Discover
Bible Basics

Bible Basics
Author: Jacqueline Williams Adewole
Subscribed: 12Played: 166Subscribe
Share
© 2025 Bible Basics
Description
Welcome! The Bible Basics Podcast is designed to make the Bible approachable and accessible for all, particularly those who are new to the faith or curious about the Bible. Each episode focuses on a specific topic, breaking it down into bite-sized chunks and offering foundational knowledge about the Bible's structure, types, writing, and storyline. The ultimate goal is to increase listeners' comfort level with the Bible and deepen their relationship with God through reading His Word.
Click this link to send us a message:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2180587/open_sms
125 Episodes
Reverse
We explore Luke’s Gospel as a careful, compassionate portrait of Jesus—fully God, fully human—who brings salvation “today” and welcomes outsiders to the table. From certainty and song to meals, prayer, and the Spirit’s power, we trace why Luke still speaks to weary hearts. • Luke’s purpose of clarity and certainty • Salvation as forgiveness, welcome, and healing now • The theme of “today” in Luke’s narrative • Outsiders welcomed: Zacchaeus, Samaritans, sinners • Songs, joy, and worship that ...
The Gospel of Mark offers a breathless, urgent account of Jesus' life that captures his identity as the Son of God and extends his invitation to follow him today. • Mark is the shortest gospel at 16 chapters—readable in about 90 minutes • Written around 55-65 AD, likely the earliest written account of Jesus' life • Tradition says it was written by John Mark, capturing Peter's eyewitness perspective • Uses the word "immediately" about 40 times, creating an urgent, fast-paced narrative • Featu...
Matthew's Gospel serves as a bridge connecting Old Testament promises to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, deliberately placed first in the New Testament to show continuity in God's redemptive plan. • The word "gospel" means "good news" - the four gospels each present Jesus from different perspectives • Matthew, a former tax collector called by Jesus, wrote primarily for a Jewish audience • Jesus eating with "tax collectors and sinners" at Matthew's house demonstrated the gospel message in ...
The Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - form the foundation of Christian belief, each offering unique perspectives on Jesus Christ's life and teachings. These four complementary accounts provide a comprehensive portrait of Jesus as King, Servant, Son of Man, and Son of God. • Matthew, a former tax collector turned disciple, presents Jesus as King and connects His life to Old Testament prophecies • Mark, companion of Peter, offers an action-packed account focusing on Jesus as servant, f...
The blank page between Malachi and Matthew represents 400 years of crucial history that set the stage for Jesus' arrival in what the Bible calls "the fullness of time." Reverend Sandra Glenn explains how this period, while called the "silent years" because of no prophetic messages, was actually filled with God's behind-the-scenes work preparing the world for Christ. • Transition of power from Persia to Greece to Rome created the perfect conditions for Jesus' ministry • Alexander the Great's ...
In this tribute episode, we honor Reverend Allison Johnson, a beloved friend and supporter of the podcast who recently passed away, by resharing a powerful interview about developing consistent Bible reading habits. • Augustine said the Bible is "so shallow a baby can wade in it and so deep an elephant will drown in it" • The importance of reading Scripture for yourself rather than relying solely on what others teach • How to distinguish between Bible reading (for breadth) and Bible study (f...
Have you ever pondered on the 400-year-long silence between the Old and New Testaments? Where did the Pharisees and Sadducees suddenly spring from? Here's the chance to satiate your curiosity as we embark on a thrilling journey through the sands of time, unearthing the mysteries of the Intertestamental period. Together, we'll traverse through shifting world powers, from Persia to Greece, and subsequently Rome, witnessing the dramatic transformation of Jewish culture under the influence of Hel...
Malachi, the final prophet of the Old Testament, delivers a gentle but firm wake-up call to God's people who had fallen into spiritually empty routines. Though the temple was rebuilt and sacrifices resumed after exile, their hearts had drifted from authentic worship without them even realizing it. • The prophet Malachi speaks to Israelites around 430 BC who had returned from exile • His message unfolds through six courtroom-style disputes between God and His people • God's central invitation...
Zechariah brings a message of hope and encouragement to God's people who have returned from exile but fallen into discouragement and apathy while rebuilding the temple. Through eight vivid night visions and powerful prophecies about the coming Messiah, Zechariah shows that God remembers His promises and has a future planned that's bigger than they can imagine. • Setting the historical stage: 520 BC, after the Jews returned from Babylonian exile • Understanding who Zechariah was: both prophet...
