One of the paradoxes of Jesus is that he lived a perfect life without sin and had perfect communion with his Father, yet he still needed to withdraw from ministry success and pray.

This observation challenges the notion that rest and solitude are only necessary for those who are burnt out or overwhelmed. Instead, it suggests that even in the midst of busyness and productivity, intentional rest and solitude are essential for reconnecting with God and being who we are meant to be.

RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com


FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

One of the paradoxes of Jesus is that he lived a perfect life without sin and had perfect communion with his Father, yet he still needed to withdraw from ministry success and pray.
This observation challenges the notion that rest and solitude are only necessary for those who are burnt out or overwhelmed. Instead, it suggests that even in the midst of busyness and productivity, intentional rest and solitude are essential for reconnecting with God and being who we are meant to be.
RESOURCES: Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: <a href="mailto:nicole@nicoleunice.com">nicole@nicoleunice.com</a>
 FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 

Topics covered in this podcast:

💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more
💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do! But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way. In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 
Topics covered in this podcast:
💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible 💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life 💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!) 💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more 💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life 💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture
To find more from Nicole, visit <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a>.

How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 

Topics covered in this podcast:

💡 Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
💡 Topical Bible Study Lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and More
💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
💡 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do! But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way. In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 
Topics covered in this podcast:
💡 Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible 💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life 💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!) 💡 Topical Bible Study Lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and More 💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life 💡 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture
To find more from Nicole, visit <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a>.

How To Study The Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

Creating Rhythms of Silence and Solitude

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/5ce8153f-ec69-42ee-a33c-b49f011c26a5/transcript

Before we get into anything else today, can I just ask you a question? Are you experiencing genuine restoration and refreshment in your life right now? Not entertainment. Not distraction. Real restoration. Because most people I know would say no, and that's exactly where this week's rhythm comes in.

We're talking about Sabbath today, and I know that word can land differently depending on where you're coming from. Maybe it brings up guilt about Sunday sports schedules. Maybe it feels like an Old Testament rule that doesn't apply anymore. Maybe you're in ministry, and Sunday is your biggest work day of the week. Wherever you're starting from, I want us to take a breath and start from scratch, because Jesus Himself tells us something really clarifying about what Sabbath is actually for.

We're in Mark chapter 2, where the disciples are grabbing a snack as they walk through a grain field on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees immediately call them out. Jesus responds by pointing back to King David, who ate sacred bread from the altar when he was hungry, and then delivers one of the most liberating lines in all of Scripture: "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of the people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath."

That's the whole principle, right there. The Sabbath was made for you.

We also go back to the original command in Exodus 20, and what I love about it is how tender it is. It's not just rest for the head of the household, it's rest for your children, your servants, your animals, and the foreigners living among you. There is so much care and justice built into this rhythm from the very beginning.

And then we talk about what Sabbath could actually look like in your real life, not a list of rules, but a genuine question: what does holy refreshment look like for you? For some people it's creativity, painting, gardening, making something. For others it's actual rest, napping, being still. For others it's uninterrupted time with people they love, or being in nature. There's no one-size-fits-all answer here. But the invitation is the same for all of us: stop. Trust that God is at the helm. And see what happens when you actually let yourself rest.

Check out my free download to walk through these practices together:
https://nicoleunice.kit.com/spiritualpractices

Reflection Questions
Are you experiencing genuine restoration and refreshment in your life right now — or just entertainment?
What does holy refreshment actually look like for you?
Is there a place in your week where you could carve out even a half day of intentional rest?
Where do you notice yourself striving or feeling anxious when you try to stop?

Before we get into anything else today, can I just ask you a question? Are you experiencing genuine restoration and refreshment in your life right now? Not entertainment. Not distraction. Real restoration. Because most people I know would say no, and that's exactly where this week's rhythm comes in.
We're talking about Sabbath today, and I know that word can land differently depending on where you're coming from. Maybe it brings up guilt about Sunday sports schedules. Maybe it feels like an Old Testament rule that doesn't apply anymore. Maybe you're in ministry, and Sunday is your biggest work day of the week. Wherever you're starting from, I want us to take a breath and start from scratch, because Jesus Himself tells us something really clarifying about what Sabbath is actually for.
We're in Mark chapter 2, where the disciples are grabbing a snack as they walk through a grain field on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees immediately call them out. Jesus responds by pointing back to King David, who ate sacred bread from the altar when he was hungry, and then delivers one of the most liberating lines in all of Scripture: "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of the people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath."
That's the whole principle, right there. The Sabbath was made for you.
We also go back to the original command in Exodus 20, and what I love about it is how tender it is. It's not just rest for the head of the household, it's rest for your children, your servants, your animals, and the foreigners living among you. There is so much care and justice built into this rhythm from the very beginning.
And then we talk about what Sabbath could actually look like in your real life, not a list of rules, but a genuine question: what does holy refreshment look like for you? For some people it's creativity, painting, gardening, making something. For others it's actual rest, napping, being still. For others it's uninterrupted time with people they love, or being in nature. There's no one-size-fits-all answer here. But the invitation is the same for all of us: stop. Trust that God is at the helm. And see what happens when you actually let yourself rest.
Check out my free download to walk through these practices together: <a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/spiritualpractices">https://nicoleunice.kit.com/spiritualpractices</a>
Reflection Questions
<ol dir="ltr">
<li>Are you experiencing genuine restoration and refreshment in your life right now &mdash; or just entertainment?</li>
<li>What does holy refreshment actually look like for you?</li>
<li>Is there a place in your week where you could carve out even a half day of intentional rest?</li>
<li>Where do you notice yourself striving or feeling anxious when you try to stop?</li>
</ol>

