Groundwork is a half-hour conversation that digs deeply into Scripture, the foundation for our lives. Each week, pastors Dave Bast (president of Words of Hope) and Scott Hoezee (director of CEP at Calvin Seminary) cultivate our understanding of God's Word by unpacking the richness of the Bible and applying it with insight to today's world.
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ReFrame Media / Words Of Hope Podcasts
Through much of Hosea, the prophet speaks directly against Israel’s spiritual betrayal. Chapter after chapter, God accuses Israel of idolatry, rampant injustice, and misplaced trust. We learn the consequences of their blatant rebellion. We also witness his longing for his people as he pleads for them to remember all he had done for them, to repent …
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God called the prophet Hosea to bring a message to his people, Israel. He wanted them to know they had strayed from their relationship with him; their pride and arrogance in following other gods were the causes of all their troubles. God famously instructed Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman and used his marriage to Gomer as a symbol of all that wa…
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Jesus' Parables, Discipleship, and the Cost of Following Jesus
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Jesus often taught in parables, simple stories that illustrated a spiritual truth. Some of Jesus’ most famous parables are unique to the Gospel of Luke. In what we call the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus describes for his followers who would be their neighbor and what it means to be a good neighbor. Telling the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax…
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As Christians, we celebrate God’s victory through Jesus Christ in worship every week. But in story after story in Luke, Jesus extends healing and victory to outsiders, individuals who experienced suffering, rejection, and isolation in the Jewish community. Join us as we study the recurring theme of God's victory for us and for all who are marginali…
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Jubilee and joy are featured frequently in Luke’s gospel. People are constantly rejoicing. Why? Because they encountered Jesus and salvation. Trace the themes of jubilee and joy in the gospel of Luke with us. Together we’ll study Jesus’ parables and the famous story of Zacchaeus to recognize the importance of these themes, how they connect to and c…
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Prayer and dependence on God are the heartbeat of the Gospel of Luke. As we read about Jesus’ baptism, the start of his ministry, and his teaching of the Lord’s Prayer, Luke shows us how Jesus modeled a robust and intentional prayer life. Learn how following Jesus draws us into deeper intimacy with the Father, why prayer is key to a resilient faith…
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The stories of Jesus’ life and teachings recorded in the Book of Luke highlight recurring themes of economic justice and Jesus as a prophet in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets. Together, let’s explore how Jesus’ teachings about justice continue God’s emphasis on justice in the Old Testament. Let’s discuss what Luke still teaches us today…
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Like Matthew, Mark, and John, the gospel of Luke was written to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. Together, let’s examine the author, audience, and background of Luke to better understand its unique and valuable perspective on Jesus. We’ll also observe the central role of the Holy Spirit throughout Luke’s gospel and discuss the impact of a Spi…
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The Bible repeatedly makes clear that it is God’s nature to provide for his creation. And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly teaches us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34). Join us as we study Scriptures that teach us about God’s providence. We’ll talk about the difference between worry and having proper concern for our circumstances. We’ll discu…
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Is tithing still relevant for Christians today or is it an outdated practice from the Old Testament? Does God really want us to “give until it hurts”? As Christians, we wrestle with questions like these as we try to discern what it means to live faithfully with our finances. The Bible teaches us that everything we have belongs to God. So, as stewar…
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It can sometimes feel tricky to know what God wants us to do with money. On the one hand, Jesus told the rich young ruler to give all of his money away (Mark 10:17-27). On the other hand, he got upset with the religious leaders when the poor widow gave her last coins to the temple (Mark 12:41-44). How exactly is Jesus expecting his followers to han…
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In a consumer-driven culture, there is often a disparity between those who “have” and those who “have not.” Whether we’re aware of it or not, our fallen, human nature can easily cause our pride, our feelings, and even our identity to get entangled in this worldly view of wealth. However, when we turn to Scripture, we discover that God offers us a l…
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As Christians, many of us long to make the world a better place. When we want to effect real change in the world, we may be tempted to seek the power or position to make it happen. Whether or not we serve in the public sector, turning to Scripture to weigh our motivations and guide our methods will help us find the most Christlike way forward. Join…
