The Bible Dept.

• Day 67: John 1-3

  John’s Gospel is a masterpiece—radically different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Why? Because John isn’t just telling a Jewish or human story. He’s telling a God story. In today’s reading, we unpack John 1-3 and explore why this book stands apart, how it combats ancient heresies, and what Jesus meant when He told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.”✈️ Overview:John’s Gospel isn’t like the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). It opens with “In the beginning”, intentionally linking Jesus to the creation narrative in Genesis. John presents Jesus as the Word made flesh—not just a great teacher, but fully divine. This Gospel is deeply theological, yet incredibly personal, showcasing Jesus’ intimate conversations, bold claims, and powerful miracles.🔎 Context Clues:Why is John’s Gospel so unique? Unlike Matthew (which highlights Jesus as the Jewish Messiah) or Luke (which traces Jesus’ lineage to Adam), John goes even further back—to the very beginning of time.The Four Gospel Perspectives: If Mark portrays Jesus as the Ox (burden-bearing servant), Luke as the Man (fully human), and Matthew as the Lion (Jewish Messiah), then John portrays Him as the Eagle—transcendent, divine, above all.John’s Mission: He writes last, as an old man, addressing the rise of Gnosticism—a dangerous heresy that denied Jesus’ physical body and resurrection. His Gospel combats this, emphasizing that Jesus took on real flesh (sárx), lived, died, and rose again.🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:John, the Only Disciple to See the Crucifixion: This deeply impacts his writing—his emphasis on love, truth, and Jesus’ divinity stems from witnessing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice firsthand.Why “In the Beginning” Matters: Just like Genesis 1 speaks of God creating the world, John 1 declares that Jesus was there, creating with the Father. John presents Jesus as the author of a NEW creation.Jesus vs. Gnosticism: Ancient Gnostics claimed the spiritual realm was good and the physical world was evil. But John crushes that false idea, proving that Jesus took on flesh—affirming the goodness of creation and the importance of bodily resurrection.✅ Timeless Truths:Born Again ≠ Just a Religious Phrase: In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” For Nicodemus, a powerful, educated Pharisee, this was shocking. He had status, wealth, and power—but Jesus was saying none of that mattered in God’s Kingdom. True identity isn’t in how we’re born the first time, but in our rebirth through Christ.Why This Still Matters: Many people today still struggle with misplaced identity—whether in success, race, nationality, or status. Jesus calls us to lay down earthly markers of importance and embrace a new identity in Him.John’s Gospel is deep, bold, and transformational. Are you ready to see Jesus like never before? Stick with us as we continue through John’s powerful account tomorrow!📖 Join the journey: Read John 1-3 today and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway!🚀 START HERE!Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOKCrushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETINGGet NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:The Bible Dept. | YouTubeThe Bible Dept. | SpotifyThe Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts📱 STAY CONNECTED:The Bible Dept. | InstagramThe Bible Dept. | FacebookDr. Manny Arango | InstagramARMA | Instagram📨 EMAIL US!Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].💥 MORE RESOURCES:Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. EssentialsDr. Manny Arango’s Book | BrainwashedBook Dr. Manny to Speak🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!The Garden | Houston, TXThe Garden | InstagramThe Garden | FacebookAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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• Day 66: James 3-5

  Your words carry more weight than you think. James 3-5 lays out a hard truth—your tongue can steer your entire life, for better or worse. Gossip, complaining, lying, and unchecked emotions? They’re not just bad habits. According to James, they can set your whole life on fire. Let’s dig into why your words matter, how to tame your tongue, and the biblical wisdom you need to speak life instead of destruction.✈️ Overview:• James warns that the tongue is small but incredibly powerful—like a rudder steering a massive ship or a tiny spark that starts a wildfire.• He highlights the contradiction of praising God one moment and cursing people the next.• True wisdom is shown in how we speak—words reveal the state of our heart.• James calls out believers who use their words to deceive, divide, or manipulate, pointing out that godly speech is a mark of maturity.🔎 Context Clues:• James is deeply connected to Old Testament wisdom, especially Proverbs 6:16-19, which lists things God hates—three of which are directly related to the tongue (lying, false witness, and stirring up conflict).• Jesus also reinforces this in Matthew 12:34: “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Our words reflect our inner condition.• James repeatedly urges believers to restrain the tongue, showing that spiritual maturity is about more than beliefs—it’s about transformed behavior.🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:• James 4:8 says, “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” Many interpret this as proximity, but A.W. Tozer argued that closeness to God isn’t about physical nearness—it’s about likeness. The more we reflect God’s character, the closer we truly are to Him.• The phrase “taming the tongue” parallels the idea of training wild animals. Just as humans have domesticated creatures, we must actively work to discipline our speech.• In biblical times, words carried weight—they could make or break covenants. James is reminding us that careless words still carry real consequences today.✅ Timeless Truths:• Your words determine your direction. What you say steers your life—speak wisdom, life, and truth, not destruction.• Taming your tongue is a lifelong pursuit. Even James says no human can fully tame the tongue, but growth is about making daily progress.• Confession leads to healing. James 5:16 tells us that while confessing sins to God brings forgiveness, confessing to others brings healing.• Sin isn’t just rebellion—it’s often tied to wounds. Many destructive behaviors stem from unresolved pain. True healing requires bringing these struggles into the light with trusted believers.If you’ve ever struggled with controlling your words—or if you’ve been hurt by someone else’s—James has a serious wake-up call. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. God’s wisdom can transform your speech and your life.🚀 START HERE!Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOKCrushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETINGGet NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:The Bible Dept. | YouTubeThe Bible Dept. | SpotifyThe Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts📱 STAY CONNECTED:The Bible Dept. | InstagramThe Bible Dept. | FacebookDr. Manny Arango | InstagramARMA | Instagram📨 EMAIL US!Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].💥 MORE RESOURCES:Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. EssentialsDr. Manny Arango’s Book | BrainwashedBook Dr. Manny to Speak🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!The Garden | Houston, TXThe Garden | InstagramThe Garden | FacebookAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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• Day 65: James 1-2

