Discover the Word Podcast

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

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When we consider Jacob’s life and ponder his legacy, let’s remember that God is in the redemption business.  

Even though Jacob was a world-class liar and deceiver God loved him. Jacob became the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel and God used him to be a blessing to every family on the earth.  

God’s ways may seem mysterious to us at times, but we can trust that He is working things out for our good. We can trust God’s loving kindness, mercy, and grace even when we don’t understand His ways.  

Reflect  

• Keeping in mind the big picture of Scripture, how can a God who wants to be known for fairness, justice, and mercy, be a God who favors one person over another as we read in Genesis 25:21–28?   
• Based on Genesis 12:1–3, how is Jacob’s story more than simply a favorite son or daughter problem? 
• What could be the possible reason for Jacob’s unusual name found in Genesis 25:24–26?  

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that I can trust You even when I don’t understand how You are working in my life. Help me to overcome my doubts, fear, or confusion by knowing that You are good and You are working things out for my good.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Stories of Impact 

Listen: 

• Forgiveness, The Story of Easter  
• Whole Man Podcast  

Read: 

• God’s Promise to a Crooked People  
• How We Got Here  
• It's Not Fair, God 

Watch: 

• From Prison Walls to Purpose: The Cornelius Family’s Story of Redemption  
• Our Daily Redeemer

Have you ever struggled with the question "what am I supposed to do with my life?" From pretty early on in our lives, we begin to ask that question, only to discover that it reappears in almost every stage of life. So, this week, Daniel is going to lead Elisa and Bill and Rasool in looking at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible and see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are, how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in, and what the answer to that question—what am I supposed to do with my life?—might be for us right now. Hearing God's Call is the focus of this series of conversations on Discover the Word.

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If you've ever struggled with the question, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" be encouraged that you're not alone. Questioning what you're supposed to do with your life, no matter what stage you're in, is a common and valid question. 

As we look at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible, let's see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are and how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in.  

We can take heart that regardless of where we are in life right now, God is calling us into an ever-deepening relationship with Him, where we're being transformed into the person that God has made us to be. 

Reflect  

• Why is Genesis 1–3 a good passage to begin with to discuss “calling” in the Bible? 
• According to Esther 4, how much of Esther’s story, or calling, has to do with what she wanted versus having to respond to what happened to her? 
• Based on Ruth 1:1–18, how does Ruth's story demonstrate how faithfulness in the everyday is part of God’s calling on all our lives, especially when we can’t see what may come? 
• According to Amos 1:1 and Amos 7:10–15, how does Amos' story show us that God can call us out of our comfort zones and skill sets to do the work He has for us to do? 
• What can Paul and Ananias in Acts 9:1–22 teach us about our primary calling in life?  

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You've called me to have a deeper relationship with You. Help me to follow You and serve You even if it seems ordinary and mundane, if it means stepping out of my comfort zone, or I feel unqualified."  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• 7 Bible Stories to Hear God's Calling (Reclaim Today)   

Listen: 

• Answer the Call   
• God Hears Her Podcast: Your Everyday Purpose (Elisa, Eryn and Vivian) 

Read: 

• The Call to Discipleship: Embracing the Journey of Following Christ  
• Discipleship and Obedience  

Watch: 

• Outside Your Comfort Zone | Acts 10  
• A Call to Something New (Matthew 4:19-22)

Bill Crowder admits to being a Christmas junkie. It's easy to feel the joy of celebrating Jesus' birth. But it's the message of Easter, and Jesus' resurrection, that fueled the growth of the early church. Join the group as Bill leads Elisa and Daniel and Rasool in exploring how and why The Message of Good News is still the transformative truth that Jesus conquered sin and death, and has proven His power to deliver us from eternal destruction. Jesus' resurrection is at the center of The Message of Good News.

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The message of Jesus’ resurrection isn’t meant to be celebrated just on Easter Sunday. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday! Jesus’ resurrection is what fueled the growth of the early church. The message of good news is still the transformative truth that Jesus conquered sin and death and has proven His power to deliver us from eternal destruction.   

As we reflect on Jesus’ resurrection, let’s remember that the message of good news is the centerpiece of God’s rescue plan for a broken world. And it’s central to our Christian walk.  

As we ponder how the good news of Jesus’ resurrection was presented for the first time, let’s rejoice knowing the resurrection really is the hinge on which all of history turns. 

