In the last blogpost, I shared how my faith journey has grown through better understanding the original context of the Bible. My love for the Lord and His word continues to grow the more that I spend time in His word. It still amazes me how the Bible fits together as one complete rescue story of Jesus saving us from our sins. If you didn’t get a chance to check that out, here’s the link.
With this continued passion for digging deeper into the original intent of the books of the Bible and Middle Eastern culture that it was written from, I wanted to share my list of Bible studies and resources that I want to explore in 2023. I would also love to read your suggestions of other studies I should check out or to know if you want to join me as I explore these resources! I have organized these resources based on the goals I have set for myself to continue to grow spiritually this year:
- Goal #1: Read the entire Bible from cover to cover:
- I have made it halfway through The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble. Although it was not the traditional time to start a Bible reading plan, I started this one at the beginning of July. This is a cool resource, because with the YouVersion Bible app, the reading plan is loaded into the app and helps you stay on track as you read through the Bible in chronological order. Even as wonderful as The Gospel Project was for us to study the Bible chronologically, for the sake of time within the Sunday School hour, we couldn’t cover the entire Bible from cover to cover even with a three year time span.
- Here are some key features of The Bible Recap that are helpful:
- With this resource, you literally read all of the Bible in one year.
- With the YouVersion app is that you can also select to have many Bible translations read aloud the scripture each day. This has been really helpful for me to listen to the daily verses as I cook, clean, exercise, or in this current season-rest.
- Tara Leigh Cobble records a daily podcast to summarize and dig deeper into the theological truths in each day’s reading.
- Every time you start a new book of the Bible, she also links in The Bible Project’s book of the Bible overview videos to help you see the bigger picture of how each book fits into the overall scope of the Bible.
- She also links in other helpful videos and resources sporadically through the reading plan to help you gain better clarity.
- For someone who learns best when I can see and hear what I’m learning, this has been a great way to intentionally read through the entire Bible a few chapters a day. As Tara Leigh reminds us each day, “He is where the joy is!”
 YouVersion Bible App-Select the Bible Recap Reading Plan. |  The Bible Recap podcast-Listen to the corresponding podcast that matches that day’s reading plan |
- She Reads Truth Study Journaling Bible: This was a much appreciated gift from my mom for Christmas. The text features in this Bible are incredible. I am excited to use this new Bible in conjunction with The Bible Recap reading plan. I also plan on journaling along what our family is learning throughout the course of the year in the margins of the pages.
- Goal #2: To continue gaining a better understanding of the original middle eastern culture that penned the words of both the old and new testament, I am continuing to explore:
- The BEMA podcast with Marty Solomon and Brent Billingsly: Marty is a Messianic Jewish Rabbi (a Jew who converted to Christianity and is a Bible teacher). He teaches the Bible through the lens of Jewish culture and the original languages. I have made it through Season 1, episode 30 and each podcast is full of cultural gems.
- The Gospel on the Ground by Kristi McClelland: Kristi is a biblical culturalist who teaches the Bible in its historical, cultural context. In 2020, I studied her Bible study Jesus and Women. It was incredible, so I am really excited that my mom purchased this new release for me for Christmas. I can’t wait to learn more about the book of Acts through Kristi’s teachings.
- One helpful feature with this study is that the video sessions are included with the study book purchase.
- Here’s a link to Kristi’s ministry if you want to check out her other resources.
- *There is also a version for teen girls that I would love to check out for our girls when they get a little older.
- The God of How and When and The God of the Way by Kathie Lee Gifford and Rabbi Jason Sobel: Rabbi Jason Sobel is also a Messianic Jewish teacher and brings depth into his teaching through connecting the Jewish roots of scripture to help us understand the Bible as a whole. Kathie has such a passion for the Lord and love of Israel. She brings a child-like faith and inquiry as she studies alongside Jason. I learned so much through their first book The Rock, The Road, and the Rabbi that I knew that when Faith Gateway advertised this upcoming online Bible study from January 16-February 26 that I wanted to be a part of this.
- *Virtual studies are helpful, because you can fit them in when it works with your schedule.
- Faithgateway is running a special right now to purchase these three books for a huge discount. I can’t wait to check them out!
- Aligning With God’s Appointed Times: Discover the Prophetic and Spiritual Meaning of the Biblical Holidays by Rabbi Jason Sobel Through doing The Bible Recap, I feel like I have just scratched the surface with how the Biblical feasts represent rich theological truths for both the Old and New Testaments. I can’t wait to explore more of the depth behind the Biblical holidays.
- Mysteries of the Messiah by Rabbi Jason Sobel: I was able to watch the video series of this study on Study Gateway a few years ago and loved it. I want to make space this year to read through the book and Bible study.
- Goal #3: Grow in Practical Biblical Truth
- Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa Terkeurst: I have been a fan of Lysa’s work for years. From The Best Yes, Made to Crave, Finding I Am, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, and many more life-changing books, anytime I read Lysa’s books or listen to her podcasts, I gain practical biblical truths. Lysa is the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, and their Online Bible Studies division has chosen this book as their first study of the year. You can sign up for their virtual Bible study from January 23-March 3.
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Friend, do you want to check out any of these resources this year? What other studies should I put on my Bible study goals list for 2023? I would love to study alongside you (either in person or virtually) if you want to check out any of these studies I shared. Bible study is always more fun in the company of others. The more we fill our souls with God’s truth, the more we will be able to notice His glory through our unique children.
Experiencing God's Glory through Unique Children 