The BEMA Podcast
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bemadiscipleship.comEpisodes
-1: What Is BEMA?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about how BEMA came to be, what it is, and how it works.
That the World May Know with Ray Vander Laan
The BEMA Story ? Impact Campus Ministries
Study Tools The Companion for BEMA -1 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA -1
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 2 December 2024 Original audio from 25 August 2016 Transcript for BEMA -1 of 25 August 2016
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0: Introductory Lesson
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings have an introductory conversation about the world of the Bible, investigating the differences between Eastern and Western perspectives.
Introductory Lesson Presentation (PDF)
Study Tools The Companion for BEMA 0 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 0
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 30 December 2024 Original audio from 1 September 2016 Transcript for BEMA 0 of 1 September 2016
Special music by Logan Daily
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1: Trust the Story
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the creation story in Genesis 1 and the foundation it lays for understanding the scriptural narrative correctly.
Trust the Story Presentation (PDF)
Sabbath as Resistance by Walter Brueggemann
The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
BEMA Discipleship on Twitter/X
BEMA Discipleship on Instagram
BEMA Discipleship ? Subscribe (Recommended Apps)
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 1 The Companion for BEMA 1 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 1
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 6 January 2025 Original audio from 8 September 2016 Transcript for BEMA 1 of 8 September 2016
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2: Knowing When to Say ?Enough?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and what the story might really be getting at.
The Exodus You Almost Passed Over by Rabbi David Fohrman
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 2 The Companion for BEMA 2 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 2
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 13 January 2025 Original audio from 15 September 2016 Transcript for BEMA 2 of 15 September 2016
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3: Master the Beast
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Cain and Abel and the idea of how fear and shame ruin the story.
BEMA FAQ: Bibles, Translations, Resources
The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman
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Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 3 The Companion for BEMA 3 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 3
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 20 January 2025 Original audio from 22 September 2016 Transcript for BEMA 3 of 22 September 2016
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4: His Bow in the Clouds
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Elle Grover Fricks to talk about the story of Noah and the Flood and how we have a wide variety of buried treasure from the author.
BEMA 232: Introducing the Team ? Jephthah?s Daughter w/ Elle Grover Fricks
The Lost World of the Flood by Tremper Longman III & John H. Walton
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 4 The Companion for BEMA 4 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 4
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 27 January 2025 Original audio from 6 October 2016 Transcript for BEMA 4 of 6 October 2016
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5: A Misplaced Curse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Reed Dent to talk about Noah?s departure from the ark and the tragedy that ensues.
Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State University
BEMA 231: Introducing the Team ? Deconstruction w/ Reed Dent
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 5 The Companion for BEMA 5 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 5
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 3 February 2025 Original audio from 20 October 2016 Transcript for BEMA 5 of 20 October 2016
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6: A Tale of a Tower
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the tower of Babel and some of the observations we can take away from the story.
BEMA 233: Introducing the Team ? Striking the Rock w/ Josh Bossé
A Brief History of the World from Adam to Abraham: Babel Tower ? Aleph Beta
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 6 The Companion for BEMA 6 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 6
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 10 February 2025 Original audio from 27 October 2016 Transcript for BEMA 6 of 27 October 2016
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7: The Preface
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look back over the first eleven chapters of Genesis and work to understand their significance to the greater narrative of the scriptures.
The Preface Presentation (PDF)
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 7 The Companion for BEMA 7 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 7
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 17 February 2025 Original audio from 3 November 2016 Transcript for BEMA 7 of 3 November 2016
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8: Buried in a Genealogy
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Elle Grover Fricks to ask the question the Rabbis have asked over the centuries: Why did God choose Abraham?
Buried in a Genealogy Presentation (PDF)
The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter
?Sarah: Midrash and Aggadah? by Tamar Kadari ? Jewish Women?s Archive
[Legacy] Follow-up 1: BEMA 208: Midrash ? Iscah, Sarai, and Birth Orders
[Legacy] Follow-up 2: BEMA FAQ: Abram, Sarai & Iscah ? Marty Solomon, YouTube
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 8 The Companion for BEMA 8 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 8
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 24 February 2025 Original audio from 10 November 2016 Transcript for BEMA 8 of 10 November 2016
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9: Letting Go
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Genesis 12?14, covering the call of Abram and his initial adventures in the land of Canaan.
