The Torah Guide Podcast

This is the first episode in a new series about the historical evidence on Jesus and if it gives us good reason to accept him as the Messiah. In this episode, learn the sources for Jesus's life and how they compare to two other historical figures from during and around the same time as Jesus. Support the Torah Guide: www.thetorahguide.com/give

The four biographies about Jesus that open the New Testament are called "The Gospel," and Jesus himself went around preaching "The Gospel" and calling people to believe in "the Gospel"... so what exactly is "the Gospel" and what does it mean to believe in it? Weekly Reading Mark 1:1-8 Mark 1:9-15 John 1:1-13 John 3:16-21 2 Peter 3:9 Romans 1:1-4 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Meditation Questions What are some specific ways in scripture that Jesus has demonstrated that he is worth placing his trust in? When you think about the message of Jesus launching the Kingdom of God by dying for our sins to bring us life, are there any doubts that his way of life is not really better than your own way of life? Will you accept Jesus and believe in him, or will you reject his way of life, rejecting him and continue to be your own King? Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The New Testament opens with 4 biographies of Jesus called the Gospel. All 4 claim that Jesus is the resolution to the Hebrew Bible's story. Weekly Reading Matthew 1 Luke 1:5-24 Luke 1:26-38 Luke 24:13-35 Luke 24:44-53 John 1:1-14 Matthew 28:16-20 Meditation Questions If you were there when the birth of Jesus, the Messiah King of Israel was announced, how would you have felt.  Having spent time reading the Hebrew Bible, if you were there when Jesus' birth was announced what would you have expected Jesus' Kingdom to look like? If the promised Kingdom that Jesus launched was different from your expectations, would you respond by rejecting Jesus because it's not the type of world that you want or would you decide to trust Jesus to show you what a good, rich, world really is like? Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The three sections of the Hebrew Bible are connected at their respective beginnings and endings by narrators who take the center stage. And these connecting points are all about the messiah. Related Video https://youtu.be/rPpSxUgd4xU?feature=shared Weekly Reading Deuteronomy 34:10-12 Malachi 4:4-6 Joshua 1:7-8 Psalm 1:1-3 Malachi 4:1-3 Psalm 1:4-6 Psalm 2 Meditation Questions Do you ever relate to the people who want to break free from God? What is it that you imagine about God that makes you want to get away from him? God will allow you to reject him, but it only leads to your own undoing, apart from God, the life-giver, there is nothing good, no blessing. Even though you may be rejecting God right now, he is still open-handedly offering you his blessing, extending an opportunity for you to receive the life he offers. What does this tell you about who God is? Have you ever had a moment where you decided to commit your life fully to King Jesus? If not would you take a moment right now and make that decision? Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The last section in the Hebrew Bible, the Writings, is filled with different kinds of literature that all uniquely point to the Messiah. In this episode, we check out 3 of the many ways that the Writings points to the Messiah. Weekly Reading Psalm 72  Psalm 89  Psalm 119 Song of Songs 1-4 Song of Songs 5-8 Esther 1-5 Esther 6-10 Meditation Questions Think about a relationship that you've witnessed fall apart, whether it's from a book or a movie, people you know, or even a relationship you've been in. How did that division cause pain to the people involved and to the people around them? Part of the Messianic hope is the eradication of division and pain in the world, what comes to mind as you think about that Who is someone in your life who needs to hear this message of hope? What is the first step you can take to share it with them? Related Video https://youtube.com/shorts/Mzmp8KDW0qc?feature=shared Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The next section in the Hebrew Bible after the Torah --the Prophets -- picks up the Torah's Messianic hope, by funneling it through the family of King David, come see how David enriches our understanding of who the Messiah is and what he does for us. Weekly Reading Genesis 3: 6-19 Genesis 12:1-7 Joshua 9:3-26 Judges 2 1 Samuel 16:1-13 2 Samuel 7 Romans 1:1-6 Meditation Questions Take a moment to remember a time when God rescued you from a dark situation, maybe one that even seemed hopeless Think about your community or even the world, what is one specific problem that the world needs to be rescued from? How do you see the good news about King Jesus, the son of David, as good news for the world? Related Video https://youtube.com/shorts/Mzmp8KDW0qc?feature=shared Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The Messiah was always supposed to die a sacrificial death and then reign in power. This is taught starting with the Torah. Weekly Reading Genesis 3:14-19 Genesis 49 Exodus 15:1-20 Numbers 24 Deuteronomy 32 & 33 John 19-20 Philippians 4:4-9 Meditation Questions What suffering do you notice in the world around you right now? How might the Spirit of God keep you at peace amidst all that suffering? How do you see the return of King Jesus as a message of hope for our world? Related Video https://youtu.be/tvTLDm97IxY?feature=shared Referenced Videos https://youtu.be/WB_Bg5ejIII?feature=shared https://youtu.be/eArc6n9aaRw?feature=shared https://youtu.be/M0HOlgPGE5w?feature=shared Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

