Groundwork: Biblical Foundations for Life
248 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 34 ratingsGroundwork 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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Episodes
Adopt the Mindset of Christ
June 28, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.3 MBAs 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 us as we examine the servant mindset that Jesus modeled throughout his ministry to help us understand the relationship betw...
Christian Engagement in Societal Issues
June 21, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.3 MBShould 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 tension between complacency and courage and discern together what it means to embrace our role in shaping a more just and Go...
Christian Civility Defending Our Faith without Being Defensive
June 14, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.3 MBHow 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 our faith is challenged, the Bible urges Christians to respond differently than the world would expect. Join us as we seek b...
How to Live in Christ
June 07, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThroughout the book of Galatians, Paul makes it very clear that we can’t do anything to earn our salvation. So, do our actions and behavior even matter? Keeping laws and customs won’t benefit our salvation at all, but that doesn’t mean our actions don’t matter. Paul explains the importance of freedom with limits. These limits empower us to serve each other in love. Paul reminds believers that faith in Jesus Christ has the power to transform our lives and that we should ...
Understanding the Purpose of God's Law
May 31, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBIn Galatians 3 and 4, Paul continues to impress upon the new believers in Galatia that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by their works nor by their ability to follow the Mosaic law. Paul explores in depth the contrasting paths of legalism and freedom in faith. As we study Paul’s teaching, we discover that God gave us his law to protect and guide us, not to save us. Together, let’s hear Paul’s loving heart as he urges the Galatians, and conseq...
The Cross of Jesus is the Only Way
May 24, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBAs Paul continues his letter to the Galatian Christians, he continues to address their confusion about salvation. He tells them that the esteemed leaders in Jerusalem affirmed Paul’s message of salvation and his calling to preach to the Gentiles. He reiterates that Jewish customs like circumcision are not required for salvation. Then he publicly confronts the apostle Peter for his hypocritical behavior which had become a stumbling block for new believers. Studying Gal...
Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone
May 17, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe Christian faith spread as Paul and the other apostles traveled around and shared the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. However, after Paul left Galatia, other teachers came in and added to his message, spreading false truths about the requirements needed to receive salvation. When Paul gets the news, he urgently writes a letter to the Galatian Christians. In the opening of his letter, Paul adamantly emphasized the importance and power of the unaltered g...
Spiritual Apathy and Justice in Malachi
May 10, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBMalachi prophesied to God’s people after they had returned to Israel from exile in Babylon. His message was one of caution and warning. Back in their homeland, the people were finally comfortable again and spiritual apathy began to settle in their hearts. Through Malachi, God addresses Israel’s indifference and unfaithfulness to him. Join Groundwork as we study the profound words of Malachi and witness how out-of-sync life can get when we go through the motions of faith...
Spiritual Priorities in Haggai and Zechariah
May 03, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBIn good times and bad, life is full of struggles and challenges. Even when God answers our prayers, the way forward isn’t always straight. The Israelites felt this truth acutely when they were finally allowed to return home after living in exile in Babylon. But God was always with them and through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, he provided his guidance and help as the people began to rebuild. Join us as we study the messages Haggai and Zechariah delivered to God’s p...
Our Hearts and God's Character in Nahum and Zephaniah
April 26, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBWhen it seems like evil is winning all around us, and when we don’t understand how God can be both vengeful and loving, angry and good, it can be helpful for us to turn to the minor prophets of Nahum and Zephaniah. Both prophets urge God’s people to examine their hearts and act in ways that honor God and reflect his character. These prophets don’t mince their words when they talk about God’s anger and judgment, but neither do they leave God’s people without hope. Throug...
God's Judgment and Hope in Micah
April 19, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe prophet Micah is most well-known for a famous and often quoted verse: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). But the prophet Micah speaks these words in the midst of declaration after declaration of God’s judgment on his people for their unfaithfulness. Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, prophesied at a time when the people of Israel and Judah con...
