We tackle the awkward moment when someone calls out a Bible verse and you’re not sure where to turn, then we show a simple system that makes every reference findable. We break down the Bible’s layout, explain chapters and verses, and give you a short practice plan to build real confidence.
• the Bible as a collection of 66 books and how the table of contents helps
• Old Testament and New Testament basics and why organization matters
• books grouped by genre rather than timeline
• Bible references as an address: book, chapter, verse
• how to read dashes and commas in references
• why 1 John differs from John and how numbered books work
• common book abbreviations and where to check them
• chapters and verses added later as navigation tools, not inspired text
So here's your practice for this week. Look up these four references: Genesis 1, 1, Psalm 23, 1, Matthew 1, 1, and again John 3, 16. Just practice finding them.

Related Episodes:

Navigation the Bible: Tips for Understanding Scripture References

Sources:

Christopher R. Smith, “What They Don’t Tell You in Church: Chapters & Verses,” Bible Study Magazine: July–August 2009, ed. John D. Barry (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2009), 46.

John McRay, “Bible, Canon of The,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 60.

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Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

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Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

We reset the pace and rebuild our foundation for reading Scripture with clarity and confidence. We explain why the Bible matters, what it is, how it was written, and how its many books tell one unified story.

• reasons Christians read the Bible as God’s word
• the Bible as a library of sixty-six books
• authors, time span, and original languages
• inspiration as God-breathed through human voices
• the grand narrative: creation, fall, promise, redemption, restoration
• a simple orientation exercise using the table of contents
• preview of how the Bible is organized next

Until next time, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith

RELATED EPISODE:

An Introduction to the Bible: What it is and Why it Matters

SOURCES:

• MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2011). The MacArthur Study Bible: New International Version. Thomas Nelson.
• Goldsworthy, G. (2018). The Story Retold: A Biblical-theological Introduction to the New Testament. IVP Academic.

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Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

We explore why much of the New Testament feels like reading someone else’s mail and show how that lens unlocks clarity, context, and comfort. Real letters from pastors and apostles become living guidance for modern believers when we read them as whole conversations.

• definition of an epistle as a letter
• why letters change how we read the New Testament
• who wrote the letters and who received them
• overview of Paul, James, Peter, John, and Hebrews
• when and why the letters were written
• how ancient letters were structured and read aloud
• whether letters to them are for us today
• a simple method for reading epistles well
• key themes: faith, conflict, leadership, suffering, hope, love
• takeaway that epistles are pastoral, Spirit-inspired guidance

RESOURCES:

• Anyabwile, K. (n.d.). Literarily: How understanding Bible genres transforms Bible study (pp. 120–121). Function. Kindle edition.
• Galan, B., & Curiel, J. (n.d.). Bible overview (pp. 429–430). Function. Kindle edition.
• Got Questions Ministries. (2002–2013). Got questions? Bible questions answered. Logos Bible Software.
• Jacobson, R. A., Jacobson, K. N., & Wiersma, H. H. (Eds.). (2019). Letters (or epistles). In Crazy book: A not-so-stuffy dictionary of biblical terms (pp. 203–204). Fortress Press.
• MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2011). The MacArthur study Bible (NIV ed.). Thomas Nelson.
• Ryken, L. (2020). Reading the New Testament letters: What you need to know. In D. Mangum (Ed.), Lexham context commentary: New Testament. Lexham Press.

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Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

We trace Acts 13–28 from Antioch to Rome, watching the Spirit send ordinary people into extraordinary moments as the gospel crosses cultures, faces resistance, and still advances. Paul’s journeys, the Jerusalem Council, and the clashes in cities like Ephesus show how grace shapes a global church.

