The Bible. It’s been the #1 book sold since the day it was written, but have you read it? And if you read it, did you understand it? In the Bible Book Club podcast, we read every word of the Bible for you. In fact, Heather Rubio and Susan Merrill will do it all for you—read, discuss, and explore the only book ever written that can change your life forever. All you have to do is listen. Just join the club! Start in the beginning with Season 1: Genesis or choose a book. Available Seasons include Season 1 Genesis, Season 2 Exodus, Season 3 Leviticus, Season 4 Numbers, Season 5 Deuteronomy, Season 6 Joshua, Season 7 Judges, Season 8 Ruth, Season 9 1 Samuel, Season 10 2 Samuel Season 11 1 Kings Season 12 2 Kings Season 13 1 Chronicles Season 14 2 Chronicles Season 15 Ezra Season 16 Nehemiah Season 17 Esther Season 18 Job Season 19 Psalms
Have you ever felt threatened and vulnerable, desperate to feel safe? In our Psalms 59-67 Bible study, we open with a Psalm David wrote while men were literally waiting outside his house to kill him. As we travel through the other psalms, David moves from total exhaustion, fear, and desert dry spells into an unquenchable thirst for God’s presence. If you’ve ever felt trapped, targeted by cruel words, or completely isolated at the "ends of the earth," David’s prayers will hit you right where you are. But this nine-psalm journey doesn’t end in survival mode. As the danger passes, the tone shifts to wild praise, staggering abundance, and a blessing meant to ripple across time and space. In our Psalms 59-67 Bible study, we cover: [4:01] Psalm 59: Escaping the Hitmen – How David survives being trapped in his own home while Saul’s men wait outside to kill him, and why his immediate reaction is to run to God as his fortress. [9:34] Psalm 60-61: Reaching the "Ends of the Earth" – What it really means for David to cry out from the edge of exhaustion and exile, and how we can find personal refuge when God feels miles away. [13:00] Psalm 62: The Power of Akh (God Alone ) – Why David repeatedly uses one specific word to remind himself that true safety and salvation rest in Christ alone, not in human effort. [16:41] Psalm 63: Thirsting in the Desert – How David’s physical thirst in the dry wilderness unlocked a deeper spiritual longing and how Jesus quenches that same soul-dryness with living water. [20:19] Psalm 64: Surviving Cruel Words – How to handle modern-day "tongues like swords" and malicious public attacks when people try to bring you down. [28:06] Psalms 65-67: Shining God’s Light, Not Ours – The Aaronic blessing gets flipped on its head, reminding us we pray for God’s favor, not for our own comfort, so the entire world can see His goodness. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalms 59-67 [5:24] In Psalm 59, David can’t do anything but run and rely on God to be his fortress. Where in your life do you find yourself on the run, unfairly attacked, or trapped? How could you lean more on God to be your fortress and protector? [16:47] David thirsts for God, and his whole being longs to know God, see God, and be in the presence of God. Have you ever felt such a deep longing for God? What prayer could you offer asking God to help you thirst for Him the way David did? [28:44] Psalm 67 asks God to make His face shine on us so that all nations will know His ways and salvation. This is still the purpose of God’s favor in our lives today. In all we do, whether in suffering or in prosperity, we should reflect God’s glory so others can see the hope of Christ in us. Who in your life reflects God’s glory, and what has that meant to you? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalm 50-58: Create in Me a Pure Heart
What should you do when someone you trust turns against you? Psalms 50-58 are your answer. This stretch of Psalms opens with God himself taking the stand, not to demand more sacrifices, but to expose what's really going on in the human heart. From there, we watch David wrestle with his darkest moment (his affair with Bathsheba), suffer betrayal by a close friend, hide from enemies who want him dead, and finally cry out for justice against corrupt leaders who prey on the powerless. These psalms feel raw, honest, and surprisingly relatable, which further proves they aren't just pretty prayers for perfect people. They are for us, right here and now, in our very real lives. In our Psalms 50-58 Bible study, we cover: [3:44] Psalm 50: God Judges the Heart — Why God cares more about an obedient heart than outward sacrifice. [9:34] Psalm 51: Create in Me a Pure Heart — Why a contrite heart is the only "sacrifice" God has ever really wanted. [13:39] Psalm 52 & 53: Frustration with Evil and Fools — How we can trust God and cry out in our frustration at arrogant fools and men who love evil. [20:20] Psalm 54 & 55: Betrayed by Friends and Enemies — When you are betrayed, what to do with that pain instead of letting it fester. [25:50] Psalm 56 & 57: Trusting God When You're Afraid — How David stayed brave while hiding in a cave and running for his life, because his trust in God was bigger than his fear of man. [28:53] Psalm 58: A Cry for Justice Against Corrupt Leaders — Instead of letting anger turn into hatred, how to pray when you're furious at leaders who abuse their power. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalm 50-58: [3:44] God says he cares more about an obedient, honest heart than about the outward things we do for Him. What is an area of your life right now (family, work, friendships, or faith) where you find yourself just "checking the box" or going through the motions? What's one thing you could do this week to intentionally engage your heart in this area? [21:54] We’ve all had those moments where life feels overwhelming and we just want to "fly away" for a little bit like David in Psalm 55. When you hit that point of needing a mental or emotional escape, what does your ideal "dove wings" moment look like? [29:12] David brought his fear and frustration straight to God instead of hiding it or handling it on his own. What is something you are carrying right now that you could bring to God in prayer? How do you think that might help you avoid lingering anger, bitterness, or a desire for revenge? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalm 42-49: Why are you downcast?
