Bible Geeks Podcast

Is it just us, or is it hard to find room for all the friendships you want to maintain? Sometimes we feel guilt over not being close to everyone in the church, and other times we wonder how we’ll make the time to connect with anyone at a substantive level! So here, in session 2 of our Two by Two guided study, we notice how Jesus tended to friendships and take a Closer Look at Paul’s band of close partners. We discuss some particular challenges each of us has run into and learn to make what one brother called friendship “shepherd’s pie.” As we work towards closer relationships, you can find each session of this 9-part guided study at biblegeeks.fm/twobytwo.

The Big Idea: You can't be everyone's best friend, but you can make time to invest in close relationships.

This Week's Challenge: Schedule a day on your calendar this month to get together with a friend for coffee or a meal.

Show Notes

• "Jesus' Greatest Miracle?" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Like the Teacher: John 11:1-11 (VERSE)
• Two By Two Guided Study (WEBSITE)
• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker (BOOK)

Support the Show

We’re back and excited to start a new guided study on friendship called “Two By Two.” This first study comes from the Bible’s encouragement to value and invest in building these bonds. Four Proverbs on Friends remind us to choose our companions carefully and value quality over quantity. We learn from how Jesus sent the disciples out that he wants us to team up, and we ask, “What gets in the way of the kind of close friendships we want?” We pray this series enriches your relationships as you study along with us!

The Big Idea: A strong circle of Christian friends is invaluable on our heavenward journey.

This Week's Challenge: Perform a social audit, rating the interactions you have with others as “+” or “-“ in your journal.

Show Notes

• Two By Two Guided Study (WEBSITE)
• "Two is One" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Like the Teacher: Mark 6:7-13 (VERSE)

Support the Show

Today — as this drops — it’s the fifth anniversary of our first show’s release. And since it’s also our 200th episode, we took some time to look back and share our Favorite Things about doing Bible Geeks (including a few favorite clips!). We kick it off with a “meta” Finding Jesus, talking about why we always start with Christ. Then we get into why we’re still here and don’t plan to stop anytime soon. To anyone who has ever listened, engaged with us, or supported us, we want to offer a HUGE thank you! You have made this a fun and encouraging journey, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

The Big Idea: Thanks for sticking with us for five years of Bible Geeks!

Show Notes

• Bible Geeks Patreon (WEBSITE)
• Her Strength in Him (PODCAST)

Support the Show

“If the Messiah is here, the Romans don’t matter—anything is possible now!” The AV Club is back with a Chosen episode that challenges us to hold onto our faith when life’s problems overwhelm us and we don’t understand God’s commands. From all-nighters to Matthew’s unique outlook, the episode sparked a lot of questions and a few Deep Thoughts. Simon Peter’s story is so relatable, with his bold personality, his doubts and fears, and his powerful conversion. We hope you walk away from this talk reaffirming your commitment to do what Peter did, leaving behind who you were to follow the One who changes everything.

The Big Idea: Faith isn't faith if we keep it separate from the issues and questions of our lives.

Show Notes

• The Chosen (WEBSITE)
• Like the Teacher: Luke 5:1-11 (VERSE)
• Watch the Chosen (WEBSITE)
• Where to Stream the Chosen (WEBSITE)
• The Chosen - S1E4 - “The Rock On Which It Is Built” (WIKI)

Support the Show

Ever wanted a straightforward process for learning from your past and planning some growth and goals for the future? Well, “take a look! It’s in a book!” The Bible Geeks Book Club is back with part 2 of our discussion of Michael Hyatt’s Your Best Year Ever. This week we share a few of our Favorite Things, highlighting Scriptural principles like grace, clarity, and order — as they relate to this goal-setting process. We also share some themes that have begun to show up in our own planning for 2024. We hope this conversation blesses you, as you prayerfully set out to make 2024 a fruitful year!

The Big Idea: There’s wisdom in ordering our lives with purpose and planning.

This Week's Challenge: Spend time in prayer, dedicating all your work to God, and let him establish your plans for 2024 (cf. Prov. 16:3).

