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

Send us Fan Mail

It doesn't matter how thick the walls are to us; it only matters how thick the walls are to God. When Andrew Ripp sings of our fears coming down like Jericho walls in his song "Jericho," I was inspired to study the story leading up to that moment.

I learned a lot about Joshua and what God commanded him. {Spoiler alert: God speaks directly to his fear.} Join me on the journey this week!

In this encore episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Context
  • Read larger chunks of Scripture
  • Consider the opposite
  • Use section headings to get your bearings
  • Read/watch an overview of the book you're studying
  • Consider the historical context
  • Meditate on God's Word
  • Follow the cross-reference
• The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
• Not overcomplicating our time in God's Word
• Taking in the whole story - Joshua 1-6
• Considering that "courage" is the opposite of "fear"
• An overview of the book of Joshua - BibleProject.com
• Taking on Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy to gain historical context (look for Joshua in these texts as well)
• God's four calls for Joshua be strong and courageous - Joshua 1:1-9
• One more call to courage from Joshua's fellow Israelites - Joshua 1:16-18
• Trusting God and letting fear crumble to the ground because He's trustworthy
• Following the cross-reference to see Moses sending out spies - Numbers 13:18-20
• Reading on to Numbers 14:7-9 to hear Joshua's own words in the face of fear the first time they pulled up to the promised land

• Lyrics - mykits.com
• Individual song - Amazon Paid Link

Read Joshua 1-6. Consider reading it multiple times in various versions. Note the repeated call to courage and meditate on the details surrounding each call. Follow the cross-reference to Numbers 13 and 14 and compare and contrast the sending of spies into the promised land.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are coming to an end. So many details remind us of Christ. What a tragedy it will be if we make room for the traditions that point to Him but fail to make room in our hearts for HIM. Casting Crowns' song, "Make Room," inspired me to take a step back and view the details from a different perspective.

Join me as we explore just how long ago the details of the Christmas narrative were set in motion.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Storying - retelling the story of Scripture in your own words
  • Share with a friend
  • Slow down
  • Repetition
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• The Lifeway report revealing 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas, but 17% of them can't remember any of the narrative - BreakPoint Podcast
• Letting the narrative of the birth of Christ sink in, to the point where you can retell it in your own words (a.k.a. taking the BITE of Storying)
• Taking a step back to see things in a new way
• Rereading the text, keeping an eye out for big-picture details reminding us of the grand story of Scripture
• The devotion by Mark Hall (lead singer of Casting Crowns) reveals the genesis of this song - Make Room: A Devo By Mark Hall From Casting Crowns
• Answering the question "so what?"

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• Chords - WorshipChords.com

If you have not yet taken the time to slow down and read the text of the narratives of Christmas, take time this week to read Luke 1 and 2, Matthew 1 and 2, and John 1. And if reading these texts is an exercise in repetition, reread them! While you are reading, notice the details of the accounts. After you're done reading, take a step back and see the big picture of God's story. Is there room in your heart to accept the invitation to become a part of it?

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

The symbols of Christmas have become the traditions of Christmas -- traditions like an evening drive to see grand light displays. When you hear a song like "Christmas Lights" by Love & the Outcome, allow it to point your heart toward Jesus, the Light of the World.

You can't consider the Christmas story without remembering the true Light that invaded the darkness when He put on flesh and dwelled among us.

In this episode, I discuss:

• 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
  • Make a list
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Use your imagination
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• Seeing Jesus as the true light in John 1
• Following the cross-reference to Genesis 1
• Comparing and contrasting the themes we see in Genesis 1 and John 1
• Seeing Jesus in Zechariah's prophecy over his son John - Luke 1:76-79
• Slowing down and letting the truths of Scripture sink in as we look at Christmas lights.

• Lyrics - New Release Today

Read John 1 and Genesis 1. Compare and contrast the themes of light and darkness, emptiness and fullness, void and life. Meditate on what you are reading. Think about truths (or even verses) you can bring to mind each time you take in the beauty of Christmas lights this season.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

Many of the details of Christmas get embellished, altered, or even left out of our traditional scenes, songs, and readings. Keith and Kristyn Getty, along with Ellie Holcomb, sing a song, "Elizabeth," that inspired me to dive into the details of her life.

