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

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Growing up, my mom and stepdad used to listen to Paul Harvey. He was a radio broadcaster famous for telling "the rest of the story." When Josiah Queen sings "The Prodigal," I'm sure you're thinking of the famous parable Jesus taught. However, we will study the "rest of the story in this episode." Because you see, the story of the prodigal son is only part of the story.

Join me in the gospel of Luke as we place ourselves in the scene where Jesus teaches the parable of lost possessions.

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
  • Historical context
  • Consult outside resources
  • Repetition
• Episode Guide
• The story behind the song "The Prodigal" by Josiah Queen - YouTube Short
• Where we get the name "prodigal son" from a parable that doesn't use that word - Luke 15:13
• A discussion on why and how we take things out of context
• Reading Luke 15 and discovering that the parable of the prodigal son is one part of a three-part parable about lost things
• Considering the audience Jesus was speaking to
• Gaining perspective from "The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament" by Kenneth Bailey - Amazon Paid Link
• The group of Pharisees known as the haberim -- loosely translated as "friends" or "associates" and their rules about who they could and could not eat with
• How this parable in Luke 15 harkens back to Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34
• How Jesus pushed the buttons of his audience with his word choices, highlighting a deplorable trade and making a woman the hero of the story
• How I highly recommend Susan Macias' novel, "Finding Home," to bring the historical context of the New Testament and the parable of the lost sons to life - Amazon Paid Link
• Pictures of being lost in the far country and being lost at home
• Discovering who the prodigal son, elder brother, and Father are in the story - "All The Parables of the Bible" by Herbert Lockyer - Amazon Paid Link
• Revealing what is covered in each panel of the parable picture - lost/found/rejoicing

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• The story behind the song "The Prodigal" by Josiah Queen - YouTube Short
• "Finding Home" by Susan Macias- Amazon Paid Link
• "The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament" by Kenneth Bailey - Amazon Paid Link
• "All The Parables of the Bible" by Herbert Lockyer - Amazon Paid Link
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

 Read Luke 14-16 several times before focusing your attention on the Parable of Lost Possessions in Luke 15. Read it as one parable with three panels. Consider the audience and the historical context to understand how impactful the words of Jesus really are. Allow the teaching of your Savior to deepen your love and compassion for the lost. May they be drawn to you as you share the love of the Savior with them. 

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

I need the reminder. I need the nudge. I get discouraged and feel the temptation to stop asking God for his __________________ (you fill in the blank). Matthew West exhorts us toward something the Bible says: "Don't Stop Praying." On a good day, I'll agree. On a bad day, I may whine, "Why should I?"

That is the question we'll seek guidance from God's Word to answer.

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
  • Read in context
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Read the text out loud
  • Make observations
  • Study from various translations
  • Pray Scripture
• Episode Guide
• "Esther" at Sight and Sounds Theater in Branson - Website Link
• An outside resource on prayer that changed my prayer life - "How to Pray" by R.A. Torrey - Amazon Paid Link
• Training yourself NOT to skip over Scripture in Christian Literature
• Verses that scream, "Don't stop praying!" 
  • Ephesians 6:18
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - see Episode 488 for more on this section of Scripture
• Examining the "alls" in Ephesians 6:18
• From R.A. Torrey's book "How to Pray," why should you be in constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer? 
  • Because there is an enemy - Ephesians 6:12-13, Ephesians 6:18
  • Because prayer is God's way for us to obtain things from Him - James 4:2-3
  • Because the apostles modeled it as important - Acts 6:4, Romans 1:9, Ephesians 1:15-16, Colossians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 2 Timothy 1:3
  • Because prayer was important to Jesus when he walked this earth - Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12
  • Because prayer is the most important part of Jesus' current ministry - Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34
  • Because prayer is God's means appointed for our receiving mercy and obtaining grace - Hebrews 4:14-16
• Interceding for others by praying Scripture over them (try Colossians 1:9-12)

