Hearing Jesus: Daily Bible Study, Christian Affirmations, Hearing God, Prayer, Holy Spirit, Daily Devotional

Is It A Sin to Write in Your Bible? : Bible Study 101

Before the color method starts, there's a hurdle a lot of us have to get over first. Rachael is about to ask you to take a highlighter to your Bible, and for some of you that feels close to sin. This episode deals with that honestly, walks through what Deuteronomy 6 actually tells God's people to do with His words, and explains why physically marking a page changes what your brain is able to take in. There's also a practical setup list for the week ahead, and none of it requires spending money.

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Chapters

0:00 Where the color method came from

1:23 Bracing you for it: I'm going to ask you to write in your Bible

2:48 Where the hesitation comes from

4:11 The misprinted Bible Rachael pulled out of the trash

6:23 The pastors who split one Bible into 66 sections

7:49 The words are holy, the paper is not

8:47 The family cookbook and the cookbook that stays on the shelf

11:38 Deuteronomy 6 and the Shema

12:59 Hearts, hands, foreheads, doorframes

13:55 What those little boxes actually are

15:15 The case on the doorframe

16:13 What Jesus was actually criticizing in Matthew 23

17:30 Shanan, the word that means to sharpen

19:08 Why marking breaks your brain's habit of skimming

21:00 The reading problem nobody talks about in church

23:23 Permission to start with a children's Bible

27:36 Can I just use the app on my phone?

29:36 What you actually need to get

32:45 The one Bible you shouldn't write in

33:51 How this week is going to work

38:11 Prayer

Is it a sin to write in your Bible?

No. And the hesitation you feel about it comes from a healthy place, so Rachael isn't dismissing it. Reverence for God's word is a good instinct.

But the distinction worth making is this: the words are holy, the paper is not. The Bible on your shelf came off a printing press, and there are thousands of identical copies of that exact edition. If yours were destroyed tomorrow you could order another one and God's word would be completely intact. What you honor is the words themselves, and you honor them by knowing them.

Rachael's picture for this is a family cookbook. Hers is stained, falling apart at the spine, full of notes in the margins, and she has nearly every recipe in it memorized. She also owns a beautiful cookbook with gold edging that she's never once used and couldn't name a recipe from. One of those books is loved. The other one is preserved.

What does Deuteronomy 6 say about God's word?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is called the Shema, named for its first word in Hebrew, which means hear. It's what an observant Jewish person says when they get up and when they lie down, and it's what Jesus quoted when someone asked Him which command was greatest.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Verse 6 is internal. His words go on your heart. No argument there. But everything after that is physical. Hands, foreheads, doorframes, gates. God tells His people to attach His words to their bodies and their buildings.

What are the boxes some Jewish men wear?

If you've never seen these, picture a small black leather box, roughly the size of a large ice cube, with long leather straps attached to it. Observant Jewish men wear two of them during weekday morning prayer. One is strapped to the upper arm and positioned so it rests near the heart. The other is strapped to the forehead, centered between the eyes.

Inside each box is a tiny handwritten scroll with this passage of Scripture on it. So for them, verse 8 was never a metaphor. It's actual words, written out, tucked into a box, tied to the exact places the verse names.

What is the case on a Jewish doorframe?

That's verse 9. Picture a small rectangular case, usually a few inches long, made of wood or metal or sometimes ceramic, mounted at an angle on the doorframe of a Jewish home. There's a scroll inside that one too.

People touch it as they pass through the door, or kiss their fingers and press them to it. It's a physical reminder every time you enter or leave of who that home belongs to.

Wasn't Jesus against these?

Jesus mentions those boxes in Matthew 23 when He's confronting the Pharisees, and this gets misread. He isn't criticizing them for wearing them. He's criticizing them for making them extra wide so everyone would notice.

The problem was never the practice. It was the heart posture underneath it, turning something meant to point at God into something that points at you.

What does the Hebrew word shanan mean?

In verse 7, the word translated "impress" is shanan. Its root means to sharpen, the way you'd sharpen a blade. It's used elsewhere in Deuteronomy for sharpening a sword.