Reflect  

• How do the events recorded in Luke 24:1–12 still impact our Christian faith not just on Easter but today?  
• According to Acts 1:1–3, how was Jesus preparing the Eleven during those 40 days? What was He preparing them for? 
• What makes Peter’s first sermon on Pentecost that’s found in Acts 2:1–32 still so impactful? 
• Why did Peter include Psalm 16:8 –11 in his sermon? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Thank You for raising Him from the dead on the third day! Help me to never take the message of good news for granted. Help me to keep Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection at the center of my life.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• God Hears Her Podcast: Understanding Easter  
• Our Daily Bread Ministries Publishing  

Listen: 

• Cross Stations - Week 1  
• Cross Stations - Week 2  

Read: 

• What Is the Easter Event?  
• Hunting for Resurrection Hope  

Watch: 

• Alive and Reconciled | Ephesians 2:16  
• The Empty Tomb - Matthew 28:6  

A covenant is a type of contractual agreement we see in Scripture. The covenants God has made with humanity are significant benchmarks in the Scriptures. Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Davidic, and the New Covenant all serve as critical moments when God has demonstrated his grace and mercy to humanity. But they aren’t the only covenants or contracts we find in Scripture or in many churches. There are also the Unspoken Contracts that people have made with God. Though God never agreed to them, many of us hold him to them anyway. This series will explore the Unspoken Contracts we find many mistakenly make in the Bible and how we can identify them and replace them with the Spoken Covenants that we should actually build our faith upon.

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Throughout the Bible, we see God making covenants with His people from Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, to the New Covenant through Jesus. But those aren’t the only covenants, or contracts, we find in Scripture or in many churches today.  

There are also unspoken contracts that people, including us, have made with God. Though God never agreed to them, many of us try to hold Him to them anyway. We expect God to work in a specific way. 

If we have unspoken contracts with God, it’s good to identify them and replace them with God’s promises in the Bible. 

Reflect  

• Why was God’s contract/covenant with Abram in Genesis 15:1–10 particularly notable?  
• What unspoken contract did Abram and Sarai try to hold God to in Genesis 16:3–6? What was the result?  
• Based on Moses’ complaint in Exodus 5:3–9, what unspoken contract did he mistakenly have with God? 
• Throughout the book of Job, what are some of the unspoken contracts his friends believed about why he was suffering? 
• What is the unspoken contract driving Martha in Luke 10:38–42?  
• How was Martha able to tear up her unspoken contract and embrace Jesus’ spoken contract in John 11:20–27?   
• What was Peter’s unspoken contract in Matthew 26:31–35 and Matthew 26:69–75? 
• Based on 1 Peter 5:5–6, what did Peter replace his unspoken contract with later in life?  

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for Your love and patience as I recognize and replace the unspoken contracts I may have in my life. Help me identify where I’m making assumptions about how You should act. Help me to replace those assumptions and expectations by trusting Your faithful promises in the Bible.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Faith Under Construction podcast  

Listen: 

• Promise Keeper (with Shannon Popkin) on God Hears Her Podcast  
• Misunderstanding Martha  

Read: 

• God’s Faithfulness to His Promises 
• A Covenant Keeping God 
• Mary, Martha, and Jesus  

Watch: 

• Abraham & Waiting on God’s Promises  
• What Do We Desire of God? (Matthew 5–7)

One proclamation announces availability to and for God: Here am I – or Here I am! From Abraham to Moses to Samuel to Isaiah and eventually to Jesus Himself, those obedient to God’s call say so – with this declaration. How does Jesus Himself provide insight into such a response – when in Revelation 3 He proclaims Here I Am to the church? What does it mean for each – and what can it mean when we utter this proclamation today?

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A simple, yet profound proclamation announces availability to and for God: Here am I or Here I am! From Abraham to Moses to Samuel to Isaiah and eventually to Jesus Himself, those obedient to God’s call say so with this declaration. And they get to see how God provides for their needs when they answer His call. 

The responses from these Bible figures can be examples of how we can respond when we feel God calling us. 

Instead of running or hiding from God, let’s prayerfully and boldly respond to God with our own Here I am!  

