Explore every episode of the podcast The Teaching Series (with Brad Gray and Brad Nelson)

Most of us are exhausted from trying to rule our own lives—carrying the weight of decisions, outcomes, and expectations we were never meant to bear. Deep down, we long for someone trustworthy to lead us, but we often resist surrender because we assume that giving up control means losing freedom. In this final episode of our mini-series, we explore the biblical image that brings all of the other images we’ve explored together: Jesus as the Humble King. From Genesis to Palm Sunday and Easter, we trace the biblical story of a king who doesn’t seize power, but lays it down in love—and invites us to do the same. If you’ve been worn out by self-rule, this teaching will help you step off the throne, lay down your crown, and discover the freedom, rest, and wholeness that come from living under the healing reign of King Jesus. 

In a world that rarely slows down, many of us carry a constant undercurrent of anxiety, restlessness, and fatigue. Deep down, we long for more—for peace, stability, and a place of refuge where our souls can breathe and find rest. When David was fleeing from Saul, he found such a place in one of Israel’s most breathtaking and iconic locations—Masada! As we trace the biblical connections to David and the rich imagery of God being a fortress throughout Scripture, you’ll discover the powerful invitation to find a place of refuge to daily experience His presence, settle your soul, and remember who you are. 

Human beings are natural builders, but the problem is many of us build our lives on unstable foundations—worldly success, self-reliance, or fleeting ambitions—that ultimately collapse under pressure. The solution is to build on Jesus, the master builder, who is the sure foundation and cornerstone of God's spiritual house. By trusting in him, aligning with his teachings, and allowing him to shape our lives, we gain stability and purpose. As a result, our lives remain steadfast even in uncertainty. What’s more, we’re called to join God in His work—building up others and participating in His mission to reunite heaven and earth. In the end, God is not just building something for us—He is building us into something lasting and eternal! 
 

Many people struggle to feel truly welcomed, accepted, and secure—especially in a world that often feels isolating and adversarial. But Scripture reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent; He is a gracious host, inviting us into His presence with the radical hospitality of a Bedouin patriarch. In Psalm 23, Isaiah 42, and the life of Jesus, we see a God who prepares a table, offers provision, and extends protection—even in the presence of our enemies. This episode explores how God’s hospitality redefines belonging and how Jesus models a love that welcomes without compromise. Discover how embracing this divine invitation can transform the way you see God, yourself, and the people around you. 

Many people go through life unaware that they’re caught in the middle of a cosmic war, where the forces of good and evil are in constant conflict. The struggles we face—discouragement, temptation, and spiritual opposition—aren’t random but part of this battle. The good news is that we’re not defenseless; God is a warrior who fights for His people, and through Jesus, the ultimate victory has already been won. In this teaching, you'll gain a fresh perspective on how God fights against chaos, spiritual darkness, and injustice, but more importantly, how you can step into the fight armed with truth. If you’re ready to wake up to the battle, claim your identity in Christ, and join Jesus in pushing back the kingdom of darkness, this message will equip you to stand firm and take action. 

Many of us struggle to trust that God is actively leading our lives, especially when things feel uncertain or difficult. But the Scriptures constantly liken God to a Good Shepherd who skillfully guides, protects, and provides for His people. In this episode, we explore the depth of this image, from the rugged realities of shepherding in the ancient world to Jesus's bold declaration,“I am the Good Shepherd.” This isn’t a passive or distant role; a true shepherd is both savvy and sacrificial—navigating harsh landscapes, fighting off danger, and laying down their life for the flock. By the end of this episode, you’ll see that trusting God isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a response to His skillful care and reliable voice. 

A lot of us grow up with distorted ideas about who God is, and part of following Jesus is unlearning those false images and discovering the truth. In this episode, we’re diving into the beautiful picture of God as a Faithful Farmer—someone who plants, nurtures, and invests deeply in what He’s growing. This image shows us just how patient and committed God is, working tirelessly to see His creation—and you—flourish. As people created in His image, we’re invited to reflect His heart by caring for the world and those around us with the same kind of love and intention. This teaching will remind you of God’s relentless care for you and inspire you to do the same for others! 

