How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

Context: This is King Jesus’ Inaugural address. He starts with who belongs in the kingdom of God and builds on that to describe what those people are like on the outside (salt and light) and on the inside. Now, Jesus turns up the temperature – this is some of the hardest ethical teachings in world history. WHAT DOES IT SAY? “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” – Jesus means not only everything already spoken in the OT law, but also what he is about to discuss. Cf Galatians 3:24-26 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith… “Until everything is accomplished” – cf Matthew 24:34: 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? What’s the role of the OT in the lives of Jesus’ followers? We read ALL of Scripture through Jesus. He is the hermeneutical key – he is the one through whom we interpret the Bible through. God is consistent. What God desires for flourishing in the OT is the same in the NT. Jesus is fully interpreting the law, not changing it. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? Read the OT! You will understand Jesus and your faith in new ways through it! Jesus raises the bar on how precious humanity is. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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.

Salt and Light make everything better. Do you make every room better that you come into? Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole’s free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk WHAT DOES IT SAY? Matthew 5:13-16: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Properties of Salt and Light: Two normal things that most people like and have around them. Specific Properties of Salt: A mineral that our bodies need. Makes bland food good. It amplifies all other flavors around it Specific Properties of Light: Illuminates what is around you. You’re not looking at the light, you’re looking at what the light is shining on. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Questions to ask the text: What Does it Mean That God’s People Are Salt and Light? We are useful in the kingdom of God. “You are the Light of the World” Cf John 8:12 – Jesus says he is the light of the world. We are called to be like Jesus! WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? Questions to Self-Examine Yourself With: How does the world experience you? How do you show up in a room? Are you making your environment better? The motive is NOT “I’ve got to level up, I’ve got to be better” – the call is “Man, look what God has done, I want to opt into that.” Lord, help us be aware of what it means to be a citizen in the kingdom of Heaven. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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.

This week, Nicole and her friend Rev. Rachel dive into Matthew 5 together and discuss the implications of the greatest sermon ever told. For now, the invitation is just to read the Sermon of the Mount. Let it sit with you. Don’t worry about perfect understanding. Over the coming weeks, we will dive deep and unlock interpretation and application. Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole’s free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY? Let’s set the context for the sermon of the mount. What happens right before chapter 5? (How to Study the Bible Tip) When you don’t understand a phrase in scripture, often you can use cross references to get a better sense of what is going on. Matthew 4:23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Jesus is sharing the good news of the kingdom, and how you access that kingdom. He is embodying it before he explains it. He is reversing everything that sin and death have done by going into these villages and healing the sick. He is giving people back whole life in this action, and then he switches to teaching about what full life looks like in him. Matthew is writing to Jews. He is building directly on important Old Testament references. The cross-references will help you interpret Matthew correctly! The listeners would have made connections between what Jesus was preaching and their knowledge of Moses’ law and the themes of the Prophets. The first words out of his mouth would have alluded to the Psalms. So the whole of the Old Testament – the Law, the Prophets and the Wisdom writings – are all packed in. Read Psalm 1 as a key connection to what it means to be blessed in the kingdom of God. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Blessed – clearly, blessed means something different here than it does in our current, Instagram hashtag way of describing it. In Psalm 1, the Hebrew word for blessed means going the right way. We are blessed when we are going the right direction into the kingdom of God. Jesus reframes what it means to go the right way. The grace and sweetness of Jesus’ assurance: Jesus’ calling is pointing to an attitude of the heart more than an action step. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME? The invitation of the beatitudes: don’t turn away from God when you’re weary, worn and broken. We want to avoid the disposition of desperation, but that is where Jesus meets us. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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 it is my great privilege to talk with author Kelly Balarie about her latest book, Take Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy for the Mind of Christ ABOUT KELLY: Kelly is a speaker, blogger, and author of the books Fear Fighting and Battle Ready. She comes alongside women to help them live wholeheartedly, rather than in uncertainty, fear, and doubt. Her work has been featured on The Today Show, The 700 Club, Moody Radio and many other television and radio broadcasts.  Visit Kelly at www.purposefulfaith.com or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/kellybalarie RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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.