Guest teacher, the Rev. Cariño Casas explains what it means that Jesus is the prophet like Moses. Weekly Reading Matthew 2  Luke 4:31-37 Matthew 8:1-4  John 2:1-11  Matthew 8:18-27  Matthew 17:1-13  John 4:4-44 Meditation Questions God spoke out of heaven that Jesus is his beloved son who we need to listen to, take a second alone with God, to ask yourself do you truly believe in him? Where are you putting your confidence, are you putting your confidence, your trust, fully in Jesus? Are there any areas of your life that your trust, is in things of this world that seem to sustain and protect us, like food or money or family? Think about the week ahead, what would it look like to fully trust Jesus with every area of your life? Related Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRXhhNNIID8 Articles Referenced https://www.cmj-usa.org/blog?field_topics_target_id=128 Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The most debated Prophecy between Christians and Jewish people... Isaiah 53. Is it about Jesus, the people of Israel, or a righteous remnant among Israel? Isaiah 53 draws on a promise in the Torah for a Prophet like Moses and develops it. Related Video https://youtu.be/zRXhhNNIID8?feature=shared Weekly Reading Numbers 23 Numbers 24 Isaiah 42 Isaiah 48:12-49:12 Isaiah 52:1-12 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Zechariah 12:10-13:1 Meditation Questions Jesus is the Holy One, he's never sinned, but he wasn't recognized, he was despised, rejected, and abandoned by even his closest circle. He endured this rejection with humility, never speaking out, but interceding for the wrongdoers… what comes to mind as you think about this? All of our wrongdoing has been laid on Jesus, he bore all of our sins, so that by his knowledge we could be forgiven. Do you know Jesus? Do you trust that what he did for you is truly enough? Because Jesus the righteous One poured out his life for us, God the Father, has prolonged his days, he raised him from the grave and Jesus lives and reigns as King. Have you submitted to King Jesus? Do you trust him as lord of your life? Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

God made a promise to raise up a future Prophet like Moses, a promise so important that the Torah ends by reminding us to wait for him. Related Video https://youtu.be/zRXhhNNIID8?feature=shared Weekly Reading Exodus 7:14-25 Exodus 8 Exodus 9 Exodus 10 Exodus 14 Deuteronomy 18:15-19 Deuteronomy 34 Meditation Questions What comes to mind as you remember that God raised Moses up to save his people from bondage and make himself known to the people?  What comes to mind as you remember that God has made himself known to us in an even more personal way through Jesus, the Prophet like Moses.  What is one specific step you can take today to lean into God's presence to be with him personally? Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The Torah describes Moses as the most Humble man... why? Related Video https://youtu.be/q1b4P6uYmXs?feature=shared Weekly Reading Exodus 1 Exodus 2 Exodus 3 Exodus 4 Exodus 16:1-8 Numbers 12 Deuteronomy 9:4-29 Meditation Questions Who is someone in your life who has questioned your worth or mistreated you? What was your response to being mistreated or unappreciated? Did you lash out, or hope they get what they deserve, or did you sincerely ask God to forgive this person and to do good to them? Take comfort in knowing that God hears the cries of the innocent and he sees all the evil and suffering that everyone does and God will bring justice on anyone who doesn't turn away from their evil and seek his forgiveness. Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The Torah sets up a comparison between Abraham and Moses in order to show us what it looks like to keep the law Related Video https://youtu.be/q1b4P6uYmXs?feature=shared Weekly Reading Genesis 12:1-9 Genesis 15:1-6 Genesis 22:1-19 Genesis 26:1-5 Exodus 17:1-7 Numbers 20:1-12 1 Samuel 15:22 Meditation Questions What are some specific doubts or desires that have held you back from trusting and obeying God?  What is one specific way that  God has shown himself to be trustworthy in your life or in the life of someone you know? What do you want to surrender to God today out of your trust for him? Learn More: https://youtube.com/shorts/q1b4P6uYmXs?feature=share Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

