The Teaching Series with Brad Gray

During Holy Week, people all over the world remember Jesus's words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God really abandon Jesus on the cross? Or was Jesus quoting these specific words at this specific moment for a specific reason? In this final episode of “Out of Context,” we unpack Jesus's use of a rabbinic technique called “remez” to make a bold claim about his supreme confidence in God's faithfulness. Once you understand the context of these powerful words, you'll be inspired by the knowledge that even in our darkest moments, God doesn't leave us or abandon us! 

“Do not judge or you too will be judged.” These well-known words are quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike, often as a shield to prevent others from speaking into their lives in ways that feel critical. “If you're a hypocrite, you don't get to point out my flaws! And since we're all hypocrites, no one gets to point out anybody's flaws!” But is that what Jesus really intended with these words? Not even close. By the end of this episode, you'll discover how confronting our own hypocrisy and condemnation of others empowers us to speak more effectively in each other's lives! 

At Christian gatherings, you'll often hear a leader say, “Jesus is present because he promised that ‘whenever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.'” Now, there's nothing wrong with reminding people of Jesus's presence.

Communion … out of context … REALLY? That's not what usually comes to mind when we think about Scripture's instructions on the Lord's Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul commands believers to “examine themselves” before taking communion so they don't “eat in an unworthy manner.” Pulled from their context, these words are generally used in worship services to invite personal reflection. But Paul was addressing something far more specific and challenging in the life of the Corinthian church that we cannot afford to miss. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new appreciation for the power of meals to bring healing in a divided world! 

Jeremiah 29:11 is a crowd favorite! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Who wouldn't want these plans? Prosperity, comfort (no harm), a hopeful future – sign us up! And then the bottom falls out, and our faith gets upended because we held God to a promise He never made. Jeremiah 29:11 is not about prosperity and protection. It's about perseverance in the midst of hardship. Stripped of its context, this passage is catastrophic to our faith journey. But understood properly, it gives us the hope and perspective we need to navigate life's challenges well. 

Understanding the original context of a passage unleashes the power of Scripture to transform our lives. “Out of Context” is a new series designed to help us train our minds to ask better questions when we read the Bible by exploring famous passages that are frequently taken out of context. By the end of this episode, you'll understand why Philippians 4:13 isn't about God empowering us to do whatever we set our minds to, but rather unlocking the secret of contentment in any situation! 

The final song of Christmas included in Luke's gospel comes forty days after the birth of Jesus on the lips of an elderly man named Simeon. As Simeon holds Jesus in his arms, he begins praising God by joyfully proclaiming, “Lord, now you are dismissing your servant in peace.” Set in its original context, these are some of the most moving and inspiring words for us to consider as we launch into a new year. As we'll see in this final episode in our series “Proclamations of Christmas,” in a world of transactional relationships and half-hearted commitments, Simeon's devotion to God will challenge us to ask, “Am I fully devoted to the king, or am I simply going through the motions of a complacent Christianity that has lost the cosmic plot of God's redemption for all people?”

During the Christmas season, we join the angels in singing “peace on earth.” But earth doesn't always feel peaceful. In fact, it often feels really chaotic. From personal challenges to family heartaches to friends who are suffering to wars around the world, the idea of “peace” can be confusing and elusive. Which is why we need to understand more fully what the angels were proclaiming, and how to obtain peace and stability when everything is swirling around us. As you'd expect, it has everything to do with one we celebrate in this season – the Prince of Peace. So as we unpack the angels' song, may we join them in proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among people!”

Zechariah's song (the “Benedictus” in Latin) is a potent reminder that God sees us, cares about us, and faithfully show up to us in our lives. It's a powerful song, but as you'll see, powerful songs come from powerful stories – usually painful ones. Despite experiencing the disgrace and disappointment of being barren, Zechariah and Elizabeth remained faithful to God and resolute in their humility. Together, this created a powerful opportunity for God to show up and bring forth new possibility. By the end of this episode, you'll possess a deeper understanding of how our practice of humility can do the same!