You won't want to miss what Elizabeth's story has to teach us.

In this episode, I discuss:

• 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
  • Make a list
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Use your imagination
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• Having certainty concerning the things we have been taught - Luke 1:1-4
• Things we learn about Elizabeth
  • She was in the line of Aaron - Luke 1:5
  • She was righteous before God - Luke 1:6
  • She walked blamelessly in all commandments and statutes - Luke 1:6
  • She couldn't have children - Luke 1:7
  • She was advanced in years - Luke 1:7
  • An angel declared to her husband that she would bear a son in her old age - Luke 1:13
  • She stayed hidden in her pregnancy - Luke 1:24
  • She was related to Mary (the mother of Jesus) - Luke 1:36
  • She has her own beatitude/song/greeting recorded in Scripture - Luke 1:39-45
• Completing a word study on the phrase "when he looked on me" - BibleHub.com
• How Elizabeth stayed hidden, holy, and whole in God's favor
• Elizabeth's greeting to Mary and Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth's thoughts on this - Amazon Paid Link to "The First Songs of Christmas: A 31-Day Advent Devotional: Meditations on Luke 1 & 2" by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

• Lyrics - New Release Today
• Illuminated Scripture Journal - Amazon Paid Link

Read and listen to Luke 1 and 2 on repeat. Let the details of the accounts seep into your soul, repainting the pictures you may have framed and set on the mantel of your mind based on Christmas tradition rather than the specifics of Scripture itself. Focus on Elizabeth and meditate on what you can learn from her life and her responses recorded for us.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

We have felt needs and "real" needs. God cares about them both, but He prioritizes real needs. Brandon Heath sings about both in his song, "We Need Emmanuel." Our real need stems from our separation from God, but our felt needs are addressed through His ongoing presence in our lives.

Join me as we see why the fulfillment of the prophecy promising "God with us" was necessary.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Read in context
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• How we are eternally separated from God because of sin - Galatians 3:19
• Obeying ALL of God's laws is impossible and can't save us - Romans 3:20
• How we're under a curse - Galatians 3:10
• How Jesus is THE offspring - Galatians 3:16
• Moses as the intermediary between God and the people - Galatians 3:19
• Following the cross-references to understand the phrase "put in place through angels"
  • Deuteronomy 33:2
  • Acts 7:53
  • Hebrews 2:2
• Understanding the role of Jesus in the Trinity - Galatians 3:20
• Christ's name Emmanuel meaning God with us - Matthew 1:18-25
• How the law was never intended to be the solution, but a guardian - Galatians 3:19-29
• Answering the question "We see why we need God with us, but why then?" - Galatians 4:4
• The role of the Holy Spirit in our lives as "God with us"
  • We receive new birth through the Holy Spirit - John 3:5-8
  • Jesus calls Him the helper - John 14:26
  • He intercedes for us and helps us to pray - Romans 8:26-27
  • The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews the believer - Titus 3:5
  • He guards and guarantees the believer's salvation - Ephesians 1:13, 4:30
  • The Spirit baptizes the believer into the Body of Christ, a place where we find community and unity of purpose and thought - Romans 6:3
  • The Spirit gives gifts to benefit and build up our faith and the faith of the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:4
  • The Holy Spirit gives believers wisdom by which we can understand God. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• "What Does the Holy Spirit Do?" - GotQuestions.org Article
• My favorite study Bible, and the one I used to track down the cross-references on this episode - Amazon Paid Link

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

Is there room for rejoicing in the midst of fear? Charles Spurgeon writes, "Fear, without joy, is torment; and joy, without holy fear, would be presumption." Using Andrew Ripp's song "Rejoice" we explore a variety of responses (one of which is rejoicing) to the miracle of our risen Savior.

