Bible Geeks Podcast

267 | Winter Watch Party | Enjoy Season 2, Episode 3 of The ChosenGrab a marshmallow and pull up a log — it's time for The Breakfast Club with swords and sandals. In this episode of our Winter Watch Party, we break down The Chosen Season 2, Episode 3 ("Matthew 4:24"). It’s a classic "bottle episode," meaning no set changes, no travel montages, and 100% character development as the disciples sit around a campfire waiting for Jesus. We play a game of "Bad Teams," debating who would be the worst pair to build IKEA furniture (looking at you, Peter and Matthew) or run a three-legged race. But amidst the bickering, we explore the hard work of unity — realizing that unity isn't about "sameness," but about choosing to love despite our different files on each other. Finally, we look at the creative choice to show an exhausted Jesus, reminding us that He "emptied Himself" for us — and that it’s okay to need a nap.The Big Idea: Jesus didn't just take on a human body, he took on human limitations — proving that exhaustion isn't a sin and needing rest is part of being human.This Week's Challenge: The "Nap Challenge" — If Jesus needed help taking off his sandals after a long day of ministry, you’re allowed to stop. Find one moment this week to admit you are at your limit and simply rest.Show NotesWatch Episode 267 (VIDEO)The Chosen: Season 2, Episode 3 - "Matthew 4:24" (VIDEO)Healed by Jesus (PASSAGE)Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit (PASSAGE)He Emptied Himself (PASSAGE)He Gives His Beloved Sleep (PASSAGE)Support the Show

266 | Winter Watch Party | Enjoy Season 2, Episode 2 of The ChosenWhen was the last time you felt truly seen? In this episode of our Winter Watch Party, we explore Season 2, Episode 2 of The Chosen, where we meet Nathanael — a man feeling completely unseen until Jesus meets him with three simple words: "I saw you." We dive into the subplots, including Matthew and Mary’s struggle to catch up on their Torah learning and Peter’s jockeying for leadership. But the heart of this discussion is evangelism. We break down how Philip’s simple invitation — "Come and see" — might be the best model for sharing Jesus in the entire Bible. Plus, we play a game of "Three Degrees to Jesus" to trace who connected us to the Lord (spoiler: it usually starts with a grandma or a friend at a KFC table).The Big Idea: We don't need a theology degree to share our faith — just a simple invitation to "Come and see."Show NotesWatch Episode 266 (VIDEO)The Chosen: Season 2, Episode 2 - "I Saw You" (VIDEO)Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael (PASSAGE)Jacob’s Ladder (PASSAGE)Behold the Lamb of God (PASSAGE)Mary Listening at Jesus' Feet (PASSAGE)Come and See (PASSAGE)Support the Show

265 | Winter Watch Party | Enjoy Season 2, Episode 1 of the ChosenWelcome to the Winter Watch Party! We're filling the gap between seasons with a low-stress rewatch of The Chosen Season 2. Today, we're discussing Episode 1, "Thunder," where we encounter road rage in Samaria, cranky disciples, and the "Sons of Thunder" trying to call down fire from heaven. We introduce the "Golden Sandals Awards" to honor the best (and most unbiblical) moments, including the "Simon Peter Award" for putting your foot in your mouth. From Jesus' patience with prejudice to John's writing process, we explore how Christ redirects our zeal from destruction to love.The Big Idea: Jesus meets our impatience and judgment not with rejection, but with a patience that transforms our "thunder" into living water.Show NotesWatch Episode 265 (VIDEO)The Chosen: Season 2, Episode 1 - "Thunder" (VIDEO)James and John Call Down Fire (PASSAGE)The Good Samaritan (PASSAGE)Jesus Talks with the Samaritan Woman (PASSAGE)Sons of Thunder (PASSAGE)Support the Show