Christmas songs are powerful! From hymns and carols to drumlines and choirs, few things capture the essence of Christmas like its music. Which is why in this new series, we examine the prophetic songs surrounding the first Christmas recorded in Luke's Gospel. Beginning with Mary's song (the “Magnificat” in Latin), we see that she demonstrates a fiery confidence in God's faithfulness despite centuries of foreign oppression. She believes the world will change and is blessed because of her belief. But Mary's unflinching belief didn't just happen. It was the natural byproduct of a life immersed in the Scriptures and animated by hope. May we experience the same this Advent season! 

In this final episode of our Flora & Faith series, we meet two biblical characters who come to the end of themselves in the same wilderness south of Beersheba. “Wilderness” is more than just a place on a map. It's also a territory of the soul where all our safety nets get removed, and our only hope is to depend on God. It's here that God uses a small desert shrub to deliver a potent message of hope. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new appreciation for the way small graces become huge gifts when we come to the end of ourselves.

In the book of Judges, we meet an obscure tree that serves as a powerful illustration of what a life of faithfulness looks like. In Judges 9, Gideon's son, Abimelech, convinces the people of Shechem to appoint him as king and then murders all his brothers, except one: Jotham. Having escaped, Jotham tells a fable about several trees that culminates with the atad. The atad looks strong and vibrant on the surface, but its splendor masks a sinister secret beneath the surface. By the end of this episode, you'll be challenged to identify and uproot the ways in which your aspirations may be hindering those around you. 

Arguably the most recognizable tree in the land of Israel, the olive tree is known for its legendary longevity and fruitfulness. As such, it's referenced repeatedly in the Scriptures. Most notably, the Apostle Paul uses it in Romans 11 to navigate a delicate situation between Jewish and Gentile believers in the church in Rome, and to communicate an authoritative point that has lasting implications. By the end of this episode, you'll discover why the olive tree is a powerful illustration on how to sustain a fruitful life by making room for others. 

Waiting on God is one of the most difficult things to do in life. In some seasons, we're forced to wait so long it's hard to see any redemptive purpose in it. But, in the Scriptures, the blossoming of the almond tree is a hopeful sign of better things to come. It's also a symbol that God is watching and working in the waiting. By the end of this episode, you'll discover how the almond tree teaches us to ask the most powerful, perspective-shifting question while we wait on God to fulfill His purposes. 

We've all read stories in the Bible that leave us wondering, “Wait! What in the world does that mean?” Jesus's cursing the fig tree is a prime example. As one of the signature features of the landscape of the Bible, the fig tree developed deep symbolic meaning for the people of Israel. Understanding how a fig tree produces fruit clarifies exactly what's happening when Jesus curses the fig tree. By the end of this episode, you'll discover not only how God responds to fraudulent faith but also how fruitfulness starts. 

Some of the most powerful lessons on faithfulness in Scripture come from flora illustrations. When we understand the flora behind the illustrations, we grasp the lessons at a deeper and more impactful level. As we launch into this new series, we begin in John 15 with Jesus's famous words about the “vine and the branches.” As we'll see, placing Jesus's words in their viticulture context provides a vivid picture of what Jesus wants from his disciples, and what must be done to live a fruitful life! 

Jesus lived and ministered in a world of competing agendas, ideologies, and theologies. Nowhere was this more apparent than around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus trained his disciples here because it was a microcosm of the world! By modeling how to engage with Herodians, Zealots, Religious Jews, Gospel Patrons, and Decapolis Pagans, Jesus equipped his disciples for a life of faithfulness after his death. By the end of this final episode in “Jesus in Galilee,” you'll appreciate why it's so important for us to be intentional about how we're leading others to think critically and live faithfully in a complex world. 

