Discover the Word Podcast

How long do you think your attention span is? A lot has been written about the attention spans of people, and there’s debate about whether attention spans are getting shorter or not. Well, if it’s true that we have short attention spans, and if they are potentially getting even shorter, there’s a really important invitation in the Bible that we’re going to struggle with. It's an invitation that shows up 1000 times--the invitation “to behold.” What does it mean to "behold", and why is "beholding" so important? Explore that with the group in this study called Behold. Receive Does your attention span seem to be getting shorter? If the cares of this world are pulling you in all different directions, perhaps it’s time to pause and ponder why the Bible invites us more than 1,000 times to “behold!” We live in a world of glimpses and glances, but it’s through beholding God that we are transformed and find abundant life. What could taking time to “behold” look like for you? Reflect In Genesis 1:29–31 (NASB), why did God invite Adam and Eve to behold His creation? And why did God stop and behold His creation? Beholding something can have a positive or negative effect on us. How was the new pharaoh affected by beholding the increasing number of Israelites in Egypt in Exodus 1:8–10 (ESV)? How was Pharaoh’s daughter affected by beholding baby Moses in Exodus 2:6 (NASB)? How did beholding the burning bush affect Moses’ life in Exodus 3:1–2 (NASB)? What is the psalmist beholding in Psalm 119:18 (NASB)? What are the Israelites not regarding or beholding in Isaiah 5:11–12 (NIV)? Why won’t God behold or regard His people’s offerings in Amos 5:21–22 (NIV)? How can we guard against beholding someone in a dishonoring way as seen in Esther 1:10–11 (NRSVA)? How can we join the psalmist in Psalm 27:4 (NRSVA) in longing to behold God’s beauty and wanting to see His goodness as we read in Psalm 27:13 (NRSVUE)? How can we join the psalmist in his desire to behold what we know is true in our heart as is mentioned in Psalm 42:1–3 (NRSVA)? Why are we told to behold in both Matthew 1:22–23 (NASB) and Isaiah 7:14 (NASB)? What role does the word behold play in John 1:29 (ESV)? What should we behold as we read Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)? Who should we behold as we read Revelation 1:12–18 (ESV)? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for Your loving invitation to stop and behold You! Help me to pause and take time throughout my day to notice Your hand in my life. Help me not miss Your goodness, grace, and mercy that’s available to me every day.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Reclaim Today Prayers for Ordinary Life Listen: In God's Presence Does Sabbath Still Matter? Read: The Intimacy of Prayer: Stepping into God’s Presence My Soul in Silence - Learning How to Pray Watch: Psalm 84:1-3 - Residing in His Presence Exodus 33:14 - God Is Always with Us

Is there someone you think would never respond positively to the gospel? Join us and our guest Jennifer Greer as we explore if Jesus was playing a form of the "Most Likely/Least Likely To . . ." game in Luke 17 to show us we can never guess who is the most/least likely to receive Him. Receive The “Most Likely/Least Likely To . . .” game is a fun icebreaker activity in which players guess which group member is most likely or least likely to do something. Have you ever played this game? As we read Luke 17 and ponder the deeper meaning behind the 10 leprous men being healed, we discover that Jesus likes to surprise us when it comes to who is most likely/least likely to respond to the gospel. How can we, like Jesus, welcome those who seem like the least likely to receive Him? Reflect Why was it so significant that Jesus was traveling between Jerusalem and Samaria in Luke 17:11–13? Why did Jesus instruct the men to go to the priests after being healed in Luke 17:14? How does knowing that it was the Samaritan man who returned to worship Jesus in Luke 17:15–16 help remind you that Jesus welcomes the ones who may seem like the least likely to respond to Him? What did Jesus say made the Samaritan man well in Luke 17:17–19? After reading about the Samaritan man in Luke 17, who was the only one to return and praise God, how does that inspire you to reach out to people who are far from Jesus? What could your next step toward reaching out to the least likely with the love of Jesus look like? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for calling me to follow You even when I seemed like the least likely to respond. Help me to remain grateful that you saved, redeemed, and cleansed me. Help me to reach out to those who may seem like the least likely to follow You.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: The Story of Dan Week 1 The Story of Dan Week 2 How to Read the Bible in Its Ancient Context | Baker Academic Listen: The Untouchable The Woman at the Well Read: When the Good News Includes Our Enemy - Luke 10:27–37 Samaria & the Israelites: The Good Land Goes Bad Watch: Samaria: The Good Land (The Holy Land) Love Others Like Jesus Does (John 13:34-35)

