In this episode of the Story of Scripture, the new church is growing exponentially, but also faces difficult questions about this newly formed people of God. Do the newly included Gentile disciples need to follow the laws of the Torah? Should the Jewish disciples of Jesus and the Gentile disciples of Jesus interact? Eat together? Are they the same status? God has always planned to bring salvation to the whole world, and the early church must wrestle with what this new reality means for their traditions and faith.

The apostle Peter is transformed from hiding and denying knowing the name of Jesus to bolding proclaiming salvation in the name of Jesus, "unable to top speaking about what [he has] seen and heard." Stephen explains to the Jewish leadership how the Story of Scripture has all led to Jesus and becomes the first Christian martyr. We are introduced to a young zealot named Paul, who "breathes" threats and murder against the followers of Jesus. It is the explosive, beginning of the church; no one is left unchanged by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

In this episode, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the final chapters of Hebrews and the opening chapters of the book of Acts. How does the author of Hebrews call the new church to live in light of all they have been given in Christ? The beginning of Acts gives a glimpse of exactly the power and perseverance Hebrews has in mind.

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss Hebrews 5-10. Who is Melchizedek? Why is Jesus compared to him? How does Jesus fulfill and expand the sacrifices, priesthood, and covenant of the Old Testament? 

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the climax of the entire biblical story: Jesus, God with us, who humbled himself even unto the cross, but who rose again to reign forever. This beauty and majesty of who Jesus is and what it means begins the next part of the Story in the book of Hebrews. 

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the last teachings of Jesus. What does it look like to be great in the kingdom of God? Do we really want the upside down kingdom of God? How should the teaching and the life of Jesus transform how we see all of Scripture and our own hearts? 

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester continue working through the gospel of Matthew. After teaching about the Kingdom of God, Jesus begins to display what this kingdom look like: the sick are healed, outsiders are welcomed, and his disciples begin to participate in all he is doing. Despite the authority and power of Jesus, he begins to warn of his impending sacrificial death. 

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? 

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.

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?

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?   

In this episode of The Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the complicated, but ultimately hopeful legacy of King David: the humble, shepherd-king who was imperfect, but ultimately faithful to his Lord. The next chapter of God's story begins with King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, who built the Temple for Yahweh to reside with his people in Jerusalem and expanded the kingdom to all that was promised to Abraham. In David we see the pinnacle of a humble king, in Solomon the pinnacle of the kingdom, but cracks begin to show . . . 

King David is victorious over his rebellious son, but grieves for all he has lost. After his failures, he is still a victorious king, but he is weakened and weary, and reminded that it has always been and still is Yahweh who is his rock and deliverer. Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester mourn another faithful follower who chooses to go his own way, instead of trusting in God, but rest in the same hope David proclaims so many years ago: the faithfulness of God and the promise of a better King to come. 

In this episode, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the rise and fall of King David. The ideal Israelite king is humbled and repentant, but his choices still have consequences.