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 9 The Companion for BEMA 9 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 9
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 3 March 2025 Original audio from 17 November 2016 Transcript for BEMA 9 of 17 November 2016
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10: Walking the Blood Path
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings work through Genesis 15?17, continuing to look at the evolving partnership between God and Abram.
Walking the Blood Path Presentation (PDF)
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History of male circumcision ? Wikipedia
The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter
George DeJong, Under the Fig Tree
The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Volume I
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 10 The Companion for BEMA 10 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 10
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 10 March 2025 Original audio from 1 December 2016 Transcript for BEMA 10 of 1 December 2016
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11: Here I Am
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Josh Bossé continue to look at the kind of partner God has chosen in Abraham.
BEMA 210: Midrash ? The Man in the Fur Coat
And They Walked Together: More Than Blind Loyalty ? Aleph Beta
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Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 11 The Companion for BEMA 11 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 11
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 17 March 2025 Original audio from 8 December 2016 Transcript for BEMA 11 of 8 December 2016
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12: A Mission Realized
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings cover the life of Isaac as told in Genesis 24 and 26, where we begin to see the initial realization of God?s promise to Abraham.
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 12 The Companion for BEMA 12 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 12
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 24 March 2025 Original audio from 15 December 2016 Transcript for BEMA 12 of 15 December 2016
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13: Grappling with God, Part 1
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent begin our look at the life of Jacob, starting with Genesis 25 and moving through Chapter 31.
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God Was in This Place & I, I Did Not Know by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 13 The Companion for BEMA 13 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 13
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 31 March 2025 Original audio from 5 January 2017 Transcript for BEMA 13 of 5 January 2017
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14: Grappling with God, Part 2
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to look at the life of Jacob, covering Genesis 32?35.
Uncut Gems (2019 film) ? JustWatch
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Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 14 The Companion for BEMA 14 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 14
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 7 April 2025 Original audio from 12 January 2017 Transcript for BEMA 14 of 12 January 2017
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15: Into the Pit
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks begin our study of the life of Joseph, covering Genesis 37?40.
Into the Pit Presentation (PDF)
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 15 The Companion for BEMA 15 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 15
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 14 April 2025 Original audio from 19 January 2017 Transcript for BEMA 15 of 19 January 2017
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16: Out of the Pit
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the study of the life of Joseph, covering Genesis 41?50.
Out of the Pit Presentation (PDF)
Rabbi David Fohrman ? TorahAnytime
The Joseph Story ? Aleph Beta Academy
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Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 16 The Companion for BEMA 16 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 16
Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 21 April 2025 Original audio from 26 January 2017 Transcript for BEMA 16 of 26 January 2017
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17: A God Who Hears the Cry
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the introduction to God?s story and set up the narrative of the remainder of Scripture in an effort to understand what God is rescuing His people from.
A God Who Hears the Cry Presentation (PDF)
That the World May Know ? Faith Lessons, Volumes 1?12 (Amazon)
God Heard Their Cry ? Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)
TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)
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18: A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set up the narrative of God?s story as a contrast between empire and shalom.
That the World May Know ? Faith Lessons, Volumes 1?12 (Amazon)
God Heard Their Cry ? Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)
TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)
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19: A Strengthened Heart
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the story of the Passover and its plagues, God?s interaction with Pharaoh, and the call of God?s rescued people.
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20: With All Your Heart
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 14, and then dissect their first test on the way to Mount Sinai in Exodus 15.
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21: With All Your Soul & ?Very?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the next two tests of God?s people on their way to Mount Sinai in Exodus 16?17.
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?Jesus Shema?
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22: Under the Chuppah
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss Israel?s arrival at Sinai and the ensuing covenant relationship with their God, covering Exodus 19?23.
Under the Chuppah Presentation (PDF)
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23: Falling on Joyful Faces
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the construction of the Tabernacle and its call to be a place of rest, covering Exodus 24?40.
Falling on Joyful Faces Presentation (PDF)
With All Your Heart ? Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)
TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)
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24: Creating a Space
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider the implications of the story of the Tabernacle in our own pursuits of God.
Walter Brueggemann, ?An Alternative Way? ? The Work of the People
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
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25: A Kingdom of What?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
A Kingdom of What? Presentation (PDF)
Leviticus: A Call to Priesthood (Sermon Series) ? Real Life on the Palouse
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26: Images of the Desert ? Shepherd
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the first in a series of images found in the desert ? what it means to be a shepherd in the biblical world.
Images of the Desert ? Shepherd Presentation (PDF)
Walking with God in the Desert ? Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)
TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)
Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler
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27: Images of the Desert ? Rotem and Acacia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert, discussing the rotem and acacia trees and what they teach us about living in our own deserts.
Images of the Desert ? Rotem and Acacia Presentation (PDF)
The Story #28: New Beginnings (?Each One? Rant) sermon ? YouTube
Walking with God in the Desert ? Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)
TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)
Written Works of Noga Hareuveni
?The Broom Usually Grows in the Wilderness? ? Bar-Ilan University (via Jim Feicht)
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28: Images of the Desert ? Ar'ar and Tamarisk
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert, discussing the ar'ar and tamarisk trees and what they teach us about living in our own deserts.
Images of the Desert ? Ar'ar and Tamarisk Presentation (PDF)
BEMA Schedule (no longer active) ? See our current Groups page
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29: Images of the Desert ? Wadi and En Gedi
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert. We will see God?s continual use of the desert to minister to us and to teach us how to minister to others.
Images of the Desert ? Wadi and En Gedi Presentation (PDF)
Flash Floods in Wadi Peres ? YouTube
Flash Flood in Israel ? YouTube
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30: Lead with Your Voice
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of the desert and the book of Numbers with the story of Moses striking the rock and subsequently having his entrance to the Promised Land denied.
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31: Remember Where You Came From
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring our study of Torah to a close by exploring the book of Deuteronomy, examining its call to remember our stories.
Remember Where You Came From Presentation (PDF)
The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter
Topic: Deuteronomy 32 ? Aleph Beta Academy
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32: Session 1 Capstone
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give a summary of the books of Moses at the conclusion of Session 1 of the podcast.
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33: Session 2 Intro
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for Session 2 of the podcast. We review our journey through Torah to bring everyone up to speed for what we will study next.
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34: The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings address the nagging questions about the book of Joshua and its stories of mass slaughter and genocide.
The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) Presentation (PDF)
The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) ? Covered in His Dust
The Forest in the Trees: Jesus ? Woodland Hills (Greg Boyd)
[no longer available] Why Is the Old Testament So Violent? (blog post)
What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell
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35: Crossroads of the Earth
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of Joshua and bridge the gap toward the book of Judges, pondering the mission of God and His choice of real estate for His people.
Crossroads of the Earth Presentation (PDF)
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36: The Redemption Cycle
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the book of Judges and the cycle found therein.
The Forgiving Flow, Part 2: Drop the Jawbone ? The RobCast, Episode 39
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37: A Love Story
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings zoom in on the mini-narrative of Ruth ? one story where the mission of God is realized in the way Israel treats the alien, the orphan, and the widow.
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38: A Donkey Herder to Lead Us
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at Israel?s first two kings and try to see what the Text is showing us in these two characters.
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39: A King After God?s Own Heart
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to examine the life of David, looking at the defeat of Goliath and making some general observations about the character of David.
Promised Land ? Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)
TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)
?The Unheard Story of David and Goliath? by Malcolm Gladwell ? TED
Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden
Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler
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40: One Story, Two Sources
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the journey to understanding the historical record of the united kingdom of Israel by taking a look at the two sources comprising this biblical narrative.
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41: The Story Behind the Story
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings revisit the two sources comprising this portion of the biblical narrative, analyzing the agendas found in each. They attempt to look at the differences between the sources to understand the reigns of David and Solomon and the split of the nation of God?s people, ultimately helping us figure out what went wrong.
The Story Behind the Story Presentation (PDF)
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42: The Fire of Elijah
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of Elijah and the lessons learned by one of Israel?s greatest prophets.
Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler
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43: Go in Peace
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up a look at the kings of Israel, exploring the story of Naaman and its implications for us today.
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44: Our Harps in the Trees
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo discuss the collection of ancient songs known as the Psalms.
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45: Wisdom and Meaning
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo continue our study of wisdom literature, examining the collection of Proverbs and the teaching of Ecclesiastes.
A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans
Less Is More Than Enough by Chris McNaught
?How Great Leaders Inspire Action? by Simon Senek ? TED
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46: Song of Sexuality
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the underaddressed book called Song of Songs and explore the ramifications of avoiding the topic of sexuality.
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47: The Lord?s Mouthpiece
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the remaining books in Tanakh, most of which are prophets, attempting to understand prophetic history as a whole and the setting for each period of history.
The Lord?s Mouthpiece Presentation (PDF)
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