264 | Understand God’s Heavenly HelpersEvery time a bell rings, does an angel get his wings? Probably not. In this season finale, we're' separating the Hallmark movie myths from the biblical reality of angels. We kick things off with a round of "Angel Jeopardy," debunking chubby cherubs and shoulder angels, before diving into the "Hot Seat" to answer the big questions. Do angels still work in the world today? Do we actually have "guardian angels," or is that just a nice thought? And what does it really mean to "entertain angels unawares" — are we dealing with celestial "secret shoppers"? Join us as we look behind the curtain at the invisible armies encamped around us.The Big Idea: Angels are God’s powerful servants, carrying out his purposes and ministering to us!Show NotesWatch Episode 264 (VIDEO)It's a Wonderful Life - "Teacher says..." (VIDEO)Ministering Spirits (PASSAGE)The Angels of the "Little Ones" (PASSAGE)Peter's "Angel" (PASSAGE)Entertaining Angels Unawares (PASSAGE)Abraham's Visitors (PASSAGE)Elisha's Invisible Army (PASSAGE)The Angel Encamped Around Us (PASSAGE)Shepherd of Hermas (WEBSITE)Support the Show 

263 | Find the Secret to Real ContentmentIs Philippians 4:13 the ultimate spiritual cheat code for winning football games and acing math tests? In this Bible Geeks Mini, we’re rescuing one of the most famous verses in the Bible from the locker room and putting it back where it belongs. We explore why Paul wasn't looking for a "Sylvester Stallone-style" triumph, but rather the strength to endure prison with peace. We dive into the "secret of contentment" — learning to be okay whether we're full or hungry, rich or poor. It turns out the true power of this verse isn't about achieving our dreams, but finding the otherworldly strength to choose joy in whatever situation we face.The Big Idea: The "secret" of contentment isn't a superpower to achieve all our dreams, it's learning to find Christ's strength sufficient in all our circumstances — whether we have plenty or are in need.Show NotesWatch Episode 263 (VIDEO)The Secret of Contentment (PASSAGE)Rejoice in the Lord Always (PASSAGE)Do All Things Without Grumbling (PASSAGE)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's "But If Not" Faith (PASSAGE)Tim Tebow's eye black Bible verses: A guide (ARTICLE)Support the Show 

262 | Rewrite Your Family Story in ChristHave you ever opened your mouth and heard your parents come out? It happens to the best of us! This week, we’re looking at the "base operating system" of our families to see if there are any glitches we need to fix. We dive into the "copy and paste" drama of biblical families, asking why Abraham’s deceit and Isaac’s favoritism kept showing up in the next generation. Is it nature, nurture, or just a lack of updates? Thankfully, we don't have to stay stuck in a loop. We explore how Joseph "flipped the script" and how Jesus — the ultimate pattern breaker — offers us a total reboot as a "new creation". It’s time to identify the baggage we’ve inherited and let God start "reparenting" us for the better.The Big Idea: The gospel empowers us to break bad patterns and pass on better ones.This Week's Challenge: Identify one unhealthy family pattern and one positive pattern. Pray about them and take one step this week to break the bad and reinforce the good.Show NotesWatch Episode 262 (VIDEO)1 Peter 1:18 (PASSAGE)Abraham’s Deception (PASSAGE)Isaac and Jacob’s Favoritism (PASSAGE)Nathan Rebukes David (PASSAGE)Ezekiel 18 (PASSAGE)2 Corinthians 5:17 (PASSAGE)As For Me and My House (PASSAGE)Peter Scazzero (WEBSITE)Support the Show