Justice and Righteousness in Amos
April 12, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe prophet Amos had an urgent message from God. God wasn’t going to tolerate the serious and grievous injustices of his people. During Amos’ lifetime, oppression and exploitation were so pervasive in Israelite society that it tainted their worship. As God’s people today, we have a lot to learn by studying the book of Amos. Join us to discover the intricate connection between our daily life and our worship. We’ll study Amos’ words to gain a deeper understanding of God’s...
Messages from God in Obadiah and Joel
April 05, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe prophetic books of Obadiah and Joel are quite short and easily overlooked. However, their messages are hard-hitting and remind us that our God is a holy God. Obadiah and Joel were written hundreds of years apart, but they both call out the injustices that God’s people were committing in and around Israel during the lifetimes of the two prophets. Their words underscore the seriousness of sin and the necessity of God’s judgment. But their messages also include promise...
Crucified and Raised to Life with Christ
March 29, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBGood Friday and Easter mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the climax of the Christian church year. There’s no doubt these are the events at the heart of our Christian Faith. During Holy Week, Christians around the world pause to remember and celebrate the great gift of salvation that we receive through Christ’s sacrifice. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we receive this gift of salvation by faith, but he also makes clear, it’s not just something that happe...
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
March 22, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe four gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry vary in their selections of stories and in their details. Each gospel writer has a different audience in mind and a different goal, both of which influence what and how they retell Christ’s life. However, the story of Jesus’ crucifixion is so important to the message of salvation that we find an account of it in each of the four gospels. Examining the story of Jesus’ crucifixion in each of the four gospels reveals a b...
The Complete Sufficiency of the Cross
March 15, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBWhen something seems too good to be true, we might find ourselves raising an eyebrow, reading the fine print, and asking “what’s the catch?” But when it comes to salvation, there really is no catch and beyond having faith there is nothing else we need to do. When Christ died on the cross, he paid our debts in full. There is absolutely nothing we can add to his work to ensure our salvation. And yet, sometimes we subconsciously begin to believe that our actions matter for...
The Paradox of the Cross
March 08, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe cross is a paradox. By human standards, it shouldn’t make sense, it shouldn’t work, and yet, it does. In fact, it’s the greatest paradox—life from death, pardon from penalty, and justification from judgment. In the Roman empire, the cross brought death in a brutal, humiliating way. But instead of shame and defeat, believers of Jesus Christ find life in the cross. Studying the paradox of the cross in Scripture reminds us of the profound love of God. It reminds us how...
The Shame of the Cross
March 01, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MBShame is a very raw, acute, and distressing feeling. We experience shame when we’re humiliated by our own sinful behavior. Jesus had no sin, yet he too knew shame— the shame of the cross. It’s another aspect of the cross that will help us comprehend the fullness of Jesus’ sacrifice. Together we’ll discuss the relationship between sin and shame in Scripture. We’ll study passages that help us revisit how Jesus experienced shame and unpack why it was necessary for our sal...
The Curse of the Cross
February 23, 2024 06:00 - 24 minutes - 34.4 MBCrucifixion was a particularly gruesome way to die, but when Jesus died on the cross it wasn’t just gruesome, it was cursed. Seeking to understand the cursed nature of the cross leads us to make connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament, between our deep-seated guilt and the extreme cost Jesus paid to set us free. We were rightly cursed by God for our failure to keep his covenant, but Jesus became that curse to pay our debt. Join us as we study Scriptu...
Why Jesus Had to Die on a Cross
February 16, 2024 06:00 - 24 minutes - 34.4 MBSometimes habits or traditions become so ingrained in our lives that we can go through the motions of them without spending much time reflecting on their meaning. Sometimes, it benefits us to slow down and once again ask, “why?” We’ll begin our Lenten series “The Cross of Jesus” by examining scriptures that help us answer the question, “Why did Jesus have to die on a cross?” Together, we’ll grow in our faith by seeking to understand what went wrong, recalling God’s cove...
Forgiveness
February 09, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBMany of us are familiar with the Lord’s Prayer. In it, Jesus taught his followers to pray, “...forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Through these powerful words, Jesus highlights the central importance of the virtue of forgiveness to the Christian life. However, saying we believe that forgiveness is important is a lot different than forgiving; most people would agree that true forgiveness can be quite difficult and often takes a l...