The Prophets remind Israel about the hope God promised in the Torah. They talk about this hope as a New Covenant that's inseparably linked to the Messiah, to the forgiveness of sins, and tp personal relationship with God Related Video https://youtu.be/nJIHyZk6VLg?feature=shared Weekly Reading Deuteronomy 30: 1-10 Isaiah 42: 1-9 Jeremiah 7: 21-28 Jeremiah 31: 27-34 Ezekiel 36: 22-36 Nehemiah 1 Daniel 9 Meditation Questions Remember that it wasn't just Adam who sinned but even God's chosen people, Israel, what does this say about humanity?  First with Adam and again with Israel, instead of handing humanity completely over to their sin, he sticks with a remnant, first Adam's descendant Abraham and then Abraham's descendant the Messiah. What comes to mind as you think about God's commitment to never reject his people? We need God to change our hearts so that we can listen to him and experience the restoration that he promised. Are you willing to allow God to change you? Take a moment and ask him to Learn More: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nJIHyZk6VLg Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

Israel and Adam are described so similarly in scripture that it cannot be a coincidence. So, why is Israel a new version of Adam? Related Video https://youtu.be/nJIHyZk6VLg?feature=shared Bible Reading Deuteronomy 30:1-10 Weekly Reading: Genesis 1:28 Genesis 3:22-24 Deuteronomy 11:26-28 Deuteronomy 30:1-10 Deuteronomy 31:16-22 2 Kings 24:10-15 2 Kings 25:27-30 Meditation Questions Remember that it wasn't just Adam who sinned but even God's chosen people, Israel, what does this say about humanity?  First with Adam and again with Israel, instead of handing humanity completely over to their sin, he sticks with a remnant, first Adam's descendant Abraham and then Abraham's descendant the Messiah. What comes to mind as you think about God's commitment to never reject his people? We need God to change our hearts so that we can listen to him and experience the restoration that he promised. Are you willing to allow God to change you? Take a moment and ask him to Learn More: Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh - Seth D. Postell Reading Moses, Seeing Jesus - Seth D. Postell, Eitan Bar, Erez Soref Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

Jesus was accused of breaking the Old Testament law... did he really? Has Judaism today functionally replaced the Old Testament? Bible Reading Mark 7:5-13 Weekly Reading: Isaiah 29:13 Proverbs 30:6 Matthew 12:1-15 Mark 7:1-13 John 5:1-18 & 39-47 Matthew 5:17-20 Acts 15:5 Meditation Questions What is one specific thing that you‘ve always thought God wants us to do, maybe because you assumed, or because it's what your family or your congregation taught you, but you aren't sure if it's from scripture? Have you ever told others that they need to do that thing, or need to not do that thing? Take a minute and sincerely ask God to help you find what Scripture has to say about it Learn More: Judaism the Messiah and Jewish Identity - Aaron Dranoff Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, Vol. 5 - Michael L. Brown Rabbinic Judaism Debunked - Eitan Bar & Golan Brosh Support the Torah Guide https://thetorahguide.com/give/

This is the fourth episode in a series about the Messianic Trajectory of the Torah Why are Jewish People supposed to shape their lives around the Torah? Bible Reading Joshua 1:7-8 Weekly Reading: Exodus 24:3-7 Deuteronomy 4:2 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Deuteronomy 12:32 Deuteronomy 31:9-12 Joshua 1:7-8 Joshua 8:34-35 1 Kings 2:2-3 Meditation Question How often do you spend time thinking about God's word throughout the day? What is one specific practice you can begin this week to shape your day around God's word? What is the first step you can take with God today to begin that practice? Related Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/OjIx3qr9PIQ?feature=shared