261 | Trust God’s Unseen HandThis week, we’re hitting "peak Bible Geeks" territory. Is God actually at work in your life, or did He just set the world spinning and walk away? We tackle the heavyweights — providence, miracles, and the mystery of God's will — without getting bogged down in the philosophy. We explore the meaning of "providence," the "salami sandwich" of Proverbs 16 (where man plans but God establishes the steps), and the story of Joseph to see how the Lord governs the world. We also ask: Are miracles still happening today, or is there a distinction between apostolic signs and God’s mighty works in response to prayer? Join us as we look at Romans 8:28 and the power of the word "perhaps" to guide us through uncertainty.The Big Idea: God still personally and purposefully works to quietly direct ordinary events toward his good and eternal purposes.This Week's Challenge: This week, pause once each day to name one “ordinary” event and thank God for how he might be using it for good — whether or not you can see the outcome yet.Show NotesWatch Episode 261 (VIDEO)The "Salami Sandwich" of Planning (PASSAGE)God Meant It for Good (PASSAGE)The Secret Things Belong to God (PASSAGE)Working Together for Good (PASSAGE)The "Perhaps" of Providence (PASSAGE)Praying for the Sick (PASSAGE)Support the Show

260 | Train Your Heart to Be ThankfulHappy Thanksgiving, Bible Geeks! In this special holiday Mini, we're taking a break from the turkey and pie to play a game we call the "Gratitude Gauntlet." The rules are simple: we throw disaster scenarios at each other — from dry turkeys and family drama to crushing sports defeats — and challenge each other to find the hidden blessing in the mess.Can you find gratitude when your favorite team gets obliterated or you're stuck working on the holiday? We also get real about the deeper things we're thankful for this year, like the "no" answers from God that turned into blessings and the joy of watching our kids grow up. Join us for a bite-sized dose of encouragement to help you "give thanks in all circumstances".The Big Idea: True, biblical gratitude isn't just a feeling reserved for big blessings — it's a spiritual muscle we can train to find God's grace and goodness even in the middle of everyday frustrations.Show NotesWatch Episode 260 (VIDEO)Give Thanks in All Circumstances (PASSAGE)Rejoice Always (PASSAGE)Christmas Vacation Turkey Scene (VIDEO)Support the Show 

259 | Love Well Within God’s LimitsBoundaries can feel like barriers, but they're actually God's way of teaching us how to love and live more freely. We explore the spiritual tightrope between sacrificial service and self-destruction, asking: How can we take up our cross without letting it lead to burnout? We dive into Galatians 6 to distinguish between bearing our own "rucksack" (personal load) and carrying a brother's crushing "burden". We cover discernment, the idol of approval, and why saying "no" out of love is necessary to avoid falling into co-dependence or resentment. Let's find the freedom God offers within his established limits.The Big Idea: Healthy boundaries are love in action — honoring God’s design so we can love others wisely and live within our limits.This Week's Challenge: Ask yourself: “What am I truly responsible for — and what am I simply trying to control?” Watch for an unwise “yes” that should be a gentle “no.”Show NotesWatch Episode 259 (VIDEO)Galatians 6:2-5 (The Two Burdens) (PASSAGE)Philippians 2:4 (Look to Others' Interests) (PASSAGE)God Sets the First Boundary (Genesis 2:16-17) (PASSAGE)Our Discussion on Burnout (EPISODE)Jules Renard Quote on Freedom (ARTICLE)Support the Show 

258 | Pray with Freedom and HonestyWelcome to our first-ever Bible Geeks Mini — a new, bite-sized episode for your busy week! We're kicking things off with a rapid-fire conversation on Prayer: Hacks and Hot Takes. First, we share practical tips to keep your prayer life fresh, from a simple app that helps you remember your prayer list to using the Lord's Prayer as a powerful daily template. Then, we serve up some "mildly microwaved" hot takes: Does your physical posture in prayer actually matter? And why do we really end every prayer with "in Jesus' name, amen"? (Spoiler: it's not a magic password).The Big Idea: A healthy prayer life is less about following a rigid set of rules and more about finding a creative, honest rhythm of conversation with God.This Week's Challenge: Pray through the Lord’s Prayer along with us.Show NotesWatch Episode 258 (VIDEO)Prayer Apps and Prayer Lists (BLOG)PrayMinder App (WEBSITE)The Lord's Prayer (PASSAGE)Lifting Up Holy Hands (PASSAGE)Ask In My Name (PASSAGE)The "Amen" Through Him (PASSAGE)Do Not Heap Up Empty Phrases (PASSAGE)Support the Show 