How you think about God determines how you interact with God. Therefore, it’s essential to have an accurate understanding of who He is and what He’s like. In this new series – Biblical Images of God – we unpack the vivid and concrete metaphors used of God in order to deepen our relationship with Him. Beginning with “living water,” we uncover the significance of this image by examining Jeremiah’s depiction of the oasis at En Gedi and Jesus’s declaration in the Gospel of John that He is the true source of living water. By seeing God as “living water,” you’ll gain a fuller picture of His character, experience His ability to renew dry and weary souls, and be inspired to carry His life-giving spirit into a thirsty world. 

Do you struggle to understand why God is asking you to do something, and hesitate to follow through? In this final episode of “3 Gifts of Christmas,” we explore the mysterious significance of the Magi's gift of myrrh, tracing its historical and symbolic meanings—from its use in ancient perfumes and burial rituals to its connection to Jesus’s sacrificial death.

The Magi’s gift of frankincense may seem unusual at first, but it is rich with meaning, deeply rooted in their culture and the Hebrew Scriptures. Harvested through a meticulous and labor-intensive process, frankincense was a symbol of worship, reverence, and devotion. By offering this gift, the Magi not only honored Jesus as king but also displayed incredible courage, risking their lives by defying King Herod. This episode will reveal the profound significance of frankincense and invite you to consider where God might be calling you to step out in courage this Christmas season. 

Each Christmas, talk inevitably turns to gifts and gift-giving. But often, we give from a place of comfort and convenience. The Christmas story, however, teaches us a deeper lesson about giving our best. In “3 Gifts of Christmas,” we explore the significance of the Magi’s gifts in Matthew 2:11, and as we’ll see with the gift of gold, the most precious gifts we give are the ones that cost us the most. By the end of this episode, you’ll be inspired to ask: What costly gift might God be inviting me to give this season?

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of the New Testament’s most beloved books, yet its brilliant structure and deeper meanings are often overlooked. Throughout the letter, Paul draws on everyday imagery from the “Roman Street” in Ephesus – the slave market, victory parades, bathhouses, theatres, night watchmen, and pubs – to illustrate how a believer’s conduct should stand in stark contrast to the culture around them. In this final episode of “Life in the Roman Empire,” you’ll be equipped with rich and relatable ways to live as a faithful citizen in God’s Kingdom in the midst of our culture today. 

During the height of the Roman Empire, the world experienced an unprecedented era of stability that allowed people to travel freely. Most did so by land and sea, and few logged more miles than the apostle Paul. During his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul traveled thousands of miles by land and sea! Along the way, he experienced fear repeatedly: beatings, robberies, imprisonments, shipwrecks. But he never allowed fear to become a barrier to his faith. This episode will inspire you to face your fears with greater courage and to live with dangerous faithfulness.

In the Roman world, the macellum wasn’t just a marketplace—it was a crossroads of daily life, culture, and faith. Part grocery store, part food court, part temple, it was a place where the lines between everyday meals and pagan sacrifices often blurred. For Gentile converts from pagan backgrounds, the sight of fellow Christians eating meat once offered to idols stirred deep discomfort. And it was issue Paul had to address. This episode offers practical guidance on how to balance your freedom in Christ with a loving sensitivity toward others, and how to navigate the gray areas of faith with wisdom and grace.

Brothels and pubs were fixtures in every city of ancient Roman society. Then, as now, people engaged in illicit sex and alcohol use to numb the pain of life. Brothels were staffed primarily by male and female slaves, some of whom were "exposed at birth" as unwanted children and then claimed by brothels to be raised as sex workers. Pubs were popular because most of the poor had no cooking facilities, so they spent much of their time in pubs, where gambling, fighting, prostitution, and drunkenness were the norm. The Apostle Paul, writing within the Roman world, addressed these issues with timeless warnings. This teaching will challenge you to identify ways you’re numbing out and filling yourself with deceptive temptations instead of emptying yourself and making room for God’s Spirit.

