Bible Basics

We walk through Ruth as a tightly written story that begins with Naomi’s emptiness and ends with unexpected fullness, using one simple observation tool to track what changes. Along the way, we see God’s care unfold through Ruth’s loyalty, Boaz’s generosity, and ordinary decisions that become part of a much bigger redemption story.
• Reading Ruth like a short story with a beginning, setbacks, turning points, and an ending
• Using a simple Bible reading tool: start, end, what changed
• Naomi’s grief, bitterness, and honest words about feeling empty
• Ruth’s costly loyalty and commitment to Naomi’s people and God
• Gleaning laws as built-in provision for widows and foreigners
• Boaz’s protection and kindness that preserves dignity
• Guardian redeemer explained: property, protection, family line
• Ruth’s bold request at the threshing floor and Boaz’s response
• The town gate decision and the story’s move from empty-handed to filled
• Obed, David, and the surprising link to Jesus in Matthew’s genealogy
• Reflection questions on who stays beside us and who we can stay beside

Read the book of Ruth in one setting.
Until then, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith.

SOURCES: 

·      Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (Eds.). (2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press.  

·      Beetham, C. A., & Erickson, N. L. (Eds.). (2024). The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible: One-volume edition. Zondervan Academic.  

·      Cerone, J. N. (2016). Naomi. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. S. Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press. 

·      Stuart, D. (1986). Naomi. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Rev. ed., Vol. 3, p. 489). Eerdmans.  

·      Sweeney, M. A., & Powell, M. A. (2011). Naomi. In M. A. Powell (Ed.), The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (3rd ed., p. 689). HarperOne.

RELATED EPISODE:

Does God Approve of Everything in the Bible? 

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Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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!
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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 teach a simple way to memorize all 27 New Testament books in order using seven small chunks and memorable cues you can say out loud. We also explain how the New Testament is organized so you can find passages faster and read with more context. 
• Four-part layout of the New Testament: Gospels, Acts, letters, Revelation 
• “Acting up” cue for Matthew through Acts 
• “Real Christian Girls Eat Pork Chops” cue for Romans through Colossians 
• Five T letters using the longest-to-shortest order trick 
• “Five lemons” sound cue for Philemon 
• “Hebrews James” link to keep the sequence moving 
• “PJs” cue for Peter, John, and Jude plus the final book Revelation 
• Quick self-quiz prompts to practice without looking 
• Seven-days plan: one chunk a day, repeat and add, say them out loud 
Until then, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith.

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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 walk through the Book of Judges as a brutally honest part of Scripture where people keep failing and God keeps coming back for them. We learn how to read hard stories with clarity by separating what the Bible reports from what God approves, and we trace how the book points forward to a better rescuer. 
• the big idea of Judges as a repeating cycle of drift, suffering, crying out, rescue, relief, then drift again 
• why disturbing stories are included and what they reveal about walking away from God 
• where Judges fits after Joshua and before Israel’s kings 
• what “judge” means in Judges as a rescuer sent by God 
• the pull of Baal worship and the pressure to blend in 
• Deborah as a model of wise leadership and courage 
• Gideon’s unlikely calling and the warning in how his story ends 
• Samson’s strength, self-destruction, and the tragedy of not noticing God’s absence 
• the ending line about “no king” and doing what is right in your own eyes 
• how Judges creates longing for a faithful king and points to Jesus 
• questions to ask when a Bible passage feels messy or confusing 
Until then, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith.

SOURCES:

Barker, K. L., Strauss, M. L., Brown, J. K., Blomberg, C. L., & Williams, M. (Eds.). (2020). NIV Study Bible (Fully rev. ed.). Zondervan.

Bowling, A. C. (1995). Judges. In W. A. Elwell (Ed.), Evangelical Commentary on the Bible. Baker Book House.

Dockery, D. S. (Ed.). (1992). Holman Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers.

Jeremiah, D. (2025). The Whole story: A 52-week Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Bible. Thomas Nelson.

Mangum, D. (Ed.). (2020). Lexham Context Commentary: Old Testament. Lexham Press.

Phillips, W. G. (2004). Judges, Ruth (M. Anders, Ed.; Vol. 5). Holman Reference.

Ryken, L., & Ryken, P. G. (Eds.). (2007). ESV Literary Study Bible. Crossway.

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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 track Israel’s turning point after Moses dies and Joshua steps up, showing that God’s promise keeps moving even when leadership changes. We walk through Jericho, Rahab, Achan, and Joshua’s final challenge to prove one big claim: God keeps every promise, so trust him in your next hard step. 

