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How to Study the Bible – Bible Study Made Simple — Christianity
How to Study the Bible – Bible Study Made Simple

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives.

Topics covered in this podcast:

💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We’ve covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more
💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.

Copyright: © https://www.lifeaudio.com

Latest Episodes:

What Does God Require for Salvation? (And Other Listener Questions!) Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Today, Nicole and Rev. Rachel are tackling your tough questions - and we mean tough! A lot of the questions we have in life are questions precisely because there is not an easy, black and white answer. So we are going to go into God's Word together to see what the BIble has to say about your questions, and we trust that you'll do the same as you bring your own questions to God and see what His Word has to say about them.

Have a Bible or life question you want Nicole to tackle? Send your questions to nicole@nicoleunice.com!

Questions we answer today:

1. How do we correctly interpret John 15:22-24? (03:39)

2. How do I care for and support a loved one struggling with depression? (10:15)

3. What does God require for salvation? (19:15)

4. What is the biblical basis for women serving as pastors? (21:11)

5. Specific Bible study recommendations that offer scholarly insights (24:35)

Follow the Show: https://apple.co/3uXtWFs / https://sptfy.com/Q9rW

Resources Mentioned:

Study Bible links: https://amzn.to/3T1UFIT

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How to “Work Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling” And Why It Grows Our Confidence in God (A Bible Study on Philippians 2) Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Life can be really hard if you are trying to figure out how to follow God in your everyday life. Whether you're raising your children, trying to show up well in your workplace or your school, people are tough and messy. And often when we face that kind of trouble or conflict, we're trying to figure out, how do I show up with love? How do I show up with energy?

We can get kind of stuck in that. We can get in our own heads about who we are and what we need to be, and when are we supposed to speak up and when are we supposed to be quiet? It is really hard to know how to be confident in the places that God's called us.

In today's episode, Nicole reminds us:

What insecurity is and why it's hard to shake
What Philippians 2 has to say about finding real confidence and lasting peace
What it means to work out our salvation with fear and trembling
What God's work is in our life, and what our work is in our life (and why knowing the difference makes all the difference!)

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why Remembering Is a Powerful Discipline for Christians (A Bible Study on Psalm 107) Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we extend our series on "five words to live by" for one more week as we delve into the theme of "remembering" and its significance in our spiritual lives.

We explore how remembering God's promises and reflecting on our past experiences with Him can reinforce our faith and identity in Christ. This act of remembrance can profoundly impact our lives, not by altering our circumstances, but by deepening our understanding of God's acceptance and goodness.

The episode focuses on Psalm 107, which encapsulates various stories of redemption and the power of recalling God's faithfulness. We discuss different narratives from the Psalm, including those who felt lost, those trapped by rebellion, those suffering from the consequences of their iniquities, and those who encountered God's majesty and power through exploration and wonder.

Each storyline from Psalm 107 serves as a reminder that regardless of our past, whether we've wandered, rebelled, or sought mastery over our lives, God's love and deliverance are constant. By remembering these stories, we can build our faith and practice the virtues we aspire to, such as courage, joy, and trust.

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What Is Revival and How Can We Receive It? (A Bible Study on Ezekiel 36-37) Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Today, we are exploring one of my favorite biblical narratives—the vision of the dry bones in Ezekiel 36 and 37. This story is a profound illustration of revival, where God promises to cleanse us from impurities, give us a new heart, and put a new spirit within us. We see this promise come to life in Ezekiel's vision of dry bones being reassembled and brought back to life through the breath of God.

This story has connections to other parts of the Bible. We see the theme of God breathing life into humanity, from the creation of Adam to Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto his disciples in John 20. This act of revival is not just about being physically alive; it's about being spiritually awakened and empowered by God's Spirit.

Revival is not exclusive to certain people or moments. It's available to all of us, regardless of where we are or what we're going through. God is constantly ready to breathe life into our dry bones, renewing us day by day. It's not something we can generate on our own; it's a gift from God that we receive when we surrender to Him. No matter where you are or what you're facing, God is a God of revival, and He's ready to breathe new life into you.