Sharpening happens through repeated contact with an edge, over and over, until something becomes sharp. So look at the pattern in the passage. Words on your hands. Words on your door. Words in your mouth, morning and night. Words spoken to your children. That's repetition doing its work.

God's design was for His people to live with His words, handle them, and be shaped by them, not to keep them clean.

Why does marking your Bible help you understand it?

Because you cannot mark something you didn't actually read.

When you read a familiar page, your eyes move and your brain fills in the rest. You already know what's coming, so you skim, finish the chapter, and absorb nothing new. That's just how reading works when the material is familiar to you. It's the same reason you can read a sentence with all the middle letters scrambled.

Marking breaks that. To put a specific color on a specific word, you have to make a decision about that word. Is this about God, or about someone else? Is this an action? Is this a time reference? Every mark is a decision, and you can't make a decision without slowing down enough to comprehend.

There's a second payoff. At the end of the week, when the page is finished, you can see the shape of the passage at a glance. You'll notice that a story you thought was about a crowd is mostly about one person, or you'll see where God was in a scene you'd only ever read as being about people.

What if the Bible is still too hard for me to read?

Then start with a children's Bible, and there's no shame in that.

This is the part of the episode Rachael gets most direct about. When she turned in an early manuscript, her editor sent it back and told her to bring the reading level down, because most Americans read at about an eighth grade level. That was years ago. Current numbers put roughly 54% of U.S. adults below a sixth grade reading level, and the trend has continued downward since 2020 rather than recovering. In the community where she pastored, local studies put average reading comprehension around third grade.

So on top of the real barriers in Scripture, the distance in time and language and culture, there's a comprehension problem nobody names from the platform. If the Jesus Storybook Bible is what lets you understand how a passage points to Jesus, use it. The Hearing Jesus for Kids podcast is another option, and plenty of adults listen to it. The goal is understanding, not the difficulty of your materials.

FAQ

What passage are we studying this week? John 6:1-15, the feeding of the five thousand. One passage all week, one color per day.

What do I need before tomorrow? A physical Bible or a printed copy of John 6:1-15 that you're comfortable writing in, and something green to mark with.

What supplies do I need for the whole week? Six colors: green, blue, red, purple, orange, and yellow. Wax Bible highlighters are the safest choice since they don't bleed through. Colored pencils work fine, including the broken ones in your kids' school supply drawer. A fine tip pen for margin notes is optional. Test whatever you use on a back page first, since Bible paper thickness varies.

Do I have to buy anything? No. A pencil and a sheet of notebook paper gets you most of the way there. You can print the passage free from Bible Gateway.

Which Bible should I not write in? The one from your infant baptism, the one your great grandmother passed down, or the one with your mom's handwriting in it. Get a second copy for this. Thrift stores, Walmart, and church giveaway baskets all have them, often under twenty dollars or free.

Can I use the Bible app instead? For this series, use paper. Apps are excellent for comparing translations and searching words, but you can't layer six colors on one verse and see how they overlap, and the device your Bible app lives on is the same device your notifications live on. An iPad with a pencil is the one workable exception.

Do I need to have heard episodes 1 through 8? No. This one stands on its own, though the earlier episodes explain why we're asking the questions we're asking.

Where can I go deeper on the color method? She Hears, available on Amazon, teaches it over six weeks through the stories of six women in the life of Jesus.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tuesday: God Is Always Near: Daily Affirmations,
Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations, Affirmations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This Tuesday episode offers powerful, Scripture-based affirmations to help you step into your week with boldness, peace, and purpose. As the world demands more, God invites you to rely on His strength. Through these promises, you’re reminded that you are never alone, never powerless, and never without purpose.

SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow.

AD-FREE Daily Affirmations can be found on my Patreon at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/HearingJesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today’s daily affirmations are for strength and confidence for the week ahead. Whatever this week holds, you are not facing it alone. God is with you—strengthening you, guiding you, and fighting for you. No matter what challenges you encounter, you can walk in faith knowing that God has already prepared the way for you.

Affirmation:
I am strong and courageous in Christ.

Joshua
1:9



Affirmation:
I do not fear because God is with me.

Isaiah
41:10



Affirmation:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians
4:13



Affirmation:
I am victorious through Jesus.

