You want to be a better person. You want to lead a successful, productive life. But what does that even mean or look like? And how should a Christian process this conversation? Let’s talk about a Christian vision for a successful life. Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JgWfL-V6vG0 ⏰ Timestamps: 0:26 - Introduction 2:04 - Thesis 2:59 - Success and Identity 9:25 - Hustle Culture and the Church 11:10 - The Story and Logic of the Gospel 17:39 - Holy Ambition 19:27 - What About...

At times it feels as if God is not present or is not concerned with us and our troubles. But he does care. Hebrews 2:16-18 shows the extent of his concern and care for us. Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y5vFrJyJBX0 📬 Connect with JC:  If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.  Website | bitesizeseminary.com Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast Twitter | @bitesizesem YouTube | @bitesizeseminary

In this episode I talk about the power and problem of habit (or spiritual disciples) in regards to our spiritual lives. And then at the end I talk about some practical thoughts on how to cultivate habit. Watch the podcast on YouTube https://youtu.be/_hM6dNLwVUo ⏰ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:33 - The Power of Habit 12:29 - The Problem of Habit 15:10 - Cultivating Habit 18:21 - Conclusion 📚 Resources: Ep. 28 - Are We Devoted to Prayer?   📬 Connect with JC: If you enjoyed the show, make...

Can we talk about prayer for a minute? In this episode I talk about “are we devoted to prayer?” With that I want to talk about our attitude toward prayer as well as some actionable steps to help us with our prayer lives. ⏰ Timestamps: 0:33 - Attitude Toward Prayer 4:51 - Actions for Prayer 11:01 - Conclusion 📚 Resources: Ep. 15 - How to Pray and The North American Week of Prayer with Scott DeGroff Ep. 4 - Paul's Creative Prayer Life 📬 Connect with JC: If you enjoyed the show, make sure to...

In this episode, I talk about a verse that I think I've been misreading for years. That verse is Philippians 2:21 and it says, " For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus." But what are the things of Christ Jesus?  I share  some thoughts that I have about this passage and new perspective on what this verse is talking about and really what are "the things of Christ." 📬 Connect with JC: If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review. Website |...

Preachers have responsibilities in preaching Scripture. But what about the rest of us? Are we just off the hook and all the responsibility is on the preacher? In this episode, I turn the attention from the pulpit to the pew, and I discuss the ethics of listening to a sermon. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/26-the-ethics-of-listening-to-a-sermon ⏰ Timestamps: 0:47 – Germ of the Idea and the Role of the Listener 3:10 – Attitudes to...

There are so many different things to pay attention to when studying the Bible, and one of the most important ones is the historical, cultural context. In this episode, we discuss what this even is, some differing approaches to it, why it’s important, and how we understand it. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/25-what-is-historical-cultural-context ⏰ Timestamps: 0:33 – Presuppositions 2:39 – The Why of the Historical, Cultural...

In today's episode, I talk about at a simple Bible reading strategy that can pay huge dividends in unlocking Scripture. That strategy is to focus in and focus out while reading Scripture. And then we'll illustrate that by looking at one particular passage, Mark 9:14-29. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/24-focus-in-focus-out-a-simple-reading-strategy ⏰ Timestamps: 0:36 – Introduction 3:27– Different Focal Lengths While Reading...

In today’s episode, I talk about some aspects of preaching that don’t get discussed enough, the ethics of preaching. And I have 5 ethical issues in mind. Keeping these things in mind will help our preaching and teaching in terms of our practice and attitude. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/23-the-ethics-of-preaching ⏰ Timestamps: 0:35 – Introduction and Disclaimers 2:06 – #1 Performance or Ministry? 4:19 – #2 Compassion for the...

In this episode I review Jeannine K. Brown’s The Gospels as Stories: A Narrative Approach to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John published by Baker Academic. She teaches how to the read the Gospels as whole documents, how they were intended to be read. The approach advocated in this book unlocks so much in Scripture. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/22-the-gospels-as-stories-by-jeannine-brown-book-review ⏰ Timestamps: 0:58 – Overview of...

In this episode I review Rebekah Eklund’s Practicing Lament published by Cascade Books. She argues that the whole Bible is filled with laments and yet it is a genre that the church has little familiarity with. But God has given the laments of Scripture as a path forward through pain and suffering in order for him to bring healing. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/21-practicing-lament-by-rebekah-eklund-book-review ⏰...

In this episode, Angie Baughman, from the Steady On podcast, joins me to talk about her beautiful testimony of God’s transforming work in her life through some tragic events. Angie has so much to share and this is a wonderful conversation and was a real joy for me. Check out her podcast Steady On! 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/20-identity-shame-and-healing-with-angie-baughman 📚 Resources: Angie’s Resources and Steady On...

