Reasoning Through the Bible

Glenn Smith and Steve Allem

Reasoning Through the Bible is a verse-by-verse Bible study podcast dedicated to teaching Scripture from chapter one, verse one, with careful attention to historical context, theology, and faithful application.Each episode offers in-depth, expository teaching rooted in the authority of the biblical text and the shared foundations of the historic Christian faith. While taught from an evangelical perspective, this podcast warmly welcomes all Christians seeking deeper engagement with God’s Word.Designed for listeners who desire serious Bible study rather than topical devotionals, Reasoning Through the Bible explores entire books of Scripture in an orderly and thoughtful manner—examining authorship, setting, theological themes, and the meaning of each passage within the whole of Scripture.Whether you are studying the Bible personally, teaching in the Church, or simply longing to grow in understanding and faith, this podcast aims to encourage careful listening to God’s Word through faithful, verse-by-verse exposition.

  1. Joel 2:1–11 Explained: The Day of the Lord Approaches (Session 3)

    1D AGO

    Joel 2:1–11 Explained: The Day of the Lord Approaches (Session 3)

    This is a verse-by-verse episode of Joel 2:1-11, exploring the historical context, meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith. Sirens don’t sing; they warn. Joel chapter 2 opens with a trumpet blast from Zion that cuts through comfort and asks a hard question: are we awake to what God is saying about judgment, justice, and hope? We walk through the text line by line and hear why the Day of the Lord is described as darkness, gloom, and a devastation so complete that Eden-like land becomes wilderness. The locust swarm of chapter one widens into a disciplined military force—ranked, relentless, and unstoppable—moving with speed and precision across Jerusalem’s walls and into its homes. This conversation also wrestles with God’s character. The text says the Lord leads this army, and that tests our tendency to only see what feels gentle. Scripture presents a God who is both loving and just, who disciplines to restore, and who calls Zion “my holy mountain” with covenant authority. The question “Who can endure it?” becomes an invitation to real hope: those who trust the Messiah of Israel, Jesus, find life beyond wrath and meaning beyond ruin. If you care about biblical prophecy, the future of Jerusalem, and a faithful view of God that refuses caricature, this deep dive will sharpen your understanding and strengthen your hope. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves careful Bible study, and leave a review with your take on Joel 2’s timeline and fulfillment. Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    27 min
  2. Joel 1:8-20 - What Endures When Everything Else Is Gone (Session 2)

    2D AGO

    Joel 1:8-20 - What Endures When Everything Else Is Gone (Session 2)

    This episode is a verse-by-verse Bible study of Joel 1:8-20, exploring the historical context, meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith.  What happens when everything you’ve built gets stripped to the bones? We walk line by line through Joel, where wave after wave of locusts erase Israel’s harvest, silence the temple’s offerings, and drain joy from the community. It’s more than a natural disaster story. It’s a sober look at the limits of human effort and the moment when God calls people from pride to prayer, from feasting to fasting, and from denial to lament. We unpack the symbols that matter: sackcloth as a public sign of grief, fasting as a reset of appetite and attention, and a solemn assembly that reunites a fractured people. Along the way, we connect Joel’s imagery to a hard but hopeful truth—our best safeguards and systems are good gifts, but they can’t save us from judgment or mend a heart that has drifted. The Day of the Lord enters the scene not as a vague threat but as moral clarity: destruction from the Almighty that confronts idolatry and invites return to Him. Ecclesiastes echoes through the conversation: the work of our hands fades, but the Word of God endures. We also explore why discipline can be grace. Like the cycle in Judges, crisis often becomes the turning point that drives people to cry out to God. When the fields are bare and the storehouses empty, the only honest path is toward the One who can both halt the ruin and begin restoration. By the end, we outline Joel’s literary cues and set the stage for what comes next: a movement from devastation to renewal. If you’ve felt your plans devoured or your efforts exhausted, this chapter offers a map—name the loss, gather with others, fast, and call on the Lord. If this journey through Joel sparked reflection, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review telling us where you’ve seen God turn ruin into renewal. Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    24 min
  3. Joel 1:1-7 - Ancient Judgment and a Prophetic Warning (Session 1)

    3D AGO

    Joel 1:1-7 - Ancient Judgment and a Prophetic Warning (Session 1)

