Discover the Word Podcast

In a sense, you could say that the entire Bible is about God’s desire to dwell with his people. Immanuel—God with us. Experiencing God’s presence is what we were created for. And we are promised in Scripture that if we seek God, we will find Him. But how do we experience the presence of God when we don’t see Him or feel like He’s with us? Well, in this series of conversations with Dr. David Mathewson, the Discover the Word group explores how experiencing God’s presence can be a regular practice and experience of God’s people. And time In His Presence can transform, heal, and empower us.

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From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is the story of God dwelling with His people. We were created to commune with God, but it can be challenging since we can’t see or feel Him. 
How can you experience God’s presence on a regular basis? 
Is there something hindering you from spending time in God’s Word and in prayer and worship so you can experience His transforming, empowering, and healing presence and power in your life? 
God longs to make His presence known to you.  

What could your next step toward seeking God’s presence look like? 
 
Reflect  
How does Genesis 1–2 reveal God’s desire from the very beginning to dwell among His people?  
According to Hebrews 4:11, why is spending time with God so important? 
How do you feel knowing that we have access to God the Father through His Son Jesus as it says in Hebrews10:19–22?  
What did the Bible figures mentioned throughout Hebrews 11 get commended for and how can that encourage you on your journey? 
What helped the psalmist in Psalm 73 go from despair to hope? 
Even now, how can you gaze upon God’s beauty as it says in Psalm 27:4? 
How does Revelation 4–5 fill you with hope for what awaits in heaven? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that You long to spend time with me. Thank You that I can feel Your presence even though I can’t see You. Help me as I seek to feel Your loving, healing, and empowering presence in my life. Thank You that in Your presence, there is fullness of joy!”      
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 
30 Days in God's Presence  by Dr. David Mathewson from Denver Seminary and Jennifer J Fitzgerald   
Listen: 
What Is Faith?  
Does Sabbath Still Matter? 
Read: 
In His Presence  
The Promise of Presence - John 14:15–17, 25–31  
Watch: 
Hebrews 11:1 - Biblical Faith  
Revelation 4:8 | Holy, Holy, Holy

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus that he must be “born again”? Join us as we explore Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Discover why the concept was so difficult for Nicodemus to grasp and why we also sometimes struggle with the truth that is so central to the Christian faith.

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Jesus often said things that unsettled the very people who thought they understood God best. When He told Nicodemus he must be “born again,” it didn’t fit his framework—and he struggled to receive it. 

Where might the same be true for you? 

Is there anything—assumptions, expectations, past experiences—that could be shaping how you hear Jesus’ words today? Ask God to gently reveal and release anything that’s getting in the way. 

Nicodemus didn’t understand everything at first, but he kept moving toward Jesus—stepping out of the shadows, speaking up, and showing up when it mattered most. 

What might your next step toward Jesus look like? 

Reflect  
Read John 3. As you reflect on the chapter, what stands out to you?   
Why do you think Nicodemus struggled to understand the meaning of being “born again” that Jesus mentioned in John 3:1–4? 
According to John 3:5–15, why must Jesus’ followers be “born again”? 
Based on  John 7:50–51 and John 19:38–42, do you think Nicodemus eventually understood what it meant to be “born again” and became a follower of Jesus? 
How does John 3:16–17 encourage you as you read about God’s immense love for you? 

Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that by Your Holy Spirit I can be born into Your kingdom. Thank You for renewing and cleansing me. Help me overcome any baggage that may be hindering me from completely receiving Your gift of eternal life through Your Son Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. Help me as I seek to live for You.”      

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
I Am the Way   
The Chosen Season 1, Episode 2  
The Chosen Season 1, Episode 7  
Listen: 
The Pharisees Week 1  
For God So Loved   
Read: 
Love: What does Jesus see when he looks at me?  
The Gospel Here and Now  
Jesus and Nicodemus    
Watch: 
God Loves You!  
God’s Daily Love

The word “trees” shows up more than 200 times in the Bible. Discover why it may not just be “the heavens that declare the glory of God” but also trees.

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The Bible mentions trees more than 200 times throughout the Old and New Testament. From Genesis to Psalms to Matthew and into Revelation, it seems as though many significant theological events in the Bible are marked by a tree. As we consider the significance behind many of the trees included throughout Scripture, may we discover that not only do the heavens declare the glory of God, but so do trees. As we ponder the crucial role trees play in how the story of the Bible is told, let’s look for God’s fingerprints wherever we see a tree or a branch or a bush or a root or some kind of fruit mentioned in a passage. And as we notice the trees in our world a little more, may they help point us to God. 

