Podcast
BIBLE GEEKS
CONVERSATIONS IN BIBLICAL GEEK
WITH RYAN JOY & BRYAN SCHIELE
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Mini: Prayer Hacks and Hot Takes
258 | “Mildly Microwaved” | Pray with Freedom and Honesty
Welcome to our first-ever Bible Geeks Mini — a new, bite-sized episode for your busy week! We're kicking things off with a rapid-fire conversation on Prayer: Hacks and Hot Takes. First, we share practical tips to keep your prayer life fresh, from a simple app that helps you remember your prayer list to using the Lord's Prayer as a powerful daily template. Then, we serve up some "mildly microwaved" hot takes: Does your physical posture in prayer actually matter? And why do we really end every prayer with "in Jesus' name, amen"? (Spoiler: it's not a magic password).
Joshua and Caleb Face-Off
257 | “Big Sandals to Fill” | Follow God with Your Whole Heart
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the ultimate Old Testament face-off! In this corner: Joshua, the iconic leader who brought down the walls of Jericho. And in this corner: Caleb, the rugged warrior who waited 45 years to claim his mountain. These two titans of faith were the only spies who believed God's promise, but their paths were very different. Is it harder to be Joshua, the "front of house" leader stepping into Moses's massive sandals, or Caleb, the "back of house" mountain man who had to patiently wait 40 years in the wilderness? Join our friendly debate as we explore their unique strengths, their vital partnership, and why the very essence of faith might just be learning how to wait.
They Might Be Giants
256 | “Wanna Make Baseball Cards” | Slay the Giant Questions
Nephilim, Rephim, Anakim! Oh, my! For our Geektober finale, we're grabbing our nerd glasses and going on a "crypto-biblical expedition" to track down the Bible's giants. Where did the mysterious Nephilim of Genesis 6 come from? How did they lead to the "grasshopper syndrome" of Numbers 13? And how does Goliath, the final boss, tie into the Bible's ultimate story of Christ defeating the enemy? Join us for a fun dive into one of Scripture's weirdest rabbit trails (with a healthy dose of The Princess Bride).
Hands on the Bible
255 | “It Would Drive Me Nuts” | Trust the Process That Protected the Bible
Did the Bible just drop from heaven as a set of golden tablets? Nope! This Geektober, we're pulling back the curtain on the original Bible geeks: the Scribes! These unsung heroes were the "original programmers" of Scripture, meticulously counting every single word and letter to preserve the text. We debunk the "game of telephone" myth and explore how the painstaking work of groups like the Masoretes — confirmed by the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls — is one of the most powerful arguments for the Bible's reliability.
Christians, Curses, and Laments
254 | “Weird Corner of the Internet” | Pray Honestly and Trust God’s Justice
Geektober is getting weird! This week, we're exploring the Bible's "ancient rage tracks"—the imprecatory psalms. How can followers of Jesus, who are called to bless their enemies, also pray these Spirit-inspired psalms that call for judgment? Are these just "flyover psalms" we should skip, or do they give us a powerful way to be brutally honest with God, process our pain, and trust His justice without becoming vindictive villains ourselves? Join us for a deep dive into the Bible's dark corner to find out!
Snakes and Dragons
253 | “Oh, It’s About Snakes” | Unmask the Dragon
Geektober continues! If the Bible were a fantasy novel, it'd have it all: a talking serpent, a multi-headed sea monster, and a great dragon at the end. But this isn't fiction, so what's with all the hissing and fire-breathing? How did biblical writers "flip the script" on ancient myths to tell the true story of chaos? And how is the entire Bible one epic dragonslayer story pointing to Christ's ultimate victory over evil? Grab your sword of the Spirit and join our quest to understand one of Scripture's most powerful symbols.
Digital Deacons: AI
252 | “Gone Off His Rocker” | Put AI to Work for the Kingdom
Grab your nerd glasses — our monthlong Geektober deep-dive is officially here! First up we head to the workshop to explore Artificial Intelligence. Is AI a faithful "digital servant" for your Bible study, or a rogue robot that hallucinates answers? We're giving you the guardrails to use this powerful tool wisely, showing you why it's a great research assistant but a terrible rabbi. Join us for a fun, nerdy, and practical guide to making AI your servant, not your master, in your walk with God!
Grace for Burnout
251 | “Lay On the Couch and Talk” | Find God's Grace in Your Burnout
Ever feel completely gassed, even after a huge win? The prophet Elijah sure did. Fresh off his spiritual Super Bowl on Mount Carmel, he crashed so hard he was ready to quit for good. But God's response wasn't a pep talk — it was a hot meal and an invitation to take a nap. What does this story teach us about the anatomy of burnout and the problem with "hustle culture"? Join us for a surprisingly practical and personal look at finding God's grace — and maybe a good nap — when you've hit the wall.
Unlocking Ezekiel
250 | “It Looks Questionable” | Unlock the Message of Ezekiel
Ever felt like Ezekiel is a locked door? In this workshop episode, Ryan takes us on his journey teaching through this bizarre and beautiful "flyover book". What can we learn from a prophet who ate a scroll and whose wife's death became a sign? How does this book balance God's terrifying judgment with his patient grace? What do the gyroscopic wheels of eyes look like? And what are the practical keys — from immersion to asking the right questions — that unlock its message about Jesus? Get your toolkit ready to confidently tackle one of the Bible's most rewarding books!
