Outloud Bible Project Podcast

We trace a straight line from 2 Peter to today's confusion about love, truth, and false teaching, and we make a case for a growth track that begins with faith and ends with real love. We name modern trends, invite honest questions, and call for repentance rooted in Scripture.• 2 Peter's step-by-step growth from faith to love• Eyewitness trust in Jesus and confidence in Scripture• How false teachers twist truth with clever language• The temptation of deconstruction without discipleship• Why love must be rooted in knowledge of God• The patience of God and the call to repent• Practical ways to let Scripture convict and form usHear it. Love it. Live it.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We read all of 2 Peter and reflect on how an open Bible forms discernment, courage, and hope. False teachers promise freedom but lead to slavery, while God's patience invites repentance and a steady, holy life that waits well for Christ's return.• why godliness requires an open Bible• how Peter's eyewitness account grounds faith• the virtue ladder that guards fruitfulness• recognizing and resisting false teachers• true freedom versus slavery to desire• God's patience as mercy, not delay• living holy and at peace as we wait• growing in grace and knowledge to stand firm“Are you armed? Are you equipped? Are you in the fight?”Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We finish First Peter by tracing a single thread through marriage, community, suffering, leadership, and spiritual warfare: humility that makes room for God's care. The letter's hard edges lead to soft hearts, and we end with a simple prayer that God always answers.• honoring marriage with mutual dignity and gentle strength• blessing instead of payback under insult• readiness to explain hope with respect• baptism as pledge of a good conscience through resurrection• leaving old habits for God's will• fervent love, sober prayer, and cheerful hospitality• serving with God's strength for God's glory• rejoicing in trials and entrusting souls to a faithful Creator• elders as examples, younger as learners, all clothed in humility• resisting a prowling enemy with steady faithHave you prayed for your humility lately? Lord, please help me be humble. Please take any pride in my heart, rip it out, throw it away, transform my heart to be more like Jesus.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We argue that Peter's opening claim—chosen to be obedient—reframes grace as power to live changed, not permission to stay the same. We walk through 1 Peter 1–2 to show how hope, self-control, holiness, and love all grow from obedience fueled by the Spirit.• finishing Hebrews and turning to 1 Peter 1–2• chosen to obey Jesus as a core purpose• grace, legalism, and our millennial overcorrection• obedience versus legalism and why humility matters• prepare your mind for action and practice self-control• set hope on Christ's revealing, not lesser goals• resist conforming to old desires and patterns• called to holiness as set-apart love in action• obedience serving others' salvation and freedom“Let the word of God dwell richly in our hearts as we go out this week and obey him because we love him, so that others can love him too.”Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We explore 1 Peter 1–2 through the lens of adoption, tracing how God's heart for Israel reveals our identity and purpose as living stones and a royal priesthood. Peter's call is simple and costly: set your hope fully, live holy, do good, and endure suffering like Christ.• gratitude for listeners and the value of time in Scripture• adoption analogy to read letters first written to Israel• Peter's story from impetuous disciple to refined shepherd• new birth, living hope, and imperishable inheritance• holiness as family resemblance grounded in Christ's blood• the enduring Word that grows sincere love• living stones, spiritual house, and priestly identity• honorable conduct among skeptics and civic submission• suffering unjustly while entrusting ourselves to God• closing challenge to choose sacrifice over comfortSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We walk through Hebrews 11–13 to trace what faith is, why endurance matters, and how hope in an unshakable kingdom reshapes daily life. From Abel to Moses to Jesus, we follow a throughline of trust that moves us outside the camp and into practical love.• defining faith as confidence in the unseen• portraits from the Hall of Faith• endurance as the way to receive the promise• fixing our eyes on Jesus amid hardship• discipline as training that yields peace• Sinai versus Zion and an unshakable kingdom• everyday holiness, hospitality, and contentment• going outside the camp with courage• praise, generosity, and trusted leadership• bearing with the exhortation to be changedSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We trace the thread from shadows to substance, moving from the law and tabernacle to Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice, then land on four clear next steps from Hebrews 10. Along the way we read Halloween, marriage, and church as signs that point to deeper spiritual realities.• copies and shadows in Hebrews 7–10• the law and tabernacle as sketches of heaven• Halloween symbols as pointers to real evil and fear of death• marriage as a picture of Christ and the church• the warning against trampling grace in Hebrews 10• four “let us” actions: pray, hold fast, stir up, gather• practical ways to encourage love and good works• balancing personal devotion with corporate lifeSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Why sacrifice goats when the G.O.A.T. sacrificed Himself? Jesus truly is the "Greatest Of All Time", once and for all.We trace how Hebrews 9–10 turns the tabernacle from a distant ritual into a living map that points to Jesus and a cleansed conscience. We move from shadow to substance, then call each other to hold fast, live worthy, and remember the cost with grateful hearts.• the tabernacle as a sketch of heaven• why repeated sacrifices could not cleanse the conscience• Jesus as high priest entering the true sanctuary• once-for-all sacrifice that ends ritual repetition• new covenant written on hearts and minds• bold access through a living way• endurance, community, and encouragement as the day nears• sober warning against treating grace as common• gratitude and communion as daily practiceBefore you move on with the rest of your day, take some time here, right now, to thank Jesus for his sacrifice, for his blood, and ask him to help you live a life of great gratitude in light of that.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We trace the brief, strange story of Melchizedek in Genesis 14 and show how Hebrews 7–8 uses it to reveal Jesus as the eternal High Priest who brings a better covenant. The heart-level shift from law to life leads to a simple challenge: give God not a tenth, but your whole self.• Melchizedek's role and meaning in Genesis 14• Why Jesus' priesthood surpasses Levi's• Once-for-all sacrifice versus daily offerings• Earthly copies versus the true heavenly sanctuary• New covenant promised by Jeremiah 31• God's law written on hearts, not stone• Practical surrender under the new covenantWhat are you holding back? That's the thinking out loud thought for the daySend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We trace Hebrews 3–4 from Israel's wilderness to our own hard edges, showing how unmet expectations breed distrust and why God's rest still stands. We make the case for a weekly Sabbath as a humble, practical way to enter that rest and reorder our lives around trust.• warnings from Psalm 95 applied to believers • how expectations harden hearts and dull trust • the layered meaning of God's rest in Hebrews 4 • Sabbath as pre-law creation rhythm, not legalism • practical ways to keep one day in seven • stories of family change through weekly rest • rest as humility and resistance to pride • aligning time, work, and identity with the gospelSend us a comment. Love to hear how your rest day goes.