1
Corinthians 15:57

Affirmation:
I have the power of God working within me.

Ephesians
3:20



Affirmation:
I will not be shaken because God is my refuge.

Psalm
62:6



Affirmation:
I walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7



Affirmation:
No weapon formed against me shall prosper.

Isaiah
54:17



Affirmation:
God fights my battles and I need only to be still.

Exodus
14:14



Affirmation:
I am not afraid because God has overcome the world.

John
16:33



Affirmation:
I have authority in Christ over every attack of the enemy.

Luke
10:19



Affirmation:
I am rooted and established in God’s love.

Ephesians
3:17



Affirmation:
I have divine wisdom and strength for today.

James
1:5



Affirmation:
I am resilient and
I will persevere through trials.

Romans
5:3-4



Affirmation:
I am filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts
1:8



Affirmation:
I will not grow weary in doing good.

Galatians
6:9



Affirmation:
God’s grace is sufficient for me.

2
Corinthians 12:9



Affirmation:
I have peace that surpasses understanding.

Philippians
4:7



Affirmation:
I am never alone. God is always near.

Deuteronomy
31:8



Affirmation:
I am protected under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm
91:1



Affirmation:
God’s Word is a
lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm
119:105



Affirmation:
I stand firm in faith and do not waver.

James
1:6



Affirmation:
I am free from fear because God’s perfect love casts it out.

1
John 4:18



Affirmation:
I have a spirit of power, love, and sound mind.

2
Timothy 1:7



Affirmation:
God is working all things for my good today.

Romans
8:28



Closing
Prayer

Lord,
I surrender my fear to You. Fill me with boldness, courage, and confidence in
You. No matter what today holds, I trust in Your strength. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Listen daily and start your morning with God’s truth so you can
walk in faith, clarity, and confidence.





#ChristianPodcast
#DailyAffirmations #FaithOverFear #BiblicalTruth #MorningDevotions
#RenewYourMind #HearingJesusPodcast
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Your Questions, Answered | Bible Study 101 Q&A

You sent in questions during the Bible Study 101 series, and this episode is Rachael working through a handful of them. Where does a brand new believer start reading? Which Bible should you buy when you're standing in the store with no idea what NIV or NLT even means? Is the SOAP method the same thing as looking for God first? Can women be pastors?

Listen in to get Rachael's answers to these questions and more!

Links

Speakpipe: Leave a voice message or prayer request

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Chapters

0:00 Why we're doing a Q&A episode

0:39 How SpeakPipe works and why some messages didn't get a reply

2:03 What SpeakPipe is for, and what it isn't for

4:27 Where should someone brand new to faith start reading?

7:22 Which Bible should I buy, and does translation matter?

10:11 Is the SOAP method the same as looking for God first?

12:35 Can you tell us the chapters ahead of time?

13:57 The Hearing Jesus for Kids show, and a question from a kid

17:53 The rescue of 136 children, and what Rachael is praying about now

27:22 Can women be pastors?

33:01 How to send in your question

33:38 Prayer

Where should a new Christian start reading the Bible?

Start with a Gospel or with Genesis, and don't overthink it. Rachael points new believers toward John, since it focuses on who Jesus is, or Genesis, which sets the stage for the rest of Scripture and lays out our spiritual DNA. She also makes the case that the Bible Study 101 series itself is a good starting place, because learning how to read is what makes everything after it stick. Luke and Acts are coming this fall, and those two books were written as part one and part two of the same work, so that's another natural entry point.

The honest answer underneath all of it is that no part of God's word comes back empty. He can use any of it in any season. If you're stuck choosing, pray about it and pick one.

What Bible should I buy, and does the translation matter?

Get a study Bible, whatever translation you land on. That's the part that matters most. A study Bible gives you notes on the verses, plus an introduction before each book that tells you who wrote it, when, and who was originally reading it. When you're new, that context does more for your understanding than the translation choice does.

For translation, the New Living Translation and the NIV tend to be the easiest to read. But Rachael's real advice is to go into a local Christian bookstore, open several of them, look up a verse you already know like John 3:16, and see which one sounds like language you can follow. It's a personal decision, and holding them in your hands tells you more than a review will.

