300 episodes

Wednesday in the Word is the podcast that explains what the Bible means and how we figure it out. Unlike a traditional sermon, the focus is on learning to figure out what the Bible says. In each episode I explain the author’s meaning for a set number of verses in plain language and model how I reached those conclusions. My website contains thousands of free tools and resources to improve your own study skills. This podcast has no advertisements or requests for donations. It is free to all who want to learn. More at WednesdayintheWord.com

Wednesday in the Word Krisan Marotta

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.8 • 20 Ratings

Wednesday in the Word is the podcast that explains what the Bible means and how we figure it out. Unlike a traditional sermon, the focus is on learning to figure out what the Bible says. In each episode I explain the author’s meaning for a set number of verses in plain language and model how I reached those conclusions. My website contains thousands of free tools and resources to improve your own study skills. This podcast has no advertisements or requests for donations. It is free to all who want to learn. More at WednesdayintheWord.com

    02 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 1

    02 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 1

    Love as a fruit of the Spirit is action-oriented and choice-driven, not a warm fuzzy feeling. Believers choose to treat our neighbors well because the Spirit has taught us some fundamental truths about who we are before God. Love as a fruit of the Spirit is active forgiveness, patience, compassion and seeking the welfare of another.







    Key Points









    * Fruit represents the thing that is eventually produced. When you plant an apple tree, eventually it grows apples.







    * The items on this list result from the Spirit working in believers.







    * Love (like all the other fruit of the Spirit) isn't an emotion It is a perspective change brought about by the Spirit teaching us wisdom and truth that results in action and attitude.







    * Love as a fruit of the Spirit is rooted in understanding our essential equality before God.







    * Love as a fruit of the Spirit is becoming people willing to see our place under God, standing next to our neighbors, equal in dignity and equal in guilt and willing to act for the benefit of others in the way we would want them to act for our benefit. This is both our hope and the result of the work of the Spirit. 







    * Passages: 1Timothy 1:5; Leviticus 19:18; 1John 3:16-18; Luke 6:27-35.







    * Greek Word: Strong’s G26









    Next: 03 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 2







    Previous: 01 Fruit of the Spirit: Introduction







    Series: Fruit of the Spirit







    Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















    Love as a Fruit of the Spirit 1







    In this series, we are looking at the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. My purpose in this series is to understand what these concepts are from a biblical perspective. That’s going to take us all over the Bible.







    We probably have some vague idea what the items on the list mean. Maybe filled in by our own experience or psychology or philosophy. I want to explore what the Bible says about these topics, to recover what Paul had in mind when he wrote the list. 







    Last week, I summarized the book of Galatians and explained to the context in which we find this list. To review briefly, in the letter to the Galatians, Paul corrects the teaching of the Judaizers. They claim belief in Jesus Christ is not enough to be saved. They argue Gentiles must also keep the law, be circumcised and live like Jews. 







    Paul corrects that view. Most of the letter is a defense of justification by faith alone. In Galatians 5, which is the immediate context of the list, Paul explains why being free from the law is not an excuse to sin. He argues that trying to obey the law on our own resources produces only a fake moral transformation. We are putting something on the outside, but nothing is really changing on the inside. 







    On the other hand, freedom in Christ gives us a different motivation to avoid sin. Instead of the threat of the penalties of the Law, we now have the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit. This kind of obedience is a real moral transformation because it results from the work of the Spirit, changing us from the inside out.

    • 49 min
    01 Fruit of the Spirit: Introduction

    01 Fruit of the Spirit: Introduction

    As an introduction to the fruit of the Spirit, we'll cover the entire argument of Galatians in one podcast. Understanding the themes of Galatians is the foundation for our study on the Fruit of the Spirit. Knowing the context surrounding the list is the crucial first step.















    Key Points









    * Paul wrote to churches he established during his first missionary journey in the region of modern-day Turkey.







    * His primary purpose in the letter is to correct the teachings of the Judaizers who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law to be saved.







    * Paul spends most of the letter defending his apostolic authority and arguing that salvation is through faith in Jesus alone.







    * Paul’s argument unfolds in two parts. We human beings have two big problems that the gospel solves. First, we are guilty before God and one day we will face Him in judgment. Second, we are guilty because by nature we are sinners. 







