BibleSumo Weekly Bible Study: Recent Episodes
Pedro Cheung MD
Concise, meticulous Bible studies for Christians. Your facilitator is Pedro Cheung. He is a husband, father, and full-time physician. Pedro believes every word in the original documents of the Bible is verbally inspired and inerrant. He uses a grammatical-historical-theological method to interpret the Bible. Bible studies are released on Mondays.
The main purpose of the Jonah story is to show that something greater than Jonah is here. That something is Jesus Christ, the greater Jonah.
- The Sign of Jonah (2:10)
- The Summoning of Jonah (3:1–3:3)
- The Sermon by Jonah (3:4–3:5)
- The Significance of Jonah
Three Aspects of the Day of Yahweh that everything should grasp and comprehend.
- Divine Justice (v.15)
- Divine Judgment (v.16)
- Divine Salvation (v.17)
Therefore, be encouraged, be fervent, and be prepared.
Studying the immutability of God helps us when we feel weak and afflicted. The unchangeable God is our source of confidence and strength.
- All Creation Changes (v.26)
- God Remains the Same (v.27)
- Our Hope Is Secure (v.28)
The story of Saul and David help Christians identify the precursors, the development, and the manifestations of the sin of envy.
- The precursors of envy (v.6–7)
- The development of envy (v.8–9)
- The manifestations of envy (v.10–19)
Jonathan's friendship with David illustrate ten attributes found in Christian friendship which are more perfectly exemplified in Christ Jesus.
- Christian Friendships Are Unplanned. (v.1)
- Christian Friendship Involves the Soul (v.1)
- Christian Friendship Requires Love (v.1)
- Christian Friendship Is Selective (v.1)
- Christian Friendship Seeks Other's Good (v.1)
- Christian Friendship Shuns Envy. (v.2)
- Christian Friendship Involves Commitment. (v.3)
- Christian Friendship Shows Humility. (v.4)
- Christian Friendship Is Generous (v.4)
- Christian Friendship Promotes Success (v.5)
When Yahweh handed David victory over Goliath, we learn that God's servant volunteers, prepares, speaks, prevails, and inspires.
- God's Servant Volunteers (v.31–37)
- God's Servant Prepares (v.38–40)
- God's Servant Speaks (v.41–47)
- God's Servant Prevails (v.48–51)
- God's Servant Inspires (v.52–58)
Goliath, the uncircumcised Philistine, defies the living God. David, empowered with God's Spirit, cannot persuade anyone to confront the giant.
- Goliath's Defiance (v.1–11)
- David's Dedication (v.12–22)
- David's Decisiveness (v.23–27)
- Eliab's Denunciation (v.28–30)
One of the most precious truths about God is His providence. In 1 Samuel 16, we see how God's providence can instill fear, comfort, and courage.
- God's Providence Is Introduced. (v.1)
- God's Providence Is Revealed. (v.2–5)
- God's Providence Is Transcendent. (v.6–12)
- God's Providence is Spirit-powered. (v.13–14)
- God's Providence is Enabling. (v.15–18)
- God's Providence is Disruptive. (v.19–23)
Given another chance to obey God by destroying the Amalekites, Saul failed, so Samuel had to complete Saul's task and hack Agag to pieces.
- Saul's Disobedience (v.1–9)
- God's Regret (v.10–11)
- God's Rejection (v.12–23)
- Saul's Hypocrisy (v.24–35)
Chosen and anointed out of obscurity, Saul succumbed to fear and impatience and violated God's law by offering sacrifices to God as a priest.
- The Setting (v.1–7)
- The Violation (v.8–10)
- The Explanation (v.11–12)
- The Judgment (v.13–14)
Israel forsakes God and demands an earthly king to replace Yahweh's theocratic monarchy. Israel rejects Samuel's stern warning, and God relents.
- Israel Demands a King (v.1–5)
- Israel Forsakes God (v.6–9)
- Israel Is Warned (v.10–18)
- Israel Rejects God (v.19–22)
God ends His silence and calls Samuel to be His prophet. God's effectual call to Samuel has parallels to God's call to us today.