• Acts’ structure and the pivot from Peter to Paul 
• Antioch as a sending center shaped by prayer 
• First journey patterns of welcome and resistance 
• The Jerusalem Council clarifying grace for Gentiles 
• Second journey highlights in Philippi and Athens 
• Encouragement in Corinth to keep speaking 
• Ephesus and the clash with idol economies 
• Arrests, trials, shipwreck, and arrival in Rome 
• Four themes: Spirit-led mission, cross-cultural reach, resilient witness, redeemed detours 
• A personal challenge to take one faithful step

Read one chapter of Acts this week with fresh eyes. And if this series helped you feel more confident opening the Bible, share it with a friend.

RELATED EPISODES:

• Acts Pt 1: The Story Continues
• Acts Pt 2: The Church in Motion

SOURCES:

•  Benware, P. N. (2004). Survey of the New Testament. Moody Publishers. 
• Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Bible commentary. B&H Publishing Group. 
• Galan, B., & Curiel, J. (2012). Bible Overview. Rose Publishing. 
• MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2014). The MacArthur Study Bible (NIV). Thomas Nelson. 
• Ryken, L., & Ryken, P. G. (Eds.). (2007). The ESV Literary Study Bible (English Standard Version). Crossway. 
• Thomas Nelson. (2021). The open Bible (NIV; complete reference system). Thomas Nelson

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Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

In this episode of the Bible Basics Podcast, host Jacqueline Adewole delves into the early chapters of the Book of Acts, exploring the challenges faced by the early church as they spread the message of Jesus amidst increasing pressure and opposition. She reflects on a conversation about the struggles of faith, emphasizing that true growth often occurs in discomfort. The discussion highlights key events, such as Peter healing a disabled man, the arrest of Peter and John, and the martyrdom of Stephen, illustrating how these moments of tension ultimately led to the expansion of the Christian message. Adewole underscores the importance of community, prayer, and obedience in the face of adversity, reminding listeners that God works through imperfect people to fulfill His purpose.


SOURCES:

• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. (2002). How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour. Zondervan.
• MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (n.d.). The MacArthur Study Bible (New International Version). Thomas Nelson.
• MacDonald, W. (1994). The New Testament made clear. Thomas Nelson.
• Salter, M. C. (2024). Acts (L. Gatiss, Ed.). Hodder & Stoughton. (The Hodder Bible Commentary).
• Stott, J. R. W. (1994). The Message of Acts: The Spirit, the church & the world. InterVarsity Press. (The Bible Speaks Today).
• Thomas Nelson. (1993). The Word in Life Study Bible (New Revised Standard Version). Thomas Nelson.

RELATED EPISODES

Acts Pt 1: The Story Continues

A Seat at the Table: Exploring the Gospel of Luke

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Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

• This episode begins a three-part series on the book of Acts, the story of how the early church began.
• We explore how the story of Jesus continues after the Gospels, not ending with His resurrection or ascension.
• Learn why Acts is often called the bridge between the life of Jesus and the growth of the early church.
• Discover what Jesus meant when He told His followers they would be His witnesses.
• Walk through Acts 1 and see why Jesus asked the disciples to wait before beginning their mission.
• Understand who the Holy Spirit is and why His coming changes everything.
• Experience the events of Pentecost and the birth of the church in Acts 2.
• See how ordinary, uncertain people were empowered to take part in God’s work.
• Learn what the early Christian community looked like and why it mattered.
• Reflect on how the same Spirit at work in Acts is still at work today.

Sources: 

1. Meyer, J. (n.d.). The Everyday Life Bible (Amplified ed.). FaithWords.
2. MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (n.d.). The MacArthur Study Bible (New International Version). Thomas Nelson.
3. Pickett, F. (n.d.). Presenting the Holy Spirit. Word of Faith Press.
4. The Word in Life Study Bible. (n.d.). New International Version. Zondervan.

We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.

Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

We trade guilt for grace and show a simple way to build a Bible-in-a-year rhythm that fits real life. Fifteen minutes, a right-fit plan, and a friend for accountability turn a fragile intention into a steady habit rooted in purpose.