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• Prayer Hold Power - KLove Article
• "How to Pray" by R.A. Torrey - Amazon Paid Link
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Meditate on our focus verse, Ephesians 6:18, and study it in context to guide you to examine constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer throughout Scripture. Then, pick up the Episode Guide to walk you through six reasons for constant prayer

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Do you know what you believe? Are you grounded in the knowledge and understanding of your faith? Our faith is not blind and unfounded. Rather, it is rooted in a Person Who brings all things from the darkness into light. Every once in a while, it's good to challenge yourself with what you believe -- relying on the truth of Scripture to weave together the tapestry of our faith. Phil Wickham's song, "I Believe," will guide us in discussing some very important details of what we believe as followers of Christ.

Let's explore the Scripture behind some of the summary statements we sing along with in this song.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Study a topic
  • Slow down
  • Meditate on Scripture
• Episode Guide
• "I Believe" by Phil Wickham as a modern creed - Air1.com Article
• Defining creeds, confessions, and their uses
• One Salvation - Acts 4:10-12
• One Doorway that leads to life - John 10:7-9
• One Redemption - Hebrews 9:11-15
• One Way - John 14:6
• Where salvation comes from - Ephesians 2:8-10
• Reconciliation - Colossians 1:21-23
• Restoring a relationship with God means confessing our guilt and requesting forgiveness from Him - He gives us the terms to reconcile with Him.
• The crucifixion, as discussed in all four gospels and Galatians 3:13
• Christ's blood that has set us free - Revelation 1:4-6, 1 Peter 1:17-19
• The resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:3-9
• Jesus' life is death's defeat - 2 Timothy 1:10
• Christ's victory is consummated in eternity - Revelation 21:4
• Jesus prepares a place for us in heaven - John 14:1-3
• This world is not our home - Philippians 3:20
• We cannot imagine what God has in store for us - 1 Corinthians 2:9
• Jesus will return - Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
• Keeping the altar burning like the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25
• The marriage of the Lamb - Revelation 19:6-9
• Jesus as the Lion and the Lamb - Revelation 5:5-6
• Not being ashamed of the gospel - Romans 1:16

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• The faith behind the song "I Believe" by Phil Wickham - Air1.com Article
• Behind the song "I Believe" by Phihl Wickham - NewReleaseToday Article
• "Creeds and Confessions" - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• "The Compact Guide to World Religions" - Amazon Paid Link
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

We end where we began. Use this song as a creed — a rehearsal of summary statements about what you believe. Shore up why you believe what you believe by using the Episode Guide to point you to Scripture. Let that study lead you to a confession of how what you believe changes how you live. And allow it to guide you f

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Can I give you some good news? God does not restrain His faithfulness. He doesn't hold back. TobyMac sings about it in his song "Faithfully," and David sings about it in Psalm 40.

Tag along with me as we explore God's faithfulness 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: 
  • Study a topic
  • Read in context
  • Define words
  • Complete a word study
  • Share with a friend
• Episode Guide
• The story behind the song "Faithfully" by TobyMac - YouTube Video
• The variety of Greek and Hebrew words used to describe God's faithfulness all closely linked to God's truthfulness (veracity)
• Looking up the word "faithful" in the English dictionary
• Recognizing that faithfulness is an attribute that we should display (communicable attribute of God) - God is faithful, and we are to be faithful
• Faithful and True as a name of Jesus - Revelation 19:11
• God's faithfulness saves us from the despair of our own unfaithfulness
• Using the Psalms Explorer in my Logos Bible Software to choose Psalm 40 to study the theme of God's faithfulness
• Exploring the idea that God "inclined" to David - a state of engagement in a relationship - the Lord really sees us in our pain and wants to engage with us
• God is ACTIVE in His engagement with us - Psalm 40:2-3
• What makes this Psalm a Messianic Psalm - Hebrews 10:5-7
• David's response to the faithfulness of God - Psalm 40:9-11

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• The story behind the song "Faithfully" by TobyMac - YouTube Video
• Exploring Logo Bible Study Psalms Explorer - Webinar Replay on YouTube
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Spend some time in Psalm 40. Look for God's attributes, specifically His faithfulness. Then, take a trip to Hebrews 10 to see Jesus fulfilling parts of this Psalm. Finally, follow David’s lead and share what you’ve learned with a friend. Don’t keep the glad news of God’s deliverance to yourself.