Roman bathhouses were a central feature of daily life across the Roman Empire. Ironically, their primary purpose wasn’t hygiene, but for serving as social hubs where people from all walks of life could relax, socialize, conduct business, and engage in various activities like eating, drinking, exercising, playing games, attending lectures, or having sensual interactions. Due to their popularity, the Apostle Paul drew from bathhouse imagery to urge Christians to “rid themselves” of old, sinful habits, much like shedding old clothes. By the end of this teaching, you’ll be challenged to align your habits with the new heart and status Jesus gave you!

Romans loved the blood and gore of gladiators and beast hunts. These explosive spectacles were designed to recall great moments from Rome’s past and were deliberately sponsored by politicians who also distributed cash-handouts, donations for public banquets, and other gifts to secure the public’s favor. Knowing they were about to die, gladiators nevertheless sought to die well. The Apostle Paul seized on imagery and language from gladiators and beast hunts to illustrate what a life fully yielded to God looked like. This fascinating teaching by Dr. Randall Smith (a dear friend of the WTT community!) will spark your curiosity and challenge you to consider how to yield everything in your life to God, including your death. 

The Romans were obsessed with games and sports, to the extent that athletes were treated like celebrities, and passionate fans sometimes rioted. Herod the Great was even voted President of the Olympic Games for life! Among the most popular games were footraces and chariot races, which captivated the public's imagination. The Apostle Paul frequently drew on this imagery, using the idea of running a race to describe the Christian life—urging believers to run well, strain forward, and keep their eyes fixed on the ultimate goal. He did the same with chariot races as well. By understanding these cultural references, we gain clarity on what Paul was admonishing believers to do to be faithful to Jesus in our lives.

Every self-respecting city in the Roman Empire had a theatre. Yes, people loved entertainment, but the theatre was bigger than that. It was a culture-shaping venue where edgy ideas and societal taboos were normalized in order to dictate the direction of culture. The Apostle Paul understood this and made frequent use of theatre imagery to shape people into the image of Jesus. In this episode, you’ll learn how the theatre functioned, how Paul used theatre language, and what we need to be aware of as we engage in the entertainment of our day. 

During Holy Week, people all over the world remember Jesus’s words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God really abandon Jesus on the cross? Or was Jesus quoting these specific words at this specific moment for a specific reason? In this final episode of “Out of Context,” we unpack Jesus’s use of a rabbinic technique called “remez” to make a bold claim about his supreme confidence in God’s faithfulness. Once you understand the context of these powerful words, you’ll be inspired by the knowledge that even in our darkest moments, God doesn’t leave us or abandon us! 

“Do not judge or you too will be judged.” These well-known words are quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike, often as a shield to prevent others from speaking into their lives in ways that feel critical. “If you’re a hypocrite, you don’t get to point out my flaws! And since we’re all hypocrites, no one gets to point out anybody’s flaws!” But is that what Jesus really intended with these words? Not even close. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover how confronting our own hypocrisy and condemnation of others empowers us to speak more effectively in each other’s lives! 

At Christian gatherings, you’ll often hear a leader say, “Jesus is present because he promised that ‘whenever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.’” Now, there’s nothing wrong with reminding people of Jesus’s presence.

Communion … out of context … REALLY? That’s not what usually comes to mind when we think about Scripture’s instructions on the Lord’s Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul commands believers to “examine themselves” before taking communion so they don’t “eat in an unworthy manner.” Pulled from their context, these words are generally used in worship services to invite personal reflection. But Paul was addressing something far more specific and challenging in the life of the Corinthian church that we cannot afford to miss. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new appreciation for the power of meals to bring healing in a divided world! 

Jeremiah 29:11 is a crowd favorite! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Who wouldn’t want these plans? Prosperity, comfort (no harm), a hopeful future – sign us up! And then the bottom falls out, and our faith gets upended because we held God to a promise He never made. Jeremiah 29:11 is not about prosperity and protection. It’s about perseverance in the midst of hardship. Stripped of its context, this passage is catastrophic to our faith journey. But understood properly, it gives us the hope and perspective we need to navigate life’s challenges well. 