Reflect 
Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you?   
Genesis 18:1 
Genesis 21:33 
Deuteronomy 16:21–22 
Judges 9:8–15 
1 Kings 19:4–5a 
Isaiah 11:1  
Jeremiah 1:11  
Ezekiel 17:24  
Daniel 4:10–12  
John 1:48–50  
In Genesis 2:4–9 and Genesis 2:16–17 we read about the tree of knowledge. Why did God want to protect Adam and Eve from this one tree? 
How do Psalm 1:3, Psalm 52:8, Psalm 92:12, and Proverbs 15:4 describe what it looks like to be flourishing in our Christian life?   
What can we learn from the warning we read in Matthew 7:15–20? 
How do Acts 5:30, Romans 11:17–18, and Galatians 3:13 point to Jesus redeeming us from our sin?      
How do the mentions of the tree of life found in Revelation 2:7 and Revelation 22:1–2 encourage you? 
Based on Psalm 1:3, Matthew 7:15–20, Luke 6:43–45, and James 3:12, what are some of the signs of a good tree vs. a bad tree? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for telling us of Your goodness and glory even through trees. Help me to think of Your lovingkindness, provision, and protection when I read about the beautiful array of trees in Scripture and see the trees You have placed along my path. Help me to join the heavens and trees in declaring Your glory!” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Reclaim Today: Prayers for Ordinary Moments  
The Hidden Life of Trees   
Listen: 
The Orchard  
The Connected Life 
Read: 
Wonder  
How Firm a Foundation 
Watch: 
How Nature Makes God Visible 
Becoming The Tree God Intends Us To Be

The Bible is filled with feasts and tables set for God’s people. Discover the significance of these meals and gatherings and why they still matter today.

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God delights in setting a table for His people. From the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples before His sacrificial death to the meals He shared with His disciples after His glorious resurrection, there are various lovely moments of fellowship between Jesus and His followers recorded for us in Scripture. The early church also knew the importance of breaking bread together. As we consider the meals mentioned in the Old and New Testaments and the greatest wedding banquet that’s still to come mentioned in Revelation, may we rejoice in knowing that God lovingly provides for our every need.   

Reflect 
What do Matthew 9:9–13, Luke 19:1–10, and Luke 7:34 teach us about who is invited to the Lord’s table? 
Why does Jesus’ last supper with His disciples recorded in Matthew 26:17–30, Mark 14:12–26, Luke 22:7–23, and John 13–17 still matter to us today? 
Why did Jesus break bread with His disciples even after His resurrection as mentioned in Luke 24:30–32 and John 21:1–14?   
In Acts 2:42–27 we read about the early church sharing meals together. Why would that have been so important to them?   
Isaiah 61:10–62:5 and Revelation 19:6–9 point to the church being the bride of Christ and look ahead to Jesus’ bridal banquet. How do these Bible verses help you understand how precious you are to God? 

Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for your love and faithfulness. Thank you for providing for my every need. Help me to trust You even more with every day that passes. Help me to live for You especially as the day of Your great bridal banquet approaches.”   

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
The Holy Land Series 
Listen: 
The Abundant God 
Sinners Dinners 
Read: 
The God Who Protects and Provides 
Humble Hearts, Open Hands 
Watch: 
Feast of Sukkah  
Inviting Others to the Table

Whether it’s in the Garden of Eden, Egypt, the wilderness, or a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee, God knows how to provide for His people. Let’s learn about the tables and meals in Scripture.
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How lovely that the story of God happens around tables. From the farm-to-table picnic of lavish eating in the Garden of Eden, to the “fast food,” rushed meal during the first Passover, to God’s provision in the wilderness of heavenly food, on into the New Testament servings of a simple lunch to feed thousands, God delights in providing for His people. May we relish in knowing that God longs to fellowship with His people, including us, and a wonderful way He chooses to do so is to set a table for us. 

Reflect 
Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
Genesis 1–3 
Exodus 12:1–20 
Exodus 16 
Psalm 23:5  
Matthew 14:13–21 
Mark 6:30–44 
Luke 9:13–17 
John 6:1–13 
How does Genesis 1:29–30 show God’s generosity toward Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? 
How does the Passover lamb mentioned in Exodus 12:12–13 point to the coming of Jesus, the Lamb of God? 
What does Exodus 16:13-20 teach us about God’s willingness and ability to provide for His people even in the wilderness? 
Psalm 23:5 says God prepares a table for you even in difficult situations. How does that give you courage? 
How does the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just a simple lunch found in Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:30–44, Luke 9:13–17, and John 6:1–13 encourage you that God can provide for your needs? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for how You lovingly provide for Your people from generation to generation. Thank You for how You continue to faithfully provide for me. Help me to always believe that You alone can satisfy my every need.” 
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
The Holy Land Series 
Listen: 
The Abundant God 
Sinners Dinners 
Read: 
From Loaves to Love  
Gardens and the History of Humanity  
Watch: 
Are You Hungry?  
Provision in Every Season