Discover the Word Podcast

In Discover the Word Podcast, the group explores the importance of "where" with our Bible geography expert, Dr. Jack Beck. Jack is convinced that location almost always shapes our understanding of an event, and so for that reason, God speaks geographically. The Bible has geography on virtually every page. Discover with the group why geography is not just trivia, but it is an essential element of God's communication with us. Dr. Jack Beck continues to open our eyes to how critical and meaningful geography is in the Scriptures as he returns to the Discover the Word table for "The Impact of Place--Part 2."

Most of us long to hear from God. Directly. In words we can clearly understand and respond to. Right? Scripture catalogues several instances of God speaking to humans, actually more than we might first remember. One story in specific – the interaction of God with Samuel in I Samuel 1-3 - offers insight into how God speaks, and how we, too, can hear Him when we listen.

Dive deeper into our conversation with Jeff Manion’s book The Land Between. Using the biblical story of the Israelites’ journey through the Sinai Desert as a metaphor for being in an undesired time of transition, this book provides fresh biblical insight for people traveling through undesired and difficult transitions of their own. You’ll discover that God desires to meet you in these spaces, helping you to see His goodness, provision, hope, and guidance in all moments of life.

Pastor and author Jeff Manion joins Discover the Word to discuss observations about the unwanted transitions of life. Jeff calls this space the “Land Between.” These are times when life is not as it was and likely not as it will be in the future. These times of change, however, provide our greatest opportunity for spiritual growth.  Join the group as they look at the biblical story of the Israelites’ journey through the Sinai Desert as a metaphor for being in an undesired, transitional space. Here they seek to find ways to recognize God and His provision for our personal “Land Between.”

One of the tried and tested ways we learn is through repetition. Whether it’s multiplication tables, grammar rules, or other languages, repetition helps to embed important ideas in our minds. The same is true with the most important ideas of all—those presented in the Scriptures. So, when we read Habakkuk 2:4, the fact that it’s repeated no less than three times in the New Testament should grab our attention. This week on Discover the Word, we discuss this important text and how it helps our understanding of the gospel.  

Remember playing dress up as a kid? You’d get in your mom’s or dad’s old clothes and role play adulthood. The Bible is filled with mentions of clothing – both literal and figurative, beginning in Genesis with the first desire for clothing after human kind’s fall. Through the New Testament epistles especially, the metaphor of “dressing up” takes on a special significance, directing us to express our internal faith in external efforts, the way we “put on” certain items of clothing.

Dr. Christina Edmondson is convinced that since our brain is part of our body, we need to pursue good "brain health." Our brains are a gift from God and we need to be good stewards of our brains just like we need to be good stewards of our whole body. So, how do we take good care of our brain? How do we practice good mental health? Join the Discover the Word group this week as Dr. Christina Edmondson takes us to some passages of Scripture that offer some mental health best practices, and help us keep our brains healthy.     MB01AHCPMTZESQL

Explore the transformative power of forgiveness as participants dive into a parable told by Jesus. They share personal stories of hurt, the importance of empathy, and the challenges of extending grace. Discussions highlight the moral responsibilities that come with forgiveness, emphasizing humility and accountability. The idea of shared experiences as 'fellow debtors' fosters a deeper understanding of compassion. Ultimately, they reflect on the communal role of faith in cultivating forgiveness and the patience required to practice it daily.