Understanding the original context of a passage unleashes the power of Scripture to transform our lives. “Out of Context” is a new series designed to help us train our minds to ask better questions when we read the Bible by exploring famous passages that are frequently taken out of context. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why Philippians 4:13 isn’t about God empowering us to do whatever we set our minds to, but rather unlocking the secret of contentment in any situation! 

The final song of Christmas included in Luke’s gospel comes forty days after the birth of Jesus on the lips of an elderly man named Simeon. As Simeon holds Jesus in his arms, he begins praising God by joyfully proclaiming, “Lord, now you are dismissing your servant in peace.” Set in its original context, these are some of the most moving and inspiring words for us to consider as we launch into a new year. As we’ll see in this final episode in our series “Proclamations of Christmas,” in a world of transactional relationships and half-hearted commitments, Simeon’s devotion to God will challenge us to ask, “Am I fully devoted to the king, or am I simply going through the motions of a complacent Christianity that has lost the cosmic plot of God’s redemption for all people?”

During the Christmas season, we join the angels in singing “peace on earth.” But earth doesn’t always feel peaceful. In fact, it often feels really chaotic. From personal challenges to family heartaches to friends who are suffering to wars around the world, the idea of “peace” can be confusing and elusive. Which is why we need to understand more fully what the angels were proclaiming, and how to obtain peace and stability when everything is swirling around us. As you’d expect, it has everything to do with one we celebrate in this season – the Prince of Peace. So as we unpack the angels’ song, may we join them in proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among people!”

Zechariah’s song (the “Benedictus” in Latin) is a potent reminder that God sees us, cares about us, and faithfully show up to us in our lives. It’s a powerful song, but as you’ll see, powerful songs come from powerful stories – usually painful ones. Despite experiencing the disgrace and disappointment of being barren, Zechariah and Elizabeth remained faithful to God and resolute in their humility. Together, this created a powerful opportunity for God to show up and bring forth new possibility. By the end of this episode, you’ll possess a deeper understanding of how our practice of humility can do the same!

Christmas songs are powerful! From hymns and carols to drumlines and choirs, few things capture the essence of Christmas like its music. Which is why in this new series, we examine the prophetic songs surrounding the first Christmas recorded in Luke’s Gospel. Beginning with Mary’s song (the “Magnificat” in Latin), we see that she demonstrates a fiery confidence in God’s faithfulness despite centuries of foreign oppression. She believes the world will change and is blessed because of her belief. But Mary’s unflinching belief didn’t just happen. It was the natural byproduct of a life immersed in the Scriptures and animated by hope. May we experience the same this Advent season! 

In this final episode of our Flora & Faith series, we meet two biblical characters who come to the end of themselves in the same wilderness south of Beersheba. “Wilderness” is more than just a place on a map. It’s also a territory of the soul where all our safety nets get removed, and our only hope is to depend on God. It’s here that God uses a small desert shrub to deliver a potent message of hope. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new appreciation for the way small graces become huge gifts when we come to the end of ourselves.

In the book of Judges, we meet an obscure tree that serves as a powerful illustration of what a life of faithfulness looks like. In Judges 9, Gideon’s son, Abimelech, convinces the people of Shechem to appoint him as king and then murders all his brothers, except one: Jotham. Having escaped, Jotham tells a fable about several trees that culminates with the atad. The atad looks strong and vibrant on the surface, but its splendor masks a sinister secret beneath the surface. By the end of this episode, you’ll be challenged to identify and uproot the ways in which your aspirations may be hindering those around you. 

Arguably the most recognizable tree in the land of Israel, the olive tree is known for its legendary longevity and fruitfulness. As such, it’s referenced repeatedly in the Scriptures. Most notably, the Apostle Paul uses it in Romans 11 to navigate a delicate situation between Jewish and Gentile believers in the church in Rome, and to communicate an authoritative point that has lasting implications. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover why the olive tree is a powerful illustration on how to sustain a fruitful life by making room for others. 