    This episode is a verse-by-verse Bible study of Joel 1:1-7, exploring the historical context, meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith.  A sky darkened by wings, vines gnawed to white sticks, and a promise bold enough to rebuild a future—Joel is both poetry and prophecy, and we dive straight into its heart. We set the scene for a focused, verse-by-verse journey through a book many skip, yet one that shapes how we understand the Day of the Lord, the outpouring of the Spirit, and Revelation’s fiercest images. From the opening lines, Joel confronts complacency with a locust plague so sustained it wipes out not only harvests but hope, and then he draws a line toward restoration that refuses to be small. We break down Joel’s twin themes—judgment and restoration—and show how they establish a pattern across the prophets: God uses nations to discipline Israel, judges those nations in turn, and brings Israel back to forgiveness and life. Along the way, we examine key New Testament connections: Peter’s use of Joel at Pentecost, 2 Thessalonians 2 on the man of lawlessness and timing, and 2nd and 3rd Peter on sudden cosmic upheaval. We also address common misreads, including why Joel’s scale and promises do not fit 70 AD, and how to let Joel speak in his own context before layering later theology. You’ll hear why the book’s literary force matters—how imagery like locusts, sickle, and winepress informs Revelation—and how Joel’s call to return to the Lord speaks into modern seasons of loss. If your life feels like wave after wave, Joel’s path moves from lament to promise, not by minimizing pain but by magnifying God’s faithfulness. Join us as we read carefully, think clearly, and seek the God who warns to wake us and restores to keep us. If this study helps you see Joel—and the whole Bible—with new clarity, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so others can find it. Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    29 min
  4. Colossians 4:2–18 - How Christians Should Interact with Non-Believers (Session 22)

    4D AGO

    Colossians 4:2–18 - How Christians Should Interact with Non-Believers (Session 22)

    This episode is a verse-by-verse Bible study of Colossians 4:2–18, exploring the historical context, theological meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith. How do we, as Christians, interact wisely with non-believers? And what tactics can we employ to share our faith in a compassionate and understanding way? These are the riveting themes we unpack in our latest episode, dissecting Apostle Paul’s teachings in the powerful book of Colossians. We start by delving into the importance of maintaining an attitude of thanksgiving and alertness in our prayers, and how this influences our relationship with those outside our faith. Personal stories and insights bring the teachings to life, reminding us of the weight our actions hold in the world. Moving on, we examine the importance of gracefully seasoning our conversations and being adequately prepared to answer the questions of those outside our faith. The discussion will challenge you to reflect on how you spend your time and the importance of maximizing every opportunity to share Christ's love and teachings. The episode wraps up with some information on our ministry, Reasoning Through the Bible, and how it can support you on your spiritual journey. Tune in, for an episode packed with valuable lessons, fascinating discussions, and life-transforming insights. Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    34 min
  5. Colossians 3:21–4:1 - Biblical Leadership in the Home and Workplace (Session 21)

    5D AGO

    Colossians 3:21–4:1 - Biblical Leadership in the Home and Workplace (Session 21)

    This episode is a verse-by-verse Bible study of Colossians 3:21–4:1, exploring the historical context, theological meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith. Are you being fair to those under your authority, be it at home or the workplace? Have you ever paused and wondered about the gravity of your actions and their long-term impact? This episode takes you through an enlightening exploration of the book of Colossians, with a spotlight on the responsibilities that come with authority, particularly for fathers. We unpack the Biblical instructions on how to avoid being overbearing or irritating, stressing the consequential role our actions play in shaping individuals, especially children. This episode will leave you pondering on your actions, attitudes, and their ripple effects on those under your authority. It doesn't matter if you're a father, a boss or someone under authority; this episode promises to provoke thought and inspire change. So, tune in and let's journey together through the book of Colossians and the lessons it presents about our roles in authority. Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    27 min
  6. Colossians 3:18–20 - What the Bible Says About Marriage and Family (Session 20)

    MAR 6

    Colossians 3:18–20 - What the Bible Says About Marriage and Family (Session 20)

    This episode is a verse-by-verse Bible study of Colossians 3:18–20, exploring the historical context, theological meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith. This episode lays bare the profound wisdom embedded in the Bible about unity - unity in the family, in the body of Christ, and with God. We pull back the veil on the book of Colossians, unmasking the motivations of false teachers that sow seeds of division within the church. Together, we unravel Paul's timeless teachings to husbands, wives, children, and those in power, underscoring the enduring relevance in our modern world. But remember, context is king when studying scripture - the import of a single phrase can wane or wax when isolated from the whole. We journey into the heart of marital dynamics within a Biblical context. We confront the pride that often steers us away from submitting to God and illuminate how this pride spills over into our worldly interactions, grasp the essential role of respect in the male psyche for a thriving marriage, and the parallel necessity for love in the female psyche. We will dismantle the worn-out accusation that the Bible is anti-women, illuminating instead the countless women held in high regard in the scriptures. We draw illustrations from the stories of Aquila and Priscilla, Rahab, and Ruth, showing how women were treated with respect. We underscore the importance of teaching children to obey authority and the grim societal fallout of failing to do so. We navigate the subtle shift from obedience to honor in a child's relationship with their parents as they mature. This episode promises a rich exploration of Christian family dynamics you wouldn't want to miss. Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    27 min
  7. Colossians 3:12-17 - Insights into Christian Living and the Role of Music in Worship (Session 19)

    MAR 5

    Colossians 3:12-17 - Insights into Christian Living and the Role of Music in Worship (Session 19)

    This episode is a verse-by-verse Bible study of Colossians 3:12–17, exploring 2the historical context, theological meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith. Ever wondered how God's sovereignty and human choice intertwine? How can we be chosen by God yet still retain the power to accept or reject His call? This episode unravels the perplexing relationship between these two concepts, drawing inspiration from Paul's counsel to the Colossian church and exploring the idea of bearing each other's burdens and harmonious coexistence. We delve deep into these mysteries, discussing divine election and free will, and ponder on the purpose of being chosen.  Finally, envision the power of guidance and unity in worship music. Contemplate on how the word of Christ can shape our decisions and grant us wisdom. We reflect on the potency of music in teaching us about the Lord, the virtue of patience in promoting unity, and the significance of doing all things in the name of Jesus. This episode is overflowing with insights on living as Christians, the beauty of interpersonal relationships, and the divine power of music in worship. Join us for this thought-provoking journey into the teachings of the Apostle Paul! Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    31 min
  8. Colossians 3:8-11 - Put off the Old Self and Put on Christ (Session 18)

    MAR 4

    Colossians 3:8-11 - Put off the Old Self and Put on Christ (Session 18)

    This episode is a verse-by-verse Bible study of Colossians 3:8-11, exploring the historical context, theological meaning, and faithful application of the passage within the Christian faith. Have you ever wondered how to truly live out the teachings of Jesus Christ in your daily life? We're going to tackle this question head-on, exploring the wisdom of the Apostle Paul and his transformative teachings. We're talking about shedding our old selves, ridding ourselves of anger, malice, and deceit, and embracing a new self of truth and kindness. This isn't just about doctrine, it's about a personal transformation that affects every aspect of our lives, including our speech and our relationships. In this spiritual journey, we also confront the dangers of Gnosticism and its threat to Biblical teachings. We'll dive into the concept of daily renewal, unity in Christ, and the essence of the Abrahamic covenant. We'll grapple with the profound revelation that salvation is available for all—Jews and Gentiles alike—through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a journey of discovering the power of faith and its ability to shape our lives. Join us, as we challenge ourselves to live our faith more authentically every day. Support the show Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

    32 min
4.6
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Reasoning Through the Bible is a verse-by-verse Bible study podcast dedicated to teaching Scripture from chapter one, verse one, with careful attention to historical context, theology, and faithful application.Each episode offers in-depth, expository teaching rooted in the authority of the biblical text and the shared foundations of the historic Christian faith. While taught from an evangelical perspective, this podcast warmly welcomes all Christians seeking deeper engagement with God’s Word.Designed for listeners who desire serious Bible study rather than topical devotionals, Reasoning Through the Bible explores entire books of Scripture in an orderly and thoughtful manner—examining authorship, setting, theological themes, and the meaning of each passage within the whole of Scripture.Whether you are studying the Bible personally, teaching in the Church, or simply longing to grow in understanding and faith, this podcast aims to encourage careful listening to God’s Word through faithful, verse-by-verse exposition.

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