The book of Haggai delivers a timely message about prioritizing God in the midst of life's rebuilding seasons. Through four precisely dated messages, this short prophetic book challenges us to realign our focus when we've let spiritual priorities slip. • Haggai spoke to Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem around 520 BC to find their city and temple in ruins • The people had grown discouraged and stopped temple reconstruction, focusing instead on their own homes for 16 years • God's r...
We explore the historical context of the final three prophets of the Old Testament—Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi—who spoke during the post-exile rebuilding period. Understanding when these prophets spoke and the conditions they addressed transforms their seemingly disconnected messages into powerful, relevant wisdom for our own seasons of waiting and spiritual rebuilding. • God warned Israel in Deuteronomy and Leviticus that disobedience would lead to exile • The exiles returned to Jerusale...
Ezekiel delivered God's sobering message to exiles in Babylon: the exile wasn't just a temporary setback but divine judgment, yet even in judgment, God was already working toward restoration. • Ezekiel was a priest by training who received his prophetic call at age 30 while in Babylonian exile • The exile occurred in three waves (605, 597, and 586 BC), with Ezekiel part of the second deportation • False prophets claimed the exile would be brief, but God's message through Ezekiel was that jud...
Daniel receives terrifying visions of future chaos and conflict, but through them comes God's reassuring message that He remains in control. These apocalyptic chapters reveal how God's sovereignty and eternal kingdom will ultimately prevail over every earthly power. • Daniel 7 presents four beasts representing world empires, culminating in a heavenly courtroom where "one like a son of man" receives an everlasting kingdom • Jesus later identifies himself as this "Son of Man," claiming the div...
We explore apocalyptic literature, one of the most misunderstood genres in the Bible that reminds us there's more happening than what we see, and God remains in charge even when life looks chaotic. This episode serves as preparation for our upcoming Daniel series, where starting in chapter seven, the book transitions from royal courts into wild visions. • Apocalypse means revelation or unveiling, not disaster or end of the world • Found primarily in Revelation and Daniel, with elements in Ez...
Daniel's life demonstrates how to maintain faithful identity in a hostile environment without compromising core values, showcasing God's sovereignty over human kingdoms. • Daniel and three friends taken from Jerusalem to Babylon during exile (605 BC) • Renamed to honor Babylonian gods but remained faithful to their Jewish identity • Refused king's food to maintain ritual purity, choosing vegetables and water instead • Served four kings over 70 years (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus...
We explore the Babylonian exile—a pivotal moment when God's people were removed from Jerusalem and forced to live in Babylon for 70 years. This watershed event reshaped their faith and demonstrates how God works even through painful consequences to call his people back to himself. • The exile didn't come suddenly but in three waves (605 BC, 597 BC, and 586 BC) • Babylon specifically targeted leaders, skilled workers, and educated elites when conquering nations • God had warned about exile si...
The book of Habakkuk captures an intimate conversation between a frustrated prophet and God during a time of national crisis, showing how deep faith emerges through honest questioning. • Habakkuk lived in Judah during a time of moral decay, corruption, and political instability • Unlike other prophets, Habakkuk speaks to God about the people rather than to the people on God's behalf • The book is structured as a dialogue—Habakkuk questions, God answers, and the prophet responds • Habakkuk's ...
Jeremiah's prophetic message reveals a God who refuses to give up on his people despite their persistent rebellion. Through vivid imagery and dramatic object lessons, God communicates both the seriousness of sin and the surprising depth of his mercy. • Setting the historical context: Jeremiah's ministry during Judah's final decades (627-586 BC) • Five core messages: sin, repentance, judgment, God's sovereignty, and true revelation • Judah's sins exposed: materialism, injustice, idolatry, imm...
Jeremiah served as God's prophet for over 50 years, faithfully delivering difficult messages despite facing mockery, threats, and imprisonment. His story reveals what it means to carry not just God's words but God's heartbreak, highlighting the cost and calling of speaking truth when no one wants to listen. • Lived approximately 627-570 BC during the final years of Judah before Babylonian captivity • Served during the reigns of five kings: Josiah (last good king), Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoia...
We explore the often-overlooked Book of Zephaniah, a royal prophet who delivered a final warning to Judah before exile, revealing that God's judgment ultimately leads to restoration and joy. • Zephaniah prophesied during King Josiah's reign (640-609 BC), when outward religious reforms hadn't changed people's hearts • Unlike most prophets, Zephaniah came from the royal family, tracing his lineage back to King Hezekiah • The "Day of the Lord" appears more in this short book than any other prop...