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Today we continue in Chapter 1 in our Acts study, and we’ll cover just a few verses as we answer this question: What’s the best way to wait on God?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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What’s the best way to wait on God?
That’s what we’ll see the disciples doing in the textLast week Jesus got the disciples all riled upHe told them he would send the HS to empower themHe told them to wait in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49)But he didn’t tell them how long it would takeThe angels caught them staring into heaven while Jesus ascended
Have you ever been there? Waiting for God to act?
Romance - when will I finally find the “One” - ?Provision - in financial struggles or with career opportunitiesDeliverance - from addiction you’ve tried to kickHealing - in a relational conflict Vindication - you were falsely accused or misunderstoodWisdom - esp for new believers who just want to know Bible moreAnxiety - when will you take this away?
We’ve all been there. Today as we open the Bible we’re going to get a few practical, actionable tips to answer the question: What’s the best way to wait on God? We’re all doing it; we might as well do it right!
So let’s get to it….
Acts 1:12-13aActs 1:12-13 (NLT) "12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying."
Went to the upstairs roomPossibly the upper room from the last supperMay have been like headquarters in early daysMay have been the “home of Mary, the mother of John Mark” that Peter visited after jailbreak (12:12)the Mount of Olivesie, Jesus ascended to heaven from Mount of OlivesMakes sense, in light of this OT prophecy:Zechariah 14:2-4 (NLT) "2 I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem…. 3 Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem…."a place of judgment for nations when Jesus returns remember, this was part of the “kerygma” (early message = Jesus + faith + Spirit + return)We’ll see this in Peter’s first sermon in ch 2Has now become the place of blessing for nationsHe’ll give them a chance to respond to kerygma“Blessing on all nations” (Gen 12)returned to JerusalemSimple obedienceLuke 24:49 (NLT) 49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”They had great expectation, but little understandingThis is where we are when we wait on GodWhat do you do in this case? First answer:Obey what you knowDo the next...

Today we continue our study of Acts, covering Acts 1:6-11. Here’s the question we’ll answer as we look at the text: Does God favor one nation over another?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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This is an important question in today’s world:
Issue of immigrationChristian nations vs. Muslim nations, etc.It was a question on the minds of the disciples in Acts 1Jesus had just spent 3 yrs with themAlmost exclusively did ministry among IsraelitesMatthew 15:21-24 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”Note three things:Jesus was silent!?Disciples wanted him to send her awayJesus was sent to help only IsraelJesus ends up healing the daughterBut it was the exception, not the ruleSeems nationalistic, right?!The point: disciples thought God favored IsraelVery nationalistic in their ideologyThe “Chosen ones”Deuteronomy 7:6 (NLT) For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.Seems like American Christians todayWe are the new chosen onesWe have the only true GodWe have a better ideologyWe are God’s favoritesBut what does the Bible say about this?
Let’s warm up with a history lesson on Israel:
Theocracy First King - SaulUnited Monarchy (c. 1000–930 BCE)King David (c. 1010–970 BCE) : David united the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the capital.King Solomon (c. 970–930 BCE) : Solomon, David's son, built the First Temple in Jerusalem. After his death, the kingdom split into two.Divided Monarchy (c. 930–722 BCE for Israel, c. 930–586 BCE for Judah)Kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom) : Fell to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE.Kingdom of Judah (Southern Kingdom) : Continued until it fell to the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE.Assyrian Rule (c. 722–605 BCE)- The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, leading to the exile of many Israelites.Babylonian Rule (c. 605–539 BCE)- The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BCE, initiating the Babylonian Captivity.Persian Rule (c. 539–332 BCE)- Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BCE and allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple (Second Temple...

