Scripture
We are so grateful for the work of Practicing the Way for developing material to help us grow in our discipleship to Jesus and also to make it accessible to us for free. They have developed an awesome 4 week curriculum, which we will be following for in October and November of 2025
Here is our plan:
Andrew will be preaching a series on Scripture and we would love to invite you to train in developing your depth and engagement with scripture alongside us. We believe that when you are intentional about your relationship with Jesus, He will show up in very beautiful and unexpected ways.
We are asking you to join with your Chapel Community, a community you choose if you are out of town, a group of friends, or by yourself and watch the weekly videos from Practicing the Way. (You can watch them before you meet or during, but we have found it most effective to watch together.) Then you discuss the material and engage in the scripture practice exercises…then get together the next week to see how it went. This will be a simple 4 week commitment.
To be ready and jump all the way in, consider purchasing or downloading the Scripture Practice companion guide. You may also want to go ahead and order the book Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson. And if you really want to go all in, the Lectio Bible.
If you are planning to walk through these four weeks with a group in your town, alone, or with a Chapel community as a leader, you will want to log into Practicing the Way and create a group to get access to all the videos you will use for discussion. Follow this link and create a group. Don’t forget to associate with The Chapel at Seaside when it asks if you are a part of a church. If you want a video that walks you through the process, you will find that here!
Sermons
Guide Books
Scripture: Practice Guide
Free download from Practicing the Way here.
Scripture: Practice Guide
Purchase from Amazon here.
Reading Recommendations
Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson
Eat This Book challenges us to read the Scriptures on their own terms, as God’s revelation, and to live them as we read them. With warmth and wisdom Peterson offers greatly needed, down-to-earth counsel on spiritual reading. In these pages he draws readers into a fascinating conversation on the nature of language, the ancient practice of lectio divina, and the role of Scripture translations; included here is the “inside story” behind Peterson’s own popular Bible translation, The Message.
Buy the paperback book here!
Lectio Bible
In our digitally distracted, fragmented, and hurried culture, many of us are simply too busy and exhausted to have a meaningful life with God. Practices that slow us down to attune to the peace and presence of Jesus are essential for our time. And few practices are more important than immersing ourselves in Scripture.
As apprentices of Jesus, our aim isn’t just to read Scripture or to know Scripture or even to believe Scripture. Rather, it is to be like Jesus’ disciple Mary, who “sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to all he said.” It’s to be with Jesus, and to be formed to be like him one page at a time. The NIV Lectio Bible was created with that end in mind: to give those walking in the Way of Jesus a way of listening to God on the pages of Scripture.
Buy the hardcover book here!
Podcasts
Scripture Week 1: Three Problematic Approaches to Scripture
Common traditional approaches to Scripture — such as the “reference book” approach, the “domesticated grab-bag” approach, and others — can limit our understanding and enjoyment of this complex library of texts. BibleProject is guided by a seven-part paradigm in their understanding of Scripture, and the first “pillar” is to understand the Bible as “human and divine literature.”
Listen to the episode on Spotify here!
Scripture Week 2: Scripture as a Cross-Cultural Experience
BibleProject’s Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Brittany Kim, and Hakeem Bradley continue a conversation with John Mark around BibleProject’s seven-part paradigm for understanding Scripture.
Episode 02 addresses common struggles with interpreting ancient texts, such as reconciling difficult laws or cultural norms with modern values, and how to approach puzzling or morally complex passages with patience and respect for their historical and cultural settings. This episode also explores the messianic theme woven throughout the library of Scripture and why scholars refer to the Bible as a unified story that points to Jesus.
Listen to the episode on Spotify here!
Scripture Week 3: Unlocking the Wisdom of Scripture
John Mark and BibleProject’s Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Brittany Kim, and Hakeem Bradley discuss what it means to approach Scripture as “wisdom literature” and “meditation literature.”
Wisdom literature encourages readers to internalize God’s values, making decisions that promote flourishing for themselves and others. Meditation literature invites readers to slow down, immerse themselves in Scripture, and allow its truths to permeate us to the extent that they transform how we interact with others.
Listen to the episode on Spotify here!
Scripture Week 4: Reading Scripture as a Spiritual Discipline
John Mark and guests Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Brittany Kim, and Hakeem Bradley explore what it means to read Scripture as a spiritual discipline and why, as apprentices of Jesus, reading is ultimately about following him and becoming like him.
Reading Scripture aloud in groups, a tradition rooted in early house churches, allowed for a shared, transformative encounter with Scripture — and it’s a practice we can rediscover today. Whether done privately or corporately, reading longer sections and reading aloud help us capture the literary design and thematic unity often missed in fragmented readings.
Listen to the episode on Spotify here!
Other Resources
From the Bible Project
Learn more about The Bible by checking out these resources from the Bible Project here.
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
Have you ever wondered where the Bible came from? This class is all about the origins of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and how to develop the skills necessary for reading it well. We’ll explore the biblical and historical data about the production of the biblical scrolls, focusing on why and how these texts were formed into a unified collection. We’ll also cover some of the most important skills for reading biblical narrative and poetry so that you can take your own study of the Bible to the next level.
Take this online course with the Bible Project on understanding the Hebrew Bible here.