Bible Study

Was Noah's flood about more than animals?

In Genesis 6, the world has grown so corrupt that God sends a flood — yet "Noah found grace." Dr. Toby Holt shows that the flood is far more than a children's story. As humanity's wickedness fills the earth, God resolves to judge it with a flood — a picture of His wrath on sin. But Noah finds grace, and God provides the ark as the one means of rescue, pointing forward to Christ, the only refuge from judgment. Jesus said the last days would be "like the days of Noah."

Questions this study answers:

1. What did the flood represent? The wrath of God poured out on a sinful world. It was an act of judgment, not merely a natural disaster.

2. How does the ark point to Jesus? It was the one means of rescue from the coming judgment. Christ is that refuge for sinners today.

3. Why did Jesus compare the last days to "the days of Noah"? To warn that judgment will come suddenly on a world that ignores God. Only those in the refuge are safe.

"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." — Genesis 6:8 (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 did Cain kill his brother?

In Genesis 4:1-12, the first child ever born grows up to commit the first murder. Dr. Toby Holt shows how Cain and Abel reveal the deep reality of sin in every human heart. Both bring offerings, but God accepts Abel's and not Cain's — because of the heart behind it. Instead of repenting, Cain grows furious and murders his brother. There was no bad upbringing to blame; Cain's sin came from his own fallen nature. God had warned, "sin lies at the door."

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did God reject Cain's offering? Because of the heart behind it. The problem was not merely what Cain brought, but the attitude with which he brought it.

2. What did God mean that "sin lies at the door"? That sin was crouching, ready to master Cain — and that he needed to rule over it. It is a warning to every heart.

3. Is sin "at our door" too? Yes. The same fallen nature is in all of us. Like Cain, we must recognize sin's pull and turn from it to God.

"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door…" — Genesis 4:7 (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 did one sin change everything?

In Genesis 3, a single act of disobedience plunges the whole world into ruin. Dr. Toby Holt explains the fall of mankind — and the first promise of a Savior. The serpent tempts Eve by twisting God's word and questioning His goodness, and both Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. Shame, blame, and death follow, and the curse spreads to all creation. Yet even in the curse comes the first gospel promise: a coming "Seed" of the woman who will crush the serpent's head — pointing to Christ.

Questions this study answers:

1. How did the serpent tempt Eve? By questioning and twisting God's word and casting doubt on His goodness, making her believe God was withholding something good.

2. How serious was this one sin? Serious enough to bring death and to curse all creation. It shows both the gravity of sin and the holiness of God.

3. Where is the hope in this dark chapter? In Genesis 3:15 — the promise of a coming Savior, the Seed of the woman, who would crush the serpent. It is the first announcement of the gospel. "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." — Genesis 3:15 (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.

Did God really create everything?

In Genesis 1, the Bible opens with five world-shaping words: "In the beginning, God created." Dr. Toby Holt shows why how we understand creation shapes everything else we believe. Genesis declares God made the heavens and earth out of nothing, by His word, and made human beings in His image. This is the foundation of all right thinking about God and ourselves — "there is a God, and you are not Him." As Creator, He sets the purpose of everything; and because we bear His image, every life carries dignity.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why do people prefer theories like evolution or the Big Bang? Because they remove a Creator to whom we are accountable. Genesis insists a personal God made everything on purpose.

2. What does it mean that we are made "in God's image"? That every person carries God-given dignity and worth. This grounds the sanctity of human life.

3. Why does the doctrine of creation matter so much? Because it establishes who God is and who we are. If God is Creator, He has authority over our lives and gives them meaning.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." — Genesis 1:1 (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.

Is there real evidence that Jesus rose from the dead?

In Luke 24, the resurrection is presented with witnesses, proofs, and eyewitness testimony. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt considers the empty tomb and why so much hangs on whether it is true.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why were the disciples anxious at first? Because the news seemed too good to believe — even those closest to Jesus struggled to grasp that He was truly alive.

