Stories for Life

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Stories for Life is a personal Bible study podcast that harnesses the power of Bible stories. Each week, we explore a new story, taking 3-5 episodes to uncover its key truths. The short, 10-15 minute episodes repeat the story of the week and then ask challenging questions to help you engage with it and carry the lesson with you throughout your day. In season one, we explore stories in the book of Luke.

You can listen to episodes here, or on your favorite podcast app.

Story 1 – Zechariah & Elizabeth, Part 1 – Luke 1:5-17

God always hears his children
Nothing can stand in God’s way
Even in the wait, God is at work
God will equip you for what he has called you to do

Story 2 – Zechariah & Elizabeth, Part 2 – Luke 1:18-25

Take your doubt to God so he can take you back to faith
God’s timing is never late
God always keeps his promises
Every good gift comes from God

Story 3 – The Angel Visits Mary – Luke 1:26-38

God uses all kinds of people for his plans
Focus on Jesus
God can redeem your struggle
Faith says yes

Story 4 – Mary Visits Elizabeth – Luke 1:39-56

Find encouragement in community
God is powerful and personal
Have a high view of God and humble view of yourself
You are part of something big

Story 5 – John’s Birth – Luke 1:57-66

God often works in the unexpected
God’s promises are worth waiting for
God is a multiplier
God is faithful

Story 6 – Jesus’ Birth – Luke 2:1-7

God is sovereign
Interruptions can be opportunities
Jesus enters the mess
Jesus is a different kind of King

Story 7 – The Shepherds & the Angels – Luke 2:8-21

Seek Jesus first
An encounter with Jesus leads to spreading the word and worship
God is trustworthy
Treasure the truth

Story 8 – Baby Jesus at the Temple – Luke 2:22-38

Jesus fulfills the law
Jesus is confirmed as Messiah
Jesus reveals your heart
Be ready for Jesus

Story 9 – Boy Jesus at the Temple – Luke 2:41-52

We tend to make God in our own image
Jesus pursued his Heavenly Father’s purpose
Seek understanding
Love fiercely, hold loosely

Story 10 – John Prepares the Way – Luke 3:7-20

Embrace your calling
To be ready is to be repentant
Jesus separates the followers from the fakers

Story 11 – The Temptation of Jesus – Luke 4:1-13

Time with God is life giving
Beware of shortcuts
Fight temptation with Scripture

Story 12 – Jesus Is Rejected – Luke 4:14-30

Jesus brings Good News
How will you respond to Jesus?
Grounded in God’s Word, guarded by God’s protection

Story 13 – Jesus Heals Many – Luke 4:31-44

Jesus’ word has power
Jesus sets people free
Jesus’ message is meant to be shared

Story 14 – Jesus Calls the First Disciples – Luke 5:1-11

Jesus gives us new purpose
Respond with humble obedience
Imagine what’s possible with Jesus

Story 15 – Jesus Heals and Forgives – Luke 5:17-26

Faith is persistent
Jesus has authority to forgive
Be open to what Jesus is doing

Story 16 – Jesus Calls Levi – Luke 5:27-39

No one is beyond God’s reach
Jesus calls sinners to repentance
Jesus is seeking teachable disciples

Story 17 – Lord of the Sabbath – Luke 6:1-11

Jesus is our rest
See the people around you
Look to Jesus

Story 18 – The Centurion’s Faith – Luke 7:1-10

Amazing faith doesn’t insist on one’s rights
Amazing faith is humble
Amazing faith takes Jesus as his word

Story 19 – Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son – Luke 7:11-17

Jesus meets us in our grief
Jesus has power over death
Jesus is greater than the prophets

Story 20 – A Sinful Woman Forgiven – Luke 7:36-50

We are all debtors
The appropriate response to our canceled debt is extravagant love and worship
Jesus removes our shame

Story 21 – The Parable of the Sower – Luke 8:4-15

Parables reveal our hearts
Hold fast to God’s Word
The power and potential are in God’s Word

Story 22 – Jesus Heals a Possessed Man – Luke 8:26-39

Jesus is in control
Jesus transforms us inside and out
Tell how much God has done for you

Story 23 – The Dead Girl and the Bleeding Woman – Luke 8:40-56

Jesus is powerful and compassionate
It’s about the relationship
Jesus is looking for belief