Come with me to an open tomb with a lightning-bright angel perched atop a stone.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Make a list
  • Slow down
  • Remember the people described in the Bible were REAL
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• A quote from Andrew Ripp about the genesis of this song - KLove Article
• Our inspiration verse - Psalm 2:11
• How our inspiration verse brings together weeks of Bible study
  • Episode 398 - talking about awe and wonder
  • Episode 403 - talking about trembling before the Lord
  • This week - talking about rejoicing with trembling
• Charles Spurgeon reminding us that, "There must ever be a holy fear mixed with the Christian's joy." - "The Treasury of David: Charles Spurgeon Commentary on Psalms" Amazon Paid Link
• Moving to Matthew 28 where we see rejoicing AND trembling
• Setting the stage with a GREAT earthquake - Matthew 28:1-3
• Making a list of responses to Christ's resurrection
• How I tend to put myself in the column of "appropriate" responses when I may just find myself in one that should lead to my repentance

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• I always get the Mary's in the New Testament mixed up. Here's a great article that may help as you study Scripture - Gospel Coalition Article

I've read and pondered this text for myself -- now it's your turn. Start in Psalm 2 and let it launch you to Matthew 28. Make a list of the responses you see in the text. Consider what it could look like in your life to respond to our God with rejoicing and trembling.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

Does the idea of trembling before the Lord inspire you or make you feel uncomfortable? Lauren Daigle's song "Tremble" inspired me to explore where people are described as trembling before the Lord. Spoiler alert: It should inspire you.

Join me as we examine a couple of places in Scripture where we see why and how we should tremble before the Lord.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Explore a topic
  • Read in context
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Repetition
  • Follow the cross-reference
  • Compare and contrast
  • Make a list
  • Examine the text in various translations
  • Complete a word study
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• Getting a Scripture starting point by typing in a keyword into BibleHub.com
• Understanding what the text actually says before moving to what it means before moving to what it means for me
• Finding the instruction to "serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling" - Psalm 2:11
• Heading back to 1 Corinthians (where we were studying last week in Episode 402) - 1 Corinthians 2:3
• How the Greco-Roman world of the Corinthian church placed a high value on professional orators who could persuade the audience through entertaining instruction - 1 Corinthians 1:22
• How the gospel was silly to the Greeks and horrifying to the Jews - 1 Corinthians 1:23
• Looking at the founding of the Corinthian church in Acts 18
• Paul's chosen preaching approach in Corinth - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
• Comparing and contrasting what the audience expected with what Paul delivered and why
• Paul's fear and trembling were not a tactic; instead, they were a reflection of his deep-seated understanding of how weak and small he really is

Enjoy the official live music video of our inspiration song below.

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• ESV Study Bible - Amazon Paid Link
• Overview of 1 Corinthians - BibleProject.com

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

I know sometimes it's easy to think the division of our day has never happened before. As Ecclesiastes teaches us, "There is nothing new under the sun." Mike Donehey sings about being "All Together" in his new song. I want to explore what we can learn from a church family who DIDN'T have it all together and what they were taught to overcome the division of their day.

Let's explore the first letter to the church at Corinth together.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Consider the opposite
  • Historical context
  • Read the envelope
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Repetition
  • Make a list
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• Exploring the division revealed in the early church at Corinth
• Discovering the historical context of the city of Corinth as a cosmopolitan city made up of people from all over the empire brining their worldviews and practices with them into their new Christian faith
• Recognizing that we long for a church family where we are accepted while simultaneously realizing we bring our backstories with us into our new family in Christ
• Paul's appeal for unity - 1 Corinthians 1:10
• The Corinthian church's tendency to follow their favorite dynamic leader over Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:11-16
• How the gospel is the main thing - 1 Corinthians 1:17
• How glorifying the preacher or the preaching can "empty the cross of its power" - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
• Being united around the gospel and united in love - 1 Corinthians 13

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• The story behind the song "All Together" by Mike Donehey - Kevin Davis Article NewReleaseToday.com
• "How to Read the Bible Book by Book" by Fee and Stuart - Amazon Paid Link
• Overview of 1 Corinthians - BibleProject.com

Read 1 Corinthians for yourself. Take in some of the backstory by reading Acts 18. Gain knowledge not immediately available in the text by consulting an introduction in your study Bible, in an online study Bible, or a book like the one I talked about. Interact with the Bible by making lists of ways the churc

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

When an obscure passage is brought to light in the lyrics of a song, it gives us an excellent reason to engage in areas of Scripture we may have overlooked for a while. Elevation Worship's song "RATTLE!" refers to the bones of a prophet whose life is worth exploring.

