Bible Study

Is there really "a time for everything"? In Ecclesiastes 3, the Preacher reflects on the seasons of life — a time to be born and a time to die, a time for war and a time for peace. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores the rhythms of our existence and where lasting meaning is found.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Who wrote this passage, and why? Traditionally Solomon, reflecting on life's fleeting seasons and the search for meaning "under the sun."

2. Why does life seem futile "under the sun"? Because apart from God, everything passes and nothing satisfies — life feels like chasing the wind.

3. What changes "under heaven"? When God is at the center, the seasons gain purpose. He makes everything beautiful in its time and sets eternity in our hearts.

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What is the finish line of your life?

Every choice we make moves us toward some destination. In Philippians 3, Paul presses on toward the goal of knowing Christ. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt asks where your life is heading, and how to run toward the right finish line.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What does our past have to do with our future? Paul refused to be defined by his past — neither his failures nor his achievements. He pressed forward toward Christ.

2. What was Paul's aim? To "press toward the goal for the prize" — to finish the race well, with Christ as his ultimate prize.

3. What does it mean to "press toward the prize"? To live with purpose and perseverance, running the Christian life as a race worth finishing.

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Is it okay to ask God "why"?

In this bonus study from Job 10, Dr. Toby Holt asks a question every hurting believer has felt: is it allowed to bring God our raw, grief-filled "why"? Job, the most righteous man on earth, tells God plainly that he loathes his life and wants to know why God is contending with him. God is big enough to receive our honest laments — asking "why" in our pain does not mean God loves us less. Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, David, and Paul all cried out the same way. Bringing our questions to God is an act of faith.

Questions this study answers:

1. Is it wrong to ask God "why" when we suffer? No. Job, the most righteous man on earth, asked God why — and so did Moses, Elijah, and David. God welcomes our honest cries.

2. Does asking "why" mean our faith is weak? Not at all. Bringing our pain to God is itself an act of trust. It turns toward Him rather than away from Him.

3. Is God indifferent to our pain? No. God is not cold or distant. He receives the laments of His people and draws near to the brokenhearted.

"I will say to God, 'Do not condemn me; show me why You contend with me.'" — Job 10:2 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Will you walk in the light or the darkness? In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul reminds believers that they are "sons of light" living in a dark world. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt calls Christians to live as agents of light amid the shadows of this age.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What were the Thessalonians anxious about? The future — especially the coming "day of the LORD" and the fate of those who had died.

2. How did Paul comfort them? By assuring them they belong to the light and the day, not to the darkness, and are destined for salvation through Christ.

3. How should this change how we live? We are to live awake and self-controlled, as people of the light, encouraging one another while we wait.

"You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness." — 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Would the apostle John never die?

A rumor once spread that the apostle John would never die. In John 21:20-25, the very end of the Gospel, Dr. Toby Holt explains what Jesus actually said — and what He really meant. When Peter asked about John's future, Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." People took this to mean John would never die, but John corrects the rumor. Holt explains Jesus' words point to His coming in judgment on Jerusalem in A.D. 70, when the temple was destroyed — an event John lived to see. The Gospel closes with John's sign-off.

Questions this study answers:

1. What did Jesus mean that John might "remain" until He came? Not that John would never die. He told Peter to stop comparing and simply follow Him; John later corrected the rumor.

2. What happened in A.D. 70, and how does it connect? Rome destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, exactly as Jesus warned. Holt links Jesus' words here to that coming in judgment.

3. How does John's Gospel end? John signs off as an eyewitness who insists his testimony is true, saying the world could not hold all the books that might be written about Jesus.

"Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.'" — John 21:22 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Can Jesus restore you after you fail Him?

Yes. In John 21:15-19, the risen Jesus meets Peter — who had denied Him three times — and gently restores him. Dr. Toby Holt shows that failure is not the end for those Jesus loves.

Over a breakfast on the shore, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" — one for each denial. Each time Peter says yes, Jesus gives a charge: feed My lambs, tend My sheep, feed My sheep. Love shows itself in faithful service. Jesus then foretells Peter would one day die for Him, and closes: "Follow Me."

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times? Peter had denied Jesus three times, so Jesus gave him three chances to affirm his love — a tender restoration, not an interrogation.

