86: The Story of Scripture – Matthew 1-8

After 9 months studying the Old Testament, this week’s episode of the Story of Scripture discusses the Gospel of Matthew.

How are these first chapters of the New Testament connected to the people and story of the Old Covenant? What does the beginning of this book communicate about the identity and purposes of Jesus? What is the same, what is really new, and how can we discover the foundational message of Jesus’ ministry?

85: The Story of Scripture – Nehemiah 7-13

The remnant of God’s people has returned from exile, the new temple is dedicated, and the walls of the city are restored.

In this final section of the Old Testament reading, we are reminded to look back with gratitude and worship for all God has done for his people, and look forward with anticipation for the greater fulfillment of his promises to come.

84: The Story of Scripture – Ezra 10-Nehemiah 1-6

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss Nehemiah’s narrative of the remnant of God’s people as they seek to find their identity and security without their own king.

How will the new temple, the law, and their beloved promised land help or hinder them? How can we learn from their experience so long ago?

83: The Story of Scripture – Ezra 3-9

The people of the promise are called out of another global empire to the promised place of God, but nothing is quite the same.

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the return from exile, the temple rebuilt, and what that means for us today.

https://youtu.be/qFqkQlmX9lM

82: The Story of Scripture – 2 Kings 10-Ezra 2

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the end of a kingdom and the beginning of a new chapter in God’s story.

The kingdom of Judah has been defeated and exiled, but the book of Ezra begins a new chapter of hope for God’s people.

81: The Story of Scripture – 2 Kings 13-18

The great prophet Elisha dies, the king of Judah copies foreign temples and practices child sacrifice, and the land and blessing of Solomon’s reign is officially at an end.

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the inevitable fall of and exile of the northern kingdom of Israel, and the beginning of the end for the southern kingdom of Judah.

80: The Story of Scripture – 2 Kings 6-12

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Rachel Chester, and Lance Lawson discuss 2 Kings chapters 6 – 12.

The promise Elijah delivered to Ahab finally comes to fruition and justice is served. God is patient and merciful, and he is also just and faithful to his promises: both to rescue and to judge.

Despite these consequences to their idolatry, however, the kings and the people of Israel continue in their stubborn idolatry.

79: The Story of Scripture – 1 Kings 21-22 & 2 Kings 1-5

This week the story of Kings continues with more tension between the leaders of the divided kingdom of Israel and the prophets of God. Join Ted, Rachel, and Lance for a conversation about evil, assassinations, miracles, and she-bears.

How does the Exodus story continue to replay throughout the Old Testament, and why is Jezebel the worst?

78: The Story of Scripture – 1 Kings 14-20

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the kings and prophets of a now divided Kingdom of Israel.

The prophets take center stage as covenant “watchdogs” and one of the most important prophets in Scripture, Elijah, takes on an idolatrous and murderous king and queen.

77: The Story of Scripture – 1 Kings 7-13

In this episode of The Story of Scripture, Ted Rysoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss Solomon’s reign: from a wise king who loves Yahweh, to a another leader who turns from Yahweh. What can we all learn from Solomon, and how does he point to Jesus?