FOCUSed15 Podcast

I want to study the Bible. Where do I start? I hear that question a lot. I’ve asked the same question, wanting to go deeper but having no clue how. In fact, before I actually asked anyone for help, I tried to dive in myself. I excitedly (and randomly) opened the Bible looking for a profound truth to cling to. Instead … I found crickets. Nothing but confusion and frustration and feelings of failure. Many life goals can seem like an unsurmountable mountain and studying the Bible is one of them for many. Some dive in like I did, only to be disappointed in the experience. Others, instead of digging in to figure it out on their own, tend to just do nothing. They’re stuck in a paralysis of perfection—if it can’t be done right, it shouldn’t be done at all. Either way, the pursuit of studying the Bible on your own feels completely unattainable to many Christians. Truly, this subject requires more than one conversation can handle, but we do want to give you a few easy places to get started. Listen in to this 15 minute podcast episode, for some simple tips on where and how to start studying your Bible.  Here are a few simple tips on how to start studying the Bible on your own. Click to tweet IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: Tips on how to start studying the Bible on your own A few different options for starting out The importance of a simple study plan—the WHAT and the HOW How to work through a passage of Scripture on your own Having a Bible coach (or finding a Bible study that can teach you along the way) The importance of having the right mindset while studying the Bible What it means to be under the Word instead of over the Word RESOURCES MENTIONED: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! The FOCUSed15 Bible study method (Download a free printable bookmark of the method here.) Kay Arthur Bible study – Teach Me Your Ways FOCUSed15 Bible studies

There is often much confusion and sometimes heated opinions about which version of the Bible you use to read and study the Bible. Though the Word of God is undoubtedly inspired and inerrant there are variations within each version on the shelves. In today’s 15 minute podcast episode, Chris and I chat about why there are so many translations of the Bible, and what you need to know about their differences. If you have any additional questions about translations or other questions you’d like us to answer on the podcast, let us know! Does it matter which translation of the Bible you use? Listen in to learn more about translation differences. Click to tweet IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: Whether or not it matters which translation you use What makes one version of the Bible better than another The translation process Word for word vs. phrase for phrase translations Agendas behind certain translations Study purposes vs. readability Chris and Katie’s top Bible versions and how they use them RESOURCES MENTIONED: Links below may include affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small portion of your purchase. Thanks! Mardel’s Bible Translation Guide New International Version – NIV84 New American Standard Bible – NASB The English Standard Version – ESV Holman Christian Standard Bible – HCSB New Living Translation – NLT

I’m good at starting things—not so good at following through. This has been true for many areas of my life, including my time in the Bible. After leading and getting to know thousands of people both online and “in real life” I know that I’m not alone in this struggle. This roadblock is seen on campus ministries, established churches, and online ministries alike. Members of home groups, Sunday school, and accountability groups all encounter this very common snag and it slows almost everyone down from growing spiritually the way they want to. What is this common struggle? It’s the hurdle of inconsistency. So if you’ve started Bible reading plans but lose steam in Exodus, you have a bunch half-completed Bible studies on your shelves, and/or you know of others who do and you’re not quite sure how to encourage them toward consistency (Hint: telling them to, “Just decide to do it—then do it!” is not helpful.) this episode is for you! There are many more tips we could have shared today, but we’ve boiled it down to some of the perspectives we’ve found most helpful and fruitful in our own lives and ministries. Join my husband Chris and I for a quick 15 minute episode as we kick off Season 2 of the FOCUSed15 Podcast with a few easily implementable tips. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: The real issue behind our inconsistency What a “trigger” is and how to use your current routine to get in the Word Tips to maintain consistency Experiencing grace in your quiet time (even if you’re inconsistent) How to deal with the knowledge that you aren’t as consistent as you’d like A Biblical example of God working to get back into relationship with man and what that has to do with our quiet time

Listen in for a BIG announcement about the future of the FOCUSed15 podcast!!

Man, this was a good one. We could have chatted for hours on prayer, yet we packed a punch with these few minutes on everyday prayer. I hope you can carve out some time to listen in! (Part 2)

Man, this was a good one. We could have chatted for hours on prayer, yet we packed a punch with these few minutes on everyday prayer. I hope you can carve out some time to listen in! (Part 1)

Once we know what we are called to do, a good next step is putting feet to that calling. I chatted with Kat Lee and Amy Andrews last week about our struggles and successes with planning and implementing our plans. (Part 1) What we chat about: Why is planning important? Is planning Biblical? Finding a rhythm for planning and implementing those plans. Looking at practical ways to how to take big plans and take them in smaller chunks. Assigning projects to blocks of time. How to use digital calendar alongside a paper planner. The two types of people: “thinkers” and “doers” Plus, LOADS of random planning tips!