  James isn’t just about belief—it’s about action. This book is packed with practical wisdom that challenges us to mature in faith, endure trials, and actually live what we claim to believe. But how do we balance faith and works? And why did Martin Luther struggle with this book so much? Let’s dive into James 1-2.✈️ Overview:• James, the brother of Jesus, writes one of the most practical books in the Bible—focusing on wisdom, not doctrine.• Unlike Paul’s letters, James is not evangelistic. He assumes his audience is already believers and calls them to maturity in faith.• The central theme: Faith without works is dead. Real faith is seen in action.• James’ style mirrors both the Book of Proverbs and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount—giving us short, memorable wisdom statements.🔎 Context Clues:• James’ original Hebrew name is Jacob, but it was Latinized into James.• His letter is addressed to Jewish Christians, showing its deep connection to Old Testament wisdom literature.• Unlike Paul’s theological writings, James gives direct, practical commands—much like Proverbs.• The book is structured as a New Testament Proverbs, giving bite-sized wisdom on trials, temptation, speech, wealth, and true faith.🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:• Martin Luther famously called James an “epistle of straw” because of its emphasis on works—yet James isn’t contradicting Paul, but complementing him.• For James, faith and works aren’t in opposition. Instead, faith is the root, and works are the fruit.• The book only mentions Jesus twice—a rare feature for a New Testament letter.• Wisdom in the Bible is practical, not just philosophical. James speaks about real-life matters—how we speak, how we handle money, and how we treat others.✅ Timeless Truths:• Mature faith requires action. Faith isn’t just belief—it’s demonstrated in how we live.• Trials develop perseverance. James says to count it joy when we face trials because they refine and mature us.• Wisdom requires discernment. Like Proverbs 26:4-5 (which gives opposite advice in two verses), wisdom is about knowing when to apply the right principle.• Faith isn’t passive—it’s active. If you claim to believe in Jesus, your actions should reflect it.James gives us a no-nonsense, in-your-face guide to real, practical Christianity. If you’re serious about growing in wisdom and faith, this book is for you. Read James 1-2 today—better yet, read the whole book! I’ll see you tomorrow for James 3-5. Don’t quit now!🚀 START HERE!Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOKCrushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETINGGet NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:The Bible Dept. | YouTubeThe Bible Dept. | SpotifyThe Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts📱 STAY CONNECTED:The Bible Dept. | InstagramThe Bible Dept. | FacebookDr. Manny Arango | InstagramARMA | Instagram📨 EMAIL US!Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].💥 MORE RESOURCES:Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. EssentialsDr. Manny Arango’s Book | BrainwashedBook Dr. Manny to Speak🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!The Garden | Houston, TXThe Garden | InstagramThe Garden | FacebookAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  20:08
• Day 64: Hebrews 11-13

