THE DAILY BIBLE PODCAST

Setting the Scene: Freedom Fighters in Roman Galatia Welcome, fellow travelers! Today, we embark on a journey through the fiery letter of Galatians. But before we dive into Paul's passionate words, let's set the scene. Imagine yourself in the rugged, mountainous region of Galatia, nestled in the heart of the Roman Empire. This wasn't exactly a land flowing with milk and honey. The Galatians were a proud Celtic people, known for their fierce independence and love of warfare. Their gods mirrored their nature – a pantheon of powerful warriors like Mars, the Roman god of war. Now picture Paul, a former persecutor of Christians turned zealous advocate, arriving in this land on his first missionary journey. Acts tells us he faced opposition from Jewish leaders who couldn't stomach the idea of Gentiles (non-Jews) receiving salvation without following Jewish traditions. This tension between freedom in Christ and religious legalism would become a central theme in Paul's letter. The Plot Thickens: A Betrayal of Grace? Fast forward a bit. Paul has left Galatia, and new teachers have arrived. These teachers, possibly Jewish Christians, are whispering a different message. They tell the Galatians that faith in Jesus alone isn't enough. To be truly saved, they argue, one must also follow Jewish laws, like circumcision. This news throws the Galatians into confusion. Weren't they free in Christ? Paul, upon hearing this, is furious. He pens a passionate letter, a fiery defense of the Gospel of grace. He reminds the Galatians of their initial conversion, the persecution they faced together for the sake of Christ, and the freedom they found in Him. He pulls no punches, calling their flirtation with legalism a betrayal and a descent back into slavery. Questions for you: - Have you ever felt pressure to follow certain rules or rituals to be closer to God? - What does "freedom in Christ" mean to you? - How can we live a life of faith without falling back into legalism? Discussion Starter for Your Journey Group: Imagine you're a Galatian believer receiving Paul's letter. What emotions might you be feeling? Would you be swayed by the new teachers' arguments? Why or why not? Join the Journey! Feeling lost in the wilderness of religious rules? Yearning for the freedom Paul describes? Don't wander alone! We have amazing journey groups where you can explore the Bible with supportive friends. Email us at yourjesusjourney@gmail.com to get connected or learn more about starting your own group. Remember, the only requirement is a thirst for truth and a willingness to share the adventure! (And maybe a good pair of walking shoes for all the exploring we'll do!)

Timothy didn't seem like the "ideal" candidate to take the reigns from Paul and begin leading the church in one of the biggest and most influential cities of their day. But we learn pretty quickly that the people who "look good on paper" are often not the people God chooses to step into various ministry roles. Timothy's mom was a solid God-loving Jew. His dad was neither a Jew nor God-Loving. His father as greek and not a believer. Timothy was young to be in the role Paul called him to. A factor that would normally be a deal breaker or at least cause many problems. Paul recognized this and boosted Timothy's confidence by reminding him that HE believed in HIM, that GOD believed in HIM, that HIS MOM & GRANDMA believed in HIM and that HE was ready and equipped in spte of his young age. Timothy is the very first "second generation" Christian mentioned in the New Testament. Paul met him on an earlier missionary journey through a place called Lystra. It seems Paul was drawn to him because he went back again and again to this region until finally calling his young disciple Timothy. Paul trusted Timothy to take the reigns of what was likely one of the most successful and personally invested communities he had ever ministered to - Ephesus. Paul spent something like 3 years in Ephesus. There's much to learn about being a young leader, being unqualified for the roles we are called to, being handed off ministries others have built, not feeling like you have the right pedigree or family story to serve in the church.... and so much more... LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS MINISTRY AT: www.YourJesusJourney.com Teaching the Bible Daily. Releasing Special Video Series' filmed on location throughout the US & Canada Helping people find and follow Jesus.