- The Scarcity of God's Call (v.1–3)
- The Persistence of God's Call (v.4–9)
- The Intimacy of God's Call (v.10)
- The Demands of God's Call (v.11–18)
- The Marks of God's Call (v.19–21)
After fulfilling her vow and dedicating Samuel, Hannah prays a song of thanksgiving to the incomparable God that becomes an anthem for Israel.
- A Personal God (v.1)
- A Holy God (v.2)
- An All-Knowing God (v.3)
- An All-Powerful God (v.4–8)
- A Saving God (v.9–10)
1 Samuel is a book of hope and begins with God remembering Hannah's predicament and hears her prayers and answers them by give her a son, Samuel.
- Hannah's Predicament (v1–8)
- Hannah's Vow (v9–11)
- Eli's Misunderstanding (v12–16)
- God's Answer (v17–20)
- Family's Obedience (v21–28)
Paul assures Christians that their future hope is secured by God's love based on its timing, its demonstration, its salvation, and its boasting.
- Timing of God's Love (v.6)
- Demonstration of God's Love (v.7–8)
- Salvation of God's Love (v.9–10)
- Boasting of God's Love (v.11)
When the rich young ruler refused to give up his wealth to follow Jesus, his disciple asked, "Who can be saved?" Jesus answered, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
God's design for building up His church is using leaders who will equip the saints to do the work of service so the church body may be built up.
- Equip (Eph 4:12a)
- Exert (Eph 4:12b)
- Edify (Eph 4:12c)
Grace Bible Church in Pleasant Hill, Sunday Morning Worship Service on May 7, 2023
Sermon preached at Grace Bible Church in Pleasant Hill, CA. Predicament (v.2a) Plea (v.2b) Pronouncement (v.3) Purpose (v.4)
In this final chapter, Joseph proclaims God's hand of providence and good purposes. Jacob's Burial (v.1-14) God's Good Purposes (v.15-21) Joseph's Death (v.22-26)
Jacob gives a final word of prophecy to his twelve sons. Most important is the Messianic promise found in verse 10. Reuben, Simeon, Levi (v.1-7) Messiah Promised Through Judah (v.8-12) Eight Other Brothers (v.13-27) Jacob's Death (v.28-33)
We will examine what Jacob tells Joseph in a final private conversation shortly before Jacob's death. God Blesses Israel (47:27-28) Israel Beseeches Joseph (47:29-31) Israel Blesses Joseph (48:1-12) Israel Encourages Joseph (48:13-22)
Jacob identifies himself as a sojourner, and he blesses Pharaoh. The Egyptians are grateful when Joseph delivers them from starvation. Pharaoh Welcomes Israel (v.1-6) God Blesses Pharaoh (v.7-12) God Saves Egypt (v.13-26)
Like Jacob, we as Christians are sojourners. We are also benefactors and God's instruments of blessing. We are slaves to our savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Are you prepared to die? Reuniting with his son Joseph after 22 years of separation, Jacob said, "Now let me die." Jacob Worshipped (v.1-4) Jacob Believed (v.5-7) Jacob Surrounded (v.8-27) Jacob Reunited (v.28-30) Jacob Settled (v.31-34)
In this chapter, we learn that we must (1) worship God when life is unclear, (2) trust God which will lead us to action, and (3) live for God so as believers, we can be prepared to die.
What is the secret to Christian contentment? In this Bible study, we examine Jacob's example so we can utter the words, "It is enough." Joseph's Direction (v.9-13) Joseph's Satisfaction (v.14-15) Pharoah's Injunction (v.16-20) Joseph's Provision (v.21-24) Jacob's Capitulation (v.25-28)
It is not until the end of Jacob's life when he learns to cherish all his blessings. After today's Bible study, let us say to God, "My cup overflows. It is enough."
