John the Baptist goes from the last prophet to the first preacher.

Sarah Stenson sits down with Adam, Kiri, and Mason to talk about the significance of John the Baptist pointing to Jesus in this week's lectionary passage. 

The Jewish teachers ask John three questions: Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are you the prophet? Sarah explains the significance of these questions and why John's answers speak to our preaching the promise of Jesus Christ today. 

• What does it mean to be sent by God?
• Should we be making Jesus' paths straight?
• How can I humble myself?

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Spoiler: Mark tells us the end of the story in the first verse.

Dr. Chris Croghan joins Kiri, Adam, and Mason to discuss this week's lectionary text about the first verses of the Gospel of Mark. 

From the very first verse, Mark tells us the story of Jesus Christ is good news, which led to a great conversation including:

• What is the importance of calling Jesus, Son of God?
• What is the difference between John baptizing with water and Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit?
• Why is there so many details about what John was wearing/eating?

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

A new church calendar year begins with a text about the end of this world. 

Dr. Paulson joins Kiri and Adam to discuss this week's lectionary text about Jesus telling Peter all that's to come: his betrayal, his crucifixion, his resurrection, and finally the end of this world. 

• Why is a story of the end of times being told at the beginning of the church calendar year?
• What does it mean that God has cursed Jesus on the cross?
• What are the differences between Jesus giving signs and promises?

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Are you a sheep or a goat? 

That's the question Adam and Kiri ask Dr. Steven Paulson about this week's lectionary text: The Judgement of the Nations or the passage where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. 

As you'll hear Dr. Paulson teach in this week's conversation, that determination hinges on where you believe glory comes from. 

• What does it mean for us that Jesus separates instead of unites?
• Does glory come by law or by gospel?
• How do you know if you're a sheep or a goat?

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

How can you trust God will provide? What does it mean that the master gave each to their ability? How can we be "good and trustworthy" servants of God? 

These are the questions you'll hear as Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan share a conversation with Kiri, Adam, and Mason about this week's lectionary text: The Parable of the Talents.

Listen to the promise of how God is providing daily bread for us each and every day. Even right now.

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Sarah Stenson joins the hosts of Scripture First—Kiri, Adam, and Mason—to discuss this week's lectionary text where Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. 

In a conversation where Sarah preached the greatest promise we'll receive in our lifetimes, here are a few of the questions you'll hear: 

• Why do the wise bridesmaids not share their oil with the foolish bridesmaids?
• How do you receive faith?
• How is, "Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour," misunderstood?

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

This week on Scripture First, Dr. Chris Croghan shares a conversation with Adam, Kiri, and Mason about this week’s All Saints lectionary text: Matthew 5:1-12, better known as the Beatitudes. 

A few of the questions you’ll hear in the episode:

• What does it mean to be blessed by God?
• Why can’t you “earn” sainthood?
• How is heaven and hell something that’s happening right now?

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

What happens when Jesus pits the law against the gospel? 

Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins Scripture First to discuss this week’s lectionary text: Matthew 22:34-46, or the passage where Jesus explains the greatest commandment as the law and introduces a new world that operates in the Messiah. 

In the conversation Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask: 

• How is the law essential to understanding the gospel? 
• Why won’t we do the law if we know what to do? 
• How do we know if we’re loving God and our neighbors correctly? 

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

The Pharisees set the ultimate trap for Jesus. Only to have their own words trap them in their sin.  

Both of Luther House of Study’s Co-Directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, talk about the biggest trap the Pharisees set for Jesus: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor? 

In the conversation Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask: 

• How is this the ultimate trap? It seems anticlimactic. 
• Are we any different than the Pharisees?
• Why do we value money so much?

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

What does it mean to be worthy? 

Sarah Stenson, Luther House of Study’s Co-Director, teaches on the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, an election text centering on the words worthy and chosen.  

In the conversation Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask: 

• Is being worthy the same thing as being chosen?
• Why does only reading the text not deliver Christ’s promise?
• Do we have a role to play in being righteous?

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate