The Regular Guys Bible Study

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Ken and Steve continue their verse-by-verse walk through Matthew, this week diving into the chapter that gives us the Magi, the star, and Herod's murderous jealousy.

• Who were the wise men, really? Ken and Steve dig into whether the Magi were Jewish, Gentile astrologers, or something in between — and why Matthew highlighting Gentiles as Jesus's first worshippers matters
• The mystery of the star — comparing the biblical account to ancient Chinese astronomical records, and debating whether it was a natural phenomenon, a miracle, or both
• Worship without conditions — why the wise men worshipped Jesus for who he is, not for what he'd done for them, and what that means for our own faith
• How many Herods were there? A quick detour into history to sort out which Herod is which
• The flight to Egypt and the massacre of the innocents — wrestling with the weight of Herod's cruelty and what it means that Jesus retraces Israel's own journey out of Egypt
• The puzzle of "he shall be called a Nazarene" — a prophecy no one can quite pin down in the Old Testament
• Plus: Ken's back injury, Steve's trip to New York, and a first look at the upcoming Regular Guys Bible Study app

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We start our tenth book by walking straight into Matthew 1 and the “book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,” even though it’s the part many people want to skip. We talk through why Matthew leads with Abraham and David, why the family tree includes messy stories, and why Joseph’s quiet obedience deserves more credit than he gets. 

• starting a new season in the Gospel of Matthew and why it’s a key birth-to-death account 
• reading Matthew 1:1–17 aloud and why the genealogy is there at all 
• the meaning of “son of David” and “son of Abraham” for a Jewish audience 
• the 14-14-14 structure and the questions it raises about counting generations 
• comparing Matthew’s genealogy with Luke 3:23–38 and common explanations for the differences 
• why Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and the wife of Uriah show up by name 
• the birth narrative in Matthew 1:18–25 with a focus on Joseph’s decision and the angel’s dream 
• obedience without recognition and what Joseph teaches us about doing the right thing quietly 

just pause this thing, go read the first chapter of Matthew, and then come back and um and listen. 

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We pick back up in Philippians 4 and talk through how joy, gentleness, prayer, and a disciplined thought life fit together in everyday faith. We also put Philippians 4:13 back in context and ask what real contentment looks like when life changes your money, comfort, and control. 
• rejoicing as a choice rooted in the Lord, not circumstances 
• gentleness and reasonableness in conflict, especially inside the church 
• “the Lord is near” as a reminder of God’s presence and return 
• prayer with petition and thanksgiving as a pattern, not a wish list 
• peace that transcends understanding as a guard for hearts and minds 
• shaping what we think about, including what we watch and allow in 
• the challenge of being an example others could follow 
• contentment learned over time in need and in plenty 
• Philippians 4:13 as strength for contentment, not performance 
• appreciating generosity as spiritual fruit and partnership 
Guys, if you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear from you 
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Keep reading your Bible, read it, do it 

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We wrestle with what Christian maturity looks like in Philippians 3:15 through 4:3, especially the call to press forward instead of living in the past. We talk honestly about distractions, heavenly citizenship, and why unity in the church matters enough for Paul to plead for it by name. 
• pressing toward the goal and defining maturity in Christ 
• God making things clear when believers disagree 
• living up to what we have already attained and holding on to real progress 
• recognizing hedonism and “earthly things” as a constant pull 
• citizenship in heaven and the hope of transformed bodies 
• standing firm in the Lord and dealing with conflict inside the church 
• helping others reconcile for the sake of the gospel 
Read the rest of Philippians chapter four.

