Bible Study

What does it mean to be "born again"? In John 3:1-17, a respected leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and hears puzzling words: "You must be born again." Dr. Toby Holt explains the new birth — and why we cannot do without it.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler, yet Jesus tells even him he must be born again. We are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life — the new birth is God's own work. Out of this talk comes the most famous verse in the Bible.

Questions this study answers:

1. Who was Nicodemus? A Pharisee and respected member of the ruling council, who came to Jesus by night with sincere questions.

2. What does it mean to be "born again"? It is a new spiritual birth that only God can give — a heart made alive, not a self-improvement project.

3. Why can't we save ourselves? Because we are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life. Salvation is God's gift, received by faith in Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." — John 3:16 (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.

Why was Jesus' first miracle at a wedding? In John 2:1-12, Jesus performs His first miracle — turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Dr. Toby Holt shows why this quiet "sign" points all the way to the cross.

When the wine runs out, Mary brings the problem to Jesus. He says, "My hour has not yet come" — a phrase that in John always points to the crucifixion — then turns water in six stone jars into the finest wine. John calls it a "sign," revealing His glory and pointing to the new covenant.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Jesus say "My hour has not yet come"? In John, "His hour" always points to the cross. Even at a wedding, Jesus' eyes were on why He came.

2. Why does John call this a "sign"? Because it points beyond itself — revealing Jesus' glory and pointing ahead to the new covenant in His blood.

3. What does this first miracle reveal? That Jesus is the Son of God, who brings abundant new life — the best saved for last. "This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." — John 2:11 (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.

Who was John the Baptist, and why did he baptize?

In John 1:19-34, John the Baptist points away from himself to Jesus: "Behold! The Lamb of God." Dr. Toby Holt explains John's one great mission — to prepare the way for the Messiah. Asked who he is, John refuses every title, calling himself only "a voice crying in the wilderness." Because Jews normally baptized only Gentile converts, baptizing Jews implied Israel itself needed to repent. He names Jesus the Lamb of God, pointing to the Passover lamb and the cross.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why was John baptizing people? As a call to repentance. Because Jews usually baptized only Gentile converts, his baptism implied that Israel too needed to turn back to God.

2. Why did John call Jesus "the Lamb of God"? Because Jesus is the true Passover Lamb who would die in the place of sinners, taking away their sin.

3. What was John the Baptist's mission? To prepare the way for the Messiah and point people to Jesus — never to himself.

"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" — John 1:29 (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 does John call Jesus "the Word"? In John 1:1-18, the Gospel opens not with a manger but in eternity: "In the beginning was the Word." Dr. Toby Holt introduces John's central claim — that Jesus is God in the flesh. John writes as an eyewitness who saw, heard, and touched Jesus, grounding the faith in history. He calls Jesus "the Word," God's fullest self-revelation and the One through whom all things were made, and "the light" shining in darkness that people often refuse.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does John call Jesus "the Word"? Because Jesus is God's fullest self-revelation — God speaking and showing Himself to us — and the One through whom all things were made.

2. What does it mean that Jesus is "the light"? He brings truth, life, and clarity into a dark world, though many prefer the darkness because their deeds are evil.

3. Why does it matter that John was an eyewitness? Because the Christian faith rests on history, not myth. John reports what he actually saw, heard, and touched. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." — John 1:14 (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.

What can bring down an impossible wall? In Joshua 6, Israel faces the fortified city of Jericho with its massive walls — and God brings them down without a battering ram. Dr. Toby Holt walks through one of Scripture's most famous, faith-building accounts. God's plan defies military sense: march around the city for seven days, blow trumpets, and shout. There is no army or weapon that can stop those who serve the Lord, and no wall that can withstand His power. When the people obeyed and shouted, the walls fell flat. Holt draws out what Jericho teaches about faith and obedience.

Questions this study answers:

1. How did the walls of Jericho fall? Not by Israel's strength, but by God's power, after they obediently marched and shouted at His command. The victory was clearly the Lord's.

2. Why did God use such an unusual plan? So that the glory would be His alone. The strange strategy made plain that Jericho fell by faith and obedience, not human might.

3. What can we learn from Jericho? That no obstacle is too great for God, and that faith expresses itself in obedience. The God who toppled Jericho still fights for His people.

