More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music

More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music

Michelle Nezat

Overview
Episodes

Details

More Than a Song is a bi-weekly podcast dedicated to helping you discover the truth of Scripture hidden in today's popular Christian music. Each episode teaches you to connect portions of God's Word with the songs you're singing along with on the radio to help you meditate on Truths that will transform your way of thinking and, ultimately, your life.

Recent Episodes

#490: "I Believe" by Phil Wickham
APR 29, 2024
#490: "I Believe" by Phil Wickham

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Do you know what you believe? Are you grounded in the knowledge and understanding of your faith? Our faith is not blind and unfounded. Rather, it is rooted in a Person Who brings all things from the darkness into light. Every once in a while, it's good to challenge yourself with what you believe -- relying on the truth of Scripture to weave together the tapestry of our faith. Phil Wickham's song, "I Believe," will guide us in discussing some very important details of what we believe as followers of Christ.

Let's explore the Scripture behind some of the summary statements we sing along with in this song.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

  • Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
    • Study a topic
    • Slow down
    • Meditate on Scripture
  • Episode Guide
  • "I Believe" by Phil Wickham as a modern creed - Air1.com Article
  • Defining creeds, confessions, and their uses
  • One Salvation - Acts 4:10-12
  • One Doorway that leads to life - John 10:7-9
  • One Redemption - Hebrews 9:11-15
  • One Way - John 14:6
  • Where salvation comes from - Ephesians 2:8-10
  • Reconciliation - Colossians 1:21-23
  • Restoring a relationship with God means confessing our guilt and requesting forgiveness from Him - He gives us the terms to reconcile with Him.
  • The crucifixion, as discussed in all four gospels and Galatians 3:13
  • Christ's blood that has set us free - Revelation 1:4-6, 1 Peter 1:17-19
  • The resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:3-9
  • Jesus' life is death's defeat - 2 Timothy 1:10
  • Christ's victory is consummated in eternity - Revelation 21:4
  • Jesus prepares a place for us in heaven - John 14:1-3
  • This world is not our home - Philippians 3:20
  • We cannot imagine what God has in store for us - 1 Corinthians 2:9
  • Jesus will return - Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
  • Keeping the altar burning like the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25
  • The marriage of the Lamb - Revelation 19:6-9
  • Jesus as the Lion and the Lamb - Revelation 5:5-6
  • Not being ashamed of the gospel - Romans 1:16

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

We end where we began. Use this song as a creed — a rehearsal of summary statements about what you believe. Shore up why you believe what you believe by using the Episode Guide

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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22 MIN
#489: "Faithfully” by TobyMac
APR 15, 2024
#489: "Faithfully” by TobyMac

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Can I give you some good news? God does not restrain His faithfulness. He doesn't hold back. TobyMac sings about it in his song "Faithfully," and David sings about it in Psalm 40.

Tag along with me as we explore God's faithfulness together.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

  • Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
    • Study a topic
    • Read in context
    • Define words
    • Complete a word study
    • Share with a friend
  • Episode Guide
  • The story behind the song "Faithfully" by TobyMac - YouTube Video
  • The variety of Greek and Hebrew words used to describe God's faithfulness all closely linked to God's truthfulness (veracity)
  • Looking up the word "faithful" in the English dictionary
  • Recognizing that faithfulness is an attribute that we should display (communicable attribute of God) - God is faithful, and we are to be faithful
  • Faithful and True as a name of Jesus - Revelation 19:11
  • God's faithfulness saves us from the despair of our own unfaithfulness
  • Using the Psalms Explorer in my Logos Bible Software to choose Psalm 40 to study the theme of God's faithfulness
  • Exploring the idea that God "inclined" to David - a state of engagement in a relationship - the Lord really sees us in our pain and wants to engage with us
  • God is ACTIVE in His engagement with us - Psalm 40:2-3
  • What makes this Psalm a Messianic Psalm - Hebrews 10:5-7
  • David's response to the faithfulness of God - Psalm 40:9-11

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Spend some time in Psalm 40. Look for God's attributes, specifically His faithfulness. Then, take a trip to Hebrews 10 to see Jesus fulfilling parts of this Psalm. Finally, follow David’s lead and share what you’ve learned with a friend. Don’t keep the glad news of God’s deliverance to yourself.


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Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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23 MIN
#488: "Counting My Blessings" by Seph Schlueter
APR 1, 2024
#488: "Counting My Blessings" by Seph Schlueter

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

To count our blessings is to name them and acknowledge our gratitude for the good things God has blessed us with. Seph Schlueter sings of this in his song "Counting My Blessings," and I use it to catapult us into the world of Jesus to see how He gave thanks in all circumstances.

