Reasoning Through the Bible

Paul is recounting his encounter with Jesus. He tells about the Christian Ananias who was assigned by God to go heal Paul and give him a message.   This passage gives us a chance to talk about when Paul was saved, how God drew him in, and how Paul responded.  Does baptism "wash away our sins?" What should we do if God asks us to do something scary? Has God prepared a wonderful plan for o...

What does the Bible teach about how to take care of the poor?  Does the Bible teach socialism or communism? What responsibilities do rich people have toward the poor?  Do the poor have responsibilities? Does the way the government gives charity align with biblical principles?   Support the show Thank you for listening!!  Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algori...

Paul gives his defense to the Jewish crowd at the temple. We find, however, that he does not really give a defense, but rather gives his testimony.  Paul gives his heritage and his thoroughly Jewish qualifications.  Of what value is a personal testimony?  God must draw people in, but does He draw all people the same? Can Christians start with common ground with non-believers?   Would skeptics come...

As Paul is arrested in the temple, the Jews accuse him of speaking against the law of Moses and bringing Gentiles into the temple complex.  In this passage, the leaders of the church in Jerusalem say Paul had been accused of teaching Jews to forsake Moses.  What did Paul actually teach about the law of Moses?  Are Jewish Christians required to obey the Old Testament law? Does God make distinctions...

The apostle Paul is leaving his close friends of the church of Ephesus and has to turn them over to the care of God.  These verses tell about how Christians are built up in the faith and also talks about an inheritance that Christians receive from God.  What does the Bible teach about giving charity to people who are able to work?  We see Paul have a very sad and tender moment when he leaves the p...

Paul warns the leaders of the church that savage wolves will arise from their midst to draw away the flock.  Today's session discusses Paul's warning about false teachers and heretical doctrine which will arise and challenge the church.  Paul also gives us a chance to talk about limited vs unlimited atonement.  We talk about indictive study methods and how to use them to ground us in bib...

Paul gives his last goodbye to the leaders of the church of Ephesus. These were men who had worked alongside each other in ministry and had a great affection for each other.  In this passage we learn some things about church government, both elders (or overseers) and deacons.  We also learn about making promises to the Lord,  how hard Paul worked in ministry, the churches trials and tears, the kin...

We meet a long-winded preacher and a boy who falls asleep in church. These were the first, but not the last.  Paul has purposed to go to Jerusalem then on to Rome.  This chapter gives a detailed travelog that gives us an accurate history of what Paul and the churches in the first century.   What day of the week should churches meet?  What is the purpose for listing all the travel details? How much...

This episode is a Q&A that discusses the following:  Is it wrong to repeatedly submit to sin? Are all sins equal? Should a Christian be afraid of demonic activity?   Support the show Thank you for listening!!  Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners.  You can find free study and leader resources at the following link -...

This chapter shows us a riot ensues in Ephesus because the livelihoods of the idol makers were impacted by Christianity.   What type of idols do people have today? What happens when the true God gets close to someone's idol?  Are there people today who are getting rich from religion?  What proof do we have that Jesus was correct about what He taught? Support the show Thank you for listening!!...

Some Jewish exorcists try to remove a demon using the authority of Jesus, but instead they get a rude surprise. This story gives us a chance to discuss demonic activity and Christians.  We also see people whose lives are changed by Jesus get rid of the sin in their lives.  Is the office of apostle a special one in history?  Should Christians be afraid of demons?  What is the evidence of true reviv...

This informal discussion is about whether Jews who believe in Jesus are still required to keep the Mosaic Law.  The Mosaic Law has made the Jewish people a distinct people for so long that it becomes their identity, so issues arise when Christians teach about obedience to the law.   What is required of Jewish Christians?  What is the significance of the temple sacrifices?  If a temple is rebuilt,...

This session introduces us to Apollos. Here becomes a becomes a new believer and immediately begins ministry. Apollos "powerfully refuted the Jews in public" when they blasphemed Jesus, and in doing so "greatly helped those who believed."  The same can be true today, for when strong believers correct those who contradict Christianity, the church is encouraged.  We then learn of...

