Week 25: What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

Week 25: What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3.16) John 3 contains one of the most well-known conversations in the Bible. It also includes one of Jesus' most challenging statements: "You must be born again." Andrew and Daniel explore Jesus' nighttime conversation with Nicodemus and discover what it means to be born from above. Along the way, they connect Jesus' words to the Old Testament, showing how the story of the bronze serpent in the wilderness points directly to Christ and reveals the depth of God's love and his plan for salvation. Highlights from this episode: What Jesus meant by being "born again" Why Scripture helps interpret Scripture How the bronze serpent points us to the cross Listener question this week: Why did God send a deceiving spirit to King Ahab? (1 Kings 22) We want to invite you into the conversation! Each week, we’ll respond to questions you send in. If you’re participating in the reading plan, ask your question by sending an email to andrew@paseodelrey.org. Every week this podcast highlights a passage or theme from our Paseo Reading Plan. To join us in reading the Bible this year, https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/3128/2026/01/Paseo-Reading-Plan-2026.pdf.

Week 24: Why Paul Calls Christians “Living Sacrifices”

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..." (Romans 12.1) What does the gospel look like when it begins to reshape our everyday lives? Andrew and Jan explore Paul's call to become "living sacrifices." How can we be transformed by renewing our minds? How do we resist conforming to the patterns of the world? And what does genuine Christian love look like in practice? Highlights from this episode: Exploring Paul's call to become "living sacrifices" How are we transformed by the renewing of our minds? How do we resist the patterns of the world? Listener question this week: In 1 Kings 13, why was the young prophet judged for listening to the older prophet's lie, while the old prophet received no consequences? We want to invite you into the conversation! Each week, we’ll respond to questions you send in. If you’re participating in the reading plan, ask your question by sending an email to andrew@paseodelrey.org. Every week this podcast highlights a passage or theme from our Paseo Reading Plan. To join us in reading the Bible this year, https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/3128/2026/01/Paseo-Reading-Plan-2026.pdf.

Week 23: What Would You Ask God For?

"Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3.5) Joemel joins Shelton to explore Solomon's famous prayer in 1 Kings 3 and discuss what it reveals about God's values. Why was God pleased with Solomon's request? What does true wisdom look like? And why is humility such an essential part of following God? Highlights from this episode: Why God values humility The difference between wisdom and intelligence How the Holy Spirit helps believers walk in wisdom Listener question this week: Do we have free will, or are our lives predetermined by God? (Romans 9) We want to invite you into the conversation! Each week, we’ll respond to questions you send in. If you’re participating in the reading plan, ask your question by sending an email to andrew@paseodelrey.org. Every week this podcast highlights a passage or theme from our Paseo Reading Plan. To join us in reading the Bible this year, https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/3128/2026/01/Paseo-Reading-Plan-2026.pdf.

Week 22: Loved While We Were Enemies

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5.1) Many consider Romans to be Paul's greatest theological work. In the first four chapters, Paul builds the case that all people -- Jews and Gentiles -- stand guilty before God and can only be made right through faith in Jesus Christ. But what difference does this actually make in everyday life? Shelton and Andrew explore Romans 5 and discuss the implications of being justified by faith. What does it mean to have peace with God? How should Christians view suffering? And how can we be confident that God truly loves us? Highlights from this episode: What does "justified by faith" mean? How suffering and hope are connected The ultimate proof of God's love Listener questions this week: Why did David's child die after his sin with Bathsheba? (2 Samuel 12) What's the difference between forgiveness and consequences? How does David's story point us to Jesus and the cross? We want to invite you into the conversation! Each week, we’ll respond to questions you send in. If you’re participating in the reading plan, ask your question by sending an email to andrew@paseodelrey.org. Every week this podcast highlights a passage or theme from our Paseo Reading Plan. To join us in reading the Bible this year, https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/3128/2026/01/Paseo-Reading-Plan-2026.pdf.

Week 21: Living Faith

"Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." (James 2.23 and Galatians 3.6) Both James and Paul quote this verse from Genesis 15.6. But they offer different explanations of what it means. Or do they? Do James and Paul teach opposite things about faith vs. works? Shelton and Andrew compare James 2 with Galatians 3 and discuss. How should we understand James' and Paul's teaching about faith and works? And how do our lives reflect the presence of God's Spirit? Highlights from this episode: Reading with others to learn the Bible Faith vs Works: James + Paul Does God send evil spirits? Several listener questions this week: How can an all-knowing God regret something? (1 Samuel 15.35) Why would God send an evil spirit to torment Saul? (1 Samuel 16.14) Why didn't Saul know who David's father was? (1 Samuel 17.55-58) We want to invite you into the conversation! Each week, we’ll respond to questions you send in. If you’re participating in the reading plan, ask your question by sending an email to andrew@paseodelrey.org. Every week this podcast highlights a passage or theme from our Paseo Reading Plan. To join us in reading the Bible this year, https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/3128/2026/01/Paseo-Reading-Plan-2026.pdf.