Drawing from Romans 7:18–8:1, Nicole tackles a deeply relatable struggle: the disappointment we feel when we fall short of our own standards. In this episode, she walks listeners through the Apostle Paul’s admission of this struggle—wanting to do right but failing to do so—and points to Jesus as the ultimate answer. Rather than gritting our teeth and trying harder, we are invited to fix our eyes on Christ, who offers forgiveness, removes condemnation, and gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us toward life and peace.

Want to be a part of our community Bible Study? Sign up for our Fall Study on Daniel at nicoleunice.com/daniel

Main Takeaways


You’re not alone in your struggle.
Even Paul—the great church planter and author of much of the New Testament—wrestled with doing what he didn’t want to do.


The Christian life isn’t about “getting better” at religion.
As we draw closer to God’s holiness, we become more aware of our sin—but also more dependent on His grace.


Shame hides us from God, grace draws us near.
Sin’s power is not just in the act but in the shame that follows, which keeps us from God’s healing presence.


The Holy Spirit is a gentle force.
He moves into every corner of our lives, shining light on what needs healing—not to condemn, but to restore.


Fix your eyes on your Savior, not your sin.
Victory is already won in Christ; your identity is secure as a beloved child of God.

📜 Bible Verses Referenced


Romans 7:18–8:1 – Read on BibleStudyTools.com


Romans 8:5 – Read on BibleStudyTools.com


Psalm 103:12 – Read on BibleStudyTools.com


Matthew 3:17 – Read on BibleStudyTools.com

🙌 Calls to Action (CTAs)


Memorize Romans 8:1 – Remind yourself daily: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”


Join the Facebook Community – Share your own “Lord, hear my prayer when…” prompt in the How to Study the Bible Podcast Community.


Subscribe & Share – Encourage someone else who struggles with self-disappointment by sending them this episode.

🔗 Resources & Links


Connect with Nicole on Instagram


Follow on Facebook


Email Nicole: hello@nicoleunice.com


More resources at NicoleUnice.com

Drawing from&nbsp;Romans 7:18&ndash;8:1, Nicole tackles a deeply relatable struggle: the disappointment we feel when we fall short of our own standards. In this episode, she walks listeners through the Apostle Paul&rsquo;s admission of this struggle&mdash;wanting to do right but failing to do so&mdash;and points to Jesus as the ultimate answer. Rather than gritting our teeth and trying harder, we are invited to fix our eyes on Christ, who offers forgiveness, removes condemnation, and gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us toward life and peace.
Want to be a part of our community Bible Study? Sign up for our Fall Study on Daniel at&nbsp;<a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/8be365d2a0">nicoleunice.com/daniel</a>
<hr data-start="1089" data-end="1092">
Main Takeaways
<ul data-start="1118" data-end="1935">
<li data-start="1118" data-end="1286">
You&rsquo;re not alone in your struggle. Even Paul&mdash;the great church planter and author of much of the New Testament&mdash;wrestled with doing what he didn&rsquo;t want to do.
</li>
<li data-start="1288" data-end="1467">
The Christian life isn&rsquo;t about &ldquo;getting better&rdquo; at religion. As we draw closer to God&rsquo;s holiness, we become more aware of our sin&mdash;but also more dependent on His grace.
</li>
<li data-start="1469" data-end="1636">
Shame hides us from God, grace draws us near. Sin&rsquo;s power is not just in the act but in the shame that follows, which keeps us from God&rsquo;s healing presence.
</li>
<li data-start="1638" data-end="1793">
The Holy Spirit is a gentle force. He moves into every corner of our lives, shining light on what needs healing&mdash;not to condemn, but to restore.
</li>
<li data-start="1795" data-end="1935">
Fix your eyes on your Savior, not your sin. Victory is already won in Christ; your identity is secure as a beloved child of God.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1937" data-end="1940">
📜 Bible Verses Referenced
<ul data-start="1975" data-end="2386">
<li data-start="1975" data-end="2077">
Romans 7:18&ndash;8:1 &ndash; <a data-start="1999" data-end="2075">Read on BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2078" data-end="2177">
Romans 8:5 &ndash; <a data-start="2097" data-end="2175">Read on BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2178" data-end="2282">
Psalm 103:12 &ndash; <a data-start="2199" data-end="2280">Read on BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2283" data-end="2386">
Matthew 3:17 &ndash; <a data-start="2304" data-end="2384">Read on BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2388" data-end="2391">
🙌 Calls to Action (CTAs)
<ul data-start="2425" data-end="2873">
<li data-start="2425" data-end="2545">
Memorize Romans 8:1 &ndash; Remind yourself daily: &ldquo;There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="2546" data-end="2753">
Join the Facebook Community &ndash; Share your own &ldquo;Lord, hear my prayer when&hellip;&rdquo; prompt in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtostudythebiblepodcastcommunity" data-start="2640" data-end="2750">How to Study the Bible Podcast Community</a>.
</li>
<li data-start="2754" data-end="2873">
Subscribe &amp; Share &ndash; Encourage someone else who struggles with self-disappointment by sending them this episode.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2875" data-end="2878">
🔗 Resources &amp; Links
<ul data-start="2907" data-end="3188">
<li data-start="2907" data-end="2984">
Connect with Nicole on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice" data-start="2932" data-end="2982">Instagram</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2985" data-end="3047">
Follow on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nicoleunice" data-start="2997" data-end="3045">Facebook</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3048" data-end="3119">
Email Nicole: <a data-start="3064" data-end="3117">hello@nicoleunice.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3120" data-end="3188">
More resources at <a data-start="3140" data-end="3186">NicoleUnice.com</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>.

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