• New year expectations versus real-life rhythms
• Why plans fail and how to rethink success
• Find a clear personal why that endures
• Build a 15-minute daily framework that sticks
• Four habit keys to remove friction and start
• Plan options: straight, mixed, chronological, five-day
• Grace for missed days with two recovery paths
• Accountability through a simple reading buddy
• Shift from completion to connection for lasting change

If you thought of someone who's been wanting to further their relationship and connection with God, but don't know where to start, please send this their way

RELATED EPISODE:

How to Develop a lifelong Bible Reading Habit: The Atomic Habit: Habits Approach

BIBLE READING PLANS:

MIXED:

The One Year Bible, Bible . com (on the web or in the You Version app)

Biblica Bible in Year

FIVE DAY BIBLE READING PLAN

CHRONOLOGICAL: 

The Bible Recap (digital, print, Spanish & ASL)

HARD COPY BIBLE 

ESV: One Year Bible (Amazon)

We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.

Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

We trace John’s purpose for writing and follow the arc from signs to the cross and the empty tomb, showing how belief shifts from ideas to personal trust. Stories of Nicodemus, the healed, and Thomas show how curiosity grows into a living faith that begins now.

• why John wrote his gospel and what belief means
• Nicodemus and the new birth by the Spirit
• seven signs pointing to Jesus’ identity and mission
• Cana’s joy, distant healing, Bethesda’s restoration
• feeding the crowd and walking on water
• sight for the man born blind and the echo of creation
• Lazarus raised and the choice to trust or turn away
• the cross as glory and “It is finished”
• the empty tomb, Mary’s encounter, Thomas’ confession
• eternal life as knowing God now, not just later
• moving from curiosity to conviction in daily life

If this series helped you see Jesus more clearly, share it with someone who might need that same clarity

RELATED EPISODES

John, Part 1 - the Word Who Came Near

John, Part 2 - The God Who Says "I Am"

RESOURCES

• Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Bible Commentary. Holman Bible Publishers.
• Keown, M. J. (2018). Discovering the New Testament: An introduction to its background, theology, and themes: The Gospels & Acts (Vol. 1). Lexham Press.
• MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (n.d.). The MacArthur Study Bible (NIV). Thomas Nelson.

We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.

Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

We explore thankfulness as a God-centered posture, not a reaction to circumstances, and share habits that help gratitude endure through changing seasons. Ola joins to reflect on faith, marriage, and three practical nuggets for practicing thanksgiving today.

• faith as the anchor for gratitude
• give thanks in all circumstances explained
• why things and feelings cannot hold joy
• simple habits to notice daily mercies
• writing prayers and naming unseen favor
• gratitude as love language in marriage
• prioritizing God, spouse, and family
• giving over taking as a life principle
• urgency to express thanks today

Share it with somebody you're grateful for today. And make sure you follow this podcast so you don't miss any of the upcoming episodes.

We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.

Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

We explore the seven “I Am” statements in John to show how Jesus reveals his identity and meets our deepest needs with clarity, care, and power. From hunger to hope, darkness to direction, despair to resurrection, each image invites a personal response.

• the divine echo of “I Am” from Exodus
• bread of life and the end of restless hunger
• light of the world and guidance through confusion
• the gate as safety and access to God
• the good shepherd who knows and lays down his life
• resurrection and the life amid grief and fear
• way, truth, and life as a relational path
• true vine and the call to abide for lasting fruit
• practical reflection on which truth you need now

If this episode encouraged you, share with someone who might need that same reminder

RELATED EPISODES:

John, Part 1 - The Word Who Came Near

RESOURCES:

• Got Questions Ministries. (2002–2013). Got Questions? Bible questions answered. Logos Bible Software. 
• Keown, M. J. (2018). Discovering the New Testament: An introduction to its background, theology, and themes: The Gospels & Acts (Vol. 1). Lexham Press. 
• MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2013). The MacArthur Study Bible (NIV). Thomas Nelson.

We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.

Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube.  Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.