This is a "best of" episode, which I’m calling this episode “The Potential for Joy.” I know that might sound like an unexpected title for a passage about foot washing—but stay with me, because Jesus gives us a picture here that can genuinely reshape the way we think about joy and peace. We’re sitting in the tension of the Last Supper: Jesus knows the cross is coming, He knows Judas will betray Him, and He also knows all authority has been given to Him. And then—this is the shocking part—He gets up, wraps a towel around His waist, and washes His disciples’ feet. Even Judas’.

What Jesus is showing us is that true spiritual power doesn’t flex—it serves. And joy isn’t just something we chase through circumstances; it’s something that grows out of love, security in Christ, and humble obedience. I’ll also give you a simple challenge for the week: spend time in Scripture (or worship) daily, and then share one thing you received with someone else. I really believe you’ll feel your joy rise—not because life got easier, but because your mind is being renewed by what’s true.

What We Cover:


See what real power looks like in the Kingdom of God: Jesus uses His authority to serve, not to elevate Himself.


Understand the spiritual meaning behind foot washing: it’s not just hospitality—it’s a living metaphor for Jesus cleansing, loving, and forming His followers.


Notice what changed Peter’s response: following Jesus means letting Him love you in the places you’d rather hide or control.


Be confronted by Jesus washing Judas’ feet: love and humility aren’t based on what someone “deserves.”


Reframe joy as a deeper reality, not a mood: joy grows from security in Christ + humility + obedience, even when life is hard.


Learn why renewing your mind matters: transformation happens as we intentionally fill our minds with God’s Word and truth.


Get a practical one-week challenge: read Scripture (or listen to worship) daily and share one verse or takeaway with someone—text it, say it, post it, anything.

What Does It Mean for Me?

If you want to experience life with Jesus, you have to let him love you. You have to let him care for you. You have to let him see you for who you really are, which is a person who does need to be cleansed, right? And Jesus is saying to them, like, hey, you don't need to do this over and over again. It's not like a baptism over and over again. You already know me, you're clean and you're in me, but this is an act of me caring for you. This is an ongoing, this is what ongoing relationship looks like with me. What I'm doing for you, I am asking you do to for others.

THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES:

Sign up for Nicole's newsletter and get regular encouragement straight to your inbox: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/

Help! My Bible is Alive!

Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up For 

When you go to NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide! 

Find all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

This is a "best of" episode, which I&rsquo;m calling this episode &ldquo;The Potential for Joy.&rdquo; I know that might sound like an unexpected title for a passage about foot washing&mdash;but stay with me, because Jesus gives us a picture here that can genuinely reshape the way we think about joy and peace. We&rsquo;re sitting in the tension of the Last Supper: Jesus knows the cross is coming, He knows Judas will betray Him, and He also knows all authority has been given to Him. And then&mdash;this is the shocking part&mdash;He gets up, wraps a towel around His waist, and washes His disciples&rsquo; feet. Even Judas&rsquo;.
What Jesus is showing us is that true spiritual power doesn&rsquo;t flex&mdash;it serves. And joy isn&rsquo;t just something we chase through circumstances; it&rsquo;s something that grows out of love, security in Christ, and humble obedience. I&rsquo;ll also give you a simple challenge for the week: spend time in Scripture (or worship) daily, and then share one thing you received with someone else. I really believe you&rsquo;ll feel your joy rise&mdash;not because life got easier, but because your mind is being renewed by what&rsquo;s true.
<hr data-start="1874" data-end="1877">
What We Cover:
<ul data-start="1936" data-end="2904">
<li data-start="1936" data-end="2056">
See what real power looks like in the Kingdom of God: Jesus uses His authority to serve, not to elevate Himself.
</li>
<li data-start="2057" data-end="2223">
Understand the spiritual meaning behind foot washing: it&rsquo;s not just hospitality&mdash;it&rsquo;s a living metaphor for Jesus cleansing, loving, and forming His followers.
</li>
<li data-start="2224" data-end="2356">
Notice what changed Peter&rsquo;s response: following Jesus means letting Him love you in the places you&rsquo;d rather hide or control.
</li>
<li data-start="2357" data-end="2467">
Be confronted by Jesus washing Judas&rsquo; feet: love and humility aren&rsquo;t based on what someone &ldquo;deserves.&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="2468" data-end="2602">
Reframe joy as a deeper reality, not a mood: joy grows from security in Christ + humility + obedience, even when life is hard.
</li>
<li data-start="2603" data-end="2733">
Learn why renewing your mind matters: transformation happens as we intentionally fill our minds with God&rsquo;s Word and truth.
</li>
<li data-start="2734" data-end="2904">
Get a practical one-week challenge: read Scripture (or listen to worship) daily and share one verse or takeaway with someone&mdash;text it, say it, post it, anything.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2906" data-end="2909">
What Does It Mean for Me?
If you want to experience life with Jesus, you have to let him love you. You have to let him care for you. You have to let him see you for who you really are, which is a person who does need to be cleansed, right? And Jesus is saying to them, like, hey, you don't need to do this over and over again. It's not like a baptism over and over again. You already know me, you're clean and you're in me, but this is an act of me caring for you. This is an ongoing, this is what ongoing relationship looks like with me. What I'm doing for you, I am asking you do to for others.
THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES:
Sign up for Nicole's newsletter and get regular encouragement straight to your inbox: <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1727966241794000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0tVRclOME9LHyn54IIEPfh">https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Bible-Alive-Understand/dp/1641580216">Help! My Bible is Alive!</a>
Nicole&rsquo;s Newest Book: <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/not-what-finding-strength-purpose-through/9781496448651/pd/44865X">Not What I Signed Up For&nbsp;</a>
When you go to <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/">NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor</a> you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide!&nbsp;
Find all of Nicole's books and resources on<a href="https://www.amazon.com/shop/nicoleunice/list/1RSVU2ZK7YHKC?linkCode=spc&amp;tag=nicoleunice-20&amp;domainId=influencer&amp;asc_contentid=amzn1.ideas.1RSVU2ZK7YHKC"> Amazon </a>or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Nicole%20unice">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>

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 to Pursue Joy That Doesn’t Depend on Your Circumstances

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/5d3acfc6-2bbc-45f3-8d07-b3e200eb0d18/transcript