In this best-of episode, Nicole invites us to explore the Lord’s Prayer, found in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew, emphasizing that prayer is not just about saying the right words or following a formula, but about having a personal and intimate conversation with God.

Nicole guides us through the passage in Matthew 6, verses 5-8, where Jesus teaches us how to pray. We’ll examine the contrast between those who pray for show, those who pray in secret, and those who babble like pagans. Nicole highlights the importance of understanding the principles behind Jesus’ teaching, rather than just following a formula. We’ll explore how to create a space for intimacy and connection with our Heavenly Father, and how to experience God in our daily lives.

Nicole shares that prayer is not about getting God to respond to our actions, but about submitting to His will and desires. We’ll discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy and instead, cultivate a genuine relationship with God. This episode sets the stage for the rest of the series, where we’ll delve into the Lord’s Prayer and explore its significance in our lives.

If you’re feeling uncertain about your prayer life or wondering if you’re doing it “right,” this series is for you. Join Nicole as we explore the principles of effective prayer and how to deepen your relationship with God.

Want to listen to the rest of the series? We created a playlist on Spotify with each episode. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2fHv6yxAydcsLstrfoVvPZ

You can also find all of the episodes on this page of Lifeaudio.com: https://www.lifeaudio.com/podcasts/how-to-study-the-bible/?page=24

Connect with Nicole: https://nicoleunice.com/ 

In this best-of episode, Nicole invites us to explore the Lord&rsquo;s Prayer, found in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew, emphasizing that prayer is not just about saying the right words or following a formula, but about having a personal and intimate conversation with God.
Nicole guides us through the passage in Matthew 6, verses 5-8, where Jesus teaches us how to pray. We&rsquo;ll examine the contrast between those who pray for show, those who pray in secret, and those who babble like pagans. Nicole highlights the importance of understanding the principles behind Jesus&rsquo; teaching, rather than just following a formula. We&rsquo;ll explore how to create a space for intimacy and connection with our Heavenly Father, and how to experience God in our daily lives.
Nicole shares that prayer is not about getting God to respond to our actions, but about submitting to His will and desires. We&rsquo;ll discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy and instead, cultivate a genuine relationship with God. This episode sets the stage for the rest of the series, where we&rsquo;ll delve into the Lord&rsquo;s Prayer and explore its significance in our lives.
If you&rsquo;re feeling uncertain about your prayer life or wondering if you&rsquo;re doing it &ldquo;right,&rdquo; this series is for you. Join Nicole as we explore the principles of effective prayer and how to deepen your relationship with God.
Want to listen to the rest of the series? We created a playlist on Spotify with each episode. Listen here: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2fHv6yxAydcsLstrfoVvPZ">https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2fHv6yxAydcsLstrfoVvPZ</a>
You can also find all of the episodes on this page of Lifeaudio.com: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/podcasts/how-to-study-the-bible/?page=24">https://www.lifeaudio.com/podcasts/how-to-study-the-bible/?page=24</a>
Connect with Nicole: <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a>&nbsp;

How to Pray: A Bible Study on the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-8)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/aefbb70e-2703-4f9c-af45-b4f600d164bb/transcript

This is it, friends. Our final episode. And I can't think of a more perfect place to land than right here, in the very process that brought me to this moment of saying goodbye.

Today we're walking through the actual steps of discernment, a rigorous, Holy Spirit-led process rooted in Ignatian spirituality that is so much more than a pros and cons list. And I want you to know, this process took me seven months to work through for this decision. Seven months of going back and forth, consulting spiritual advisors, wrestling, praying, and waiting. That's very different from how the world tells us to make decisions. But the freedom on the other side of it? There are no words.