Show Notes

• Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals by Michael Hyatt (BOOK)
• Watch the Chosen (WEBSITE)
• Where to Stream the Chosen (WEBSITE)
• The Chosen - S1E4 - “The Rock On Which It Is Built” (WIKI)

Support the Show

If your past year were a movie, what genre would it be? And what do gratitude and belief have to do with setting goals? This week we look backward and forward with the help of a book fit for a new year, as the Bible Geeks Book Club returns. Michael Hyatt’s Your Best Year Ever, a resource Ryan had used for years, leads us through a process for “catching up” with the past and planning the year ahead. We consider what Jesus and the book of Proverbs teach us about planning. Then we go Flyin’ Through the Book, before slowing down to reflect on what limiting beliefs threaten to hold us back as we move forward into 2024.

The Big Idea: Looking back helps us look forward.

This Week's Challenge: Look back on the past year and note some lessons learned, some successes, and any changes you want to make going forward.

Show Notes

• Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals by Michael Hyatt (BOOK)

Support the Show

What does Jesus' work have to do with his desire to "let the little children come" to him (Matt. 19:14)? The Bible Geeks A.V. Club is back to discuss season 1, episode 3 of The Chosen! After a brief recap of the story, we take a Closer Look at the Scriptural background for the episode's plot. We learn from two moments in Mark 9 and 10 when Jesus engaged with children (Mark 9:35-37; 10:13-16) and examine our engagement with kids in light of the Savior's example. There's more to think about on this subject than you may realize! We hope you enjoy reflecting on these dramatizations of Jesus' life as much as we've enjoyed talking about them!

The Big Idea: Our Master’s willingness to take time for children should affect our choices.

This Week's Challenge: Watch The Chosen - S1E3 and talk about it with a friend.

Show Notes

• The Chosen (WEBSITE)
• Like the Teacher: Mark 9:35-37 (VERSE)
• Watch the Chosen (WEBSITE)
• Where to Stream the Chosen (WEBSITE)
• The Chosen - S1E3 - “Jesus Loves the Little Children” (WIKI)
• The Chosen - S1E4 - “The Rock On Which It Is Build” (WIKI)

Support the Show

How should a Christian dress? After several weeks off, we’re back with a special guest to talk about modest apparel. Ryan’s wife, Adrienne, joins the show to help answer a question submitted to us by a young woman who listens to the show. We take a Closer Look at two key passages and the Bible words used there. Then we get into some practical questions every disciple faces when choosing what to wear.

The Big Idea: Our first guiding principle when choosing clothing is to glorify God — just like every other part of our lives.

This Week's Challenge: Start a conversation about this topic with someone who might be able to give you a slightly different perspective.

Show Notes

• Jesus Said: John 8:54 (VERSE)
• Ask Us a Question! (WEBSITE)

Support the Show

Peace, Love, Grace, and Faith. As we wrap up this 13-session study of Ephesians, Paul’s closing blessing (6:21-24) points us to these four Heavy Words. We can’t help but wax poetic a little when we reflect on God’s overflowing goodness — talk of waterfalls, oceans, and mountains abound. But we also reflect on the lasting impression and practical takeaways this study has left us with. We hope Talking Through Ephesians has strengthened you as well! The full 13-session study guide and lots of other resources are available for you to put to use now, check it out at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: God wants every Christian's life to overflow with peace, love, faith, and grace.

This Week's Challenge: Pick a favorite verse in Ephesians and memorize it.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 13 (PDF)
• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Complete Guide (PDF)
• "Still Science Fiction" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 6:21-24 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

Support the Show

How can we stand in temptation and trial? This week we dive into Paul’s great text on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-20. Introducing a new segment, we take A Closer Look at each part of the “armor of God.” The study reminds us of our true enemy and our superior fire power. We end with a Reach Out discussion of the gaps in our armor that highlights our need for hope, knowledge, and trust. As Bryan likes to say, this is our PENULTIMATE session in this guided study of Ephesians, so catch us next week for the conclusion and download the whole guide at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: God equips us to stand firm with the same armor he wears in battle.

This Week's Challenge: Ask a friend if there’s an aspect of their spiritual warfare you can pray for.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 12 (PDF)
• "Battle-Tested" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 6:10-20 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

Support the Show