How to Study the Bible

Today, we're delving into the Old Testament, specifically Judges 6 through 8, to discuss the story of Gideon. This narrative is deeply personal to me, as it reflects my own experiences and the lessons I've learned about faith. What do we do when our faith falters, when we have questions? This story has so much to teach us. The context of Judges reveals a cycle of rebellion among the Israelites, who have turned away from God and are suffering the consequences. Despite their struggles, God sends messengers and judges to guide them back, but they often ignore these figures. This backdrop sets the stage for Gideon's story, which unfolds during a particularly challenging time for Israel. Gideon, the least in his family and from the weakest clan, is found by an angel of the Lord while secretly threshing wheat to avoid it being stolen by the Midianites. The angel greets him as a "mighty warrior," which is ironic given Gideon's humble circumstances. Gideon questions why they have been abandoned by God if He is truly with them. The angel responds by encouraging Gideon to go in the strength he has, assuring him that God will be with him to defeat the Midianites. Gideon's faith is hesitant, but he engages with the angel, asking for a sign to confirm the message. After receiving a miraculous sign, Gideon is convinced and embarks on a mission to tear down an altar to a foreign god and build one for the Lord instead. Despite his fear, he follows through, and his father defends his actions when others question them. As we conclude this episode, we see Gideon's faith beginning to grow, even from a place of doubt and weakness. Next week, we'll continue with Gideon's story, discussing the significance of asking for signs and what it means for our faith. I invite you to read Judges 6, 7, and 8 to prepare for our next discussion about Gideon and the concept of laying out a fleece before God. Three questions we can always ask the Bible as we study: What is this story teaching me about people? What is this story teaching me about God? What is this story teaching me about God's interactions with people? THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up For  When you go to NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide!  Find all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

While Nicole is on a break, we're replaying some of your favorite episodes from the archives. Be sure to grab a copy of Nicole's latest book Not What I Signed Up For! This short letter is rich, deep, and will challenge how we have looked at Bible study so far. This pastoral letter, written by an older Christian, encourages us toward assurance and confidence in our faith.As we begin to open this letter, remember that this letter has a tone of fellowship, joy, and blessing. Big Overview of the Letter: Circular themes of true doctrine, obedient living, fervent devotionWalking through 1 John 1 with the Alive Method:1. What does it say?Themes of light/darkness, cleansing, sin2. What’s the back story?
Connection back to the gospel of John
Circular themes--keep a list of questions
3. What does it mean?
There is a process to forgiveness
There is a path to our righteousness
4. What does it mean for me?
The practice of confession
 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