Is the SOAP method the same as looking for God first?

Close, and the instinct behind the question is right. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer, and yes, observation comes before application in that method. So the order is the same idea.

The distinction Rachael draws is what you're observing. Looking for God first means the observation step isn't just noticing details in the text, it's specifically asking who God is in this passage, what He's doing, and what His character looks like, before you ask what it means for you. Rachael teaches the color method rather than SOAP, which she wrote about in She Hears, and she walks through it in the episodes right after this one.

Can women be pastors?

Rachael's answer is yes, and she grounds it in the text rather than in tradition or denomination. Jesus called, equipped, and sent women. Paul called women co-laborers. God has been doing this since the beginning of the story, which means the women we point to in Scripture weren't exceptions to a rule, they were part of the rule.

Her concern is with how a handful of verses get pulled out of context and used to define what leadership can look like. She names it directly: convincing people that half the warriors aren't equipped for war is one of the enemy's most effective moves. She's written three books that walk through the scriptural case, including Never Unseen, releasing March 2027, which looks at the female leaders working alongside Paul in the early church.

If this is something you're wrestling with, the invitation is to read the word yourself and see what it actually says.

What is the Hearing Jesus for Kids podcast?

It's a companion show for children, with around a hundred episodes covering three of the Gospels. When the adult show starts Luke this fall, the kids' show will run a Luke series alongside it, so families can be in the same material at the same time and talk about it at dinner or at bedtime. One of the questions answered in this episode came from a child listener asking how Jesus knew which side of the boat the fish were on.

How did Rachael help rescue trafficked children?

Rachael and her husband pursued an international adoption for about five years before their son was trafficked out of the country. What followed was a fight alongside that nation's government and Interpol that brought home somewhere around 136 children, most of whom were not orphans but had been taken. They were never able to recover their own little guy.

There was no organization behind it. It was the two of them, working out of relationships built through missions trips Rachael had led. She's currently praying about launching a nonprofit arm of She Hears for missions trips, scholarships, and missionary support, and she asks listeners to pray about the timing. For anyone looking to give now, she points to Metro World Child, which she has worked with for around 25 years.

FAQ

How do I send in a question? Use the SpeakPipe link in the show notes. Click the button and leave a voice message.

Can I stay anonymous? Yes. You can also ask for your question to be kept off the show entirely if you'd rather it not air. Note that anonymous messages can't receive a private reply, since there's no contact to reply to.

I sent one and didn't hear back. Why? A batch of messages landed in the wrong folder and were only recently found. Otherwise, check your spam folder, since replies have gone out to every message with a working contact and clear audio.

What is SpeakPipe not for? It isn't a place for coaching requests, confession, or arguments about the validity of Scripture. Questions about the Bible, the current series, or something you're wrestling with are all welcome, and feedback is welcome too.

When does the Luke series start? At the end of the Bible Study 101 series, this fall. Acts follows it.

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Monday: Nothing Can Seperate Me From God's Love: Daily Affirmations, Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations, Affirmations

 

Start your day with confidence, peace, and purpose through these Daily Affirmations for Adults. Each episode is a short but powerful way to realign your heart and mind with biblical truth. Speak life over your day, renew your faith, and step into God’s promises with Scripture-based affirmations.

AD-FREE Daily Affirmations can be found
on my Patreon at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/HearingJesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Here are your Monday affirmations. I will read the phrase, then you
repeat it, and then I’ll tell you the Scripture it’s from.

Take a deep breath. This is a new day filled with God’s grace and
purpose. You are not defined by your past or your mistakes or the opinions of
others. You are defined by the truth of God’s Word. Let these affirmations fill
your heart as you step into today.

 

I am a child of God, chosen and loved.

1 John 3:1

 

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

 

I am fully known and loved fully by God.

Psalm 139:1–2

 

I have been chosen before the foundation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4

 

I am created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27

 

I am redeemed and made new in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17

 

I am set apart for God’s purpose.

1 Peter 2:9

 

I am God’s masterpiece, created for good works.

Ephesians 2:10

 

I am loved with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

 

I am called by name and belong to God.