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

4 Kinds of Restoration God Promises Us in Scripture (A Bible Study on Isaiah 58) Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of How to Study the Bible. I'm Nicole Unice, and today we're continuing our journey through Scripture, focusing on words to build our lives upon in 2024. This week, we're diving into the concept of "restore" and what it means for God to restore us.

Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to all the new listeners who've joined us, especially those who've been drawn in by our 2024 series. It's heartwarming to see you exploring earlier episodes where we laid out our Bible study method. Remember, this isn't about relying solely on devotions or studies by others; it's about encountering God directly through His Word.

I'm also excited to announce my upcoming book, "Not What I Signed Up For," releasing in March. We'll be delving into it in a special series on the podcast later in the spring, exploring resilient faith when life doesn't go as planned.

Now, let's talk about restoration. In Isaiah 58, we find a vision of what it looks like to follow God. It's not about external actions but about aligning our hearts with God's desires—caring for the hungry, fighting oppression, and being a light in the darkness. This chapter promises that as we align with God, we'll experience personal restoration and become restorers ourselves.

I've identified four types of restoration that God promises:

Joy of Salvation: Psalm 51:12 encourages us to pray for the restoration of the joy of our salvation, reminding us to approach each day with a willing spirit.
Restoration of Life: Psalm 71:20 and 1 Peter 5:10 assure us that despite our troubles, God will restore our lives, making us strong, firm, and steadfast.
Restoration of Everything: Acts 3:21 speaks of a time when Jesus will restore everything, fulfilling the promises made through the prophets.
Restoration of Fortunes: This Old Testament phrase isn't about wealth but about a fullness of life, safety, and experiencing the richness of God.

As we embrace these promises, we can pray for restoration in our daily lives while holding onto the eternal hope of complete restoration in God's kingdom. This hope can indeed transform our everyday experiences, from our work life to our personal relationships.

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What Is Courage and How Can I Have More of It This Year? (A Bible Study on Acts 4) Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Acts 4:13 shows us the courage of Peter and John, ordinary men who astonished others because they had been with Jesus. This courage is not about worldly qualifications but about the transformative relationship with Jesus.

Jesus often encouraged people to take heart or have courage, usually in the context of inner transformation. In Matthew 9, He tells a paralyzed man and a woman with a bleeding issue that their faith has healed them, linking courage to forgiveness and healing. In John 16:33, Jesus promises that despite trouble in the world, we can take heart because He has overcome the world.

This episode invites us to consider how courage, as an invitation for 2024, connects to Jesus' promises of healing, forgiveness, and presence. Reflect on how these promises can cultivate courage in your life and bring you closer to God's transformative power.

Remember, courage comes from within, from the deep work Jesus is doing in us. It's not something we manufacture but something that grows from our relationship with Him. Take heart in knowing that you're on the right team with Jesus, who has overcome the world.

MY NEW BOOK:

As we celebrate our fourth anniversary, I'm reminded of how this podcast began as a small project from my book "Help My Bible is Alive." It's been a journey of finding comfort and encouragement in God's Word, and I'm grateful for the community we've built.

I'm excited to announce my new book, "Not What I Signed Up For," and encourage you to check out the free download of the intro and chapter one: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupforbook

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How to Have “Inexpressible Joy” Even While You're Suffering (A Bible Study on 1 Peter 1) Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

We’re continuing our word of the year series with a focus on the word JOY this week. (Be sure to listen to last week’s episode on Trust and Isaiah 40 if you missed it).

This week, I want to introduce you to a study tool in the back of your Bible called the concordance. A concordance is an alphabetical index of words used in the Bible and the main Bible references where the word occurs. This week, I’m using my concordance to help me study the word joy.

I loved this phrase in my concordance. It's from 1 Peter 1:8 and it says, “an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Inexpressible and glorious? That is the kind of joy that I want to find!