• Moses’ death as a crisis that does not stop God’s plan 
• Joshua’s three seasons: entering the land, dividing it, renewing covenant loyalty 
• Jericho as a trust test through an unusual battle plan 
• Jericho as a difficult story framed as judgment in a specific time 
• Rahab’s rescue as mercy and inclusion for outsiders who believe 
• Achan and Ai as the cost of disobedience 
• The land allotment and the challenge of staying faithful while spread out 
• Joshua’s name as Yeshua and the connection to Jesus 
• Joshua’s closing claim that no promise failed 
• Practical questions for change, fear, and unfamiliar territory 

If you don't want to miss where the story goes next, now's a good time to follow, comment, or subscribe. 
Until then, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith. 

SOURCES:

• Baker Illustrated Study Bible. (2018). Baker Books.
• Curtis, A. H. W. (1998). Joshua. Sheffield Academic Press.
• NIV Study Bible. (2020). Zondervan.

RELATED EPISODE:
Ancient Israel Rises And Falls. The Story Isn't Over.           https://youtu.be/4KsE7y4aZQw

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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 zoom out and trace Israel’s story from entering the Promised Land to exile and life under Persian rule, so you can read the Old Testament history books with confidence. We follow the rise, fracture, and fallout of a nation while holding onto the bigger point: God stays faithful even when His people don’t. 
• the history books as the next major Bible section after the first five books 
• a timeline that spans entrance into the land through exile and return 
• why these books are more than events and are about meaning 
• Joshua and the start of settling the land 
• Judges as a repeating cycle of drift, trouble, rescue, and return 
• Ruth as a quiet story of loyalty and redemption 
• Israel’s request for a king and the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon 
• the temple in Jerusalem and why it matters 
• the split into Israel in the north and Judah in the south 
• Chronicles as a retelling with focus on David’s family and the temple 
• Assyria and Babylon as the conquering empires and exile as judgment 
• Cyrus of Persia and the surprising turn toward return 
• Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilding worship and walls 
• Esther’s risk to save her people and God’s care even when unnamed 
• a personal reflection on trusting God in the parts we want to skip 
If you don't want to miss where the story goes next, now is a good time to follow or subscribe. 

SOURCES:  

CSB Baker Illustrated Study Bible. (2018). Baker Books.

Eichenberger, J., Daniel, E. A., Root, O., Sharp, C. J., & Moninger, H. (2011). Training for Service: A basic Bible Overview for Every Christian (7th ed.). Standard Publishing

RELATED EPISODES:

Joshua, Judges, and Ruth: Faith, Obedience, and Divine Promises https://youtu.be/XsG8lHJGohg

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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 spotlight a surprising Bible detail: the first person Scripture says God fills with His Spirit is a craftsman, Bezalel, chosen to design and build for the tabernacle. We talk about how creativity, skill, and hands-on work can fit into a life with God when it’s guided by obedience and aimed at serving others. 
• Bezalel as the first explicitly Spirit-filled person and why that matters 
• The tabernacle at Mount Sinai and the real-world need for skilled makers 
• Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill as God-given empowerment for craftsmanship 
• Creativity as community work with Oholiab and other skilled workers 
• Why not every creative idea should be labeled “from the Holy Spirit” 
• Using what we make to support worship, meet needs, and serve people 
• Reflective questions to help connect gifts with purpose and faithfulness 

If you want more context for Bezalel's story and where it fits into the Bible, check out our episode on the first five books of the Bible. I'll link it in the description. If you're watching on YouTube, you can click on your screen now. 

Related Episode:

The First Five Books That Men the Bible Click https://youtu.be/DeDAu509Fm8

Sources:

Merida, T. (2014). Exalting Jesus in Exodus. Holman Reference.

NIV Bible speaks today: Notes. (2020), p. 112. IVP.

Piper, J. (2007). How believers experienced the Spirit before Pentecost. In Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989). Desiring God. (Sermon originally delivered February 19, 1984)

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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 slow down and translate six Hebrew names of God so our worship and prayers match what we mean. We also explain why LORD appears in all caps in many English Bibles and how each name reveals God’s character at the moment people need it most. 
• why names carry identity in the ancient world 
• LORD in all caps as a sign of Yahweh 
• Elohim as Creator and supreme God 
• Yahweh as God’s personal name and presence 
• Adonai as Lordship and surrender in struggle 
• El Shaddai as all-sufficient strength 
• Jehovah Jireh as God’s provision in fear 
• Jehovah Rapha as healing and restoration 
• choosing a name of God to pray in hard moments 

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe.