Ever wonder why God doesn't just fix your problems for you? In this Psalms 42-49 Bible study, we kick off Book 2 of Psalms by diving into the powerful redemption story of the Sons of Korah, a family literally swallowed by the earth for rebelling against God. Whether you are dealing with unanswered prayers, emotional distress, or wondering why God allows suffering, these chapters offer profound comfort and timeless prayers. We explore a lament that echoes Job's struggles, a prophetic royal wedding song about Jesus, and the exact scripture that inspired Martin Luther’s famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." In our Psalms 42-49 Bible study, we cover: [4:48] Psalm 42: Family Redemption — How the Sons of Korah went from disgraced rebels to Israel's worship leaders. [12:12] Psalm 43: Reacting to Sorrow — How to pull yourself out of the haze of grief, hardship, loss, and stress. [18:07] Psalm 44: Unanswered Prayer — Why God sometimes seems asleep when His people are suffering. [22:36] Psalm 45-46: Messianic Prophecy — How a royal wedding song perfectly foreshadows Christ and the church (as quoted in Hebrews) and the inspiration behind Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." [33:27] Psalm 47 & 48: The City of Zion — Why God's dwelling place is more than a place on a map. [36:41] Psalm 49: Money and Mortality — Why wealth can't buy life, but Jesus already paid the ransom you couldn't afford. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalms 42-49: [12:24] When you're downcast or disturbed, Psalms 42 suggests you intentionally turn your attention to all the good God has done for you. What's one thing you could do right now to help you remember to do that? For example, memorize a prayer or Bible verse you can turn to that focuses your attention on God's gifts or protection, put a sign on your bathroom mirror, hang pictures of your loved ones, etc. [18:11] Can you relate to Psalm 44 when the psalmist did not feel rescued despite his faithfulness? How do you respond when you don't get the outcome you hoped for? [36:48] Psalm 49 reminds us that wealth cannot buy life. Is there an area of your life where you feel tempted to chase "more" than you need or are called to, even though we can't take anything with us when we die? Ex. cars, the latest technology, respect, work titles, etc. Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalm 37-41: Do Not Fret
Ever feel a simmering anger when someone is winning by cheating, lying, or hurting others? David can relate. In Psalms 37–41, David is fed up with watching evil people prosper. He's also physically crushed by his own guilt, questioning whether life even means anything, pulled up out of a pit, and betrayed by someone he trusted completely. These aren't tidy conclusions. They're five raw, in-the-moment prayers from a man who keeps choosing to bring it all back to God. This Psalm 37-41 Bible study covers: [7:17] Psalm 37: Fretting in Hebrew – Why the Hebrew word behind "do not fret" actually means to burn or seethe, and how David teaches us to put that fire out before it consumes us. [13:36] Psalm 38: Crushing Guilt – What it looks like when unconfessed sin becomes a physical, crushing weight, and why trusting doesn't always mean you feel better. Sometimes it just means you give it to God and press on. [15:56] Psalm 39: The Futility of Life – David's honest wrestling with how fleeting life is and why "venting to God" might be the most faithful thing you can do. [21:07] Psalm 40: Rescue from the Pit – Why David's rescue from "the slimy pit" becomes one of the clearest prophetic pictures of Christ in the entire Psalter, and Jesus Himself quotes this psalm. [24:53] Psalm 41: Blessings and Betrayal – God’s blessing on those who care for the weak, and the chilling way David's prophetic statements are fulfilled at the Last Supper. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Discussion Questions [10:15] David tells us not to fret over people who succeed through wickedness. Where in your life right now are you most tempted to let that slow burn of envy or resentment take hold, and what would it look like to trust God with it instead? [16:35] Psalm 39 asks God to reveal how fleeting life is, yet the psalmist still brings his honest frustration to God rather than burying it. Is there a frustration about the futility of your life or circumstances that you've been holding back from bringing to God? [25:33] Psalm 41 closes the book with a blessing on those who care for the weak, the sick, and the vulnerable. Who in your life right now needs you to notice them and step in, and what's one concrete way you could do that this week? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalms 31-36: Can we trust God?