2. What did Jesus mean by "feed My sheep"? He was calling Peter to care for His people — to nourish and protect them. Real love for Jesus shows itself in serving others.

3. What does this say to us when we fail? Jesus restores those who fall and calls them back to service. The call is always the same: "Follow Me."

"Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?… Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'" — John 21:17 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Is it wrong to doubt?

Not always — but doubt can blind us to plain evidence. In John 20:19-29, the risen Jesus meets the doubting disciple Thomas. Dr. Toby Holt looks at faith, evidence, and the scars of Christ. On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus appears in a locked room, shows His wounded hands and side, and gives peace. Thomas, absent, refuses to believe unless he can touch the wounds. A week later Jesus returns and offers exactly that. Thomas already had ample evidence — and face to face with the risen Christ, he gives the Bible's clearest confession: "My Lord and my God!"

Questions this study answers:

1. What are the proofs of the resurrection? Jesus appeared bodily, showed His wounds, and was seen by many witnesses over many days. Even Thomas's about-face is part of that evidence.

2. Was Thomas only a doubter? No. Elsewhere he was brave and loyal. His doubt here stands out precisely because he had already seen and heard so much.

3. What does this teach about faith? Genuine faith rests on real evidence, not blind feeling. Jesus calls "blessed" those who believe the trustworthy testimony even without seeing.

"And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'" — John 20:28 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What proof is there that Jesus rose?

In John 20:1-18, Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and meets the risen Lord. Dr. Toby Holt walks through the evidence that Jesus truly rose from the dead.

Mary comes while it is still dark and finds the stone rolled away. Peter and John find the grave clothes lying in place and the face cloth folded by itself — not what robbers would leave. Two angels sit where the body had lain. Then Mary, weeping, mistakes Jesus for the gardener — until He speaks her name.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is the evidence for the resurrection? The empty tomb, the neatly folded grave clothes, the angelic witnesses, and the appearances of the risen Jesus all point to a real resurrection, not a stolen body.

2. Why does it matter that Mary first thought Jesus was the gardener? It shows the resurrection caught even His friends by surprise. She knew Him the instant He spoke her name.

3. What did Jesus tell Mary? He sent her to tell the others He was ascending to "My Father and your Father" — making His people part of God's family.

"Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him, 'Rabboni!' (which is to say, Teacher)." — John 20:16 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What did Jesus mean, "It is finished"?

In John 19:25-37, Jesus speaks His final words from the cross: "It is finished." Dr. Toby Holt explains why those three words are the heart of the gospel.

From the cross, Jesus entrusts His mother to John. Then, having borne the full weight of God's judgment against sin, He cries, "It is finished," and gives up His spirit. The debt is paid in full — nothing left for us to add — and the Old Testament sacrifices are complete. To confirm His death, a soldier pierces His side, and blood and water flow out, fulfilling Scripture.

Questions this study answers:

1. What was "finished"? The full payment for sin. Jesus bore God's judgment in the place of His people, so nothing more needs to be added to be saved.

2. Why does it matter that Jesus' bones were not broken? It fulfilled Scripture about the Passover lamb, showing Jesus is the true Lamb of God whose death rescues His people.

3. How do we know Jesus really died? A soldier pierced His side and blood and water came out — clear proof of death, witnessed and recorded by John, who was there.

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." — John 19:30 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why call a crucified man a king?

In John 19:14-24, Pilate fixes a sign above the dying Jesus: "The King of the Jews." Dr. Toby Holt shows how the cross is the true throne of the King. Jesus is handed over on the day the Passover lambs were prepared — the true Lamb dying at the appointed hour. He carries the crossbar to Golgotha and is crucified between two criminals. Pilate writes the charge in three languages and refuses to change it. The soldiers gamble for His seamless robe, unknowingly fulfilling Scripture written a thousand years earlier.

Questions this study answers:

1. Did Jesus really have to die? Yes. His death was God's plan to rescue sinners, foretold long before in Scripture. He died willingly as the true Passover Lamb.

2. Why was Jesus called a king? Pilate meant it as mockery, but it was the truth. Jesus reigns as King — and the cross, not a palace, is where He won His people.

3. What prophecies were fulfilled at the cross? Details like the soldiers casting lots for His clothing fulfilled Scripture written centuries earlier, showing God's hand over every moment.

"And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." — John 19:19 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.