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Check out our spoken word video inspired by today's passage: Get Your Hopes DownWe trace Hebrews 4–6 from the warning about hardened hearts to the promise of rest, then center on Jesus as our great high priest and the anchor of hope. Along the way, we share a personal season of closed doors and why anchored hope beats chasing kites.• why God's rest still stands and how to enter it• the Word exposing motives and desires• Jesus as great high priest who sympathises• moving from milk to solid food and maturity• a sober warning about falling away• assurance grounded in God's oath to Abraham• hope as an anchor behind the curtain• practicing anchored hope in daily setbacksSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We kick off Hebrews with a clear claim: Jesus fulfills Israel's story and opens God's family to all nations. We trace why he is greater than angels and Moses, why drifting is dangerous, and how soft hearts learn God's ways through Scripture and daily trust.• season frame of building a kingdom through Jesus' fulfillment• why Hebrews addresses Jewish-Gentile tensions• Jesus' supremacy over angels and creation• a great salvation confirmed by witnesses and the Spirit• the Son made lower, suffering to break the fear of death• Jesus as merciful and faithful high priest• Christ greater than Moses and over God's house• warning from Psalm 95 against hard hearts• practical call to daily encouragement and attentiveness• learning God's ways to resist drift and unbeliefSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We trace Paul's urgent counsel in 2 Timothy to our crowded, noisy moment, moving from warnings about counterfeit godliness to a clear plan for steadiness. We lay down the comment-section battles, take up the Word, and commit to patient, courageous witness.• why 2 Timothy reads like a description of today • the marks of “last days” and how to respond • discerning loud spiritual voices against Scripture • guilt as a foothold and the path to freedom • separating from empty chatter to be useful • preaching the Word beyond the pulpit • enduring hardship with sober-minded courage • Scripture's sufficiency to teach, correct and equipDrop Mike a note through the link in the episode description and let us know if more Living Outloud episodes would be something you'd like to hearSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Paul's final words to Timothy call us to courage, sound teaching, and a Scripture-shaped life that stands when culture drifts. We share why the ancient word still equips us today, how to endure with gentleness, and what it means to finish the race with faith.• power, love, and self-control as the antidote to fear• guard the gospel and entrust it to faithful people• avoid empty quarrels and teach with patience• recognize the last days drift toward myths• Scripture as God-breathed and useful for formation• preach in and out of season with endurance• finishing well as relational faithfulness and hope• practical invitation to discipleship and church engagementWould you introduce us to your pastor? Pass along outloudbible.com and reach out through the contact page. We'd love to come to your church and offer an Outloud Bible Experience that support what you're studying.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Paul reads Titus and Philemon aloud and shows how sound doctrine forms trustworthy leaders while grace pushes us toward real reconciliation that costs something. We connect elder integrity in Crete with a five-step path to peacemaking between Philemon and Onesimus.• letters to Titus and Philemon read in full• why Crete needs strong elders with integrity• qualifications that protect churches from false teaching• grace that trains us toward self-control and good works• avoiding useless controversies and divisive people• aligning life with the gospel to guard credibility• Onesimus becomes family, not property, in Christ• Paul's model for reconciliation: inclusion, affirmation, substitution, expectation, inspection• practical next steps for making peace and restoring trustGo to outloudbible.com/resources to download the Timothy and Titus Echo Discipleship GuideReach out at outloudbible.com to bring the free Out Loud Bible live experience to your churchSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We celebrate three years by discussing 1 Timothy with a fresh lens: Paul's stated purpose that believers be formed in love from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. We look past rule-keeping to the character and unity that make the gospel believable.• why 1 Timothy feels complex and layered• context over proof-texting in hard passages• women's roles, men's holiness, and integrity• jewelry, posture, and the motives beneath behaviors• widows' care and wise application versus legalism• Paul's purpose: love as the lens for conduct• division as a spiritual tactic and how unity resists it• questions to test whether debates help faithSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We read the second half of 1 Timothy and trace Paul's charge to protect the gospel, form resilient leaders, care for real needs, and pursue godliness with contentment. We challenge each other to pair up, practice the word, and guard what God has entrusted.• the church as pillar and support of truth• training for godliness and visible progress• modeling speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, purity• public Scripture reading, exhortation, teaching• wise care for widows and family responsibility• honoring and correcting elders with integrity• rejecting controversy, greed, and false knowledge• pursuing righteousness, endurance, and gentleness• commands to the rich toward generosity and good deeds• guarding the entrusted gospel togetherDownload your Echo guide at outloudbible.com/resources. Find a friend, work through it for seven days, and send us your feedback at outloudbible.comSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We open 1 Timothy with a clear aim: build the kingdom with humble hearts and wise discernment. Paul's “trustworthy sayings” pull us back to the gospel while his counsel on teaching, prayer, and leadership forms a credible life together.• why pastoral letters need discernment rather than blanket rules• the aim of instruction as love from a pure heart and sincere faith• warnings against myths, speculation, and empty talk• the law used lawfully leading to the gospel, not pride• “Christ Jesus came to save sinners” as a center line• praying for all people and authorities to witness the gospel• worship without anger, status, or distraction• leadership character: above reproach, gentle, tested, hospitable• credibility with outsiders and patience with new leaders• humility as the engine of kingdom work and daily repentanceSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Following Jesus today can be dangerous and unpopular, much like it was during his final days in Matthew's Gospel.• Looking at Judas, we see how misplaced expectations can lead us to betray Jesus when he doesn't act how we want• Judas was a real follower who saw miracles and heard teachings, yet abandoned Jesus when his expectations weren't met• The sleeping disciples in Gethsemane mirror our tendency to disengage when faith becomes uncomfortable • Faith should put us in positions where we "contend" - entering the ring, taking punches, and staying engaged• Peter's denial reminds us that it's easy to follow Jesus when it's popular, but much harder when it becomes dangerous• When people accuse and attack Christians, the most important audience is often the silent bystanders watching• Like the Roman centurion who witnessed Jesus' crucifixion, quiet observers notice the contrast between love and hate• As culture becomes less accepting of Christianity, we must decide where we'll stand in relation to JesusDownload our free Echo Discipleship Guides at outloudbible.com on the resources page to dig deeper into these discussions with another person.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