If you’re a parent, you might have several of Sandy’s books on your shelves! Sandy is the award-winning creator of the Great Bible Adventure children’s series, several joke books for kids, The Best Worst Dad Jokes, and Kids' Big Questions for God. He says, “There’s something about children – their innocence and trust – I truly believe that that’s why Jesus said we need to become child-like to enter the Kingdom of God.” On this episode, Sandy and Nicole talk about a number of things, including: The great responsibility of children’s ministry Sandy’s creative process and how his latest book has come together The questions kids have about God and why God delights in our questions How does God hear all our prayers at once? Why doesn’t God just make all of us follow him? How Jesus opens up the door for us to go to heaven Why, oh why, did God make mosquitoes?! FIND KIDS' BIG QUESTIONS FOR GOD - https://sandysilverthornebooks.com/book/kids-big-questions-for-god/ https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Big-Questions-God-Things/dp/0800741765 ABOUT SANDY: Sandy Silverthorne is a children’s illustrator and author; whose mission is to help parents and grandparents discover fun Bible stories and Bible lessons to share with the kids in their lives. His goal is to make God’s Word come alive and be easy to understand for kids. Sandy has worked as a cartoonist, author, illustrator, actor, pastor, speaker, and comedian. Apparently, it's hard for him to focus. Connect with him at www.sandysilverthornebooks.com. RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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.

Jesus has not only beaten death and fulfilled all the promises he said he would, but he is telling us that our greatest purpose in life is the way we pass along our faith to others, and how we baptize and disciple them. This is the commission of the church. We are wrapping up our Jesus 101 series this week by looking closely at Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for us. Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole’s free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk WHAT DOES IT SAY? This week we are diving deep into Matthew 28 – the Resurrection and the events that immediately followed for his disciples and the women who followed him to the cross and beyond. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?  “Women were filled with joy” - The marker of belief is joy. When you are getting close to the goodness of God, you will experience joy. Joy is a hallmark of the Christian faith. The good news of the gospel, when understood, always brings joy. “Clasped his feet and worshipped him”- This is huge for our theological understanding! Jesus accepts worship of himself. It’s very clear in the Jewish tradition that God is one God, and you cannot worship anything or anyone other than God (1st Commandment). For a Jewish teacher to receive personal worship would have been completely offensive to their faith and a violation of the law. This is one more piece of evidence that Jesus is not a mere prophet or mystic, but is the Son of God – fully God and also fully man. The Great Commission - Jesus allows worship but also tells them not to hold onto him (John 21) but to go and tell others about him. In setting the disciples’ purpose, he sets our purpose as well. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? 1. Want to do a diagnostic test on your faith, ask yourself: Am I experiencing joy today? If the answer is no, ask God to remove what might be blocking you from experiencing the joy of the gospel. You can have pain and sadness and still have joy. This deep joy is knowing that everything Jesus says about himself is true. 2. Jesus has commissioned you into the kingdom of God, so you can invite others into the Kingdom. I.e., 1 Peter 3:15: “Always give a reason for the hope that you have.” This is our greatest purpose in life – how we pass along our faith. Our faith is not a private endeavor. Are you living in the joy of your salvation, are you speaking about that joy? 3. We have to pray and seek God’s wisdom to know how to apply what God has spoken into the specific lives of those he has called us to. If you are interacting with a life, God has called you to that person. In the way you pray for and interact with that person, God has a purpose. God-willing, if you are living out that joyful good news, you are going to have opportunities to share the reason for the joy that you have. RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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.

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 here something in this chapter you haven’t noticed before, and remember the joy your salvation. This is week 4 of our Jesus 101 series, where we look at 5 foundational movements of Christ. Be sure to go back and listen to weeks 1,2 and 3! You can find full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/ Free Resource: check out and sign up for Nicole’s newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk 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? RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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.

