The Family Bible Journey Podcast

Meet Them Where They Are, Acts 17, NT S1:E158

Paul's sermon at the Aeropagus in Athens shows us how to engage with others. We must meet them where they are, sharing God's love with them when God gives us the opportunity. We need not worry about saying things exactly right. We share our faith humbly, trusting God with the results.

Job is Redeemed! Job 42, OT S1:E307

If Job gets twice the blessing he had before he was afflicted, why does he only get seven sons and three daughters, the same as before? Herein lies hidden a wonderful testimony of the resurrection! Redemption, a mighty theme of Job, is reinforced in these closing verses.

Mosasaurus For a Pet? Job 41, OT S1:E306

Is it a dragon, a Pleasaur or Mesosaur? Whatever it is, this terrible, firebreathing monster, that reduces all of man's strength to fear and ashes, is nothing more than a playful pet from God's perspective. Once again, God's imagination, wisdom and strength are beyond our understanding.

Many New Friends, Acts 16, NT S1:E157

Now that Paul is traveling on his own, we see God bringing many new friends into his circle. Timothy and Luke emerge as his new travel companions, in the wake of Barnabas's departure. It's good that God grants him faithful friends, because his missionary work is getting harder, not easier, as he continues his preaching.

Job Gets What He Asks For, Job 40, OT S1:E305

Job is humbled when his request to make his case before his Maker is granted. He repents of his sin of judging God and of speaking ill of God. We too must be quiet when confronted with God's greatness, or fall in danger of sinning presumptuously against God.

The Height of God's Wisdom, Job 39, OT S1:E304

After using the depths to demonstrate his wisdom, God makes an appeal using the heights. Some of the most reclusive and elusive creatures, ibex, hawks, and eagles, demonstrate the surpassing intimacy God enjoys with His creation. Here again, we are limited, but God is unlimited in His knowledge of all things.

Jerusalem Council and Parting Ways, Acts 15, NT S1:E156

The Jerusalem Council is convened to answer a most basic question of faith. Must we do something to be saved? The leaders had been divided on the necesssity of circumcision before this, but after Peter's impassioned speech, they all agree that only faith and grace are necessary for salvation. But this great moment of unity is tempered by the end of the chapter, where Paul and Barnabas part ways over a disagreement.

The Depth of God's Wisdom, Job 38, OT S1:E303

God's speech begins by God contrasting His wisdom to the depths of the earth, the seas, the heavens, space and even human understanding. He puts Job and his friends in place not by condemning them, but rather by sharing with them the true nature of reality.

Elihu, A Faulty Friend, Job 36-37, OT S1:E302

Elihu proves a faulty friend of Job for three reasons. He is foolishly arrogant, expouses the faulty logic of Job's other friends, and finds fault with Job, insisting that Job somehow deserves his lot in life. Elihu's faulty example gives us good reason to cherish good and faithful friends as the gift of God that they are to us.

Mob Mentality, Acts 14, NT S1:E155

In Lystra, a mob, inspired by Paul's healing of a cripple, want to offer sacrifices to him and Barnabas as representatives of Zeus and Hermes. Paul restrains the crowd, only to have the same mob whipped into a murderous state by his opponents, stone him, and leave him for dead. Revived and undeterred, Paul and Barnabas continue their preaching, and establish leaders and churches in every community they visit.