Truthfulness
February 02, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBMost people would say it is wrong to lie and good to tell the truth. Yet, most people would also admit that at some time in their lives, they’ve told a lie. The apostle Paul identifies truthfulness as a defining virtue of a faithful believer. So, what does that mean for us imperfect followers of Jesus today? Join Groundwork as we study truth in the Bible and explore Scripture to discover what it means to be truthful and how it can shape our lives and faith. Together we’...
Generosity
January 26, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe apostle Paul encourages Christ’s followers to be generous people. Yet, for many of us, generosity does not come naturally. In our human nature, we often feel resistant to giving very much of our time, talents, or money for the sake of others. Join Groundwork as we study Scripture to discover why generosity is an important virtue for Christ's followers to cultivate and what it means to be a generous person. We’ll discuss the generous character of God, the generosity ...
Thankfulness and Gratitude
January 19, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBWhy are thanksgiving and gratitude important virtues for Jesus' followers to cultivate? Join Groundwork as we explore the Scriptures to answer this question by defining thankfulness and gratitude and what it looks like to give expression to these essential virtues in our lives. Together, we’ll look at the connection between grace and thanks and ways we can nurture thankfulness and gratitude in our thoughts, prayers, and actions.
Humility
January 12, 2024 06:00 - 24 minutes - 34.4 MBWe talk about humility in the church a lot, but what exactly does it look like? Is it possible to be proud of yourself and be humble? The Christlike virtue of humility is a root virtue from which many of the other virtues flow. Join Groundwork as we explore Scripture to discover the biblical understanding of humility, to identify what humility is not, and to witness and learn from how Christ demonstrated humility here on earth. Together, we’ll also discuss how we can li...
Compassion
January 05, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe Christlike virtue of compassion is more than an emotion. The apostle Paul identifies compassion as a defining characteristic in followers of Jesus. Join us as we look in the gospels to witness the compassionate character of Christ. Then we’ll discuss how compassion relates to empathy and its connection to comfort. We will see examples of God’s compassion to discover the roots of our own capacity for compassion and what it looks like in our everyday lives. ...
Your Questions about Scripture and Hope
December 29, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBQuestions are a natural part of our faith. Asking questions helps us to clarify what we believe and what it means to live as Christians in the world. In this episode, we consider some of the questions you asked in response to our series on the Lord’s Prayer, Joshua, and Revelation. Then we’ll discuss issues that some of our listeners shared are most pressing for their faith right now and look at the scriptures to find the hope and encouragement we need to live faithfull...
Jesus: Our Prince of Peace
December 22, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBAs we celebrate Christmas and re-tell the story of baby Jesus—the Savior of the World, born in a lowly manger—may we also remember that he is the one the prophet Isaiah called the “Prince of Peace.” Join us as we reflect on our real need for this peace in our lives and our world. Together we’ll study the story of Jesus’ birth and dig into Scripture to discover the deep and meaningful shalom that Jesus brought to us in his birth, that he promises to establish permanently...
Jesus: Our Everlasting Father
December 15, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe prophet Isaiah continued to reveal the nature of the coming Messiah when he prophesied that he would be the “Everlasting Father.” Now that we know that Jesus was the “coming Messiah,” we might wonder, how can the Son of God also be the Everlasting Father? Join us as we discuss how our understanding of the Triune God clarifies how Jesus is our Everlasting Father. Together, let’s prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas, with an Advent reflection on the true nature o...
Jesus: Our Mighty God
December 08, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe words of the prophet Isaiah offered hope to Israel as they faced a hopeless exile. In chapter 9, verse 6 he calls the coming Messiah “Mighty God,” reminding God’s people that the one who was coming to save them would be more powerful than anything they were experiencing. We now know that the Messiah Isaiah prophesied about is Jesus Christ. As we look toward Christmas, join us as we dig into Scripture to discover what the title “Mighty God” communicates to us about J...