Before, during, and after the life of Jesus, the land of Israel was a hotbed of Jewish resistance against Rome. Located just northeast of the Sea of Galilee, the city of Gamla was a stronghold for a group called the Zealots. These were religious extremists who believed the kingdom of God came by force, and who were willing to kill Romans, Jewish collaborators, and themselves if needed. Despite their brutality, the Zealots were often admired as heroes who preserved the Hebrew tradition of zeal for God, but they totally missed the heart of God. By the end of this episode, you'll learn two specific ways Jesus put an end to the cycle of violence in an angry, polarized world. 

As an itinerant rabbi with disciples, Jesus was dependent on the hospitality and generosity of others. So, who funded Jesus's ministry? The answer will make you chuckle and marvel at who God uses to advance His purposes in the world. But in order to find out who funded Jesus, we need to learn about the wealthy city of Magdala. By the end of this episode, you'll be inspired to be more intentional about using the gifts and resources God has given you to advance His purposes here on earth. 

Jesus interacted with all kinds of people. And when he crossed the Sea of the Galilee to “the other side,” it was to be with the pagans of the Decapolis. This league of Hellenistic cities was created to showcase Greco-Roman thought and culture in the region. But the cultural crusading of the Decapolis masked a spiritual starvation for something more. Like Jesus, we're called to be salt and light in the cultures we inhabit, but influence is always a two-way street. By the end of this episode, you'll be challenged to think deeply about “Who's influencing who?” as you encounter the alluring cultures Jesus has sent you to influence. 

Jesus spent an enormous amount of time in a tiny area of the Galilee we call today the “Evangelical Triangle.” Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida were home to a religious Jewish population that was passionate about following the Scriptures. And yet they proved to be some of the most resistant people to Jesus's message and ministry. How can the very people who are so fiercely devoted to the Text miss the Messiah when he shows up in their midst? By the end of this episode, you'll be challenged to examine what keeps you from following Jesus more fully, and why discipleship is way more than simply knowing about Jesus.

The city of Tiberias looms large over the life and ministry of Jesus because of the powerful group of Jews it represented: The Herodians. These were wealthy, influential people who supported the pro-Roman Herodian regime. When we understand the background and origin of the city of Tiberias alongside the strategic ambition of the Herodian family, it makes perfect sense why the Herodians saw Jesus as a threat. By the end of this episode, you'll see why integrity and vulnerability lead to human flourishing rather than exploitation. 

Jesus spent 90% of his time ministering around the Sea of Galilee. Why not in Jerusalem? Why not in another part of the country? The answer is simple: Location. Location. Location. Following the arrest of John the Baptist, Matthew's gospel tells us that Jesus “withdrew to Galilee.” But Jesus wasn't retreating. He was advancing. He was taking his message into the heart of the crossroads of the world. By the end of this episode, you'll see the strategic brilliance of Jesus's decision to proclaim his message where it would have the greatest impact, and why we must do the same today. 

Holy Week invites us to hold death and life in creative tension. We pause to consider Jesus's death on the cross, but then we celebrate the new life bursting out of the empty tomb. In a similar way, the book of Ecclesiastes makes a helpful connection between our deathday and our birthday. In this special Easter Episode, we'll explore what it means that our deathday is better than our birthday, and why connecting our death to Jesus's death creates a life of greater meaning and purpose, here and now.    

Most stories build to a climactic moment (Boaz redeeming Naomi & Ruth at the city gate) and then conclude with falling action. Not Ruth. Instead, the book of Ruth ends with a genealogy loaded with surprises that reverberate with implications not just for Naomi and Ruth, but for the people of Israel and the whole world. In the final episode of our series on Ruth, you'll see how trusting God's character rather than your circumstances will give you the ability to spot God's hidden presence in your life.

The climactic scene in the book of Ruth takes place in the city gate. Two kinsmen are poised to provide the rescue Naomi and Ruth desperately seek. The first steps in and says, “I'll do it,” but immediately changes his mind when Boaz mentions Ruth. It's a confusing moment without the cultural context. But once we have that, it unlocks the story in a powerful way to see why the first one declines, and why Boaz redeems the women at a cost to himself. After watching this episode, you'll be challenged to share in this costly and compelling love, and to consider how God's redemption for someone else might just look a whole lot like you.