In this bonus episode, Bo and KD continue their discussion on Mormonism and women. They explore the cultural aspects of Mormonism as it relates to women, including the recitation of the Young Women's theme, the concept of exaltation, and the pressure on women to find a worthy husband. They also discuss the emphasis on modesty and the challenges of dressing in a way that is garment-appropriate. The conversation highlights the control and judgment that can arise from these cultural expectations.
Takeaways:
The pressure to find a worthy husband and the fear of not being able to achieve exaltation can create anxiety and control in Mormon women.The emphasis on modesty and the requirement to wear garments can lead to judgment and policing of women's clothing choices. In Mormonism, women are expected to prioritize having children, and infertility can be a source of judgment and unsolicited advice.Leaving the Mormon church can be particularly difficult for women, as it is seen as breaking up the eternal family.It is important to prioritize God above all else and recognize that being part of God's family is more important than the Mormon concept of an eternal family.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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Today we start a new series on the Book of Acts. We’ll cover the first five verses and answer the question: How should we act on the message of Jesus?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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A lot of people view Christianity as merely an ideology or a set of beliefs.
I just need intellectual assent to the right ideas, believe the right thingsI go to church, read the Bible (occasionally) to learn these ideasThis is how a recent article struck me: Why I am now a ChristianAyaan Hirsi AliGrew up Muslim in Kenya“The most striking quality of the Muslim Brotherhood was their ability to transform me and my fellow teenagers from passive believers into activists, almost overnight. We didn’t just say things or pray for things: we did things. As girls we donned the burka and swore off Western fashion and make-up. The boys cultivated their facial hair to the greatest extent possible.”Then became an atheist“You can see why, to someone who had been through such a religious schooling, atheism seemed so appealing. Bertrand Russell offered a simple, zero-cost escape from an unbearable life of self-denial and harassment of other people.”Eventually became a Christian. But why?Because only Christianity has “an elaborate set of ideas and institutions designed to safeguard human life, freedom and dignity….”This is true, but is this all there is?For many “Christians,” yesIt’s a better ideology than atheism, IslamBut it’s more than ideology - it should cause us to act.
Acts 1:1-2Acts 1:1-2 (NLT) "In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit."
In my first bookActs is Part 2 of the Luke-Acts volume(Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) Luke-Acts being originally one work in two volumes, which sometime during the last part of the first century or very early in the second began to circulate as two separate works(Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) The Acts of the Apostles was originally written as the second part of a two-volume work, and its inseparable relation to Luke's gospel must be kept in mind if we are to understand the work.Luke 1:1-4 (NLT) 1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.So the author was obviously Luke (the doctor)Colossians 4:14...

In this episode Bryan, Bo, and KD discuss the Mormon perspective on the fall of Adam and Eve and how it shapes their view of women. They contrast this with the biblical view that emphasizes the equality and value of both men and women as image bearers of God. The conversation also touches on the Mormon belief in becoming gods and the role of women in Mormonism.
Mormonism has a different interpretation of the fall and the role of women compared to biblical Christianity.The biblical view emphasizes the equality and value of both men and women as image bearers of God.Toxic masculinity and controlling behavior from husbands and a desire for control and subversion from wives are the result of the curse.Jesus is the solution to this hostility, as he crushed Satan's head and overcame sin and death.In biblical Christianity, there is no difference between men and women at the foot of the cross, and all believers have access to God through Jesus.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Today we’ll answer the question, “What does God really think about women?” Culture often says biblical Christianity demeans, diminishes women - but is that true? For some churches, it is.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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The biblical answer is clear: God loves women and from the beginning has worked to bless them. John 10:10
John 10:10 (NLT) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.This reflects God’s heart for humanity in Gen 1-2. We’ll see that today.But look at how the thief (Satan) is working against this plan - and he’s also been doing that from the beginning! We’ll see that today in Gen 3. But a lot of people think that the Bible lowers and denigrates women. This is what you would expect from an ancient document, reflecting ancient societal norms. For example:Ancient Sumerian proverb (circa 2100 BC): "Woman is a pitfall, a hole, a ditch," "Woman is a sharp iron dagger that cuts a man's throat." Plato in  "Timaeus" (circa 360 BC): "And if a man lived well... and according to his appointed lot... they will make him a man again in his next incarnation... but if he lived a cowardly and unrighteous life... they make him a woman."Aristotle in "Politics" (circa 330 BC): "The male is by nature superior, and the female inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled."We’re going to see today that from the opening chapter of the Bible, God starts with the opposite statement. That’s incredible if you think about it. God’s purpose from the beginning was to give women a rich and satisfying life. The word for this is “blessing”, and we’re going to break it into two parts…
Equality
God’s first blessing was equality: he created women and men in God’s image, making them equal in dignity and worth. 
Many people mistakenly believe the Bible teaches that women are less valuable than men.Toxic masculinity example?Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us....” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.What “Imago Dei” means (Pursuit L3): This means we are like God in certain ways, such as mentally (we have the capacity to think and create), relationally (we were designed to be in relationship with others) and spiritually (there’s a part of us that lives forever). Imago Dei is also a reference to humanity’s responsibility to “reign” and represent God to the rest of creation.That applies to all of us: male and female. But not animals. We are different from the rest of creation. Imago Dei sets us apart. People matter to God - men and women alike.In fact, over and over the Bible elevates women (shocking for ancient literature): Women heroes: Esther, Deborah, Naomi, Rahab, Hannah,...