The Bible by David Alley

Luke begins his second book which is a history of the things the Lord did through the early believers, the Acts of the Apostles. Chapter one commences with the decision to replace Judas who died, with Matthias, so that there would remain 12 apostles of the lamb. Join David Alley as he reads Acts 1 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

The third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples was after they had been fishing in Galilee and had caught nothing. It was a dramatic encounter which fills the entire last chapter of John, and contains not just the miracle of the fish, but his words to Peter about both Peter and John. Join David Alley as he reads John 21 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

One of my favourite parts of the Bible is where Jesus appears to the twelve a second time, and this occasion Thomas is there. Thomas doubts, but then believes and cries out "My Lord and My God." Having visited the tomb of St Thomas, this whole chapter is alive for me. Join David Alley as he reads John 20 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

The last six chapters ofJesus were detailed, covering the many words Christ spoke to his disciples the night before he died. Now the action kicks in aplenty with in the space of one chapter Jesus is sentenced, flogged, crucified, dies and is buried. Join David Alley as he reads John 19 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

In John 18, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane when Judas comes with a mob to take him. He is then taken before the Sanhedrin and then Pilate on trial. The things he says surprise us to this day. Join David Alley as he reads John 18 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

In John 17 we have a whole chapter which is a recorded prayer of Jesus. In that prayer he prays for himself, for the disciples and for those who will believe - in other words, you and I. Very few of Jesus' prayers are recorded, so what was it exactly that he prayed? Join David Alley as he reads John 17 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

The Largest part of the Gospel of John is last supper, which covers a period of five entire chapters. In chapter 16, Jesus promises to send another comforter, the Holy Spirit who will be with them forever. These things are as relevant to us now as they were to the disciples then. Join David Alley as he reads John 16 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

Jesus teaches us that He is the TRUE Vine... a remarkable thing to say given all the Old Testament already said about Israel as the Vine. He then goes on to explain how by abiding in Him, a number of remarkable things will happen. Join David Alley as he reads John 15 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

In my Father's house are many mansions, right? That is certainly what the King James Version says, but there is another way of understanding what Jesus said to his disciples. Join David Alley as he reads John 14 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

The most surprising thing happens, Jesus does the thing for his followers, that his followers should have been doing for him. He demonstrates that instead of our focus being about what should be done for us, we should focus on how we can serve others. Join David Alley as he reads John 13 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

About six days before Jesus dies, he is at dinner with Mary, Martha and Lazarus, when Mary pours a pint of spikenard oil on Jesus' feet and anoints him for his burial. She knows what she is doing, but nobody else has a clue, least of all Judas. How did she know? Join David Alley as he reads John 12 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

In John 11 one of Jesus dearest friends dies. The shortest verse in the Bible records that 'Jesus wept.' After waiting four days, and the body had begun to decompose, Jesus returns saying "I am the resurrection and the life." He then raises Lazarus back up causing many to believe. Join David Alley as he reads John 11 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

In John 10 Jesus talks about how he is the Good Shepherd, and the door for the sheep pen. He also talks about "other sheep" but who are these other sheep? Some suggested they might be aliens, but the answer is much more down to earth than that. Join David Alley as he reads John 10 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

Jesus heals a man who is blind, and was born that way. But we are all born blind and all of us need to see. This chapter is both about the miracle that Jesus performs and also the miracle of spiritual sight. Join David Alley as he reads John 9 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

A woman caught in the act of adultery is brought before Jesus. (Where was the man?) He is reminded that she must be stoned for her sin, and they ask Jesus what to do? He wants to extend mercy, but cannot ignore justice for sin. He is trapped between law and grace? How would you respond? Join David Alley as he reads John 8 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

Jesus attended all the major festivals, and some of the minor feasts in Jerusalem. In John 7 he is attending Tabernacles, the festival at which you live in a tent for a week. During that time, there is division in Jerusalem about Jesus because he does Messiah-like things such as miracles, but says the most (in their opinion) un-Messiah-like words. Join David Alley as he reads John 7 and then discu...

John's gospel not only has seven signs (miracles) but also seven 'I AM' statements of Jesus. The first of the 'I AM' statements occurs here when Jesus says "I am the bread of life." This entire chapter talks about bread, and the bread of heaven, and there are some interesting things to observe about communion out of this chapter. Join David Alley as he reads John 6 and then discusses the chapter a...

A man lame for 38 years is healed by Jesus in the most remarkable place - a five-sided pool at Bethesda. Details of the pool are themselves a bit controversial, as was the healing of this man at the time that it happened. Join David Alley as he reads John 5 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

On his walk back to Nazareth Jesus goes through Samaria - a region not overly hospitable to Jews. Jesus meets a woman at the well and has (for her) a most surprising encounter, which results in the entire city of Sychar coming to faith in Christ. Along the way we learn about double speak, and about the Samaritan religion and about true worship. Join David Alley as he reads John 4 and then discusse...

Nicodemus wanted to follow Jesus, but was a Pharisee. In this chapter Nicodemus has a nightime meeting with Jesus, possibly in secret, to discuss what it means to be his follower. In their conversation we learn about what it means to be born again, something about how to enter the kingdom of heaven, and find the most famous bible verse of all, John 3:16 Join David Alley as he reads John 3 and then...

There are seven signs or miracles in John, and this is the first, a remarkable creative miracle at a wedding. The wine had run out, but Jesus creates more from six amphora vessels filled with water. CS Lewis said this was not a remarkable miracle because.... Join David Alley as he reads John 2 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

John the last of the four evangelists opens his gospel up with an astounding set of verses, and commences to reveal Jesus to the world in a completely different way to the previous three Gospels. Join David Alley as he reads John 1 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

Jesus is alive!!! And he appears multiple times to his disciples in surprising ways revealing himself again. In this chapter he walks with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, a town 11 kilometres away, but they don't realise it is him until a few hours later. Join David Alley as he reads Luke 24 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

Jesus is tried, declared innocent, and then sentenced to death. A more unjust scenario could not be described. Luke 23 describes Luke's account of the passion of Christ. Join David Alley as he reads Luke 23 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.

Luke recounts the last supper and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is in such agony that blood comes out in his sweat, a condition known as hematohidrosis. Join David Alley as he reads Luke 22 and then discusses the chapter and these issues.