"So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets… and the wall fell down flat." — Joshua 6:20 (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 Jesus really the only way to be saved? In Acts 4:1-13, Peter stands before the rulers who killed Jesus and makes a bold claim: there is salvation in no one else. Dr. Toby Holt explains why the name of Jesus is the one name that saves. After Peter and John healed a lame man and preached the resurrection, the authorities arrested them — yet thousands believed. Asked by what power they acted, Peter, filled with the Spirit, pointed to "Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised," and declared there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Questions this study answers:

1. Does the Bible really teach Jesus is the only way? Yes. Peter says there is salvation in no one else, "for there is no other name under heaven … by which we must be saved." The New Testament repeats this truth.

2. Why was this so offensive to Peter's audience? The rulers had crucified Jesus, yet Peter told them this same Jesus was their only hope — a claim that challenged their power and pride.

3. What does this mean for other religions today? Salvation is not one option among many. Christianity claims Jesus is the only Savior, which is why the message both draws people and provokes opposition. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." — Acts 4:12 (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 the world remaking you in its image? In Romans 12, Paul warns believers not to be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of the mind. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this crucial choice between conformation and transformation.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why is conformity dangerous? Because the world is always pressing us to adopt its priorities and values, shaping us away from God without our even noticing.

2. How does transformation happen? Not by willpower alone, but by "the renewing of your mind" — having our thinking reshaped by God's truth.

3. What does it mean to renew the mind? To saturate our thinking in God's Word until we see and value things as He does. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." — Romans 12:2 (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.

How does the book of Genesis end? In Genesis 50:15-26, the first book of the Bible closes — not in a garden, but with a coffin in Egypt. Dr. Toby Holt traces the whole sweep of Genesis and its two great themes: human sin and God's grace.

After Jacob dies, Joseph's brothers fear revenge. Instead Joseph weeps and forgives them, summing up the whole book in one sentence: what they meant for evil, God meant for good. Joseph dies asking that his bones be carried to the Promised Land — setting the stage for Exodus.

Questions this study answers:

1. What does Genesis teach us about people? That we are deeply sinful, from Adam's fall to Joseph's scheming brothers. Genesis is honest about human brokenness.

2. What does Genesis teach us about God? That He is patient, merciful, and gracious, working His good purposes even through evil. He never abandons His plan.

3. How does Genesis lead into the rest of the Bible? It ends looking forward — to the Promised Land, and ultimately to Christ. Joseph's forgiveness even pictures the gospel. "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good… to save many people alive." — Genesis 50:20 (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 God bring good out of the worst things? In Genesis 45:1-15, Joseph finally reveals himself to the brothers who sold him into slavery. Dr. Toby Holt unfolds the meaning of "providence" — God's hand at work even through hardship and evil. After years of slavery and prison, Joseph stands as second-in-command of Egypt, with his brothers at his mercy. He could have taken revenge. Instead he weeps, embraces them, and explains that God had sent him ahead to preserve their lives through the famine. Providence is God working all things — even the sins of others — toward good.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is "providence"? God's sovereign hand guiding all events — even painful ones — toward His good purposes. Nothing in Joseph's suffering was outside God's plan.

2. Why didn't Joseph take revenge? Because he saw God's hand behind his brothers' sin. He chose forgiveness and reconciliation over bitterness.

3. What was God's purpose in Joseph's suffering? To preserve many lives through the coming famine, and to display His faithfulness. God meant for good what others meant for evil.

"...do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves… for God sent me before you to preserve life." — Genesis 45:5 (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.

Where is God when life seems unfair? In Genesis 40, Joseph sits in an Egyptian prison for a crime he never committed — yet "God was with him." Dr. Toby Holt shows how God works in the dark seasons when life seems most unfair. Falsely accused and forgotten, Joseph meets Pharaoh's imprisoned cupbearer and baker, and God enables him to interpret their dreams: one restored, one executed. Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember him — but he forgets, and Joseph waits two more years. The delay was not abandonment.

Questions this study answers:

1. What were the dreams about? The cupbearer's three branches and the baker's three baskets each pointed to three days — restoration for one, death for the other. Joseph interpreted both by God's help.

2. Was Joseph treated fairly? No. He was imprisoned unjustly and then forgotten. Yet "God was with him" through it all.

3. What do we learn from Joseph's long wait? That God's timing is not ours, and apparent delays are not abandonment. God was working even when Joseph saw nothing.

"Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him." — Genesis 40:23 (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.