Bible Geeks Podcast

What does Jesus mean when he says he knows his sheep by name? And what gives us the right to lead anyone? On this episode, our sights are set on the Lord’s shepherding and how to imitate it in our own spheres of influence. This week’s Poetry in Motion dives into some of the most beloved words ever penned, as we find encouragement in God’s care and protection in the 23rd psalm. From fighting bears to cooking competitions, our Through the Week challenges force us to strain and grow as parents, friends, and teachers. It left us asking: Are we still just showing up for a Thanksgiving meal or hosting the feast? Hope you find it helpful too!

The Big Idea: Leadership in the kingdom takes its cue from the care, commitment, and courage of Christ.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "Cowboys and Shepherds" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 48
• Like the Teacher: John 10:1-18 (VERSE)
• Poetry in Motion: Psalm 23 (VERSE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

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This week, "on a very special Bible Geeks," we had the chance to record together lakeside and enjoy God's creation around us. Our Cross Training focuses on shining a light to lead others to the Lord. A lot of the conversation dealt with the challenge of letting others see your good works (Matt. 5:16) while at the same time avoiding doing good works "to be seen" (Matt. 6:1). That paradox lies at the heart of the Christian life, and working through it illuminates our purpose (see what we did there?). It's a Thanksgiving Day episode that comes as we all reflect on the year and all the ways the Lord has blessed us. May all that we do increase thanksgiving to the One who deserves all glory and gratitude!

The Big Idea: Letting people see your good works isn’t about you. It’s about the glory God gets when people see His goodness in you.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "Afraid of the Dark" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 47
• Like the Teacher: Matthew 5:14-16 (VERSE)
• The Bench of Knowledge (PHOTO)
• Owl Lamps (PHOTO)
• Recording Together (PHOTO)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

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Programming Note: This week, we're replaying one of our favorite episodes from the past. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode.

This week we discuss how warhorses are like fighter jets and how beagles are like Moses. We talk about "Selah," superscriptions, and the source of salvation as we set the third psalm "in Motion." And we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series with a virtue some have called "the most untranslatable" Bible word. Jesus Said those who possess it will inherit the earth in Matthew 5:5.

Weekly Challenge: Show gentleness and meekness to someone this week.

Show Notes

• Jesus Said … Matthew 5:5

Why does following Jesus require us to get over our estimation of ourselves — whether we see ourselves too low or too high? And how does the "butterfly effect" apply to your conversion? In a conversation with the risen Jesus over breakfast, Jesus won't let Peter redirect attention away from himself onto another disciple. Peter reminds us of Dr. Pol, the large animal vet of Nat Geo's reality show as Jesus trains him to care for the sheep he loves. And in a Here's the Story segment all about four of the "other apostles" — some of the twelve we don't usually focus on — we see the virtue of searching and sharing the Lord. It's a #throwbackthursday as Jesus' call throws back to Elijah, and our response to his call reminds Bryan of an old, failed Apple product.

The Big Idea: Our relationship with Jesus deepens as we follow him throughout our lives.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "Learning the Ropes" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 45
• Like the Teacher: John 21:15-22 (VERSE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)
• “The Rock of My Heart” (SONG)
• “O Sacred Head” (SONG)

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What burdens are yours to shoulder? This week, we learn to take radical responsibility from Jesus’ story about the shepherd and the lost sheep. We have some Deeep Thoughts about getting “voluntold,” making people feel small by serving them, and evaluating each other’s burdens. Bryan talks about times he wants to say, “you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” And Ryan talks about when his “eyes are bigger” than his ability to actually help. Bearing one another’s burdens is at the heart of the church, but it takes both compassion and wisdom to support one another well.

