resurrection day, the issue of unbelief arises as formidable obstacle to faith.

Ken Travis leads today's lesson out of Mark 15:24-39 as we read Mark's account of the cross, the blasphemy, and the crucifixion.

Scott Allen leads a study of Mark 13:24-37 along with earlier verses as we learn what Jesus said about the revelation of, recognition of, and readiness for His return.

Ken Travis leads our discussion and exploration of Mark 11:12-25. A fig tree is cursed, a temple is cleansed, and the disciples' faith is challenged. Throughout this story, lessons about meeting spiritual needs are taught and obstacles to prayer are identified.