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Essential Bible Studies
Essential Bible Studies episodes
- Promises to Abraham (Part 2)
This second part of our study into the promises to Abraham weaves together all the New Testament commentary on this faithful man. First, we see how he never received the promise of the land during his lifetime which necessitates that he be raised from the dead. The scriptures also show Jesus as the true son of Abraham and how believers are the spiritual descendants of the promise. This means we can receive the blessing of forgiveness and the hope to be partakers of the kingdom of God when Jesus reigns on the earth.
The first part of the Promises to Abraham can be found here.
A document with every New Testament passage concerning Abraham can be found here.
Key Verse:
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (Galatians 3:8-9)
Outline:
- Introduction
- Quick review of the last podcast
- Overview of all the NT commentary on Abraham grouped into four categories
- The Land
- Given no inheritance (Acts 7:2-5)
- Sitting in the future kingdom (Matt. 8:11)
- The need for resurrection (Matt. 22:32)
- They all died in faith (Heb. 11:8-9,13)
- The Seed = Jesus
- The Genealogy of Jesus (Matt. 1:1-2; Luke 1:33,55,73)
- The Spiritual Seed (Matt. 3:9; John 8:33-58; Rom. 9:6-8)
- The Blessing of Forgiveness
- Peter’s preaching (Acts 3:25-26)
- Justified by faith (Gal. 3:6-9)
- Baptism into Christ to inherit the promises (Gal. 3:26-29)
- The Inheritance by Faith
- Heir of the world (Rom. 4:13) by faith (v. 16) and resurrection (v. 17)
- Faith and works (James 2:21-23)
- Conclusion
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39 min - Promises to Abraham (Part 1)
Hosts Tim Young and Brian Alexander bring Abraham’s story to life through Genesis, focusing on the recurring promises God makes: an innumerable offspring and a specific land. They cover Abraham’s call from Ur, the name change to Abraham, the covenant ratified in sacrifice, the sign of circumcision, and the faith that led to Isaac’s near-sacrifice.
Highlights include how Abraham’s faith is counted as righteousness, how the promises are reiterated and expanded, and how these events foreshadow the Lord Jesus Christ. Part two will explore New Testament commentary and the fuller fulfillment of these promises.
Key Verse:
“Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” (Gen. 17:4-5)
Outline:
- Introduction
- The importance of Abraham in the NT
- Background story of calling from Ur and being childless
- The Initial Promises
- The blessing of a seed (Gen. 12:1-3)
- The promise of the land (Gen. 12:7)
- The Promise Expanded
- What he could see (Gen. 13:14-15)
- It would be forever (Gen. 13:15)
- It would be given to Abram (Gen. 13:17)
- The Covenant
- Abram’s belief (Gen. 15:5-6)
- Covenant by sacrifice (Gen. 15:7-17)
- The extent of the land (Gen. 15:18-21)
- Circumcision
- Name change (Gen. 17:4-6) and promise in past tense
- The token of circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14)
- The promised son to be through Sarah (Gen. 17:19)
- The Sacrifice of Isaac
- Abraham obeyed the call to sacrifice his only son (Gen. 22:1-2)
- Isaac as a type of Christ
- The promises confirmed (Gen. 22:15-18)
- Conclusion
- The same promises given to Isaac and Jacob
- Next podcast on Abraham in the New Testament
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35 min - Covenants, Oaths and Promises
Welcome to the start of our eighth season! In this episode, we start off with a little word study into covenants, oaths and promises and how to recognize them when God says, “I will”. From there, we trace the hope of eternal life from Eden’s garden to the flood and God’s everlasting covenant with Noah. Explore the difference between unconditional and conditional covenants and see how God’s ultimate plan is to fill the earth with His glory.
Key Verse:
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.” (Titus 1:1-2)
Links to Past Episodes:
The Memorial Name Yahweh
In the Image and Likeness of God Part1 and Part 2
Outline:
- Introduction
- The promise of eternal life from the beginning (before the ages began, Titus 1:2). Must come from the Old Testament.
- Critical part of the gospel (Acts 26:6-8)
- The idea and importance of promises, oaths, testaments and covenants
- Covenant
- Oath / Swear / “as truly as I live”
- Promise / “I will”
- Eden
- Gen. 1:26-28 God’s original purpose for mankind to have dominion over the earth (cp. Isa. 45:18)
- Gen. 3:15 The promise (“I will…”) of a saviour to defeat sin
- Noah and the Flood
- The corruption of the earth and God’s judgement (Gen. 6:5-8,17-18)
- Repeat of creation (Gen. 9:1-3) and echo back to Gen. 1:26-28
- The everlasting covenant not to destroy the earth (Gen. 9:9-17). Covenant mentioned seven times.
