The Bible Lab
In the Bible Lab, we develop tools to help you understand and apply God’s Word in the real world. This podcast gives us the chance to take our questions about God and about life ”into the lab” of God’s truth. Join hosts Ryan and Jake for conversations that are relatable, informative, and encouraging.
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
A Tale of Two Kings
Saul's story is a cautionary tale in how our own desires, left unchecked, can consume us. There is a lot to learn from this contentious time in Israel's history. Saul is falling apart, and David's credibility is ascending. Both of these characters provide a great deal of material for reflection. This week's discussion helps us navigate doing effective character study to apply lessons from their respective stories to connect to Christ and to us.
Big Events: Saul's descent into depravity, the fall of Saul's house, David's Kingship established, civil war in Israel, moving the ark of the Lord
Key Themes: God's favor and rejection, the power of mercy, David's code of honor, inquiring of the Lord first in everything
Rabbit Trails: Finding positives in Saul's story, what to make of the story of Saul and the medium, ghosts + the afterlife, discussion about Christians and horror movies
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 books of 1 and 2 Samuel:https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-samuel/
ESV Book summary for 1 and 2 Samuel: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1-2-samuel/
The song Joel and Jake were discussing at the start of the episode - "Lower Still" by My Epic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00aTXLdaZAk *Warning: this is a loud song with yelling*
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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!
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Finally, some "good guys!"
After the somewhat "hero-less" book of Judges ends in ambiguous tension, we pick up with some stories about a series of righteous people whose example stood out in a desperate time in Israel's history. This week's discussion leads us through the stories of Ruth, Hannah, and Samuel, who provide powerful examples of faithful obedience to God. Samuel's story also leads us into some important topics around Israel's kingship and the introduction of Saul.
Big Events: Ruth and the redemptive line of David established, Samuel's origin story, Israel rejects God's Kingship, Saul's anointing, and the terms of Israel's kingship established
Key Themes: Grief and God's compassion in the story of Ruth, the unseen hand of God's providence, the "Divine King" as a type of Christ, vital spiritual principles from Samuel
Rabbit Trails: Divine regret and understanding the nature of God, our protection in worship, and (politics alert) a passage that sparks discussion about gun control...
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 books of Ruth and 1 Samuel:https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-ruth/https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-samuel/
ESV Book summary for Ruth and 1 Samuel:https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-ruth/ https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1-2-samuel/
- - - -
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!
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
A Tough Book With Vital Truth:
Make no bones about it Judges is a bloody and bleak book. It's a picture of human depravity on full display; what's more, the majority of the bad behavior happens at the hands of God's people. It's a major case study in what happens when those who outwardly identify with God are not inwardly regenerated. But it's not all bad news... we see stories in which God's grace shines through and in which we see the future hope of Jesus breaking in.
Big Events: Joshua's farewell address, the emergence of the Judges, the calling of the major judges (Gideon, Samson, etc.)
Key Themes: Human depravity, the nature of the Spirit's indwelling, breaking the sin cycle, the importance of faithful spiritual leadership
Rabbit Trails: Samson and the judges as types of Christ, seeking God's will in prayer, exploring whether Deborah makes the case for female pastors, and much more!
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 Judges: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-judges/
ESV Book summary for Judges: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-judges/
- - - -
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!
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Examining Joshua and Biblical Violence:
How do we handle tough passages in which the Israelites use violence against the inhabitants of Canaan? Modern audiences seem to view these chapters as presenting a series moral problem: how do we square the actions of the Israelites with our understanding of a loving and holy God? This week, we take that issue head on. In this episode we also cover:
Big Events: Moses passing away, crossing the Jordan, the destruction of Jericho, Achan's "sin in the camp," and more.
Key Themes: Divine v. human agency, the importance of holiness and purity for God's people, faith in God's promises, and generational storytelling.
Rabbit Trails: A deep dive on genocide and violence, as well as a cliffhanger on the 7 trumpets of Jericho and their relationship to the 7 trumpets of Revelation
Resources
Bible Project Summary for the book of Joshua: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-joshua/
ESV Book summary for Joshua: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-joshua/
- - - -
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!
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Step in to The Bible Lab!
Join us in 2025 on our journey from Genesis to Revelation in a year!
You'd be surprised how many vital Biblical topics come up within the book of Deuteronomy. Join Joel and Jake as they jump right into them head first!
In this episode, we discuss:
Big Events: Moses' prophecy about Jesus, expanded blessings and curses, Israel's new generation renewing the covenant
Key Themes: Circumcision of the heart, natural rights and societal flourishing, connections between Deuteronomy and the teachings of Jesus
Rabbit Trails: Lots of them this week! We touch on election, baptism, and the historical events on 70 AD.
- - - -
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!
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Step in to The Bible Lab!
Join us in 2025 on our journey from Genesis to Revelation in a year!
