Pondering the Bible
A deeper dive into the bible. Hosts Rev. Rocky Ellison and Ken Corkins work through the books of the bible, uncovering historical background and word studies to deepen their understanding of God's Word. Weekly episodes. Find more information at www.pondergmc.org.
Episodes
247 episodes
S2 Ep. 8 Matthew 11:11-19
This week we continue with Jesus addressing the crowd after John asked the question; "are you the one?".Jesus tells the crowd that John is the Elijah promised in Malachi 4:5. And claims that the least in heaven in greater than John the ...
S2 Ep. 7 Matthew 11:1-10
This week we jump forward in Matthew and pick up Matthew chapter 11. This continues where Rocky left off in Matthew in 2018. This jump works out well, because last week we had John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan river, now we find ...
S2 Ep. 6 Matthew 3:1-17
This week, we talk about the Baptism of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.John the Baptist is thought to have been raised in an Essene monastery in Southern Israel, near Qumran (where we will later find the "Dead Sea Scrolls")...
S2 Ep. 5: Matthew 2:1-12
This week we jump backward in Matthew to cover the story of the three wise-men, for Epiphany Sunday.Ken talks about how Epiphany is celebrated differently around the world.Ken and Rocky discuss the legends and mystery surrounding th...
S2 Ep. 4: Matthew 2:19-23
Rocky and Ken discuss the changes in our Sunday worship service. W'd also love to hear your ideas for an Episode for the week after Christmas (details in the episode).This week we talk about the return of Joseph, Mary and Jesus to Galil...
S2 Ep. 3: Matthew 2:13-18
This week we skip ahead a little in Matthew, as the story of the Magi will be covered on Epiphany Sunday in January.Matthew relates the story of how Herod reacts to learning of a new King being born that threatens his rule over Jerusale...
S2 Ep. 2: Matthew 1:18-25
We continue to work through the Gospel of Matthew. This week we discuss the cultural differences in engagement in the 1st century, and how Mary turning up pregnant before she was married would have affected her, and Joseph.We discuss th...
S2 Ep. 1: Matthew 1:12-17
We begin season 2 in the season of Advent.Rocky and Ken discuss what Advent is, and how it's celebrated.We then jump into the genealogy of Jesus, as listed by Matthew. We only cover the last third of the list. We also compare it...
S1 Ep. 13: 1 Peter 5:8-14 and season 1 wrap-up
This week we finish up 1st Peter, which also means we end season 1 of the podcast.Peter warns us that the Devil is looking to devour you. Rocky explains that the word Peter uses for the Devil (Anioikos) is a term for the opposing attorn...
S1 Ep. 12: 1 Peter 5:1-6
This week, Peter turns his attention to the "Elders" of the Church. Peter passes his commission from Jesus to "Feed my sheep" to the Elders of the Church.Rocky explains that Peter intends this for all Church leaders, no matter their r...
S1 Ep. 11: 1 Peter 4:12-19
This week, we finish chapter 4 of 1st Peter. Peter describes the persecution in old testament language, and how if you're being persecuted, it's proof of your salvation.Peter also uses a unique word in verse 16; alletriepiskop...
S1 Ep. 10: 1 Peter 4:1-11
This week, we're in chapter 4 of 1st Peter. Ken and Rocky discuss 4 different theories on how to interpret the second half of verse 1. They also discuss Eschatology, the study of the end times, and the concept of "Now and not yet".
S1 Ep. 9: 1 Peter 3:13-22
Ken and Rocky continue the walk through 1st Peter, picking up where we left off two weeks ago.We start with the Greek word: 'zelotes', which we translate as 'zealot', someone who is fanatical about something.Rocky discusses 4 di...
S1 Ep. 8: Special Guest- Katie Bristow
Special guest Katie Bristow joins Rocky and Ken as this week is Laity Sunday in the United Methodist Church.We discuss what Laity Sunday is, and what a Lay Servant (Lay Speaker) is called to do in the UMC.We discuss Katie's chos...
S1 Ep. 7: 1 Peter 3:8-12
In this episode, Rocky and Ken continue to work through 1st Peter chapter 3, covering verses 8-12. Peter asks the new Christians to work for the common goal of building the faith, and how to behave when faced with persecution.Ken and Ro...
S1 Ep. 6: 1 Peter 3:1-7
This week Ken and Rocky begin chapter 3 with a shorter reading, verses 1-7. Peter tells wives how to behave if their husband is not a Christian. And uses Sara and Abraham as an example. Peter tells husbands that wives are equal,...
S1 Ep. 5: 1 Peter 2:13-25
This week we finish chapter 2 of 1st Peter. Peter discusses authority. and how Christians must respect legal authority. Ken and Rocky discuss the word "slave" in Peter's letter, and what it means.There are two different Gree...
S1 Ep. 4: 1 Peter 2:1-12
Starting chapter 2 of First Peter, covering verses 1-12. Ken and Rocky discuss Antinomianism, the heresy that because Jesus paid the ransom for our sins, Christians are not bound by moral rules. They also discuss the "stone" scriptures. <...
S1 Ep. 3: 1 Peter 1:13-25
In this week's episode, we finish chapter 1 of 1 Peter, covering verses 13-25.Co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rev. Rocky Ellison discuss how Peter's letter calls Christians to "be holy, as God is holy. New church word: Theosis, which means to ...
S1 Ep. 2: 1 Peter 1:3-12
Continuing our discovery of First Peter, Ken and Rocky dig into verses 3-12. Two main concepts emerge as Peter lays out the main points of the letter in this section;1. Born again2. ResurrectionPeter introduces a new word,...
