Observe the Word

The audio lessons on this site provide interpretative teaching on the text of Scripture. The most satisfying and beneficial learning occurs when you spend 15 to 30 minutes observing the text of Scripture before listening to the lesson. Find a quiet place, offer God your heart and mind, then read through the passage, asking yourself, "What stands out to me here as important, interesting, strange or confusing?" Write down your observations. Then listen to the podcast lesson on the passage you observed. God's word is living! Let's get into it!

Podcast: Interpreting the Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles provides an authentic, inspired account of the spread of the early Christian church, giving focus to the themes of Witness to Jesus Christ and power in the Holy Spirit. The commission of Jesus Christ provides a key to understanding the book, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8).” In this series, Bible teacher Michael Brent guides listeners through the structure and thought of Luke’s narrative which serves as a context for defining and defending the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:22-47 Pentecost and Witness to Jesus Christ

In Acts 2:22-47, the Church is born through Peter’s witness to Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit. The result is a transformed community devoted to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.

Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

In Acts 2:1-21, the Church is born in fire and Spirit at the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, and Peter takes his stand to speak to the multi-cultural assembly of Jews and seekers who gather at the sight.

Acts 1:12-26 The Replacement of the Twelfth Apostle

In Acts 1:12-26, we consider how the small community of believers prepared themselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We also identify the overall structure of the book.

Acts 1:1-11 The Commission of Jesus Christ

In Acts 1:1-11, Luke records Jesus commissioning the apostles and ascending into heaven, emphasizing the two major themes of Witness and Power in the Holy Spirit.

The Pentateuch, also known as the Torah, the Books of Moses and the first five books of the Bible, is the covenant that God made with Israel. Much of the covenant is historical prologue describing God’s relationship with people, particularly with Israel, a people chosen for a special purpose. In this narrative context God communicates the stipulations of the covenant. These are the laws or the dos and don’ts.

With all the detail on how Israel ought to live out their covenant relationship, it can be easy to miss the Mosaic principle that covenant relationship with holy God only comes as a gift of grace. Not wanting to miss this forest of grace while focusing on individual trees, we need to pay attention to those important moments where God communicates his grace.

Below are five “monuments of grace” you want to be sure not to miss along the way. For more on Grace in the Law, check out the Interpreting the Pentateuch podcast from the menu above.