

The BEMA Podcast
BEMA Discipleship
The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the context of the Bible and the Text itself, as well as surrounding history. We deconstruct our common readings of the Bible and attempt to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context.
The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 (or even -1) and continue in order through episode 204. Beyond that, we explore new topics, revisit old topics, and dive deeper into practical ways of living out the things we have learned together.
BEMA Discipleship is a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries.
The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 (or even -1) and continue in order through episode 204. Beyond that, we explore new topics, revisit old topics, and dive deeper into practical ways of living out the things we have learned together.
BEMA Discipleship is a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries.
Episodes
Mentioned books

18 snips
May 4, 2017 • 40min
30: Lead with Your Voice
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of the desert and the book of Numbers with the story of Moses striking the rock and subsequently having his entrance to the Promised Land denied.Why Was Moses Not Allowed into the Promised Land? — Aleph BetaWhy Couldn't Moses Enter The Land? — Aleph Beta
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 30
The Companion for BEMA 30
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 30
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 28 July 2025
Original audio from 4 May 2017
Transcript for BEMA 30 of 4 May 2017
Support The BEMA Podcast

19 snips
Apr 27, 2017 • 42min
29: Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks continue the series on images found in the desert, seeing God’s continual use of the desert to minister to us and to teach us how to minister to others.Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi Presentation (PDF)Lulav — Chabad.orgFlash Floods in Wadi Peres — YouTubeFlash Flood in Israel — YouTubeIsrael: Flash Floods Hit Negev Desert — AP Archive, YouTubeOnlookers caught in flash flood north of Oman — AFP, YouTubePickup vs. Flash Flood — YouTube
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 29
The Companion for BEMA 29
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 29
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 21 July 2025
Original audio from 27 April 2017
Transcript for BEMA 29 of 27 April 2017
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Apr 20, 2017 • 28min
28: Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and Tamarisk
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks continue the series on images we find in the desert, learning about the ar'ar and tamarisk trees and what they teach us about living in our own deserts.Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and Tamarisk Presentation (PDF)Noga Hareuveni — WikipediaWritten Works of Noga HareuveniHebrew University — WikipediaNational Botanic Garden of Israel — WikipediaTamarisk and Palm (Akkadian poem) — WikipediaTamarix (genus) — Wikipedia
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 28
The Companion for BEMA 28
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 28
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 14 July 2025
Original audio from 20 April 2017
Transcript for BEMA 28 of 20 April 2017
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13 snips
Apr 13, 2017 • 36min
27: Images of the Desert — Rotem and Acacia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the rotem and acacia trees and what they teach us about living in our own deserts.Images of the Desert — Rotem and Acacia Presentation (PDF)The Story #28: New Beginnings (‘Each One’ Rant) sermon — YouTubeWalking with God in the Desert — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)Hebrew University — WikipediaNoga Hareuveni — WikipediaWritten Works of Noga Hareuveni“The Broom Usually Grows in the Wilderness” — Bar-Ilan University (via Jim Feicht and Internet Archive)
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 27
The Companion for BEMA 27
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 27
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 7 July 2025
Original audio from 13 April 2017
Transcript for BEMA 27 of 13 April 2017
Support The BEMA Podcast

20 snips
Apr 6, 2017 • 39min
26: Images of the Desert — Shepherd
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks discuss the first in a series of images found in the desert—what it means to be a shepherd in the biblical world.Images of the Desert — Shepherd Presentation (PDF)Walking with God in the Desert — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)Walking the Bible by Bruce FeilerThe Good Shepherd by Kenneth Bailey“Lawning and Gardening [with goats]”
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 26
The Companion for BEMA 26
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 26
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 30 June 2025
Original audio from 6 April 2017
Transcript for BEMA 26 of 6 April 2017
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46 snips
Mar 30, 2017 • 49min
25: A Kingdom of What?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give an overview of the book of Leviticus.A Kingdom of What? Presentation (PDF)Leviticus: The Book of Holiness, volume 3 of Covenant & Conversation by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (Amazon)Leviticus: The Book of Holiness, volume 3 of Covenant & Conversation by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (Sefaria)Leviticus: A Call to Priesthood (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 25
The Companion for BEMA 25
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 25
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 23 June 2025
Original audio from 30 March 2017
Transcript for BEMA 25 of 30 March 2017
Support The BEMA Podcast

52 snips
Mar 23, 2017 • 1h 8min
24: Creating a Space
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Josh Bossé consider the implications of the story of the Tabernacle in our own pursuits of God.Creating a Space Presentation (PDF)With All Your Heart — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)Walter Brueggemann, “An Alternative Way” — The Work of the PeopleThe Practice of the Presence of God by Brother LawrenceLess Is More Than Enough by Chris McNaughtOne Thousand Gifts by Ann VoskampFinding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 24
The Companion for BEMA 24
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 24
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 16 June 2025
Original audio from 23 March 2017
Transcript for BEMA 24 of 23 March 2017
Support The BEMA Podcast

8 snips
Mar 16, 2017 • 29min
23: Falling on Joyful Faces
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the construction of the Tabernacle and its call to be a place of rest, covering Exodus 24–40.Falling on Joyful Faces Presentation (PDF)With All Your Heart — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 23
The Companion for BEMA 23
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 23
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 9 June 2025
Original audio from 16 March 2017
Transcript for BEMA 23 of 16 March 2017
Support The BEMA Podcast

31 snips
Mar 9, 2017 • 45min
22: Under the Chuppah
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss Israel’s arrival at Sinai and the ensuing covenant relationship with their God, covering Exodus 19–23.Under the Chuppah Presentation (PDF)NIV Archaeological Study BibleNIV Cultural Backgrounds Study BibleAncient Israel by Roland de VauxFamilies in Ancient Israel by Leo G. Perdue, Joseph Blenkinsopp, John J. Collins, and Carol MeyersJerusalem in the Time of Jesus by Joachim JeremiasBEMA 310: The Nativity Story
Study Tools
Discussion Video for BEMA 22
The Companion for BEMA 22
Take Your Own Notes
Transcript for BEMA 22
Legacy Episode Content
Episode updated 2 June 2025
Original audio from 9 March 2017
Transcript for BEMA 22 of 9 March 2017
Support The BEMA Podcast

Mar 2, 2017 • 1min
“Jesus Shema”
A simplified version of the daily prayer from Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 19. This recording is meant to follow Episode 21.
Sh'ma Israel, adonai elohenu, adonai echad
Ve'ahavta et adonai eloiekah
b'khol levavkah
uve'khol naphshekah
uve'khol meodeikah
Ve'ahavta lereyacha c'mocha
Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your might.
And love your neighbor as yourself.Support The BEMA Podcast