Isaiah 43:1

 

I am not my past. I am a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17

 

I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 6:20

 

I’m seated in heavenly places with Christ.

Ephesians 2:6

 

I am co-heir with Christ.

Romans 8:17

 

I am not rejected. I am accepted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:6

 

I am never alone. God is always with me.

Hebrews 13:5

 

I am valuable and precious in God’s sight.

Isaiah 43:4

 

I have been set free by the truth of Jesus.

John 8:36

 

I am more than a conqueror through Christ.

Romans 8:37

 

I am a light in this world, shining for Christ.

Matthew 5:14

 

I am God’s dwelling
place. His Spirit lives within me.

1 Corinthians 3:16

 

I am forgiven and free from condemnation.

Romans 8:1

 

I have a divine purpose and calling from God.

Jeremiah 29:11

 

I am dearly loved and nothing can separate me from God’s love.

Romans 8:38–39

 

Father, thank You for reminding me who I am in You. Help me to
walk in confidence today, knowing that I am chosen, loved, and called by You. No matter what comes my way, let my identity be rooted in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

I hope these affirmations spoke to your heart today. If you want to
go deeper, just keep listening. Your full Bible study episode is coming up
next.

Listen daily and start your morning with
God’s truth so you can walk in faith, clarity, and confidence.

 

 

#ChristianPodcast #DailyAffirmations
#FaithOverFear #BiblicalTruth #MorningDevotions #RenewYourMind
#HearingJesusPodcast

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Sunday: I Choose Obedience Over Control:  Daily Affirmations,
Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations

Today is about looking ahead with God. Before the week begins, we
pause and place what’s coming into His hands. These affirmations are meant to help you enter the week grounded, attentive, and trusting God to lead you one day at a time.

AD-FREE Daily Affirmations can be found on
my Patreon at: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/HearingJesus⁠

Repeat after me, then listen to the Bible verse.

 

I place this coming week in God’s hands.

Psalm
31:15 – “My times are in Your hands.”

I
trust God to guide my steps.

Psalm
37:23 – “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.”

I
enter this week with expectancy, not fear.

Romans
15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in
Him.”

I
invite God into every moment ahead.

Proverbs
16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do.”

I
trust God to order my priorities.

Matthew
6:33 – “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”

I
receive God’s wisdom for the days ahead.

James
1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.”

I
walk into this week anchored in truth.

Psalm
119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet.”

I
trust God with what I cannot foresee.

Isaiah
46:10 – “I make known the end from the beginning.”

I
choose faith over anticipation of stress.

Psalm
56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”

I
rely on God’s grace for each day.

2
Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you.”

I
trust God’s timing
this week.

Habakkuk
2:3 – “Though it linger, wait for it.”

I
remain open to God’s leading.

Psalm
25:4 – “Show me Your ways, Lord.”

I
step forward with humility and trust.

Micah
6:8 – “What does the Lord require of you? To walk humbly with your God.”

I
depend on God’s strength, not my own.

Psalm
68:35 – “God gives strength and power to His people.”

I
trust God with every conversation and decision.

Proverbs
20:24 – “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.”

I
choose obedience over control.

John
14:23 – “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching.”

I
walk into this week aware of God’s presence.

Exodus
33:14 – “My Presence will go with you.”

I
trust God to work through ordinary moments.

Zechariah
4:10 – “Do not despise these small beginnings.”

I
release anxiety about outcomes.

Psalm
112:7 – “They will have no fear of bad news.”

I
remain attentive to God’s voice.

John
10:27 – “My sheep listen to My voice.”

I
trust God to meet my needs.

Philippians
4:19 – “My God will meet all your needs.”

I
step into this week with courage.

Psalm
31:24 – “Be strong and take heart.”

I
trust God to shape my character.

Romans
8:29 – “To be conformed to the image of His Son.”

I
begin this week grounded in hope.

Hebrews
6:19 – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.”

I
rest in God’s faithfulness as I move forward.

Psalm
33:4 – “The word of the Lord is right and true.”

 

Closing Prayer:

God, as I step into this new week, I place everything ahead of me
in Your care. Go before me, guide my steps, and help me stay attentive to You. I trust You with what’s coming, one day at a time. Amen.

 
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