Hi, this is Jill from the Northwoods. Welcome to The Bible in Small Steps, where we will explore the Bible one chapter at a time. Whether you’re a long-term believer, just curious about the scripture, or just someone like me who wants to do a deeper dive and understand the most important text ever written, that’s what we’re going to talk about.
Three times a week, we’re going to read a chapter a day. We’re going to start with the New Testament, and then eventually, we’ll get to the Old Testament, look at the rich and complex story, and investigate what’s going on. Who wrote these books of the Bible? Where were they written? Who was the audience? And some historical context.
I’m not a pastor or formally trained, but I am a passionate seeker of wisdom and truth. I love the Bible, and I have a stack of books. And I use the powerful Logos software. Together, we will look at the historical context, the timeless messages in each chapter, and the places where they’re cross-referenced and referenced. We’ll talk about the places and people who are in these chapters so that we have a better understanding.
With each episode, we will break down the chapters, discuss the themes, and see how they connect to our daily lives and how they should change our activities, prayer life, and meditation. We’ll learn much about what God expects from us and what we can expect from Him. And whether you’re listening at home, in your car, or on a break, it’ll be short enough and concise enough to enjoy it anywhere.
This podcast will be a companion in discovering the Bible at a pace where we can truly absorb and go through things. This will be such a slow crawl through the Bible we’ll be able to understand each point thoroughly. There will be new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, meaning you will read the next chapter on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. So, I even give you time to stay current with the podcast so you can also do a deep dive with me. And if we hit a topic that deserves a little more attention, I
So please subscribe. You can go to thebibleandsmallsteps.com, which will show you how to connect to this podcast. So, let us embark on this great new path together and find out what we can learn by studying God’s Word.
I look forward to sharing those joyful moments, the tearful moments, and the inspirational moments that come with reading God’s Word. See you next time.

Go From Self-Help to God’s Help

We’ll be discussing an amazing book by Father Jonathan Morris called “God Wants You Happy, From Self-Help to God’s Help”. Join me as we explore the concept of God’s desire for our happiness and how it differs from the self-help industry, which often promotes self-reliance rather than reliance on God.
We’ll contemplate being junior partners with God in our lives, acknowledging our weaknesses, and allowing God’s love to lead us. As we delve deeper, we’ll examine the virtues of faith, hope, and love as a means to achieving happiness.
Faith encourages us to focus on God, read the scriptures, and pray regularly. Hope is cultivated through acknowledging our wrongdoings, making amends, and holding ourselves accountable. Love is demonstrated by living a life of love, as Jesus did, and recognizing that we should love others because God loves them.
But the journey towards happiness isn’t always easy. There are potential hindrances, such as pride, vanity, and love of pleasure, that can manifest in our daily lives and impact our relationships. We also consider the external threats that could disrupt our relationship with God, such as failing to pray or taking God’s grace for granted.
That’s why we emphasize the necessity of an action plan to overcome these obstacles and threats. This involves admitting our powerlessness, turning our will over to God, making amends, and following a plan to hold ourselves accountable. We affirm that God wants us to be involved in our plan, using His guidance to navigate life.

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/10650777

Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/SmallStepsPod

Email the podcast at jill@smallstepswithgod.com

64 - Herod, Political and Architectural Mastermind

In this episode, we're diving deep into the life and reign of Herod the Great, an influential figure in the biblical era. You might have heard of him as a crazed, diseased maniac in popular media, but I'm here to tell you that he was actually quite complex. Herod was a shrewd, politically savvy figure who demonstrated great cunning. Despite his ruthless nature, he was also known for his architectural prowess, with many structures still standing in Israel today.

He ordered the Magi to investigate the messiah’s birth and then ordered the death of children to end his life along with the other children. His love, power, and desire to keep the throne were the source of his cruelty.

As we explore Herod's story, I'm struck by his ability to navigate different regimes. He survived and thrived through multiple power shifts, from Julius Caesar to Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and then to Augustus Caesar. He maintained close ties with the Romans, which, although it sparked resentment among some Jewish factions, helped maintain relative peace in the region.

One of the most significant contributions Herod made was to the architectural landscape of the region. He renovated the Jewish temple, a move that was seen as a strategic effort to win the favor of his subjects. He also built impressive structures like the amphitheater in Caesarea and his winter palace in Jericho. Despite being Jewish, Herod understood the importance of appeasing the Romans and Greeks, demonstrating his skillful political maneuvering.

Herod's reign ended with his painful and gruesome death due to a mysterious illness. But his legacy lived on through his children, who also ruled various territories. His life of violence and cruelty that marked his reign is in stark comparison to his impact on the region's history.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=530

Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/SmallStepsPod

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgodpodcast

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

65 - The Remarkable Journey of Josh McDowell

In this episode, we delve into the life and works of Josh McDowell, a renowned Christian apologist known for his extensive research on the evidence of Jesus. McDowell initially set out to disprove Christianity as an atheist, but his meticulous research ultimately led him to convert to Christianity. This transformation is documented in his book “Evidence That Demands a Verdict.” McDowell’s journey from skepticism to faith is an interesting study, particularly for those who are new to Christianity or those who question their faith.
McDowell’s research on the Bible covers a wide range of authors and periods. The Bible was written over 1500 years by 40 different generations of authors from diverse backgrounds. Despite this diversity, the central message remained consistent, providing a strong testament to its reliability and authenticity. McDowell’s work provides valuable insights into how the Bible has been passed down through generations in written and oral traditions.
The episode also discusses some key points from McDowell’s books. For instance, McDowell argues that the main reasons for rejecting Christ are often ignorance, pride, or moral issues. These objections are not based on factual inaccuracies in the Bible but rather personal biases or misunderstandings. Furthermore, the episode delves into the importance of being prepared to defend one’s faith, a concept central to McDowell’s works.
The episode concludes by challenging the audience to explore McDowell’s evidence. The evidence from archaeology and historical records continues to support the narratives of the Bible, further strengthening its credibility. McDowell’s works serve as a comprehensive resource for those seeking to understand the historical and factual basis of Christianity.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=561

Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/SmallStepsPod

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgodpodcast

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

67 - People Roles in the Time of Jesus

In this podcast, we’re going to explore the different groups of people in the New Testament and why Jesus addressed them directly with what they needed to do to see the kingdom of God. As we go through this journey together, we’ll examine the Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin, and other groups, understanding their roles and beliefs during the time of Jesus.
The Pharisees were strict about adhering to the laws of the scripture, while the Sadducees were more elite, aristocrats, and well-off who believed only in the Torah. It’s fascinating to learn about how these groups interacted with one another and with Jesus.
We’ll also discuss the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of the Jewish Nation at the time, which was appointed mostly by Herod. They formed a crucial part of the judicial system, with representatives for accusation and defense, much like our modern-day court systems. Their main aim was maintaining peace, even if it meant aligning with the Romans. It’s interesting to see how politics played a role in the decisions they made.
The podcast also touches on the roles of priests and scribes. Priests, especially high priests, were responsible for the temple and the religious rites. On the other hand, Scribes were the educated class responsible for reading, writing, and even creating legal documents. They played a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the scripture through meticulous work.
Lastly, we delve into the different people groups like Levites, Herodians, and Zealots. Levites, descending from the tribe of Levi, were the priest class. The Herodians supported Herod’s rule and were responsible for tax collection, while the Zealots were revolutionaries opposing Roman rule. Understanding these groups provides a clearer picture of the socio-political climate during the time of Jesus.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/67-people-roles-in-the-time-of-jesus/

Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/SmallStepsPod

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgodpodcast

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

66 - Uncovering Compelling Evidence

Hey there! In this episode, I’m diving deep into the fascinating work of Josh McDowell and his son, Sean. These two are renowned for their thorough research into the authenticity of the Bible, and their books, such as “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” and “More Than a Carpenter,” provide compelling evidence supporting the Bible’s truth.
As we explore the consistent writing and discoveries that prove the Bible’s authenticity, there are some surprising facts for you. For example, there are writings and documentation, including Coptic sermon notes, that reference Jesus and the scripture. Some people in history confirm the Bible’s consistent following and continuity and church leaders that took over churches that were founded by the apostles.
But it’s not just about the Bible - we also talk about the various contributions of the Church throughout history despite its significant flaws and hypocrisy. I want to highlight the Church’s role in creating universities, hospitals, orphanages, and charities and its significant influence on science. All of this underscores the Church’s commitment to knowledge and service.
We talk about archaeological findings that support the Bible. It’s encouraging to see the evidence for yourself and understand that such discoveries often go unnoticed, especially when they align with the Bible.

https://www.josh.org

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=583

Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/SmallStepsPod

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgodpodcast

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

68 - Israel, the North, and the South in the Time of Jesus

Today, we’re going to explore the different people groups that existed during the time of Jesus, specifically within Israel.
We’ll focus on the tribe of Judah, which is made up of the descendants of Jacob’s grandchildren from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. These two tribes were the only ones to survive the exile and were allowed to return home. But what about the other ten tribes of Israel? We’ll discuss their geographical locations and how they eventually disappeared during the Assyrian conquest.
One of the most interesting groups we’ll talk about today is the Samaritans. They were seen as foreigners by Judah, but considered themselves the guardians of the Israeli faith. They even referred to themselves as Israel and believed in their Hebrew roots. Their religious center was Mount Gerizim, which sparked a long-standing debate with the Judeans who believed that the main temple should be in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, this disagreement, combined with historical conflicts, led to a deep distrust and animosity between the two groups during Jesus’ time.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/68-israel-the-north-and-the-south-in-the-time-of-jesus/

Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/SmallStepsPod

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgodpodcast

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

69 - Setting the Greek Stage for Jesus

In this episode, we'll be delving into the extensive history and influence of the Greeks on the land of Israel, setting the stage for the time of Jesus.

The Greeks, who had conquered Israel in 330 BC, brought about a significant cultural shift. As I explored the topic, I found it fascinating how the Jewish people began to appreciate Greek sophistication, philosophies, and language. I was particularly interested in the evolution of the language from Hebrew to Aramaic to Greek, reflecting an increased sophistication needed to capture the depth of Jewish and Christian faith.

The Hellenic influence on different groups, particularly the Sadducees and Pharisees. I was amazed to learn that the Sadducees, being aristocrats, were more Hellenized and sought to align with the Roman upper class. On the other hand, the Pharisees, while also Hellenized to some extent, adhered more strictly to Jewish traditions. However, they were drawn to Greek education and the teacher-student relationship.

As I explored further, I came across the philosophical ideas that infiltrated Jewish land, such as Gnosticism and Stoicism, and the rejection of monotheism by some people in Israel. Despite the Greek era ending with Rome's conquest, Greek philosophy and language had a lasting impact, which is evident in the New Testament. It's fascinating how the Greek influence was still prevalent during Jesus's time.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/69-setting-the-greek-stage-for-jesus/

Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/SmallStepsPod

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgodpodcast

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com