The book of Matthew concludes with Jesus's crucifixion, resurrection, and the Great Commission that gives every Christian their true calling regardless of profession or circumstance.• Mike celebrates the podcast reaching 25,000 downloads, with listeners in all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide• Matthew's gospel strategically highlights fulfilled prophecies pointing to Jesus as the Messiah• Judas returns the 30 silver coins before taking his own life, fulfilling ancient prophecy• Jesus remains silent before Pilate and the religious leaders, refusing to defend himself• The crucifixion is accompanied by supernatural signs including darkness and an earthquake• Women discover the empty tomb and become the first witnesses of the resurrection• Religious leaders bribe guards to spread the story that disciples stole Jesus's body• Jesus meets his disciples on a mountain in Galilee where some worship and some doubt• The Great Commission calls all believers to make disciples, baptize, and teach obedience• Jesus promises his presence "to the end of the age" as followers carry out this missionDownload our Echo Discipleship Guide "Not Just Another Sermon" at outloudbible.com to put Jesus's teachings into action through daily challenges that will take you slightly outside your comfort zone.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We explore Matthew chapter 26, one of the most dramatic narratives in the Bible that depicts the pivotal events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. This powerful chapter captures betrayal, intrigue, lies, and vicious attacks against Jesus who, with utmost humility, willingly embraces it all as God's will.• The religious leaders plotting to arrest and kill Jesus• A woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, preparing him for burial• Judas agreeing to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins• Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples, instituting communion• Jesus predicting Peter's denial despite his protests of loyalty• Jesus praying in anguish at Gethsemane while disciples sleep• Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss, leading to his arrest• Jesus standing trial before the high priest and facing false accusations• Peter denying Jesus three times before weeping bitterlyJesus forgave those who executed him because they didn't know what they were doing, but what about us who do know him? We're called to examine whether we're truly willing to follow Jesus even to the point of death or if we'll abandon him in times of need. Let's pray that he helps us remain faithful, unlike the disciples who failed him when it mattered most.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

