Learning Objective: Recognize what is holding you back from the true transformation that God desires for you. Explore what fear, wound or place of control may be blocking you from connecting to how God desires to transform your life at this time.
Scriptures:
Genesis: 18, 21, 22 and 24
Romans 12:1-2
Romans 10:17
Prayer: Dear Lord, how do you want to transform my life at this time and reveal to me what habit, thought, belief or past pain is holding me back from entering into the transformation you want for me.
Previous Podcast in this series by Lauren: When Gossip Becomes Counterfeit Connection
Learning Objective: Recognize how gossip can become a counterfeit source of self-esteem and connection, identify its impact on relationships, and choose direct, respectful, and biblically grounded communication that protects dignity and promotes reconciliation.
Scriptures:
Matthew 18: 15-20
Romans 13:8-10
Prayer: Dear Lord delivery me from the tendency to share another person’s story many times because of my own insecurities. Help me to rejoice in the success of others over my own and ground my sense of worth and value in you, an unshakable anchor of identity.
Aquinas’s discussion includes sorrow over another’s good, pleasure in another’s misfortune, and attempts to damage someone’s reputation.
Tale-bearing
Carrying stories between people in ways that create conflict, division, or mistrust. Tale-bearing does not simply damage a reputation; it can damage a relationship.
Detraction
Sharing another person’s faults or failures—even when the information is true—when there is no legitimate need for others to know it. Before speaking, ask: Is it true—and does this truth need to be shared with this person?
Delight in another person’s misfortune
Feeling secretly pleased when someone fails, loses influence, or experiences difficulty because it makes us feel better about ourselves.
Sorrow over another person’s good fortune
Feeling diminished, resentful, or threatened when someone else succeeds, receives recognition, or experiences something good.
By the end of this podcast and Bible study, participants will be able to:
Understand the biblical context and major themes of 1 Chronicles, including identity, remembrance, leadership, worship, covenant, preparation, service, and spiritual legacy.
Recognize how remembering God’s faithfulness can strengthen our identity and help us remain grounded during seasons of change.
Identify behaviors, attitudes, and priorities that can either strengthen or weaken our relationship with God and our ability to fulfill what He has entrusted to us.
Apply the EIC (Encounter–Identified Behavior–Course Correct) Framework to examine their relationship with God, their priorities, leadership, service, and preparation for what God is calling them to do.
Develop greater spiritual confidence, intentionality, humility, and faithfulness as they seek to build lives that honor God and positively influence others.
Three key areas of understanding:
Remember Your Story
Your Assignment Does Not Have to Look Like Someone Else’s
Thank You for Your Word and for the reminder that our lives are part of a story much greater than ourselves.
As we begin our study of 1 Chronicles, help us understand the importance of remembering where we have come from, recognizing who we are in You, and understanding what You have entrusted to us. Teach us to value preparation as much as accomplishment. Help us understand that sometimes You call us to build, and sometimes You call us to prepare someone else to build.
Give us the humility to serve when we are not receiving recognition.
Give us the wisdom to prepare when the results are not yet visible.
Give us the courage to lead with integrity and the discipline to remain faithful in the small things.
Help us remember Your faithfulness in our past so that we can trust You with our future. Show us anything in our lives that needs to be realigned.
Help us place You at the center of our priorities, our relationships, our work, our leadership, and our purpose.
May our lives become an offering of worship to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By the end of this podcast and Bible study, participants will be able to:
Understand the biblical context and major themes of 2 Kings, including leadership, spiritual decline, prophetic ministry, judgment, and God’s faithfulness.
Recognize how fear, cultural influence, and spiritual compromise can affect our ability to trust and follow God.
Identify behaviors, attitudes, and influences that may gradually move them away from their relationship with God.
Apply the EIC (Encounter–Identified Behavior–Course Correct) Framework to examine their faith, choices, and responses to difficult circumstances.
Develop greater spiritual discernment, courage, and trust in God when facing uncertainty, opposition, or circumstances they cannot control.
Thank You for reminding us that what we see is not always
the complete picture.
When fear surrounds us, open our eyes.
When uncertainty overwhelms us, strengthen our faith.
When we are tempted to compromise, give us discernment and
courage.
When we drift away from You, draw our hearts back.
Help us recognize that Your presence is greater than our
circumstances and Your faithfulness is greater than our fears.
Teach us to pause before reacting, to seek Your wisdom
before making decisions, and to trust You even when we cannot see what You are doing. Open our spiritual eyes so that we may see Your presence, Your protection, and Your purpose.
Help us walk by faith and not by sight.
