Bible podcasts, videos, blogs, printables, and more to help you know, trust, and apply the Bible.

from Yvon Prehn to help you know, trust, and apply the Bible

On this site you’ll find Bible podcasts, videos, blogs, printables, and more of Basic Bible Teaching that will help make difficult subjects in the Bible easy to understand and apply. For FREE teaching resources based on the content of this site, go to www.Bible805Academy.com.

Bible Genres and Hermeneutics

How to understand the different types of writing in the BibleUnderstanding the different types of writing in the Bible is essential to properly understanding it. This series of lessons will help you do that, as well as give you overall tools for properly interpreting your Bible.

Following is a short video of some of the content in this category and then below this intro, the materials that are part of it.

New materials are added frequently to this website, and to keep informed and inspired, CLICK HERE to sign up for the Bible805 newsletter.

The Bible, Novel or Short Story Collection, Part One, why it matters tremendously now and forever

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Infographic on the Bible as Novel, not a collection of short Stories
Understanding that the Bible is like a NOVEL, not a collection of short stories, has a tremendous impact on our faith. Click on the image to download a PDF of it.

Understanding whether the Bible is a cohesive novel or a collection of short stories is crucial to how we engage with it and respond to its teachings. This lesson explores the implications of viewing the Bible as one unified story versus a scattered anthology of human writings. We unpack how these differing perspectives influence our interpretations and applications of biblical teachings in our lives. I’ll share insights on the historical context of these views, touching on the Enlightenment’s impact and the rise of human reason in biblical scholarship. We’ll also explore the structural elements of storytelling as outlined by Gustav Freytag, comparing them to the narrative of the Bible, ultimately revealing why seeing it as a single narrative authored by God carries profound significance for our faith and understanding of God’s purpose.

Following are the podcast, video, and lesson handouts.

If you would like the original, editable files for this lesson to use freely in your teaching, go to the following link from the Bible805 Academy: https://bible805academy.com/b/PdkJm

 

Infographic on the Bible as Novel, not a collection of short Stories
CLICK on the image to download a PDF of it
Lesson handouts of notes, questions, infographics associated with the lesson
Click on the image to download the PDF of notes, questions, and related infographics for this lesson

Happy Corrections Series, Lesson 3: Because Life as a Christian Isn’t Always Easy

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This lesson addresses a common misunderstanding in the Christian life: the expectation that following Jesus should result in an easier, trouble-free life. In reality, the Bible teaches that trials are not only inevitable but also purposeful. Our surprise at difficulties often comes from incorrect views of salvation and a lack of understanding of what the Bible teaches about suffering.

True salvation is not simply a one-time decision that guarantees comfort, but the beginning of a life of discipleship. As we grow in that discipleship, God uses trials as a primary tool to shape our character, deepen our faith, and align our lives with His purposes.

The lesson outlines seven key ways God uses trials: He is present in them, uses them for spiritual growth, works through them to help others, teaches us true hope, develops thankfulness, reveals truth about Himself, and refocuses our lives on eternity. Trials are not meaningless interruptions, but part of God’s intentional work in our lives.

Ultimately, this lesson challenges us to shift our perspective—from avoiding trials to understanding and responding to them in ways that honor God. Even when we do not feel strong, we are called to trust Him, obey Him, and continue forward in faith.

Lesson Handouts

Happy Corrections Series, Lesson 2: The 10 Commandments, swearing, and what God really hates

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This lesson explores a commonly misunderstood commandment from the Ten Commandments: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” While many people assume this refers only to using God’s name as a swear word, the lesson shows that its meaning is far deeper. It relates to how we live as people who bear God’s name and represent Him to the world.

Set in the context of Israel’s redemption from Egypt, the commandments were given not as restrictions, but as guidelines for a life of fulfillment, peace, and joy. God had rescued His people and now called them to live in a way that reflected His character.

The lesson emphasizes that taking God’s name in vain includes living in a way that contradicts His character, especially through patterns like complaining, grumbling, and lack of trust. These attitudes reveal a deeper issue of not trusting God and can grow into destructive habits. In contrast, cultivating gratitude, trust, and praise strengthens our faith and enables us to represent God well in the world.

Following is the podcast and video PowerPoint of the lesson and below them are the downloadable Notes and Discussion Guide.

If you’d like to teach the lessons or download the editable PowerPoint, Notes, Discussion Guide, and the video without YouTube ads, you can go to www.Bible805Academy.com.

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Lesson Handouts

Happy Corrections, Lesson 1—Confusion About Applying Bible Stories

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Many Christians become confused or disappointed when they expect God to act toward them exactly as He did in the lives of biblical characters. While God’s nature never changes, His actions in specific historical situations often served unique purposes in His redemptive plan. This lesson clarifies how to properly understand and apply the story or narrative sections of the Bible—stories that reveal God’s character and work through human lives yet were not written as direct promises or commands to us.

Using Gideon’s “fleece” as a case study, the lesson teaches that not every biblical story gives us a pattern to imitate. Instead, narratives show what God did, not necessarily what we should do. Proper application requires understanding genre, context, and the larger story of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—where God alone is always the hero.

Following is the podcast and video PowerPoint of the lesson and below them are the downloadable Notes and Discussion Guide.

If you’d like to teach the lessons or download the editable PowerPoint, Notes, Discussion Guide, and the video without YouTube ads, you can go to www.Bible805Academy.com.

Lesson Handouts

Confusion about Bible Stories, from series, HAPPY CORRECTIONS, because the Bible doesn’t say what you think it says

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Many Christians become confused or disappointed when they expect God to act toward them exactly as He did in the lives of biblical characters. While God’s nature never changes, His actions in specific historical situations often served unique purposes in His redemptive plan.

This lesson clarifies how to properly understand and apply the story or narrative sections of the Bible—stories that reveal God’s character and work through human lives yet were not written as direct promises or commands to us.

Using Gideon’s “fleece” as a case study, the lesson teaches that not every biblical story gives us a pattern to imitate. Instead, narratives show what God did, not necessarily what we should do. Proper application requires understanding genre, context, and the larger story of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—where God alone is always the hero. Following is the podcast, video, NOTES, and Discussion Guide for the lesson.

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How to Understand the Apocalyptic Passages in the Bible

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How to Understand Apocalyptic PassagesWhen we read through the Prophets in the Old Testament, particularly when we get to Ezekiel and Daniel we are introduced to fantastic images, whirling wheels, fantastic beasts, and world-shaking prophecies. This type of writing is what is known as “apocalyptic” and it’s useful to take some time to understand this type of writing, this genre in the Bible to understand the books that contain it. [Read more…]