Do you want to learn Greek or Hebrew but don’t know where to start? Then this episode is for you! It covers some of the best resources to consider when learning the biblical languages. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel Bite Size Greek & Hebrew for quick videos for learning the biblical languages. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/19-best-books-for-learning-greek-and-hebrew ⏰ Timestamps: 0:31 Introduction 1:42 Greek...

Are we missing any books from the New Testament? Should the Gnostic gospels be included? In this episode JC Schroeder talks about what these texts are and why we have the New Testament the way we do. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/18-are-we-missing-books-from-the-new-testament Be sure to check out the previous episodes on the Old Testament: Part 1 and Part 2 ⏰ Timestamps: 0:54 Introduction 2:00 Concepts About Canon 4:29 New...

Part 2! In today’s episode we finish our discussion on the Old Testament canon. Here we deal with the extent and closing of the canon, as well as the question of the inclusion or exclusion of the Apocrypha. Be sure to check out part 1 about the Old Testament canon foundations as well with Episode 16. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/17-do-we-have-the-right-books-in-the-old-testament-part-2 ⏰ Timestamps: 1:02 Scripture Continues...

In today's episode, we're going to talk about a page in the Bible that we don't really give much thought about, but it's actually super controversial. That page: the table of contents. Is this list at the front of the Bible, right? Are we missing anything? Do we have too much? In today's episode, we're going to talk about if we have the right books in the Bible. This episode today is going to be part one where we focus primarily on the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible. 📄 You can read a...

Do you ever struggle with prayer? Or with your relationship with the Lord? Well, then you’re going to really appreciate today’s episode. Scott DeGroff joins JC Schroeder to talk about how to pray as well as the upcoming North American Week of Prayer. You are really going to love Scott’s love, heart, and passion for the Lord and the church. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/...

There are a lot of resources to help learn how to study the Bible. But which ones? In this episode JC Schroeder discusses his favorite books, from entry level to more detailed resources. He weighs their pros and cons as well as some honorable mentions. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/14-my-favorite-books-on-how-to-study-the-bible ⏰ Timestamps: 0:31 Introduction 1:59 Entry Level 5:28 Introduction Level 11:44 Intermediate...

The world of the New Testament, its values and structures shape the message of the New Testament. In this episode JC Schroeder discusses three cultural values in the Greco-Roman world that shapes the New Testament. God uses, reframes, and infuses these concepts with the gospel. By understanding the world of the New Testament better we better see the beauty of God’s actions and message. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at...

Are you frustrated by or confused about who the Pharisees or Sadducees were? You’re not alone! JC Schroeder walks though how these different groups within first century Judaism shared a lot of core beliefs, but they also diverge in some significant ways. This episode looks at how these groups help us better understand Jesus and the Gospels. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at https://www.bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/12-pharisees-sadducees-essenes-oh-my ⏰ Timestamps: 1:12...

What’s going on in-between the Old and New Testaments? A whole lot! The events and culture of Second Temple Judaism richly shape the world that the New Testament enters. In this episode JC Schroeder looks at how these factors enhance our understanding of the message of the Bible. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of this episode at http://bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/11-in-between-the-old-and-new-testaments ⏰ Timestamps: 0:55 The Need for Knowing the History and Culture of the New...

How do we keep a heart in tune with the Lord? How do we keep our obedience from becoming a “to-do” list? In this episode JC Schroeder looks at the example of King Josiah’s tender heart and gives some actionable steps to foster an obedient heart. 📄 You can read a complete transcript of today’s at bitesizeseminary.com/episodes/10-fostering-an-obedient-heart ⏰ Timestamps: 1:10 Introduction 1:40 The Example of Josiah’s Obedient Heart 10:17 Fostering an Obedient Heart 12:42 Actionable Steps for...

Most Christians know the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. But many feel that actually learning these languages is impossible or only for the select few. Dr. Catherine McDowell joins JC Schroeder to talk about her new book The Rewards of Learning Greek and Hebrew and argues that you can and should learn the biblical languages. They also talk about some of the strategies and resources to do so as well as the spiritual help it can bring. ⏰ Timestamps: 1:26 Introduction 4:09...

Special Christmas episode! JC Schroeder talks about how during the Christmas season we can reflect on Christ's humility. ⏰ Timestamps: 0:44 Introduction 1:16 Christ’s Humility in Humanness 3:49 Christ’s Humility in Shame 7:00 Christ’s Humility in Nearness 9:19 Outro 📚 Resources: The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism Grand Rapids Theological Seminary 📬 Connect with JC: If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review. Website | bitesizeseminary.com Facebook |...

Dr. Nijay K. Gupta joins JC Schroeder to talk about his book A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies: Understanding Key Debates. They talk about different views on hermeneutics, Paul’s theology, and how to listen to both sides of a debate. Dr. Gupta gives great insight into different ways of reading the Bible and how to best understand those positions. ⏰ Timestamps: 1:37 Introduction 4:01 A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies 8:31 Presenting Both Sides to a Debate 13:55...