Discover the Word Podcast

How long do you think your attention span is? A lot has been written about the attention spans of people, and there’s debate about whether attention spans are getting shorter or not. Well, if it’s true that we have short attention spans, and if they are potentially getting even shorter, there’s a really important invitation in the Bible that we’re going to struggle with. It's an invitation that shows up 1000 times--the invitation “to behold.” What does it mean to "behold", and why is "beholding" so important? Explore that with the group in this study called Behold.

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Does your attention span seem to be getting shorter? If the cares of this world are pulling you in all different directions, perhaps it’s time to pause and ponder why the Bible invites us more than 1,000 times to “behold!” 
We live in a world of glimpses and glances, but it’s through beholding God that we are transformed and find abundant life. 
What could taking time to “behold” look like for you?    

Reflect  
In Genesis 1:29–31 (NASB), why did God invite Adam and Eve to behold His creation? And why did God stop and behold His creation? 
Beholding something can have a positive or negative effect on us. How was the new pharaoh affected by beholding the increasing number of Israelites in Egypt in Exodus 1:8–10 (ESV)? 
How was Pharaoh’s daughter affected by beholding baby Moses in Exodus 2:6 (NASB)? 
How did beholding the burning bush affect Moses’ life in Exodus 3:1–2 (NASB)? 
What is the psalmist beholding in Psalm 119:18 (NASB)? 
What are the Israelites not regarding or beholding in Isaiah 5:11–12 (NIV)? 
Why won’t God behold or regard His people’s offerings in Amos 5:21–22 (NIV)? 
How can we guard against beholding someone in a dishonoring way as seen in Esther 1:10–11 (NRSVA)? 
How can we join the psalmist in Psalm 27:4 (NRSVA) in longing to behold God’s beauty and wanting to see His goodness as we read in Psalm 27:13 (NRSVUE)? 
How can we join the psalmist in his desire to behold what we know is true in our heart as is mentioned in Psalm 42:1–3 (NRSVA)?  
Why are we told to behold in both Matthew 1:22–23 (NASB) and Isaiah 7:14 (NASB)? 
What role does the word behold play in John 1:29 (ESV)? 
What should we behold as we read Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)? 
Who should we behold as we read Revelation 1:12–18 (ESV)? 

Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for Your loving invitation to stop and behold You! Help me to pause and take time throughout my day to notice Your hand in my life. Help me not miss Your goodness, grace, and mercy that’s available to me every day.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Reclaim Today  Prayers for Ordinary Life   
Listen: 
In God's Presence 
Does Sabbath Still Matter?  
Read: 
The Intimacy of Prayer: Stepping into God’s Presence  
My Soul in Silence - Learning How to Pray  
Watch: 
Psalm 84:1-3 - Residing in His Presence  
Exodus 33:14 - God Is Always with Us

Is there someone you think would never respond positively to the gospel? Join us and our guest Jennifer Greer as we explore if Jesus was playing a form of the "Most Likely/Least Likely To . . ." game in Luke 17 to show us we can never guess who is the most/least likely to receive Him. 

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The “Most Likely/Least Likely To . . .” game is a fun icebreaker activity in which players guess which group member is most likely or least likely to do something. Have you ever played this game? As we read Luke 17 and ponder the deeper meaning behind the 10 leprous men being healed, we discover that Jesus likes to surprise us when it comes to who is most likely/least likely to respond to the gospel. How can we, like Jesus, welcome those who seem like the least likely to receive Him? 

Reflect  
Why was it so significant that Jesus was traveling between Jerusalem and Samaria in Luke 17:11–13? 
Why did Jesus instruct the men to go to the priests after being healed in Luke 17:14? 
How does knowing that it was the Samaritan man who returned to worship Jesus in Luke 17:15–16 help remind you that Jesus welcomes the ones who may seem like the least likely to respond to Him? 
What did Jesus say made the Samaritan man well in Luke 17:17–19? 
After reading about the Samaritan man in Luke 17, who was the only one to return and praise God, how does that inspire you to reach out to people who are far from Jesus? What could your next step toward reaching out to the least likely with the love of Jesus look like? 
 

Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for calling me to follow You even when I seemed like the least likely to respond. Help me to remain grateful that you saved, redeemed, and cleansed me. Help me to reach out to those who may seem like the least likely to follow You.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
The Story of Dan Week 1 
The Story of Dan Week 2 
How to Read the Bible in Its Ancient Context | Baker Academic 
Listen: 
The Untouchable 
The Woman at the Well 
Read: 
When the Good News Includes Our Enemy - Luke 10:27–37 
Samaria & the Israelites: The Good Land Goes Bad 
Watch: 
Samaria: The Good Land (The Holy Land) 
Love Others Like Jesus Does (John 13:34-35)

Some time ago Elisa led us in conversations about "tables" and how certain mealtimes moved the story of the Bible forward. For these two weeks Bill wants the group to consider the opposite—how famines (or the lack of food) was a catalyst for biblical events and a force for change in the lives of the characters of the Scriptures.

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As we ponder why God allowed His people throughout Scripture to experience famines, we can see that God was still working to draw them closer to Him. God is at work in our life as well. When we face hardships and difficulties in our life, let’s remember that God is near.  
How does reading about how God provided for men and women throughout the Bible help remind you that He is faithful to help you through any trial you may face?   

What could drawing closer to God even during difficulties look like for you?  
 
Reflect  
Why did God allow someone as faithful as the prophet Elijah to suffer through a famine as we read in 1 Kings 18:2? 
During famines, how did God provide for Elijah in 1 Kings 17:7–11 and Elisha in  2 Kings 4:38– 41? 
Why did the four men with leprosy mentioned in 2 Kings 7:3–5 respond to the famine the way they did?  
Why did Jesus mention a famine in His parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:14? 
Based on Romans 8:35, not even famine can separate us from God’s love. How does knowing that truth encourage you during difficult times? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that You love me and provide for me even during the most difficult times. Please help me to draw closer to You, even when I’m experiencing a famine or lack in my life. Help me to trust Your unending goodness, grace, and mercy.”  
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Joseph by Bill Crowder 
Tables in the Story of God Week 1 
Tables in the Story of God Week 2 
The Book of Naomi 
The Gospel of Ruth  
Inseparable 
God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times  
Listen: 
 The Miraculous life of Elisha | Part 1 
The Miraculous Life of Elisha--Part 2 
Read: 
Faithful to the Faithful: 2 Kings 4 
Why Should I Trust God? 
Watch: 
Trusting God in the Dark with Katie Lewis (Unshakable Moxie) 
God Is at Work in All Things | Romans 8:28-29

Some time ago Elisa led us in conversations about "tables" and how certain mealtimes moved the story of the Bible forward. For these two weeks Bill wants the group to consider the opposite—how famines (or the lack of food) was a catalyst for biblical events and a force for change in the lives of the characters of the Scriptures.

Receive 
When we stop and consider that so many men and women in the Bible experienced various hardships, including famines, we see how God was still working in their lives to draw them closer to Him. From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and his family to Naomi and Ruth and King David, they all found themselves in challenging situations. Some of their circumstances may raise some difficult questions, but they also offer some helpful insights into what it means to be people of faith, who in spite of any questions, learn to trust God even in life's most difficult times.  
How does reading about how God helped well-known Old Testament figures even during times of famines help you trust God despite your circumstances?  
What could your next step toward trusting God during hard times look like?  
 
Reflect  
How might Abram’s response to a famine in Genesis 12:10 have influenced how his son Isaac response to the famine in Genesis 26:1? 
How did the famine mentioned in Genesis 42:5 work out for good for Jacob and his family?  
How did God give Naomi beauty for ashes after the famine mentioned in Ruth 1:1? 
Why did King David want to avoid the famine mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:13? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for being with me even in difficult times. Help me to trust You despite my circumstances. Help me to love and serve You whether I’m in a season of feast or famine.”  
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Joseph by Bill Crowder 
Tables in the Story of God Week 1 
Tables in the Story of God Week 2 
The Book of Naomi 
The Gospel of Ruth 
Listen: 
Inseparable   
God Is at Work      
Read: 
It's Not Fair - Trusting God When Life Doesn't Make Sense 
Navigating the Wilderness 
Watch: 
Never Out of God’s Sight - Genesis 41:1 
Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21

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It may be one of the most well-known verses on confession and forgiveness in all of Scripture, but what does 1 John 1:9 mean? And how can it impact the way you live both day to day and from here to eternity? As you consider this Bible verse phrase by phrase, may this crucial statement penned by Jesus’ disciple, John, become a reality to you. 1. If we confess . . . 2. . . . . our sin . . . 3.  . . . He is faithful and just . . . 4.  . . . and will forgive our sin . . . 5. . . .and purify (cleanse) us from all unrighteousness. 
How does exploring the meaning of this life-changing Bible verse help you discover God’s immeasurable love and mercy for you?  

What could your next step toward learning more and receiving God’s forgiveness look like?  
 
Reflect  
Why is fellowship with God and others, which is mentioned in 1 John 1:1–4, so special and vital?  
Based on 1 John 1:5–7, why are believers called to walk in the light? 
According to 1 John 1:8–10, how does God respond when we confess our sin to Him? 
How does Jesus help us when we sin, according to 1 John 2:1–2? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that if I confess my sin to You, You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me. Please help me not to sin. And when I do sin, please help me to be quick to confess it to You and quick to receive Your forgiveness.” 
 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Our Daily Bread Ministries Ambassador Program 
Listen: 
When We Sin - Week 1 
When We Sin - Week 2 
Read: 
Forgiveness Defined  
The Gifts of Confession 
Watch: 
John 8:1-11 - Why God Hates Sin 
Jerusalem: The Cost of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)