Bible Basics

In this episode of the Bible Basics Podcast, host Jacqueline Adewole delves into the early chapters of the Book of Acts, exploring the challenges faced by the early church as they spread the message of Jesus amidst increasing pressure and opposition. She reflects on a conversation about the struggles of faith, emphasizing that true growth often occurs in discomfort. The discussion highlights key events, such as Peter healing a...

• This episode begins a three-part series on the book of Acts, the story of how the early church began.
• We explore how the story of Jesus continues after the Gospels, not ending with His resurrection or ascension.
• Learn why Acts is often called the bridge between the life of Jesus and the growth of the early church.
• Discover what Jesus meant when He told His followers they would be His witnesses.
• Walk through Acts 1 and see why Jesus...

We trade guilt for grace and show a simple way to build a Bible-in-a-year rhythm that fits real life. Fifteen minutes, a right-fit plan, and a friend for accountability turn a fragile intention into a steady habit rooted in purpose.

• New year expectations versus real-life rhythms
• Why plans fail and how to rethink success
• Find a clear personal why that endures
• Build a 15-minute daily framework that sticks...

We trace John’s purpose for writing and follow the arc from signs to the cross and the empty tomb, showing how belief shifts from ideas to personal trust. Stories of Nicodemus, the healed, and Thomas show how curiosity grows into a living faith that begins now.

• why John wrote his gospel and what belief means
• Nicodemus and the new birth by the Spirit
• seven signs pointing to Jesus’ identity and mission
• Ca...

We explore thankfulness as a God-centered posture, not a reaction to circumstances, and share habits that help gratitude endure through changing seasons. Ola joins to reflect on faith, marriage, and three practical nuggets for practicing thanksgiving today.

• faith as the anchor for gratitude
• give thanks in all circumstances explained
• why things and feelings cannot hold joy
• simple habits to notice daily m...

We explore the seven “I Am” statements in John to show how Jesus reveals his identity and meets our deepest needs with clarity, care, and power. From hunger to hope, darkness to direction, despair to resurrection, each image invites a personal response.

• the divine echo of “I Am” from Exodus
• bread of life and the end of restless hunger
• light of the world and guidance through confusion
• the gate as safety ...

We walk the big picture of John’s Gospel, from the cosmic prologue to breakfast by the sea, to show how Jesus reveals God’s heart up close. Signs, I Am statements, the cross, the Spirit, and restoration form one story that invites belief and brings life.

• how John differs from the Synoptics 
• who wrote John and why that matters 
• the prologue’s claims about the Word 
• seven signs that reveal identity and co...

We explore Luke’s Gospel as a careful, compassionate portrait of Jesus—fully God, fully human—who brings salvation “today” and welcomes outsiders to the table. From certainty and song to meals, prayer, and the Spirit’s power, we trace why Luke still speaks to weary hearts.

• Luke’s purpose of clarity and certainty
• Salvation as forgiveness, welcome, and healing now
• The theme of “today” in Luke’s narrative
• ...

The Gospel of Mark offers a breathless, urgent account of Jesus' life that captures his identity as the Son of God and extends his invitation to follow him today.

• Mark is the shortest gospel at 16 chapters—readable in about 90 minutes
• Written around 55-65 AD, likely the earliest written account of Jesus' life
• Tradition says it was written by John Mark, capturing Peter's eyewitness perspective

Matthew's Gospel serves as a bridge connecting Old Testament promises to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, deliberately placed first in the New Testament to show continuity in God's redemptive plan.

• The word "gospel" means "good news" - the four gospels each present Jesus from different perspectives
• Matthew, a former tax collector called by Jesus, wrote primarily for a Jewish audience...

The Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - form the foundation of Christian belief, each offering unique perspectives on Jesus Christ's life and teachings. These four complementary accounts provide a comprehensive portrait of Jesus as King, Servant, Son of Man, and Son of God.

• Matthew, a former tax collector turned disciple, presents Jesus as King and connects His life to Old Testament prophecies
• Mark, comp...

The blank page between Malachi and Matthew represents 400 years of crucial history that set the stage for Jesus' arrival in what the Bible calls "the fullness of time." Reverend Sandra Glenn explains how this period, while called the "silent years" because of no prophetic messages, was actually filled with God's behind-the-scenes work preparing the world for Christ.

• Transition of power from ...

In this tribute episode, we honor Reverend Allison Johnson, a beloved friend and supporter of the podcast who recently passed away, by resharing a powerful interview about developing consistent Bible reading habits.

• Augustine said the Bible is "so shallow a baby can wade in it and so deep an elephant will drown in it"
• The importance of reading Scripture for yourself rather than relying solely on what othe...

Have you ever pondered on the 400-year-long silence between the Old and New Testaments? Where did the Pharisees and Sadducees suddenly spring from? Here's the chance to satiate your curiosity as we embark on a thrilling journey through the sands of time, unearthing the mysteries of the Intertestamental period. Together, we'll traverse through shifting world powers, from Persia to Greece, and subsequently Rome, witnessing ...

Malachi, the final prophet of the Old Testament, delivers a gentle but firm wake-up call to God's people who had fallen into spiritually empty routines. Though the temple was rebuilt and sacrifices resumed after exile, their hearts had drifted from authentic worship without them even realizing it.

• The prophet Malachi speaks to Israelites around 430 BC who had returned from exile
• His message unfolds through six...

Zechariah brings a message of hope and encouragement to God's people who have returned from exile but fallen into discouragement and apathy while rebuilding the temple. Through eight vivid night visions and powerful prophecies about the coming Messiah, Zechariah shows that God remembers His promises and has a future planned that's bigger than they can imagine.

• Setting the historical stage: 520 BC, after the Jew...

The book of Haggai delivers a timely message about prioritizing God in the midst of life's rebuilding seasons. Through four precisely dated messages, this short prophetic book challenges us to realign our focus when we've let spiritual priorities slip.

• Haggai spoke to Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem around 520 BC to find their city and temple in ruins
• The people had grown discouraged and stopp...

We explore the historical context of the final three prophets of the Old Testament—Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi—who spoke during the post-exile rebuilding period. Understanding when these prophets spoke and the conditions they addressed transforms their seemingly disconnected messages into powerful, relevant wisdom for our own seasons of waiting and spiritual rebuilding.

• God warned Israel in Deuteronomy and Leviticus that d...

Ezekiel delivered God's sobering message to exiles in Babylon: the exile wasn't just a temporary setback but divine judgment, yet even in judgment, God was already working toward restoration.

• Ezekiel was a priest by training who received his prophetic call at age 30 while in Babylonian exile
• The exile occurred in three waves (605, 597, and 586 BC), with Ezekiel part of the second deportation
• False p...