When life is falling apart, can you actually trust God, or does that only work for people whose faith is stronger than yours? David wrote Psalms 31–36 from some of the darkest corners of his life: betrayal, bone-deep shame, enemies closing in, evil seeming to win. And yet, six different times from six different emotional places, he comes back to the same answer. Yes, you can trust God. Not because the circumstances get easier, but because something shifts when you keep bringing it all to Him. This episode walks through six psalms that feel less like theology and more like journal entries from someone who's been exactly where you are. This Psalms 31-36 Bible study covers: [4:19] Psalm 31: Surrender – What David's prayer "Into your hands I commit my spirit" really means and why Jesus prays the exact same words from the cross. [15:29] Psalm 32: Forgiveness – Why unconfessed sin feels like a physical weight on your bones, and the freedom that follows when you finally bring it to God. [21:05] Psalm 34: Brokenheartedness – The wild backstory behind Psalm 34 and why "Taste and see that the Lord is good" is an invitation, not a platitude. [27:12] Psalm 35: Injustice – How to bring your rage to God instead of carrying it yourself when people treat you unfairly and you want justice. [31:18] Psalm 36: The Source of Living Water – How Psalm 36 uncovers the source of the stream that the tree is planted beside in Psalm 1. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalm 31–36: [3:40] Psalm 31 teaches us that to commit our spirit to God we must surrender our will to God. When we do this, we are praying like David and through Jesus who opens the door to God for us. What exact words could you use to surrender something in your life to God? [14:22] In Psalm 32, David tries to cover up his sin for nearly a year before confessing it, and he describes this as making him feel like his bones are wasting away. Have you ever experienced the physical or emotional weight of unconfessed sin and the relief that comes when you bring it to God? [27:12] In Psalm 35, David brought his grief and rage directly to God rather than plotting revenge. When someone treats you unjustly and instinct tells you to lash out or defend yourself, how do you think your heart would shift if you instead intentionally took the injustice straight to God? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalms 25-30: Whom Shall I Fear?
What do Psalms 25–30 teach us about how to actually live out our faith when guilt, fear, and doubt feel overwhelming? The psalms in our last episode answered the question what has God done. This episode answers the harder question... so now what do I do? In Psalm 25-30, David walks us through six raw, honest psalms that cover the full range of the human experience. The journey starts with guilt and ends with joy. And everything in between feels remarkably familiar. This Psalms 25-30 Bible study covers: [5:17] Psalm 25: Forgiveness and Direction – How to pray boldly for forgiveness and ask God to show you a better path forward even when the weight of your past feels too heavy to move. [11:08] Psalm 26: Accusation and Innocence – Whether you're guilty and need grace or innocent and need vindication, God is the right place to take both. [15:25] Psalm 27: Fear and the "One Thing" – Why David, who was surrounded by enemies and outnumbered, asked for just one thing, and why his answer might reframe everything you're afraid of right now. [19:30] Psalm 28: Unanswered Prayers – What happens when your deepest fear isn't your circumstances but that God isn't listening and how the act of praying itself becomes the turning point. [22:15] Psalm 29: Storms and Peace – Why the storms in your life aren't chaos and what it means that God's powerful voice is for you, not against you. [25:58] Psalm 30: Mourning and Dancing – How David's "weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" is less about outcomes and more about the attitude of the heart. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalm 25–30: [7:10] In Psalm 25, we get four practices we can use to find God’s way: studying God’s word, praying to God, worshiping God, and seeking fellowship in church or a small group. Which of these four sounds the most intriguing, and which is the most difficult for you? [19:50] Psalm 28 shows that the act of praying itself is the pivot that moves David from pleading to praise, even without new information. Has there been a time when the simple act of saying the hard thing out loud to God has shifted something in you? [26:36] Psalm 30 invites us to celebrate “the mornings,” those moments after a long night of suffering. Are there any mornings in your own life, past or present, that you haven't paused to acknowledge and praise God for? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalm 22-24: The Shepherd’s Trilogy: the Cross, Crook, and Crown
What if the three most famous Psalms in the Bible are actually one story, and that story has been pointing to Jesus all along? In this episode, we dive into a Bible study on Psalms 22-24. These psalms were written by King David nearly a thousand years before the New Testament, and biblical scholars refer to them as the "Shepherd’s Trilogy." Hidden within these psalms is a stunning prophetic timeline of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. This Psalms 22-24 Bible study covers: [06:26] Psalm 22: The Crucifixion Prophecy – How David described Jesus on the cross in vivid detail, down to the pierced hands and divided garments, nearly 1000 years before the crucifixion. [08:22] A Lesson from King David – How to feel the full weight of your pain and bring it to God the way David did to experience an unexpected peace and lightness. [12:19] The "Bookend" Revelation – The jaw-dropping message Jesus sent to the Jewish crowd from the cross by quoting both the first and last lines of Psalm 22. [19:25] Psalm 23: The Lens of Suffering – Why the rest, restoration, and “quiet waters” of this beloved passage only make sense through the lens of Christ’s suffering. [27:42] Psalm 24: The Palm Sunday Connection – How this triumphant praise Psalm connects to the Ark of the Covenant, Handel's Messiah , and Jesus' final entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalms 22-24: [08:22] David vented his pain to God and then pivoted to praise, not because the suffering stopped, but because he transferred the burden. Is there something you are carrying right now that you haven't fully laid at God's feet? [20:27] God put David through “shepherd school,” Moses through the wilderness, and Esther through the royal court. In your life, what season or "school" has God put you through, and what do you think He was preparing you for? [23:16] People and sheep have a lot in common. What characteristics of a sheep can you most see in yourself: defenseless, needing constant care and to be led to (spiritual) food and water, resisting rest, or fearfulness. Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalms 17-21: The Heavens Declare
