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You may have heard of this week's famous parable: the parable of the Good Samaritan. A lawyer, in the most lawyerly way, asks Jesus the million dollar question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" It's the question we all want to know the answer to too. And as you'll hear in the lawyer's response, we hear what the law says we must do to inherit eternal life, and, as you'll hear in Jesus' response, we hear how the gospel promise of mercy delivers eternal life.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: If God is love, how is love not the gospel?  If all of our options are sinful, should we just do nothing?  Is the Good Samaritan a good example to live by? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

In a text with sound bites like this: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;" "I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves;" and "I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions," there are plenty of things to cover and many ways to preach this week's lectionary text.  But our guest, Dr. Chris Croghan highlights the through-line in this week's passage: that Jesus tells us to plagiarize his word. A word that delivers God's promise. That God authored you and gave you an identity. A new life in the forgiveness of sins.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What's the harvest?  Why should you include verses 12-15 when the lectionary omits them?  How do you preach such a long text? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

In this week's lectionary text, we hear three people say they will follow Jesus:  The first says they'll follow Jesus wherever he goes... The second says they will follow Jesus after they've buried their father... The third says they'll follow Jesus after they say goodbye to their family... Through these three examples, Lars Olson teaches us how Jesus depicts what following him looks like in this week's text and how it doesn't matter if you decide to follow Jesus or the Spirit calls you to it: the kingdom of God is for sinners. It's for you.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Do James and John think they can actually call fire down from heaven? Why can't we say goodbye to our families before following Christ? Can we choose to follow Jesus? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

In this week's lectionary text, we have what could be a horror movie scene: Jesus finds a demon-possessed man, naked and living in tombs. The townspeople can't protect themselves. They bind him with chains, but the demon easily breaks free and drives the man into the wild.  The demons recognize Jesus' divinity and beg him not to send them to the abyss, and Jesus grants their plea and allows them to possess a herd of nearby pigs.  As you can imagine, the townspeople can't believe what they're hearing and are terrified for their lives. Something more powerful than those demons is now in their presence. And just like the demons, they beg Jesus to leave them alone.  You'll want to hear what Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson have to say about the power of Jesus' word over sin, death and demons. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Why did Jesus give permission to the demons to kill the pigs? Why were the townspeople so afraid of Jesus? What power do demons actually have? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

Sarah Stenson is back on Scripture First and makes a point in this week's conversation that people say that Lutherans don't talk about the Holy Spirit. Well, today's conversation should change that perception as we dive into what the Holy Spirit's role is, what the Holy Spirit's role isn't, and how the Holy Spirit relates to both God the Father and Jesus.  And, spoiler alert, the Holy Spirit's role is not to guide you in your decision making—who to vote for, what job to take or who to marry. The Holy Spirit's one job is to make sure Jesus' promise of the forgiveness of our sins stays in our ears.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What are the things the disciples cannot bear? What is the truth the Spirit is guiding us into? Why do people think Lutherans don't talk about the Holy Spirit? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

For the first time in Scripture First, we're venturing outside of the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to break down the traditional Pentecost Sunday text in Acts.  Many people from many nations who spoke many languages were in Jerusalem for a harvest festival when suddenly divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.  The Holy Spirit gave these people the power to preach the gospel in their native tongues, and, as a shock to those who heard it, they understood what they were saying.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What are God's deeds of power?  What happens when the Holy Spirit comes to us?  Is God's speaking literally fire? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

We talk about "the Gospel" quite a bit on Scripture First, but it may be a fair question to zoom out and ask, "If you had to define it in one sentence, what is the Gospel?"  Luckily, Jesus does this for us by giving us the Gospel—in its totality—in a single sentence. Our guests, Lars Olson and Dr. Chris Croghan, say this definition of the Gospel is so good that it serves as the mission statement for all churches.  Then, we talk about what it means for Jesus to ascend to God's right hand and launch His power back into the world.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What is our captivity? What does it mean to proclaim Jesus to all nations?  Why are the disciples joyful about Jesus leaving? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