The Big Idea: We can’t take responsibility for another person’s choices, but we must take ownership of what WE can do to influence, support, and serve others.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "Fellow Soldiers" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 44
• Like the Teacher: Luke 15:4-7 (VERSE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

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What’s the thread you hang onto everyday? How can we block out God like smog blocks out the sun? And what “tech support” do we all occasionally need to keep our “spiritual operating systems” optimized? This week we appreciate our Favorite Things to keep consistent, like time outside, asking good questions, and starting the day quietly. In this week’s Like the Teacher passage, Jesus says he “always does the things that please” the Father — but what are we supposed to draw from that example? Along the way, we replace New Year’s resolutions with new DAY’s resolutions, celebrate all the people we never have to worry about, and share what we hope people can reliably see in us. It’s Cross Training in consistency, an aspect of endurance we pray God blesses your life with — as you persevere in his grace, may you find stability in Him.

The Big Idea: Stacking simple, godly habits, day after day, gives stability to our spiritual lives.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "Stay on Track" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 43
• Like the Teacher: John 8:28-29 (VERSE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

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Why does Jesus say the world will hate us? And what do weakness and waiting have to do with getting through tough times? In this episode, we're Flying Through the Book of James, learning from expectations and disappointment, and considering how trials have changed us. This week's "Through the Week" challenges have us dealing with burnout, embracing God's delivery schedule, and learning to appreciate difficult people. Plus, Jesus' words in John 15 teach us why it's better to stay IN the frying pan and why being ostracized shouldn't shock us.

The Big Idea: When we look to the Lord for renewal and help in hardship, we’ll find the power to carry on.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Balancing the Christian Life with Kenny Embry (PODCAST)
• Cross Training - "Inhospitable Environment" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 42
• Like the Teacher: John 15:18-16:3 (VERSE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

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What kind of statue do you envision when you think of Abel, Sarah, or Gideon? Which individual person from Scripture has influenced you the most? This week, in an ensemble Here’s the Story, we imagine walking through Hebrews 11’s “Hall of Faith,” stopping to appreciate each figure. We discuss how examples are like matching pajamas and Bible stories are like Evil Knievel’s ramp. We find our common humanity with our heroes and a common table to sit at with Elijah, Isaiah, and John. And as we take the stories to heart, we try to find our place in the great line of devoted (but flawed) people of God.

The Big Idea: The great stories of faith can launch us to greater heights, inspiring and instructing us.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "A Different Story" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 41
• Like the Teacher: Matthew 5:11-12 (VERSE)
• Montezuma Castle National Monument (WEBSITE)
• Walnut Canyon National Monument (WEBSITE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

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What’s the difference between efficiency and fruitfulness? How can our productivity in God’s service go from good to bad to ugly? This week we draft our A-Teams of stewardship stories and dive into the Lord’s parable of the Minas. We consider how sharing in the kingdom is kind of like using Vrbo, how humanity seems a risky investment for God, and how stewardship is like babysitting. We hope you find this discussion of all God’s gifts (and the responsibilities they bring) as challenging as we did, as we seek to be conduits instead of just consumers!

The Big Idea: When we orient our lives around our God-given purpose, everything we possess becomes a resource to that end.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "Just Caretakers" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 40
• Like the Teacher: Luke 19:11-27 (VERSE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

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What do “manly” hands, iPhone Focus Mode, and three star generals have to do with fervently serving the Lord? What do you see when you look at a crowd? And (to quote an old song), “what’s love got to do with it?” This week we’re Cross Training to become more fruitful in Christ. So a Heavy Words study of zeal and diligence serves as a temperature check for our passion and devotion, encouraging us to be “romanced” by hope. While this week’s challenges inspire us to revisit our “why” and the stakes of our work.

The Big Idea: Because Christ has risen, all our work has eternal meaning.

Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here.

Show Notes

• Cross Training - "Your Best Work" (DAILY DOWNLOAD)
• Cross Training - Through the Week Challenges - Week 39
• Like the Teacher: Matthew 9:35-38 (VERSE)
• The Bible Geeks Facebook Group (FACEBOOK)

Support the Show