Learning Objective: Learn how to walk on water with faith when life gets stormy. Discover how trusting Jesus, stepping out of the boat, and keeping your eyes on Him can help you face fear and uncertainty.
Scriptures:
Matthew 14
Prayer: Dear Lord, teach me how to hear your voice calling me out of my boat. Deliver me from the fears that hold me inside my boat and prevent me from exploring the possible with you as my Lord and Savior.
By the end of this podcast and Bible study, participants will be able to:
Understand the biblical context of Elijah’s encounter with God in 1 Kings 19.
Recognize that God often speaks through quiet moments rather than dramatic circumstances.
Identify distractions, fears, or emotions that may make it difficult to hear God’s voice.
Apply the EIC (Encounter–Identified Behavior–Course Correct) Framework to strengthen their relationship with God.
Develop a daily practice of stillness, prayer, and listening for God’s guidance.
Five key areas of understanding:
God’s Presence Is Often Found in the Quiet
God Cares for Your Whole Being
God Still Has a Purpose for Your Life
Scriptures: 1 Kings 19:1–18 | Psalm 46:10 | Isaiah 30:21 | John 10:27 | Philippians 4:6–7 | Matthew 11:28–30 | John 14:27 | Jeremiah 29:11 | Isaiah 41:10
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding us that Your presence is often found in the quiet moments of life. Help us to slow down, trust Your timing, and listen with open hearts. Give us discernment to recognize Your voice above the noise of the world, courage to follow where You lead, and peace to rest in Your unfailing love. May we leave today renewed, encouraged, and confident that You are always near, even when You speak in a gentle whisper. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By the end of this Bible study, participants will be able to:
Examine Hannah’s prayer of praise to understand God’s character and His sovereignty over every circumstance.
Compare the lives of Eli’s sons and young Samuel to identify the difference between outward religious activity and inward devotion.
Recognize how pride, selfishness, and spiritual complacency can influence our relationships and decisions.
Apply the Emotional Intelligence in Christ (EIC) Framework to evaluate personal attitudes, behaviors, and motives.
Develop practical habits that cultivate humility, obedience, integrity, and faithful stewardship before God.
Commit to honoring God in everyday choices by allowing Christ to shape both character and behavior.
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 2:30 | Luke 16:10 | James 4:10
The book helped them understand five key areas:
God Honors Those Who Honor Him
Character Is Built Long Before Leadership
Humility Positions Us For God’s Purpose
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for inviting us into Your presence today.
As we study 1 Samuel 2, help us understand what it truly means to honor You with our hearts, our attitudes, and our actions.
Teach us to recognize pride before it grows, to embrace humility before You, and to choose obedience over convenience.
Reveal any behaviors within us that are not pleasing to You, and through the Holy Spirit, transform us into people whose lives reflect the character of Christ. May this study not simply increase our knowledge but deepen our relationship with You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Learning Objective: Learn why God never wastes our pain and how to navigate a trial with faith over fear.
Scriptures:
James 1:2-4
1 Peter 2:19
Romans 8:18-23
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to interrupt false beliefs and fear that often slither in when I’m facing an undesirable situation with faith and the power of your presence and word.
By the end of this study, participants will be able to:
Examine the leadership of Samuel, Saul, and David to identify the qualities of a God-honoring leader.
Analyze how 1 Samuel contrasts outward appearance with inward character.
Evaluate the dangers of comparison, pride, and seeking human approval.
Differentiate between Saul’s superficial obedience and David’s repentant heart.
Apply the principles of 1 Samuel 16:7 to cultivate humility, integrity, and obedience.
Reflect on your own heart using the EIC (Encounter–Identified Behavior–Course Correct) Framework.
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:7 | Proverbs 4:23 | 1 Samuel 15:22 | Jeremiah 29:11 | Samuel Chap. 1-7/ 8-15/16-31
The book helped them understand five key areas:
God Values Character More Than Appearance
Obedience Always Matters More Than Performance
God’s Calling Is Based on His Purpose, Not Human Expectations
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
As we begin our study of 1 Samuel, open our hearts, minds, and spirits to receive what You desire to teach us. Help us move beyond outward appearances and develop hearts that seek Your wisdom above human understanding.
Teach us to value humility over pride, obedience over performance, and faithfulness over popularity. As Israel transitioned from divided tribes into one nation, unite our hearts in love, purpose, and devotion to You.
Lord, help us see ourselves and others as You see us—not through outward appearance, but through the condition of our hearts.
May Your Holy Spirit guide our discussion, deepen our understanding, and transform our lives through the truth of Your Word.
Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy, and the countless blessings You provide—both seen and unseen.