Reflect  

• What was God’s purpose in this exchange with Abraham in Genesis 22:1–18?  
• How does God respond to Jacob’s fear in Genesis 46:1–7? 
• In Exodus 3:1–10, why did Moses respond the way he did? How did God respond to Moses?  
• Why was it difficult for young Samuel to recognize it was God calling him in 1 Samuel 3:1–21?  
• Based on Isaiah 6:1–8, how was Isaiah able to go from, “Woe to me,” to “Here am I?”  
• How does Jesus’ “Here am I” in Revelation 3:20 influence our own “Here I am?” 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for calling me to follow and serve You! Help me to have the courage to say, “Here I am,” whenever I hear you calling me. Help me to remember that You will help and equip me to answer Your call on my life.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread subscription 

Listen: 

• Answer the Call  
• Changing Your Life for the Call of God with Dr. Bridget Kolade  

Read: 

• Called by God  
• When God Calls Us Out of Comfort   

Watch: 

• Outside Your Comfort Zone | Acts 10  
• A Call to Something New | Matthew 4:19-22 

For those who often feel forgotten, it is good to be reminded that our God doesn’t forget us. In this brief topical study, we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God that He remember them, and we see what He did in response to their cry.

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If you ever struggle with feeling forgotten, it’s good to remember that our God doesn’t forget us. God has promised to never leave or forsake us.  

As we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God and we see that He remembered them, we get a beautiful picture of how God hears our cries and remembers us. 

How could trusting that God hasn’t forgotten you help you, especially in your times of trials? 

Reflect  

• How does Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1 comfort you knowing that God remembers you even in your pain, sorrow, and heartache? 
• How does Samson’s story found in Judges 16 encourage you that God remembers you even in your times of weakness and failure? 
• How does the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23 encourage you that Jesus remembered you when He was on the cross? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You always remember me and never forget me! Help me to trust that You are always with me. Help me to know You are near no matter what trials I’m facing.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Discover the Word Podcast Archive 

Listen: 

• In God's Presence  
• Are You There God? (with Sally Lloyd Jones) on God Hears Her Podcast  
• The Rebel Next to Jesus  

Read: 

• Where Is God When I feel lonely? 
• Answered Prayer | Hannah  
• When You Pray and God Doesn’t Answer: 4 Simple Things to Practice  

Watch: 

• Where Is God? - Psalm 25:6   
• Let's Talk About Prayer  

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

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When Naomi’s world fell apart, she may have felt that she had lost God’s “hesed,” or His sacrificial, costly, voluntary love. But God used Ruth and Boaz to show Naomi He had not abandoned her. Bolstered by God’s hesed love, Naomi can then pour out that love on Ruth, Boaz, and her grandson.  

As we ponder the blessed alliance between Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we see how God provided and protected this humble family that was in the lineage of King David and His Son Jesus. We also get a beautiful picture of how God wants His daughters and sons to work together to build His kingdom on earth. 

Reflect  

• How did Ruth “break the rules” to show God’s hesed love to Naomi in Ruth 1:22–2:7? 
• How did Boaz join Ruth in “breaking the rules” in Ruth 2:4–17? What do we learn about Boaz’ character and about the power of men and women working together to serve God? 
• How can we see God’s fingerprints in Naomi’s life based on Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:20 and Ruth 2:17–23? 
• How do we see God at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz in Ruth 3:1–13? 
• Based on Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:5–13 and Ruth 4:13–22,  how does Ruth’s story embolden you to step out, take responsibility for needs you see, and live more courageously for Jesus? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me to look for Your fingerprints in every season of my life. Help me to live boldly for Jesus and to share Your hesed love with others.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Gospel of Ruth   

Listen: 

• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 2—A “Chance” Meeting  
• God Is At Work Part 3—A Strange Proposal  
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 4—The Providence of God 

Read: 

• Transformed by Love  
• Keep Yourselves in the Love of God  

 Watch: 

• God Loves YOU!   
• God's Daily Love  

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

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What do we do when life doesn’t follow the Cinderella script? How do we respond when the life we get doesn’t seem to have the happily-ever-after ending that we hoped for?  

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But there’s so much more to the story than meets the eye. As we dig deeper into the stories of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we get a picture of God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how He calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.  

How can the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz encourage you as you face hardships in your life? 

Reflect  

• Based on Ruth 1:1–5, how is Naomi’s story similar to Job’s story of suffering? How was Naomi’s situation perhaps even more dire than Job’s? 
• How does the end of Naomi’s story in Ruth 4:13–17 remind us that God gives us beauty for ashes? 
• How can we relate to Naomi’s laments in Ruth 1:6–13 and Ruth 1:20–21 when we’re going through times of sorrow, grief, or hardship?  
• Based on Ruth 1:14-18, why did Ruth refuse to leave Naomi? Who was she really clinging to? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted. Help me turn to You even in the midst of any sorrow or pain I’m experiencing. Help me feel Your comfort and love during any trials I face.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Gospel of Ruth   
• Where Ya From? Podcast - Fighting Battles Together (Carolyn Custis James) 

Listen: 

• The Book of Naomi  
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times  

Read: 

• Journeying Through Grief to Find Healing   
• A Season of Suffering – Meeting Jesus in Our Pain  

Watch: 

• Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21  
• Unshakable Moxie  

Do you ever enjoy a good argument? In the scriptures, there are a surprising number of folks who argue with God. This week we'll consider several of the people in the Bible who argued with God, and try to see what motivated them to argue with the Lord and the result of that argument.

