The Bible Lab

Bible Lab S2 Ep. 16 Ancestry, Ownership, and Valiant Deeds (1 Chronicles 8 - 2 Chronicles 1)

The Power of Knowing Where You Came From
At first glance, the book of Chronicles can present some challenges to Bible readers: the content is largely repeated from other areas in the books of Old Testament history and it covers expansive genealogies of Israelite figures who are relatively unknown to us. But this book was written for a powerful reason: to remind the returning exiles of Judah who they were and where they came from. This episode provides an narrative overview on 1 Chronicles, including some important teachings on how to read Old Testament narratives well.
Big Events: David's anointing, exploits, and victories; setting the administration of the temple in place; David's capital campaign for the temple project
Key Themes: The importance of ancestry and legacy; extreme ownership of your calling and responsibilities; musical worship as our heritage
Rabbit Trails: Understanding first, second, and third order narratives; order and organization in the church, the importance of sacrificial generosity
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 1 Chronicles: https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-chronicles/ 
ESV Book summary for 1 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!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.15 - (2 Kings 9 - 1 Chronicles 7)

Bible Lab S2 Ep.14 - Israel's Unruly Rulers (1 Kings 9 - 2 Kings 8)

Divided Kingdoms and Divided Hearts
It doesn't take long after David's passing for things to get out of control in the land of Israel. While Solomon enjoyed relative stability and success, his moral failings are the catalyst for a downward spiral of degeneracy among the heirs to David's throne. Ultimately the era of Israel's kings is one of spiritual compromise that results in a divided kingdom, military defeat, and the loss of the promised land God had given to their forefathers. Yet, for all the disappointment and tragedy that is chronicled in 2 Kings, these events are a turning point that set the stage for messianic hopes that would be fulfilled in Jesus. Here's what we discuss in this week's episode:
Big Events: God's covenant with Solomon, a divided Kingdom, Israel's apostasy under Ahab, and the prophetic ministries of Elijah/Elisha
Key Themes: Prophetic heroes, fulfillment of the land promises to Israel, the urgency of finishing well
Rabbit Trails: Debating Ahab's repentance, Jeroboam's casual ordination practices, and the dangers of "Christian Idolatry"
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 1 Kings: https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-kings/ 
ESV Book summary for 1 Kings: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1-2-kings/ 
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. 13 - Drama in David's Household (2 Samuel 10 - 1 Kings 8)

In-Depth on David's Reign
David is curiously called a king after God's own heart, but is also guilty of serious offenses against God's holiness. What conclusions should we draw about his time as king over Israel? God certainly didn't love David because he earned it, but rather David's life is evidence for the sovereign and electing love of God. He places His love upon us because He chooses to. There are also plenty of practical lessons to be learned from David's life and important Biblical themes that become clear in his story. Here's what we discuss in this week's episode:
Big Events: David's moral failures, rebellions within the king's house, Solomon takes the throne, the construction of the temple in Jerusalem
Key Themes: Divine kingship, the dangers of charismatic leaders, the importance of prophetic voices, God's sovereign love
Rabbit Trails: Modern mishandling of David and Bathsheba, family leadership, rejecting passivity
SPECIAL THANKS TO LEAST OF THESE
Our gratitude goes out to the band Least of These for permission to use their song "Filthy Man" as our new intro music for the Bible Lab. Be sure to check them out!
Least of These on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YYhR9jU49pt4cFEUmFHDm?si=zLDXAsjaTrCvqmrn3nVRaQ
"Filthy Man" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Iu0IPE6ZCi8?si=kDBA8xkBF_wECTFD 
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 1 Kings: https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-kings/ 
ESV Book summary for 1 Kings: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1-2-kings/ 
- - - - 
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. 12 - Character Studies in Kingship (1 Samuel 18 - 2 Samuel 9)

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*
- - - - 
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.11 - Good Guys and Divine Providence (Judges 20 - 1 Samuel 17)

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!

Bible Lab S2 Ep. 10 - Understanding Judges and Breaking the Sin Cycle (Joshua 21 - Judges 19)

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!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.9 - How to Handle Violence in the Book of Joshua (Deuteronomy 32-Joshua 20)

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!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.8 - Election, Apocalypse, Baptism, and Deuteronomy's Hot Topics (Deuteronomy 9-31)

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!

Bible Lab S2 Ep.7 - Talking Donkeys and Giants Are Real (Numbers 22 - Deuteronomy 8)

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!