Story 24 – Jesus Feeds the 5000 – Luke 9:10-17

Jesus takes our little and makes it limitless
We are dependent on God
God involves us in his work

Story 25 – The Transfiguration – Luke 9:28-36

Jesus is glorious
Listen to Jesus
Glory is coming

Story 26 – Jesus Teaches His Disciples – Luke 9:37-50

The antidote to unbelief is to see God’s greatness
True greatness listens to Jesus
True greatness elevates others

Story 27 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37

You are not the hero, you are the broken
Jesus is the Good Samaritan
Go and do likewise

Story 28 – Martha and Mary – Luke 10:38-42

Jesus welcomes all learners
Jesus doesn’t need your service, he wants your heart
Jesus is enough

Story 29 – The Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21

Greed is isolating
Guard against greed
God has been rich toward you

Story 30 – A Woman Healed on the Sabbath – Luke 13:10-17

Jesus sets people free
Jesus affirms the dignity of women
How we see people impacts how we respond to them

Story 31 – The Parable of the Great Feast – Luke 14:15-24

Treasure heaven
God will fill heaven with those who respond to his invitation
We must share the invitation

Story 32 – The Cost of Discipleship – Luke 14:25-35

Jesus wants intentional disciples
Disciples follow Jesus first
Discipleship isn’t easy but it’s worth it

Story 33 – The Prodigal Sons – Luke 15:11-32

Turn to God in humble repentance
God runs to receive you
Repent of self righteousness

Story 34 – The Dishonest Manager – Luke 16:1-13

Wise managers prepare for heaven
Money fights for our affections
Use what you have to point people to heaven

Story 35 – The Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31

Repent while there is still time
Listen to God’s Word
Don’t live for the moment. Live for eternity.

Story 36 – Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers – Luke 17:11-19

Jesus is powerful and gracious
Gratitude is the right response for all that God has done for us
Saving faith is only in Jesus

Story 37 – The Widow, the Pharisee, and the Tax Collector – Luke 18:1-14

God wants to hear from you
Jesus will return with justice
We all need God’s mercy

Story 38 – The Rich Ruler – Luke 18:18-30

Only God is good
Salvation is only possible with God
Following Jesus has eternal rewards

Story 39 – Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost
Jesus transforms your relationship with money
Anyone who repents can be saved

Story 40 – The Parable of the Minas – Luke 19:11-27

There’s work to be done while the King is gone
Take courage – the King will return
The King will reward and punish

Story 41 – The Triumphal Entry – Luke 19:28-40

Jesus is the prophesied King
Jesus is the peaceful King
Jesus is the compassionate King

Story 42 – The Parable of the Wicked Tenants – Luke 20:9-18

We rebel against Jesus’ authority
There are consequences to how you respond to Jesus
God speaks to us

Story 43 – The Last Supper – Luke 22:7-23

Jesus is in control
Jesus is the sacrifice that gives us freedom
Remember Jesus

Story 44 – Jesus Prays and Is Betrayed – Luke 22:39-53

Prayer is our greatest weapon
Jesus submitted to God’s will
God restrains the darkness

Story 45 – Peter Denies Jesus – Luke 22:54-62

Believe what God says about you
You cannot save yourself
Failure is not the end of the story

Story 46 – Jesus’ Trial – Luke 22:66-23:12

Jesus is innocent
Jesus does not bend to other people’s wills
Jesus is the honored, undefeatable, everlasting King

Story 47 – Jesus’ Sentencing – Luke 23:13-25

Inaction does not make us innocent
Don’t trade Jesus for anything else
We are Barabbas

Story 48 – The Crucifixion – Luke 23:26-43

Weep over sin
Jesus chose to save us instead of himself
Jesus is amazingly merciful
We benefit from Jesus’ death

Story 49 – Jesus’ Death and Burial – Luke 23:44-56

Judgment and access to God connect at the cross
Jesus followers move forward with faith, courage, and obedience

Story 50 – The Resurrection – Luke 24:1-12

Remember and believe Jesus’ words
Look for what God is doing
Seek the risen, living Lord

Story 51 – The Road to Emmaus – Luke 24:13-35

Jesus is all over the Bible
Believe God’s Word
This is a message worth sharing

Story 52 – Jesus Appears to His Disciples – Luke 24:36-53

Jesus invites you to experience him
God’s Word is reliable
Preach repentance to the nations