FOCUSed15 Podcast

Today we’re discussing commentaries! Chances are, you probably teeter between one of two extremes when it comes to using one. Some check the commentaries and study notes in their Bible right away. Some never use them at all. In this practical 15 minute episode my husband Chris and I chat about the helpful ways commentaries can be used to enhance and guide our interpretation of Scripture. I hope you’ll listen in! IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: What a commentary is and how it can be used during your Bible study time The appropriate time to use one when you study The influence the worldview will have on the writer of a commentary The nature of the different commentaries The distinction between a Study Bible and a commentary Practical tips to help find a commentary that will work for you RESOURCES MENTIONED: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! FOCUSed15 Bible Studies New American Commentary series Crossway Publishers ESV Study Bible Abington Press BestCommentaries.com Tom Shriner’s list World Bible Commentary (WBC)

I spent a lot of time reading and studying the Bible as if it were only a collection of random stories about God and how I am to live, instead of seeing it as one big beautiful masterpiece. But that is just what God’s Word is. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Bible study, it is important to understand the big-picture themes of Scripture. In today’s 15 minute episode, Chris and I chat about the major movements of the Bible and how each should shape the way you approach Bible study. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: How every book and verse serve a purpose to point to the same thing The cohesive, consistent storyline throughout the Bible The 4 different components present throughout all of Scripture –  Creation, The Fall, Reconciliation, Consummation How God’s Word is a tapestry of threads that connect to tell the story of God’s love RESOURCES MENTIONED: How much time should I spend when I study my Bible? (Episode 8, Season 2) ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! Welcome to the Story – a quick read giving a great overview of the narrative of the Bible. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin – another quick read all around helpful resources for Bible study. Includes a chapter on the big-picture themes of the Bible.

There are loads of gems in this 15 minute episode! Chris and I continue on in our What do I need to know about ... episodes. We've covered Matthew and Mark so far. Now it's Luke's turn. Listen in to hear a few important things you need to know before you start studying the gospel of Luke. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: Who the author of the Gospel of Luke is - his occupation, and where he was from Who his audience is and the reason he is writing How this book fits in with the other gospels When it was written and how that fits in with history How Luke was connected to the Apostle Paul The importance his writings had on the early church and how it fueled their faith The significance of Luke’s profession and his name being associated with these accounts RESOURCES MENTIONED: What do I need to know about the Gospel of Mark? (Episode 6, Season 2) ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers ESV Study Bible - A great resource for any book of the Bible. Includes all the basic info you would need to know about a book (author, audience, aim) and more. New American Commentary - both of us have used in our Logos library Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Part 1 - Luke 1:1-9:50 - on Chris' shelf Part 2 - Luke 9:51-24:53 - on Chris' shelf Chris says the whole Baker Exegetical Commentary series is excellent The New International Commentary on the New Testament – on Chris’ shelf SERMONS ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: Desiring God Library The Village Church Pioneer Baptist Church

In this age of detailed Pinterest instructions and blog posts galore, there are no shortage of “should’s” and “how-to’s.” Though the extra details can be helpful guidelines, we must be careful not to make them more than what they are: suggestions from one person on how you should carry out a task. The in’s-and-out’s of how to spend time in the Word can become a burden instead of helpful tools. Today, Chris and I chat about whether or not it matters if you have a 5-minute quiet time or an hour and a half in the Word. Listen in to this quick 15 minute episode for the encouragement you need to keep going! Click to tweet >>> Wonder if it matters if you have a 5-min quiet time or an hour in the Word each day? Listen in. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: Whether or not there are guidelines for study mentioned in the Bible The importance of knowing what you want to accomplish during your study time and taking it to Lord “Bite-sized Bible time” and how something is always better than nothing Routine vs. spontaneous Bible time and finding what fits you best The key question to ask yourself about your study time RESOURCES MENTIONED: FOCUSed15 Everyday Bible Studies  

