Studying the Bible can feel overwhelming and even downright confusing. We all struggle at times to understand what a passage of scripture means. Grounded in Truth with Janet Denison is a weekly podcast dedicated to helping you learn to study, understand,
Today, Janet is going to talk about probably the most celebrated and famous woman of the Bible. Mary, mother of Jesus, was a woman of remarkable faith and submission whose story reminds us that with God, nothing is impossible. Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for this series? Click here: https://bit.ly/3NbtYzT
Humility and obedience are essential character traits if we want to be used by God to fulfill his Kingdom purpose. Today Janet teaches from the Book of Esther about a young woman who not only exhibited those traits, but also revealed a character of courage, grace, and loyalty. Join Janet as she explores this remarkable young Jewish woman who would end of saving her people of destruction. Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for this series? Click here: https://bit.ly/3NbtYzT
Every word in the Bible is inspired truth from God, and every story that depicts someone being used by God is a reminder for us that God can use anyone to accomplish his kingdom purpose. Abigail's story is one of submission and deliverance. Despite being a lesser-known woman in the Bible, Janet teaches in today's lesson how the Lord used Abigail to provide the direction and help David needed to continue his difficult journey to the throne. Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for this series? Click here: https://bit.ly/3NbtYzT
If you don't think God can use you because of who you are, you'll find great encouragement in Deborah's story. She is the only woman from the Old Testament who was acknowledged as a leader to the Jewish people. Deborah's character and courage elevated her to an important place in the Old Testament period of the judges. Join Janet as she explores the role Deborah had in the lives of the nation of Israel and why her story matters to us today. Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for this series? Click here: https://bit.ly/3NbtYzT
If you ever find yourself wondering if you can't be used by God because of your past, or even your present, the story of Rahab paints a remarkable picture that illustrates God's use of unlikely people to carry out his will. Join Janet as she kicks off this series with one of the most unlikely heroines of faith. Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for this series? Click here: https://bit.ly/3NbtYzT
Spend a few minutes recapping the study with us and get a sneak peak at our next Bible study series! Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for our new series? Click here:
As our shepherd, God promises that we will “want” for nothing. How? In every way a good shepherd wants the best for his sheep—food, drink, and safety. These verses begin to paint a picture of the character of the Shepherd - the very essence of who he is. David used this psalm to reveal God's loving character to us and his desire to gently lead us, tenderly guide us, and fiercely protect us. Join us in today's episode as we continue to uncover the loving character of who God is and who he wants to be in our lives. Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for this series? Click here: Psalm 23 Bible study.
Spend a few minutes recapping the study with us and get a sneak peak at our next Bible study series! Interested in downloading the accompanying study guide for our new series? Go to https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
One of the highest callings in prayer is to use our time with God to praise him. God didn't request the praise of his people, he commanded that we praise him. He doesn't need our praise. He simply knows that in order to fully know and trust him as our king, we need to adore him and remember his greatness. Let's look at Psalm 103 and study David's words of praise and the joy he found in worshiping God. This audio is from Prayers, Vol 2 - The Power of Prayer Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/. Links for the Foundations Bible App: Apple and Android
One of the highest callings in prayer is to use our time with God to praise him. God didn't request the praise of his people, he commanded that we praise him. He doesn't need our praise. He simply knows that in order to fully know and trust him as our king, we need to adore him and remember his greatness. Let's look at Psalm 103 and study David's words of praise and the joy he found in worshiping God. This audio is from Prayers, Vol 2 - The Power of Prayer Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
What does it take for God to act on behalf of our prayers? Are there times in your life when it seems like he doesn't even hear your prayers? Let's look at the prophet Elijah and explore how this man—human just like us—was able to call fire and rain down from heaven. This audio is from Prayers, Vol 2 - The Power of Prayer Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/. Links for the Foundations Bible App: Apple and Android
It's easy to grow weary when people don't treat you fairly or when you experience firsthand someone's cruelty. King David dealt with all kinds of evil in his road to becoming the king of Israel and more than likely wrote Psalm 140 during that difficult season. The psalm is not directed at one specific evil, but rather all evil, much like Jesus taught his disciples to pray in the model prayer. Evil is a very real part of life for every generation. No one is immune from injustice and hostility. Let's look at Psalm 140 and allow them to teach us how to pray for God to “deliver us from evil.” This audio is from Prayers, Vol 2 - The Power of Prayer Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
When you pray, do you “exalt” the Lord? The word means to hold in very high regard or speak highly of. We aren't told to exalt God because that places him in a higher position, we are told to exalt God so that we recognize and honor the position he owns, always—in our lives, in our circumstances, and in the world. Let's look at the prayers of Hannah and Mary and see how they exalted the Lord Almighty. This audio is from Prayers, Vol 2 - The Power of Prayer Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Prayer is our “unceasing” conversation with the One who created us, and everything around us. How does prayer release God's power into our lives and ministries? This 9-week study will guide us to that answer. Do you want your prayers to be more effective and serve an eternal purpose? Join us as we dive into Scripture together to learn how to pray with power! In our first episode, we'll look at James 5 and explore this final chapter of his letter to a scattered and discouraged group of believers. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of prayer. James would be the first to tell us that prayer is the greatest technique God ever gave us. This audio is from Prayers, Vol 2 - The Power of Prayer Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Spend a few minutes recapping the study with us and get a sneak peak at our next Bible study series! Interested in downloading the accopanying study guide for our new series? Go to https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Do people notice a change in us once we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ? When we are saved, we are given the Spirit of Christ to strengthen and equip us to live with his character, and as John teaches, keeping God's commandment to love others is a powerful indicator of Christ's transforming work within us. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Recognizing we are sinners saved by grace is an essential truth that has always been difficult for people to accept. In this chapter, John wrote to encourage the early Christians—and Christians today— to live knowing they are genuine sinners who have found genuine faith. We all need a Savior because of our sin, and our best witness to the world is to be as honest about our sinfulness as we are about our salvation. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Understanding why God's word is our ultimate standard for faith is essential for every believer. Today's episode wraps up the book of 2 Timothy and teaches that the peace of Christ is the result of knowing that our life in this world is our journey, not our destination. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Ministers who are dedicated to teaching the truth of the gospel are essential in carrying the whole gospel truth from one generation to the next. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage his calling, strengthen his soul, and warn him of the inevitable difficulties that would come as he did the work of the ministry. Let's find out how Paul's words can help assure us that while sharing the truth of the gospel message will require great commitment and sacrifice, the rewards of faithful service are eternal. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Let's look at the book of 2 Timothy and Paul's final words of instruction and encouragement to his protégé in the faith, Timothy. Paul had invested in Timothy's life and knew he would continue the important ministry of carrying the gospel to the Gentiles. This letter is a window into both Paul's relationship with his protégé and his investment in his ministry. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Being patient when we want God to answer our prayers is difficult for anyone, especially when we are living faithfully. Jesus told us that in this world, we will have tribulation, but his encouragement which follows that truth is the same message James writes to his readers. Jesus has overcome this world, and so can his followers. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Cultural clashes have always caused controversy between believers and non-believers, and even among those who believe. In Chapter 4 James addresses these types of conflicts, reminding the reader that they can harm believers and their witness with others. History reveals that this issue is generational and remains important for believers today. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15)." The book of James has an interesting history. Debate surrounded its inclusion into the Canon and some thought it lacked theological, apostolic teaching. The author is simply stated as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 1). There are four James mentioned in the New Testament, but most theologians believe the author of James to be the half-brother of Jesus. He was a leader in the Jerusalem church and the head of the important Jerusalem Council mentioned in Acts 15. The book of James is less about theology and more about the practical aspects of living a dedicated, faithful life. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, James was martyred in AD 62. Therefore, the book that bears his name is thought to have been written around AD 50, toward the end of his life. James wrote his letter to the “twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (James 1:1). These were the Jewish Christians that fled Jerusalem during the persecution that followed the death of Stephen (Acts 7). These Jewish Christians had been separated from their homes, their culture, their families, and their way of life for more than two decades. The difficulties these people faced had caused some of them to grow weary, even apathetic about living a faithful Christian life. James had been a pastor to them, and his letter was written to encourage and admonish them to continue in their commitment to live as evangelists for the Gospel of Christ. The book of James has continued to remind Christians of the great need to do more than have a strong faith in Christ; we must also live a life of service so that others are drawn to faith because of our witness.
Micah 6 and 7 reveal the prophet's third and final oracle. Micah uses timeless aspects in nature to stand as a witness to changes in human nature. The Holy Land had witnessed the choices of unholy people, and the Lord would find them guilty for their unfaithfulness. Many in Israel would suffer, but the Lord promised there would be an end to their suffering. God's grace would always redeem and preserve the faithful for the generations to come.
Micah knew God would judge, discipline, punish, and restore in order to preserve a people who would remain faithful to him. In this episode, Janet teaches from Micah 4 and 5 about the group of people God will preserve to teach and preach the true faith in the generations to come. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Prosperity at the expense of others has always been a cultural problem. When spiritual apathy occurs, concern for fellow man decreases, while self-indulgence increases. These ancient words in Micah 2 and 3 speak a contemporary sermon for our culture today. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
Micah, a prophet who lived during a time of peace and great wealth and luxury, was led to preach a message of warning to a nation who had allowed the worship of other gods and the oppression of their fellow man. Sound familiar? Join us as we begin to explore the book of Micah. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
The world is still waiting for the final coming of Christ, and the timing of his return is still speculated. Jesus didn't want us to spend our lives trying to determine his return; he wanted us to understand the importance of how we should live as we wait for his return. Let's look at Matthew 25 and discover why the lessons Jesus gave to his disciples then are important lessons for us today. This audio is from Until the Whole World Hears Bible study. This and other studies can be found at https://www.foundationsbiblestudies.org/.
In today's episode, Janet will look at Judges 6 and the story of Gideon. Sometimes our doubts about God's will can lead to doubts about his perfection. One of the great gifts of prayer is to allow our moments of conversation with God to become reminders of everything we know God to be. God is perfect and can never be or do anything that is less than perfection. The best way to handle our doubts is to leave them at the throne of our perfect God. Gideon turned to God and found grace for his doubts. Through Gideon the people were reminded again of the sovereign power of their true and perfect God—and we can too!
Janet will teach out of Jonah 2:1–9 today. Every Christian, at some point in his or her life, will pray for deliverance. The simple outline for the book of Jonah is as follows: Chapter 1 is running from God. Chapter 2 is running to God. Chapter 3 is running with God and Chapter 4 is running ahead of God. Interestingly, all of us can chart our own spiritual journeys—past, present and future— in each of those four chapters as well. It is encouraging to know that God was present with Jonah in each chapter of his journey, working to deliver him from his wrong choices and redeeming his life to a place of blessing.
There are a lot of ways to define success in this lifetime but none more important than living a life God can bless. If we want the Lord to prosper our lives, we need to define prosperity the way Scripture has defined it. In today's episode, we will look at 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, which is a prayer from a man named Jabez. Christians should pray for prosperity and power, but let's dig into Scripture and discover how God defines those concepts in the Bible.