While Nicole is on a break, we're replaying some of your favorite episodes from the archives. And be sure to grab a copy of Nicole's latest book Not What I Signed Up For! Have you ever struggled with being content? Have you ever had that little thought in your mind, “If only I had more, if I only had that thing, then I would be at peace”? Today, we’re talking about the superpower of contentment in your lives. This ancient Scripture is incredibly relevant for our age, as we wrestle with our own contentment and the American Dream culture in which we live. Truly, our whole lives are bombarded with the message that there is just one more thing around the corner, that if you experience contentment, you will get peace. But is that true? Let’s examine this in light of what the teacher of Ecclesiastes tells us about contentment. RESOURCES: Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up ForFind all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Has the true story of the cosmic reality of what Jesus has done for us on the cross and through his resurrection been lost on you? Has the story grown stale? My prayer is this passion week, you might hear something in this chapter you haven’t noticed before, and remember the joy of your salvation. RESOURCES: Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up ForFind all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble ----------- WHAT DOES IT SAY? This week, listen to Nicole read Luke 23:1-43 and perhaps read it aloud to yourself or your family. The darkness of humanity is on display. WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY? Pilot and Herod – power players in this passage. They almost play with Jesus like he’s an object. The crowd – would have been some of the same people who were fed by him on the hillside, heard his teachings, put palm branches down for him – has now turned on him. Barabbas – an actual criminal. Jesus, the innocent one literally takes the place of the guilty one. The passion of Christ is to take the sin and guilt of the world upon himself, even for those who do not know what he is doing. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Often the temptations and trials that come to us are meant to prepare us for a future moment of greater temptation. Jesus’ temptation by Satan (that we discussed earlier in the series) prepares him for his encounter with Herod. We are a fickle kind of people. We are swayed by power and fear. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? In the darkest that the world has to offer, Jesus is still so close. He is taking the punishment for your sin, the weight of sin for you, so that we can be with him in paradise. Fall upon his mercy, even though you don’t deserve it. Jesus remembers you, you are blessed. What kind of person comes to Jesus? See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” Are you willing to accept Jesus on his terms? FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever wondered what God’s Kingdom is? Well, it’s God’s rule and reign in every aspect of life. Today, Nicole and David talk about kingdom versus empire. What is that kingdom like? And then they discuss how Jesus brings victory in the kingdom through his resurrection, and how that restores shalom.  Learn more from David and his work at Arrabon: https://arrabon.com/a-people-a-place-and-a-just-society/  Get the introduction and first chapter to Nicole's latest book here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it mean for us to be a people who reflect God's image and likeness? And what has the fall done to us? In this episode of How to Study the Bible, Nicole sits down with David Bailey, the head of Arrabon, a ministry working to build "a reconciling community." In this special episode, Nicole and David look at the big story of the Bible and zoom in on the first few chapters - God as Creator who creatively imagines and creates a flourishing world, and the fall of Adam and the ripple effects of idolatry on our lives today. Learn more from David and his work at Arrabon: https://arrabon.com/a-people-a-place-and-a-just-society/  Get the introduction and first chapter to Nicole's latest book here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Think about the last few years of your life. How would you describe them? No doubt there have been some beautiful moments, but it's almost certain that you have walked through trials that have left you thinking, This isn't what I signed up for. You're not alone - in today's episode, Nicole and Rev. Rachel discuss Nicole's new book Not What I Signed Up For. Together they chat about the events that led Nicole to write this book, as well as the process of choosing a title and subtitle. Listen as Nicole and Rachel also discuss the life of Joseph and how his story can teach us a few things about God's plan for our lives. Get the introduction and first chapter here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today, Nicole and Rev. Rachel are tackling your tough questions - and we mean tough! A lot of the questions we have in life are questions precisely because there is not an easy, black and white answer. So we are going to go into God's Word together to see what the BIble has to say about your questions, and we trust that you'll do the same as you bring your own questions to God and see what His Word has to say about them. Have a Bible or life question you want Nicole to tackle? Send your questions to nicole@nicoleunice.com!    Questions we answer today: 1. How do we correctly interpret John 15:22-24? (03:39) 2. How do I care for and support a loved one struggling with depression? (10:15) 3. What does God require for salvation? (19:15) 4. What is the biblical basis for women serving as pastors? (21:11) 5. Specific Bible study recommendations that offer scholarly insights (24:35)   Follow the Show: https://apple.co/3uXtWFs / https://sptfy.com/Q9rW    Resources Mentioned: Study Bible links: https://amzn.to/3T1UFIT  Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!   FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life can be really hard if you are trying to figure out how to follow God in your everyday life. Whether you're raising your children, trying to show up well in your workplace or your school, people are tough and messy. And often when we face that kind of trouble or conflict, we're trying to figure out, how do I show up with love? How do I show up with energy? We can get kind of stuck in that. We can get in our own heads about who we are and what we need to be, and when are we supposed to speak up and when are we supposed to be quiet? It is really hard to know how to be confident in the places that God's called us.  In today's episode, Nicole reminds us: What insecurity is and why it's hard to shake What Philippians 2 has to say about finding real confidence and lasting peace What it means to work out our salvation with fear and trembling What God's work is in our life, and what our work is in our life (and why knowing the difference makes all the difference!) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we extend our series on "five words to live by" for one more week as we delve into the theme of "remembering" and its significance in our spiritual lives. We explore how remembering God's promises and reflecting on our past experiences with Him can reinforce our faith and identity in Christ. This act of remembrance can profoundly impact our lives, not by altering our circumstances, but by deepening our understanding of God's acceptance and goodness. The episode focuses on Psalm 107, which encapsulates various stories of redemption and the power of recalling God's faithfulness. We discuss different narratives from the Psalm, including those who felt lost, those trapped by rebellion, those suffering from the consequences of their iniquities, and those who encountered God's majesty and power through exploration and wonder. Each storyline from Psalm 107 serves as a reminder that regardless of our past, whether we've wandered, rebelled, or sought mastery over our lives, God's love and deliverance are constant. By remembering these stories, we can build our faith and practice the virtues we aspire to, such as courage, joy, and trust. RESOURCES: Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.