20-Minute Bible Studies

Does God's Word really support punishment for Christians? Find out as we explore the Parable of the Pounds.

In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we answer a reader question: "Is/was the person in Hebrews 6 a real Christian/believer? If not, why not? How is Hebrews 6 not in strong disagreement with the Doctrine of Eternal Security?"

"Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures...But when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us...Because of His grace He made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." (Titus 3:3-5, 7) The book of Titus is a little pastoral letter in the back of the Bible that's easy to miss. Yet it has some great advice from the Apostle Paul for church leaders, and it also reinforces a few key doctrines and kingdom truths. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we dive in.

"Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God's promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God's own fulfillment of his promise." (Galatians 4:21-23) The Bible teaches that every believer has two natures: the old, fallen nature of Adam and the new, perfect nature of Jesus Christ. What this means is that, in a sense, Christians are bipolar. We explore that idea in this 20-Minute Bible Study.

"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might..."(2 Thessalonians 1:8-9) Some passages of the Bible are just unavoidably clear: Those who do not know God will face eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. The opening of Paul's 2nd letter to the Thessalonians is one of those passages. Or is it? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we go deeper in order to make sure our doctrine is true.

"'Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 'That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.'” (Matthew 18:33-35) The Bible teaches us to forgive, but sometimes that's easier said than done, right? We know refusing to forgive is wrong, but did you know there can be real consequences? Join us for a 20-Minute Bible Study to find out why.

"'Let us be glad and rejoice and let us give honor to Him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.' For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people." (Revelation 19:7-8) It's a common belief among Christians that every believer will be part of the bride of Christ. But is that what scripture teaches? Join us for a new 20-Minute Bible Study as we defend our answer to this question.

The enemies of Christianity claim that the Bible is immoral because it condones slavery. But what does the Bible actually say about slavery? And what can we learn from the verses that talk about it? Let's find out together in this 20-Minute Bible Study.

A listener wrote us asking, "While doing our group Bible study I could not find any satisfied answer on 1 Cor 8:11 – ‘And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?' What does ‘perish' mean here?” Our answer is this 20-Minute Bible Study.

A listener recently asked a famous radio host: "How does one reconcile Colossians 1:21-23 with the teaching of ‘once saved, always saved'”? The radio host thought for a bit and responded: "There is a belief that is not adequate to the task” of salvation. Is that what these verses are teaching? Join us for another 20-Minute Bible Study to find out.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser...If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. " (John 15:1,6-7) Can Christians fall away from the faith and be thrown into the fire of hell and burned? Can Christians who invoke the name of Jesus get whatever it is they wish for? Join us for another 20-Minute Bible Study as we examine our Lord's "true vine" allegory and address these common misconceptions about its meaning.

“Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.'” (John 14:5-6) That Jesus is the way, truth and life is a familiar statement to Christians. We nod along in agreement without thinking too much about those three words Jesus used. But if we really pause to consider them, they represent a pretty controversial worldview. Join us for another 20-Minute Bible Study.

“Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents...And throw the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25: 28, 30) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we do something a little different and respond to a question that was recently asked of a famous Christian apologist. A young woman challenged the idea that once someone is saved, she will always be saved and cannot lose her salvation. What did the Christian apologist say? What do we say? What does the Bible say?

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.'" (John 11: 25-26) Everyone knows the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, but few have paid close attention to what our Lord said before He performed that miracle and what it reveals about the future of every Christian. Join us for another 20-Minute Bible Study.

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep ... I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." (John 10:11, 14-15) Some people believe that Jesus never claimed to be God. But did you know that in just five words in John 10, Jesus claimed to be God not once, but twice? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explain -- and we also explore the Good Shepherd metaphor in greater detail.

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'” (John 8:12) The light metaphor is the second of seven "I am" metaphors our Lord used to describe Himself in the gospel of John. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we'll take a close look at what this metaphor reveals about Jesus and what it has to teach us about earning rewards in the Kingdom of Heaven.

"Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.'” (John 6:35) The bread metaphor is the first of seven "I am" metaphors our Lord used to describe Himself in the gospel of John. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explore how it connects the Old Testament to the New Testament, and how it gives special meaning to a famous story about the Israelites.

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world...Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:14,17) Have you ever wondered what it would be like to listen in on a conversation between Jesus and God the Father? Thanks to the gospel of John, we can do just that. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss a portion of our Lord's prayer at the garden of Gethsemane.

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him." (Ephesians 1:7-9) The blessings of belief in Jesus transcend space and time. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss predestination and the deep mystery of God's plan for mankind.

"So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent, because He has set a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31) The word “faith” appears 239 times in the Bible. But in one place, in the book of Acts, the same Greek word is translated "proof." In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss why this is so important and also examine the way Paul argued the case for Christ at the Areopagus before the leading philosophers of his day. Note: In this lesson we mention Frank Turek and his radio show/podcast, "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist." For more information about that show, visit CrossExamined.org

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) The Old Testament was meant for Israel. The New Testament is meant for the Church. So what's the point of reading the Old Testament? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we look to the Apostle Paul for the answer.

"Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves." (James 1:21-22) Knowing the Word is great, but DOING the Word is what really counts. In this 20-Minute Bible Studies, we dive into James and clear up some confusion about faith vs works in the context of salvation.

"And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Mark 8:34) We call Jesus our Lord, but what does that really mean? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we answer this question by closely examining a familiar passage of scripture.

"For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food [or meat] is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil." (Hebrews 5:13-14) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss two powerful metaphors for spiritual maturity from the book of Hebrews.