2. What evidence does Luke give? Witnesses, the empty tomb, and the risen Christ appearing in the flesh to many — a heavily attested event.

3. Why does it matter? Because the fate of every person hinges on it. If Christ is risen, death is conquered and our hope is secure.

"He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee." — Luke 24:6 (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 did John the Baptist call Jesus "the Lamb of God"? In John 1, as the people prepared for Passover, John pointed to Jesus and called Him "the Lamb of God." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores why Jesus is the true Lamb, and what that means for our salvation.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why call Jesus a "Lamb"? Because the Passover lamb was slain so that judgment would pass over God's people — a picture fulfilled in Christ, who takes away sin.

2. Why didn't others see Him this way? Many wanted a conquering king, not a sacrificial Lamb. John, taught by God, saw Christ's true mission.

3. What is the difference between appeasement and atonement? We cannot appease God by our works; only Christ's atoning sacrifice — the Lamb of God — takes away sin.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, '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 God allow His children to suffer trials? In 1 Peter 1, the apostle writes to suffering believers, reminding them that this world is not their home. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt brings encouragement for Christians facing hardships and trials.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What did Peter say to the suffering? That their trials are temporary, and that a living hope and an imperishable inheritance await them in Christ.

2. Why does God allow testing? To prove and refine genuine faith — like gold tested by fire — so that it results in praise and glory at Christ's appearing.

3. How can we be sure our story ends well? Because our hope rests not in this "valley," but in the risen Christ who guarantees our future.

"...now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith... may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." — 1 Peter 1:6-7 (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 is love greater than faith and hope?

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul declares that the greatest of faith, hope, and love is love. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores what makes love supreme — and how it reflects the very heart of God.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why was Corinth given a "primer on love"? Because the church was divided and immature. They needed to learn that gifts without love are worthless.

2. Why is love greater than faith and hope? Because faith and hope belong to this life, but love endures forever — and love is what God Himself is.

3. What does true love look like? It is patient, kind, self-giving, and sacrificial — the love supremely shown in Christ.

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (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.

Does God pursue the outsider?

Yes. In Acts 8:26-40, God sends Philip into the desert to reach one searching foreigner — an Ethiopian official. Dr. Toby Holt shows how far God will go to save the people the world overlooks. On a lonely desert road, Philip meets an Ethiopian official reading aloud from Isaiah 53 but unable to understand it. Philip climbs into the chariot and, beginning from that passage about the suffering servant, "preached Jesus to him." The man believes and is baptized on the spot — the fruit of God-arranged appointments.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God care for outsiders and rebels? Because His salvation reaches beyond Israel to people of every nation. Here He pursues a foreigner most would overlook, showing the wideness of His grace.

2. What was the Ethiopian reading? Isaiah 53, the passage about the suffering servant, without understanding who it described. Philip showed him it pointed to Jesus.

3. What hope does Acts 8 give for the lost people in our lives? God arranges "divine appointments" and uses ordinary believers to reach searching hearts. We were once like the eunuch; now we can be like Philip.

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." — Acts 8:35 (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 do people rage against God? In Psalm 2, the nations and their rulers conspire against the Lord — a rebellion as old as the human heart. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this psalm's picture of human defiance and God's enthroned King.

The kings of the earth plot to throw off God's rule, but God in heaven is unmoved. Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm pointing to Christ, God's appointed King, who will one day rule the nations. For now, God shows patience, calling rebels to "kiss the Son" before judgment comes. "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him."

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God "laugh" at earthly rulers? Because their rebellion against the Almighty is futile. Nothing they plot can shake His throne.

2. How is this psalm both political and prophetic? It speaks to real rulers who oppose God, and points ahead to Christ, the King God has installed over all nations.

3. How should we respond to God's King? By trusting and submitting to the Son rather than resisting Him. Those who take refuge in Him are blessed.

"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?" — Psalm 2:1 (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.