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Fear, insecurity, arrogance, and unbelief are just some of the reasons why people argue with God in the Bible. Maybe you’ve argued—or are arguing—with God over similar feelings?  

As we look at the Bible accounts of Moses, Peter, and Ananias, and times they questioned/argued with God, let’s also reflect on the powerful portrait we get of our God for their experiences. God is patient and doesn't simply override our human resistance, but often works through it toward ends that we could never have anticipated. 

How can you trust God even when you don’t understand or agree with your circumstances?  

Reflect  

• Why was Moses arguing with God in Exodus 3–4? How did God respond? 
• Why did Peter argue with Jesus in Matthew 16:22?  
• In Luke 22:31–34, why did Peter argue with Jesus? 
• What caused Ananias to argue with God in Acts 9:13–14? 
• How did Peter justify arguing with God in Acts 10:14? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for being so patient with me! Help me not to argue with You when I don’t understand or agree with what You’re doing in my life. Help me to trust that You have the best plan for my life.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Ministries App 

Listen: 

• The Times of the Judges | Week 1 
• The Times of the Judges | Week 2 

Read: 

• Why Should I Trust God? 
• To the Spiritual Rebels 

Watch: 

• John 11 - Arguing with God 
• Jeremiah 33:3 - Getting Real with God 

How long do you think your attention span is? A lot has been written about the attention spans of people, and there’s debate about whether attention spans are getting shorter or not. Well, if it’s true that we have short attention spans, and if they are potentially getting even shorter, there’s a really important invitation in the Bible that we’re going to struggle with. It's an invitation that shows up 1000 times--the invitation “to behold.” What does it mean to "behold", and why is "beholding" so important? Explore that with the group in this study called Behold.

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Does your attention span seem to be getting shorter? If the cares of this world are pulling you in all different directions, perhaps it’s time to pause and ponder why the Bible invites us more than 1,000 times to “behold!” 

We live in a world of glimpses and glances, but it’s through beholding God that we are transformed and find abundant life. 

What could taking time to “behold” look like for you?    

Reflect  

• In Genesis 1:29–31 (NASB), why did God invite Adam and Eve to behold His creation? And why did God stop and behold His creation? 
• Beholding something can have a positive or negative effect on us. How was the new pharaoh affected by beholding the increasing number of Israelites in Egypt in Exodus 1:8–10 (ESV)? 
• How was Pharaoh’s daughter affected by beholding baby Moses in Exodus 2:6 (NASB)? 
• How did beholding the burning bush affect Moses’ life in Exodus 3:1–2 (NASB)? 
• What is the psalmist beholding in Psalm 119:18 (NASB)? 
• What are the Israelites not regarding or beholding in Isaiah 5:11–12 (NIV)? 
• Why won’t God behold or regard His people’s offerings in Amos 5:21–22 (NIV)? 
• How can we guard against beholding someone in a dishonoring way as seen in Esther 1:10–11 (NRSVA)? 
• How can we join the psalmist in Psalm 27:4 (NRSVA) in longing to behold God’s beauty and wanting to see His goodness as we read in Psalm 27:13 (NRSVUE)? 
• How can we join the psalmist in his desire to behold what we know is true in our heart as is mentioned in Psalm 42:1–3 (NRSVA)?  
• Why are we told to behold in both Matthew 1:22–23 (NASB) and Isaiah 7:14 (NASB)? 
• What role does the word behold play in John 1:29 (ESV)? 
• What should we behold as we read Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)? 
• Who should we behold as we read Revelation 1:12–18 (ESV)? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for Your loving invitation to stop and behold You! Help me to pause and take time throughout my day to notice Your hand in my life. Help me not miss Your goodness, grace, and mercy that’s available to me every day.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Reclaim Today  Prayers for Ordinary Life   

Listen: 

• In God's Presence 
• Does Sabbath Still Matter?  

Read: 

• The Intimacy of Prayer: Stepping into God’s Presence  
• My Soul in Silence - Learning How to Pray  

Watch: 

• Psalm 84:1-3 - Residing in His Presence  
• Exodus 33:14 - God Is Always with Us