Ryan and Jake have a FULL episode for you this week with all the interesting discussions you have come to expect. We wrap up the book of Numbers and jump into Deuteronomy, and this section is PACKED with important information as well as beautiful insights into the character of God.
In this episode, we discuss:
Big Events: Balaam's failed curses, the incident at Peor, Israel's second census, battle with the Midianites, destruction of Og king of Bashan, Moses' second reading of the law
Key Themes: Being people of action, the doctrine of divine distinction, generational transmission of the Gospel
Rabbit Trails: Giants, how the Unabomber got caught, vitamins and supplements, other normal things.
Resources:
Deuteronomy Book outline from ESV https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-deuteronomy/
Bible Project summary: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-deuteronomy/
Zachary Garris' great article "Giants in the Land: A Biblical Theology of the Nephiliam, Anakim, and Rephaim" - https://knowingscripture.com/articles/giants-in-the-land-a-biblical-theology-of-the-nephilim-anakim-rephaim-and-goliath
- - - -
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!
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Step in to The Bible Lab!
Join us in 2025 on our journey from Genesis to Revelation in a year!
Joel and Jake are in the studio this week to recap all the things you need to know about the last couple chapters in Leviticus and the first half of Numbers.
In this episode, they discuss:
Big Events: The first and second Israelite censuses, dedicating the tabernacle, setting out from Sinai, and major rebellions within the camp.
Key Themes: Covenant consequences, the significance of firstborn typology, divine accommodation, propitiation
Rabbit Trails: How the layout of the Israelite encampment points us to Jesus, traveling the Leviticus-to-Revelation corridor, trumpets in the Bible, etc...
Resources:
Joel: Book outline from ESV https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-numbers/
Bible Project summary: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-numbers/
Tim Chaffey on Numbers 5 and the abortion debate: https://answersingenesis.org/sanctity-of-life/numbers-5-and-abortion/
- - - -
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!
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Step in to The Bible Lab!
Join us in 2025 on our journey from Genesis to Revelation in a year!
Joel is back in the studio this week, joining Jake as they break down the book of Leviticus in detail. This book gets a bad rap because of its extremely detailed commandments and regulations, but we promise that this discussion will help you see it in a new and more glorious light!
In this episode, they discuss:
Big Events: Laws about worship, ordaining the Levites, big penalties for blasphemy
Key Themes: Ritual purity, Atonement, Holiness and Distinction
Rabbit Trails: Priestly bloodlines, debating atheists, The West Wing, and "Pharasites"
Resources:
An introduction to the book of Leviticus with an helpful outline of the book: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-leviticus/#:~:text=The%20book%20of%20Leviticus%20goes,can%20dwell%20among%20his%20people
Thematic explanation of Leviticus from The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-leviticus/
A guide to understanding the different Jewish Festivals, many of which are introduced in Leviticus: https://carm.org/christianity/jewish-feasts-and-festivals/
Succinct infographic from Bible Gateway on the different sacrifices proscribed in Leviticus: https://www.biblegateway.com/learn/bible-101/books-of-the-bible/look-at-the-book-leviticus/
- - - -
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, Pastors Ryan and Jake 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!
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Step in to The Bible Lab!
Join us in 2025 on our journey from Genesis to Revelation in a year!
On this week's Episode, Pastors Ryan and Jake explore. You'll get a chance to hear us discuss the following:
Big Events: The Law of Moses, the golden calf incident, planning and building the tabernacle
Key Themes: Worship, right uses of the law, covenant faithfulness
Rabbit Trails: Repetition as a tool for interpretation, human rights in the Mosaic law, etc.
Resources
A visual representation of the Tabernacle along with explanation of its symbolism in Christ:https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/what-does-the-tabernacle-symbolize/
Overview of the book of Exodus including a map of the Israelites' route to the promised land:https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/introduction-to-exodus/#overview
An awesome handout from Ryan's Bible school days with a visual of the priestly garments:https://cloud.lifebridgegb.net/s/gGtF4P96bQPyfGQ
- - - -
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, Pastors Ryan and Jake 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!
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Step in to The Bible Lab!
Join us in 2025 on our journey from Genesis to Revelation in a year!
On this week's Episode, Pastor Jake is joined by Joel Fremling to discuss Genesis 24-46. You'll get a chance to hear us discuss the following:
Big Events: Isaac's feuding sons, Jacob wrestles with God, Joseph in slavery
Key Themes: Blessing, family disfunction, theodicy
Rabbit Trails: Biblical typology, Creed, etc...
Links to Biblical Archeology videos mentioned on the show with video tours of The Cave of the Patriarchs and of Mamre:
https://m.yout-ube.com/watch?v=_1XUnOYYPxQ
https://m.yout-ube.com/watch?v=pxYWYfgj_7c&pp=ygUTQWJyYWhhbSBidXJpYWwgc2l0ZQ%3D%3D
Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, Pastors Ryan and Jake 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!