We explore how Jesus's teachings in Matthew 22-25 challenge us to focus less on predicting His return and more on loving others in His name while we wait.• Jesus warns against trying to predict the date of His return (Matthew 24:42)• The danger of rapture date predictions is causing new believers to fall away when dates pass• True readiness for Christ's return isn't about knowing when, but faithfully serving while we wait• Urgency in evangelism should come from people's mortality, not speculation about the rapture• Jesus bookends His teachings with the greatest commandment and the sheep and goats parable• We demonstrate love for God by how we love and serve others• Beware of self-serving Christianity that focuses on personal spirituality at others' expense• When Christ returns, He wants to find us actively loving others in His name• Reading the Bible on paper rather than digitally can help minimize distractions• Our "faith journey" should be less about ourselves and more about who we're loving in Jesus's nameDon't let this podcast be your only interaction with Scripture this week. Reach out through outloudbible.com to share what God is teaching you!Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Jesus warns his disciples about the destruction of the temple and signs preceding the end times, emphasizing that no one knows when he will return except the Father. Through powerful parables about ten virgins, talents, and separating sheep from goats, he teaches the importance of staying alert, using our gifts wisely, and caring for "the least of these" as we would care for him directly.• The disciples admire the temple buildings, but Jesus predicts their complete destruction• Wars, famines, earthquakes, and false prophets will precede the end times• No one knows the day or hour of Christ's return, not even the angels• The parable of ten virgins teaches readiness for the bridegroom's unexpected arrival• The parable of talents shows we must use what God has given us, not hide it in fear• In the final judgment, how we treat "the least of these" is how we treat Jesus himself• A wise person contemplates death to gain perspective on what matters most in life"Have you given thought to your death? Have you given thought to what happens after you die, and are you making decisions now that will stand the test of the end times?"Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Jesus directly challenges religious hypocrisy in Matthew 22-23, revealing the disconnect between outward religious practice and inner spiritual reality. This passage invites us to examine our own lives and let Scripture be a mirror that reveals our true spiritual condition.• Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet, showing how many reject God's invitation while others attend without true transformation• Religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus with questions about taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment• Jesus masterfully answers each challenge, silencing his critics with wisdom• In chapter 23, Jesus pronounces multiple "woes" against religious leaders for their hypocrisy• Jesus condemns focusing on outward appearances while neglecting inner spiritual health• We're challenged to let Scripture examine us rather than just applying it to others• The passage encourages authentic faith rather than religious performanceAre you willing to hear God say "woe" if it means you can be made more like Jesus?Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Forgiveness and conflict resolution are at the core of genuine Christian community, yet these practices often get sidelined in favor of avoidance and resentment. • Coming down from spiritual mountaintop experiences into real-life relationship challenges• Jesus' practical, step-by-step conflict resolution model in Matthew 18• The damage caused when offended parties skip direct conversation and spread grievances• Forgiving others "seventy times seven" after receiving God's immeasurable forgiveness• How unforgiveness becomes self-torture that affects all relationships• Christ's example of humble service as the foundation for healthy Christian community• The freedom found in releasing others from what we feel they're "owed"Go talk to that person you've been avoiding. Forgive them on the way, and you'll find a new freedom as you follow Christ in this way.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