Trapped in Time
249 | “We’re Keepin’ It PG” | Redeem Your Time
Fire up the DeLorean! In this time travel episode, we explore the time traps we all fall into. How does Jesus redeem our past, freeing us from the magnetic pull of regret and nostalgia? What's the difference between tactical concern and getting stuck in a state of worry about the future? And what does it really mean to "redeem the time" — not just managing our schedule, but wisely and gratefully living in the present moment? Join us for a conversation that helps us escape the loops of yesterday and tomorrow to live fully in today!
Joy vs. Happiness
248 | “Little Oasises?” | Foster Joy and Happiness in Your Life
Rejoice! We're back for a new season with "Happy Days Ahead"! First up, we're untangling the relationship between joy and happiness. Is it okay for Christians to just be happy, or is happiness a shallow goal we should avoid? How can joy be a choice we make, yet also a fruit of the Spirit we receive? And what does it mean to "abide in the vine" to find the full joy that Jesus promises — the kind that can coexist with sadness? Join us as we explore appreciating happiness while building a life on unshakable joy!
The Church's Blueprint
247 | “Back to the Church of the Bible” | Go Back to the Book
We're closing our "Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular" by opening the vault! This episode is a time capsule: our very first recording together from an old radio show — our "naked baby pictures" episode. Inspired by "National Back to Church Sunday," we ask a bigger question: What does it mean to go back to the church of the Bible? How does the New Testament's pattern for work, worship, and organization compare to today? And why is unity under Christ's authority so crucial? Join us for a foundational discussion that's still relevant today!
Two Traitors, Two Kings
246 | “Betrayal of a Close Friend” | See the Prophecy in the Pain
We welcome our friend Allen Greeley back for his final sermon in our "Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular"! This week's lesson, "Betrayal of a Close Friend," gets personal. How did King David's psalms give voice to Jesus's heartbreak over Judas hundreds of years before it happened? In what ways did the betrayal of David by his own trusted advisor serve as a haunting prequel to the gospel story? And what does it mean that in the moment of betrayal, Jesus still called Judas "Friend"? Join us for a powerful look at the human cost of betrayal.
How to Read the Bible
245 | “Meet Your Bible” | Get to Know Your Bible
Surf's up for our "Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular"! This week, Ryan offers a proper introduction in his sermon, "Meet Your Bible". Ever felt like you know about the Bible, but haven't been formally introduced to this library of books? Why is it crucial to remember this collection was written for you, but not directly to you? And how can we stay curious about a book we think we know so well? Join us for a friendly reintroduction, designed to build your confidence and help you fall in love with it all over again!
The Melchizedek Mystery
244 | “The Priesthood Face-off” | Trust in the Better Priesthood
We're stoked to have our friend Allen Greeley back for our "Summer Surfin' Spectacular"! This week, he tackles a biblical puzzle in "The Priesthood Face-off." If Old Testament priests and kings came from different tribes, how could Jesus be both? Who was the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek, and why was he considered greater than Abraham? And what happens when the flawed, law-breaking priesthood comes face-to-face with Jesus at his own trial? Grab your board and join us for a deep-dive into God's plan for his ultimate priest-king!
Worship as Worth-Ship
243 | “Worship and Holy Living” | Declare His Worth With Your Life
Welcome back to our “Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular”! This week, Bryan dives into a sermon on "Worship and Holy Living". You might know the slogan "Because you're worth it," but have you ever thought about worship as "worth-ship" — giving God what he is truly worth? What does it mean to be God's "fine china," set apart for his purpose yet meant to be used? And if we’re his temple, how does that change how we live on our "holy ground" every day? Join us for a practical look at honoring God's incredible worth!
The First Gospel Promise
242 | “The Human Satan Crusher” | Find Jesus in the First Promise
Welcome back to our “Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular”! This week, we're stoked to have our good friend Allen Greeley share his sermon: "The Human Satan Crusher." Ever wonder where the gospel story really begins? We go way back to Genesis 3 to find the first promise of a hero who would defeat evil. How does this ancient, "weirdly worded" prophecy point to Jesus's birth? And why was his humanity just as important as his deity in the plan to win this spiritual war? Jump on board with us for a discussion that will build your faith and encourage your heart!
Build a Life That Lasts
241 | “Under Construction“ | Build Your Faith Beyond Quick Fixes
Welcome to our "Seven Sermon Summer Surfin' Spectacular"! Our first sermon comes to us from Ryan! This week, we're all spiritually "Under Construction" and living in the messy middle of God's DIY project. But when is it wise to pause our busy lives to "sharpen the axe" instead of just producing? Are you reaching for spiritual "duct tape and aspirin" when you really need a foundational fix? And how can you be a solid support for others if you're not standing on firm ground yourself? Join us for a fun-filled way to spend our summer break, looking at our ongoing spiritual renovations!
“Eight Layer Dip”
Let Christ Shape Your Life
What's something you love to make – like, really, really love? And why does Peter’s call to build on our faith remind us of a delicious festive side dish? In this final Square One episode, we're asking the big question: “What’s next?” Discipleship is about consistent growth, staying moldable on the potter's wheel, and allowing the Lord to make changes in your life. Ever struggled with patience or consistency in your daily walk with God? We’ve been there too! Tune in as we wrap up Square One and look ahead to a life of discipleship! Thanks for joining us on this epic journey this season!
“Very Relaxed Priesthood”
Become a Light to the World
We're almost at the finish line of our Square One series, and in Session 12, we're tackling a big one: "What about everyone else?" We'll dive into how your relationships might change when you commit to Christ and why that's not something to fear. Plus, we're talking about the "chill and very relaxed priesthood" that every Christian is a part of. Get ready to discover your special purpose and mission in the world, not as a secret agent, but as someone radiating God's light!