In the first eight verses of Genesis 45, we see one of the best descriptions of forgiveness. We will examine five important characteristics of forgiveness. Forgiveness Is Painful (v.1-2) Forgiveness Is Personal (v.1b) Forgiveness Is Selfless (v.3-4) Forgiveness Acknowledges Sin (v.4-5) Forgiveness Acknowledges God (v.5-8)
Have you experienced God's forgiveness? Who do you still need to forgive? You are never more like God than when you forgive.
Some call Judah's plea to Joseph the greatest monologue in the Old Testament. In today's Bible study, we'll learn why this is likely true. The Brothers' Test (v.1-5) The Brothers' Change (v.6-13) The Brothers' Guilt (v.14-17) Judah Becomes Surety (v.18-34)
Judah Requests a Favorable Hearing (v.18) Judah Recounts Their First Visit (v.19-23) Judah Reports His Father's Distress (v.24-31) Judah Renders Himself As Surety (v.32-34)
Judah's passionate offer to become Benjamin's substitute and surety foreshadows our surety, our Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder Jesus is called the Lion of Judah.
Judah's Plea for Benjamin Judah asks Joseph for a favorable hearing (v.18) Judah reminds Joseph of their first encounter (v.19-23) Judah reports their father's distress (v.24-29) Judah offers himself as Benjamin's substitute (v.30-34)
Genesis 44:1-17 Outline Placement of Joseph's Silver Cup with Benjamin (v.1-5) Discovery of Joseph's Silver Cup with Benjamin (v.6-13) Pronouncement of Guilt on Benjamin (v.14-17)
Genesis 43 Outline Plight of Jacob's family (v.1-7) Judah's Surety Guarantee (v.8-10) Jacob's acceptance of bereavement (v.11-14) Joseph's Second Meeting with Brothers (v.15-25) Joseph's Brothers' Fears Expelled (v.26-34)
Genesis 43:1-14 Online The Plight of Jacob's Family (v.1-7) The Surety Guarantee of Judah (v.8-10) The Acceptance of Bereavement by Jacob (v.11-14)
Genesis 42 Outline Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt (v.1-5) Joseph's Brothers Held Custody (v.6-17) Joseph's Brothers Sent Back to Canaan (v.18-28) Joseph's Brothers Bereave Jacob (v.29-38)
Bible study and prayer go hand in hand. Here are 10 Puritan Prayers on the Trinity of God. Each prayer is about 2 minutes long. Man's Great End God Honoured Praise and Thanksgiving The Gift of Gifts Christ the Word Christ Is All Fullness in Christ Union with Christ The Name of Jesus Christ Alone
The Parable of the Talents is one of the final parables of Jesus in the book of Matthew. After explaining about the signs that will point to his second return, Jesus explains the importance of being a good steward through the Parable of the Talents. We only have one life to live for Christ, so let's make it count.
Genesis 39-41 Summary God Remembered Joseph in Potiphar's House (chapter 39) God Remembered Joseph in Prison (chapter 40) God Remembered Joseph in Pharaoh's Court (chapter 41)
Genesis 41:37-57 Outline Pharaoh Accepts Joseph's Counsel (v.37-45) Joseph Fills the Store Cities (v.46-49) Joseph Names His Two Sons (v.50-52) Joseph Opens the Storehouses (v.53-57)
Genesis 39-41 Summary God Remembered Joseph in Potiphar's House (chapter 39) God Remembered Joseph in Prison (chapter 40) God Remember Joseph in Pharaoh's Court (chapter 41)
Genesis 41:1-36 Outline Pharaoh Troubled by Two Dreams (v.1-8) Cupbearer Remembered Joseph (v.9-13) Joseph Summoned to Pharaoh (v.14-24) Joseph Interpreted Pharaoh’s Dreams (v.25-36)
Pharaoh's servants sent to prison (v.1-4) Pharaoh's servants each given divine dreams (v.5-8) The cupbearer's dream interpreted. (v.9-15) The baker's dream interpreted (v.16-19) Pharaoh's servants' dreams fulfilled (v.20-23)
God remained with Joseph. God showed him steadfast love, and God showed him favor and grace. Introduction to Ancient Egypt Joseph's Success in Managing Potiphar's House (v.1-6a) Joseph's Success in Resisting Temptation (v.6b-10) Joseph's Success Leading to False Accusation (v.11-18) Joseph's Success Continuing in Prison (v.19-23)
