The Bible Lab

Bible Lab S2 Ep.25 - Discovering our True Identity (Psalm 75 - 97)

Learning to find our identity as Sons and Daughters of the King
Psalms 75-97 include powerful reflections on the exile and prayers for deliverance. Exile was a crushing experience that forced God's people to re-examine who they were and where their identity came from. Specifically, their identity didn't come from a temple and a city, but from God's choosing, memorialized and established at Mount Sinai. There's a marked change in the Psalms after book IV takes us back to Sinai in verse 97, and the movements of these Psalms remind us that our identity comes not from the outside; that is, what we wear and how we label ourselves, rather our identity is received from God as a gift of grace. When we learn to enjoy being sons and daughters of God, we find a sense of stability that can't be found anywhere else. 
Resources
How to Read and Understand the Psalms by Bruce Waltke
The Psalms as Christian Lament by Bruce Waltke
The Art of Preaching Old Testament Poetry by Steve Mathewson
THE BIBLE LAB IS ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of Psalms: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-psalms/ 
ESV Book summary for Psalms: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-the-psalms/ 
ESV Illuminated Scripture journals from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-illuminated-scripture-journal-new-testame-tpb/ 
Mr. Pen highlighers (clutch for personal Bible Study): https://a.co/d/anBO91t 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.24 - Finding God's Healing in Betrayal and Church Hurt (Psalm 52-74)

Powerful prayers from book three of the Psalms:
The Third book of the Psalms (42-72) contains a great deal of material remembering the powerful works of God and praying for deliverance. There are heavy Exodus vibes throughout the whole section, ending with a powerful song of praise for God's king who will bring redemption. Within the book, there are also some powerful prayers for help amidst some of life's most painful experiences. Psalm 55, for example, records deep feelings of betrayal and the raw emotional response of someone who has been hurt by a friend. Yet the book points us to a solution: Psalm 67 is filled with stubborn and determined belief that God's salvation will prevail in all the earth, and Psalm 72 tells us of a king whose coming will be like "rain that falls on fresh cut grass." No matter where we find ourselves in the full range of life's emotional experiences, we can find hope in Jesus, the savior-king, who comes to deliver.
Resources
How to Read and Understand the Psalms by Bruce Waltke
The Psalms as Christian Lament by Bruce Waltke
The Art of Preaching Old Testament Poetry by Steve Mathewson
THE BIBLE LAB IS ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of Psalms: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-psalms/ 
ESV Book summary for Psalms: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-the-psalms/ 
ESV Illuminated Scripture journals from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-illuminated-scripture-journal-new-testame-tpb/ 
Mr. Pen highlighers (clutch for personal Bible Study): https://a.co/d/anBO91t 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.23 Worshipping Through the Raw Human Experience (Psalm 29-51)

Week 2 of the Psalms
Going into some episodes on the Psalms, one of the things we hope to do each week is have each host share some insight on a Psalm that resonated with them in the reading plan. This week, join hosts Ryan and Joel as we talk through some of our favorite Psalms, Psalm 37 and Psalm 47. 
Today we cover the topics of worship, the raw human experience, as well as some literary details as we go through the Five Books that make up the part of the Bible we know as the Psalms. 
Resources
How to Read and Understand the Psalms by Bruce Waltke
The Psalms as Christian Lament by Bruce Waltke
The Art of Preaching Old Testament Poetry by Steve Mathewson
THE BIBLE LAB IS ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of Psalms: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-psalms/ 
ESV Book summary for Psalms: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-the-psalms/ 
ESV Illuminated Scripture journals from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-illuminated-scripture-journal-new-testame-tpb/ 
Mr. Pen highlighers (clutch for personal Bible Study): https://a.co/d/anBO91t 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.22 - Getting the Most Out of the Psalms (Psalm 6 - Psalm 28)

