More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music

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Sometimes we know what we believe but aren't studied enough to defend it. The chorus of Jon Reddick's song "I Believe It (The Life of Jesus)" inspired me to search for Scriptural evidence supporting what I believe about the life of Jesus.

Join me as we use this week's song as inspiration to search the Scriptures for why we believe what we believe.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Reader larger chunks of Scripture
  • Consider big themes
• The Episode Guide for this week's podcast
• Making a case for creeds
• The Nicene Creed
• Combatting bad ideas with truth
• The life of Jesus is not just a story - GotQuestions.org Article
  • He shows up in extra-biblical texts
  • His followers cataloged his life as eye-witnesses - 1 John 1:1-4
  • We are blessed in our belief - John 20:29
• Jesus holds the keys to death and hell - Revelation 1:17-18
• The importance of Christ's resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:14-26
• Jesus is coming back again - Acts 1:9-11
  • Episode 368
  • Philippians 3:20-21
  • Titus 2:12-13
  • Matt 24:44
• The Holy Spirit is with us and in us
  • 1 John 4:13
  • 1 Thess 4:7-8
  • 2 Timothy 1:13-14
  • Galatians 4:6
• The Holy Spirit gives us power
  • Acts 1:8
  • Romans 8:11
  • Ephesians 3:16
  • Romans 15:13
• Pulling it all together - Romans 1:1-6

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Welcome to Friday With Friends! I have the distinct privilege of meeting incredible followers of Christ who have amazing ministries, fascinating careers, and incredible hobbies and pet projects that flow out of their identity in Christ.

While my podcast is a solo show, I still want a venue to introduce you to these friends as examples of the multifaceted ways God works in and through His people.

In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting Matt Harmon to talk about his book "Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible," the book that inspired my BITE, Start With God.

Dr. Harmon, author and Professor of New Testament Studies at Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary, shares his faith, wisdom, and habits that keep his time in God's Word fresh.

Get your own copy of Dr. Harmon's book, "Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible" - Amazon Paid Link. Matt also mentioned "What is Biblical Theology?" by James Hamilton as a good resource to begin exploring this topic - Amazon Paid Link.

Download a complimentary copy of the bookmark with all of the questions from the book HERE!

• Amazon Author Page
• Twitter: @DocHarmon
• Website: http://www.matthewsharmon.com/
• Biblical Theology Briefing Podcast

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How can you step out in obedience regardless of limited understanding, especially when the road ahead looks barren and dry? That's what Casting Crowns sings about in their song "Desert Road" and also what Philip the Evangelist had to do in the book of Acts.  

Join me in this thrilling story of the early church as followers show us what it's like to fulfill Christ's calling on their lives and all God does to bring glory to Himself as a result.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Complete a word study
  • Define a word
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Make observations
  • Consult an outside resource
• The free one-page PDF Episode Guide to guide your study - Episode 463 Download
• The story behind the song "Desert Road" by Casting Crowns - Klove blog article
• The featured verse that ties our song to the account in Acts 8 - Acts 8:26
• Starting at the beginning of Acts to understand why Philip was in Samaria in the first place and then why he was called to the desert road
• The word study on the Greek word martys inspired by Jesus' words, "You will be my witnesses"
• Meditating on the idea that to be a witness for Christ includes testifying to what we know to be true but carries with it dying for that belief
• Jesus' warning to His disciples in John 15:20-16:4
• Making observations in Acts 1-8 specifically around how followers witnesses and where they witnessed
• The revival in Acts 8:4-8 and the desert road in Acts 8:26-39
• Observations revealed in "Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Acts" by Tony Merida - Amazon Paid Link

The Ethiopian eunuch's soul, forever be in the Kingdom of God, benefited from Philip’s willingness to leave a joy-filled revival to follow the Spirit’s lead down a desert road.

• Lyrics to "Desert Road" by Casting Crowns - NewReleaseToday.com
• "Christ-Centered Expositi

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Is it difficult for you to see God’s grace in the middle of what appears to be a disaster? If you place yourself in the shoes of Christ’s followers at His death, burial, and resurrection, they do not see grace. Micah Tyler’s song “I See Grace” inspired me to consider what Christ’s followers saw instead.

