
Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures
Christian scholars and church leaders at Harbor, Pepperdine University’s annual Bible Lectures, inspire listeners with this collection of topics on Christian living, relationships, ministry, and biblical insight.
Latest episodes

May 19, 2023 • 51min
OASIS: An Invitation to Real Rest
Teacher: Carlos Isaziga
What do you do when you can’t shake the feeling of being tired? Maybe it’s a simple all too common physical depletion of energy, or are you dealing with a weariness much deeper than that?
Society is feeling the effects of fatigue on many different levels, Jesus makes an invitation to a life of rest and refreshment.

May 19, 2023 • 2h 21min
Ministry That’s Digital and Relational
Teachers: Dudley Chancey, Josh Griffin, Mike Shepherd, Jeff Walling
In a world of ever-increasing and -invasive technology, which way should youth ministers turn? How can we reach teens who live in a digital world yet desperately seek authentic relationships? Sharing truth in imaginative ways has never been more important. Come hear some recent research and fresh ideas on how to leverage technology to give you more time to lean into relational ministry from experts and creative voices in the field of student ministry.

May 19, 2023 • 45min
The Path of Most Resistance: Tested Strategies for a New Church Growth Model
Teacher: Pat Bills
We are living in a time where churches are struggling with their attendance and morale is low; things just aren’t “what they used to be.” But what if churches actually embraced a strategy that measured success in different ways than before? Join me as we explore specific strategies that have “grown” our church into becoming a smaller more faithful and focused community of disciples.

May 19, 2023 • 2h 8min
In the Midst of Good News: A Workshop on the Gospel of Mark
Teacher: Nick Zola
The Gospel of Mark is likely the earliest surviving written story of Jesus. It’s fast paced and action packed, revealing some rough language yet real literary artistry, with an abrupt start and a surprising twist at the end. In this workshop we will explore the good news Mark conveys to his listeners and how to relate that good news ourselves, if we dare.

May 18, 2023 • 52min
Jesus Goes to College: Ministry in the Secular Context
Teacher: K. Rex Butts
This class will explore the participation of the local church in the mission of God among college contexts. The operatives of transforming and planting will shape this discussion.

May 18, 2023 • 47min
Breaking the Fourth Wall in Preaching
Teacher: Cheryl Russell
Dialogical preaching and the opportunities and advantages it provides for churches in the new missional era.

May 18, 2023 • 43min
Navigating Romantic Relationships in a Broken World
Teacher: Dori Lansbach
Romantic relationships are in the forefront of every person’s mind at some point in their life. So much of our lives including our identity, our past, and our future are impacted by the partners that we choose to become involved with romantically, but how do we navigate these relationships in a broken world? How do we prepare our individual emotional and spiritual health to be ready to be in a relationship? How do we date in a way that brings glory to God? How do we navigate the dynamics of marriage to reflect God’s vision for a holy partnership? How do we
discern the unhealthy dynamics of relationships? Whether you’re single and preparing yourself to date, actively dating, or are married, this session will help you consider different aspects of relationships that are so often overlooked or misconstrued in today’s world.

May 18, 2023 • 52min
Love, Truth, and Forever
Teacher: Jeanette Duval
A straightforward look at these three vital aspects of God and how our understanding of them impacts every level of our spiritual health. Especially relevant for our younger adults, teens, and children!

May 18, 2023 • 41min
Yes, Jesus Loves Me and So Should I: Cultivating Well-being Through Self-care and Self-compassion
Teacher: La Shonda Coleman
At times it can be challenging to love and show compassion for self in the many ways that we so readily do for others. We may have bought into the myth that self care is selfish. Yes, I named it a myth and if this is something you have bought into, extend yourself grace--while leaning into an opportunity to believe differently. An opportunity to experience love starting with Jesus and YOU. In the scriptures, Jesus models for us the practice of self-care and compassion. The truth is, Jesus loves you and gives us permission to love ourselves as well (Leviticus 19:17-18). This love can be expressed through self-care practices and through the practice of self-compassion. The question now is, how does it look to love and show compassion for ourselves? This class will prepare participants to create a self-care plan and to experience a variety of sensations that flow from self compassion. Through education, embodied practices, guided reflections, prayer, meditation and dialogue, participants in this class can expect to have a wholehearted experience!

May 17, 2023 • 44min
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Teacher: Karl Ihfe
The table is significant. It’s where Christians have broken bread, found fellowship, and extended compassion for centuries. It’s the place we still gather weekly to be reminded of our shared life in Christ. It’s also been the source of much controversy and contention, springing from the question, "Who gets a seat at the table?"
That question almost split the church at the very beginning, and in a culture as fractured and divided as ours, threatens to split the church again. It’s time to look again at the example of Jesus, who shared a table with all kinds of people, and it got him into all kinds of trouble. Let’s consider how God might be challenging us to stretch and grow beyond our comfort zone as he asks us once again that famous question: Guess who’s coming to dinner?