Some time ago Elisa led us in conversations about "tables" and how certain mealtimes moved the story of the Bible forward. For these two weeks Bill wants the group to consider the opposite—how famines (or the lack of food) was a catalyst for biblical events and a force for change in the lives of the characters of the Scriptures. Receive As we ponder why God allowed His people throughout Scripture to experience famines, we can see that God was still working to draw them closer to Him. God is at work in our life as well. When we face hardships and difficulties in our life, let’s remember that God is near. How does reading about how God provided for men and women throughout the Bible help remind you that He is faithful to help you through any trial you may face? What could drawing closer to God even during difficulties look like for you? Reflect Why did God allow someone as faithful as the prophet Elijah to suffer through a famine as we read in 1 Kings 18:2? During famines, how did God provide for Elijah in 1 Kings 17:7–11 and Elisha in 2 Kings 4:38– 41? Why did the four men with leprosy mentioned in 2 Kings 7:3–5 respond to the famine the way they did? Why did Jesus mention a famine in His parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:14? Based on Romans 8:35, not even famine can separate us from God’s love. How does knowing that truth encourage you during difficult times? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that You love me and provide for me even during the most difficult times. Please help me to draw closer to You, even when I’m experiencing a famine or lack in my life. Help me to trust Your unending goodness, grace, and mercy.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Joseph by Bill Crowder Tables in the Story of God Week 1 Tables in the Story of God Week 2 The Book of Naomi The Gospel of Ruth Inseparable God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times Listen: The Miraculous life of Elisha | Part 1 The Miraculous Life of Elisha--Part 2 Read: Faithful to the Faithful: 2 Kings 4 Why Should I Trust God? Watch: Trusting God in the Dark with Katie Lewis (Unshakable Moxie) God Is at Work in All Things | Romans 8:28-29

Some time ago Elisa led us in conversations about "tables" and how certain mealtimes moved the story of the Bible forward. For these two weeks Bill wants the group to consider the opposite—how famines (or the lack of food) was a catalyst for biblical events and a force for change in the lives of the characters of the Scriptures. Receive When we stop and consider that so many men and women in the Bible experienced various hardships, including famines, we see how God was still working in their lives to draw them closer to Him. From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and his family to Naomi and Ruth and King David, they all found themselves in challenging situations. Some of their circumstances may raise some difficult questions, but they also offer some helpful insights into what it means to be people of faith, who in spite of any questions, learn to trust God even in life's most difficult times. How does reading about how God helped well-known Old Testament figures even during times of famines help you trust God despite your circumstances? What could your next step toward trusting God during hard times look like? Reflect How might Abram’s response to a famine in Genesis 12:10 have influenced how his son Isaac response to the famine in Genesis 26:1? How did the famine mentioned in Genesis 42:5 work out for good for Jacob and his family? How did God give Naomi beauty for ashes after the famine mentioned in Ruth 1:1? Why did King David want to avoid the famine mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:13? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for being with me even in difficult times. Help me to trust You despite my circumstances. Help me to love and serve You whether I’m in a season of feast or famine.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Joseph by Bill Crowder Tables in the Story of God Week 1 Tables in the Story of God Week 2 The Book of Naomi The Gospel of Ruth Listen: Inseparable God Is at Work Read: It's Not Fair - Trusting God When Life Doesn't Make Sense Navigating the Wilderness Watch: Never Out of God’s Sight - Genesis 41:1 Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21

Receive It may be one of the most well-known verses on confession and forgiveness in all of Scripture, but what does 1 John 1:9 mean? And how can it impact the way you live both day to day and from here to eternity? As you consider this Bible verse phrase by phrase, may this crucial statement penned by Jesus’ disciple, John, become a reality to you. 1. If we confess . . . 2. . . . . our sin . . . 3. . . . He is faithful and just . . . 4. . . . and will forgive our sin . . . 5. . . .and purify (cleanse) us from all unrighteousness. How does exploring the meaning of this life-changing Bible verse help you discover God’s immeasurable love and mercy for you? What could your next step toward learning more and receiving God’s forgiveness look like? Reflect Why is fellowship with God and others, which is mentioned in 1 John 1:1–4, so special and vital? Based on 1 John 1:5–7, why are believers called to walk in the light? According to 1 John 1:8–10, how does God respond when we confess our sin to Him? How does Jesus help us when we sin, according to 1 John 2:1–2? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that if I confess my sin to You, You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me. Please help me not to sin. And when I do sin, please help me to be quick to confess it to You and quick to receive Your forgiveness.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Our Daily Bread Ministries Ambassador Program Listen: When We Sin - Week 1 When We Sin - Week 2 Read: Forgiveness Defined The Gifts of Confession Watch: John 8:1-11 - Why God Hates Sin Jerusalem: The Cost of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)