Waiting on God is one of the most difficult things to do in life. In some seasons, we’re forced to wait so long it’s hard to see any redemptive purpose in it. But, in the Scriptures, the blossoming of the almond tree is a hopeful sign of better things to come. It’s also a symbol that God is watching and working in the waiting. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover how the almond tree teaches us to ask the most powerful, perspective-shifting question while we wait on God to fulfill His purposes. 

We’ve all read stories in the Bible that leave us wondering, “Wait! What in the world does that mean?” Jesus’s cursing the fig tree is a prime example. As one of the signature features of the landscape of the Bible, the fig tree developed deep symbolic meaning for the people of Israel. Understanding how a fig tree produces fruit clarifies exactly what’s happening when Jesus curses the fig tree. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover not only how God responds to fraudulent faith but also how fruitfulness starts. 

Some of the most powerful lessons on faithfulness in Scripture come from flora illustrations. When we understand the flora behind the illustrations, we grasp the lessons at a deeper and more impactful level. As we launch into this new series, we begin in John 15 with Jesus’s famous words about the “vine and the branches.” As we’ll see, placing Jesus’s words in their viticulture context provides a vivid picture of what Jesus wants from his disciples, and what must be done to live a fruitful life! 

Jesus lived and ministered in a world of competing agendas, ideologies, and theologies. Nowhere was this more apparent than around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus trained his disciples here because it was a microcosm of the world! By modeling how to engage with Herodians, Zealots, Religious Jews, Gospel Patrons, and Decapolis Pagans, Jesus equipped his disciples for a life of faithfulness after his death. By the end of this final episode in “Jesus in Galilee,” you’ll appreciate why it’s so important for us to be intentional about how we’re leading others to think critically and live faithfully in a complex world. 

Before, during, and after the life of Jesus, the land of Israel was a hotbed of Jewish resistance against Rome. Located just northeast of the Sea of Galilee, the city of Gamla was a stronghold for a group called the Zealots. These were religious extremists who believed the kingdom of God came by force, and who were willing to kill Romans, Jewish collaborators, and themselves if needed. Despite their brutality, the Zealots were often admired as heroes who preserved the Hebrew tradition of zeal for God, but they totally missed the heart of God. By the end of this episode, you’ll learn two specific ways Jesus put an end to the cycle of violence in an angry, polarized world. 

As an itinerant rabbi with disciples, Jesus was dependent on the hospitality and generosity of others. So, who funded Jesus’s ministry? The answer will make you chuckle and marvel at who God uses to advance His purposes in the world. But in order to find out who funded Jesus, we need to learn about the wealthy city of Magdala. By the end of this episode, you’ll be inspired to be more intentional about using the gifts and resources God has given you to advance His purposes here on earth. 

Jesus interacted with all kinds of people. And when he crossed the Sea of the Galilee to “the other side,” it was to be with the pagans of the Decapolis. This league of Hellenistic cities was created to showcase Greco-Roman thought and culture in the region. But the cultural crusading of the Decapolis masked a spiritual starvation for something more. Like Jesus, we’re called to be salt and light in the cultures we inhabit, but influence is always a two-way street. By the end of this episode, you’ll be challenged to think deeply about “Who’s influencing who?” as you encounter the alluring cultures Jesus has sent you to influence. 

Jesus spent an enormous amount of time in a tiny area of the Galilee we call today the “Evangelical Triangle.” Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida were home to a religious Jewish population that was passionate about following the Scriptures. And yet they proved to be some of the most resistant people to Jesus’s message and ministry. How can the very people who are so fiercely devoted to the Text miss the Messiah when he shows up in their midst? By the end of this episode, you’ll be challenged to examine what keeps you from following Jesus more fully, and why discipleship is way more than simply knowing about Jesus.

The city of Tiberias looms large over the life and ministry of Jesus because of the powerful group of Jews it represented: The Herodians. These were wealthy, influential people who supported the pro-Roman Herodian regime. When we understand the background and origin of the city of Tiberias alongside the strategic ambition of the Herodian family, it makes perfect sense why the Herodians saw Jesus as a threat. By the end of this episode, you’ll see why integrity and vulnerability lead to human flourishing rather than exploitation. 