Jesus: Our Wonderful Counselor
December 01, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBIn Isaiah 9:6, the prophet Isaiah first calls the coming Messiah a “Wonderful Counselor.” Join us as we dig into Scripture to discover what this title communicates about Jesus and how it is connected to the biblical wisdom tradition. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we’ll discuss what it means that Jesus is the wisdom of God and therefore, truly is a wonderful counselor whose guidance, when we seek and follow it with humility, will keep us on th...
Love God By Loving One Another
November 24, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.3 MBAs the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Romans, he instructs this early community of believers regarding how they should handle their differences. He knows that differences and disagreements are inevitable because the good news of the gospel calls people of many ages, backgrounds, and experiences. In Romans chapters 14-16, we find Paul’s instructions for Christian living, teachings that continue to help us understand how we can live together today as changed and...
Transformed Living
November 17, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.3 MBAs the apostle Paul continues to unpack the new realities of life for the early Roman Christians, he challenges them to live transformed lives—lives worthy of the grace and mercy they received in Jesus. Join us to study Paul’s teaching in Romans 12-13 and discover how we might live in light of the gospel, renew our minds, and be living sacrifices for God. Let’s walk with Paul through the process of discerning what transformed living means for our civic life. And finally...
In His Mercy, God Chose You
November 10, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBWhen loved ones don’t believe in Jesus despite being raised by Christian parents or growing up in church, it can leave us with deep aches and painful questions about God’s sovereign choices and our free will. The apostle Paul understood this ache and wrestling. Even as he celebrated the inclusion of Gentile believers into God’s family through faith in Jesus, he was distraught by what this same truth meant for Jews who did not come to believe in Jesus. In Romans 9-11, P...
The Spirit in Us
November 03, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBIf there’s one thing that Paul wants believers to understand, it is that the power of the gospel is life-changing. In his letter to the Romans, he details why we so desperately need the gospel and how the good news of salvation is for all people. In Romans 8, Paul turns to answering the question “Now what?” Join us as we unpack Paul’s writings about our justification—our being made right with God—and what it means for us to be IN CHRIST. Find encouragement and comfort i...
Our New Life in Christ
October 27, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBAfter Paul writes his summary of the gospel and explains the purpose of God’s law, he turns to a very important topic: making sure that the believers in Rome understand just how much God loves them. A truth we can all continue to cling to today. By studying Paul’s writing about the implications of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we gain a better understanding of the Christian doctrines of justification and sanctification. We are reminded that we are indeed saved through God...
Why We Need the Gospel
October 20, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBWhy do we need the gospel? How is the gospel relevant to my life? In the opening chapters of Romans, the apostle Paul records concise explanations to these questions, and his teaching remains greatly beneficial for all believers. In this episode, we’ll begin by looking together in the book of Acts to establish the context for Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Then we’ll turn to Romans to study and discuss Paul’s summary of the gospel, his explanation of the purpose o...
God is in Charge, Now and Forever
October 13, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBDaniel was a prophet who could interpret others’ dreams. Many of us are quite familiar with the stories of Daniel interpreting the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar. But God also spoke to Daniel in his own dreams—dreams in which God revealed important truths about the End Times. Daniel’s apocalyptic dreams are full of complex symbolism and otherworldly images. At times, they can be mystifying. Christians throughout history have tried to precisely identify the meaning of ea...
Trusting God When Evil Abounds
October 06, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBAt some point in life, each of us will find ourselves in a situation that is simply unfair. We try our best to live moral lives that honor God, but sometimes it feels like the world wants to punish us for it. When we experience this kind of injustice, it can lead us to ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” And when unfair circumstances threaten our way of life, it can be tempting to compromise our beliefs and values in order to protect ourselves and preserve ...
A Lesson in Accountability and Consequences
September 29, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MB“You reap what you sow.” “Cause and effect.” “Actions have consequences.” There is truth in these common phrases, but it can be easy for us to forget such wisdom in the heat of a moment. When we face difficult decisions, we often wish for a clear and obvious divine message from God, but it is important to remember that much of what we need or desire to know, we can already find in the Bible. When we are tempted to seek power and glory for ourselves, it is valuable for u...