Sabbath Was Made for You, Not the Other Way Around

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/fec5b330-fe8a-4e29-aecb-b4b0000dd2e6/transcript

We're back with Rev. Rachel for week three of our Spiritual Rhythms series, and this week we're talking about one of our absolute favorite things — Scripture. But maybe not in the way you're used to engaging it.

Here's something worth sitting with: most of us who love the Bible tend to engage it almost entirely through our heads. We study it, analyze it, cross-reference it — and that is genuinely wonderful. But there's a whole other way of being in Scripture that most of us in the evangelical tradition have barely touched, and it's actually one of the oldest Christian practices in existence.

It's called lectio divina — divine reading — and it's been around for about 1,700 years. Long before the printing press, long before people could read their own Bibles, Christians were using this practice to actually experience and be formed by Scripture, not just informed by it. And today, Nicole and Rev. Rachel walk you through it live, using Psalm 119:9–16.

Here's how it works: the passage is read four times, slowly. The first time, you just listen. The second time, you notice what word or phrase sticks with you. The third time, you ask the Holy Spirit how it connects to your life right now. And the fourth time, you ask God how He's inviting you to respond. What you're looking for at the end isn't more information — it's peace. It's the gentle conviction or comfort of the Spirit meeting you right where you are.

We also talk about the digital fast from last week — and why your phone might be revealing more about where you actually place your trust than you'd like to admit. (Pro tip from Rev. Rachel's college students: buy an old school alarm clock. Seriously.)

And the core idea we keep coming back to all series long: right pace creates right perspective. When we slow down enough to let Scripture read us — not just the other way around — something shifts. That's the invitation this week.

Check out my free download to walk through these practices together:
https://nicoleunice.kit.com/spiritualpractices

This Week's Practice: Lectio Divina
Try it yourself with Psalm 119:9–16 — read it four times, slowly:
Read 1 — Just listen. Let the words wash over you.
Read 2 — What word, phrase, or image sticks with you?
Read 3 — Ask the Holy Spirit: how does this connect to my life right now?
Read 4 — Ask God: how are you inviting me to respond?

We're back with Rev. Rachel for week three of our Spiritual Rhythms series, and this week we're talking about one of our absolute favorite things &mdash; Scripture. But maybe not in the way you're used to engaging it.
Here's something worth sitting with: most of us who love the Bible tend to engage it almost entirely through our heads. We study it, analyze it, cross-reference it &mdash; and that is genuinely wonderful. But there's a whole other way of being in Scripture that most of us in the evangelical tradition have barely touched, and it's actually one of the oldest Christian practices in existence.
It's called lectio divina &mdash; divine reading &mdash; and it's been around for about 1,700 years. Long before the printing press, long before people could read their own Bibles, Christians were using this practice to actually experience and be formed by Scripture, not just informed by it. And today, Nicole and Rev. Rachel walk you through it live, using Psalm 119:9&ndash;16.
Here's how it works: the passage is read four times, slowly. The first time, you just listen. The second time, you notice what word or phrase sticks with you. The third time, you ask the Holy Spirit how it connects to your life right now. And the fourth time, you ask God how He's inviting you to respond. What you're looking for at the end isn't more information &mdash; it's peace. It's the gentle conviction or comfort of the Spirit meeting you right where you are.
We also talk about the digital fast from last week &mdash; and why your phone might be revealing more about where you actually place your trust than you'd like to admit. (Pro tip from Rev. Rachel's college students: buy an old school alarm clock. Seriously.)
And the core idea we keep coming back to all series long: right pace creates right perspective. When we slow down enough to let Scripture read us &mdash; not just the other way around &mdash; something shifts. That's the invitation this week.
Check out my free download to walk through these practices together: <a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/spiritualpractices">https://nicoleunice.kit.com/spiritualpractices</a>
This Week's Practice: Lectio Divina Try it yourself with Psalm 119:9&ndash;16 &mdash; read it four times, slowly:
<ol dir="ltr">
<li>Read 1 &mdash; Just listen. Let the words wash over you.</li>
<li>Read 2 &mdash; What word, phrase, or image sticks with you?</li>
<li>Read 3 &mdash; Ask the Holy Spirit: how does this connect to my life right now?</li>
<li>Read 4 &mdash; Ask God: how are you inviting me to respond?</li>
</ol>