Welcome to the Psalms
The Psalms are an incredible gift to the Church. This collection of songs are "God-endorsed" responses to real life situations we all face. Through the prayers of David and the other Psalm writers, we learn that we can find confidence in God through the full range of our human experiences; sadness, grief, fear, anxiety, joy, praise, lament, confidence, just to name a few. God reveals to us through the Psalms that He is a personal, near, and abundant in love in every season of life.
In this week's episode, Ryan and Jake will discuss how to get the most out of your study of the Psalms! 
Resources
How to Read and Understand the Psalms by Bruce Waltke
The Psalms as Christian Lament by Bruce Waltke
The Art of Preaching Old Testament Poetry by Steve Mathewson
THE BIBLE LAB IS ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of Psalms: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-psalms/ 
ESV Book summary for Psalms: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-the-psalms/ 
ESV Illuminated Scripture journals from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-illuminated-scripture-journal-new-testame-tpb/ 
Mr. Pen highlighers (clutch for personal Bible Study): https://a.co/d/anBO91t 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.21 God's Sovereignty and Powerful Redemption (Job 25 - Psalm 5)

Picking up from last week, we ended in the middle of the cycle of arguments between Job and his friends. In the middle of the book, Job 28, is an amazing poem about the source of wisdom. Where does wisdom come from? In short, wisdom is not gained through immediate answers or solutions. But rather, wisdom is gained from the reverence of the Holy Spirit and His guidance alone. God's appearance points to his sovereignty, his power, and gives us a simple point: He is God, and we are not. 
In this episode, Ryan and Joel discuss the second half of Job, explore the dynamic between Elihu's wisdom and ignorance, and God's divine appearance at the end of the story. Make sure to check our past messages and episodes on Job:
Job: Beauty Through Pain Sermon Series7 videosPlay all
Season 1 Episode 40 - Exploring Jobhttps://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-pnz44-15b2a1c
Season 1 Episode 41 - The Great Beasts of Jobhttps://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-i35ng-15da2c8
Resources
THE BIBLE LAB IS NOW ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of Job: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-job/  
ESV Book summary for Job: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-job/ 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!
 

Bible Lab S2 Ep.20 - Divine Justice and Human Suffering in Job (Job 2 - Job 24)

Arguing divine justice and human suffering
Job isn't just a story about a guy going through hard times. It's a divinely inspired examination of God's justice and the reality of human suffering. At issue is a debate about divine retribution theology; that is, the belief that every positive or negative consequence in life can be attributed to divine punishment or reward. Job's friends hold to this theology tightly - if Job is suffering, it has to be because he is guilty of concealing major offenses against God. Unwittingly, Job gives into the same thinking: his suffering is unjust because he hasn't committed any transgressions deserving punishment. 
In this episode, Jake and Joel discuss in detail how to make sense of what God is telling us about Himself through this powerful narrative. Make sure to check our past messages and episodes on Job:
Job: Beauty Through Pain Sermon Series7 videosPlay all
Season 1 Episode 40 - Exploring Jobhttps://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-pnz44-15b2a1c
Season 1 Episode 41 - The Great Beasts of Jobhttps://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-i35ng-15da2c8
Resources
THE BIBLE LAB IS NOW ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of Job: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-job/  
ESV Book summary for Job: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-job/ 
ESV Illuminated Scripture journals from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-illuminated-scripture-journal-new-testame-tpb/ 
Mr. Pen highlighers (clutch for personal Bible Study): https://a.co/d/anBO91t 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!
 

Bible Lab S2 Ep.19 - Rebuilding and Resilience (Nehemiah 2 - Job 1)