Genesis 38 Outline Judah's First Sin - Marrying a Pagan Wife (v.1-5) Judah's Second Sin - Breaking a Promise (v.6-14) Judah's Third Sin - Soliciting a Prostitute (v.15-23) Tamar's Vindication (v.24-26) Tamar Bears Twins (v.27-30)
In this episode, we will study a parenthetical chapter: Genesis 38. This chapter is a flashback in Canaan to Joseph older brother Judah. Many ask, “why is this here?” It seems to interrupt the plot development of the Genesis narrative of Joseph. There are at least 5 reasons why the account of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar. First, it is a part of Jacob’s story. Remember that the heading of Genesis 37:2 is “These are the generations of Jacob.” Even though I have consistently referred to Genesis 37-50 as the Joseph narrative, it is really the story of Jacob’s household. We will soon see that in this story of Jacob’s children, Judah becomes a central protagonist. Second, this chapter explains why it was necessary for God to bring Israel to Egypt. Jacob’s sons were intermarrying with the Canaanites and in danger of being swallowed up by Canaan’s culture. God chose to preserve the Jews in Egypt as a separate people, since the Egyptians disliked foreigners, particularly shepherds. Third, Genesis 38 contrasts the shortcoming of Judah with the uprightness of Joseph in Genesis 39. Fourth, this chapter provides important background for us that will built up to the climax in Genesis 44, when Judah becomes a pledge and guaranteer for Benjamin. I can’t wait til chapter 44 when we see one of the strongest foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Finally, this story gives Judah’s lineage that provides further background to the genealogy of the Messiah. We learn that God’s promised Messiah, Christ Jesus, will come through the line of Judah through Tamar.
In this episode, we continue our study of The Joseph narrative. It's here in the second section of Genesis 37 where we learn how the brothers sell Joseph to Egypt. The second part of Genesis 37 can be summarized with four events. Joseph is sent to Shechem (v.12-17) Joseph is sold at Dothan (v.18-30) Jacob mourns in Hebron (v.31-35) Joseph is sold to Potiphar (v.36)
Bible study and prayer go hand in hand. Here are 10 Puritan Prayers on the Trinity of God. Each prayer is about 2 minutes long. The Trinity God the All (2:12) God the Source of All Good (4:15) The Great God (6:21) The All-Good (8:27) The Mover (10:17) The Divine Will (12:19) Divine Mercies (14:24) God Enjoyed (16:43) A Present Salvation (18:49)
In this episode, we continue our study of The Joseph story. It's here in the first section of Genesis 37 where we meet Joseph the Dreamer. Through this passage, we learn four realities. Joseph’s special status (v.2) His father’s favoritism (v.3) His brother’s hatred (v.4) God’s providential revelation (v.5-11)
I’m going to cover five topics in our introduction to the Joseph narrative: Joseph’s childhood and upbringing Joseph’s model character Joseph in the New Testament Joseph’s similarities with Christ Jesus Joseph and God’s providence
We will take a closer look at Joseph’s childhood and how God prepares him for the difficult life he will live to protect and preserve his family.
To conclude our survey of the Genesis narrative of Jacob, an important question must be asked. “Why did God choose Jacob, not Esau?” Another way to ask this question is “On what basis did God choose Jacob over Esau?” Four Arguments Against Romans 9Systematic avoidance of Romans 9 Romans 9 is not talking about individuals but talking about nations. Romans 9 is referring to individual election of temporal and material blessing. Doctrine of prescience
“Why did God choose Jacob, not Esau?” Answer: God chooses to whom He grants mercy not on the basis of man’s will, but based on God’s sovereign free will so that His purposes might stand. And that divine prerogative is what makes Him God.