257 | Follow God with Your Whole HeartWelcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the ultimate Old Testament face-off! In this corner: Joshua, the iconic leader who brought down the walls of Jericho. And in this corner: Caleb, the rugged warrior who waited 45 years to claim his mountain. These two titans of faith were the only spies who believed God's promise, but their paths were very different. Is it harder to be Joshua, the "front of house" leader stepping into Moses's massive sandals, or Caleb, the "back of house" mountain man who had to patiently wait 40 years in the wilderness? Join our friendly debate as we explore their unique strengths, their vital partnership, and why the very essence of faith might just be learning how to wait.The Big Idea: The complementary faithfulness of Joshua (the leader) and Caleb (the loyal warrior) provides a powerful, two-part model for how to follow God wholeheartedly, both in seasons of action and seasons of waiting.This Week's Challenge: This week, ask yourself: In my current season of life, is God calling me to a "Joshua moment" (to step up, lead, and take new ground), or a "Caleb moment" (to be patiently faithful, trust God's promises in a season of waiting, and finish strong)?Show NotesWatch Episode 257 (VIDEO)Give Me This Mountain (BLOG)Priscilla and Aquila (PASSAGE)The Story of Ruth and Naomi (PASSAGE)The 12 Spies & Caleb's "Different Spirit" (PASSAGE)Joshua Crosses the Jordan (PASSAGE)The Commander of the Lord's Army (PASSAGE)Caleb Claims His Mountain (PASSAGE)Joshua's Final Challenge (PASSAGE)Support the Show 

256 | Geektober | Slay the Giant QuestionsNephilim, Rephim, Anakim! Oh, my! For our Geektober finale, we're grabbing our nerd glasses and going on a "crypto-biblical expedition" to track down the Bible's giants. Where did the mysterious Nephilim of Genesis 6 come from? How did they lead to the "grasshopper syndrome" of Numbers 13? And how does Goliath, the final boss, tie into the Bible's ultimate story of Christ defeating the enemy? Join us for a fun dive into one of Scripture's weirdest rabbit trails (with a healthy dose of The Princess Bride).The Big Idea: The Bible’s giants highlight God’s power as his people overcome colossal obstacles.This Week's Challenge: This week, identify a "giant" in your own life — an insurmountable obstacle, a persistent sin, or an overwhelming fear and meditate on God’s power to protect you.Show NotesWatch Episode 256 (VIDEO)The Princess Bride: "Anybody want a peanut?" (VIDEO)The Six-Fingered Giant (ARTICLE)Who Were the Nephilim? (ARTICLE)Og's Iron Bed (ARTICLE)They Might Be Giants (WEBSITE)Support the Show

255 | Geektober | Trust the Process That Protected the BibleDid the Bible just drop from heaven as a set of golden tablets? Nope! This Geektober, we're pulling back the curtain on the original Bible geeks: the Scribes! These unsung heroes were the "original programmers" of Scripture, meticulously counting every single word and letter to preserve the text. We debunk the "game of telephone" myth and explore how the painstaking work of groups like the Masoretes — confirmed by the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls — is one of the most powerful arguments for the Bible's reliability.The Big Idea: The surprisingly meticulous and worshipful work of ancient scribes is one of the most powerful arguments for the Bible's preservation and reliability.This Week's Challenge: This week, when you read your Bible, take an extra 30 seconds to simply be thankful for the physical book in your hands (or on your screen).Show NotesWatch Episode 255 (VIDEO)It Wasn’t Magic ... It Was Better (BLOG)Our "Square One" Series (SERIES)"Meet Your Bible" Sermon (EPISODE)The Masoretes (ARTICLE)The Dead Sea Scrolls (WEBSITE)The Oxyrhynchus Papyri (Ancient Libraries) (ARTICLE)They Might Be Giants (WEBSITE)Support the Show