Whether you realize it or not, we all have expectations and pictures of what the “perfect” quiet time looks like. Though we certainly need to be careful not to give in to the paralysis of perfectionism, it is typically helpful to have some guidelines in place to evaluate how effective our time with God is. Listen in to this 15 minute episode to receive some helpful guard rails to keep your quiet times on track. Click to tweet >> Listen in to this #podcast episode to receive helpful guard rails to keep your quiet times on track. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: How we define a “quiet time” The importance of both hearing from the Lord and speaking to Him within your quiet time Specific elements given to help incorporate both this hearing and speaking into your time with God Three ways to approach the intake of God’s Word Three ways to communicate with God during your quiet time Quiet time ruts we may get into that keep up from experiencing God more fully RESOURCES MENTIONED: First letters Ninja mind trick  

Have you every wondered why we have four tellings of the life of Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) instead of just one? Do you know what the commonalities are between them? Their differences? In today's 15 minute episode, Chris and I tackle what you need to know about the Gospel of Mark. As the shortest Gospel—and the first written—the book of Mark is a great place to start if you want to study more about the life of Christ. Listen in to this quick 15 minute podcast episode to learn more about the book of Mark.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: When the Gospel of Mark was written and why the date is important Who Mark was and how he's connected to the apostles What a Synoptic Gospel is Who Mark's audience was and his main purpose for writing his book The distinction between an apostle and a disciple RESOURCES MENTIONED: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! What do I need to know about the Gospel of Matthew? (Episode 4, Season 2) ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! Exalting Jesus in Mark - In my WORDsearch library and Chris' shelf The New International Commentary on the New Testament * - On Chris’ shelf The Pillar New Testament Commentary * – We own others in this series New International Version Application Commentary * - Recommended to students by Chris' seminary professor (as well as the rest with an *) ESV Study Bible - A great resource for any book of the Bible. Includes all the basic info you would need to know about a book (author, audience, aim) and more. SERMONS ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK Desiring God Library Radical.net (David Platt)

We all live busy lives, and this pace of life often keeps us from doing the things we say we want to do. From working out, to spending more quality time with the ones we love, to studying the Bible — busyness can be a barrier to enjoying the most important things in life, including going deeper in our relationship with God. In today’s brief podcast episode, Chris and I chat about the reality of our busy lives and how to get in the Word despite it. Click to tweet >>> Listen in for perspective and tips on how to study your Bible, even in your busy schedule. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: Why this “excuse” is used so often and the common issues behind it How to overcome a lack of desire to be in God’s Word by using scripture and prayer The reminder that God is delighted when we come to His Word How we always make time to do what we ultimately want to do Some tips to stir up your affections to study God’s Word RESOURCES MENTIONED: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! How do I maintain consistency in my Bible study? (Episode 1, Season 2) RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: My FOCUSed15 Bible studies help you go to the Word deeply in 15 minute chunks. Below are studies currently available. Everyday Faith FOCUSed15 Bible study Everyday Hope FOCUSed15 Bible study Everyday Love FOCUSed15 Bible study Everyday Peace FOCUSed15 Bible study

I’m really excited about today’s episode. Today we kick off our first “What you need to know about …” podcast episode. The plan is to cover each book of the Bible, providing you a quick and easy “on demand” option to learn the background of each book and any other important facts that will shape your study. In the weeks to come, during season 2 of the podcast, we plan to go through and highlight what you need to know about all of the Gospels and then the book of Acts. Today, Chris and I chat about what you need to know about the Gospel of Matthew. I hope you’ll listen in! Click to tweet >>> "Listen in to find out what you need to know about the Gospel of Matthew." IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: What you need to know before you start studying Matthew that will make the biggest impact. Three important elements of a book to look for before you begin studying: author, audience, and aim The person of Matthew and the authority he had to write about Jesus The significance of the Jewish audience and Jesus’ genealogy, and how that relates to the promised Messiah Matthew’s style of writing using discourse and narrative throughout the book The Great Commission and how that marks a change in mindset from the Old Testament into the New Testament RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Season 2 – Episode 3 – How do I begin to study the Bible on my own? RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary – In my WORDsearch library The Expositor’s Bible commentary – On Chris’ shelf The New American Commentary – On Chris’ shelf The Pillar New Testament Commentary – We own others in this series Sermon on the Mount Fighter Verses – I’ve been using this to memorize Matthew 5-7 SERMONS ON THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW Chris’ sermons on the Gospel Matthew Desiring God Library