Summary of "S4: Prep Week: Identifying Christ in a Passage" – A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace
In the Season 4 premiere of "A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace," titled "Prep Week: Identifying Christ in a Passage," hosts Beth and Alexa from The Daily Grace Co. lay the groundwork for a transformative 52-week journey focused on uncovering the presence of Jesus Christ throughout the entirety of Scripture. Released on January 1, 2025, this episode serves as an essential foundation for listeners embarking on the "Christ in All of Scripture" study.
Introduction to the Season
Beth opens the episode with a warm welcome, setting the tone for the season's mission: to explore the Bible with the intent of identifying and understanding Jesus in every passage. She shares her excitement about the new season, stating:
"This season, we're going to be walking through our study 'Christ and All of Scripture,' a 52-week journey of discovering Jesus on every page of the Bible."
(00:44)
Beth emphasizes the importance of seeing Jesus not just intellectually but also with the heart, aligning the study with Jesus' own declaration in Luke 24 that all scriptures point to Him.
Structure of the 52-Week Study
The hosts outline the comprehensive structure of the study, which systematically examines both Old and New Testament passages to reveal their interconnectedness and focus on Christ. Beth explains:
"Each week, we will dive deeply into two passages of scripture, one from the Old Testament and one from the new, seeing how they connect and point to Jesus."
(00:00)
This dual-passaged approach ensures a holistic understanding of Scripture, demonstrating how the narrative of redemption is woven throughout the entire Bible.
Overview of Prep Week
The episode centers on Prep Week, the initial phase designed to equip participants with the necessary tools and mindset for the upcoming study. Alexa describes Prep Week as a preparatory period that teaches listeners how to identify Christ in Scripture and effectively annotate passages:
"Prep week will get you all prepared for the weeks to come by teaching you what exactly to look for when you're finding Jesus in the Bible and how to go about the annotation days in every week's study, learning how to identify God's attributes in the process."
(01:18)
Prep Week sets the foundation by introducing key concepts and methods that will be utilized throughout the year-long study.
Weekly Breakdown and Routine
Beth and Alexa provide a detailed explanation of the weekly routine, outlining the different activities and focus areas for each day:
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Annotation Days (Monday and Wednesday):
- Purpose: Mark up the text and make observations about the passages.
- Beth explains:
"On Mondays and Wednesdays of the podcast, we'll chat about what we learned on those annotation days, making note of what stood out to us and what those verses showed us about Jesus."
(01:40)
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Deep Dive into Old Testament (Day Two):
- Purpose: Understand the context and significance of the Old Testament passage.
- Beth elaborates:
"On day two, we're going to go deeper into the Old Testament passage that we're studying each week... we will be asking questions throughout the commentary that help you to think through the stuff that we are talking about on your own."
(01:58)
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Connecting Old and New Testament (Day Four):
- Purpose: Explore the connections between the week's Old and New Testament passages, highlighting Jesus' role.
- Alexa shares:
"On Thursdays, we'll explore that connection some more and go a little deeper into what's going on in those texts and how they point us to Jesus."
(02:20)
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Application Day (Friday):
- Purpose: Apply the biblical truths learned to everyday life.
- Beth notes:
"On Friday, we're going to be talking about application on that day... in the podcast, we're going to be discussing how we have seen those truths be applied in our own lives every single Friday."
(02:41)
This structured approach ensures a balanced and in-depth exploration of Scripture, fostering both intellectual understanding and personal application.
Understanding Annotation
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to explaining the concept of annotation, a crucial tool for engaging deeply with the text. Alexa defines annotation as a method to interact with Scripture more intensely:
"Annotation is essentially the same thing [as inductive study], it allows us to study what we're reading more intently... making note of what's important in that passage before diving in later into what that passage means."
(03:20)
She candidly shares her personal struggle with annotation—tendency to interpret passages prematurely—and offers practical tips to overcome it:
"My tip... is to really just give yourself that time to sit with the text and look at it. Don't think about it too hard just yet, but just meditate on it by reading it several times and making note of the things that you see or whatever jumps out at you."
(03:20)
Beth adds further guidance on identifying Christ in passages, introducing a chart provided in the prep week study that categorizes different ways Jesus can be seen in a passage:
"The first one is that you might see a role that Jesus is going to take on whenever he comes to earth. So something like a prophet or a priest or a king... you'll see symbols that point us to Christ in the work that he did... you might see predictions which are prophecies that are made about Christ explicitly."
(04:51)
Identifying Christ in Scripture
Beth elaborates on the various ways Jesus can be identified within biblical passages, providing a clear framework for listeners to follow. The chart includes:
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Roles of Jesus:
- Identifying titles such as prophet, priest, or king that Jesus fulfills.
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Problems Only Solved by Jesus:
- Recognizing issues addressed uniquely by Christ.
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Symbols Pointing to Jesus:
- Understanding symbols that represent Christ's work and mission.
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Themes Culminating in Jesus:
- Identifying overarching themes in Scripture that culminate in the work of Jesus.
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Promises Fulfilled by Christ:
- Recognizing divine promises that find their fulfillment in Jesus.
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Prophecies About Jesus:
- Identifying explicit prophecies that predict Jesus' coming and mission.
These categories serve as a guide for listeners to systematically uncover the presence and significance of Jesus in every passage they study.
Conclusion and Encouragement
As the episode wraps up, Alexa encourages listeners to stay engaged and prepare for the upcoming studies:
"We hope today's episode helps you feel a little bit more prepared for what's to come in our journey through Christ in all Scripture. So be sure to join us tomorrow as we'll dive into how we can go about identifying God's attributes in a scripture passage."
(05:39)
Beth reminds listeners to utilize the additional resources available:
"Check out our show notes for some helpful links and resources related to today's episode. And make sure you're following Daily Grace Podcast and The Daily Grace Co. on Instagram for more Bible study resources and encouragement."
(05:39)
Notable Quotes
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Beth on the Study’s Purpose:
"In Luke 24, he tells us that all of the scriptures are about him. So that is what we're going to be talking about for the next 52 weeks, how Jesus is present in all of Scripture."
(00:44) -
Alexa on Annotation:
"Annotation is essentially the same thing. It allows us to study what we're reading more intently."
(03:20) -
Beth on Identifying Christ:
"You'll see symbols that point us to Christ in the work that he did... [and] predictions which are prophecies that are made about Christ explicitly."
(04:51)
Additional Resources
Listeners are encouraged to visit thedailygraceco.com for studies, journals, and other resources designed to enhance their Bible study experience. Following Daily Grace Podcast and The Daily Grace Co. on Instagram provides access to further Bible study materials and encouragement, fostering a supportive community throughout the study journey.
This introductory episode effectively equips listeners with the necessary tools and understanding to embark on a year-long exploration of Jesus' presence in Scripture. Through structured weekly themes, interactive annotation, and a clear focus on Christ, Beth and Alexa ensure an engaging and insightful journey through the Bible.