Join me as we consider the curse they saw in God’s most tremendous expression of grace.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Consult an outside resource
    • Consider the opposite
• The free one-page PDF Episode Guide to guide your study - Episode 462 Download
• The empty tomb with the stone rolled away - Mark 16:1-8
• The curse we’re under without Christ and the curse Christ became - Galatians 3:10-14
• The crushing curse for disobeying any of God’s commandments - Deuteronomy 28
• “We cannot begin to grasp the significance of the cross or the full measure of the love of God without first having some idea of the biblical concept of the curse.” - R. C. Sproul “God’s Love: How the Infinite God Cares for His Children” - Amazon Paid Link
• Considering God’s blessing as the opposite of God’s curse - Numbers 6:22-26
• Unpacking Numbers 6:22-26 in Episode #330
• If the blessing is God’s nearness, then the curse is measured in terms of God’s distance
• A picture of the scapegoat in Leviticus 16:20-22
  • The camp symbolizes where the presence of God dwelt
  • The wilderness symbolizes outer darkness
• Considering the details of Christ’s death as it relates to the practice of the scapegoat
• How Christ ha

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It may seem hopeless. Your life is shattered into a million pieces. You are broken and empty. God is calling you to Himself. He is the master artist who can take your broken pieces and assemble them like a stained glass masterpiece. Amanda Nolan sings about that in her song "Broken Pieces." 

Let's explore a "broken pieces" story in the Old Testament.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Listen to an audio version of the text
  • Repetition
  • Consult an outside resource
  • Start with God
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Remember, the characters described in the Bible were REAL
• The free one-page PDF Episode Guide to guide your study - Episode 461 Download
• A valuable resource to study Ruth - Teaching Ruth and Esther by Christopher Ash - Amazon paid link
• Reading Old Testament narratives correctly - Bible Project Video
• A word study on loyal love (translated kindness in Ruth) - Bible Project Video
• When reading Old Testament narratives, the line is not from Old Testament hero to me, it is from Old Testament to Christ, then to me in Christ
• Reading the book of Ruth as a foreshadowing of the gospel
• Five threads to examine as you read:
  • Names of people
  • Places
    • Bethlehem
    • Moab - Numbers 22-25; Deuteronomy 23:3-6
  • The verb to "turn" or "return"

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In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting Amanda Nolan to talk about her new song "Broken Pieces," her faith and music story, her favorite Scriptures, and the habits that keep her time in God's Word fresh.

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What is your natural response to the love, power, and glory of God? Do your lips exclaim hallelujah? Do you sing with joy? Do you praise with a heart of gratitude? That's what Brandon Lake's song "Gratitude" leads us to do. And it's reflective of another song in Scripture.

King David was in a literal wilderness season when he wrote Psalm 63. Let's consider his song together in light of his circumstances.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Follow the cross-reference
  • Complete a word study
  • Consult an outside resource
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Make a list
• The free one-page PDF Episode Guide to guide your study - Episode 460 Download
• Choosing Psalm 63 because our theme verse matches the lyrics of our song - Psalm 63:4
• Following the cross-reference to 2 Samuel 13-19 to read about David and Absolom and what led to David's wilderness experience
• Considering the headspace David may have been in when he wrote Psalm 63 
  • Weary - 2 Samuel 16:14
  • Weary and discouraged - 2 Samuel 17:2
  • Hungry and thirsty - 2 Samuel 17:29
• Reading Psalm 63 with the background knowledge of 2 Samuel 13-19
• The ark was not with David in the wilderness - 2 Samuel 15:24-26
• God's steadfast love is better than life - Psalm 63:3
• A word study on God's steadfast love - Bible Project Video
• Hallelujah means "praise ye YAH (Yahweh)" - GotQuestions.org Article
• Making a list of the methods of praise we see in Psalm 63

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009)
• My new favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read 2 Samuel 13-19 this week. Read it over several days if you have to. Then pick up Psalm 63 and see how David's circumstances in the historical narrative shaped his song of praise to God. Take time to interact with Psalm 63. Make lists, write out your own prayers of praise back to God, and meditate on the words of this song

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Let this be an encouragement to you. Don't lose heart, my friend. This life is filled with many afflictions -- some of which feel like they might pull us under. But you're not alone. Just like Steven Curtis Chapman sings in his song "Don't Lose Heart."