- God’s Eternal Promise
- Unconditional (everlasting) vs conditional covenants (the law of Moses Ex. 19:5-6)
- God’s ultimate promise to fill the earth with his glory (Num. 14:21)
- Conclusion
- The importance of understanding the covenants (Eph. 2:12) and what was promised
- Episodes to follow on Abraham and David
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33 min - Season 8 Trailer
The Essential Bible Studies podcast season eight premiers on January 19th, 2026!
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3 min - Testimony and Reflections Season 7
George had a good life in Trinidad until one night in a drunken stupor he killed someone. Sentenced to death, he turned to the Bible for answers and God called him from his prison cell. Thirty-two and half years later George joins us to reflect on his life, give thanks and offer advice for young people.
Key Verse:
“Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”” (Luke 18:26-27)
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30 min - Casting Out Demons
This is the second part of our study on demons. The Gospel records of Matthew, Mark and Luke are filled with stories of Jesus casting out demons. This is in contrast with the rest of the Bible where it is not mentioned. Richard joins Tim to discuss the history between the Testaments and why this should be. They then turn their attention to the parables of Jesus and show how he made the demon-idol connection in his parables and healings. As an example, we consider the case of the Gadarene demoniac Legion and how he reflected the nation of Israel.
The first part of our demon study is here https://essentialbiblestudies.podbean.com/e/demons-idols-and-superstition/
Key Verse:
“And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” (Mark 5:15)
Outline:
Introduction
- Review of last podcast: the idol-demon connection
- But why the sudden demonology of the Synoptic Gospels?
A short history of the time between the testaments
Demon miracles as parables
- Jesus’ ministry of parables (Matt. 13:34-35; Mark 3:22-23)
- The parable of the seven evil spirits (Matt. 12:43-45) is about that “evil generation”
- The Gadarene demoniac as a parable of Israel (Mark 5)
- Among the tombs eating swine’s flesh (Isa. 65:2-5)
- Always in the mountains crying and cutting himself (1 Kings 18:28)
- Bound with fetters and chains like Israel’s captivity (e.g. 2 Kings 25:7)
- Pigs (unclean animal) drowned in the depths (Micah 7:19) and then sitting in his right mind (the final healing of Israel Zech 13:2)
- The language of casting out demons the same used of natural illness (Luke 4:35,38)
Conclusion - God is more powerful than demons
Cover Art:
Old Babylonian plaque showing seven demons and Lamashtu, a feared female demon.
https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010120468
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41 min - Demons, Idols and Superstition
We begin a two-part study on demons by making the key discovery of the connection between demons and idols. The Bible frequently states that an idol is nothing and cannot do either good or bad. Does this mean that demons are nothing, that it is mere superstition, and that God is truly sovereign? Join Richard and Tim as they delve into this essential Bible study.
Key Verse:
“They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger. They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.” (Deu 32:16-17)
Outline:
Introduction
- Online debate (1997) with Anthony Buzzard / COGAF
- Claims of modern-day demon experiences but what does the Bible teach?
- Words for demons (Gk. diamonia – Heb. shed meaning destroyer and satyr meaning goat idol)
Demons in the Old Testament
- Psalms106:34-38 there is a connection between demons and idols
- Idols are nothing (Psa. 135:15-18; 96:4-5; Isa. 65:3 LXX)
- Deut. 32:16-17, 39 (Lev. 17:7). God is in charge of everything which they associated with demons (Deut. 28:27-28, 58-61).
- Because of this we are not to be afraid, they cannot do evil (Jer. 10:2-6, 14-15)
The Demon Idol Connection in the New Testament
- 1 Cor. 10:18-22 (cp. 8:4-6) Paul’s association of idols with demons and their being nothing
- Acts 17 – Paul’s tour of Athens
- V. 18 foreign divinities = daimonion
- V. 22 very religious = Deisidaimoni = fear of demons
- V. 24-26 God is sovereign
Conclusion on Superstition
Cover Art:
Statue of the demon Pazuzu (about 934-610 B.C.) at the Louvre Museum.
https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010120489
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42 min - Jesus Tempted by the Devil
Right after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Join us in this fascinating study into the language of the wilderness temptation where it becomes clear why Jesus experienced this challenge.