Ever wonder about the cultural norms left unsaid in the Bible? Discovering the collectivist perspective will help you better understand Scripture. Receive If we read the Bible exclusively from our Western individualist point of view, we may miss or misunderstand cultural values everybody in the ancient Mediterranean world understood. As this week’s guest, Randy Richards, reminds us, the values of kinship, patronage, and brokerage, which focus on the family or group dynamic instead of an individual, are found throughout Scripture. We also find examples of honor, shame, and boundaries in the Old and New Testaments that are used as tools to help enforce and strengthen these cultural values. Understanding the ancient Mediterranean culture that the Bible is set in can enrich our understanding of some Scripture passages. How has discovering some of the cultural backdrop of the Bible helped you gain a deeper understanding of Scripture and how the Bible applies to your life? What next step could you take toward learning more about the cultural context of the Old and New Testament? Reflect Why were the Pharisees trying to shame Jesus in Matthew 9:11? How was the apostle Paul trying to use shame in a positive sense in 1 Corinthians 15:34? In 1 Timothy 2:9, how was the apostle Paul trying to use shame in a positive way to encourage women to stand up against the culture’s way of dressing? Based on Romans 1:1, what was the role with the highest honor for the apostle Paul? How were the chief priests, teachers of the law, and the elders trying to have an honor contest with Jesus in Luke 20:1–8? Why did Jesus tell the parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9–14 to those who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else? Why is the apostle Paul setting a boundary in 1 Corinthians 10:27 –28? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that as I grow in my knowledge of Scripture, I can grow deeper in my love and understanding of You! Help me to dive deeper into Your Word, so my relationship with You can grow stronger. Help me to gain wisdom that I can apply to my life.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by our guest E. Randolph Richards Listen: Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes (with guest Randy Richards)) Understanding How to Read the Bible Today Read: Starting in the Right Place How Should We Read the Bible—and What Type of Book Is It, Anyway? Watch: In Pursuit of Peter In Pursuit of Paul

How does our Western/individualistic perspective limit our understanding of the Bible that was written from an Eastern/collectivist perspective? Discover some cultural norms left unsaid in Scripture. Receive As we read Scripture through the lens of our Western culture, this week’s guest, Randy Richards, reminds us that we may miss or misread some key values embedded in the Ancient Near Eastern culture the Bible was written in. Our Western individualist culture values “me” over “we,” but the Eastern collectivist culture that the Bible was set in values kinship, patronage, and brokerage that emphasize the family or group dynamic rather than an individual. Understanding the ancient Mediterranean culture that serves as the backdrop for the Bible can add rich context that can shed a whole new light on some passages of Scripture. How can discovering the cultural context of the Bible help you better understand and apply Scripture to your life? What could your next step toward learning more about the cultural context of the Old and New Testament look like? Reflect What can you learn about the family dynamics between Joseph and his father and brothers by reading Genesis 37 through the lens of valuing kinship, which emphasizes strong family ties and parents mediating between siblings? How does Ephesians 2:8 model the value of patronage, which emphasizes a patron giving a gift to help rescue a loyal friend? How do 1 Timothy 2:5 and 1 John 2:1 model the value of brokerage, which emphasizes having a mediator speak on your behalf? How do you feel reading John 1:12 and 1 Thessalonians 1:4 knowing you are part of God’s family? Based on Matthew 6:3 and Luke 6:35, how are Jesus’ disciples supposed to differ from the patronage culture of that time? How significant is it that Jesus calls His disciples, including you, His friends in John 15:15? Based on Romans 1:20–21 and Psalm 50, how are we to respond to God’s gifts? In Luke 7:1–10, why did the centurion send Jewish elders and then friends to Jesus instead of going to Jesus on his own? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that understanding more of the Bible’s cultural context can help me get a deeper understanding of You! Help me grow in my knowledge of Scripture so I can grow in my love for You! Help me to apply Your words to my life.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by our guest E. Randolph Richards Listen: Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes Misreading Paul | Week 1 Misreading Paul | Week 2 Read: Understanding the Original Situation In the Beginning: Reading Genesis and Exodus Watch: Biblical Context Explained The Holy Land

