How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

Auteur(s): Nicole Unice Bible Study Coach and Author of the Alive Method of Bible Study
Écouter gratuitement

  • Résumé

  • As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

    But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

    In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives.

    Topics covered in this podcast:

    💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
    💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
    💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
    💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more
    💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
    💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

    To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.
    Voir plus Voir moins
Pastorale et évangélisme Spiritualité
Voir plus Voir moins
Épisodes
  • The Aroma of Devotion: Understanding Mary’s Act of Worship in John 12

    The Aroma of Devotion: Understanding Mary’s Act of Worship in John 12
    Jan 27 2025

    The Backstory

    The episode begins by establishing the setting of John 12, which takes place just before the Passover in Bethany, where Jesus shares an intimate dinner with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This gathering is not just a meal; it is a moment filled with deep significance as it marks the beginning of the Passion Week—the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry leading up to His crucifixion. The atmosphere is celebratory, yet it foreshadows the impending sacrifice of Jesus.

    Mary’s Extravagant Worship

    Mary’s act of anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume is highlighted as a lavish display of love and devotion. The fragrance of the perfume fills the house, symbolizing the beauty of worship and the acknowledgment of Jesus’ impending death. This act stands in stark contrast to Judas Iscariot’s utilitarian perspective, where he questions the wastefulness of such an extravagant gesture, suggesting that the money could have been better spent on the poor.

    The Aroma of Christ

    The podcast draws a parallel between Mary’s act and the metaphor of aroma found in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, where believers are described as the aroma of Christ. This metaphor serves to illustrate the dual nature of following Jesus: for some, it is a fragrance of life, while for others, it represents death. Nicole points out that Mary’s devotion brings life and joy, while Judas’ reaction embodies the disgust and misunderstanding that can accompany a life devoted to Christ.

    What Does it Mean? The Reality of Following Jesus

    Following Jesus often leads to persecution and misunderstanding. She reminds listeners that being a follower of Christ means embracing the tension of love and rejection. Just as Mary faced criticism for her extravagant worship, believers today may encounter similar responses when they express their faith. The call to love, even in the face of persecution, is a central theme in the episode, reinforcing the idea that true devotion to Christ may not always be understood or accepted by others.

    Balancing Individual Piety and Social Activism

    The episode also touches on the need for balance between individual piety and social activism. Nicole highlights that while caring for the marginalized is essential, it should not overshadow personal devotion to Christ. Jesus’ response to Judas underscores this balance; He acknowledges the importance of caring for the poor while also affirming Mary’s act of worship as significant and worthy.

    What Does It Mean for Me?

    In conclusion, the podcast encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider how they can embody the aroma of Christ in their daily interactions. Nicole poses thought-provoking questions: How can we worship extravagantly like Mary? How do we respond to persecution or misunderstanding in our faith journey? By embracing both the beauty of devotion and the challenges of following Jesus, believers can live out their faith authentically, becoming a fragrant offering to God and a light to the world.

    THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES:

    Sign up for Nicole's newsletter and get regular encouragement straight to your inbox: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

    Help! My Bible is Alive!

    Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up For

    When you go to NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide!

    Find all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    24 min
  • What Do I Do When God Seems Absent? (A Bible Study on John 11)

    What Do I Do When God Seems Absent? (A Bible Study on John 11)
    Jan 20 2025
    Today, we're digging into a story of grief and joy in John 11, the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. We'll see the profound ways in which Jesus interacts with individuals experiencing grief and sorrow, demonstrating compassion and understanding by meeting each person where they are in their emotional journey. What Does It Say? Read along with us in John 11. What’s the backstory it's really important here to notice that we're in a sorrowful moment of an untimely death. This is a hard reality, a hard truth happening in this world right now. And what's more with Mary and Martha to lose Lazarus, their brother, who, you know, likely was supporting them and providing them with safety in a home because that's how it was in that culture. They've lost their brother whom they love, but also, this is an untimely death, and they really believe that Jesus could have done something about it. And yet these days have gone by. Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. The four is important a little bit in the backstory because some would say that Jewish leaders would maybe say the soul would hang around a body for a while, maybe try to reenter the body. So they're like, it's like four days is not just kind of dead. It's really dead. It's like a long enough that, okay, now it's time to really say goodbye. This is permanent. What does it mean? Two things that came to mind that really stood out for me this week in this passage. The first is this: there's more to this life than sorrow and death. All the time, there's always more going on than just the sorrow and death that we might see. That's the first thought, just to challenge you in your mind. The second one for me, and of course there's many principles you can pull out from this passage, but the second principle for today, Jesus doesn't just lead us to the resurrection, he is the resurrection. Like, that is a mystery to ponder, to pray on, to ask, like, what does that mean for my life? What does it mean for me? Two things that came to mind that really stood out for me this week in this passage. The first is this: there's more to this life than sorrow and death. All the time, there's always more going on than just the sorrow and death that we might see. That's the first thought, just to challenge you in your mind. The second one: Jesus doesn't just lead us to the resurrection, he IS the resurrection. Like, that is a mystery to ponder, to pray on, to ask, like, what does that mean for my life? Second: the disciples were disappointed and disconcerted by Jesus's choices. Martha's disappointed, but intellectually trying to process the why. Mary is just lost in her grief, lost in her emotions. How do you react to your struggles? How do you handle sorrow? How do you handle pain? What's your response? Do you try to control it? Do you try to fix it? Do you try to solve it? Do you find yourself spinning up on all of these different plans and all of these different contingencies that you yourself are going to figure out? Or do you slow down enough to actually bring God your sorrow? Have you thought about taking that burden before him and just saying, Lord, are you here? You feel absent to me in this thing. Because in many ways, that's what Mary and Martha said. Both of them said to him, if you'd been here, Lazarus wouldn't have died. You've disappointed me. Why is it this way? Why were you absent in my time of need? If you have that question, bring it to the Lord. He can handle it. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Sign up for Nicole's newsletter and get regular encouragement straight to your inbox: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/ Help! My Bible is Alive! Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up For When you go to NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide! Find all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
    Voir plus Voir moins
    24 min
  • What Does God Want for Me in 2025? Discerning God's Will for Your Life

    What Does God Want for Me in 2025? Discerning God's Will for Your Life
    Jan 13 2025

    Hey friends, we're pausing our walk through John to speak to the moment we're in, at the beginning of January, to answer a question that I often get asked: What does God want for my life? How can I discern his will for me?

    To that end, this week, we're studying Romans 12:1-2 and Proverbs 3:5-6.

    THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES:

    Sign up for Nicole's newsletter and get regular encouragement straight to your inbox: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

    Help! My Bible is Alive!

    Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up For

    When you go to NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide!

    Find all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    26 min

Ce que les auditeurs disent de How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

Moyenne des évaluations de clients

Évaluations – Cliquez sur les onglets pour changer la source des évaluations.

Évaluations sur Audible.ca

Évaluations sur Amazon.ca
Il n'y a pas encore de critiques pour ce titre.