Genesis 36 gives us the genealogy of Isaac's older son Esau. Esau spurned his birthright, and never did he show any spiritual perception or interest. But God did not forget him. Esau was still the son of Isaac. He was still Jacob’s brother. He became the father of Israel’s “brother” nation, Edom.
Jacob returns to Bethel before seeing his father Isaac at Hebron and enduring several more trials. Genesis 35 can be divided into two main sections. Jacob returns to Bethel (v.1-15) Birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel and Isaac (v.16-29)
In Genesis 34, we read the account of Jacob's sons exacting revenge against Shechem for raping their sister Dinah. Genesis 34 can be divided into 6 sections The wickedness of exposure and rape (v.1-4) The wickedness of accepting immorality (v.5-6) The wickedness of deception and misusing religion (v.7-17) The wickedness of greed and covetousness (v.18-24) The wickedness of revenge and false justice (v.25-29) The result of wickedness (v.30-31)
In Genesis 33, we see Jacob's long-anticipated reunion with Esau. Today’s story of Jacob’s reconciliation with Esau can be divided into five sections Jacob approached Esau humbly (v.1-4) Jacob shared about his life with Esau (v.5-7) Jacob asked for a sealing of the reconciliation (v.8-11) Jacob saw proof of reconciliation (v.12-16) Jacob experienced the results of reconciliation (v.17-20)
Jacob plans to seek reconciliation with Esau before he wrestles with God. Jacob seeks reconciliation with Esau Jacob sees God's presence (v.1-2) Jacob sends a message to Esau (v.3-5) Jacob confronts his fears (v.6-8) Jacob prays for God's deliverance (v.9-12) Jacob sends gifts of goodwill (v.13-21) Jacob wrestles with God (v.22-32)
God blesses Jacob with success in breeding his flock which ultimately leads to his flight from Laban’s house. First Half of Story Jacob negotiates his wages. (30 v.25-36) Jacob breeds the flocks to his advantage (30 v.37-43)
Second Half of Story Jacob prepares to leave Laban's house (31 v.1-16) Jacob's family leaves (31 v.17-24) Laban confronts Jacob (31 v.25-42) Jacob and Laban make a covenant (31 v.43-55)
We will take a close look at the birth of Jacob’s first twelve children. Four sons are born to Leah (29 v.31–35) The two handmaids each bear two sons (30 v.1–13) Leah bears two sons and a daughter (30 v.14–21) Rachel finally gives birth to a son (30 v.22–24)
We see Jacob beginning a new life, finding a new family, and seeking to marry his cousin Rachel. Jacob begins his new life (v.1-8) Jacob finds his new family (v.9-14) Jacob works in hopes to marry Rachel (v.15-20) Jacob is deceived, reaping what he had sown (v.21-30)
The gospel of Jesus Christ answers 4 important questions. Who made us, and to whom are we accountable? What is man's problem? What is God's solution to that problem? What makes this good news for me and not just for someone else?
https://www.biblesumo.com/gospel-jesus-christ/
We are studying to fallout of Jacob stealing Esau's blessing and Jacob's dream at Bethel. Esau plans to kill Jacob. (27 v.41-45) Jacob flees to Haran. (27 v.46 - 28 v.5) Esau marries a third wife. (28 v.6-9) God appears to Jacob in a dream at Bethel. (28 v.10-22)
This is the story of how Jacob got the blessing of his father Isaac through deception. Issac offered to bless his favored son Esau. (v.1-4) Rebekah sent Jacob to receive the blessing. (v.5-17) Jacob deceived his father and received the blessing. (v.18-29) Everything is discovered. (v.30-40)
Welcome to BibleSumo Weekly, your home for weekly Bible studies for everyday Christians. I'm your host, Pedro Cheung. I love to study God's word. And in this podcast, I'll share what I've been learning in my personal Bible study. You can listen alone, or you can listen together with your family. If you are a Bible scholar - this isn't designed for you. But if you are an everyday Christian like me who just wants to understand the Bible, you will find the podcast helpful. So join me each week here at BibleSumo as we read and study God’s word together.