Struggling with worry and anxiety? No matter what you’re struggling with, discover how to cast your cares on God. Receive It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with worries, cares, and anxious thoughts, but you’re not meant to carry all those burdens on your own. Jesus said not to worry, and the apostle Paul said to cast all your cares on God. What are you worried about? What may be hindering you from trusting God with your worries, anxious thoughts, cares, and concerns? What could your next step toward trusting God more and worrying less look like? Reflect How does it feel knowing that God wants you to cast all your cares on Him as it says in 1 Peter 5:7 and that we’re to be anxious for nothing as you read in Philippians 4:6–7? How does Matthew 6:19–34 help you to not worry so much about tomorrow? How does the good soil Jesus mentioned in His parable found in Luke 8:4–18 differ from the other soil He mentioned? How can you stay focused on what matters most like Mary in Luke 10:38– 42 instead of being distracted by good things like Martha? How does Timothy’s genuine concern for the well-being of the Philippian church that the apostle Paul commended him for in Philippians 2:14–24 differ from unhealthy worry? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that I don’t have to be consumed with worry and anxious thoughts. Thank You that I can go to You with all my cares and concerns. Help me to keep trusting You no matter my circumstances.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Resilient Bible Engagement and "The Power of 4": A Key to Spiritual Growth| Center for Bible Engagement| Our Daily Bread Listen: Resilient Don’t Worry! Read: The Resilient Life How Can We Put Our Worries to Work for Us? Watch: Uncovering Resilient Faith with Lina AbuJamra (Unshakable Moxie) Worrying Steals Your Days - Luke 12:25

The apostle Paul often used the theme of running in his letters. Discover what he might have been trying to tell us through his running metaphor. Receive The apostle Paul often used the metaphor of running a race to remind his readers, and us, how important it is to run our race well. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul encouraged believers to run away from sin and temptation and to run toward God. What have you been running toward lately? Is there something you need to flee from in your life so you can pursue God instead? What could your next step of running toward God look like? Reflect How can you run away from sin and temptation as the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:14? What does it look like to “run in such a way” as it says in 1 Corinthians 9:24? According to 1 Corinthians 9:26–27, why is it important to be disciplined along your Christian journey? Based on 1 Corinthians 14:1, what are we to be running toward? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that You are with me as I run the race You have set before me. Help me to run away from sin and temptation and run to You with my whole heart. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit can empower me to run my race well.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: In Pursuit of Paul Listen: Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes Paul, the Letter Writer | Week 1 Paul, the Letter Writer | Week 2 Read: The More Excellent Way: What Paul Actually Means in 1 Corinthians 13 Spiritual Disciplines | Running the Race Watch: Why Do We Have to Struggle? | 1 Corinthians 10:13 Cleansing the Body and Spirit – 2 Corinthians 7:1

In a sense, you could say that the entire Bible is about God’s desire to dwell with his people. Immanuel—God with us. Experiencing God’s presence is what we were created for. And we are promised in Scripture that if we seek God, we will find Him. But how do we experience the presence of God when we don’t see Him or feel like He’s with us? Well, in this series of conversations with Dr. David Mathewson, the Discover the Word group explores how experiencing God’s presence can be a regular practice and experience of God’s people. And time In His Presence can transform, heal, and empower us. Receive From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is the story of God dwelling with His people. We were created to commune with God, but it can be challenging since we can’t see or feel Him. How can you experience God’s presence on a regular basis? Is there something hindering you from spending time in God’s Word and in prayer and worship so you can experience His transforming, empowering, and healing presence and power in your life? God longs to make His presence known to you. What could your next step toward seeking God’s presence look like? Reflect How does Genesis 1–2 reveal God’s desire from the very beginning to dwell among His people? According to Hebrews 4:11, why is spending time with God so important? How do you feel knowing that we have access to God the Father through His Son Jesus as it says in Hebrews10:19–22? What did the Bible figures mentioned throughout Hebrews 11 get commended for and how can that encourage you on your journey? What helped the psalmist in Psalm 73 go from despair to hope? Even now, how can you gaze upon God’s beauty as it says in Psalm 27:4? How does Revelation 4–5 fill you with hope for what awaits in heaven? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that You long to spend time with me. Thank You that I can feel Your presence even though I can’t see You. Help me as I seek to feel Your loving, healing, and empowering presence in my life. Thank You that in Your presence, there is fullness of joy!” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: 30 Days in God's Presence by Dr. David Mathewson from Denver Seminary and Jennifer J Fitzgerald Listen: What Is Faith? Does Sabbath Still Matter? Read: In His Presence The Promise of Presence - John 14:15–17, 25–31 Watch: Hebrews 11:1 - Biblical Faith Revelation 4:8 | Holy, Holy, Holy