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Should Christians engage in politics? What about issues of social justice? Together, let’s delve into the complexities of Christian engagement in societal issues. We’ll examine Scripture to uncover practical wisdom that empowers us to stand for righteousness while navigating the intricacies of governmental authority. Join us as we acknowledge the t…
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Christian Civility Defending Our Faith without Being Defensive
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How do we disagree without being disagreeable? How do we handle conflicts when people slander or talk against us? Everywhere we turn, it seems as if our culture encourages division. It feels like there is little room for civil debate on nearly any topic, and confrontation and hatred of those with different viewpoints are becoming normal. Even when …
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Each year, Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter. The impact of the resurrection is so profound that each of the four gospels tells the story. The details vary, but each account clearly announces that Jesus Christ is risen! As we study the gospel stories of Jesus’ victory over death, we’re invited to parti…
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Many events formative to our Christian faith occurred in the last week of Jesus’ life. On Palm Sunday, we remember how he entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna!” from a crowd that did not understand who he was or what he was doing. On Maundy Thursday, Jesus and his disciples sat down for a traditional Passover meal that broke t…
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As Jesus journeyed nearer the cross, he urgently taught the disciples about who he was, why he had come, and his mission from the Father. Over and over in the gospels, we witness a repeated rhythm of Jesus' teaching and the disciples' misunderstanding or resistance. We are not immune to falling into this rhythm ourselves. But, as we journey to the …
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Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for his death. He wanted them to know the kind of Savior he would be, but the disciples did not understand and even argued with him. The season of Lent invites us into somber reflection on Jesus’ death and sacrifice on the cross. Let’s discuss the biblical foundations upon which the Lenten tradition is based. Th…
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Paul's Journey to Rome: Proclaiming Jesus Everywhere
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As the apostle Paul continued to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, crowds became increasingly contentious, and he was once again arrested and beaten. During the long series of trials that eventually led him to Rome, Paul seized every opportunity to share his testimony and preach the gospel. As we study Paul’s journey to Rome, we too…
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Paul's Third Journey: Strengthening and Encouraging Believers
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Not long after completing his second missionary journey, the apostle Paul left Antioch again to start his third missionary journey. Luke records the events of this trip in Acts chapters 18-21. This journey was marked by faith, courage, and love. Paul spent four to five years revisiting many of the cities where he had planted churches on his previou…
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Paul's Second Journey: Jesus the Messiah and the Resurrection of the Dead
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On his second missionary journey, Paul carried the message of salvation and resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit led him to more than a dozen cities over the course of the four-year journey. Everywhere he went, Paul convinced Jews and Gentiles alike of the gospel message. But his work also stirred up opposition. Paul suffe…
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The Jerusalem Council: The Church Resolves Division and Seeks Unity
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As the church grew, Jewish believers disagreed about integrating new Gentile believers into the church. Must they become Jews first? Should they abide by all the laws and traditions of Jewish culture? What about the practice of circumcision? Paul discussed important theological implications with the other apostles, including Peter and James, to gui…
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Paul's First Journey: The Gospel Spreads and the Church Grows
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The Apostle Paul's first missionary journey is recorded in Acts 13 and 14 and tells the story of how the gospel spread beyond Jewish communities to Gentiles. It’s a story of the Holy Spirit and the perseverance of the early church in the face of determined persecution. We are encouraged when we recognize parallels between Paul’s experiences and our…
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We don’t have to look far to find examples of broken relationships. Many of us have our own stories, and almost all of us know someone with a story of brokenness, betrayal, or abuse. The Song of Songs offers us a vision of relationships in stark contrast to the self-serving models we see around us in culture. The celebration of intimacy in Song of …
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