Grasp the Bible

Welcome to episode 29 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin our study of the Book of Jonah, covering chapter 1:1-7.  The series is called “God loves your enemies.”  Today, we discuss the patience of God and cover:  The background and important information about the book  God’s orders (vv. 1-2)  The objection (v. 3)  The furious storm (v. 4)  The fear (vv. 5-7)    Key takeaways:   Many peo...

Welcome to episode 28 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we wrap up our study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians, covering chapter 3.  The series is called “Waiting and Watching.”  Today, we discuss the establishment of Christian living and cover:  Paul’s request (vv. 1-2)  Paul’s reassurance (vv. 3-5)  Isolating troublemakers (v. 6)  A model work ethic (vv. 7-10)  Working in a quiet manner (vv. 11...

Welcome to episode 27 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue in our study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians, covering chapter 2.  The series is called “Waiting and Watching.”  Today, we discuss the man of lawlessness and cover:  The underlying issue (vv. 1-2)  The rebellion and the man of lawlessness (vv. 3-5)  The restraining of the man of lawlessness (vv. 6-7)  The coming of the man of l...

Welcome to episode 26 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin our study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians, covering chapter 1.  The series is called “Waiting and Watching.”  Today, we discuss God’s righteous judgment when Christ returns and discuss:  The greeting (vv. 1-2)  Paul’s praise of the church at Thessalonica (vv. 3-4)  Paul’s promise to the church at Thessalonica (vv. 5-10)  Paul’s pr...

Welcome to episode 25 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we wrap up our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 5.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss when Christ returns and cover:  Be ready (vv. 1-3)  Stay alert (vv. 4-8)  We have a great destiny (vv. 9-11)  Responsibility toward the pastor (vv. 12-13)  Responsibility toward one another (vv. 14-15)  Respo...

Welcome to episode 24 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 4.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss the model walk of the believer and cover:  Walking to please God (vv. 1-2)  Walking in holiness (vv. 3-8)  Walk in hope (vv. 14-18)    Key takeaways:   Our daily walk…what we think, say and do on a daily bas...

Welcome to episode 23 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 3.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss the ideal model Christian brotherhood and cover:  Paul’s review (vv. 1-5)  Paul’s report (vv. 6-9)  Paul’s request (vv. 10-13)    Key takeaways:   Suffering and persecution are inevitable.  Christians are se...

Welcome to episode 22 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 2.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss the ideal Christian worker and cover:  The faithful steward (vv. 1-6)  The gentle mother (vv. 7-8)  The concerned father (vv. 9-16)  The loving brother (vv. 17-20)    Key takeaways:   When the Word of God is...

Welcome to episode 21 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 1.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss:  Background information  Greeting, prayer, and thankfulness (vv. 1-5)  Faithfulness in the midst of suffering (vv. 6-10)    Key takeaways:   Churches must help their members understand who they are, how they a...

Welcome to episode 20 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we conclude our study of the Book of Philemon, covering vv. 17-25.  The series is called “Forgiving Others When They Wrong You.”  Today, we discuss:  The request to welcome Onesimus (v. 17)  Paul’s plan to pay (vv. 18-20)  Paul’s future plans (vv. 21-22)  Paul’s fellow workers and closing (vv. 23-25)    Key takeaways:   Whenever a debt is...

Welcome to episode 19 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of Philemon, covering vv. 8-16.  The series is called “Forgiving Others When They Wrong You.”  Today, we discuss:  Paul’s authority and attitude (vv. 8-9)  Paul’s relationship with Onesimus (vv. 10-14)  The providence of God (vv. 15-16)    Key takeaways:   Paul is a great picture of Christ as a mediator. ...

Welcome to episode 18 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin a three-week study of the Book of Philemon.  The series is called “Forgiving Others When They Wrong You.”  Today, we discuss:  Background information about the time in which the letter was written  The greeting (vv. 1-3)  Paul’s prayers and thankfulness for a dear friend (vv. 4-7)    Key takeaways:   Christians should approach so...

Welcome to episode 17 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we conclude our study of the Book of Habakkuk.  We discuss:  God’s action in nature (3:8-11)  God’s actions in nations (3:12-15)  Habakkuk’s faith (3:16-19)    Key takeaways:   God’s presence and power are so incredible that even the earth shakes and crumbles in His presence.  Just as the earth is in awe, so we should tremble in the prese...