Faith in the Fire
September 22, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBLiving faithfully in this world isn’t always easy. At times, we all experience pressure to compromise our faith. Sometimes, it can feel easier to just go along with what is culturally accepted. Other times, we may fear the attention that standing firm in the convictions of our faith can bring. And even other times it can be especially difficult to maintain our resolve in the midst of daunting opposition. At these moments, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego a...
God is Sovereign Over All
September 15, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBOur lives are filled with changing situations and circumstances beyond our control. When we experience injustice or lack power over aspects of our own lives, it can be tempting to question if God is present in our situation. We can begin to wonder if God is even able to help us in the face of unjust authority. The Israelites living in exile under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar likely experienced similar challenges to their faith. But in Daniel 2 and 4, God reminds us o...
When Our Faith Defines Our Character
September 08, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBWhen we lack control over our circumstances or when our culture pressures us to compromise our faith, it can be difficult to stay committed to following God’s commands and living out what we believe. Daniel and his Jewish friends knew what it was like to live in a culture that was not particularly welcoming to their faith practices. As the book of Daniel opens, we meet Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—four young Jewish men preparing to serve the Babylonian king. J...
Stand Firm in the Reality of Christ's Resurrection
September 01, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBAfter the Apostle Paul started the church in Corinth, others came after him that began to teach the Corinthian Christians differently. These false teachers were challenging Paul’s teaching on the resurrection, a crucial and important truth at the heart of the Christian faith. Influenced by the culture around them, they suggested that Christ’s resurrection was not a true, physical, bodily resurrection. As Paul responds to these false teachings, he is adamant that it is n...
Love: the Guiding Principle for Christian Living
August 25, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34.4 MBEvery church is made up of broken, sinful believers redeemed by the blood of Christ. But far too often our human condition gets the better of us and we argue, disagree, inflict pain on one another, and sometimes even experience a break in a relationship. This reality is not unique to the modern church. The Corinthian church struggled with unity too. They did not care for one another as they should have and the church had an almost clique-like mentality. In 1 Corinthian...
Understanding Christian Freedom
August 18, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBFreedom is a value most of us cherish and protect. But what happens when our personal freedom is in direct conflict with someone else’s personal freedom? How do our Christian faith and our freedom in Christ help us navigate these conflicts and make it possible to continue living in unity? And how can we be sure that our efforts to live in unity don’t compromise our integrity or cause us to become lukewarm or wishy-washy Christians? Join us as we study the Apostle Paul’s...
Sex, Food, and Faith-Informed Choices
August 11, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBHow does faith in God affect the daily choices you make? Sometimes, it’s easy or clear to see how faith influences a decision. Should I steal? No, that wouldn’t be the choice of a faithful Christian. But other things are less clear. Can I enjoy sex or is it sinful? Can I eat anything I want or do I need to be more discerning? The early Christians in Corinth had many questions about how they should best honor God through their choices and they sought advice from the Apos...
You Belong to Jesus! Act Like it.
August 04, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBThe early Christians in the Corinthian church had many questions about how their faith impacted various aspects of their lives. You might be surprised that many of the topics the Apostle Paul advised them on in his letter are things we’re still wrestling with today: sexuality and sexual immorality, accountability in the life of the church, and lawsuits or disagreements among believers. Discover why in each of these situations Paul admonished believers to remember their ...
Only Glorify Jesus
July 28, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBAs humans, we almost can’t help but make comparisons. But when comparing distracts us from what’s true and what’s important, then it becomes unhelpful and even problematic. The Christians in Corinth struggled with a comparison problem. As Paul addresses their problem in 1 Corinthians, he offers not only the Corinthians, but us too a valuable perspective on power, authority, and leadership in the church, and a vital reminder that Christ is the foundation upon which we sh...
Holy People, God's Wisdom, and the Power of the Cross
July 21, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBThe Apostle Paul opens his letter to the Corinthian church by addressing those who are "sanctified and called." But we quickly discover that much like ourselves, the Corinthian church was full of imperfect believers sorting out the impact of their faith on how they lived in the world. In the opening chapters of this letter, Paul reminds believers that God’s wisdom may not make sense by the world’s standards, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and th...