More ink has been spilled over what happens between Ruth and Boaz at the threshing floor than any other scene in the book of Ruth. That's because Ruth 3 is loaded with sexually suggestive language. But the Bible is actually doing something incredibly beautiful and redemptive by inviting us to see Boaz and Ruth as models of integrity who don't just pray with their lips, but also with action. By the end of this episode, you'll understand what the Biblical writer was up to and will be inspired to put legs to your own prayers.

Despite having arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi, and Ruth are still vulnerable widows dependent upon the generosity of others to meet their needs. And in a time when everyone is doing what's right in their own eyes, that doesn't bode well for them. But as we'll see, Ruth's humility and work ethic caught the attention of a man whose empathy and integrity will change the course of her and Naomi's life. By looking at these early encounters between Ruth and Boaz, we'll learn how to place ourselves in a path of blessing for God to do what He desires.

In the face of overwhelming loss, Naomi does what many of us do when we're hurting: she isolates and cuts herself off from those around her. But Ruth embodies a dramatically different response. As we'll see, Ruth's response to the experience of loss becomes the core theme of the entire book and solidifies her place as one of the most inspiring characters of the Hebrew Scriptures. By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper appreciation for the power of community to help you practice faithfulness in the face of adversity.

One of the most beautiful and moving stories in the Bible is found in the book of Ruth. But it doesn't start that way. Set in the dark and precarious times of the Judges, the story of Ruth begins in a place of famine and death. As we'll see, the first five verses are loaded with contextual information that lay a foundation for the rest of the book. Before we can appreciate the beauty of the story, we have to deal with the disappointment and understand why it's so important to acknowledge our famines so they don't define us.

In this final episode of Characters of Christmas, we explore a subtle, yet powerful distinction Matthew makes between Jesus and Herod that many people completely miss. Despite being appointed “king of the Jews,” Herod was religiously Jewish, culturally Greek, politically Roman, racially Arab, and ancestrally Edomite. Talk about an identity crisis! As we'll see, Herod may have possessed the title “king of the Jews,” but he wasn't the true king, and he knew it. Once you grasp what Matthew is really saying, you'll see how the Christmas story challenges us to ask whether our allegiance is to Jesus, and to him alone.

There's a lot the Bible doesn't say about the Magi. For example, it doesn't say there were only three of them or that they were kings. So, who exactly were the Magi? In order to answer that question, we're going to have to explore astrology (yep, you heard that right!), the Parthians, the Romans, and, of course, Herod the Great. But don't worry, by the end of this episode, you'll understand why it's so important that the Magi came “from the East,” and how their presence in the Christmas story was a sign that, in Jesus, God's great reversal was underway!

There are multiple aspects to the shepherds and the Christmas story in Luke 2 that we've traditionally gotten wrong. By understanding first-century shepherding practices and the agricultural calendar, we'll learn why Jesus almost certainly wasn't born on December 25 (and how we got that date in the first place). We'll also explore whether the shepherds were simple village shepherds or temple shepherds connected to Migdal Eder, and why shepherding was a despised trade in the New Testament era. Finally, we'll discover what it means to us that the announcement of Jesus's arrival was first given to lowly shepherds.

Traditional Christmas pictures of Mary show a meek, quiet woman keeping watch over her infant. But the cultural implications of Jesus's birth suggest a very different image of Mary than most of us are familiar with. Mary wasn't simply “sweet.” She was fierce and courageous. But we can't fully appreciate her courage until we understand how much she was risking by agreeing to be the mother of the Messiah. By the end of this episode, you'll see why Mary is a model of discipleship who shows us how the be the kind of people where hope can be born.