    * The gospel is incredibly good news because it solves both those problems.







    * The Judaizers distorted both parts of the gospel message by claiming Jesus alone does not solve our problems, we must also keep the Law.







    * In Galatians 5 where we find the fruit of the Spirit, Paul refutes the idea that freedom from the law promotes sin.







    * The Law only changes our external behavior and does not to improve our characters or free us from sin.







    * However, God gives His Spirit to those who trust Jesus. The Spirit teaches us truth and changes us from the inside out, which is true moral transformation.







    * In Galatians 5, Paul gives both the negative list of the results of legalism and following our own unredeemed moral choices. And, he gives us the positive list of the kinds of things the Spirit produces in us.









    Next: 02 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 1







    Series: Fruit of the Spirit







    Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















    Introduction







    In this series, we're going to take a deep dive into a list Paul gives which he calls the fruit of the Spirit. This list is found in Galatians 5:22-23. In each podcast in this series, I want to tackle one of the items on the list.







    I have a 15 episode podcast series on the book of Galatians, which I invite you to listen to first. Today I'm going to give you an overview of the book to give you some idea of where this list appears in the context of Paul's letter.







    Then next week we'll start tackling the list itself. If you've already listened to my series on Galatians, you can probably skip this podcast and just join us next week. Here's my quick overview of the book of Galatians.







    Overview of Galatians







    The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia. These are churches in what's now modern Turkey. Paul founded these churches during his first missionary journey.







    When Paul entered a new city, he taught the gospel first to the synagogue. Usually some of the Jews responded, but most did not. After a couple of weeks,

    • 49 min
    A Wednesday in the Word Announcement

    A Wednesday in the Word Announcement

    The Fruit of the Spirit begins March 6







    Have you ever wondered what Paul meant by love, joy, peace and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23? Listen to the next podcast series!  We will explore what Scripture teaches about these concepts and why Paul put them on the list. You'll discover life-changing truths behind each fruit.







    The Fruit of the Spirit Podcast Page







    It's not too late to send me any questions you'd like answered in this series. I'd love to hear from you.NEW: This time the lecture notes (the blog version of the podcast) will be a transcript.







    I have a new logo. Special thanks to Megan Russell for her brilliant design skills. I asked her for a logo that could be read when it's only 1/4" inch tall on a phone. How do you like it?























    Next: March 2024







    Previous: January 2024







    Top Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

    • 1 min
    15 Galatians 6:6-18 Invest in Truth

    15 Galatians 6:6-18 Invest in Truth

    Paul encourages his listeners to invest their lives in truth. We reap what we sow. If we seek teachers who flatter and entertain us, that is what we will harvest. God is not mocked. He knows what we seek.







    Review







    Chapter 1: Paul introduced two of his three key themes: 1) his apostolic authority and 2) the gospel of justification by faith alone. Paul claimed you can recognize the true gospel by its substance (grace based on the cross of Jesus Christ); its source (divine revelation).







    Chapter 2: Paul argued he learned the gospel through revelation from Jesus Christ. He reviewed his biography to prove that he had no chance to learn the gospel from the other human beings. Yet the other apostles confirmed he preached the same gospel.







    Chapter 3-4: Paul gives five persuasive arguments for justification by faith alone.







    Chapter 5: Paul encouraged them to stand firm in the gospel and then gave a series of four exhortations.







    In this final section from 5:13 to the end, Paul gives a series of four exhortations, closing with his final thoughts in 6:11-18.









    * Galatians 5:13-24—Paul exhorts them not to use freedom as an excuse to indulge in sin.







    * Galatians 5:25-6:5—Paul exhorts them to humility and loving others.







    * Galatians 6:6-8—Paul exhorts them to invest in the truth.







    * Galatians 6:9-10—Paul exhorts them to pursue doing what is good.









    Passage







    6Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.  - Galatians 6:6-10









    * Galatians 6:6 is not an exhortation to support teachers financially. That doesn't fit the context.







    * My rough translation of Galatians 6:6: The one who is taught the gospel that consists in all good things is to hold those good things in common with the one who teaches the gospel. 







    * Galatians 6:6-7 work together: Embrace the gospel when a good teacher teaches it to you and do not be deceived by a false gospel.







