Year of the Word Companion Podcast

In Week 39 of the Year of the Word Companion Podcast, we explore Acts 10–14 and James 1–5. Alongside historical insights and an introduction to James, we follow the gospel’s spread and the early church’s faithfulness through opposition. These readings challenge us to welcome others, trust God through hardship, and put our faith into practice.

Week 38’s readings are Acts 2–3, Acts 4–5, Acts 6, Acts 7, and Acts 8–9. From Pentecost to Saul’s conversion, we’ll see how the Holy Spirit empowers the church and carries the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Historical and archaeological insights help us understand these accounts as we consider our own calling to share Jesus with others.

Week 37’s readings are Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20–21, Matthew 28, and Acts 1. We’ll follow the risen Jesus as He meets His disciples, restores Peter, and prepares His followers to carry the gospel to the nations. Discover how the resurrection gives us hope and calls us to live as His witnesses.

If you’re interested in further research on Mark’s ending, check out this video by Wes Huff.

https://youtu.be/B9RsHnb7huk?si=dSa9ByYt9O8QEERB

In Matthew 24:32–51 and John 17, Jesus calls His followers to remain ready for His return and prays for their unity and faithfulness. Through Matthew 26:35–27:31, Matthew 27:32–66, Luke 23:26–56, and John 19, we follow Jesus through His arrest, crucifixion, and burial, discovering how His sacrifice fulfills God’s promises of redemption. Join us as we consider what it means to trust His finished work and follow our King with faithfulness, love, and everyday obedience.

This week, we explore John 11, Matthew 21:1–13, John 13–16, and Matthew 24:1–31 as Jesus moves toward Jerusalem and the cross. Along the way, Jesus raises Lazarus, enters Jerusalem as King, prepares His disciples for His departure, and promises the presence of the Holy Spirit. We’ll discover what these passages teach us about abiding in Christ, serving others, finding peace in troubled times, and living with hope as we await the King’s return.

Here's the Link to April's Bonus Episode: Holy Week and the Passover Lamb

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/year-of-the-word-companion-podcast/id1867430552?i=1000759003004

This week on the Year of the Word Companion Podcast, we explore what it means to receive God’s kingdom with empty hands, trusting Jesus rather than wealth, status, achievement, or self-righteousness. Through the Bread of Life, the lost sons, the rich ruler, and blind Bartimaeus, we see Jesus as the Savior who seeks the lost, welcomes the humble, and gives His life as a ransom for many. This week’s reading includes John 6; Matthew 19:16–30; Luke 15–16; Luke 17:11–37; Luke 18; and Mark 10.

This week’s reading covers Luke 9:10–62, Mark 9–10, Luke 12, John 3–4, and Luke 14. We explore Jesus’ glory at the Transfiguration, His journey toward the cross, His welcome of outsiders, and His challenge to surrender every rival loyalty. Together, these passages reveal a Servant King whose grace is freely offered but whose call to follow Him transforms every part of life.

This week’s reading takes us through Matthew 3–8, where Jesus announces the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven and calls ordinary people to follow Him. We’ll explore His baptism and temptation, the Sermon on the Mount, and the powerful ways Jesus demonstrates His authority through healing and miracles. Together, we’ll discover what it means to live under the rule of the King and His Kingdom.

This week’s reading takes us into the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as we officially begin the New Testament. We’ll explore how each Gospel presents a distinct portrait of Jesus for a particular audience while continuing the story and promises of the Old Testament. Together, the four Gospels announce one life-changing truth: the promised King has come, and His Kingdom is open to all.

In Week 30 of Year of the Word, we conclude the Old Testament with Nehemiah 13 and Malachi 1–4. These chapters reveal that although Jerusalem’s walls and temple had been rebuilt, God’s people still needed their hearts restored. Malachi closes the Old Testament with a call to renewed faithfulness and the hopeful promise that God’s messenger is coming.