We've all seen the Christmas Pageants where Mary and Joseph show up in Bethlehem within minutes of Mary about to birth. In their moment of greatest need, they're rejected by family and the mean, old innkeeper who informs them “there's no room in the inn!” Relegated to a stable on the far side of town, and all alone, Mary and Joseph give birth to the savior of the world. But what if that's not how it went down at all? What if our understanding of the Christmas story is deeply flawed and we need to understand it anew in its original context? That's precisely what we'll be doing with all aspects of the Christmas story in this new series. We begin with these Bethlehem events recorded in Luke 2. By the end of this episode, you'll see how Bethlehem wasn't a place of rejection, but of reception for Jesus, and how he was welcomed with wonder!

In this final episode of our mini-series on David and Goliath, we'll look at the number one reason David does what he does. In fact, David's motivation is a key theme that shows up again and again in the Scriptures. What we'll learn will challenge you to face a key question: Why do you do what you do? By the end of this episode, you'll know how to strike the balance between blessing God and owning your gifts so that God's name is made known to the world.

David and Goliath is one of the most well-known underdog stories in the world. But what if it's not an underdog story at all? A closer look at the context reveals David isn't an underdog (shocking, I know!). In fact, a careful reading suggests the moment David grabs a sling, Goliath is in serious trouble. By the end of this episode, you'll understand how the context of ancient warfare completely changes the story of David and Goliath, and why it's so important for you to do what God has uniquely gifted you to do.

Before there was David and Goliath, there was David and Saul. The literary design of 1 Samuel reveals a tale of two shepherds that clash at the intersection with Goliath. One shepherd is fearful. The other is faithful. One backs down. The other steps up. One is rejected by God. The other is anointed by God. By the end of this episode, you'll see how the writer of 1 Samuel was dropping hints about the difference between David and Saul, and more importantly, you'll know what it takes to reflect the heart of God.

David and Goliath is a story we all know. But like all stories that stand the test of time, there's more to it than we fully understand. As we launch this new series on this beloved story, we begin by carefully examinating the geography of the event, and understanding the location alone yields a whole new level of insight. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new appreciation for the urgency of the David and Goliath story, and a helpful metaphor for guarding your heart and mind in our world today.

While Christians all over the world celebrate Easter each year, many of us struggle to live out the transformative power of Easter the rest of the year, especially during challenging seasons. But a close look at the Easter story reveals a powerful pattern we can emulate in order to move from death to life. By the end of this episode, you'll learn how to name your deaths, open yourself to new possibilities, grieve your unmet expectations, let go of what was, and be empowered by God's Spirit to move forward in the newness of life.

Despite being dead to sin and alive to Christ, many followers of Jesus inevitably fall prey to excusing or rationalizing our failures. “I'm a sinner saved by grace.” This is true, but not entirely in the way we often use it. According to the Apostle Paul, in Christ, you are dead to sin. Lent is a season of preparation and refinement where we pay attention to the ways we're making a mess of ourselves and may not even know it (the episode illustration won't be soon forgotten). By the end of this episode, you'll be challenged to ask, “What in my life needs to die so that I can step out of the darkness and into the light of Christ?”

Our final episode in the Lenses of Context series examines the brilliant and highly intentional literary background of the Bible. We don't read a legal document the same way we read a poem or a historical account. We're mindful of the context. Unfortunately, many of us miss the literary clues in the Text that help us know HOW to read that particular section in context. Thus, we need to engage the four aspects of the literary lens: genre, design, what we call “the W's,” as well as placement. By the end of this episode, you'll have specific tools to help you engage the literary context of the Bible to ensure you're reading it the way it was intended to be read. And as you do so, always remember that the end goal isn't to be smarter, but to be more faithful!

Languages often reveal the values of a culture, which is one of the reasons why understanding the original languages of the Bible is so important. Hebrew and Greek can be intimidating, but here's the good news: you don't need formal training in these ancient languages to improve your Bible reading. There are multiple tools and techniques to help you get the most out of the languages of the Bible. By the end of this episode, you'll know where to search and what to look for to unlock the language of the Bible!

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” “Seeing is believing.” “I saw it with my own eyes.” We humans are deeply visual creatures. In fact, mirror neurons in our brains give us the unique capacity to empathize and embody what we see. Unfortunately, many of us fail to engage the visual aspect of the Bible. Simply seeing photos, videos, or artist renderings of Bible stories can unlock a depth of understanding we can't access any other way (outside of traveling there). By the end of this episode, you'll have a list of visual resources and key questions to help you see the Bible in a whole new light, literally!

The Bible often uses an economy of words to convey extremely significant information. Nowhere is this more obvious or glaring than when it comes to geography. Scripture is loaded with subtle hints and references designed to show us the connection between place and purpose, but if we don't know the geography, we completely miss out on the insight. In this episode, we explore several examples from the Bible (including why Jesus was baptized where he was – hold on to your seats for this one) to show you how important geography is when it comes to reading the Bible better. By the end of this episode, you'll have a whole new set of questions to ask of any passage you're reading so you don't miss the connections between place and purpose.

If you've ever felt confused by the Bible, chances are you're suffering from biblical culture shock (and probably don't even know it). One way out of the confusion and into understanding is by learning to see any biblical passage through the cultural lens of its day. By way of illustration, this episode explores a well-known expression from the apostle Paul about walking in the light. As the cultural context of Paul's Roman connection is brought into view, you'll see a stunning new reality emerge of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Furthermore, by the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with a set of questions and resources to help you learn the cultural background of any biblical passage you read.

Perhaps the most frequent question we hear is, “How do I learn to study the Bible in context on my own?” That's why we wrote a free e-book called The #1 Mistake Most Everyone Makes Reading the Bible. In it, we unpack six lenses of context: historical, cultural, geographical, visual, linguistic, and literary. In this brand-new mini-series, Lenses of Context, we'll explore each lens, citing specific examples of how that particular lens amplifies the meaning of the Text. In this episode, we unpack how the surprising history of the ancient city of Sardis informed Jesus's warning to the church there in Revelation 3:1-6. By the end of this episode you'll be equipped with a set of five questions to ask any passage you're reading in order to understand the historical context.

Timing is everything, and no one understands this better than God. When Paul writes, “In the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son,” it's not empty language. Daniel 2 contains an ancient prophecy about how and when God would establish His everlasting kingdom. As we'll see in this special Christmas episode, God used four different empires to pave the way for the arrival of Jesus. By the end of this episode, you'll have a greater sense of confidence that nothing is wasted, that everything belongs, and that God's timing isn't just acceptable or plausible — it's perfect. Enjoy and Merry Christmas, Everyone!

The final weapon in the armor of God, and our last line of defense, is the Sword of the Spirit which Paul says is the word of God. When Paul talks about God's words, he uses a very particular Greek word, rhema, which means “a word that is given.” Sometimes in the midst of battle, the Holy Spirit gives us a word from God to use in the fight. Other times, the Spirit recalls the words of God that we've committed to memory, and that we need most to stand firm in the midst of the onslaught. In this final episode of our mini-series, you'll learn how to wield the very words of God in order to fight a decisive battle against the evil one.

When Paul connects the image of the helmet with the concept of salvation, he's talking about deliverance. Standing firm in the midst of the battle begins with how we think. Our adversary, the evil one, loves to get us thinking in ways that are contrary to what God wants for us. Once planted in our minds, those thoughts wreak havoc on our lives. But spotting those lies and being vigilant about guarding what enters our minds are essential to withstand the assaults. By the end of this episode, you'll understand just how important what you think really is, and why it matters so much to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

The Roman military was one of the most formidable fighting forces in the ancient world. They routinely faced and defeated larger opponents because of their unique tactical approach to warfare: they never fought alone. The shield (scutum) allowed Roman soldiers to fight together as a unit, and that's why Paul connects the shield with the concept of faithfulness. Evil's desire is to isolate and cut us off from each other because we're never more vulnerable to attack than when we're going it alone. By the end of this episode, you'll learn that it's impossible to stand firm against evil if we're not standing with each other.