Bible Geeks Podcast

How do we apply church-like submission and Christ-like headship in our marriages? And what should Christians take from the servant / master commandments (and do those commandments mean that Christianity is pro-slavery)? This week we ask a lot of big questions in a Do You Understand segment focused on the Household instructions in Ephesians 5:22-6:9. Here in session 11 of Talking Through Ephesians, we ask, “WWYDFJ?” (that’s “What would you do for Jesus?”) and discover a secret strength like Samson. We also discuss how our view of marriage has changed over the years and take on a “top secret” mission in this week’s challenge. Find all the resources for this series at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: The secret strength behind Christian relationships is our love and honor for Jesus.

This Week's Challenge: Find a way to do something extra at work without letting anyone know about it.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 11 (PDF)
• "Playing House" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 5:22-6:9 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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This week we discuss replacing old habits with a new way to walk, including some specific changes. What is “proper” behavior for a Christian? And practically speaking, how do we get filled with the Spirit? It’s a conversation about wise choices and discerning the light through “evil days.” We get into the difference between applying Scripture’s principles and commands versus making up our own rules. And we find that life without Christ is sleep-walking and conversion is like waking up. You can find all the resources for this series at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: God wants us to follow his lead by replacing destructive sinful activities with wholesome ones.

This Week's Challenge: Note three times you've chosen wisely today in your journal or to a close friend.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 10 (PDF)
• "Texas Switch" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 5:1-21 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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We’re Talking Through Ephesians 4:17-32, a pragmatic look at how we put off the old and put on a new way of life. We take on some big questions, like: What’s the deal with grieving the Holy Spirit? And what does not letting "the sun go down on" our anger have to do with giving opportunity to the devil (4:26-27)? We figure out how to speak as fits the occasion and what it means to be tenderhearted. Yes, we somehow get into some gross illustrations, but we hope you still find the conversation edifying and helpful, as we focus on applications “where the rubber meets the road.” You can find the study guide, videos, and episodes for this Guided Study at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: A Christian's lifestyle change comes from a changed mind.

This Week's Challenge: Put a note by your bed reminding you: "do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Eph. 4:26).

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 9 (PDF)
• "You Smell" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 4:17-32 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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We're in Session 8 of our Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study, getting super-practical with Eph. 4:1-16. We examine our role in a superhero team and the importance of unity and working together in the church. We share our Top Four Proverbs on responding gently to conflict and how we both struggle with humility and patience. And we encourage you to build unity within the Lord's church today, becoming like "Glue Guy" — sticking brothers and sisters together with long-lasting bonds. Find this series's study guides and videos at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: Though we all bring something unique to our role in the church, Jesus calls us to join forces and grow stronger together in love.

This Week's Challenge: Commend a brother or sister for their work as a "peacemaker" this week.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 8 (PDF)
• "Forces Combine" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 4:1-16 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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What gets in the way of us comprehending Christ’s love? Here in session 7 of Talking Through Ephesians, we discuss the difference between worth and worthiness and what marriage has taught us about God’s love. We reflect on Paul’s inspiring prayer for insight and power in Ephesians 3:14-21, but we also look to our other favorite passages and hymns about love, turning to some of Scripture’s greatest hits. We believe that meditating on Christ’s love for you is one of the most empowering practices a Christian can engage in, so we hope this episode propels you to contemplation and praise! Find the study guides and videos for this series at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: *Knowing Christ’s love renews and strengthens us. *

This Week's Challenge: Give someone a note or card reminding them how much God loves them.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 7 (PDF)
• "The Power of Love" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 3:14-21 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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What should we take from Paul's positivity in prison? How do we connect our circumstances to our story and — through the eyes of faith — see that we're a part of God's great story? In our sixth episode Talking Through Ephesians, we celebrate the mystery now revealed in Christ, as Paul proclaims access to God for all the nations. Finding Jesus in this week's text, we imagine swimming in riches like Scrooge McDuck and enjoy our "freedom of speech" before God. And as fantasy football draft parties happen across the country, we're going in a different direction in this week's A-Team, drafting Gentiles Paul impacted in his ministry. Go to biblegeeks.fm/ephesians and check out all the videos, guides, and episodes as we talk through Ephesians!

The Big Idea: Paul's suffering and imprisonment paled compared to the privilege of preaching God's eternal plan to the Gentiles.

This Week's Challenge: Ask a believing friend to join you in talking to a stranger about the Lord.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 6 (PDF)
• "Hidey-Hole" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 3:1-13 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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What threatens church unity today? What do East Berlin and airline amenities have to do with the temple veil? And how does life in God’s presence change us? This week in session 5 of Talking Through Ephesians we explore the last half of chapter two. We walk through the story of the temple, from the garden to the tabernacle; and from Solomon to the church and the New Jerusalem. We find Jesus in the doorway, the corner, the mortar, and everywhere else in the house, and discuss what it means that “he himself is our peace.” Along the way we learn about God’s nearness and holiness, and the privilege of access to the most guarded, sacred room that exists. Find the videos, guides, and episodes at biblegeeks.fm/ephesians.

The Big Idea: People who once couldn't enter the temple have now become God's holy house.

This Week's Challenge: Reconcile with any brother or sister you don't have peace with.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 5 (PDF)
• "Second-Class Citizens" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 2:11-22 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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How are we created FOR good works but not saved as a result of works (Eph. 2:9-10)? And how are people like zombies wandering around malls? This week we talk through Ephesians 2:1-10, finding good reason for humility and joy in God’s love and grace! We imagine the view, looking out from an open tomb and celebrate the truth that we now sit with Christ in the heavenly places. And we begin the discussion of our “walk” — a conversation that we’ll consider through the remainder of the book. It’s session 4 of Talking Through Ephesians — go to biblegeeks.fm/ephesians to find the videos, guides, and more!

The Big Idea: Without God's love and grace, we'd still stumble through our days, dead in our sins.

This Week's Challenge: Write out all the verses with the word "walk" in Ephesians.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 4 (PDF)
• "The Walking Dead" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 2:1-10 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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This week we unfog the privacy glass to see with hope and power. We’re Talking Through Ephesians with a conversation about the last half of chapter one, a prayer to let the light in. We define Heavy Words like enlightened, inheritance, and the heavenly places, learning why Christians aren’t rogue individuals and what kind of treasure awaits us. In our Reach Out question, we explore why informed hope is so important in a dire, dysfunctional world. And we find out where Jesus’ feet stand, what he fills, and what it all has to do with us. Go to biblegeeks.fm/ephesians for the guides, videos, and more!

The Big Idea: Through faith, the eyes of your heart can perceive the hope awaiting you and God's power toward you.

This Week’s Challenge: Let someone know how often you pray for them.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 3 (PDF)
• "Zooming Out" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
- Finding Jesus: Ephesians 1:15-23 (VERSE)
- Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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When do you struggle to remember God’s rich blessings? Do you understand predestination, the Holy Spirit’s work, and what it means to be “in Christ”? Here in session two of Talking Through Ephesians, we discuss the spiritual blessings Paul praises God for in chapter one. After Finding Jesus described as “the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6), we explore what it means “to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Eph. 1:10). We also talk about finding a place to belong at God’s family table, how that table IS and ISN’T exclusive, and how Jesus’ victory is like David slaying Goliath. Go to biblegeeks.fm/ephesians to find the study guide, video, and all the other info for this study.

The Big Idea: Jesus brings us together into a new spiritual family who lives to honor God for his incredible salvation.

This Week's Challenge: Ask a friend what spiritual blessings they're most grateful for.

Show Notes

• Talking Through Ephesians Study Guide - Session 2 (PDF)
• "Gatorade Shower" (CONVERSATION STARTER)
• Finding Jesus: Ephesians 1:3-14 (VERSE)
• Talking Through Ephesians Guided Study (WEBSITE)

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