When we come to the end of ourselves, we enter the blessing of God. This is week 3 of our Jesus 101 series. Be sure to go back and listen to weeks 1 and 2! You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/ Free Resource: check out and sign up for Nicole’s newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk RESOURCES: 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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 type of mindset makes us vulnerable to chronic stress, anxiety & depression? When you are stressed, what automatic coping mechanisms have you adopted that don’t help, but diminish your wellness?  What holds you back from getting the rest that you need when you’re stressed?   In this episode from Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast (another free show from LifeAudio), soul care coach Bonnie shares how to ditch mindsets that keep you stuck in anxiety, worry, and stress and what you can do to stop the stress, when you need it most. This episode will help you let go of unhealthy thinking patterns and replace them with a healthy biblical mindset to create a new rhythm to stop the stress cycle.   DISCOVER MORE EPISODES OF BREATHE: THE STRESS LESS PODCAST FROM BONNIE GRAY: Is Self-Care or Soul-Care Selfish or Unspiritual? - https://apple.co/40lhHxb / https://spoti.fi/3FIg305  How to Stop Numbing Your Emotions & Stop Negative Self-Talk with Jesus - https://apple.co/405mcvz / https://spoti.fi/3Z2b0hP  Feeling Anxious? Cast Your Cares on God Because He Cares For You - https://apple.co/3FHsQA5 / https://spoti.fi/3ZWQb8R    LINKS & RESOURCES: Take the Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com – your FREE personal wellness assessment – to learn which areas of wellness you’re missing most to flourish with God’s peace and joy in your life. Grab Bonnie’s new book to lower stress, Breathe: 21 Ways to Stress Less & Transform Chaos to Calm Join the FREE Breathe Wellness Book Club to tackle for areas of wellbeing: emotional, physical, spiritual, and social wellness at http://thebonniegray.com/breathe. Get 4 LIVE sessions + community support! Want scientific articles mentioned in today’s show? Sign up for the FREE Breathe newsletter https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe/ Get Bonnie’s FREE 7 Prayers & Scriptures to Calm Anxiety here!   FOLLOW BONNIE: Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebonniegray Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebonniegray Website: http://www.thebonniegray.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every time you fail, God’s grace outruns your failure. He is ultimately merciful, so don’t let your failure separate you from God. That’s what the enemy wants you to do. What God wants you to know is that he is always willing to welcome you back, he is always ready to embrace you. Come back to him today. This is Week 2 of our Jesus 101 series. Be sure to go back and listen to Week 1! You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/ Free Resource: check out and sign up for Nicole’s newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk WHAT DOES IT SAY? Matthew 4 Right after his baptism, Jesus is led into the wilderness, fasts for 40 days and nights, and is tempted by the devil. He endures three temptations, and then angels came and ministered to him. Three temptations – what is the enemy really tempting Jesus with? The first temptation - Satisfy your appetite (v 3). Make yourself feel good right now. We don’t want to wait for God, we want to remove discomfort. The second temptation – Show your approval (v 5). Prove you have God’s approval, do it yourself. The third temptation – Choose a shortcut to authority (v 8). “What you want to see happen in the world, I can make happen… just make this one concession.” WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY? Deuteronomy 8:1-5 Jesus’ desert temptations echo back to the Israelites’ wandering in the desert for 40 years after the exodus. Those years were marked by constant disobedience and complaining. God’s people were incapable of doing what God commanded them to do. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Jesus did what God’s people could not do when tested: he stayed obedient to the Father. In this way, he is the new and better Moses. How he overcomes temptation is a blueprint for how we – the new Israel - can overcome temptation. If Jesus was tempted, we will be too. You’ll be tempted to make a shortcut for your appetites, to prove yourself, and you’ll be tempted to find life outside of God. All temptations will pass over time. When we resist, the enemy leaves. We need to know God’s Word AND God’s intent. The enemy can use Scripture against us. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? Perhaps we can expect that after mountaintop moments, temptations will follow. Will we allow God to teach us in both places? How are we experiencing the grace of God, abounding more and more? The Enemy always wants humans separated from God. He wants us to bow down to him, not God. Soul death is giving our lives away to something that does not have life in it. To give our lives away to worship anything that is not God. Study the Bible and pray regularly so you can understand God’s intent and discern when the enemy is tempting you. Expect trial & trouble (John 16:33) We do have a real enemy, who is persistent but not that creative. Most temptations will come to us in the form of shortcuts: satisfying our own appetites, seeking approval, or choosing a shortcut for authority.  Questions to ask this week: Am I shortcutting my life apart from God? Am I moving toward more or less dependence on God? Am I using pride, satisfying myself with comforts that keep me numb to my longings and hunger for God? Or am I showing up expectant, asking God to meet my needs and satisfy me? RESOURCES: Read: Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole 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/nicoleuniceInstagram: 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.