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We read Philippians 3:1-14 and talk about why Paul warns so sharply against trusting religious credentials. We wrestle with counting our “good” as loss so we can know Christ, keep obeying through hardship, and press on without living in the past. 
• Paul’s repeated warnings as a safeguard for faith 
• who Paul may mean by “dogs” and “mutilators of the flesh” 
• spiritual circumcision as being set apart by the Spirit 
• Paul’s religious credentials and how pride can hide in ministry 
• why Paul calls former gains “loss” and even “garbage” 
• righteousness from God through faith in Christ, not law keeping 
• knowing Christ through resurrection power and suffering 
• pressing on toward the goal by letting go of the past, good and bad 
Read it, pause it, go read it. 

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We wrestle with Philippians 2:12-30 and the uneasy mix of our effort and God’s power, from “fear and trembling” to God working in us to will and to act. We also follow Paul’s examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus and ask how suffering, healing, and honor fit into real Christian life. 
• working out salvation with deep reverence rather than self-reliance 
• living without grumbling or arguing in a warped culture 
• holding firmly to the word of life so faith does not drift 
• Paul’s “drink offering” language and rejoicing even in death 
• Timothy’s genuine concern as a model for leadership 
• Epaphroditus’ illness and what it raises about prayer for healing 
• honoring people who risk their lives for the work of Christ 
Chapter three next week, guys. Make sure you read it. 

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We pick back up after a long break and dig into Philippians 2:1-11, asking what real unity and humility should look like when we say we follow Jesus. We talk through comfort in Christ, serving without ego, and why the authority of Jesus should shape how we live with other people. 
• linking “therefore” back to suffering for Christ and what that implies for daily life 
• unpacking encouragement in Christ, comfort from his love, and fellowship in the Spirit 
• defining tenderness and compassion as practical care for people around us 
• exploring what “like-minded” means without pretending disagreement never happens 
• asking how we are doing personally and how churches handle unity 
• confronting selfish ambition, vain conceit, pride, and image management 
• comparing “serving others” to real actions rather than empty symbols 
• walking through Jesus’ humility in Philippians 2:6-8 as the model 
• wrestling with “every knee will bow” and treating Jesus as Lord with authority 
Read your Bible. If you haven't read Philippians chapter two, at least read through verse 18 before you come back.

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We read Philippians 1:12-30 and watch Paul turn prison into a platform for the gospel. We get honest about fear, shame, and what it looks like to make Christ visible when hardship hits work and home. 
• building the discipline of reading Scripture even in dry seasons 
• Paul’s chains advancing the gospel and strengthening believers’ boldness 
• asking whether public hardship points others to Christ 
• sorting bad motives from false teaching when Christ is preached 
• rejecting prosperity gospel expectations that crush faith under stress 
• wrestling with shame and the fear of hard conversations with people we love 
• “to live is Christ, to die is gain” in the face of real suffering 
• unity and lack of fear as a witness to outsiders 
• defining what counts as suffering for Christ today 
Read your Bible. Don't forget to tune back in next week for Philippians chapter two. Read your word. Read the word.

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We start Philippians with Paul’s greeting and thanksgiving and realize how much theology is packed into a few lines. We compare translations and wrestle with how humility, grace, love, and discernment show up in real Christian life. 

• choosing the NIV for clarity and readability 
• Paul and Timothy as servants or slaves of Christ 
• why overseers and deacons get called out 
• partnership in the gospel as shared mission 
• confidence that God completes his work in us 
• God’s grace and how it differs from mercy 
• agape love connected to knowledge and discernment 
• “fruit of righteousness” as Christ-produced character 

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We explore Daniel 12 with open questions, a few laughs, and a focus on hope and endurance. Michael arises, books open, numbers perplex, and Daniel is told to rest and rise, pointing us to faithful living over forced timelines.

• why Michael arises and whose protector he is
• how to read apocalyptic passages with humility
• the tension between confusion and promised understanding
• possible meanings of time, times, and half a time
• the significance of 1290 and 1335 days and the 45‑day gap
• two figures by the river and the man in linen
• sealed words, refining of the wise, and endurance
• Daniel’s promise of rest and inheritance
• transition to Philippians and prep reading

Read Philippians this week and come ready for the next study