    * Paul encourages listeners is embrace the gospel no matter who teaches it, and not to be deceived by false teachers. 







    * Everyone needs to understand what the Bible says well enough to recognize when someone teaches something contrary to it.







    * If I seek teachers who plant truth, that is what I will harvest in my life.







    * If I seek teachers who entertain me and make me feel good about myself but fail to teach the truth, then that is what I will harvest. 







    * False teachers eventually give themselves away. Their lifestyle will reveal that they are not running toward God. 







    * The telltale sign is false teacher teaches they sow and reap the works of the flesh. They tell us what our sinful selves want to hear and that will eventually bring strife and discord in the church.







    * Let us not lose heart in pursuing that with is morally beautiful. In due time, if we don’t give up, we will reap the harvest of eternal life.

    • 37 min
    14 Galatians 5:25-6:5 Bear Each Others’ Burdens

    14 Galatians 5:25-6:5 Bear Each Others’ Burdens

    As he closes the letter, Paul explains how the fact that we all believe the same gospel translates into our lives as a community. First, he urges us to stop competing with our teammates. Then Paul explains how to respond when someone stumbles on this metaphorical race to glory.







    Review







    Chapter 1: Paul introduced two of his three key themes: 1) his apostolic authority and 2) the gospel of justification by faith alone. Paul claimed you can recognize the true gospel by its substance (grace based on the cross of Jesus Christ); its source (divine revelation).







    Chapter 2: Paul argued he learned the gospel through revelation from Jesus Christ. He reviewed his biography to prove that he had no chance to learn the gospel from the other human beings. Yet the other apostles confirmed he preached the same gospel.







    Chapter 3-4: Paul gives five persuasive arguments for justification by faith alone.







    Chapter 5: Paul encouraged them to stand firm in the gospel and then gave a series of exhortations.







    In this final section from 5:13 to the end, Paul gives a series of exhortations, closing with his final thoughts in 6:11-18.









    * Galatians 5:13-24—Paul exhorts them not to use freedom as an excuse to indulge in sin.







    * Galatians 5:25-6:5—Paul exhorts them to humility and loving others.







    * Galatians 6:6-8—Paul exhorts them to invest in the truth.







    * Galatians 6:9-10—Paul exhorts them to pursue doing what is good.









    Passage







    25If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 6:1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5For each will have to bear his own load.  - Galatians 5:25-6:5









    * We easily fall into competition over who keeps the Law best. But if we know we'll find life because of the sanctifying work of the Spirit, we're free to treat each other as fellow-heirs.







    * Paul uses a verb refers to an army marching together in unison. As a community, we should see ourselves as on the same team rather than competing for the Father's favor.







    * Since we embrace the same gospel, as a community we should walk in agreement, having the same values and goals because we all listen to the same Spirit. 







    * If someone is out of step or caught in transgression, we approach them from a position of unassuming humility.







    * In this metaphorical race, it doesn't matter who crosses the finish line first. God will ensure we all cross the finish line. If someone else stumbles, it's not a chance for us to get ahead.







    * Sin creates a metaphorical burden or "backpack" that we have to carry. If someone else stumbles, we carry their metaphorical backpack by forgiving, speaking truth and exercising patience.







    * In doing that, we fulfill the instruction Jesus gave us that we love God and love one another. 







    * If we think we’ve got this problem with sin under control, or that we’d never fall the way our brother or sister fell, we’re fooling ourselves.

    • 26 min
    13 Galatians 5:13-24 Walk by the Spirit

    13 Galatians 5:13-24 Walk by the Spirit

    Paul argues we don't need the Law to keep us from pursuing sin. We have something better. We have the Spirit of God teaching us to pursue goodness.

    Episode website: https://www.wednesdayintheword.com/galatians13/

    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
20 Ratings

20 Ratings

Nerdhoff ,

This is an excellent program

I listen every week .

jjgigs ,

How to do Bible Study

Krisan not only illuminates her Bible studies, but she helps listeners learn how to do this for themselves. I'm going to commit to learning how to learn more from the Bible this year!

TenBoom6 ,

Sound, Gospel-centered teaching

Wednesday in the Word is an excellent source of solid Biblical teaching. I appreciate how each lesson is clear, challenging, and opens my eyes every time to grow in a better understanding of what Jesus Christ has done for me.

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