Learning to be Shaped by Scripture: Creating a Spiritual Rhythm of Bible Study

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/df955b88-e2b2-4e95-8d9c-b48f00eb05f6/transcript

Jesus brings quiet and stillness that's powerful and substantive. Jesus calms storms, metaphorical and spiritual and physical ones. We need his quieting power, especially in our digital lives.

What does your everyday life look like, particularly when it comes to your digital rhythms? This week, we're inviting you right into the place where it hurts and asking the question: how much are you scrolling? How much are you on your screens, any screens of any kind?

This isn’t about shame or guilt. Technology in it of itself is a bad thing. But what the digital age has done is numb us into a place of constant distraction where distraction is actually what feels like the norm.

So, you are as susceptible as anyone else to finding yourself numbed into distraction in a way that makes you continue to have a chaotic soul without the space to allow Jesus to come in and bring the kind of peace that he can. Now, it's not that Jesus can't master over anything. But Jesus is a gentleman. God is very invitational in nature. And that means that we must place ourselves in a position to hear from him.

Check out my free download to walk through these practices together:
nicoleunice.com/spiritualpractices

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Mark 4: Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus brings peace out of chaos. Jesus calms storms. What storms is he trying to calm in your life? What are you avoiding right now that he wants to speak into?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?

The invitation: digital rhythm to allow silence and stillness. The place where Jesus could do the greatest work in your life, where you could experience the biggest miracles in your soul, the places of unforgiveness, the places of anxiety, a fear of lack of purpose, whatever that thing is for you right now, that thing that Jesus has command over is not commanded by your screen. And yet that's the thing we often use. 

In a world of normalized digital addiction, disciples of Jesus remember the uncompromising words of Paul, “I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). Rather than allowing ourselves to circle the drain of the digital vortex, we instead “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

FOLLOW NICOLE:
Website: https://nicoleunice.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Jesus brings quiet and stillness that's powerful and substantive. Jesus calms storms, metaphorical and spiritual and physical ones. We need his quieting power, especially in our digital lives.
What does your everyday life look like, particularly when it comes to your digital rhythms? This week, we're inviting you right into the place where it hurts and asking the question: how much are you scrolling? How much are you on your screens, any screens of any kind?
This isn&rsquo;t about shame or guilt. Technology in it of itself is a bad thing. But what the digital age has done is numb us into a place of constant distraction where distraction is actually what feels like the norm.
So, you are as susceptible as anyone else to finding yourself numbed into distraction in a way that makes you continue to have a chaotic soul without the space to allow Jesus to come in and bring the kind of peace that he can. Now, it's not that Jesus can't master over anything. But Jesus is a gentleman. God is very invitational in nature. And that means that we must place ourselves in a position to hear from him.
Check out my free download to walk through these practices together: <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/spiritualpractices/">nicoleunice.com/spiritualpractices</a>
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Mark 4: Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, &ldquo;Let us go over to the other side.&rdquo; 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, &ldquo;Teacher, don&rsquo;t you care if we drown?&rdquo;
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, &ldquo;Quiet! Be still!&rdquo; Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, &ldquo;Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?&rdquo;
41 They were terrified and asked each other, &ldquo;Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!&rdquo;
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Jesus brings peace out of chaos. Jesus calms storms. What storms is he trying to calm in your life? What are you avoiding right now that he wants to speak into?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
The invitation: digital rhythm to allow silence and stillness. The place where Jesus could do the greatest work in your life, where you could experience the biggest miracles in your soul, the places of unforgiveness, the places of anxiety, a fear of lack of purpose, whatever that thing is for you right now, that thing that Jesus has command over is not commanded by your screen. And yet that's the thing we often use.&nbsp;
In a world of normalized digital addiction, disciples of Jesus remember the uncompromising words of Paul, &ldquo;I will not be mastered by anything&rdquo; (1 Cor. 6:12). Rather than allowing ourselves to circle the drain of the digital vortex, we instead &ldquo;take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ&rdquo; (2 Cor. 10:5).
RESOURCES: Nicole&rsquo;s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: <a href="mailto:nicole@nicoleunice.com">nicole@nicoleunice.com</a>
FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/

Creating Digital Rhythms That Quiet Your Soul in an Age of Distraction

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/134b3c2f-f89f-4fe6-9332-b48600cdcc38/transcript

Creating Rhythms of Silence and Solitude

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