When it feels like God isn't showing up for you, how do you even begin to pray? Join us for this episode of the Bible Book Club as we dive into a powerful Psalms Bible study and uncover five raw, honest prayers David hands us in Psalms 17–21. These Old Testament prayers serve as a practical Christian prayer guide to help you pray through the hard times. In our Psalms 17–21 Bible study, we cover: [02:52] Psalm 17: Feeling Invisible to God – What David really meant when he begged to be the "apple of God's eye" and why the original Hebrew makes it one of the most tender images in all of Scripture. [11:32] Psalm 18: Coming Through Something Hard – How Psalm 18 teaches us to pray with adoration first and why starting with who God is changes everything about how we pray through the hardest times in life. [18:54] Psalm 19: Seeing God Everywhere – Why Psalm 19:1-2 was on a hand-written card aboard Artemis II, 252,760 miles away from Earth. [24:36] Psalm 20: Facing a Battle – What "trusting in chariots and horses" actually looks like today and whether the thing you're relying on most is God or just a very sophisticated plan B. [30:18] Psalm 21: Celebrating a Win – What the Hebrew word hesed reveals about why King David really won in the Psalms, and what that means for us through Jesus. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalms 17–21: [04:09] David felt unseen and unloved by God even while doing everything right. Have you ever been in a season where your faithfulness seemed invisible to God and everyone around you? How did that shape the way you prayed? [15:30] Psalm 19 describes two ways God speaks to us: through creation and through His Word. Which one tends to draw you closer to God more naturally, and how could you lean into that even more? [25:50] Psalm 20 warns against trusting in chariots and horses. What are the "chariots" in your life right now such as resources, credentials, or strategies that you're tempted to trust more than God? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalms 9–16: Refuge
When life feels out of control and God feels distant, where do you even begin? Psalms 9-16 are one big, honest conversation about what it's like to live in a broken world and still choose to trust God. David, who wrote all of these Psalms, was a man who fought 50+ battles, faced enemies on every side, and somehow kept his faith intact. These Psalms aren't polished theology. They're raw, real, and remarkably relatable. In this episode, we cover everything from crying out in anger when evil seems to win, to finding shelter in God like a bird tucked under a wing. And we end somewhere surprising...with a hidden resurrection prophecy tucked inside a psalm written a thousand years before Jesus walked the earth. This Psalms 9-16 Bible study covers: [09:50] Psalm 10: When God Feels Absent – David shows us how to ask "Where are you, God?" as an act of faith, not doubt. [12:30] Psalm 11: When Fear Has the Upper Hand – Why your foundation matters more than your circumstances and what it means that God is in control. [15:05] Psalm 12: Deception and Lies – How to take heart and trust God for protection when people in your life can't be trusted. [16:50] Psalms 13: When You Need a Safe Place – "How long, O Lord?" can become one of the most faithful prayers you can offer up. [23:03] Psalm 15: How to Find Favor with God – A surprisingly practical list of what it looks like to live in a way that draws you closer to God. [27:52] Psalm 16: A Prophecy You Didn't See Coming – A hidden vision of resurrection that Peter quoted at Pentecost pointing from David all the way to Jesus. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalm 9–16: [16:50] David asks "how long" four times in a six-verse psalm. Then his mind quickly pivots from lament to trust in God's unfailing love. Do you think this ability to vent without spiraling into despair is the secret to David’s faithfulness? How could you imitate this in your own faith walk? [23:12] Psalm 15 describes 10 behaviors of someone who walks closely with God. Which of these 10 behaviors feels most like a place of potential growth for you right now? [27:02] Psalm 16 says our security is not tied to a bank account, a home, or a job. God is our portion. What is one thing you tend to rely on for security more than God, and what would it look like to loosen your grip on it? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalms 3–8: From Fear to Wonder
