Open Our Bibles Together with MFahring

Michelle Fahring

Do you sometimes find it hard to pick up your Bible? To know where to begin, what you are even reading, how to study + dig deeper?? I get it, friend. I have most definitely been there too! It can be so overwhelming and intimidating for sure. I have discovered over the years that it becomes easier if you have someone to read alongside you, so please join me as we open our Bibles to read together – one chapter at a time.

  1. 6d ago

    Joshua 4 – 6 :: When the Walls Came Down

    In this episode of Open Our Bible Together, we pick up right after Israel crosses the Jordan River on dry ground into the Promised Land—and things move forward, but not in the way you might expect. Instead of rushing straight into battle, God first tells His people to remember. Twelve stones are taken from the Jordan and set up in Gilgal as a memorial, so every generation would know—it was the Lord who made a way through the water. Then, before anything else happens, God brings Israel back to who they are. Through circumcision and the Passover, He reminds them that they are His chosen people. The manna stops after 40 years, and for the first time, they're eating from the land He promised them. It's a clear turning point—wilderness to promise… right in front of their eyes. And then they're standing in front of Jericho. No battle plan that makes sense on paper. Just instructions that require trust. Walk. Be silent. Wait. Repeat. For six days, nothing seems to happen. But on the seventh day, everything changes. The trumpets sound, the people shout, and the walls of Jericho come down—not because of military strength, but because God kept His word. And right in the middle of it all, we see Rahab and a scarlet cord—a quiet but powerful picture of rescue and redemption that points us forward to something even greater. From stones in the river to silence around a city, Joshua 4–6 reminds us that God is faithful in every step of the journey. He calls His people to trust Him, follow Him, and watch Him do what only He can do. Because when the walls come down… it's always Him. ❤ For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/joshua-4-6/

    53 min
  2. May 13

    Joshua 1 – 3 :: Stepping Into the Promise with Strength and Courage

    In this special 100th episode of Open Our Bibles Together, we step into the book of Joshua and begin a powerful new chapter in God's story. Picking up where Deuteronomy left off, the Israelites stand at the edge of the Promised Land. Moses is gone. Joshua is now leading. And in this moment of transition, God repeatedly calls Joshua to be strong and courageous—not because of who he is, but because God will be with him. In these first 3 chapters of Joshua, we have a front row seat to see everything begin to unfold just as God says it will. From Rahab's unexpected faith in Jericho to the Israelites standing before the flood-stage Jordan River, God is already at work—going before His people and preparing the way. And when the time comes to move forward, the priests step into the water carrying the Ark of the Covenant—the very symbol of God's presence—and the river parts, allowing the people to cross on dry ground. Through it all, one truth remains: God is with His people. He goes before them, meets them in the middle, and faithfully leads them into what He promised all the way back in Genesis. Gosh, that's good! As we celebrate 100 episodes—and cue that confetti—please know that we're just getting started, my OOBTers! There are many more of the 66 books in our Bible to go, and I'm so glad you're here for the journey. For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/joshua-1-3/

    1 hr
  3. Apr 29

    Deuteronomy 32-34 + Psalm 91:: Standing on the Edge of the Promise

    In today's episode of OOBT, we get to sit with Moses in his final moments with the Israelites. Can you imagine being there, hearing his words for the last time? We hear his song — a powerful reminder that God is faithful, a warning about the cost of turning away, and a call to trust Him and remember His ways. This song wasn't just for one generation; it was meant to be sung, passed down, and remembered — and even now, it still speaks to our hearts. We also spend time in Psalm 91, a psalm of refuge and protection. It reminds us that God is present in the wilderness seasons, in uncertainty, and when life feels unpredictable. His shelter is real, His care is tangible, and His faithfulness carries us through every challenge. Then we take a closer look at the blessings Moses gave to the tribes. Each one was different — some received land, others strength, others safety. No blessing was better than another. God equips everyone in His way, and every gift matters. It's a reminder that His blessings aren't just for one moment — they ripple through families, communities, and even generations. They point us to the bigger story He's telling and the promises He's keeping. And the ending of Moses' life — wow. Still strong, clear-eyed, purposeful at 120, and God Himself lays him to rest in a place no one knows. No monument. No shrine. Just quiet faithfulness. Oh goodness. From the song, to the blessings, to Psalm 91, to Moses' final moments, this episode is full of reflection, awe, and encouragement. It's a chance to sit with Moses speaking to the Israelites just as a father would — pouring out his heart, his love, his guidance for God's people one last time. And… can you believe it?? By the end of today's episode, we've officially finished our sixth book of the Bible together. Up next: the book of Joshua PLUS the 100th episode of OOBT! For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/deuteronomy-32-34-psalm-91/

    40 min
  4. Apr 15

    Deuteronomy 29-31 :: From What They Saw to Courageous Faith

    In this episode, we slow down and just sit with one of those moments where everything feels about to change… a real turning point. Israel has seen God show up again and again — provision in the wilderness, victories over enemies, Moses guiding them faithfully. But now things are shifting. A new land is ahead. A new leader is stepping up. And the people are being called to do something new: move from what they've already seen into courageous faith. We get real about how easy it is for hearts to drift, even after seeing miracles. Seeing God move doesn't automatically make trusting Him simple. And yet, in His mercy, God isn't just trying to get them to act right. He's after their hearts — reshaping desires, redirecting love, changing them from the inside out. We also walk through the leadership handoff from Moses to Joshua. That repeated call to "be strong and courageous" isn't about Joshua being enough — it's about remembering the God who goes before him. His faithfulness doesn't depend on one leader, one generation, or even perfect obedience. His covenant stands. His presence is steady. As we close today, the big takeaway is this: the same God who has been faithful in the past is still the One leading us into what's next. So, here's the question to sit with: where is He inviting you to step forward in trust? Because the truth is… He still goes before His people. Gosh, that's so good. For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/deuteronomy-29-31/

    42 min
  5. Apr 1

    RE-AIR :: What If You Saw Holy Week Up Close? A Conversation with Tammy Munson

    As we step into Holy Week and prepare our hearts for Easter, I found myself thinking, this one I needed to hear again—and I hope it might touch your heart in the same way. With that thought in mind, I'm re-airing the bonus Holy Week & Easter episode from last year of Open Our Bibles Together, where I had the joy of sitting down for a conversation with Tammy Munson from Christian Podcasting Secrets. In this one, we took a meaningful walk through the events of Holy Week as if we were actually there: the cheers of Palm Sunday, the solemn weight of the Last Supper, the heartbreak of the cross, and the shock and joy of the empty tomb. Along the way, we connected these moments to Old Testament prophecies, key Scriptures, and even explored how visual portrayals—like The Chosen—bring the story of Easter to life in a fresh and powerful way. And, of course… because it's Tammy and me, there was laughter too! We closed with a few lighthearted Easter questions, reminding us that even in the heaviness of Holy Week, there is hope, joy, and reason to celebrate. As a side note: the show notes have also been updated with links for watching The Chosen Seasons 4 and 5, as well as all the previously included resources to help you dive deeper as you walk through Holy Week. If you're looking for a way to slow down, reflect, and really prepare your heart for Easter, this re-air is an invitation to step into the story and let it come alive for you once again this year. For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/re-air-what-if-you-saw-holy-week-up-close/

    37 min
  6. Mar 4

    Deuteronomy 23-25 :: Remembering the God Who Rescues

    In today's episode of Open Our Bibles Together, we're digging into Deuteronomy chapters 23–25, and what might seem like a list of random rules at first actually comes together around one powerful theme: remembering the God who rescues. Moses keeps reminding Israel—over and over again—to look back before they move forward. In Deuteronomy 24:18, he says, "Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God redeemed you from your slavery." God isn't just giving instructions—He's pointing His people back to their rescue story and saying, Let that shape how you live. Their compassion for the vulnerable, their care for one another, and their pursuit of holiness were all meant to flow out of remembering what God had already done for them. We'll also talk through why these laws mattered so much—especially since God Himself was living in the midst of their camp—and how His commands were never about pushing people away, but about protecting His people and reflecting His heart. Along the way, we revisit key moments from Israel's past, including Balaam's failed attempt to curse God's people, and we trace the redemptive thread through Ruth and Boaz, discovering how even in laws and boundaries, God's grace and redemption are never far away. As Moses speaks like a man running out of time—standing at the edge of the Promised Land—he urges the people to remember where they came from and who brought them out. And ultimately, we see how all of this points us forward to Jesus, our Rescuer, who redeems us and calls us to live differently because of His grace. For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/deuteronomy-23-25/

    35 min
4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Do you sometimes find it hard to pick up your Bible? To know where to begin, what you are even reading, how to study + dig deeper?? I get it, friend. I have most definitely been there too! It can be so overwhelming and intimidating for sure. I have discovered over the years that it becomes easier if you have someone to read alongside you, so please join me as we open our Bibles to read together – one chapter at a time.