Bible Basics

Letters That Still Speak Today: Understanding the New Testament Epistles

We explore why much of the New Testament feels like reading someone else’s mail and show how that lens unlocks clarity, context, and comfort. Real letters from pastors and apostles become living guidance for modern believers when we read them as whole conversations.• definition of an epistle as a letter• why letters change how we read the New Testament• who wrote the letters and who received them• overview of Paul, James, Peter, John, and Hebrews• when and why the letters were written• how ancient letters were structured and read aloud• whether letters to them are for us today• a simple method for reading epistles well• key themes: faith, conflict, leadership, suffering, hope, love• takeaway that epistles are pastoral, Spirit-inspired guidanceRESOURCES:Anyabwile, K. (n.d.). Literarily: How understanding Bible genres transforms Bible study (pp. 120–121). Function. Kindle edition.Galan, B., & Curiel, J. (n.d.). Bible overview (pp. 429–430). Function. Kindle edition.Got Questions Ministries. (2002–2013). Got questions? Bible questions answered. Logos Bible Software.Jacobson, R. A., Jacobson, K. N., & Wiersma, H. H. (Eds.). (2019). Letters (or epistles). In Crazy book: A not-so-stuffy dictionary of biblical terms (pp. 203–204). Fortress Press.MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2011). The MacArthur study Bible (NIV ed.). Thomas Nelson.Ryken, L. (2020). Reading the New Testament letters: What you need to know. In D. Mangum (Ed.), Lexham context commentary: New Testament. Lexham Press.We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace. 💬 Reach out to Jacqui at info@bible-basics.org📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step. Thank you for tuning in! Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube. Please subscribe now! Feel free to contact us at info@bible-basics.org. We would love to hear from you!Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

Acts Pt 3: The Gospel Goes Out

We trace Acts 13–28 from Antioch to Rome, watching the Spirit send ordinary people into extraordinary moments as the gospel crosses cultures, faces resistance, and still advances. Paul’s journeys, the Jerusalem Council, and the clashes in cities like Ephesus show how grace shapes a global church.• Acts’ structure and the pivot from Peter to Paul • Antioch as a sending center shaped by prayer • First journey patterns of welcome and resistance • The Jerusalem Council clarifying grace for Gentiles • Second journey highlights in Philippi and Athens • Encouragement in Corinth to keep speaking • Ephesus and the clash with idol economies • Arrests, trials, shipwreck, and arrival in Rome • Four themes: Spirit-led mission, cross-cultural reach, resilient witness, redeemed detours • A personal challenge to take one faithful stepRead one chapter of Acts this week with fresh eyes. And if this series helped you feel more confident opening the Bible, share it with a friend.RELATED EPISODES:Acts Pt 1: The Story ContinuesActs Pt 2: The Church in MotionSOURCES: Benware, P. N. (2004). Survey of the New Testament. Moody Publishers. Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Bible commentary. B&H Publishing Group. Galan, B., & Curiel, J. (2012). Bible Overview. Rose Publishing. MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2014). The MacArthur Study Bible (NIV). Thomas Nelson. Ryken, L., & Ryken, P. G. (Eds.). (2007). The ESV Literary Study Bible (English Standard Version). Crossway. Thomas Nelson. (2021). The open Bible (NIV; complete reference system). Thomas NelsonWe'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace. 💬 Reach out to Jacqui at info@bible-basics.org📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step. Thank you for tuning in! Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube. Please subscribe now! Feel free to contact us at info@bible-basics.org. We would love to hear from you!Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

Acts Pt 2: The Church in Motion

In this episode of the Bible Basics Podcast, host Jacqueline Adewole delves into the early chapters of the Book of Acts, exploring the challenges faced by the early church as they spread the message of Jesus amidst increasing pressure and opposition. She reflects on a conversation about the struggles of faith, emphasizing that true growth often occurs in discomfort. The discussion highlights key events, such as Peter healing a disabled man, the arrest of Peter and John, and the martyrdom of Stephen, illustrating how these moments of tension ultimately led to the expansion of the Christian message. Adewole underscores the importance of community, prayer, and obedience in the face of adversity, reminding listeners that God works through imperfect people to fulfill His purpose.SOURCES:Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. (2002). How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour. Zondervan.MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (n.d.). The MacArthur Study Bible (New International Version). Thomas Nelson.MacDonald, W. (1994). The New Testament made clear. Thomas Nelson.Salter, M. C. (2024). Acts (L. Gatiss, Ed.). Hodder & Stoughton. (The Hodder Bible Commentary).Stott, J. R. W. (1994). The Message of Acts: The Spirit, the church & the world. InterVarsity Press. (The Bible Speaks Today).Thomas Nelson. (1993). The Word in Life Study Bible (New Revised Standard Version). Thomas Nelson.RELATED EPISODESActs Pt 1: The Story ContinuesA Seat at the Table: Exploring the Gospel of LukeWe'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace. 💬 Reach out to Jacqui at info@bible-basics.org📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step. Thank you for tuning in! Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube. Please subscribe now! Feel free to contact us at info@bible-basics.org. We would love to hear from you!Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

Acts Pt 1: The Story Continues

This episode begins a three-part series on the book of Acts, the story of how the early church began.We explore how the story of Jesus continues after the Gospels, not ending with His resurrection or ascension.Learn why Acts is often called the bridge between the life of Jesus and the growth of the early church.Discover what Jesus meant when He told His followers they would be His witnesses.Walk through Acts 1 and see why Jesus asked the disciples to wait before beginning their mission.Understand who the Holy Spirit is and why His coming changes everything.Experience the events of Pentecost and the birth of the church in Acts 2.See how ordinary, uncertain people were empowered to take part in God’s work.Learn what the early Christian community looked like and why it mattered.Reflect on how the same Spirit at work in Acts is still at work today.Sources: Meyer, J. (n.d.). The Everyday Life Bible (Amplified ed.). FaithWords.MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (n.d.). The MacArthur Study Bible (New International Version). Thomas Nelson.Pickett, F. (n.d.). Presenting the Holy Spirit. Word of Faith Press.The Word in Life Study Bible. (n.d.). New International Version. Zondervan.We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace. 💬 Reach out to Jacqui at info@bible-basics.org📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step. Thank you for tuning in! Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube. Please subscribe now! Feel free to contact us at info@bible-basics.org. We would love to hear from you!Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.

The Year You Finish: A Simple 15-Minute Guide to Reading the Bible

We trade guilt for grace and show a simple way to build a Bible-in-a-year rhythm that fits real life. Fifteen minutes, a right-fit plan, and a friend for accountability turn a fragile intention into a steady habit rooted in purpose.• New year expectations versus real-life rhythms• Why plans fail and how to rethink success• Find a clear personal why that endures• Build a 15-minute daily framework that sticks• Four habit keys to remove friction and start• Plan options: straight, mixed, chronological, five-day• Grace for missed days with two recovery paths• Accountability through a simple reading buddy• Shift from completion to connection for lasting changeIf you thought of someone who's been wanting to further their relationship and connection with God, but don't know where to start, please send this their wayRELATED EPISODE:How to Develop a lifelong Bible Reading Habit: The Atomic Habit: Habits ApproachBIBLE READING PLANS:MIXED:The One Year Bible, Bible . com (on the web or in the You Version app)Biblica Bible in YearFIVE DAY BIBLE READING PLANCHRONOLOGICAL: The Bible Recap (digital, print, Spanish & ASL)HARD COPY BIBLE ESV: One Year Bible (Amazon)We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace. 💬 Reach out to Jacqui at info@bible-basics.org📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step. Thank you for tuning in! Bible Basics is now streaming in video on Youtube. Please subscribe now! Feel free to contact us at info@bible-basics.org. We would love to hear from you!Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.