How does revival happen?
The powerful post-exilic narratives of Nehemiah and Esther highlight God’s providence, the renewal of His people, and his call to faithful endurance even despite opposition. Themes of spiritual restoration, communal responsibility, and courageous leadership are central elements in the stories of Israel’s return from exile.
In Nehemiah, the focus is on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the deeper work of renewing the covenant with God. Despite opposition and internal corruption, the story emphasizes the importance of sacrificial leadership, fear of the Lord, and building both physically and spiritually. The book of Esther showcases God’s sovereignty through seemingly ordinary events, drawing striking parallels with Joseph’s story. It reveals how divine favor and faithful courage can lead to deliverance, even in exile. Both books underscore the theme of God working behind the scenes, protecting His people even when He seems silent.
Major Events: Construction of the wall, dealing with opposition, intermarriage and corruption among Nehemiah's contemporaries; Esther and Mordecai uncover Haman's plot to exterminate the Jewish people
Key Themes: Echoes of the Exodus in both book, the significance of communal effort in God’s mission, the importance of personal holiness and separation from worldly influence, and how everyday believers are essential to God’s redemptive work in the world
Rabbit Trails: The festival of Purim, Gospel echoes in Esther, church leadership principles from Nehemiah, the theological significance of church potlucks
Together, Nehemiah and Esther remind readers that God's faithfulness persists, His purposes prevail, and every believer has a role in His unfolding story of grace through Jesus.
Resources
THE BIBLE LAB IS NOW ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of Esther: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-esther/  
ESV Book summary for Esther: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-esther/ 
ESV Illuminated Scripture journals from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-illuminated-scripture-journal-new-testame-tpb/ 
Mr. Pen highlighers (clutch for personal Bible Study): https://a.co/d/anBO91t 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!

Bible Lab S2 Ep. 18 - Spiritual Leadership and Revival (2 Chronicles 25 - Nehemiah 1)

How does revival happen?
Post-exilic literature in the Scriptures deals in detail with the question of if and how a people can be restored spiritually. All throughout 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, we read about leaders like Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah who undertook the tall task of calling the Jewish people back to faithfulness. As we read these books we learn a great deal about how God revives a people, rebuilds their identity, and ultimately why Christ alone is the one who can transform us into a people for His own possession. In this episode Joel and Jake cover:
Big Events: Restoration under Hezekiah and Josiah, the quick degeneration of Judah leading up to the exile, rebuilding the temple and wall in Jerusalem
Key Themes: The nature of spiritual revival, the essential nature of repentance, effective principles of spiritual leadership
Rabbit Trails: Sanctification, Bible study resources, movie remakes, and the importance of quality highlighters.
Resources
ESV Illuminated Scripture journals from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-illuminated-scripture-journal-new-testame-tpb/ 
Mr. Pen highlighers (clutch for personal Bible Study): https://a.co/d/anBO91t 
THE BIBLE LAB IS NOW ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the books of Ezra and Nehemiah: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-ezra-nehemiah  
ESV Book summary for Ezra: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-ezra/ 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!

Should Christians Belong to a Local Church? (Bible Lab S2 Bonus Episode)

Does the Bible say we need to go to church?
It's a question pastors get all the time, and the answer might surprise you. If you're looking for a verse that says "go to church on Sundays," you won't find one. The Bible also never tells you to drive with your eyes open, but there are plenty of Biblical principles to support why it's a good idea! In this bonus episode, Pastor Jake covers some clear Biblical answers about the whats and whys of consistent involvement in a local church body. 

Bible Lab S2 Ep. 17 - The Heart of the Chronicles (2 Chronicles 2 - 2 Chronicles 24)

Chronicles is a book about the HEART
2 Chronicles picks up the story of David's kingly line with a retelling of Solomon and the temple. Solomon's completion of the temple, his beautiful dedication prayer, and his majestic success as king are the high water mark of Israel's glory. After that, Chronicles presents the slow degradation of a divided Kingdom, compromising kings, and looming exile. 
Big Events: Solomon's magnificent reign; God's presence fills the temple; good and bad kings on the throne of Judah
Key Themes: Wholeheartedness is endearing to God; God's faithfulness to protect His covenant promises; doing what's right when integrity is costly
Rabbit Trails: Understanding the Bible's use of type/anti-type; heroes in the spotlight; how to properly pronounce the word "aunt"
Resources
Jake references the book: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
THE BIBLE LAB IS NOW ON YOUTUBE: watch the full episode and find clips to share on the LIFE BRIDGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Bible Project Summary for the book of 2 Chronicles: https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-chronicles/ 
ESV Book summary for 2 Chronicles: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1-2-chronicles/ 
Special thanks to the band Least of These for use of their song "Filthy Man." Find them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
- - - - 
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.
If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 
Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 
If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to biblelab@lifebridgegb.org!