  Faith isn’t about getting what you want—it’s about persevering even when you don’t. In Hebrews 11-13, we see that biblical faith isn’t about feelings, miracles, or perfect people. It’s about endurance, loyalty, and trusting God despite suffering, doubt, and setbacks. If you’ve ever felt like quitting, this chapter is for you.✈️ Overview:• Hebrews 11, known as the Hall of Faith, highlights men and women who persevered through suffering, moral failure, and doubt.• The chapter is framed by a call to endurance—faith is about pressing forward, not turning back.• Hebrews 12 urges believers to throw off “the sin that so easily entangles”—likely referring to unbelief and the temptation to abandon Christ.• Hebrews 13 closes with practical instructions for living out faith in a hostile world.🔎 Context Clues:• Perseverance is the theme. Hebrews 10:35-39 warns against shrinking back, and Hebrews 12:1-4 urges believers to endure, just like the Hall of Faith heroes.• The sin that entangles (Heb. 12:1) isn’t just any sin—it’s specifically the temptation to abandon faith under pressure. The author reminds readers that true faith endures.• Faith isn’t about perfection. The figures in Hebrews 11 had serious flaws—Noah got drunk, Abraham lied, Moses murdered, David committed adultery—yet they were commended for their perseverance.🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:• The phrase “great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1) uses imagery from a Roman stadium, where past runners cheer on those still in the race.• The term “faith” in Hebrews 11 is best understood as believing loyalty—not just mental agreement, but steadfast commitment to God.• Hebrews 12:4 says, “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” This suggests that the audience was facing persecution but had not yet been martyred.• The author of Hebrews repeatedly contrasts the New Covenant with the Old Covenant, emphasizing that faith in Jesus surpasses the old sacrificial system.✅ Timeless Truths:• Faith is not about outcomes—it’s about pleasing God. Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear: faith pleases God, even if things don’t go as we hope.• Endurance is the proof of true faith. The people in Hebrews 11 weren’t perfect, but they persevered. Quitting on God was never an option.• Faith is a long game. The heroes of faith never saw the full promise fulfilled in their lifetime—but they kept believing.• Fix your eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 points to Jesus as the ultimate example of perseverance—He endured the cross, knowing the joy that lay ahead.Faith is about trust, endurance, and holding on—no matter what. If you’ve been tempted to shrink back, don’t quit now! God rewards those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6). Stay faithful. Keep running the race. See you tomorrow for Day 65 as we dive into the book of James!🚀 START HERE!Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOKCrushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETINGGet NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:The Bible Dept. | YouTubeThe Bible Dept. | SpotifyThe Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts📱 STAY CONNECTED:The Bible Dept. | InstagramThe Bible Dept. | FacebookDr. Manny Arango | InstagramARMA | Instagram📨 EMAIL US!Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].💥 MORE RESOURCES:Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. EssentialsDr. Manny Arango’s Book | BrainwashedBook Dr. Manny to Speak🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!The Garden | Houston, TXThe Garden | InstagramThe Garden | FacebookAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  19:39
• Day 63: Hebrews 5-10

  The debate over “Once Saved, Always Saved” is one of the most heated in modern theology. But what if Hebrews 5-10 delivers the deathblow to this idea? The author of Hebrews warns believers not to drift, shrink back, or fall away. So, can you really lose your salvation? Or is there more to this conversation than we think? Let’s dig in.✈️ Overview:• Hebrews 6:4-6 presents one of the strongest warnings against falling away, describing it as “impossible” to restore someone who has turned back.• The Old Covenant required repeated sacrifices—but Jesus’ sacrifice was “once for all” (Heb. 10:10).• The theme of Hebrews is endurance—believers are called to hold fast and not shrink back (Heb. 10:39).• The priesthood of Jesus (after the order of Melchizedek) is superior to the Levitical priesthood, proving that the New Covenant is fundamentally different from the Old.🔎 Context Clues:• The audience: Jewish Christians tempted to return to Judaism to avoid persecution under Nero. The author warns them that turning back would mean abandoning Christ.• The sacrificial system: Under the Old Covenant, priests offered sacrifices repeatedly, but Jesus’ single sacrifice secured eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12).• Apostasy vs. Backsliding: Hebrews differentiates between struggling in faith and outright rejection of Christ—only the latter is considered “falling away.”• “Once for all” (Heb. 10:10) means that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient, but believers must endure and not abandon their faith.🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:• Hebrews 6:4-6 echoes the language of covenant renewal ceremonies in Deuteronomy—rejecting Jesus is likened to Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness.• “Melchizedek” is a priest-king figure who predates the Levitical priesthood (Gen. 14:18-20). Jesus’ priesthood is modeled after Melchizedek, making it superior.• The phrase “it is impossible to restore them again to repentance” (Heb. 6:6) parallels first-century Jewish beliefs about final apostasy.• Hebrews 10:26-27 compares rejecting Christ’s sacrifice to “trampling the Son of God underfoot”—a phrase used in ancient legal contexts to mean complete dishonor.✅ Timeless Truths:• Salvation is a gift, but perseverance is key—true faith endures to the end.• The Christian life isn’t about coasting—it’s about holding fast and actively growing in faith.• Rejecting Christ after knowing the truth is dangerous—Hebrews warns that apostasy is real.• Grace isn’t a license to live however we want—faith requires obedience, trust, and endurance.Hebrews challenges us to take our faith seriously. It’s not about legalism, but about staying anchored to Jesus. Don’t drift, don’t shrink back—keep pressing forward. See you tomorrow for Day 64!🚀 START HERE!Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOKCrushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETINGGet NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:The Bible Dept. | YouTubeThe Bible Dept. | SpotifyThe Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts📱 STAY CONNECTED:The Bible Dept. | InstagramThe Bible Dept. | FacebookDr. Manny Arango | InstagramARMA | Instagram📨 EMAIL US!Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].💥 MORE RESOURCES:Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. EssentialsDr. Manny Arango’s Book | BrainwashedBook Dr. Manny to Speak🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!The Garden | Houston, TXThe Garden | InstagramThe Garden | FacebookAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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