In Acts 18 we meet a local government official who refuses to deal with cases that come before him.  This event not only presents true history but also gives us an accurate historical setting for the entire book of Acts.  This session discusses what happens when leaders are not strong and fair enough to ensure public safety.  Paul takes Priscilla and Aquilla with him on the missionary journey, whi...

Paul pays his own way by being a tentmaker, and in doing so converts his coworkers Priscilla and Aquilla. Paul spends a great deal of time building and teaching a church in Corinth. The Corinthian church, however, has a great deal of questions and issues even though they had so much of Paul's time.   As always, Luke includes a great deal of historical detail which corroborates the book of Act...

Paul is invited by the Greek philosophers to speak with them. Paul starts with something they will understand, an idol to the unknown god, then presents the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul seems to know the philosophers' teaching well enough to address it directly, quoting two their philosopher poets, showing that their teachings are corrected by the gospel of Jesus.   How familiar should Chris...

Paul finds himself in Athens waiting on his friends.  Paul is not idle while he waits, for he speaks with everyone he meets as he goes through daily tasks.  He speaks to Jews, Gentiles who were worshiping the true God, and the Greek philosophers.  God raises Paul's spiritual interest in all these people.  Paul is doing ministry with everyone as he goes through his daily activities.   What mus...

The apostle Paul, still on his second missionary journey, comes to the town of Thessalonica.  There he starts a church but also encounters resistance.  Paul reasons with all of the people he encounters, drawing logical conclusions with them about Jesus.   Many of the problems Paul encounters is due to jealousy, which can cause great problems still today.  Paul converts people, including leading wo...

In this session we discuss Paul in Acts 17 where he evangelizes the philosophers in Athens.    Was it wise of Paul to reason with the Greek philosophers?  How did Paul treat the philosophers compared to the average people in the marketplace and the Jews?  Paul quoted the writings of the philosophers . . . was this effective  or not? How can we beware of philosophy while still being careful to unde...

Paul and Silas were beaten severely and thrown in prison. Yet they were singing praises to God at midnight and all the prisoners were listening. God does a miracle and frees them. In this process, the center of power shifts so that the municipal leaders start out thinking they are in charge, but soon find out who is actually controlling things.   As always, God blesses faithfulness.  What rights g...

In Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer professes belief in Jesus and begins to follow the apostles. Yet later he says things that give us doubt whether he truly was saved.  Since similar situations happen today, how can we know whether someone is saved? In this informal discussion, we talk about Lordship Salvation, professed by John MacArthur, and Free Grace, championed by Zane Hodges.   Can we be saved an...

Paul and his companions travel to Philippi and start a church with a rather eclectic group of people. We meet Lydia, a businesswoman from the upper class, and a slave girl from the lower class.  The Lord delivers both of them.  When Paul casts a spirit out of the slave girl, the owners charge him with a crime and Paul is beaten and thrown in prison.  We again learn of the accurate history in the b...

In this informal discussion, we give comments on our approach to Bible teaching, how churches should teach the Bible, and the Kingdom of Heaven vs. the Kingdom of God.  This session reveals our philosophy of how we approach Bible teaching in our RTTB ministry.  Support the show Thank you for listening!!  Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB a...

What is Covenant Theology?  How about Dispensational Theology? Amillennialism?  In this session we have an informal discussion on our thoughts on these systems and their strengths and weaknesses.  We start with discussing Matthew 19:28 where it says the apostles will sit on twelve thrones judging Israel.   What does this mean specifically?  Was it fulfilled in 70 AD or is it still future?  How are...

This session talks about the disagreement between Paul and John Mark, making sacrifices for the good of ministry, circumcision and baptism as signs of the covenants, Covenant Theology and Israel, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We also learn where Luke joins the ministry team.  Why would Paul circumcise Timothy when the church council just said it was not necessary? Why would the Holy Spirit...