What happens when God’s people worship other things? Find out as we continue exploring the wayward tribe of Jacob’s son Dan with archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer.

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The Danites focus on God but they distort their worship of Him. By subordinating Him to other things, establishing their own version of religion, and lacking justice, they actually keep themselves from God. While their story reveals some important cautions for us today, we can also be encouraged by God’s promise to restore all things.   

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• 1 Kings 12:26-30 
• Exodus 32:4-6 
• Nehemiah 9:18 
• 1 Kings 12:31-33 
• Amos 5:18-24 
• Revelation 7:5-8 
• Acts 15:1-5 
• Acts 15:13-18 
• Jeroboam worshipped God with calf idols which subordinated God (see 1 Kings 12:26-30). Is there a way you may set out to worship God which could actually subordinate Him to other things?  
• Jeroboam divided the religion in northern Israel from the religion in southern Israel for his own purposes (see 1 Kings 12:31-33). What caution can you take away about the danger of distorting God’s ways with personalized religion? 
• The northern Israelites got some things wrong in how they worshipped God (see Amos 5:18-24). What is one way that justice can be included as you worship God? 
• God's redemption is described in both the Old Testament (from Amos 9:11-12) and the New Testament (from Acts 15:13-18). How does this give you hope in God’s restoration of all things? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me to worship You above everything else and prevent me from subordinating You to anything else. Help me to focus on Your ways and prevent me from distorting Your ways with my own ways. Help me see opportunities to include justice as I worship You. And fill me with assurance that you are restoring all things.”  

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

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories   

Listen: 

• My Three Sons   
• Am I That Hard to Love?  

Read: 

• Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking  
• Redemption’s Hope   

Watch: 

• A New Identity: The Gospel of Matthew  
• Loving Those Who’ve Fallen Away 

While some Bible stories surprise us, they all help us understand more about God and His plan! Discover how God was faithful to redeem the tribe of Dan and all of Israel with special guest and archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer. 

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So much of Dan’s story leaves us saying “That's not the way it's supposed to be.” From his troubling conception to the Danites forced migration, this tribe does things their own way, mixing legitimate devotion to God with misguided methods of worshipping and serving Him. But ultimately, Dan, his family, and his city set the stage for the coming of the One who redeems all things into the way they should be.   

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• Genesis 30:1-6 
• Deuteronomy 27:11-13 
• Judges 5:17 
• Judges 1:34 
• Judges 13:1 
• Judges 17:1-18 
• Judges 18:3-10 
• Judges 18:27-19:1 
• Dan’s conception began with his mother taking matters into her own hands (from Genesis 30:1-6). In what ways might you be taking a matter in your life into your own hands? 
• Micah wanted to seek God but he didn’t involve God in the process (from Judges 17:1-18). In what ways might you be seeking God without involving Him? 
• The Danites worshipped the true God but they did it in a false way (from Judges 18:3-10). In what ways might you be trying to worship God but miss Him in the process? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me seek You and find You and worship You with the right motivations. Show me when I may be getting off track following You with the wrong motivations, and lead me to stay on track.”  

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

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories   

Listen: 

• My Three Sons   
• Am I That Hard to Love?  

Read: 

• Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking  
• Redemption’s Hope   

Watch: 

• A New Identity: The Gospel of Matthew  
• Loving Those Who’ve Fallen Away  

When you hear the word "seek," what comes to mind? Hide and seek? Explorers? Searching for something you lost? Well, Matthew 6:33 is one of the best-known scriptures in our Bible. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” What does this summation mid-way through the Sermon on the Mount actually mean and how can following its guidance impact our lives?

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

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How is God celebrated in the Bible and how can this inspire your celebration of God throughout the coming year? Join us to discover some of the many praiseworthy qualities that Psalm 95 reveals about our mighty God!

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

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While Old Testament genealogies often include lists of fathers and sons, join us to explore the four women who are presented in the genealogy of Jesus. Discover their important stories as you celebrate Christmas! 

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org
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Have you thought much about Jesus’s earthly family and His heavenly family and the impact they all had on His life? Discover what we can learn from people like Mary, Joseph, and the Trinity! 

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org
🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq
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It's astonishing how technology (smartphones, tablets, laptops, GPS, etc.) has influenced our lives--for both good and bad? So, would it surprise you to know that "technology" shows up in the Bible and plays a vital role in God's story? In this Discover the Word study, the group explores several stories where technology plays a role. And as we study those passages together, we may find wisdom and freedom for how to use tech well in our modern world to draw us closer to God and others. 

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org
🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq
🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify
🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv
🎧YouTube Music:  https://go.odb.org/yt-music-playlist
🎧 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3E8LFdz
LOOKING FOR MORE EPISODES of the Discover the Word Podcast? Listen and subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts

It's astonishing how technology (smartphones, tablets, laptops, GPS, etc.) has influenced our lives--for both good and bad? So, would it surprise you to know that "technology" shows up in the Bible and plays a vital role in God's story? In this Discover the Word study, the group explores several stories where technology plays a role. And as we study those passages together, we may find wisdom and freedom for how to use tech well in our modern world to draw us closer to God and others. 

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org
🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq
🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify
🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv
🎧YouTube Music:  https://go.odb.org/yt-music-playlist
🎧 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3E8LFdz
LOOKING FOR MORE EPISODES of the Discover the Word Podcast? Listen and subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts

Have you noticed how it usually takes a lot of ordinary steps to achieve something extraordinary? Join us and special guest Jeff Manion to explore some ordinary habits that can lead to an extraordinary life of faith!

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org
🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq
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🎧YouTube Music:  https://go.odb.org/yt-music-playlist
🎧 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3E8LFdz
LOOKING FOR MORE EPISODES of the Discover the Word Podcast? Listen and subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts

Most followers of Christ want their lives to count, but it's easy to get impatient with the slow pace at which a life of significance often happens. In these two weeks of conversations with pastor and author Jeff Manion, the Discover the Word group explores how living a life marked by steady faithfulness can have tremendous and lasting results. Learn how, most often, what God considers a great life is built on a foundation of "holy redundancy," as Mart and Elisa and Bill welcome Jeff Manion to the table for this series called "Dream Big, Think Small." 

WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

📱On our website: https://www.discovertheword.org
🎧Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x2Swlq
🎧Spotify: https://go.odb.org/dtwspotify
🎧Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3D9Tttv
🎧YouTube Music:  https://go.odb.org/yt-music-playlist
🎧 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3E8LFdz
LOOKING FOR MORE EPISODES of the Discover the Word Podcast? Listen and subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts