Podcast Summary

A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace

Episode Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Beth & Alexa
Theme: Christ as the Good Shepherd — Seeing Jesus in Ezekiel 34 and John 10

Overview

In this episode of A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace, hosts Beth and Alexa conclude a week focused on understanding Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Drawing from Ezekiel 34:7-16 in the Old Testament and John 10:11-15 in the New Testament, they reflect on the biblical connections that show Jesus fulfilling God's promise to shepherd His people. The conversation transitions from theological connection to practical, heartfelt application—how these truths about Jesus shape daily Christian living and relationship with Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus, the Good Shepherd: Biblical Connections

• The week’s study traced how the concept of God as Shepherd in Ezekiel 34 finds fulfillment in Jesus’ self-identification as the Good Shepherd in John 10.
• Emphasis on Jesus’ deep, personal relationship with His followers—He knows His sheep, and they know His voice.

2. Personal Application: Intimacy with Christ

• Alexa reflects on the intimacy believers have with Christ, quoting John 10:14:

  “I know my own and my own know me. That is such a special picture of the intimate relationship that we have with Christ.”
  (Alexa, 01:04)

• She acknowledges a tendency to prioritize relationships with others over her relationship with Christ and shares a desire to “pause more in my daily life and ask myself, what or who am I listening to now? What am I pursuing to give me satisfaction?” (Alexa, 01:59)

3. Listening to Jesus’ Voice Amid Competing Voices

• Alexa notes that recognizing and listening to Jesus’ voice is an intentional discipline, something she wants to prioritize.

  “If the answer to both of those questions isn’t Christ, I want to ask Jesus to help me reorient myself so that I am listening to his voice amidst all the other voices and following him alone.”
  (Alexa, 02:21)

• Beth agrees and builds on the thought by sharing a practical habit for focusing on Christ’s voice:

  “One way that I've sought out Jesus's voice in the past is through reading the Gospels... seeing those familiar stories in a different format actually gives me fresh eyes and helps me to really lean into who Jesus is as a person.”
  (Beth, 02:44)

• Beth suggests that reading the Gospels in a continuous format, even without a special book, can help listeners become more attuned to Jesus’ words and character:

  “I think the more that you read the actual words that he spoke when he was walking here on earth, the easier it is to hear his voice and what he has to say over all of those other voices that are competing for our attention.”
  (Beth, 03:35)

Memorable Quotes

• “I know my own and my own know me. That is such a special picture of the intimate relationship that we have with Christ.”
  — Alexa (01:04)
• “Sheep hear his voice. He calls them by name, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
  — Alexa, reflecting on John 10 (01:22)
• “I want to pause more in my daily life and ask myself, what or who am I listening to now? What am I pursuing to give me satisfaction?”
  — Alexa (01:59)
• “...seeing those familiar stories in a different format actually gives me fresh eyes and helps me to really lean into who Jesus is as a person.”
  — Beth (02:44)
• “The more that you read the actual words that he spoke when he was walking here on earth, the easier it is to hear his voice and what he has to say over all of those other voices that are competing for our attention.”
  — Beth (03:35)

Practical Takeaways

• Pause and Reflect: Make space in daily life to ask: Whose voice am I listening to? What is guiding my decisions—Christ or other influences?
• Engage with Scripture: Read the Gospels (in any format) to become more attuned to the words and character of Jesus, helping to recognize His voice above all others.
• Focus on Relationship: Remember the invitation to a deep, personal relationship with Christ, not just knowledge about Him.

Guided Prayer Prompts (03:54)

Alexa offers these prompts to shape listeners’ prayer time:

• Thank Jesus for being the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for you.
• Pray to remember Christ’s protection and provision as your Shepherd in your daily life.
• Pray for the grace to listen to Jesus’s voice and choose to keep following Him.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:37] — Beth sets up the episode’s aim: practical application of seeing Christ in Scripture this week.
• [00:59 - 02:32] — Alexa shares her struggle and intention to prioritize intimacy with Christ and listen for His voice.
• [02:34 - 03:54] — Beth describes her practice of Gospel reading to “hear” Jesus, emphasizing accessibility and simplicity.
• [03:54] — Alexa provides prayer prompts encapsulating the week’s focus.

Tone & Atmosphere

The discussion is warm, genuine, and reflective—inviting listeners into a thoughtful consideration of Scripture not as abstract theology but as transformative relationship. The hosts are honest about their own struggles and growth, modeling a humble approach to spiritual practice.

In summary:
This episode gently guides listeners to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of the Shepherd promise, emphasizes the joy and challenge of cultivating an intimate relationship with Christ, and offers practical steps—rooted in Scripture and prayer—for tuning in to His voice amid the world's clamor.