This is the third episode in a series about the Messianic Trajectory of the Torah Why the Jewish People? Bible Reading Genesis 12:1-3 Meditation Question What is 1 way that your community is going through suffering, brokenness, or maybe even death? Remember that the God of the Bible doesn't leave us stranded in our suffering, he makes a way for blessing, even when we bring the curse. How might God want to bring blessing to what your community is going through? Jesus is our hope, he's our way to restoration, and he's compassionate towards all of our hardship and suffering. Take a moment to ask Jesus for healing and restoration in your community Related Video: https://youtu.be/rPpSxUgd4xU?feature=shared Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/

This is the second episode in a series about the Messianic Trajectory of the Torah Is the Tower of Babel a Person? Bible Reading Genesis 8:15 - 21 Meditation Question What is 1 specific desire or longing in your life that hasn't been satisfied yet. Take a moment to express that desire to God and ask him if it's good. Have you ever been tempted to try and take or secure that desire on your own terms even if it was at someone else's expense or meant disobeying God? Take a moment to confess that to him if you have. Remember that God has good plans for you. And he wants to give you what you need and use you to bless others. Pause right now and tell God that you will trust him and wait for his provision. Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/

This is the first episode in a new series about the Messianic Trajectory of the Torah! Why was the Hebrew Bible written? Related Video https://youtu.be/rPpSxUgd4xU?feature=shared Bible Reading Psalm 71:1-3 Meditation Question How have you experienced God rescue you in a time of need or seen him rescue someone else who was in distress? Take a second to pause and thank him for what he did  Consider how much better off you are because God overcame your hardship or suffering. Think of someone specific in your life who needs God to rescue them. Take a moment and ask God to intervene in that person's life the way he did for you. What is one specific step that you can take this week to tell others about what God has done in your life?

This is the final episode in the Introduction to the Torah series! Jesus and the New Testament teach that the entire Old Testament was about him. So how exactly did Jesus' life and ministry fulfill the Old Testament? Bible Reading John 5:19-30 Meditation Question Jesus succeeded where nobody else has. And if you place your trust in him, his blood will fully cover your sin and you will be counted as if you lived his life of obedience to God. Do you believe this? Jesus is the ultimate priest, he is not only the atonement for our life of sin, but he makes us holy and forgives our sins. What sin in your life do you need forgiveness for? Take a moment and ask him to forgive you Jesus sent his Spirit to fill and empower us to live faithful lives as children of God under the new covenant. Have you asked Jesus to fill you with his personal presence so that you can live a life worthy of him? Take a moment and ask for the Holy Spirit to make you more and more like Jesus. Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/

This is the 9th episode in the Introduction to the Torah series! Near the middle of the Torah, Balaam breaks out into a poem. In his poem he ties together all the imagery from the rest of the Torah's poetry, to describe Israel's future King, later called the Messiah. Bible Reading Numbers 24:2-9 Meditation Question From the beginning of time, God knew the cost of restoring humanity, and he did. What comes to mind as you think about that What has God personally rescued you from? What is one area in your life or in your community that is still broken… Take a second to call on God's great compassion and ask him for restoration Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0HOlgPGE5w&feature=youtu.be Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/

At the end of Genesis, Jacob breaks out into a poem. He focuses on two of his sons, Judah and Joseph, to explain where the whole biblical story is headed. Bible Reading Genesis 49: 8-12 Meditation Questions What comes to mind as you think about the betrayal and suffering that Jesus willingly submitted to for you and me? It was Jesus' suffering and betrayal itself that made him victorious, what does this upside-down type of victory tell you about how God defines victory How have you experienced Jesus to be victorious over evil? Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eArc6n9aaRw Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/

Did you know that the Torah's author actually gave us his own interpretation? At every turning point in the Torah's story, there's a poem. The author put these poems at crucial moments, so they would function like landmarks, making sure we understand what the story is about. Bible Reading Genesis 3:14-19 Meditation Questions Remember God's desire to give humanity authority over creation as we trust in him. What are some things this empowerment tells you about God's character? How do these characteristics make God trustworthy? Notice that God's poem responding to human evil, began with a promise to punish the one who deceived them and to rescue them. What does that response tell you about God's heart for humanity? Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB_Bg5ejIII Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/