That is the kind of joy that I want to invite all of you to find as well. I flipped back over to 1 Peter, and much to my surprise, even though this is a familiar passage, it still struck me anew when I read it. So let me read you our passage for today, and then we're going to walk through our Bible study method.

This joy is intriguing because it's mentioned in the context of suffering and trials, challenging us to understand how we can experience such profound joy amidst difficulties.

We start by asking, "What does it say?" and realize that to understand the passage fully, we need to consider the preceding verses. Peter is essentially pulling us into a huddle, reminding us of the living hope we have through Jesus Christ's resurrection and the inheritance that awaits us – imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

The joy mentioned is not dependent on external circumstances but is an internal energy that remains undisturbed by life's storms. It's accessible and available to us in Christ, though we may need to ask for it repeatedly.

So, if you're seeking joy or it's been absent from your life, perhaps this is your word and your year to embrace it. Remember, joy is always within reach, and it's our inheritance as believers in Christ.

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Trust in the Lord: Renewing Strength for 2024 with Isaiah 40 Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about the importance of spending time at the beginning of the year reflecting on the previous year and thinking about the year to come, rather than rushing into setting New Year's resolutions. It is God who orders our steps and therefore, let’s spend time listening to what God has for us this year as we step into Bible Study.

The central question posed in this episode is: What is the evidence for your trust in God? I challenge listeners to think about what external signs in their lives demonstrate their trust in God. We explore the idea that trust in God often grows through seasons of struggle and uncertainty and that these difficult times can lead to a deeper and more profound trust in Him.

We dive into Isaiah 40, a chapter that doesn't explicitly mention trust but sets the stage for understanding how to trust in God. The passage begins with a message of comfort and a vision of a future where every obstacle is made straight, revealing the glory of God to all. It contrasts the greatness and power of God with the fleeting nature of human life, emphasizing God's sovereignty over creation and His tender care for us.

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

5 Words to Live By in 2024: If You're Looking for a Word for Your Year, Try One of These Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Whether you pick a word each year or never have before, I think this episode will help you order your life in the year to come.

If you don't know what your word is, today might be a great day for you to hear some of the things that we are promised in Christ that you in faith can claim for yourself for 2024. Keep in mind, each of these words requires faith.

Looking ahead to 2024 with these 5 words:

Trust: Isaiah 40

Joy: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Courage: Acts 4:13

Restore: Isaiah 58:10-12

Revive: Ezekiel 36:25-27

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/

Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Best of: Create New Spiritual Rhythms in Your Life This Year Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

This episode was part of our summer series on creating spiritual rhythms. If you missed the series and liked today's episode, here are the other episodes in that series:

Week 2: Creating Digital Rhythms That Quiet Your Soul in an Age of Distraction

Week 3: Learning to be Shaped by Scripture: Creating a Spiritual Rhythm of Bible Study

Week 4: Creating Rhythms of Silence and Solitude

Week 5: Finding Sabbath: How to Create a Regular Rhythm of Rest
Week 6: Celebration as Spiritual Rhythm: Why Is It So Hard to Believe Our God Is a God of Celebration?

The right pace creates the right perspective. The right perspective is wisdom and peace.

The purpose of our series:
1. Take a minute to think about the pace of your own life. What do you notice?
2. What does the way you spend your time say about what you care about the most?
3. Is there any aspect of your life that feels overwhelming right now? What does that look like?
4. Take a minute to reflect on your life with God. How would you describe it?
5. If you could change something about your schedule, what would it be?

Passage:

Matthew 11
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
– Jesus, Matt. 11:28-30, The Message

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.
– Jesus, John 15:5, The Message

What does it say?
Rest and relationship are God’s priorities
-recover your life? What does that mean to you?

What’s the backstory?
1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Psalm 23

You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in You.
– St. Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.1.

What does it mean?
The Christian life is meant to represent the fruit of the spirit
Our Christian character is based on our Christ connection

What does it mean for me?
personal touch

RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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