In this week's passage, we hear Jesus tell his disciples, "Those who love me will keep my word."  We like to think that we love Jesus and that we keep his word, but at the end of the day we don't keep his word... and that means we don't love him as we say we should. But Jesus doesn't say, "Get your love better!" He says I'm sending my Spirit to make sure my Word never leaves you. You won't be able to avoid my Word—I'm going to keep you in my Word for you so you can finally have peace.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Have I loved Jesus enough? How do you keep Jesus' word? What's the difference between God's peace and the world's peace? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." That's the commandment Jesus gives his disciples in this week's text and the same commandment that is commonly mistaken for the gospel.  As you'll hear Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan explain, loving one another is not the gospel and the gospel is not loving one another. In fact, we explore the depths of what Jesus meant by "Just as I have loved you," in this week's conversation.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: How is God glorified in Christ? Can Jesus give us commands that we cannot do? How is love not the gospel? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show

After hearing several parables, we can empathize with the Jews' request of Jesus in this week's passage, "If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answers, "I have told you, and you do not believe." In this week's conversation, Sarah Stenson explains a concept we talk about a lot as Lutherans: how faith comes through hearing.  Then we discuss some of Adam's favorite of God's promises in all of scripture: My sheep hear my voice. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: How does faith come through hearing? Am I Jesus' sheep?  Why can't I control what I hear? Don't I chose to go to church? Don't I pick the podcast episode?  Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sarah.stenson@lutherhouseofstudy.orgSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

After Jesus' resurrection, Jesus continues to make appearances: first to Mary Magdalene, next to the disciples without Thomas in the locked room, then to the disciples with Thomas and finally, to the disciples in this week's text: in Galilee.  After seeing the risen Lord, Peter, Thomas and five other disciples go right back to their previous vocations: they start fishing. That is until Jesus returns to speak creation and faith back into their lives in a dramatic way.  Then, Jesus pulls a confession of faith out of Peter by asking him this question three times, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" The powerful promise Jesus delivers to Peter here is the same promise that he gives to us: that we betrayed him and he was crucified by taking on the sin of the world. And that sin doesn't have the final word over you: you are forgiven and have new life in him.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What's the difference between receiving the Holy Spirit and being sent out as apostles? Why does Jesus ask the same question three times? Why don't they recognize Jesus? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

In the morning, Jesus' empty tomb was discovered. By the evening, the disciples locked themselves in a room because they were terrified they were next.  The next thing they know, Jesus was standing among them and immediately gives them peace. The disciples rejoice that Jesus is alive, but Jesus gets down to business—he gives them the Holy Spirit and the Great Commission to repent and forgive sins in his name.  In this week's conversation, Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson teach Adam, Kiri and I what the Great Commission means for us today, what the Office of the Keys is, and why calling Thomas "Doubting Thomas" is incorrect because doubt is not a virtue.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What does the Great Commission mean for us today? What is the Office of the Keys? Why shouldn't we call Thomas "Doubting Thomas?" Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

Easter Sunday.  You may have heard of this week's text. It's the one the Christian faith is centered on: Jesus' death and resurrection.  In this week's conversation, Lars Olson points out that each gospel has slight variations of the resurrection story, but there's one certainty that rings true through them all: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  From the women who discover the empty tomb to the disciples who can't believe it, they—like us today—think its utter nonsense for someone to rise from the dead. Dead people stay dead. But, as you'll hear in this conversation, we have a new certainty in life. Jesus is alive and he's giving you new life.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Were people typically buried in tombs? Who were the two men who appeared? What does it mean for the world that Jesus is alive?  Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show

It's Palm Sunday. We're discussing Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  You know the story: Jesus is arriving at Jerusalem—where he knows he will die, he tells his disciples to get him an untamed colt, and his followers welcome him as a king by throwing their cloaks on the road and shouting Hosanna.  Sarah Stenson says this text is often glossed over because, rightfully so, we focus on Jesus' looming crucifixion. She makes the case for why we should preach a strong sermon with this overlooked passage because it's filled with incredible details.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Do you preach this text or the full passion text on Palm Sunday?  Why did they throw their cloaks on the road?  What's the significance of the colt?  Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. You've heard this passage: Martha is running around hosting dinner and Mary is present at Jesus' feet. Their dichotomy is important, and, as you'll hear Dr. Chris Croghan teach us this week, it's Mary's reaction that we should pay attention to.  We hear how Mary's reaction is illustrating what it's like to experience the mercy and new life of Jesus Christ. It's what happens when you receive a word of forgiveness and you witness the new life that comes from God's resurrection.  Then, we dive into the details surrounding Mary pouring out this expensive perfume including Judas as a demonic presence in this passage, how we'll always have the poor with us, and a breakdown of what Lutherans mean by law and gospel. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What's the Passover? How should church members understand giving to the poor? How does Mary understand forgiveness here? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son — One of the most well known parables in the Bible. The younger son squanders his inheritance in a foreign land. Broke, broken and starving, he devises a plan to convince his father to take him back as a hired hand.  Upon his return, he begins reciting his speech only to have his overjoyed father cut him off to start the celebration.  His older brother, who was still out working in the field, feels betrayed that his little brother gets the party that he deserves for working hard all these years.  But as you'll hear Dr. Chris Croghan and Lars Olson teach us in this week's conversation, it's the little details between these well known pillars of the story that demonstrate the incredible gift that is God's grace towards us.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: How can you give their share of inheritance early? Who is represented by each character? How will God celebrate us? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

Lent is filled with texts about repentance and sin and the language can be sharp. This week's lectionary text is no different as we hear about God's judgement and how we must repent or perish.  Then we hear a parable about a fig tree that hasn't produced fruit and the owner says to cut it down. The supposedly kind gardener steps in and asks to give it another year as long as he can nurture and take care of it.  But as you'll hear our guest, Lars Olson, teach us, this isn't mercy. It's just prolonging its death. What Lars teaches us this week is that the peace of Christ goes through his death to absorb the sin of the world.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Do we get punished for sinning?  How can we misunderstand this parable? What does it mean to die? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show

Jesus calls the Pharisees foxes. God is compared to a hen gathering its chicks under its wings. And your election.  Right before this week's lectionary text, Jesus tells the Pharisees, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able."  In our conversation with Sarah Stenson, we break down Jesus' response to this election text. We ask her: What is election? How does God elect people? And, what, if any, role do we play in our election? Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Were there foxes in those days? How is this text used to try to prove there is a free will? Were the Pharisees actually trying to help? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

Dr. Chris Croghan is back to break down the well-known account of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. You've likely heard how the devil tried to accomplish this: turn this stone into bread, worship me and I'll give you all the kingdoms of the world, and throw yourself from the top of the temple — God will send angels to save you. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: If Jesus was fully human, how could he have lived for 40 days in the wilderness? What are examples of the devil saying the thing he says most often, "Did God really say?" How do you preach this text? Dr. Croghan provides key insights into this week's text including the significance of the 40 days in the wilderness, how the devil truly operates, and how Jesus responds to the devil questioning God's word. Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)

The Transfiguration.  Peter, James and John have a literal mountaintop experience when they witness Jesus' divinity right in front of them. His face changed and his clothes become dazzling white and suddenly Moses and Elijah appear.  Peter didn't want this incredible moment to end so he offers to make three dwellings for them to stay on the mountaintop only to have God enter the scene to say, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan break down the context surrounding this text including what significance Moses and Elijah have, what does it mean to witness Jesus' divinity, and the implications of God telling us who Jesus is.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What does it mean to fulfill the law?  What is the significance of seeing Jesus' full divinity? What do Moses and Elijah represent? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.eduSupport the show (https://www.lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate)