How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

WHAT DOES IT SAY? 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. This is Paul’s last final instructions for us in this letter. 4 big points: 1. Be wise in your way 2. Make the most of every opportunity 3. Shape our conversation 4. Know how to answer...

FOLLOW NICOLE FOR THE FREE COLOSSIANS READING PLAN! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtostudythebiblepod/ Email Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/ FIND MORE FROM CARLEY: Listen to Carley's Podcast Therapy + Theology: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therapy-theology-with-carley-marcouillier/id1565826125 S...

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you t...

Last week, we covered the big idea of Colossians, be sure to check that out if you haven’t: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3U6gRAC Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3TSodIa Grab the FREE Colossians reading plan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtostudythebiblepod/ Email Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/ WHAT DOES IT SAY:...

Our new series starts today!! Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be in the book of Colossians. FOLLOW NICOLE FOR THE FREE COLOSSIANS READING PLAN! Starting 10/31 we will have a reading plan as we cover the book of Colossians. You can receive that by following me in one of a few places: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtos...

WHAT DOES IT SAY? Jacob Wrestles with God 22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of...

We are part of a very big story. Every single one of us who calls on Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is a living stone. Every single one of us has a precious and important part to play in creating this spiritual house, this place where God dwells. I am living my life out as a piece of the dwelling place of God! I take my little piece everywhere I go. Everywhere you go, you bring a dwelling pla...

God calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, over and over in Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments. God is establishing his covenant through these families; God’s chosen people is created – these families become the Israelites. And we, through Christ, are the new Israel as believers. As Galatians 3:18 tells us, “we are all one through Christ Jesus.” *WHAT DOES IT SAY?* Genesis...

Why does it matter that we study these Old Testament stories? When we’re able to zoom way out and see what God has been stepping in to help the generations before us, we’re able to place our own sufferings and struggles in context. The God of our Fathers is our God, too. The covenants God has made with our forefathers are for us, too. WHAT DOES IT SAY? 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to hi...

This episode is the second in a series we are calling God of Our Fathers. Find all of our episodes here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/ 1. WHAT DOES IT SAY? Notice how God is personal and relational. “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” 2. WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY? Abram is childless but kn...

WHAT DOES IT SAY? 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”...

RESOURCES: Help, My Bible Is Alive!: https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Bible-Alive-Understand/dp/1641580216 Subscribe to Nicole’s weekly podcast, Let's Be Real: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-be-real-with-nicole-unice/id1505817001 FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https:...

In this episode of the Happy Rant, Ted Kluck, Ronnie Martin, and Barnabas Piper wander to and fro through a variety of topics: 1. Who we are, a brief introduction for new listeners 2. What we love about podcasting together 3. How we would describe our show: The Seinfeld of podcasts, a Piper family dinner party, and a description to aspirational college students Subscribe to Happy Rant: Apple Podca...

This month we are re-airing Nicole’s 2020, 4-part miniseries called "Comfort in God’s Promises." We'll be using what we learned through the Alive Method of Bible Study in order to apply God’s never-changing truth to the ever-changing circumstances of our lives. “When the things we have found our comfort and security in are failing, it is at that point Jesus invites us to go deeper with him.” - Nic...

This month we are re-airing Nicole’s 2020, 4-part miniseries called "Comfort in God’s Promises." We'll be using what we learned through the Alive Method of Bible Study in order to apply God’s never-changing truth to the ever-changing circumstances of our lives. “As a people of God, we are called to bold and courageous action. But when our lives get smaller and smaller because of the fear of what w...

This month we are re-airing Nicole’s 2020, 4-part miniseries called "Comfort in God’s Promises." We'll be using what we learned through the Alive Method of Bible Study in order to apply God’s never-changing truth to the ever-changing circumstances of our lives. In this episode, Nicole unpacks how to go to Scripture to find hope in stressful times. Learn what it looks like to "go back to home base”...

If you’ve been in the church or faith for a while, the temptation to believe “God, aren’t I good enough to get the best from you?” When we say that, we really mean what seems best to us. This is an easy but dangerous mindset for the “good person” to slip into. In this last session in our Stories Jesus Told series, we are looking once again at the Prodigal of the Lost Son. But this week, we’ll be l...

“We will find ourselves far from home all throughout life, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The question is, when we find ourselves there, what will we do with grace?” This is perhaps the most famous parable Jesus told. This week, we are looking at this story from the eyes of the father, and the eyes of the younger son. Check out: Rembrandt’s ‘Return of the Prodigal So...

A reminder: A parable is a story that tells us a spiritual truth. The blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith. We have a part in accepting that invitation. 1. WHAT DOES IT SAY? The question asked of Jesus: What does it mean to be righteous? What behaviors make you righteous? Jesus shocked them with a different way to see the kingdom. The man preparing the ban...

“We do not become less needy and less dependent when we pray, we become more needy, more dependent, that is to say, more human.” - Eugene Peterson God invites us into a relationship where we are more dependent on him, not less and less. 1. WHAT IT SAYS One friend is needy and dependent on another. What makes the other friend finally get up? The persistent, shameless knocking. 2. WHAT’S THE BACKSTO...

This week, we’re looking at two different stories about debts owed, Jesus’ response to those debts, and our experience with forgiveness. Forgiveness does not necessarily always mean the restoration of a relationship. If someone hurts you repeatedly, it does not mean you should put yourself in a position to be hurt again and again. But what God does call us to is forgiveness, because it is good for...

Parable means “to throw alongside” – Jesus uses everyday stories to teach spiritual truths. - 1. - What does it say: This story is so familiar that even those outside of Christianity know and use the phrase “the good Samaritan.” Who are the characters? The lawyer – this was a religious leader whose job it was to interpret the Law for the people, to explain how to live righteously. People groups ca...

We are kicking off a new series this week! Stories Jesus Told: A Series on Parables. Today, we’re looking at the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-15. In light of Jesus’ resurrection, let’s look back at the way of his teaching and the relevancy of his lessons for us today. “A parable is not to tell us something new, but to remind us of something we’ve overlooked.” - Eugene Peterson - 1. What does i...

Every single day you face temptation. And every single day, you have tools to remember who you are and who you belong to. You my friend, are a child of God. FIRST - What’s the backstory? Remember, at this point in our reading, we will have questions! Here are a few of mine: Does God lead us to temptation, or to sin? How does God deliver us? Who is the evil one? For answers, let’s look to Scripture...

1. What Does It Say? “Forgive/Forgiven”, “Debts/Debtors” – We are asking God for forgiveness. We also forgive our debtors. What is going on when we forgive someone? 2. What Is the Backstory? Jesus is preaching in the Sermon on the Mount – a primer to a completely different way of life in the Kingdom of God. This verse has a legal background – Deuteronomy 15:2. Debt must be address. We are in a def...