Pray Honestly and Trust God’s JusticeGeektober is getting weird! This week, we're exploring the Bible's "ancient rage tracks"—the imprecatory psalms. How can followers of Jesus, who are called to bless their enemies, also pray these Spirit-inspired psalms that call for judgment? Are these just "flyover psalms" we should skip, or do they give us a powerful way to be brutally honest with God, process our pain, and trust His justice without becoming vindictive villains ourselves? Join us for a deep dive into the Bible's dark corner to find out!The Big Idea: Honest prayer trusts God with our pain.This Week's Challenge: Pray one imprecatory psalm this week (Ps. 58, 94, or 109). Bring your anger, grief, or injustice to God. Pray honestly — and then watch for the pivot into trust and praise.Show NotesWatch Episode 254 (VIDEO)"Today" by The Smashing Pumpkins (SONG)"Hurt" by Johnny Cash (SONG)Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop (BOOK)The Message of the Psalms by Walter Brueggemann (BOOK)Original Sin by P.D. James (BOOK)Support the Show

Unmask the Dragon253 | Geektober | Unmask the DragonGeektober continues! If the Bible were a fantasy novel, it'd have it all: a talking serpent, a multi-headed sea monster, and a great dragon at the end. But this isn't fiction, so what's with all the hissing and fire-breathing? How did biblical writers "flip the script" on ancient myths to tell the true story of chaos? And how is the entire Bible one epic dragonslayer story pointing to Christ's ultimate victory over evil? Grab your sword of the Spirit and join our quest to understand one of Scripture's most powerful symbols.The Big Idea: The Bible uses snakes and dragons to help us see God's epic victory over evil.This Week's Challenge: Memorize Romans 16:20.Show NotesWatch Episode 253 (VIDEO)The Fantasmic! Dragon at Disneyland (VIDEO)The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer by Andrew Naselli (BOOK)Leviathan in Mythology and the Bible (WEBSITE)The Babylonian Creation Epic (Enuma Elish) (WEBSITE)The "Christus Victor" View of Atonement (ARTICLE)The Challenge: Romans 16:20 (VERSE)Support the Show

Put AI to Work for the Kingdom252 | Geektober | Put AI to Work for the KingdomGrab your nerd glasses — our monthlong Geektober deep-dive is officially here! First up we head to the workshop to explore Artificial Intelligence. Is AI a faithful "digital servant" for your Bible study, or a rogue robot that hallucinates answers? We're giving you the guardrails to use this powerful tool wisely, showing you why it's a great research assistant but a terrible rabbi. Join us for a fun, nerdy, and practical guide to making AI your servant, not your master, in your walk with God!The Big Idea: Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that Christians can leverage for kingdom work, but it should be treated like a helpful servant, not a replacement for critical thinking.This Week's Challenge: This week, put an AI to work as your Digital servant. Then, evaluate the result. Ask yourself: "How did this information help me to think more deeply and personally about the text?"Show NotesWatch Episode 252 (VIDEO)Welcome to GEEKTOBER! (WEBSITE)The New Yankee Workshop with Norm Abrams (WEBSITE)The Plinko Game from The Price is Right (VIDEO)Google's NotebookLM (WEBSITE)Steve Jobs: A Bicycle for the Mind (VIDEO)Support the Show

251 | Find God's Grace in Your BurnoutEver feel completely gassed, even after a huge win? The prophet Elijah sure did. Fresh off his spiritual Super Bowl on Mount Carmel, he crashed so hard he was ready to quit for good. But God's response wasn't a pep talk — it was a hot meal and an invitation to take a nap. What does this story teach us about the anatomy of burnout and the problem with "hustle culture"? Join us for a surprisingly practical and personal look at finding God's grace — and maybe a good nap — when you've hit the wall.The Big Idea: When you're spiritually and emotionally exhausted, God's first response isn't a demand for more strength, but an invitation to receive His gentle, practical care.This Week's Challenge: Identify one thing you can do to address physical or emotional exhaustion — take a nap, go for a quiet walk, have a restorative meal.Show NotesWatch Episode 251 (VIDEO)Finding Jesus: Matthew 11:28-30 (VERSE)Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins (BOOK)The Biblical City of Ai (WEBSITE)Support the Show

