Working with the Word

Most people know, or perhaps can even quote, John 3:16 - but what is the context of the Golden Text of the Bible? Jesus' whole conversation with Nicodemus provides the backdrop for this verse and more fully unpacks its meaning. We also dive into what it means to be "born again" and how the Son of Man must be "lifted up" like the bronze serpent. This chapter is rich with teaching! 

Resource Credits 

The Christian Standard Bible

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers

Music Credits 

"Faith" by Vibe Tracks 

"The Starry Night" by John Tadlock 

Jesus does two important things to make himself known in John 2, but both events are very different from one another. What did Jesus want His disciples and the world to know about Him at the very beginning of His ministry? At the same time, according to verse 24, Jesus did not open Himself entirely to be completely known - why? And how should we respond to all this? 

Resource Credits 

The Christian Standard Bible

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers

Music Credits 

"Faith" by Vibe Tracks 

"The Starry Night" by John Tadlock 

What drew Jesus' first disciples to follow Him? What impressed them? Piqued their curiosity? Shocked them? There was obviously something special about Jesus of Nazareth, from what John the Baptist said about Him ("the Lamb of God!") and the disciples' responses to Him. It all began with a simple invitation: "Come and see." 

The Word. The true Light. The Life of humanity. The only Son. Full of grace and truth. This is how John introduces Jesus - in grand, sweeping terms highlighting Jesus' deity and absoluteness. In comparison with all other God's prophets and revelations, Jesus exceeds them all, including Moses. Never has there been One like Jesus, and never will there be One again. If we want to know the Father, we look to Jesus! 

Resource Credits 

The Christian Standard Bible

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers

Music Credits 

"Faith" by Vibe Tracks 

"The Starry Night" by John Tadlock 

John's gospel stands out as unique among the other three, so we decided to dive into this book in an effort to better understand what it tells us about Jesus. We start with a simple and brief introduction to the book, then read through the first major section to get a feel for how John presents Jesus (chapters 1-4). 

Resource Credits

John: The Gospel of Belief (by Merrill C. Tenney) 

The Christian Standard Bible

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers

Music Credits 

"Faith" by Vibe Tracks 

"Cafe Terrace at Night" from John Tadlock's album The Sight of the Stars

What's going on in Acts 19:1-7? Why did the Ephesian disciples need to be baptized again? What's the difference between John's baptism and Jesus' baptism, and is it really that big of a deal? And what's the Holy Spirit's role in all of this? These are questions we'll tackle as we dive into our first difficult passage. Be sure to listen all the way to the end for a special and personal word of encouragement from Jeff. 

Music Credits 

"Faith" by Vibe Tracks 

"Cafe Terrace at Night" from John Tadlock's album The Sight of the Stars

Are there any difficult passages you've run across in the Bible? If we're honest with ourselves there are many of them, so part of properly handling the word of truth is learning how to handle difficult Scriptures. When encountering a difficult passage what do we do? Why is saying "I don't know" a crucial first step? How do we get past "I don't know"?

Music Credits 

"Faith" by Vibe Tracks 

"Cafe Terrace at Night" from John Tadlock's album The Sight of the Stars 

The Bible can be intimidating or puzzling to beginners - where do I start? how do I make sense of it? can I really trust and understand it? Jerome walks us through his own journey of picking up the Bible for the very first time and gives us insight into these crucial questions. 

Music Credits

Intro - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks

Interlude - "The Garden of Saint-Paul Hospital" by John Tadlock (from Sight of the Stars)

Outro - "The Starry Night" by John Tadlock (from Sight of the Stars)

We sit down with Jeff Archer to talk about the value and GROWTH that come through studying God's word. Through repeated, diligent observation and interpretation, we can apply God's word to become more like our Savior!  Jeff has lots of great wisdom to share in this episode!

Related / Mentioned Resources -

How to Study the Bible by Jeff Archer

Other Material by Jeff Archer 

Jordan Park church of Christ 

Music Credits

Intro - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks

Transition "The Forest of Andor" by John Tadlock (from his album Alandria)

Outro - "The Starry Night" by John Tadlock (from his album Sight of the Stars)

The "day of the Lord" has meant judgment for sinful Judah so far in Zephaniah's prophecies, but at the end of the book it takes on a new meaning. There is hope, promise, purification, and restoration - a bright future beyond the dark judgment. What does this teach us about the nature of God's discipline and grace? And how does this prepare us for Jesus? 

Music Credits 

"Faith" by Vibe Tracks 

"Cafe Terrace at Night" from John Tadlock's album The Sight of the Stars 

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers