How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

Hey friends — welcome to 2026! I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m really excited about what God has for us as we step into a brand-new year together. This month, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished. Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026. What We Cover: 1. Confidence is available to you — because God is the one doing the work One of the biggest themes in Philippians 1 is this: God finishes what He starts. So you don’t have to rely on your own strength to grow this year — you can rely on His. 2. You don’t grow to earn God’s love — you grow because you already have it This is so important: we’re saved by grace, and spiritual growth is our response to that grace. We’re not proving anything. We’re simply saying, “God, I want more of You.” 3. January can be a month of spiritual discernment, not pressure I want you to feel free to take your time. The goal isn’t to pick a word immediately — it’s to listen and let God guide you. 4. One Word is a simple practice that helps you pay attention to God all year long A “word for the year” isn’t magic, but it can be really powerful. It helps you notice what God is doing, focus your prayers, and stay spiritually anchored as life gets busy. Resources Mentioned: Free One Word 2026 Companion Guide If you want to walk through this with me in a more intentional way, I put together a free companion guide you can download here: https://nicoleunice.kit.com/newyear Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As we wrap up our year together, I want to invite you into this meaningful spiritual practice: looking back on 2025 through the lens of Psalm 107 to identify the “fingerprints of God’s faithfulness.” In this episode, we'll walk through four redemptive storylines found in the Psalm—each representing a way God rescues, restores, and reorients His people. Whether you felt lost, trapped, wounded, self-destructive, or overwhelmed by storms, I encourage you to reflect on how God met you in weakness and brought deliverance. We'll close with encouragement for 2026, including the return of my “One Word” series and an upcoming study of Hebrews with a downloadable study guide. What We Cover: 1. God invites believers to tell their story Psalm 107 opens with an invitation: “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Reflect on how God has been present—even when it was hard to see. 2. Wisdom comes from reflecting on God's loving deeds The final verse of Psalm 107 is a guiding practice: wise people heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord. 3. Psalm 107 gives four redemption storylines to help interpret your year Psalm 107 offers us four major story arcs that may mirror parts of your 2025: From Longing to Belonging (lost → led home) From Broken to Free (bondage/shame → freedom) From Foolish to Healed (self-destruction → inner renovation) From Pride to Peace (storms and overwhelm → God stills the waves) 4. God often meets us when we are at the end of ourselves Each storyline shares a common theme: people reach the end of their rope, cry out to God, and He responds with rescue. This directly connects us to Jesus’ teachings—less self-reliance opens space for more of God. 5. 2026 will include a “One Word” January + Hebrews Study (Feb–Easter) I'll preview a return to my popular One Word series and share more about a full study of the Book of Hebrews, with a study guide starting in February. Want More? You can still listen to past episodes and download the Daniel Study Guide at https://nicoleunice.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this final Advent music episode, Nicole Unice explores the beloved hymn “O Come, All You Faithful” as a powerful invitation—not just to celebrate Christmas, but to respond to it. Rather than merely observing the season, listeners are invited to come, behold, adore, and worship Christ as the center of the Christmas story. Drawing from Scripture across the Old and New Testaments, Nicole unpacks how this hymn calls us into joyful worship, faithful perseverance, and intentional participation in the life of Christ. This episode closes the Christmas hymns series with a reminder that true joy is found not in tradition alone, but in worshiping Jesus as Lord. Key Takeaways / Learning Points Joy is a posture of worship, not just a feeling Jesus is not just part of the Christmas story—He is the center of it Worship is the natural response to beholding Christ Faithfulness means continuing to receive God’s love, even in imperfection Christmas invites us to actively respond, not passively observe When we adore Christ, our hearts find true rest and alignment Bible Verses Referenced Psalm 100:1–2 – Worship the Lord with joyhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/100-1.html Micah 5:2 – The prophecy of Bethlehemhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/micah/5-2.html Matthew 2 – The Magi worship Jesushttps://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/2.html Luke 2:8–20 – Angels announce Christ’s birthhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-8.html John 1:1–14 – The Word became fleshhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/john/1-14.html Colossians 1:15–17 – Christ supreme over creationhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/colossians/1-15.html Revelation 5:12 – Worthy is the Lambhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/5-12.html Resources Mentioned: Free Christmas Eve Family Liturgyhttps://nicoleunice.com/christmas Hymn: “O Come, All You Faithful” Author Quote: C.S. Lewis “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, but if true, of infinite importance.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why does O Holy Night move us so deeply? In this Advent episode, Nicole Unice walks through the biblical and theological foundations of one of the most powerful Christmas hymns ever written. Originally penned as a poem and later set to music by a Jewish composer, O Holy Night captures the longing of a broken world and the radical hope of Christ’s arrival. Nicole traces the hymn’s themes—human helplessness, soul-deep worth, freedom for the captive, and the proper response of worship—back to Scripture, helping listeners slow down, reflect, and experience the Gospel anew during the Christmas season. Listeners will: Discover why Christmas hymns carry such emotional and spiritual power Learn how O Holy Night reflects the entire Gospel story Understand why Jesus enters human weakness instead of waiting for human effort Explore the meaning of “the soul felt its worth” in light of Scripture See how freedom in Christ is both personal and social Be invited to reflect on how the incarnation changes the way we live today Listener Reflection Questions Do I live like this is true—that my soul has worth? Do I live like this is true of others as well? What is one small step I could take this season to live as if this truth really matters? Nicole also invites listeners to personally sit with and reflect on this phrase from O Holy Night: “The soul felt its worth.” What would it look like to make this personal—“my soul felt its worth”? 📖 Bible Verse References (Linked) All Scripture links point to BibleStudyTools.com: Matthew 2:1–2 — The star and the birth of Christhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/2.html Romans 5:6 — Christ comes when we are helplesshttps://www.biblestudytools.com/romans/5-6.html 1 John 4:9 — God shows the worth of our soulshttps://www.biblestudytools.com/1-john/4-9.html Luke 4:18 — Freedom for captiveshttps://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/4-18.html Philippians 2:10–11 — Every knee will bowhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/philippians/2.html Genesis 1:27 — Created with dignity and worthhttps://www.biblestudytools.com/genesis/1-27.html Next Steps: ⭐ Leave a five-star rating or review on your podcast platform 📩 Subscribe to How to Study the Bible with Nicole Unice 🎄 Download the free Christmas Eve Family Liturgy:👉 https://www.nicoleunice.com/christmas 📲 Share this episode with someone who loves Christmas music 🕯 Use this episode as a personal or family Advent reflection Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jesus didn’t just come to teach us or inspire us; He came to reconcile us to God. In this Advent episode, Nicole explores Hark! The Herald Angels Sing—one of the most beloved Christmas hymns—and reveals how richly it is woven with Scripture. With more than 34 direct biblical references, Charles Wesley’s hymn is far more than a seasonal melody; it is a sweeping declaration of the Gospel. Nicole walks listeners through the incarnation, reconciliation, new birth, and the cosmic hope that Jesus brings. From Luke 2’s angelic announcement to Romans 5’s explanation of reconciliation, this episode unpacks why this hymn is actually a lyrical theology lesson celebrating Christ’s mission to redeem humanity. Main Takeaways: Why this Christmas hymn is actually a full retelling of the Gospel message How Luke 2 connects to the angels’ proclamation of peace and joy What “God and sinners reconciled” truly means according to Romans 5 The significance of Christ “laying His glory by” and becoming fully God and fully man Why being “born again” is the heart of the Christmas message How Jesus brings spiritual life that cannot die—even when our physical bodies do 📖 Bible Verses Mentioned (Linked to BibleStudyTools.com) Luke 2:8–14 — Angelic announcement of Christ’s birth Romans 5:1–11 — God and sinners reconciled Isaiah 7:14 — Prophecy of the virgin birth Isaiah 9:6 — Christ as Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace John 1:1–14 — The Word becomes flesh Philippians 2:5–11 — Christ “lays His glory by” Malachi 4:2 — “Sun of Righteousness” with healing in His wings John 11:25–26 — “Whoever believes in me will never die” John 3:1–8 — Born again Matthew 9:1–8 — Jesus heals the paralytic (spiritual healing first) Want More? Subscribe to How to Study the Bible with Nicole Unice Leave a rating or review to help other listeners discover the podcast Download Nicole’s free Christmas Eve Family Liturgy:https://www.nicoleunice.com/christmas Join Nicole’s newsletter for Bible resources and updates Share this episode with a friend who loves Christmas music Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.