Today, we’re in Mark chapter 2, and I've titled it “The Spirit Brings Freedom,” because this chapter provides a front-row seat to what Jesus is like—and what He prioritizes. Mark moves fast, and chapter 2 is no exception. We watch Jesus forgive sins, heal a paralyzed man, call a tax collector to follow Him, and then collide head-on with religious leaders who are more focused on rules than on restoration.

What I love about this chapter is how clearly it answers the question: Who is Jesus for? He is for the desperate, the hurting, the overlooked, and the people who know they need help. And over and over again, Jesus keeps pulling the conversation back to what matters most—the heart, mercy, freedom, and the higher law of love. So by the end of this episode, I want you to ask: Does my life actually look freer because I’m following Jesus? And what do I need Him to free me from right now?

What We Cover: 


See the big structure of Mark 2 and how it’s “bookended” by Jesus’ authority.


Discover three key confrontations that reveal what Jesus prioritizes—and why not everyone is happy about it.


Understand why Jesus forgives before He heals (and what that says about the spiritual root beneath the physical need).


Learn why Jesus eats with “sinners” and what that teaches about grace, identity, and who belongs near Him.


Make sense of the “new wine / new wineskins” metaphor as a picture of Jesus bringing something truly new that won’t fit into old structures.


Reframe Sabbath as mercy and trust, not legalism and burden.


Walk away with a personal gut-check:


Is my faith more about checking boxes—or about love and freedom?


Does following Jesus make me more compassionate, more forgiving, more secure?


What do I need to be freed from right now?

Resources mentioned:
Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/


Nicole’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Today, we&rsquo;re in&nbsp;Mark chapter 2, and I've titled it&nbsp;&ldquo;The Spirit Brings Freedom,&rdquo; because this chapter provides&nbsp;a front-row seat to what Jesus is like&mdash;and what He prioritizes. Mark moves fast, and chapter 2 is no exception. We watch Jesus forgive sins, heal a paralyzed man, call a tax collector to follow Him, and then collide head-on with religious leaders who are more focused on rules than on restoration.
What I love about this chapter is how clearly it answers the question: Who is Jesus for? He is for the desperate, the hurting, the overlooked, and the people who know they need help. And over and over again, Jesus keeps pulling the conversation back to what matters most&mdash;the heart, mercy, freedom, and the higher law of love. So by the end of this episode, I want you to ask:&nbsp;Does my life actually look freer because I&rsquo;m following Jesus? And what do I need Him to free me from right now?
What We Cover:&nbsp;
<ul data-start="1714" data-end="2629">
<li data-start="1714" data-end="1799">
See the big structure of Mark 2 and how it&rsquo;s &ldquo;bookended&rdquo; by Jesus&rsquo; authority.
</li>
<li data-start="1800" data-end="1916">
Discover three key confrontations that reveal what Jesus prioritizes&mdash;and why not everyone is happy about it.
</li>
<li data-start="1917" data-end="2043">
Understand why Jesus forgives before He heals (and what that says about the spiritual root beneath the physical need).
</li>
<li data-start="2044" data-end="2158">
Learn why Jesus eats with &ldquo;sinners&rdquo; and what that teaches about grace, identity, and who belongs near Him.
</li>
<li data-start="2159" data-end="2307">
Make sense of the &ldquo;new wine / new wineskins&rdquo; metaphor as a picture of Jesus bringing something truly new that won&rsquo;t fit into old structures.
</li>
<li data-start="2308" data-end="2376">
Reframe Sabbath as mercy and trust, not legalism and burden.
</li>
<li data-start="2377" data-end="2629">
Walk away with a personal gut-check:
<ul data-start="2424" data-end="2629">
<li data-start="2424" data-end="2494">
Is my faith more about checking boxes&mdash;or about love and freedom?
</li>
<li data-start="2497" data-end="2580">
Does following Jesus make me more compassionate, more forgiving, more secure?
</li>
<li data-start="2583" data-end="2629">
What do I need to be freed from right now?
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Resources mentioned:
<ul data-start="2895" data-end="3213" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-start="2895" data-end="2973">Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a></li>
<li data-start="2974" data-end="3060">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice">Nicole&rsquo;s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice</a>
</li>
</ul>

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

How the Spirit Brings True Freedom | Mark 2

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/39c09c07-9301-48f3-85cb-b3f300c6ddb7/transcript