What can you do when you're afraid, anxious, exhausted, or wrongly accused, and you don't know how to pray? Psalms 3–8 are David's raw, unfiltered conversations with God. They read less like religious poetry and more like texts you'd send to a trusted friend. In this episode, we walk you through six Psalms that cover the full emotional spectrum from fear and betrayal to wonder and praise. We also show you how to easily use these Psalms as helpful prayers in your own life. This Psalms 3-8 Bible study covers: [7:57] Psalm 3: Fear and Betrayal – How David's shield of faith gives you a practical way to fight panic when life feels like it's falling apart. [11:20] Psalms 3 and 4: Anxiety and Sleep – How these psalms were used together as a daily circle of protection, and how they can quiet your anxious mind at night. [17:43] Psalms 5 and 6: Exhaustion and Suffering – God's permission to cry out when you're alone and exhausted from a prolonged trial. [22:13] Psalm 7: Injustice and Accusation – What to pray when you've been wrongly accused and need God to vindicate you. [25:20] Psalm 8: Awe and Wonder – Why Jesus quoting this psalm in Matthew 21 reveals just how significant you are to God. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalms 3–8: [10:47] The Hebrew priests used Psalms 3 and 4 together daily as a circle of protection to manage their anxieties. Is there a certain Psalm or prayer you find yourself returning to in difficult seasons? [18:02] David used very raw, unfiltered language in his laments: exhaustion, anguish, weeping all night, begging God to vindicate him. Does that kind of honesty in prayer come naturally to you, or do you tend to soften what you bring to God? What would it take for you to pray more like David? [30:23] Paul describes our current life as living in the "gap" between the perfection we were created for and the new heaven and new earth still to come. Where in your life right now do you feel that gap most acutely, and how does knowing that Jesus stepped into it change how you hold that tension? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Psalms Overview + 1 - 2 Psalms: The Playlist of Your Heart
Ever wonder if God really gets you? The Book of Psalms is your answer. Psalms is a playlist that's been playing long before Spotify with 150 songs God selected for all of humanity. Songs for every emotion, crisis, and moment when words fail. In this episode, we open with a big picture view of the Book of Psalms. Then we dive into Psalms 1 and 2. This Psalms 1-2 Bible study covers: [00:45] The Playlist Concept – Why the Book of Psalms is God's original soundtrack for the exact place your heart is right now, because God deeply understands you. [09:23] Psalms as Songs – How we know the Psalms are songs meant to be sung, not just read. [20:59] Psalm 1: The Two Paths – Why Jesus is the only person who ever perfectly lived Psalm 1 and what that means for us. [22:23] Psalm 2: The Hidden Prophecy – How a Psalm written thousands of years ago is confirmed as a prophecy about Jesus in Acts 4, Acts 13, and Revelation 2. [28:04] The Great Design – How Psalms 1, 19, and 119 form one hidden thread (the Word of God) while Psalms 2, 20, and 120 form another (the Messiah) and why that's a Bible Bender. Psalms Show Notes: Psalms Roadmap Psalms Prayer List Psalms Playlist on Apple Music Psalms Playlist on Spotify Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] ACTS Prayer Guide Group Discussion Questions for Psalms 1 and 2: [01:07] Everyone has a soundtrack running in their head. With the Psalms, God gives us His playlist. When has a Psalm or a song met you in a moment and moved your heart? [19:09] Psalm 1 compares a person who meditates on God's law day and night to a flourishing tree planted by streams of water. What is one small thing you could do this week to meditate on God's law and become more like that tree? [32:35] Do you have a modern playlist of songs that help you remember to lean on God, especially when your emotions are high? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 38-42: Finally, God Speaks to Job
What does God say when you demand answers from Him? After chapters of silence, in Job 38-42 God finally speaks, and His answer isn't what anyone expects. Instead of explaining Job's suffering or defending His decisions, God shows up in a whirlwind and asks Job 77 questions. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Can you command the morning? Do you control the constellations? The answer, of course, is no. And that's the point. God doesn't come as a defendant to answer Job's case. He takes the bench as Judge, and Job drops to his knees and drops the lawsuit entirely. In our Job 38-42 Bible Study, you'll learn: [08:06] God's response to Job's suffering: Why God answers Job's painful questions with questions of His own, and why that's actually the most profound comfort imaginable. [11:14] The turning point: How Job goes from demanding a courtroom confrontation with God to covering his mouth in awe, and what that shift looks like for us in our own struggles [12:40] The Behemoth and Leviathan: What two terrifying creatures have to do with trusting God when life feels completely out of your control [24:10] The friends get their verdict: Why the three friends who had all the "right answers" are the ones God is angry with, and the stunning way Job responds [27:12] Job's restoration: What to make of Job's happy ending, why some people find it unsatisfying, and the freeing truth hidden in it about grace, trust, and God's mysterious ways Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 38–42: [11:14] Job covered his mouth with his hand in stunned silence when God revealed Himself. Have you ever experienced a moment where God's greatness left you in stunned silence? How did that feel? [20:00] God asks Job 77 questions about creation that Job can't answer. Does knowing how little we know or understand about our life and our world bring you comfort or anxiety? Why do you think that is? [24:58] Job was asked to pray for the very friends who hurt him deeply. Is there someone in your life right now who has wronged you, for whom God might be calling you to pray? That concludes the Book of Job! Next up, we will discuss Psalms. Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 35-37: Elihu Sees God in the Storm