God chose the people of Israel to be a Kingdom of Priests, and then he also gave them priests. What are priests and why are they so central to who the Jewish people are and to the greater biblical story? Bible Reading Exodus 29:42-46 Meditation Questions Have you been let down or mistreated by someone in power? Maybe a religious leader? Right now just take a second and express how you feel about that to God Remember that where people let us down, Jesus is compassionate and invites us to be with him. Take another second right now and ask for him to restore and heal every area of hurt.  Remember that if you're a follower of Jesus you represent him to those around you. What is one way today that you can be there for someone who needs compassion? Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/ Read with me: https://thetorahguide.com/priests/

Do you want to be able to understand the laws in the Torah and what they have to say to you? In this episode, you'll learn how to approach the law as a whole, what relevance the laws still have today, and how you and I should relate to it. Bible Reading Exodus 19:1-9 Meditation Questions Remember that God is always faithful to his people, even when they aren't faithful in return. What is one way that you've seen God's faithfulness in your life or the life of someone around you? What are some ways that you and your community need God's faithfulness? What is one way you can be faithful to Jesus? Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/ Read along: https://thetorahguide.com/understanding-biblical-laws/

God makes several Covenants that drive the whole biblical story. But what is a Covenant? And why are they so significant? This is the 4th video in a series called An Introduction to the Torah. In this episode, we're meditating on how God reveals his plan and his faithfulness through Covenants. Bible Reading Isaiah 49:5-13 Meditation Questions Hopefully, you remember how God saw the human heart had been totally corrupted by evil, and instead of wiping us out, he partnered with us so that we could be restored. What does this tell you about God's mercy? What is something in your life, that you've done or been involved in, that it's hard to believe God would show you mercy for? What thoughts come to mind as you remember that God's mercy is more overwhelming than the darkest human evil? Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/ Read along: https://thetorahguide.com/the-covenants/

There's a lot of evil and suffering in the world, but isn't God loving? How can both be true? In this episode, we're exploring how the Hebrew Bible is a story about God's response to evil. Bible Reading  Isaiah 53: 7-12 Meditation Questions What is 1 thing you can remember doing in your life, that you shouldn't have, something that made you feel guilty, ashamed, or embarrassed? What is 1 thing that you've done wrong in the past couple of days or weeks? What relationships were affected by those things? Remember that Jesus suffered the consequence of all your wrongdoings, past, present, and future so that you wouldn't have to. What would it look like today, for you to trust Jesus as King of your life? Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/ Read along: https://thetorahguide.com/the-hebrew-bibles-story/

Why don't we all agree on what's right and what's wrong? In this episode, we're meditating on the first few pages of scripture and what it means to trust God to decide right and wrong. Bible Reading and Memorization Genesis 1:26-28 Meditation Questions When was 1 time that you and someone else disagreed about what's right and wrong? How did the disagreement affect your relationship? How did it affect the people around you? What is 1 area of your life that you're currently holding onto being the one who decides what's right and wrong? What would it look like in that area, to let God decide what's right? Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/

What is the Hebrew Bible and what does it have to do with Jesus? This is the first video in a series called Introduction to the Torah. In this episode, we're meditating on the purpose of the Hebrew Bible and it's 3 sections. Bible Reading and Memorization Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Meditation Questions Have you ever made a commitment to love God with everything you are and everything you have? What is 1 thing you can do today to love God? What is 1 thing you can start doing this week to foster a practice of “meditating on scripture” Want to read the Bible with me? Sign up for the Weekly Meditation list. Each week I'll email you the message, the meditation questions, the scriptures we're reading, and what we're memorizing that week. And at the end of the month, I'll send you a short animated video that summarizes what we've spent the month meditating on. https://thetorahguide.com/ Read along: https://thetorahguide.com/meditation-week-1/ Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0lfbE6x8Zk

Welcome to the Torah Guide. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss our first episode! Use the link below if you want to sign up for our weekly meditation list to get an email each week with: the message the reading the memorization passage the meditation Questions An animated explainer video (once a month) https://d1a8737b.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAME4GlW91h1yHE-H58byysrYLQwjUD9AGdA7ZqEnlQjx82G7bEXFU8KCGDnP2jeYZ5NAv6VGZk-WhE7bVmp1II2c6W97sGBLARGQhzcch1lnPTkZJeJDNRNmHpf0Ln7J45vdrIMQby_yrvxTjSZrmr8gDvZkQqbimwPcYqxBRxbmwJ1RMpAp5ad-LiG1RvmmDAl63NEjxB8g