What happens when Jesus's teachings don't align with our expectations of comfort and fairness? Matthew chapters 20-21 confront us with this very tension, revealing a kingdom that operates contrary to our natural instincts.Jesus delivers a string of teachings and parables that systematically dismantle our human-centered perspective. The parable of the vineyard workers challenges our sense of fairness when those hired last receive the same wage as those who worked all day. When the disciples argue about position and status, Jesus flips the script: "Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant." As he enters Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna," the religious establishment questions his authority, unable to recognize God's work before their eyes.Throughout these passages, a profound truth emerges—the more extreme Jesus's words sound to us, the greater the gap between our willingness to obey and what he's calling us to. Following Jesus means acknowledging that he doesn't owe us anything for our obedience. Rather, we owe him everything because he first gave us life. As he reminds us, obedience isn't just saying "yes," it's doing "yes." And while Jesus is good and just, he isn't fair—thank God for that! If he were truly fair, none of us would receive the grace we so desperately need.Ready to embrace the upside-down values of Jesus's kingdom? Join us as we wrestle with these challenging passages and discover what it truly means to follow Christ with our whole lives.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Following Jesus often feels so messy? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into Matthew 17-19 where Jesus consistently challenges conventional wisdom and turns our expectations upside down.The heart of our discussion centers on a radical proposition: what if we actually took Jesus literally? When he says to cut off a hand that causes sin, to forgive seventy-seven times, or to follow his specific process for conflict resolution – what if we stopped softening these commands and simply obeyed them? We explore how our selective obedience often creates the very messiness we complain about in discipleship.Don't follow Jesus on your own. Download our Echo seven-day discipleship guide based on the sermons of Jesus at outloudbible.com and journey through these challenging teachings with someone else. Let's take Jesus at his word together!Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Mike and Kelsey discuss the recurring themes from Matthew 12-16 that reveal Jesus' priorities and challenge our modern understanding of discipleship.Reading large portions of scripture reveals overarching themes we miss when focusing on isolated storiesJesus defines family as "whoever does the will of my Father in heaven"The kingdom parables illustrate that God's kingdom is worth sacrificing everything to obtainAmerican Christianity often markets Jesus as a life-enhancer rather than teaching His actual call to die to selfThe true gospel isn't about improved circumstances but about Jesus absorbing God's wrath on our behalfWe should reassess what we're living for and align our priorities with Jesus' valuesContact us at outloudbible.com if you'd like to respond to anything in today's episode.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Jesus seems to be really bad at making the idea of following him look attractive... if he doesn't try to sugarcoat it, why do we?Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Jesus teaches the crowds about what the Kingdom is really like, but he does so in a way that alienates a lot of people. This is not the way to build a large following. Maybe he has something else in mind?Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

What happens when we move beyond merely knowing what the Bible says to radically living it out? Mike and his wife Kelsey introduce a powerful new weekly segment called "Living Outloud," designed to bridge the gap between biblical knowledge and biblical obedience.This heartfelt conversation challenges the comfortable Christianity many of us have settled for. While reading scripture and gaining knowledge is valuable, James reminds us not to be "hearers of the word only, but doers of the word." The hosts explore the subtle but crucial distinction between "applying" scripture (which feels optional) and "obeying" scripture (which reflects true discipleship).Whether you're just beginning your faith journey or have been following Jesus for decades, this conversation will challenge you to examine where you might be hearing without obeying, knowing without living. Join us every Friday as we explore what it truly means to live scripture out loud in practical, transformative ways.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Matthew 5-7 is what Jesus said.Matthew 8-9 is what Jesus did.Matthew 10-11 is what we do--or should do.So are we willing to do it?Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Thank you for walking on this journey through the Bible, now 300 episodes long! What better way to celebrate than to read about Jesus living the "good shepherd" life in Matthew 8-9.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

A few years ago, we decided to take Jesus at his word, especially his promise to provide in Matthew 6:33. This bonus episode, I'll share the story about God's faithfulness in the craziest season of our life.Send Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Jesus' first and most famous message, the Sermon on the Mount. Let's allow ourselves to be struck with the plain practicality of his words, and consider how much we're truly willing to do what he says.We've compiled all of Jesus' messages from the gospel of Matthew into one live experience called "Not Just Another Sermon." This Outloud Bible Experience is free for churches. Learn more at outloudbible.com.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Jesus enters the scene just as the prophecies foretold. A new kingdom is approaching. In fact... it's nearer to you than you think.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Daniel's prayers activate a buzz of activity in the spiritual realm. What does that mean for your prayers today?Plus, a glimpse ahead at the coming kingdom, and how this podcast will follow.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Daniel is given visions of what the end times will look like--symbols of very real things still ahead of us. What can we learn from this visions for today, and what should be our response?Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Daniel's faith was so predictable, it would put his life at risk.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Daniel and his friends are willing to put God's reputation and glory on the line, because it never comes up short.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Ezekiel has a vision of a new temple, and flowing out of the temple is a river of life that turns dead water alive! What could this mean for us today?Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Remember when God's glory left the temple in Ezekiel 10? Well, He's coming back. What causes this full-circle moment?Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Ezekiel downloads the plans and dimensions for a new temple that had not--and still has not--been built. Why all the details, and why hasn't it been built yet?Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

God proves his willingness and ability to breathe life into the most dead, dry, hopeless situations.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

People are still going about their life unaware of the death that is coming as a result of their sins. God has given you a special responsibility. How will you hold your position?Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Egypt cannot provide Israel with what they need, and Israel's time of running to Egypt instead of him is over. God will make sure Egypt never again becomes a world superpower.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Israel's most wealthy and influential neighbors are nearing their end. Why? So Israel will know that God is God.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

God asks Ezekiel to do something that I, frankly, could not do. Let's read today about an extreme length God's spokesman must go to, and what we can learn from it.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Ezekiel 23 is a bit rough. So much so, in fact, that we'll skip it. But Ezekiel 22 reveals a desire of God's that we can step up to answer. Will you?Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

God's people should have seen this coming. This punishment is not reckless or unwarranted. It shouldn't be a surprise. It's not unjust. In fact, it's a miracle God waited this long...Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

God is not interested in punishing kids for their parents' sins, or parents for their kids' sins. He's interested in everyone making an individual choice to seek him and pursue righteousness.Send Mike a quick message! Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.