Join me in looking into the life and miracles of the prophet Elisha inspired by our song this week.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Explore a topic
  • Read in context
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Meditate
  • Remember the people described in the Bible were REAL
  • Prayer
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• The obscure story about a man coming to life after being tossed onto Elisha's bones - 2 Kings 13:20-21
• Yearning for what is unseen, not what is unspoken, as we wrestle with the holy text of Scripture
• Struggling with the question, "What am I supposed to do with this?"
• Reading about the beginning of Elisha's personal ministry - 2 Kings 2:9-12
• Watching the waters of the Jordan part for the third time in recorded Biblical history - 2 Kings 2:19-22
• The frustration I felt while reading the accounts of Elisha and his ministry
• Wondering what to do with accounts like the one in 2 Kings 2:23-25
• The reminder in James that Elisha (thought a mighty prophet of renown) was just like us (had a human nature) - James 5:17
• Praying for the wisdom of God as I wrestle with the text
• What a "type" in Scripture is and my previous discussion in Episode 378
• The shallows and depths of Scripture
• Parallels between Elisha and Jesus - Ligonier.org Article
  • Both Elisha and Jesus receive the Spirit on the other side of the Jordan
  • More disciples surround both Elisha and Jesus than their predecessors
  • Both Elisha and Jesus cleanse lepers
  • Both Elisha and Jesus are itinerant miracle workers
  • Both Elisha and Jesus reverse death by raising dead sons and restoring them to their mothers
  • Both men had a covetous disciple
  • Both Jesus and Elisha end their lives in a life-giving tomb from which people flee
• Parallels between Elisha and us as disciples

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• Is "RATTLE!" by Elevation Worship Biblical? - The Berean Test Review
• A list of miracles performed by Elijah an

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

Our God is a God who celebrates milestones. This week is a significant milestone for the podcast, and the song "In Christ Alone" celebrates an anniversary, too! Let's celebrate by digging into God's Word!

When was the last time you let your curiosity lead you down a path that led to greater insight? Let's explore Scripture together.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Explore a topic
  • Consult an outside resource
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Define words
• The 30 Day Music Challenge
• 400 episodes - we've gone from 1 in 86,000 podcast in 2014 to 1 in 2,000,000 in 2021
• A little controversy around this song - Al Mohler's The Briefing - Part Three
• Considering the theology behind God's wrath being satisfied
• Being discerning in what we take into our lives as truth
• The various perspectives Scripture speaks about the cross of Christ
• Wrestling through the uncomfortable ideas in Scripture - John 3:36
• How we think about anger
• Following the cross-reference to John 3:16-21
• God's wrath is shown by honoring people's choices -- allowing their inevitable destruction - Romans 1:18-25
• This idea -- "God is not content to let people sit in their own self destruction in the Bible -- God is on a mission to rescue." - Bible Project Video
• How we are saved from God's wrath through Christ - Romans 5:9
• How the consequences for our sins was "satisfied" by the death of Christ - 1 John 4:10
• Propitiation and expiation - Ligonier.org Article
• An opposing view - Ian Paul Blog Post
• How God will absorb the consequences for our sin if we will stop rejecting Him

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - StuartTownend.co.uk
• Chords and links to the story behind the song (Passion's version) - WorshipTogether.com
• What is Propitiation? - GotQuestions.org Article
• In depth study on God being slow to anger - BibleProject.com
• 20 Year's Later - In Christ Alone Still Inspires Mil

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!