Jesus spent 90% of his time ministering around the Sea of Galilee. Why not in Jerusalem? Why not in another part of the country? The answer is simple: Location. Location. Location. Following the arrest of John the Baptist, Matthew’s gospel tells us that Jesus “withdrew to Galilee.” But Jesus wasn’t retreating. He was advancing. He was taking his message into the heart of the crossroads of the world. By the end of this episode, you’ll see the strategic brilliance of Jesus’s decision to proclaim his message where it would have the greatest impact, and why we must do the same today. 

Holy Week invites us to hold death and life in creative tension. We pause to consider Jesus’s death on the cross, but then we celebrate the new life bursting out of the empty tomb. In a similar way, the book of Ecclesiastes makes a helpful connection between our deathday and our birthday. In this special Easter Episode, we’ll explore what it means that our deathday is better than our birthday, and why connecting our death to Jesus’s death creates a life of greater meaning and purpose, here and now.    

Most stories build to a climactic moment (Boaz redeeming Naomi & Ruth at the city gate) and then conclude with falling action. Not Ruth. Instead, the book of Ruth ends with a genealogy loaded with surprises that reverberate with implications not just for Naomi and Ruth, but for the people of Israel and the whole world. In the final episode of our series on Ruth, you’ll see how trusting God’s character rather than your circumstances will give you the ability to spot God’s hidden presence in your life.

The climactic scene in the book of Ruth takes place in the city gate. Two kinsmen are poised to provide the rescue Naomi and Ruth desperately seek. The first steps in and says, “I’ll do it,” but immediately changes his mind when Boaz mentions Ruth. It’s a confusing moment without the cultural context. But once we have that, it unlocks the story in a powerful way to see why the first one declines, and why Boaz redeems the women at a cost to himself. After watching this episode, you’ll be challenged to share in this costly and compelling love, and to consider how God’s redemption for someone else might just look a whole lot like you.

More ink has been spilled over what happens between Ruth and Boaz at the threshing floor than any other scene in the book of Ruth. That’s because Ruth 3 is loaded with sexually suggestive language. But the Bible is actually doing something incredibly beautiful and redemptive by inviting us to see Boaz and Ruth as models of integrity who don’t just pray with their lips, but also with action. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand what the Biblical writer was up to and will be inspired to put legs to your own prayers.

Despite having arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi, and Ruth are still vulnerable widows dependent upon the generosity of others to meet their needs. And in a time when everyone is doing what’s right in their own eyes, that doesn’t bode well for them. But as we’ll see, Ruth’s humility and work ethic caught the attention of a man whose empathy and integrity will change the course of her and Naomi’s life. By looking at these early encounters between Ruth and Boaz, we’ll learn how to place ourselves in a path of blessing for God to do what He desires.

In the face of overwhelming loss, Naomi does what many of us do when we’re hurting: she isolates and cuts herself off from those around her. But Ruth embodies a dramatically different response. As we’ll see, Ruth’s response to the experience of loss becomes the core theme of the entire book and solidifies her place as one of the most inspiring characters of the Hebrew Scriptures. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the power of community to help you practice faithfulness in the face of adversity.

One of the most beautiful and moving stories in the Bible is found in the book of Ruth. But it doesn’t start that way. Set in the dark and precarious times of the Judges, the story of Ruth begins in a place of famine and death. As we’ll see, the first five verses are loaded with contextual information that lay a foundation for the rest of the book. Before we can appreciate the beauty of the story, we have to deal with the disappointment and understand why it’s so important to acknowledge our famines so they don’t define us.

In this final episode of Characters of Christmas, we explore a subtle, yet powerful distinction Matthew makes between Jesus and Herod that many people completely miss. Despite being appointed “king of the Jews,” Herod was religiously Jewish, culturally Greek, politically Roman, racially Arab, and ancestrally Edomite. Talk about an identity crisis! As we’ll see, Herod may have possessed the title “king of the Jews,” but he wasn’t the true king, and he knew it. Once you grasp what Matthew is really saying, you’ll see how the Christmas story challenges us to ask whether our allegiance is to Jesus, and to him alone.