Have you ever found yourself saying, I want to believe — I really do — but there's this part of me that just... doesn't? That is exactly where we land in Mark chapter 9 today, and friend, you are in good company.

We're wrapping up our mini-series on confusion to clarity, and this week we're sitting with one of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture — just six words: I do believe. Help my unbelief. It comes from a desperate dad who has been fighting for his son, who tried everything, even coming to Jesus's disciples, and still walked away empty-handed. And yet, in that moment of raw honesty with Jesus, healing happens anyway.

Here's what I love about this story: the man's unbelief did not stop Jesus from acting. Jesus doesn't need our perfect faith. He needs our whole heart — the good stuff and the doubt, the confidence and the fear. That's what wholehearted really means.

We also talk about why the disciples couldn't drive out the spirit — and what Jesus's answer ("this kind only comes out by prayer") tells us about the interior life Jesus is calling us to. Spoiler: our spiritual power doesn't come from doing more. It comes from being with our Heavenly Father.

And we close out the chapter with Jesus flipping the script on greatness — anyone who wants to be first must be last and servant of all. Because the way of Jesus isn't power. It's humility. It's vulnerability. And it is a full, beautiful, rigorous life of discipleship.

Want More?
Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: https://nicoleunice.kit.com/ 


Read along: Mark 9(and review Mark 8 to catch up on last week's episode)
Miss last week? Go back and listen to the episode on Mark 8 — where Peter declares Jesus as Messiah and Jesus asks, "But what about you — who do YOU say that I am?"
Check out Nicole's YouTube Channeland connect with our community!
Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs it today.

Have you ever found yourself saying, I want to believe &mdash; I really do &mdash; but there's this part of me that just... doesn't? That is exactly where we land in Mark chapter 9 today, and friend, you are in good company.
We're wrapping up our mini-series on confusion to clarity, and this week we're sitting with one of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture &mdash; just six words: I do believe. Help my unbelief. It comes from a desperate dad who has been fighting for his son, who tried everything, even coming to Jesus's disciples, and still walked away empty-handed. And yet, in that moment of raw honesty with Jesus, healing happens anyway.
Here's what I love about this story: the man's unbelief did not stop Jesus from acting. Jesus doesn't need our perfect faith. He needs our whole heart &mdash; the good stuff and the doubt, the confidence and the fear. That's what wholehearted really means.
We also talk about why the disciples couldn't drive out the spirit &mdash; and what Jesus's answer ("this kind only comes out by prayer") tells us about the interior life Jesus is calling us to. Spoiler: our spiritual power doesn't come from doing more. It comes from being with our Heavenly Father.
And we close out the chapter with Jesus flipping the script on greatness &mdash; anyone who wants to be first must be last and servant of all. Because the way of Jesus isn't power. It's humility. It's vulnerability. And it is a full, beautiful, rigorous life of discipleship.
<hr>
Want More?
<ul>
<li data-start="2895" data-end="2973">Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: <a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/">https://nicoleunice.kit.com/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li data-start="2974" data-end="3060">
Read along: <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/mark/9.html">Mark 9</a> (and review Mark 8 to catch up on last week's episode)
</li>
<li>Miss last week? Go back and listen to the episode on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/how-we-move-from-confusion-to-clarity-in-our-faith-mark-8">Mark 8</a> &mdash; where Peter declares Jesus as Messiah and Jesus asks, "But what about you &mdash; who do YOU say that I am?"</li>
<li>Check out Nicole's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice">YouTube Channel </a>and connect with our community!</li>
<li>Enjoying the podcast? Leave a&nbsp;review and share this episode with a friend who needs it today.</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

"I Believe, Help My Unbelief"  What We Learn from This Honest Prayer | Mark 9

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/a1d0445c-f459-4e96-b88d-b42100e29d1b/transcript