‌

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

To count our blessings is to name them and acknowledge our gratitude for the good things God has blessed us with. Seph Schlueter sings of this in his song "Counting My Blessings," and I use it to catapult us into the world of Jesus to see how He gave thanks in all circumstances.

Let's explore Scripture together to deepen our knowledge as we practice giving thanks in our lives.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Reading in context
  • Listen to an audio version of the text
  • Repetition
  • Make a list
  • Complete a word study
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Consider the opposite
• Episode Guide
• Reading all of 1 Thessalonians as inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• Making a list of what Paul is thankful for as an example of how to make a list of our own
• Asking the question, "What does giving thanks look like in Scripture?"
• "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp - Amazon Paid Link
• An interview by Kirk Cameron with Ann Voskamp - YouTube Video
• Learning to be on the hunt for things to be thankful for
• Actually taking action -- to give thanks is a verb
• Greek word for "to give thanks" - eucharisteo - BibleHub Word Study
• The times Jesus eucharisteo
  • at the Last Supper - Luke 22:17-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Hebrews 12:2
  • at the Feeding of the 5000 - John 6:11-13, 23
  • at the resurrection of Lazarus - John 11:38-44
• How miracles, provision, fullness, resurrection, and life are on the other side of giving thanks
• Considering the opposite of how Jesus gave thanks 
  • sinful people described as NOT giving thanks - Romans 1:21
  • hypocritical religious man giving thanks in a presumptuous and arrogant fashion - Luke 18:11
  • using our words to give thanks rather than foolish talk - Ephesians 5:4

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• The story behind the song "Counting My Blessings" by Seph Schlueter - YouTube Short
• "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp - Amazon Paid Link
• An interview by Kirk Cameron with Ann Voskamp - YouTube Video
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Spend some time in 1 Thessalonians. Make a list of what Paul is thankful for. Then, make your own list of things you are thankful for. Be imitators of Christ in your eucharisteo. Read about Christ giving 

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Have you ever had that moment when you realize you are on the other side? On the other side of trauma. On the other side of betrayal. On the other side of pain, you thought for sure you would NEVER endure? This happened to Joseph and was commemorated by the birth of his firstborn son. When Anna Golden sings "Manasseh," she vividly brings these shared feelings to life -- these feelings of a patriarch from long ago shared with those of us who are on the other side of deep wounding.

Let's examine Joseph's life this week as we tickle the chin of his newborn son, Manasseh.

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
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Read Big
  • Repetition
  • Storying
  • Review section titles
  • Study a person
• Episode Guide Download
• The meaning of the name Manasseh - "causing to forget" - Genesis 41:51
• Anna Golden's testimony about the song - "Manasseh Intro" - YouTube Audio Link
• Read Joseph's story in Genesis 37-50
• Learning to "Read Big" - The Bible Reset: Simple Breakthroughs to Make Scripture Come Alive by Alex Goodwin - Amazon Paid Link
• Biblical Person Study Workflow - Logos Bible Software
• Biographical Method of Bible Study - Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren - Amazon Paid Link
• Choosing to study the life of Joseph to determine what he needed to forget with the birth of Manasseh
• Reading the narrative completely and repetitively
• Learning how Joseph helped his brothers rewrite the story - The Bible Project Podcast
• The summary of the psalmist - Psalm 105:16-24
• Determining the role the person played in Biblical events
• First impressions of Joseph and how they've changed upon deeper reading
• Writing your own chronological timeline of the person, a.k.a. taking the BITE of Storying
• Tying the story back to the lyrics of the song

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

 Read or listen to Joseph's story in Genesis 37-50. Read repetitively and add to your study each time. Write down your first impressions (including questions) the first time you read the narrative. The second time you read through it, jot down the chronological timeline of Joseph's life. The third time you read through it, consider any shared experiences you and Joseph may have had. Pray and ask God to reveal Himself in the midst of Joseph's story (and yours). 