250 | Unlock the Message of EzekielEver felt like Ezekiel is a locked door? In this workshop episode, Ryan takes us on his journey teaching through this bizarre and beautiful "flyover book". What can we learn from a prophet who ate a scroll and whose wife's death became a sign? How does this book balance God's terrifying judgment with his patient grace? What do the gyroscopic wheels of eyes look like? And what are the practical keys — from immersion to asking the right questions — that unlock its message about Jesus? Get your toolkit ready to confidently tackle one of the Bible's most rewarding books!The Big Idea: Unlocking an intimidating book like Ezekiel reveals a powerful and accessible message about God's relentless faithfulness.This Week's Challenge: Read the one chapter Ryan recommended — Ezekiel 37. As you read, don't worry about understanding every detail. Instead, ask one question: "What does this story show me about the power of God?"Show NotesWatch Episode 250 (VIDEO)Eat the Scroll (BLOG)Ryan’s Top Chapter: Ezekiel 37 (VERSE)The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1-24 by Daniel I. Block (COMMENTARY)The Message of Ezekiel by Christopher J.H. Wright (COMMENTARY)The Bible Project: Ezekiel Classroom (VIDEO COURSE)Ezekiel by Robert Harkrider (WORKBOOK)Ezekiel, NIVAC by Iain Duguid (BOOK)The Book Of Ezekiel by Jim McGuiggan (BOOK)Episode 4: Fully Infused (PODCAST)Image #1 - Line Art Drawing (IMAGE)Image #2 - Prog Rock UFO (IMAGE)Image #3 - AI Generated Art (IMAGE)Support the Show

249 | Redeem Your TimeFire up the DeLorean! In this time travel episode, we explore the time traps we all fall into. How does Jesus redeem our past, freeing us from the magnetic pull of regret and nostalgia? What's the difference between tactical concern and getting stuck in a state of worry about the future? And what does it really mean to "redeem the time" — not just managing our schedule, but wisely and gratefully living in the present moment? Join us for a conversation that helps us escape the loops of yesterday and tomorrow to live fully in today!The Big Idea: Christ redeems our past, secures our future, and fills our present with purpose.This Week's Challenge: Bring whatever’s snagging you, your past, present, or future to God in prayer. Then pay attention to what he does as he works in your life going forward.Show NotesWatch Episode 249 (VIDEO)Trapped in Time? (BLOG)Jesus Said: Matthew 6:34 (VERSE)Frequency (MOVIE)Groundhog Day (MOVIE)The Riddle of Experience vs. Memory (TED TALK)Support the Show

248 | Foster Joy and Happiness in Your LifeRejoice! We're back for a new season with "Happy Days Ahead"! First up, we're untangling the relationship between joy and happiness. Is it okay for Christians to just be happy, or is happiness a shallow goal we should avoid? How can joy be a choice we make, yet also a fruit of the Spirit we receive? And what does it mean to "abide in the vine" to find the full joy that Jesus promises — the kind that can coexist with sadness? Join us as we explore appreciating happiness while building a life on unshakable joy!The Big Idea: We can appreciate happiness as a gift, but we must foster joy to carry us through.This Week's Challenge: This week, instead of chasing a feeling of joy, abide in Christ and gratefully notice his blessings throughout your day.Show NotesWatch Episode 248 (VIDEO)More Geek, More Joy! (BLOG)Jesus Said: John 15:11 (VERSE)Finishing Each Other's Sandwiches (VIDEO)Rate and Review the Show (APPLE PODCASTS)Support the Show