Welcome to episode 16 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue in our study of the Book of Habakkuk, wrapping up chapter two and starting chapter three.  We discuss:  Three different woe speeches (2:12-20)  Habakkuk’s prayer (3:1-7)    Key takeaways:   Gains or achievements made by harming, oppressing, or taking advantage of others do not last.  They will eventually be brought to ruin.  G...

Welcome to episode 15 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue in our study of the Book of Habakkuk, wrapping up chapter one and starting chapter two.  We discuss:  Habakkuk’s dilemma (1:12-17)  God’s second reply (2:1-5)  Woe to the extortioner (2:6-8)  Woe to the greedy and arrogant (2:9-11)    Key takeaways:   Sometimes what we know about God causes more problems for us than what we do...

Welcome to episode 14 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we conclude our study of the Book of 2 Timothy and cover chapter 4.  The title of the message is, “The Personal Appeal.”  We discuss:  The need for consistent behavior (vv. 1-5)  The rewards for self-sacrifice (vv. 6-8)  Paul and his coworkers (vv. 9-13)  A warning about an enemy (vv. 14-15)  A reminder of God’s power to deliver (vv. 16-1...

Welcome to episode fourteen of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we are opening up the Book of Habakkuk and covering chapter 1:1-11.  The title of the series is, “Where’s the Justice? (Why do Unrighteous People go Unpunished?).”  We discuss:  Background information (author, date, recipient, purpose)  Habakkuk’s first complaint about violence and injustice (vv. 1-4)  God’s reply (vv. 5-11)    Key...

Welcome to episode 12 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we return to the Book of 2 Timothy and cover chapter 3.  The title of the message is, “The Prophetic Appeal.”  We discuss:  The characteristics of the false teachers in Ephesus (vv. 1-5)  The actions of the false teachers (vv. 6-9)  The fact that persecution is coming (vv. 10-13)  The sufficiency of Scripture in our lives (vv. 14-17)    K...

Welcome to episode 11 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we return to the Book of 2 Timothy in our series called “The heart of a finisher.”  Today, we cover chapter 2.  The title of the message is, “The practical appeal.”  We discuss:  Traits necessary for effective ministry (vv. 1-7)  The hope, promise, and fulfillment found in Jesus (vv. 8-13)  The futility of engaging in meaningless discussi...

Welcome to episode ten of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin our 4-week study in the Book of 2 Timothy with a series called “The heart of a finisher.”  Today, we cover chapter 1.  The title of the message is, “The pastoral appeal.”  We discuss:  Paul’s gratitude for his ministry and for Timothy (vv. 3-5)  A call for Timothy to be courageous (vv. 6-7)  A reminder that being a Christian inv...

Welcome to episode nine of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we conclude our study of the Book of 1 Timothy by covering chapter 6.  The title of the message is, “The Church and Its Ministry, Part 2.”   We discuss:  The responsibility of Christian slaves (vv. 1-2a)  Opposing false teachers (vv. 2b-5)  The greed of false teachers (vv. 6-10)  Paul’s final charge to Timothy (vv. 11-16)  Instructions...

Welcome to episode eight of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we return to the Book of 1 Timothy and cover chapter 5.  The title of the message is, “The Church and Its Ministry, Part 1.”   We discuss:  Proper treatment of men, women, genuine widows, and young widows in the church (vv. 1-16).  Instructions on the treatment of pastors (vv. 17-25).    Key takeaways:   Paul’s advice on how to treat t...

Welcome to episode seven of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we return to the Book of 1 Timothy and cover chapter 4.  The title of the message is, “The Church and Its Minister.”   We discuss:  Godless shepherds (the false teachers) in vv. 1-5  Godly shepherds in vv. 6-16    Key takeaways:   Paul had warned the Ephesian elders that false teachers would invade the church (Acts 20:28–31); and now t...

Welcome to episode six of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we return to the Book of 1 Timothy and cover chapter 3.  The title of the message is, “The Church and Its Members.”  We discuss:  The shepherds of the church [pastors and deacons] (vv. 1-13)  The sheep of the church (v. 14)  The chief shepherd of the church (v. 15)    Key takeaways:   Paul establishes the character traits that church lea...

Welcome to episode five of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we return to the Book of 1 Timothy and cover chapter 2.  The title of the message is, “The Church and Its Members.”  We discuss:  The role and power of prayer (vv. 1-7)  The proper behavior of men and women in the church (vv. 8-15)    Key takeaways:   Paul urges his readers to pray for government officials, even those who are hostile to...