In the final episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss not only the end of Revelation, but the culmination of the entire story of God's Word. How does every one of God's purposes and promises conclude with this cosmic, beautiful, picture? How has Jesus always been the only and necessary answer? How can we respond? 

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the scrolls, trumpets, witnesses, and beasts of Revelation. While at first glance, it all appears complicated and confusing, this imagery has deep roots in the Old Testament, and provides simple, compelling message for the church today. 

In this episode of The Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester begin the book of Revelation. A letter that is sometimes ignored, sometimes minutely studied, and often misunderstood. What can be learned from the opening of this letter and what is its surprisingly simple message?

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the conclusion of Romans and what it means for the church today. What should our faith look like in the world we live in and how do we figure out what part we play in God's plan? 

In this episode of The Story of Scriptire, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss what disciples and theologians throughout the history of the church consider the most important passages written by the apostle Paul. How do these passages fit within God’s story of redemption a for the Christians of the first century and how are they relevant today?

We have read through much of the Story of the Scripture, we have read Stephen, Paul, and Peter's summaries of the Story of Scripture, and in Romans, we get to study the apostle Paul's theology of the Story of Scripture. In this letter to the church in Rome, Paul calls the Jewish and Gentile Christians to unity, faith, and obedience to Jesus. In the first few chapters, he reminds his Jewish brothers of what all of humanity was called to in Genesis 1, what we all lost in Genesis 3, and how Jesus fully and finally redeems all who receive him in faith. 

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the final chapters we have of Paul's story. Paul stands against the Jewish leaders who oppose his faith in Jesus, stands against the Roman rulers of the world, and even must confront the unseen powers in the world through a storm, shipwreck, and snakebite. Throughout every obstacle, Paul remains faithful to his Lord and his mission.

In this episode of the Bible Reading Podcast, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss Acts 16-21.  Paul continues on his second and third missionary journeys. He faces suffering and opposition, but also amazing openness to the gospel. Despite repeated warnings, Paul heads to Jerusalem. He knows what awaits, but is willing to be all and give all for the gospel.

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.