Daily Bible Studies

In this video, the Pastors explore Luke 4:14-30, where Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue. The passage he reads describes the coming of the Messiah and the good news of salvation for the poor, the captive, and the oppressed. But instead of receiving Jesus' message with joy, the people of Nazareth reject him and try to throw him off a clif...

In this video, we explore Luke 4:1-13, the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. We'll dive into the significance of each temptation and what it reveals about Jesus' identity and mission. Along the way, we'll also consider how this story speaks to us today and what it means to resist temptation in our own lives. Whether you're a long-time Christian or just curious about the...

Luke 3:21-28 tells the story of Jesus' baptism. Surprisingly, Luke's telling is incredibly short. While other Gospel writers paint a picture filled with details, Luke emphasizes God's voice claiming Jesus as his Son and his Beloved. The inclusion of the genealogy only serves to emphasize this point and launch us headlong into the stream of Jesus adult ministry in the pages to follow. Thank you for...

Today, Luke finishes his introduction to John the Baptist by recounting his teaching to some of the first century's most controversial people. Join the Pastors as they explore what we can learn from John's message of repentance and how it should inform our own reception of the Gospel today. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your understanding of the Bibl...

Skipping forward more than fifteen years, Luke introduces us to John the Baptist calling crowds into the wilderness to be baptized and repent from their sins. He reminds them that it isn't their family name, or faith practices that will save them, but rather a truly heart changing encounter with God. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your understanding o...

In Luke 2:36-52, we meet Anna the Prophetess in the temple who sees Jesus and rejoices to have seen the redeemer, only to quickly move on to the same temple years later when Jesus returns as a young boy and carries on theological conversations with the most respected theologians of his day. Clearly, Luke introduces us a child who, though humble, is wise beyond his years. Thank you for joining us,...

In Luke 2:21-35, Simeon and Anna, two elderly and devout Jews, are waiting in the Temple for the Messiah to come. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised, Simeon takes the baby in his arms and praises God. He says that Jesus is the Savior of Israel and that he will be a light to the Gentiles. Anna also praises God and says that Jesus is the redemption of Jerusalem. Simeon...

The shepherds were living in the fields near Bethlehem when an angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had been born. The shepherds went to see Jesus in a manger and were amazed to find him there. They told everyone about what they had seen and heard, and everyone who heard them was amazed. The shepherds were the first people to hear about the birth of Jesus and the first people to see him...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 2:1-7, which tells the story of Jesus' birth. They point out how easy it is to miss all of the unique and important details of the story due to how familiar we are with the story. In particular, they explore Luke's emphasis on the ordinariness of Jesus' birth and the agency of Mary. They also note the foreshadowing of Jesus' unheralded arrival and the tension between...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:67-80, which includes Zacharias' prophecy about the coming of the Messiah and the role of John the Baptist. The Pastors analyze the text and its significance in connecting the Old and New Testaments, and they discuss the prophetic nature of John's words and the importance of understanding why the early church so emphasized Jesus' role in fulfilling the promises of...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:57-66, which tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist. They discuss the significance of John's birth and his role as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. They also note the importance of the name John, which was given by God, which emphasizes the foreshadowing of John's ministry and his connection to Jesus. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely hel...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:39-56, which includes Mary's song of praise. They discuss the many different themes of the passage, including the idea of the great reversal, the importance of gratitude and praise, and the diversity of writing styles and genres used by Luke. They also note Luke's emphasis on the lowly and the poor, and the way that encountering Jesus should continue to lead to a r...

Today, Mary responds with faith to the angel and her entire life (in fact, the life of the entire world) changes. The Pastors reflect on the theological implications of this story, including the role of the Holy Spirit and the significance of the women involved. They also emphasize the importance of approaching the text with a sense of wonder and openness to its mysteries, as there is more than wh...

Today the Pastors reflect on Mary's response to the news of her being chosen for the role of being the mother of Jesus. They touch on some of the theological debates surrounding Mary's role in Christianity but also emphasize how Mary should continue to be a role model of faith for Christians of every faith tradition. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in you...

Today's study of Luke 1:18-25 describes Zachariah's encounter with an angel who tells him that he and his wife will bear a child. Zachariah expresses doubt and is punished by being unable to speak until the prophecy is fulfilled. The Pastors explore themes of doubt, faith, and the response to God's work in one's life. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in yo...

Today, Luke begins Jesus's story in a surprising place, not with the story of Mary and Joseph but with the story of Zechariah. Join the Pastors for a conversation about the priesthood, what it means, how it connects Jesus with the Old Testament prophets, and much more! Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your understanding of the Bible. Please be sure to s...

When beginning the story of Jesus, Luke begins with a story that sounds a great deal like the stories of Genesis. We are invited into the struggle of a righteous couple who cannot conceive. Elizabeth and Zachariah will become recipients of God's powerful restoration and their son will become one of the most important figures in the Gospel of Luke besides Jesus, himself. Thank you for joining us, w...

Today we begin studying the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. These first few verses, reveal how important witnesses are to Luke in his telling of the story and how integrally connected this story is with the book of Acts. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your understanding of the Bible. Please be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be...

Today we introduce the Gospel of Luke, its author, and its themes. The Pastors describe Luke as a historian who seeks to record the story of Jesus and the church, with a particular focus on the marginalized and the down-and-out. They also note Luke's emphasis on geography and his use of sophisticated language. In the end, Luke's Gospel is accessible and well-crafted, making it a good starting poin...

Today the Pastors summarize their time in the book of Exodus, touching on themes such as God's relationship with the Israelites, the struggles and doubts of the people, and the importance of community. They also draw connections between Exodus and the New Testament, and emphasize the humility and gratitude that should come with faith. Be sure to return on Monday for the beginning of the next study...

In Exodus 40, the Tabernacle is finally set up according to God's specific instructions, signifying the end of the book. The people of Israel started as a group with a place but no identity, and now they have a temporary place with the hope that this is not their final condition. The book of Exodus provides a metaphor of journeying by stages, reminding us that journeys are hard and that freedom is...

In this Bible study, the Pastors discuss the next few chapters of Exodus, which are mostly a repetition of the instructions given to Moses on how to make the tabernacle and its various components. They discuss the importance placed on the construction of the tabernacle and the sacred items, which is seen as a response of faithfulness to God. They also note that the language "as the Lord commanded"...

The people of Israel showed their generosity and willingness to work by bringing offerings for the work of the Lord. This demonstrated their dedication to God and their willingness to give the best of what they had and stands as a constant encouragement to be people of faith whose lives are marked by generosity. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your und...

Today we begin a new section of Exodus that details how the people begin to construct the tabernacle as God had commanded them. To start, Moses reminds the Israelites to work for six days and to observe a holy Sabbath on the seventh day, with a warning of harsh punishment for anyone who breaks the rule. This is reiterated throughout the book of Exodus, emphasizing the importance of the Sabbath in...

In Exodus 34:29-35, Moses is physically changed by his time with God, radiating a visible light that intimidates the Israelites. This passage speaks to Moses' relationship with God and with the people, as well as the idea that we can reflect God's presence in our lives. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your understanding of the Bible. Please be sure to...