Key Verse:
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)
Outline:
Introduction
- Popular view and review of some key principles we’ve learned from previous episodes
- Overview of the baptism of Jesus and the three temptations (Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
- After a period of forty days and nights without food or water Jesus is tempted to turn stones into bread.
- Taken to the “holy city” Jerusalem at the pinnacle of the temple tempted to throw himself down and be saved by the angels.
- Taken to an “exceeding high mountain” where he sees the kingdoms of men “in a moment of time” (Luke 4:5) and tempted to become king immediately.
Why is he led or driving of the Spirit into the wilderness?
- Where else is this terminology used? (Ezek. 8:3; 37:1; 40:2; Rev. 17:3; 21:10)
- Is the temptation in the wilderness a vision? What is a vision?
The Satan of Zechariah
- The visions of Zechariah (Zech. 3:1-5)
- The historical background (Ezra 4:1-6; 5:1)
The Purpose of the Jesus’ Wilderness Vision
- When and how was Jesus tempted throughout his life?
- Matt. 16:1 – Seeking a sign
- John 6:15 – make bread and become king
- Luke 4:29 – attempt to throw him off a cliff
- Luke 11:53-54 – catch him in his words to accuse him
- The wilderness temptation was foreshadowing the temptations to come (Luke 22:28).
- Who then does the Satan represent in the vision?
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38 min - Lucifer's Fall From Heaven
This is part 2 of our study into the symbology of Revelation 12 as it relates to the devil and Satan. This time Stephen and Tim look at the concept of falling from heaven. They discover other places where this phrase is use in the Bible is some surprising contexts that help decipher it's usage in Revelation 12. Finally, they come to some conclusions as to what it all means.
Listen to part 1 on The Ancient Serpent.
Key Verse:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!” (Isaiah 14:12)
Outline:
Introduction
- Review of last podcast on the Ancient Serpent
- What about this fall from heaven?
Isaiah 14 and its context
- The king of Babylon (v. 3-4)
- Symbolic language
- Lucifer means the day star
- The language used to describe Lucifer as a man (v. 11, 13, 16, 20)
Other falls from Heaven
- Lamentations 2:1
- Ezekiel 28:1,8-9
- Matthew 11:23
Back to Rev. 12
- When does this take place?
- What is literal and what is symbolic?
- Conclusion this cannot be about a literal fallen angel in rebellion against God. Language taken form OT about kingdoms of men.
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34 min - The Ancient Serpent
In the book of Revelation chapter 12:9, the great red dragon, the ancient serpent is called the devil and Satan. Stephen and Tim seek to understand what this means by studying the symbology of a serpent in the Bible. Join us as we go from Genesis to Revelation discovering the keys to understanding more about this difficult passage.
For more background, listen to episode 43 on The Curse of the Serpent.
Key Verse:
"And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Revelation 12:9
Outline:
- Introduction
- Reading Rev. 12 and symbology
- Did the Satan become or serpent or did the serpent become a Satan?
- Incidents involving serpents
- The crafty serpent (Gen. 3:1) that the Lord God made
- Key words in the curse on the serpent (Gen. 3:13-15) – Lies, eat the dust, crush the head, treading under foot
- Moses’ rod turning into a serpent (Exodus 4:1-9) represents Pharoah and Egypt (Ezek. 29:3)
- Fiery serpents in the wilderness (Num. 21:5-9)
- How were people saved?
- Why a serpent on a pole? Brass a symbol of sin.
- Jesus relates it to the cross (John 3:14)
- The Serpent Symbol
- The serpent symbol in relation to men (Deut. 32:32-33; Job 20:12-16; 58:3-5; Psa. 140:1-3; Isa. 59:4-5; Rom. 3:10-13; James 3:7-8)
- The seed of the serpent (Matt. 3:7; 12:34; 23:33)
- The Serpent Subdued
- Kingdom pictures (Isa. 11:8; 65:25)
- Bible echoes (Psa. 72:9; Isa. 49:23; Micah 7:16-20)
- Conclusion
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32 min
About Essential Bible Studies
From the publisher's feed
The Essential Bible Studies podcast is an introductory discussion around Biblical first principles. The Bible is a complex book. It’s easy to misunderstand and get off track if you don’t grasp its…
basic teachings. The show engages in key passages and unpacks them in a lively conversation to reveal how they touch on our core beliefs. Your hosts bring with them years of experience as presenters from the Learn to Read the Bible Seminars. Hosted by the Book Road Christadelphians.