When you're crying out to God in pain and getting only silence, is He ignoring you? Job has lost everything. He's been interrogated by three friends, talked over by a brash young man named Elihu, and God still hasn't said a word. In Job 35–37, Elihu makes his final case, and for one breathtaking moment he actually gets it right. As a storm gathers on the horizon, Elihu stops dissecting Job's theology and does something none of them have done yet. He looks up. And what he sees changes everything he says next. In our Job 35-37 Bible Study, you'll learn: [04:06] Faith vs. transaction: Elihu lands a truth worth sitting with. Your relationship with God was never meant to be a deal. Faithfulness isn't a payment God owes you a return on. [07:21] Why God sometimes seems silent: There's a difference between crying from pain and crying for God. And it turns out it matters deeply which one you're doing. [09:15] Songs in the night: What an ancient phrase from Job 35 and a famous Spurgeon sermon reveal about finding peace when it makes no sense to worship. [11:24] God's power reframed: Job feared God's power would crush him. Elihu argues it's actually the guarantee of justice, a tension that pays off big in the next episode. [24:56] How not to comfort someone: After four men and dozens of speeches, the most practical lesson in these chapters may be the simplest. Listen before you speak and build bridges, not walls. Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 35-37 [07:28] Is there a trial in your life right now where you need to cry out for God's presence rather than just His intervention ? [26:23] Have you ever tried to comfort someone who was suffering, but your words made things worse instead of better? [27:30] Has God ever used your own suffering to prepare you to comfort someone else? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 32-34: Who Are You, Elihu?
When everything seems unfair, how do you keep believing God is still good? Job has defended his innocence, the three friends have finally run out of arguments, and an eerie silence has fallen over the city gate. Then a young man named Elihu steps out of the crowd, and he is furious . Furious at Job for questioning God. Furious at the friends for failing to prove their case. And absolutely convinced he has the answer everyone else has missed. But does he? In Job 32–34, Elihu delivers some genuinely fresh theology and some head-scratching contradictions. He says God speaks through suffering to redirect us, not just punish us. He even unknowingly describes a heavenly mediator who sounds remarkably like Jesus. Yet, by the end of chapter 34, he's doing the same thing the three friends did, accusing Job of wickedness and asking for him to be tested even further. In our Job 32-34 Bible Study, you'll learn: [03:27] Who Elihu is: A young outsider with real spiritual insight but also an ego he can't quite keep in check [14:36] God's surprising voice: How God speaks through dreams, pain, and messengers, and why your suffering may be redirection, not punishment [18:05] A hidden glimpse of Jesus: How Elihu accidentally describes the mediator Job has been crying out for since Chapter 9, a ransom-payer who rescues us from the pit [22:53] God's justice on trial: Elihu's three-part case for why a just God cannot be wrong, and where his argument misses Job's heart entirely [26:55] The pattern we all fall into: Why Elihu starts with compassion but ends up sounding just like Job's friends and what that says about how we handle people in pain Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 32-34 [14:38] Elihu says that God speaks to us through dreams, suffering, and messengers. Has there been a moment in your life when you recognized that God might have been speaking to you through a difficult experience? What did that realization change for you? [15:08] Elihu's insight that suffering can be preventive rather than punitive is a powerful idea. Is there a "thorn in your flesh" in your own life that, looking back, you can see God may have used to redirect or protect you? [27:01] Elihu started out wanting to vindicate Job, but the longer he spoke, the more he ended up condemning him. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you began with good intentions but frustration caused you to say something you ended up regretting? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 28-31 Job: Where Can I Find Wisdom?
When life falls apart, where do you look for help? Job has survived three rounds of debate with friends who had all the answers but none of them right. Now the arguments are over, and the crowd goes quiet. What Job does next is unexpected. Instead of demanding justice, he goes searching for something deeper. Something we all want when life doesn't make sense. Wisdom. What unfolds across Job 28–31 is one of the most breathtaking poems in all of Scripture spoken by a grieving man who refuses to let go of God, even when God seems to have abandoned him. In our Job 28-31 Bible Study, you'll learn: [03:10] The Wisdom Poem (Job 28): You can't mine for wisdom, and you can't buy it. You can't find it in the land of the living. There's only one true place wisdom comes from. [09:08] The great twist: Three times God declared Job already has wisdom, but Job doesn't even know it yet. [10:40] Our access to wisdom: Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, the wisdom Job spent four chapters searching for is now freely available to us. All we have to do is ask. [21:03] The "but now" moment (Job 30): Job looks at everything he's lost—his reputation, his health, his community—and he lets himself grieve. [25:39] Job's final oath (Job 31): Job signs his name to his own defense with 19 "if" statements and dares God to answer him. It is bold. Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 28–31 [04:33] Job found that wisdom cannot be mined, bought, or discovered in the land of the living. It belongs to God alone. Can you think of a time when you were searching for wisdom in all the wrong places? What was the result? [14:30] In Chapter 29, Job describes a ministry of caring for people that brought him great joy. In Chapter 30, he deeply mourns its loss. Can you relate to Job here? Has there ever been something in your own life that brought you joy but then suffering or circumstance took it away? [26:55] Job signed his name to his innocence and demanded God, not the crowd, answer him directly. Have you ever found yourself going to people for approval or justice? How could you turn to God instead for clarity and insight, as Job did? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 22-27 Job: “Till I Die, I Will Not Deny My Integrity.”
How can God's ways be just when there is so much suffering in this world? Job has lost everything. His friends have spent weeks piling on accusations, theology lectures, and spiritual platitudes. But in Job 22–27, something shifts. The friends start running out of steam, and Job refuses to go down with them. Round 3 of the great debate reaches its breaking point. One friend fabricates lies, one delivers the shortest speech in the entire book, and one goes completely silent. Yet Job, who is still sick, suffering, and sitting on an ash heap, outlasts and out-argues all three of them. In our Job 22-27 Bible Study, you'll learn: [06:27] The accusation motivation: Why Eliphaz makes up specific sins and falsely accuses Job of exploiting the poor and oppressing widows, and what it reveals about how desperation can make people act [11:47] Job's level of faith: What Job means when he says "when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold" even while admitting he's terrified of God [16:04] Suffering then and now: In Chapter 24, Job gives a raw, gut-punch list of real-world injustices: stolen land, starving children, suffering widows. And why God's silence on all of it still haunts us today [19:32] The grand finale: Why Bildad's six-verse mic drop is actually a white flag, and what it means that Job wins a three-on-one fight while barely able to stand [25:38] Battle status: How Job's refusal to give up his innocence isn't just personal, it's actually winning a cosmic battle he doesn't even know is happening Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 22-27: [10:56] When Job is falsely accused by Eliphaz, he ignores it entirely and instead turns to pondering his problem. If you were falsely accused, what would be your instinctive response? What do you think would happen if you ignored the false accusation like Job did? [18:35] Job concludes that justice doesn't follow a set schedule or pattern applicable to all situations. Justice is not always immediate, it's not always visible, and it certainly doesn't follow the Retribution Principle. Have you found this to be true in your life? [26:14] When you go through tough times in your own life, do you think it would be a comfort to revisit the Book of Job? Why or why not? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 18-21 Job: “My Redeemer Lives!”
Why does God seem silent when you're suffering? Job has already lost everything. His health, his wealth, his children. But in Job 18-21 things get even harder. His three friends stop offering advice and start delivering verdicts. The gloves are off, and Job is standing in the ring alone battered from every side with no one in his corner. Yet, in the middle of the darkest moment in this ancient story, Job makes one of the most breathtaking declarations in all of Scripture. A statement so powerful that Handel built the climax of his Messiah around it. This Job 28-31 Bible study covers: [5:09] Bildad's Attack: How Job's "friend" weaponizes the fear of death to force a confession and why it completely backfires. [9:46] Job's Cry to God: When Job accuses God of injustice, why it is actually an act of faith, not a rejection of it. [16:28] The Redeemer Prophecy: What the Hebrew word go'el means and why Job's declaration "I know that my Redeemer lives" is one of the most stunning prophecies in the Old Testament. [23:48] Zophar's Final Verdict: Why the zero-mercy friend delivers his most dramatic speech yet, and why Job dismantles the whole argument with one simple observation about real life. [28:34] The Retribution Myth: Why the idea that good people are always blessed and bad people always suffer doesn't hold up and what the New Testament actually says about justice. Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 18 - 21: [5:58] Like his two friends, Bildad is more concerned with proving he is right than saving Job. Can you think of a time in your life when the desire to be right caused you to lose sight of the bigger picture of our salvation? How would you like to do it differently next time? [8:01] Bildad ends with the implication that Job is an evil man who does not know God, and the evidence against Job is overwhelming. Job feels alone in the ring and utterly abandoned by everyone, yet he professes his faith in his Redeemer. Do you believe standing firm in our faith in times like this can transform our suffering into a battle against the Accuser? [19:44] Job has so much confidence in his Redeemer, with little evidence while facing great opposition. We have so much more than Job: The Gospel and the promise of eternal life through Jesus. What is a prayer you could use to hold onto your confidence in our Redeemer when you face suffering or false accusations? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 15-17: Job: "You Are Miserable Comforters"
In the midst of intense suffering, have you ever wondered if God's ways are just? By Job 15-17, the polite advice is gone, and Job's friend Eliphaz comes out swinging. He stops trying to help Job and starts trying to prove he's guilty. Suddenly Job isn’t just grieving his losses. He’s defending his character in a courtroom he never asked to be in. And yet, in the wreckage of agony, betrayal, and broken theology, Job does something remarkable. He looks up. He declares that somewhere in heaven there is a witness who will vindicate him. An advocate and intercessory friend whose name he doesn't know yet. In this Job 15-17 Bible study, we cover: [1:27] The Round 2 Shift : Why Job's friends move from offering bad advice to outright accusation. [7:47] The Irony of Eliphaz: Why Eliphaz thinks he is God's messenger and believes he knows it all... and just how wrong he is. [12:38] "Miserable comforters" : What Job's Hebrew smackdown in Job 16:2 actually means and the surprisingly simple standard God holds us to when friends are suffering. [18:10] Job's Witness in Heaven : The breathtaking moment Job declares he has an advocate on high and how Romans 8 answers the question Job couldn't. [23:26] The Emotional Rollercoaster of Suffering : How Job's sudden shifts between anger, despair, and hope mirror the way humans often wrestle with suffering. Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 15–17 [10:30] Job's friends spent a lot of time judging him. Have you ever felt harshly judged by friends or watched that play out in someone else's life? What was the spiritual or emotional cost? [25:04] Job's emotional state in Chapter 17 swings quickly between "the grave awaits me" and "in the face of the darkness light is near." When you are suffering, can you relate to these shifting emotions, or does one perspective typically win out over the other? [26:11] Job is winning the heavenly court case even though it looks like he is losing on earth. How does that reframe the way you think about seasons of suffering in your own life? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 11-14: Zophar: "Stop Talking and Repent, Job"
When the loudest voices in the room are completely wrong about God, what should you do? This is one of the most emotionally raw stretches in the entire Book of Job. In Job 11–14, the third friend, Zophar , steps up, and he makes Eliphaz and Bildad look gentle by comparison. But Job has finally had enough. He fires back with some of the most courageous and heartbreaking words in Scripture. Round 1 of the friends' speeches ends here, and Job refuses to break. In our Psalms 11-14 Bible study, we cover: [5:47] Biblical Name Calling: What it means in the ancient world when Zophar implies Job is like a donkey. [11:29] Job's Comeback: How Job turns Zophar's own sermon against him, and why wrestling with God is actually proof of faith, not the absence of it. [16:00] Job's Answer to Satan: When Job says, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him," how these words directly answer Satan's accusation from Chapter 1 , without Job even knowing it. [21:24] Resurrection Hope: How Job's desperate question, "If someone dies, will they live again?" is answered 1,500 years later by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Discussion Questions Reflecting on Job 11-14: [7:27] Zophar's perspective is all wrong. Have you ever gotten advice during a hard time that didn’t sit right with you? What did you do? [16:18] Even in deep suffering Job says, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” Can you think of someone in your own life who is a great example of holding onto faith even when enduring seemingly unfair suffering? How has this inspired you? [20:17] Job asks, “If someone dies, will they live again?” without knowing the answer. In the New Testament, Jesus gives us the answer. Yes, there is life after death. Do you ever wonder how you would process losing someone you love if you didn't know there was life after death? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Job 8-10: Bildad: "God Is Just, You Sinned, Job"
What can you do when God is silent and your friends are loud? As our Job 8-10 Bible study opens, Bildad steps up to the city gate microphone, and he's not bringing comfort. He doubles down on the Retribution Principle: sin equals suffering, and righteousness equals blessing. To Bildad, Job’s suffering is an open-and-shut case of guilt. He even makes the heartless claim that Job’s children died as a penalty for their own sins. But, as Job 8–10 reveals, "dry theology" is no match for a broken heart. In our Job 8-10 Bible study, we cover: [12:46] The Trap of Transactional Faith: Why Bildad's "ancient wisdom" sounds reasonable on the surface but utterly fails in the face of innocent suffering and pain. [19:53] The Fulfillment of Our Need for a Mediator: How Job's desperate cry for a mediator points forward to the one answer neither he nor Bildad could see coming: Jesus. [20:31] Paul’s Answer to Bildad: Using the book of Galatians , we dismantle Bildad’s framework to show that righteousness has always been about faith, not a ledger of behavior. [29:21] A Purpose Beyond the Pain: Discover why Job was God’s "chosen weapon" to defeat Satan and why it was of the utmost importance that Job didn't understand the reason for his suffering. Show Notes for the Book of Job: ACTS Prayer Guide The Old Testament Books Charles Spurgeon's Sermon Group Discussion Questions for Job 8-10: [5:37] Bildad is so busy "crafting his correction" that he doesn't hear a word of Job’s cry for help. Have you ever been so focused on being "right" or correcting someone's theology that you stopped listening to their heart? [25:00] Job insists his relationship with God is real, even when his circumstances make no sense. Have you ever defended God's existence while silently wrestling with questions about why bad things happen to good people? [29:51] Job's suffering has a purpose he can't see from inside his pain. Looking back, have you ever experienced a season of suffering that later revealed a purpose you couldn't have understood in the middle of it? Contact Bible Book Club! Social : Instagram or Facebook Website : Bible Book Club Review Us : Apple Podcast or Spotify Join the Fun : DONATE or Buy merch This episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