REFERENCED SONG: Yahweh will Manifest Himself (written by  Elimart De La Rosa Martinez and Rayniery De Los Santos)

My favorite versions

• Red Worship Loop (don’t listen to it while driving)  
• Victor Thompson 
• The Rock Church of Elk Grove feat. Eli Rios 

RELATED EPISODES

• The First Five Books That Make the Bible Click
• What's in a Name? The Names of God and Their Meaning

SOURCES

• Bailey, E. K. (2024). The Premises of Prayer. In E. K. Bailey Essential Sermon Archive. Logos Bible Software.
• Bratka, B. D. (2016). Elohim. In J. D. Barry et al. (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.
• Got Questions Ministries. (2002–2013). What does it mean that God is Jehovah-Jireh? In Got Questions? Bible questions Answered. Logos Bible Software.
• Hastings, J., et al. (1909). Elohim. In Dictionary of the Bible (p. 299). Charles Scribner's Sons.
• Martens, E. A. (1996). God, Names of. In Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Baker Reference Library, p. 300). Baker Book House.
• McCaulley, E. (2014). Worship. In D. Mangum et al. (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Press.
• Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (pp. 52–54). Moody Press.
• Unger, M. F., et al. (1988). Elohim. In The New Unger's Bible dDctionary. Moody Press.
• Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, names of. In Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (pp. 882, 885). Baker Book House.

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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 connect a surprising World Cup “missing the rules” moment to what it feels like to read Scripture without the first five books. We walk through the Pentateuch as one connected foundation story that explains the Bible’s big themes and points forward to Jesus. 
• the soccer rulebook analogy for Bible confusion 
• what the Pentateuch is and why it’s called Torah 
• who the books are written for and what questions they answer 
• a clear walkthrough of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy 
• the central thread: God rescues a people to bring them to himself 
• how the laws describe life with a holy God and care for others 
• why the prophets and New Testament keep quoting these books 
• Jesus’ claim to fulfill the law and the prophets 
This week, read Genesis chapter 12, verses 1 through 3. Write down what God promises Abraham, his family, and the nations. Until our next episode, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith.

RELATED EPISODE:

The Pentateuch: Insights Into the First Five Books of the Bible

SOURCES:

• Carpenter, E. E. (1986). Pentateuch. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Rev. ed., Vol. 3, p. 742). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
• Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV study Bible. Crossway Bibles.
• Elwell, W. A. (1995). Evangelical Commentary on the Bible. Baker Book House.
• The New Interpreter’s Handbook of Preaching. (2010). Abingdon Press.
• Rose Publishing. (n.d.). Bible Overview. Rose Publishing.

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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 talk about why Bible reading gets hard the moment life gets busy, and why perfectionism makes it even harder to come back. We share three small, realistic habits you can use before, during, and after you read so consistency feels lighter and more doable.
• Anchoring Bible reading to an existing daily habit so your routine becomes the reminder
• Reading a few verses before and after to understand Scripture in context
• Writing one sentence after reading to capture a truth, question, or need
• Letting go of shame after missed days and choosing to begin again
• Picking the easiest habit first and adding the others over time
Click on the link in the show notes for a more in depth look at ways to level up your Bible reading habits.

RELATED EPISODE:

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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.

Jeremiah 29:11 becomes clearer and more powerful when we read it inside Jeremiah’s letter to exiles living in Babylon. We walk through a simple inductive Bible study method that helps us hear God’s promise as steady hope for a long season, not a shortcut to getting everything we want.

• why Jeremiah 29:11 is often misunderstood when it is read alone
• how to use observation to notice repeated words, contrasts, and connecting words like “for”
• how context answers key questions like who “you” is and why hope is needed
• what the Babylonian exile reveals about waiting, faithfulness, and daily life
• why “prosper” points to welfare and peace rather than guaranteed wealth
• how verses 12–14 deepen the promise with prayer, seeking God, and restoration
• how to apply the passage through trust, patient action, and seeking the good of our community
• a step-by-step practice plan for studying any focused verse with its surrounding paragraph

Leave a comment on YouTube or send me a message on Instagram. I read and respond to everyone.

SOURCES:

Beetham, C. A., & Erickson, N. L. (Eds.). (2024). The NIV application commentary on the Bible. Zondervan Academic.

Fuhr, R. A., Jr., & Köstenberger, A. J. (2016). Inductive Bible study: Observation, interpretation, and application through the lenses of history, literature, and theology. B&H Academic.

Got Questions Ministries. (2026, January 21). What is inductive Bible study? https://www.gotquestions.org/inductive-Bible-study.html

RELATED EPISODES:

Jeremiah Part 1: he Man, The Call, The Tears

Jeremiah Part 2: The Message, The Warnings, The Hope

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

Want to live with more purpose and intention?  Check out my book, Life Planning God's Way: A Guide to Living with Purpose and Intention. It's a practical, faith-friendly guide to goal-setting and building a life that reflects what God has placed in your heart.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h7uLiwL

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.