Paul offers his own words of encouragement in his second letter to the Corinthians. Let's explore God's Word together.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Read in context
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Make observations
  • Complete a word study
  • Follow the cross-references
• The free one-page PDF Episode Guide to guide your study - Episode 459 Download
• The KLOVE blog post where Steven discusses the story behind the song "Don't Lose Heart" - KLOVE.com article
• Mary Beth Chapman's book "Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope" - Amazon Paid Link
• Unpacking our feature verse and making observations - 2 Corinthians 4:1
• The new covenant ministry of Paul (and followers of Christ to this day) - 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18
• Following the cross-reference to Exodus 34
• Wrongly seeing afflictions as a curse and not mercy
• God's comfort in more significant measure than the affliction - 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
• Exploring hope (as a way not to lose heart) 
  • 2 Corinthians 1:7
  • 2 Corinthians 1:10
  • 2 Corinthians 3:12

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• John Frederick, “Mercy and Compassion,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014)
• Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020)
• My new favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read 2 Corinthians this week. Look for afflictions and comfort. When faced with the choice to lose heart, set your hope in God instead. Take time to meditate on the truths God reveals to you this week.

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It's true -- God really does love you. But what kind of love is the Father's love? This is the question I explored in Scripture in this episode inspired by Crowder's song "God Really Loves Us."

Continue soaking in John's first epistle as we look at it from a different starting point.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Repetition
  • Read in context
  • Historical context
  • Mark up the text
  • Consult an outside resource
• Episode 457, where we talk about studying 1 John, seeking what it has to teach us about being a child of God
• God's love is distinct from humans because he is distinct from humans
• God's love is a reflection of His character
• Beholding the manner of God's love - 1 John 3:1
• Reviewing the historical context around John's first epistle - "The Message of John's Letters" by David Jackman - Amazon Paid Link
• Deducing the theological issue of the day by what John teaches on
• The literary structure of 1 John - read it more like a spiral staircase
• An outside resource about God's love - "God's Love: How the Infinite God Cares for His Children" by R.C. Sproul - Amazon Paid Link
• Featured verses for this episode - 1 John 4:7-8
• God is the source of all genuine love as defined and displayed by Him
• God is not a composite of his attributes -- all of His attributes are true of Him all the time and true of each attribute
• We cannot pick and choose the attributes of God we like
• Interacting with 1 John to learn about love
  • Love is given - 1 John 3:1
  • Love is perfected - 1 John 2:5, 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:16-17
  • Love saturates - 1 John 2:15
  • Love sacrifices self - 1 John 3:16
  • Love acts - 1 John 3:18
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As believers, our position in Christ and the family of God changes everything. We have been transformed; who we were before is not who we are now. But did you know what we will be is not who we are now? I was inspired by Ben Fuller's song "Who I Am" to study what Scripture says is the evidence and responsibility of a child of God.

Join me as we plumb the depths of 1 John this week.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Listen to an audio version of the text
  • Start with God
  • Mark up the text
  • Meditate on God's Word
  • Define words
  • Explore a theme
  • Repetition
  • Make a list
• The goal of the podcast is not to "mix it up" but instead discover and meditate on God's Word -- even if you stay in the same place for awhile
• Companion episodes to this week
  • Episode 447 - "Then Christ Came" by MercyMe
  • Episode 455 - "Perfectly Loved" by Rachael Lampa
• Looking for what God is concerned about before looking for how Scripture speaks to your concerns
• Reading with an antenna up for repeated words or themes that rise to the surface
• The Greek and English definitions of the word "abide"
• Measuring your life against God's definition and adjusting accordingly
• The characteristics of a child of God in 1 John
  • Practice righteousness - 1 John 2:29
  • Anticipate further transformation at the coming of Christ - 1 John 3:2
  • Don't practice sinning - 1 John 3:9
  • Contrasted with the children of the devil - 1 John 3:10
  • Love each other - 1 John 3:10, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:2
  • Know God - 1 John 4:7
  • Believe that Jesus is the Christ - 1 John 5:1
  • Love God and obey His commands - 1 John 5:2

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!