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Have you ever re-watched a movie yet felt anxious during that scene where the obstacle seems too great to overcome? You know the end. You understand the main character overcomes that obstacle because you've watched the movie before, but it still keeps you on the edge of your seat. That's what I think of when I hear Shane & Shane sing "You've Already Won." I know Christ sits in heaven as the ultimate victor and that because I'm in Christ, I, too, am victorious. But I'm still swinging my sword in battles and sometimes wonder how it will all turn out. 

I want to add to your faith by diving deeper into Ephesians 1 with you in this episode.

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 and keep on reading
  • Repetition
  • Read the text aloud
  • Review an overview
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Start with God
  • Make a list
• Episode Guide Download
• My conversation with Keith Ferrin regarding internalizing Scripture - Friday With Friends Interview
• The part of Ephesians I've been studying that I thought of when I listened to this week's song - Ephesians 1:19-23
• Not letting any Bible interaction tool/process keep us in bondage or discourage us from spending time in God's Word
• Watching the overview video for Ephesians - Bible Project Video
• The metaphor of trampling under the feet as an image of victory over one's enemies - Dictionary of Biblical Imagery - Amazon Paid Link
• The now and not yet of Christ's victory - 1 Corinthians 15:24-25
• The now and not yet of our inheritance - Ephesians 1:11-14
• Making a list of God's actions in Ephesians 1
• Living between the ages - Christopher Hall Foundations 3 & 4
• The now and not yet of living between the ages - "God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible" - Amazon Paid Link

Additional Resources

• The story behind the song "You've Already Won" by Shane & Shane - New Release Today Article
• What is the concept of "already but not yet"? - Got Questions Article
• The now and not yet of living between the ages - "God's Big 
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read and re-read Ephesians. Read it out loud. Read it in the same physical Bible to help with retention and recall. Then, sit down with a notebook and make a list of all of God's actions. We've started in chapter 1, but feel free to keep adding to your list as you interact with the text. Your faith will be strengthened as you rehearse all God has done for you.

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CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

I've recently seen several videos online of children laying hands on siblings in prayer or praying with deep and passionate charisma. It's adorable because they are acts not normally seen in children who are more likely to swipe their friend's toy than lay hands on them in prayer. But I learned a long time ago that children are mirrors of the environment around them. When Benjamin William Hastings sings "Abandoned," he longs to mirror the complete abandon he sees in the life of Christ. 

As an adopted child into the family of God, I, too, want to mirror Christ's life of abandonment to the purpose and will of God. Let's explore the entire gospel of Mark together to see what acts we can emulate. 

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Read in context
  • Set a timer
  • Study a topic
  • Mark up the text
  • Meditate on Scripture
• Episode Guide Download
• Benjamin's comments on the heart behind the song - Air1 Article
• Reading and interacting with the entire gospel of Mark to examine Christ's life of complete abandon
• The journal I use to study whole books of the Bible - ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal: Mark - Amazon Paid Link
• Wanting to have the mind (and surrender) of Christ - 1 Corinthians 2:16
• How Jesus was yielded to God's plan completely from the beginning of His ministry - Mark 1:11-12
• Jesus doing the thing He came to do - Mark 1:38-39
• Jesus operating in the authority He had been given - Mark 2:10-11
• How Jesus about things/people that God cared about - Mark 2:17
• How Jesus' life of abandon led to rejection - Mark 6:2-3
• Christ's abandoned life was a life of prayer - Mark 6:46
• An abandoned life honors God with our lips AND our hearts and doesn’t elevate tradition over the heart of God - Mark 7:6-8
• An abandoned life sets his/her mind on the thing of God, NOT the things of man - Mark 8:33
• The cross Jesus called us to bear before He surrendered to His own cross - Mark 8:34-38
• ‌An abandoned life is content with God’s timing - Mark 9:9
• An abandoned life is a life of servitude - Mark 9:35
• An abandoned life isn't a reckless life -- it still has customs - Mark 10:1
• An abandoned life is yielded to the truth of Scripture - Mark 11:17
• ‌An example prayer 
  • Relationship
  • Rehearse
  • Request
  • Relinquish

