Bible Book Club - Susan Merrill & Heather Rubio

Latest Episodes:

1 Samuel 8-10: Israel Finally Gets a King Jan 29, 2024

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In the first seven chapters of 1 Samuel, we learn the story of Samuel himself. In the following six chapters, we learn of the first King of Israel, Saul.

Israel once again is not satisfied by having the one true God as their king. They want a human ruler and so the search begins...and ends with Saul.

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This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!

1 Samuel 6+7: Philistines Deliver Golden Rats, Tumors, and a Lesson Jan 22, 2024

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When we open today in 1 Samuel 6, the Israelites have lost the ark and are suffering without the presence of God. The Philistines have gained the ark but are suffering with the presence of God! Samuel is nowhere to be seen...yet.

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1 Samuel 4 + 5: Eli Falls and The Ark Takes a Tour of Terror Jan 15, 2024

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Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of 1 Samuel, are part of what is called the ark narrative because they tell the story of the Philistine's victory over Israel and their possession of the ark of the covenant.

Samuel is absent from these chapters. The focus is on the failure of Eli and his sons as spiritual leaders. The loss of the Ark of the Covenant was a visible symbol of Israel’s broken covenant with God.

In chapter 7, Samuel is reintroduced to lead Israel to repentance and deliverance from the Philistines. The first scene in chapter 4 begins with a note from the author that Samuel is doing his job. He is spreading the word of God; however, what happens next implies that Israel was not listening.

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1 Samuel 2 + 3: Hannah Sings, Samuel's Called, and Eli Can't Stop His Sinning Sons Jan 08, 2024

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In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of 1 Samuel, the story transitions from Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel who will be the future prophet and priest, to Eli, the current high priest.
The story of Eli's wicked family is a sad contrast to Samuel's faithful family. Hophni and Phinehas are not qualified to lead the people. But God has provided one last judge to lead Israel and transition the nation to a king. Samuel grows into the judge, priest, and prophet God called him to become.

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1 Samuel Overview + 1: Hannah Cancels Persecution with Prayer Jan 01, 2024

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In chapter 1 of the Book of 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah. At this point in her life, her husband is not enough to bring her joy. She is overwhelmed by her barrenness and prays to God in her distress.
We see God provide Hannah with a blessing in the form of a son, whom she names Samuel. What Samuel becomes to Israel is where our story gets more interesting!

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Ruth: How's Ruth's Genealogy Ends in the Christmas Story Dec 25, 2023

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In this final episode from the Book of Ruth, we will bring Ruth’s story full circle back to Christmas because Ruth's genealogy leads to Christ. For those of you who have listened to all of season 8, the 4 regular episodes and 4 bonus Advent episodes, it is our prayer that the focus of these episodes on hope, love, faith, and joy has given your season memorable meaning. I know I will never celebrate Christmas again without thinking of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz!
Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes:

The Book of Ruth is creatively a Christmas Story because the solution to the Israelite's problem, the need for a king, is announced at the end of the Book of Ruth. So, for season 8, the 4 episodes of Ruth will each have a bonus Advent episode that drops on Fridays. There is much meaning to the song O Little Town of Bethlehem and it starts here in the Book of Ruth!
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Ruth 4: Advent Bonus - Joy Dec 22, 2023

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Welcome to the Ruth Advent series! We hope this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way. We recommend you play Ruth Episode 4 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode.
This is the fourth of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent focus in this story is joy. The story of Ruth, more than any other in the Old Testament, has a happy ending filled with joy.
In the final chapter of Ruth joy will arrive in the birth of a baby, but at this Bethlehem birth, there will be no star, no shepherds, and no gifts from the Magi. However, the angels in heaven knew how significant this birth was to that other couple, not Ruth and Boaz, but their distant descendants, Mary and Joseph.

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Ruth 4: The Seed is Planted Dec 18, 2023

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In the Book of Ruth chapter 4, we will come to the climactic end of our story. We began the Book of Ruth with a story of famine and death. We will end the book of Ruth with a story of provision and birth. The book of Ruth is, above all else, a story of redemption. God is in the business of redeeming what was lost.
Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes:

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Ruth 3: Advent Bonus - Faith Dec 15, 2023

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Welcome to the Ruth Advent series! We hope that this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way. We recommend you play Ruth 3 Episode 3 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode.
This is the third of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent focus in this story is faith, and all the main characters of our story (Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz) show their faith in God's plan in their own ways.
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. The only way out of the spiral of fear is faith and our leading ladies had just that.

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Ruth 3: What Happens on the Floor, Stays on the Floor Dec 11, 2023

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In chapter 3 of the Book of Ruth, Naomi plays matchmaker with a crazy plan to get Boaz’s attention.
Naomi is beginning to see some hope in Ruth’s growing relationship with Boaz. But after months of Ruth gleaning in Boaz’s field nothing has happened. So Naomi comes up with a plan of her own. She instructs Ruth to get dressed up and lay at Boaz’s feet while he is sleeping on the threshing floor. It was a dangerous move for Ruth, but she agreed willingly. And so begins an unique love story.

Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes:

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