“[A]ll have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord...” (Romans 3:23 & 6:23) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we revisit a classic tool that evangelists have been using for decades, a walk through the book of Romans called The Romans Road.

"And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let's eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'" (Luke 15: 21-24) Jordan's youngest daughter asked him recently: "Who is the Prodigal Son supposed to be?" In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we revisit the story and seek to answer that question.

"Peter said, 'Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.' And He said to them, 'Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time, and in the age to come, eternal life.'" (Luke 18: 28-30) Jesus said that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we look for an answer to the question the disciples asked in reply: “Then who can be saved?”

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have set in place; What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him?" (Psalm 8:3-4) As those of us who promote our faith in public know, the world is full of people who think Christian beliefs are anti-science and unsupported by evidence. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we present two ironclad ways to defend for your belief in God using only logic and science.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also ... You cannot serve God and wealth." (Matthew 6:19-21, 24) A key theme of the Sermon on the Mount is that disciples must keep their eyes focused on gaining treasures that can be included with our salvation. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explore whether these treasures will be here for us on earth or waiting for us in heaven.

"But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.'" (Acts 5:3-4) In a recent episode, we established the truth of the Trinity with a specific focus on all the scriptures that prove Jesus is God. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we also take the time to focus on all the scriptures that prove the Holy Spirit is God.

"For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? " (Hebrews 2:1-3) What is the Great Salvation? Is it different from what we commonly think of as salvation? If so, how? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we provide scriptural answers to these questions.

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23) Man, like God, is three in one – a trinity of mind, body and spirit. For the first three centuries, this was church doctrine. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we revisit the four key scriptures that support the doctrine.

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’” (Matthew 3:16-17) Have you ever met a Christian who denied the truth of the Trinity? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we share our experiences with Trinity deniers and the biblical evidence we used to counter their arguments.

"Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 22:13) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we answer another listener question: What happens to a person's soul at the Judgement Seat of Christ if it does not go into the kingdom?

"For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, making it bear and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so will My word be which goes out of My mouth; it will not return to Me void, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55: 10-11) In this week's lesson, we discuss a question all Christians ask at least once during their spiritual walk: Do I have to make the gospel sound good in order to be effective?

"And Jesus said to His disciples, 'Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'" (Matthew 19: 23-24) A listener wrote to chastise us, saying: "The kingdom of God is not the same thing as the kingdom of heaven ...you should not be trying to teach the two kingdoms as being the same.” Is he correct? In this lesson, we address his challenge.

"...that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. " (Colossians 1:26-27) Jesus told His disciples that it had been granted to them to know "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." But what does that phrase mean? Of what “mysteries” was Jesus speaking? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we look to the Apostle Paul for an answer.

"'For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.'” (John 3:17-18) How does salvation happen? Does it happen in the heart with a feeling? In the mind with a concept? Do you have to confess with your mouth for it to be real? Or perhaps demonstrate it’s real by being baptized? Listen to this 20-Minute Bible Study for scriptural answers to these questions.

"When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." (Acts 14:23) What is the ultimate purpose of fasting and prayer? Should it be approached as some sort of formula? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we address these questions, which were recently raised by an earnest listener.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18) Should Christians fear God? The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). But the verse above says “there is no fear in love." So which is it? Listen to this 20-Minute Bible Study to find out.

We've hit a milestone: This is the 100th episode of 20-Minute Bible Studies. A big THANK YOU to all of our longtime listeners & supporters! For those who have been with us since the beginning, you may have noticed we continue to go deeper in our Bible studies and are not shying away from the more difficult topics. This lesson on the "outer darkness" is no exception. It is perhaps the deepest we've gone to date, and it will no doubt be controversial to many. Let us know what you think.

"You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." (Matthew 5:21-22) A listener recently asked: "Would you please clarify Gehenna and those who will go there? I don’t want to be one. " What would your answer be? Check out this 20-Minute Bible Study to hear our answer.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27) If salvation is the gift of God with no works required (Ephesians 2:8-9), why did Jesus tell His disciples they must hear His words and "act on them" like a wise man building on a proper foundation? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss an answer to this question.

"[D]o you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?" (1 Corinthians 6: 2-3) Should Christians judge others? The Bible seems to say yes ... and also no. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we take on this seeming contradiction.

"Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'" (John 14:5-6) Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. This is a phrase every Christian knows. But have you ever taken the time to consider each word and what it means? Join us as we do exactly that in this 20-Minute Bible Study.

"Jesus answered them, 'Has it not been written in your Law, "I said, you are gods"? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’"? (John 10: 34-36) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we take a closer look at an intriguing passage of scripture that some have used to promote the false teaching that humans can be equal to God. What do these verses actually mean? Tune in to find out.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being ... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-3 & 14) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we review the many scriptures that prove Jesus is God. Not just a prophet who died. Not only the SON of God – but also GOD the Son. God Himself.

Episode 122 of our original "Mysteries of the Kingdom" radio show. Andy & Jordan introduce the important theological concept of "dispensationalism" and how this present age, the Age of Grace, fits within it.

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy — and that is what you are." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) The Bible says your body is a temple, and that means you shouldn't smoke, drink or eat unhealthy food — right? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we examine that claim in responding to comments from a vegetarian believer.

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Should Christians divide the Word of God? And if so, what does that even mean? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss methods and challenges in rightly dividing the Word.

"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple … So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. " (Luke 14:26-27,33) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we learn the true cost of discipleship by tackling some of the hardest things to hear that our Lord Jesus ever said.