Welcome to Ephesus! The epicenter of Roman Emperor worship and the city that would grow to become the most important city in the Roman empire outside of Rome itself! Join us for a brief intro to Ephesians here in The Daily Bible Podcast. Learn more about us at YourJesusJourney.com Watch other episodes at YouTube.com/@yourjesusjourney #yourjesusjourney #biblestudy #learnthebible #bible #biblestudyonline #dailybibleverse #dailybible #dailybible #dailydevotion #biblepodcast #christianpodcast #christianpodcasters #ephesians1 #ephesians #bookofephesians #ephesus

Interested in Baptism Click Here: https://forms.wix.com/r/7151275068222341281 Join an Online Men's or Women's Group: https://forms.wix.com/r/6971156892198372043 JOIN US TUESDAY NIGHT APRIL 2@ 6PM PT / 9PM ET--- ALL CHURCH MEET-UP. It doesn't matter if you're connected to another local church or The Journey Church Online is your church community. We want to invite everyone who is connecting with us on the Daily Bible Podcast, In Journey Groups, Watching our YouTube Channel, People we've met in person.... The whole gang is invited to come together on Tuesday night =) Zoom link is in this Journey Email Update: https://www.jointhejourneychurch.com/so/7fOvi8FrF?languageTag=en Be sure to visit the website to learn more about our ministry and how to get connected or involved: www.YourJesusJourney.com #yourjesusjourney #learnthebible #bible #biblestudyonline #dailybibleverse #christianpodcast #biblestudy #biblepodcast #dailybible #dailydevotion #james #bookofjames

Standing Strong: A Devotional on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 Setting the Scene Imagine a world where following a new faith meant facing scorn and persecution from your family and community. This was the reality for the first Christians in Thessalonica, a vibrant city in what is now northern Greece. Around 50 AD, the Apostle Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, planted the seeds of Christianity there. This wasn't an easy feat. People were accustomed to worshipping the Roman gods and following their ancestral traditions. The idea of a single, all-powerful God, who also sent his son as a sacrifice for humanity, was revolutionary. This passage, likely one of Paul's earliest letters, finds the Thessalonian church facing these challenges head-on, yet brimming with faith. Fresh Off the Boat (of Faith): Early Christianity It's important to note the historical context here. Traditionally, the concept of "chosen people" was reserved for the Jews. For Paul, a devout Jew himself, to extend this idea to Gentile converts was groundbreaking, even bordering on scandalous. This small band of believers in Thessalonica were pioneers, and news of their faith spread like wildfire throughout the region. More Than Words: The Power of the Spirit When Paul talks about bringing the "good news" (the Gospel) to Thessalonica, he emphasizes that it wasn't just words. They witnessed the "power" of the Holy Spirit at work. This could have manifested in many ways – perhaps during fervent prayers, spirit-filled worship, or acts of miraculous healing. The point is, the Holy Spirit wasn't a distant concept; it was a tangible force that solidified their faith. QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CHEW ON AND DISCUSS: 1) Can you think of a time when you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in a powerful way? How did it impact your faith? 2) The Thessalonian church became an example to others. How can we, as modern-day Christians, be shining examples of our faith in our communities? 3) The idea of being "chosen" can be a source of comfort and purpose. How can we live out this idea not in a sense of exclusivity, but as a responsibility to share God's love with the world? Discussion Starter for Your Journey Group Think about a time when your faith was challenged – maybe by social pressures, doubts, or even persecution. How did you overcome those challenges, and how can we support each other in our faith journeys? Call to Action: Don't Be a Lone Ranger (of Faith!) We all need a support system, even apostles needed companions like Silas and Timothy! If you're interested in joining a journey group to delve deeper into the Bible and connect with fellow believers, email us at yourjesusjourney@gmail.com. We won't judge you for showing up with metaphorical sandals still dusty from your travels (or maybe that's just because our meetings are virtual). But seriously, we'd love to have you on board! #dailybiblepodcast #dailybiblereading #biblepodcast #thessalonians #pioneers #followjesus #jesusjourney

This episode of The Live Daily Bible Podcast, brought to you by YourJesusJourney.com, dives into an intro to a brand new book: 1 Peter! Tradition suggests Peter, with a scribe's assistance, penned this letter from Rome. Witnessing the city's growing turmoil under Emperor Nero's erratic rule, Peter understood the perils facing Christians. Nero, desperate for scapegoats, targeted Christians for blame, leading to widespread persecution. Inspired by these hardships, Peter's letter offers guidance and encouragement to believers scattered across the Mediterranean. Visit YourJesusJourney.com to explore more about this innovative ministry and its approach to the Bible!

Welcome to The Journey Church Online - No Building - No Staff - Just Bible! Explore the profound insights of the Book of Colossians in this enlightening YouTube video. Delve into its rich teachings on faith, identity, and the supremacy of Christ as we unravel its timeless wisdom together. Join us as we uncover the transformative truths that resonate across generations. Don't miss out—watch now and embark on a journey of spiritual discovery! Join us live daily at 6am PT / 9am ET as we work our way through the Book of Colossians! It's educational, interactive, and a ton of fun! Watch past episodes of the LIVE daily Bible Podcast here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeeI1DpFw2-5pqH2qHQgnuV5WqK4JQZr5&si=DRrPiMU02SdYM13I Learn more about this exciting out-of-the-box ministry on our website www.YourJesusJourney.com

Welcome to the Daily Bible Podcast with Pastor Thad! Join us live at 6am PT as always (or catch the replay later). Today, we're kickin' things off way back in the Old Testament with Deuteronomy! It's the perfect book to understand where God's people came from and where they were headed – a whole new identity, mission, and rulebook! Think of it as the bridge between the Israelites' past and their future as God's followers, totally different from the folks around them. This book's packed with wisdom – no wonder Jesus and the apostles quoted it all the time. So grab your notebook, get ready to learn, and let's dive into the book of the second law (that's Deuteronomy for those who don't know)! Big thanks to The Bible Project for the awesome recap videos! If you want to rewatch their recap video here is the link: https://youtu.be/q5QEH9bH8AU?si=xvGgWZcXXfUVggFu #dailybiblepodcast #podcast #journeythroughthebible #followjesus #yourjesusjourney #deuteronomy

Living the good life of the gospel is always a challenge when we live in a wider culture that defines the good life in other ways. It is particularly hard in a culture where newspapers cannot be trusted and politicians are corrupt; a harsh, selfish, racist culture in which there is a fear of crime; a culture where people are reluctant to do manual work, which is therefore left to migrant workers; a culture in which people routinely overeat. That was first-century Crete. The place where Paul left his friend and loyal disciple Titus to help guide the growing number of believers and set things in order among the churches. One of Crete's famous philosophers said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons." Sounds remarkably similar to the western world we live in today. Titus is one of 3 books in the New Testament that are called the "Pastoral Epistles". An epistle just means a letter. A pastoral epistle then is essentially saying that these are letters written by Paul to two of his disciples, Titus and Timothy. Many point out that these letters are about establishing church governance, how the local churches are to be run, who should run them, and so on. It is said that the excitement of the early church was waining and it was time for the church to "grow up" and get organized. This assessment misses the mark. The whole point of presenting the instructions for the type of leaders to look for in the local churches was so that the very things the early church did could be continued. Presenting the truth about God, Jesus, and the path to the good life of freedom in Christ. It was imperative that the men leading the local churches were men that not only understood the gospel but also lived it out in their ever day lives. This way the church could remain focussed on the mission of reaching the lost, making disciples, and teaching them to follow Jesus' instructions that lead to a Gospel Centered GOOD LIFE. BE SURE TO GO POP OVER TO OUR WEBSITE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EXCITING OUT-OF-THE-BOX MINISTRY: www.YourJesusJourney.com