Send us a text

Fear can creep in when our circumstances shake us, but what if God offers us something better? This week’s song, “No Fear” by Jon Reddick, leads us to explore the very first mention of fear in Scripture and how God’s perfect love casts it out. Together we’ll trace fear from the Garden of Eden to John’s letter of assurance, discovering how to rest in the confidence of God’s unshakable love.

Key Points

• The first mention of fear in the Bible and what it reveals (Genesis 3)
• What Adam’s relationship with God looked like before fear entered the story
• Why context matters when studying familiar passages
• How perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18)
• Why confidence in salvation is the foundation for overcoming all other fears
• How God’s perfect love—not our striving—sets us free

Scripture References

• Genesis 1–3 – God’s creation, Adam and Eve’s relationship with Him, sin entering the world, and the first appearance of fear.
• Genesis 3:6–10 – Adam and Eve eat the fruit, recognize their nakedness, hide from God, and respond with fear.
• Genesis 2:25 – Before sin, Adam and Eve were naked but felt no shame.
• 1 John 4:17–18 – Perfect love gives us confidence in the day of judgment and casts out fear.
• Psalm 119:18 – A prayer to see wonderful truths in God’s Word.
• Ephesians 1:16–19 – Paul prays for spiritual wisdom and for believers’ hearts to be enlightened.
• Romans 8:35–39 – Nothing—not trouble, danger, or even nakedness—can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus.

Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs) Used

• Read in context – Take in the surrounding chapters so you don’t misunderstand or misapply a single verse.
• Read Scripture aloud – Slows you down and helps you notice details you might otherwise skim over.
• Meditate on Scripture – Instead of emptying your mind, fill it with God’s Word and turn it over like a diamond to see its many facets.
• Make a list – Organize your observations (like Adam’s God-given gifts and purpose) to see patterns and truths more clearly.
• Pray Scripture – Turn God’s Word into your personal prayer, asking Him to open your eyes and transform your heart.

Additional Resources

• Download the free Episode Guide
• "Behind the Song With Kevin Davis" - New Release Today Article
• "Why Francis Chan Abandoned His Megachurch for Living Rooms" - YouTube Interview by Lacrae
• Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read Genesis 1-3, making note of details that may hint at Adam and God’s “history” and relationship with one another. How do those details inform how Adam responded with the first mention of fear in the Bible? Read 1 John — the whole letter — and then focus in on 1 John 4 where John teaches us that perfect love casts out fear. As you meditate on Scripture, seek to answer these questions: What is the source of perfect love? Is it possible for our love to be perfected? Then note what areas of your life are

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

Forrest Frank’s viral song “Your Way’s Better” is catchy, AND its lyrics point us to a deeper truth worth slowing down to consider: God’s way truly is better. From Paul’s letter to the Romans to Israel’s wilderness experiences, Scripture shows us over and over again the futility of choosing our own way over God’s way. This week on More Than a Song, we’ll explore Romans 10 and discover how clinging to our own efforts can keep us from the righteousness that only comes through Christ.

Key Points

• The lyrics highlight a clear contrast between the ways of sin and the ways of God.
• Romans 10:1–4 reveals the Jews' “misdirected zeal” as they cling to their own way instead of embracing God’s way through Christ.
• God’s way of making us right with Himself is not through law-keeping, but through faith in Jesus.
• The warnings of misdirected zeal, misunderstanding, and clinging to self-effort apply just as much to us today as they did to the Jews of Paul's day.
• Studying larger sections of Scripture (like Romans 9–11) helps us grasp the full context of Paul’s arguments and God’s redemptive plan.

Scripture References

• Romans 10:1–4 – God’s way of making people right with Himself through Christ.
• Romans 9:4–5, 20 – Israel’s privileges and Paul’s reminder of God’s sovereignty.
• Exodus 15 – God sets forth His way in contrast to Egypt and Canaan.
• Matthew 16:23–24 – Jesus rebukes Peter and calls His followers to walk in His way.

Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)

• Study larger chunks of Scripture – read Romans 9–11 for context.
• Read in context – expand to the chapter before and after your focus passage (this is a loose rule...I explain more on the episode)
• Compare translations – notice how different versions phrase “God’s way” vs. “their own way.”
• Use section headings – gain bearings in a familiar text by scanning how thoughts are grouped.
• Consider opposites – clarify what God’s way is by identifying what it is not.

Additional Resources

• Download the free Episode Guide
• Lyrics for Your Way's Better by Forrest Frank – NewReleaseToday.com
• Episode 519 – Looking at how God reigns with wisdom, power, and love.
• Episode 518 – Jesus rebukes Peter for having in mind the things of man instead of the things of God, then teaches how to follow Him.
• Episode 515 – Israel’s early wilderness experiences in Exodus 15, contrasting God’s way with the ways of Egypt and Canaan.

This Week's Challenge

Read Romans 9-11. I recommend reading it several times in various translations. For example, the phrasing “God’s way” vs. “their own way” is found in the New Living Translation, and I may have missed it in the ESV or CSB, which I often read and study. Look closely at the characteristics of the people and God’s ways. Consider big picture ideas here and how you might be able to identify the same errors in your

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

Phil Wickham took a Rich Mullins classic chorus and breathed new life into it with his song What An Awesome God. This chorus has stood the test of time because it is rooted in solid theology. On this episode, we’ll explore Scripture that confirms the truths we sing—that our God is awesome, that He reigns from heaven, and that He reigns with wisdom, power, and love.

Key Points

• Why theology (study of God) should always lead to doxology (praise)
• Using the BITE of making a list to uncover God’s character in Psalm 68
• Defining the words awesome and reign to deepen our understanding
• A word study on the Hebrew word ḥesed (steadfast love)
• How the “new” lyrics added by Wickham are also firmly grounded in Scripture

Scriptures referenced in this episode:

• Psalm 68
• Nehemiah 1:5
• Deuteronomy 7:21
• Exodus 15:11, 18
• Psalm 99:1–3
• Psalm 93:1; 97:1; 103:19; 147:4–5
• Isaiah 40:26; 66:1
• Matthew 6:9–10; 8:27
• Romans 14:11
• Philippians 2:9–11
• Revelation 4:2–3; 19:6, 12

Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)

• Make a list
• Define words in the English dictionary
• Complete a word study in Hebrew
• Read in context
• Start with God (look for His character, conduct, and concerns)

Additional Resources

• Download the free Episode Guide: michellenezat.com/519download
• Lyrics for What An Awesome God by Phil Wickham – NewReleaseToday.com
• Bible study tools mentioned: BibleHub.com | BlueLetterBible.org
• Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Follow the pattern I’ve used this week. Seek out areas of Scripture that confirm that God is awesome and reigns from heaven with wisdom, power, and love. Read these verses in context, make lists, look up English definitions, and complete Hebrew and Greek word studies. Read and interact with Scripture for yourself. And then lift your eyes and your heart to God in heaven and praise Him, for all of your efforts toward theology should lead to doxology. And we serve an awesome God who is worthy of our praise.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.