Let's explore Scripture together to deepen our knowledge as we practice giving thanks in our lives.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

  • Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
    • Reading in context
    • Listen to an audio version of the text
    • Repetition
    • Make a list
    • Complete a word study
    • Meditate on Scripture
    • Consider the opposite
  • Episode Guide
  • Reading all of 1 Thessalonians as inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5:18
  • Making a list of what Paul is thankful for as an example of how to make a list of our own
  • Asking the question, "What does giving thanks look like in Scripture?"
  • "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp - Amazon Paid Link
  • An interview by Kirk Cameron with Ann Voskamp - YouTube Video
  • Learning to be on the hunt for things to be thankful for
  • Actually taking action -- to give thanks is a verb
  • Greek word for "to give thanks" - eucharisteo - BibleHub Word Study
  • The times Jesus eucharisteo
    • at the Last Supper - Luke 22:17-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Hebrews 12:2
    • at the Feeding of the 5000 - John 6:11-13, 23
    • at the resurrection of Lazarus - John 11:38-44
  • How miracles, provision, fullness, resurrection, and life are on the other side of giving thanks
  • Considering the opposite of how Jesus gave thanks 
    • sinful people described as NOT giving thanks - Romans 1:21
    • hypocritical religious man giving thanks in a presumptuous and arrogant fashion - Luke 18:11
    • using our words to give thanks rather than foolish talk - Ephesians 5:4
Reading Scriptures about giving thanks won’t transform you unless you allow them to inform what you think about giving thanks, and then actually PRACTICE giving thanks.


Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Spend some time in 1 Thessalonians. Make a list of what Paul is thankful for. Then, make your own list of things you are thankful for. Be imitators of Christ in your eucharisteo. Read about Christ giving 

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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22 MIN
#487: "Manasseh” by Anna Golden
MAR 18, 2024
#487: "Manasseh” by Anna Golden

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Have you ever had that moment when you realize you are on the other side? On the other side of trauma. On the other side of betrayal. On the other side of pain, you thought for sure you would NEVER endure? This happened to Joseph and was commemorated by the birth of his firstborn son. When Anna Golden sings "Manasseh," she vividly brings these shared feelings to life -- these feelings of a patriarch from long ago shared with those of us who are on the other side of deep wounding.

Let's examine Joseph's life this week as we tickle the chin of his newborn son, Manasseh.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

  • Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
    • Listen to an audio version of the text
    • Read and keep on reading
    • Read Big
    • Repetition
    • Storying
    • Review section titles
    • Study a person
  • Episode Guide Download
  • The meaning of the name Manasseh - "causing to forget" - Genesis 41:51
  • Anna Golden's testimony about the song - "Manasseh Intro" - YouTube Audio Link
  • Read Joseph's story in Genesis 37-50
  • Learning to "Read Big" - The Bible Reset: Simple Breakthroughs to Make Scripture Come Alive by Alex Goodwin - Amazon Paid Link
  • Biblical Person Study Workflow - Logos Bible Software
  • Biographical Method of Bible Study - Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren - Amazon Paid Link
  • Choosing to study the life of Joseph to determine what he needed to forget with the birth of Manasseh
  • Reading the narrative completely and repetitively
  • Learning how Joseph helped his brothers rewrite the story - The Bible Project Podcast
  • The summary of the psalmist - Psalm 105:16-24
  • Determining the role the person played in Biblical events
  • First impressions of Joseph and how they've changed upon deeper reading
  • Writing your own chronological timeline of the person, a.k.a. taking the BITE of Storying
  • Tying the story back to the lyrics of the song

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

 Read or listen to Joseph's story in Genesis 37-50. Read repetitively and add to your study each time. Write down your first impressions (including questions) the first time you read the narrative. The second time you read through it, jot down the chronological timeline of Joseph's life. The third time you read through it, consider any shared experiences you and Joseph may have had. Pray and ask God to reveal Himself in the midst of Joseph's story (and yours). 

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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25 MIN
#486: "You've Already Won" by Shane & Shane
MAR 4, 2024
#486: "You've Already Won" by Shane & Shane

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

Have you ever re-watched a movie yet felt anxious during that scene where the obstacle seems too great to overcome? You know the end. You understand the main character overcomes that obstacle because you've watched the movie before, but it still keeps you on the edge of your seat. That's what I think of when I hear Shane & Shane sing "You've Already Won." I know Christ sits in heaven as the ultimate victor and that because I'm in Christ, I, too, am victorious. But I'm still swinging my sword in battles and sometimes wonder how it will all turn out. 

I want to add to your faith by diving deeper into Ephesians 1 with you in this episode.

In this episode, I discuss the following:  

  • Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
    • Read and keep on reading
    • Repetition
    • Read the text aloud
    • Review an overview
    • Meditate on Scripture
    • Start with God
    • Make a list
  • Episode Guide Download
  • My conversation with Keith Ferrin regarding internalizing Scripture - Friday With Friends Interview
  • The part of Ephesians I've been studying that I thought of when I listened to this week's song - Ephesians 1:19-23
  • Not letting any Bible interaction tool/process keep us in bondage or discourage us from spending time in God's Word
  • Watching the overview video for Ephesians - Bible Project Video
  • The metaphor of trampling under the feet as an image of victory over one's enemies - Dictionary of Biblical Imagery - Amazon Paid Link
  • The now and not yet of Christ's victory - 1 Corinthians 15:24-25
  • The now and not yet of our inheritance - Ephesians 1:11-14
  • Making a list of God's actions in Ephesians 1
  • Living between the ages - Christopher Hall Foundations 3 & 4
  • The now and not yet of living between the ages - "God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible" - Amazon Paid Link

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Read and re-read Ephesians. Read it out loud. Read it in the same physical Bible to help with retention and recall. Then, sit down with a notebook and make a list of all of God's actions. We've started in chapter 1, but feel free to keep adding to your list as you interact with the text. Your faith will be strengthened as you rehearse all God has done for you.

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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23 MIN