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• Favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read the gospel of Mark. Read with a highlighter and pen in hand. Don’t take apart every verse, but look for the pattern of the life of Christ — a life abandoned to the will of God above all else. Then pray as Jesus did in the garden. Call on your relationship with God, rehearse his character, make your request, and relinquish your will in exchange for His. You won’t regret it.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

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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 my friend, Keith Ferrin, to talk about his journey moving from "should" to "want" regarding reading and studying God's Word.

We reminisce about the day we "met" over ten years ago when I reached out to him as a fellow believer in Christ to ask questions about podcasting. We were complete strangers, but he was generous with his knowledge and time. And while he moved on from podcasting to course creation, book authorship, speaking, and YouTube content creation, we've stayed in touch over the years. I can't wait for you to get to hear his story and glean from his wisdom.

MEMORABLE MENTIONS

Keith talks about his Bible Study for Beginners playlist on YouTube. If you've ever asked, "What translations should I use?" or "What book of the Bible should I start with?" or "How did we get the Bible?" or other Bible questions, this playlist is for you!

During our chat, Keith discussed reading the Bible to hang out with Jesus. He also mentioned internalizing the Word of God. Keith offers two premiere online courses if you are interested in pursuing either of these things. AND he's offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal for my listeners!

Head over to www.keithferrin.com/2courses and use the coupon code MICHELLEBOGO

But the most generous offer is Keith's BibleLife Community membership. This membership includes access to ALL of Keith's books, courses, live teaching, and more. You can try it before you buy. Get the first four weeks for $4.

CONNECT WITH KEITH

• www.keithferrin.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Send us Fan Mail

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

How can you get out of the mental pit you're in? If you do what Riley Clemmons did, you'll get away with God and focus on HIS plans to strengthen you. Riley's song, "Loved By You," inspired me to spend some time in Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

In Ephesians, we'll learn together about the characteristics of God's "great love" for us. It's true -- you are loved by God.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Make observations
  • Slow down
  • Consider the opposite
• Episode Guide Download
• The Story Behind the Song "Loved By You" by Riley Clemmons - New Release Today Article
• Verses in Ephesians that talk about God's love 
  • Ephesians 2:4-5
  • Ephesians 3:17-19
  • Ephesians 5:2
  • Ephesians 5:25
• Characteristics of God's love 
  • Great
  • Benevolent
  • Affectionate
  • Grounding
  • Surpasses knowledge
  • Fills us with all the fullness of God
  • Sacrificial
• Define "grounded" - BibleHub.com Greek definition, WordHippo.com English definition
• Considering the opposite of being grounded in God's love
• Exploring Paul's prayer - Ephesians 3:14-21
• Defining "power" as we did in Episode #478

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• The story behind the song "Loved By You" by Riley Clemmons - NewReleaseToday.com
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Dive into Ephesians. Read it all the way through. Read it out loud. Read it in various translations. Then, interact with the text to better understand God’s love. When you sing, “I am loved by You,” do you understand more about what kind of love God’s love really is? Finally, pray and ask God to grant you to be strengthened with power through the Spirit in your inner being so that you can comprehend and experience the love that He has for you and be rooted and grounded in that love.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!