The Five Steps of Discernment
Identify the actual decision in front of you
Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your thoughts — work toward sacred detachment
Ask the Holy Spirit to influence your will — gather data, write pros and cons, evaluate findings
Ask the Holy Spirit for spiritual consolation — wait for settled, deep confidence
Confirm the decision and move forward in faith

Want More?
📥 Download the free four-week Decisions study guide at NicoleUnice.com/decisions — includes Nicole's notes from today's episode and reflection prompts for the whole series
📖 Scriptures from today: Matthew 26:39–45 · Romans 12:2 · 2 Peter 1:3–4 · Galatians 6:14 · 2 Timothy 1:7 · Psalm 94:19 · Matthew 11:28
📱 Follow Nicole's next chapter on Instagram @NicoleUniceand on Substack for weekly essays and updates on the church plant in Richmond, Virginia
🙏 Would you pray for Nicole, her husband Dave, and the city of Richmond, Virginia, as they begin this church planting journey?
🎙️ All 300+ episodes of How to Study the Bible remain available — go back and keep exploring God's word!
⭐ Leave a review and share the podcast with someone who needs it — even now that the show is wrapping up, your review helps new listeners find these episodes.
🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com

"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you. May the Lord lift up His countenance unto you and give you His peace, both now and forever, and until we meet in heaven. Amen." — Nicole Unice

This is it, friends. Our final episode. And I can't think of a more perfect place to land than right here, in the very process that brought me to this moment of saying goodbye.
Today we're walking through the actual steps of discernment, a rigorous, Holy Spirit-led process rooted in Ignatian spirituality that is so much more than a pros and cons list. And I want you to know, this process took me seven months to work through for this decision. Seven months of going back and forth, consulting spiritual advisors, wrestling, praying, and waiting. That's very different from how the world tells us to make decisions. But the freedom on the other side of it? There are no words.
The Five Steps of Discernment
<ol dir="ltr">
<li>Identify the actual decision in front of you</li>
<li>Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your thoughts &mdash; work toward sacred detachment</li>
<li>Ask the Holy Spirit to influence your will &mdash; gather data, write pros and cons, evaluate findings</li>
<li>Ask the Holy Spirit for spiritual consolation &mdash; wait for settled, deep confidence</li>
<li>Confirm the decision and move forward in faith</li>
</ol>
<hr>
Want More?
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>📥 Download the free four-week Decisions study guide at NicoleUnice.com/decisions &mdash; includes Nicole's notes from today's episode and reflection prompts for the whole series</li>
<li>📖 Scriptures from today: Matthew 26:39&ndash;45 &middot; Romans 12:2 &middot; 2 Peter 1:3&ndash;4 &middot; Galatians 6:14 &middot; 2 Timothy 1:7 &middot; Psalm 94:19 &middot; Matthew 11:28</li>
<li>📱 Follow Nicole's next chapter on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/?hl=en">@NicoleUnice</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/?hl=en"> </a>and on <a href="https://nicoleunice1.substack.com/">Substack</a> for weekly essays and updates on the church plant in Richmond, Virginia</li>
<li>🙏 Would you pray for Nicole, her husband Dave, and the city of Richmond, Virginia, as they begin this church planting journey?</li>
<li>🎙️ All 300+ episodes of How to Study the Bible remain available &mdash; go back and keep exploring God's word!</li>
<li>⭐ Leave a review and share the podcast with someone who needs it &mdash; even now that the show is wrapping up, your review helps new listeners find these episodes.</li>
<li>🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com</li>
</ul>
<hr>
"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you. May the Lord lift up His countenance unto you and give you His peace, both now and forever, and until we meet in heaven. Amen." &mdash; Nicole Unice

The 5 Steps of Discernment: How to Make Godly Decisions for Your Life

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b7ed142b-a162-4c82-be3c-b4d90178ef2a/transcript

We are so used to having answers at our fingertips. My algorithm serves up what I want, and I don't have to sift through anything or discern it. Slowly, we lose the spiritual muscle it takes to actually wait on the Lord. This week in our series on discerning God's voice, we're talking about the patience that listening requires. If we aren't prepared to wait on the Lord, we risk taking matters into our own hands, or passively missing out on something rich God has for us. So we'll look at what active waiting is, why it's so hard, and what the disciples in Acts 1 teach us about living fully while we wait.

What We Cover

Almost all of us are waiting on something. We're waiting for a relationship to begin, for the next step in our career, for a diagnosis to clear, for grief to pass. But we don't have to wait passively. We can wait actively.

Here's how I define it: active waiting is living in the present moment to the fullest, so we can actively look for signs of what's to come. It doesn't mean we stop existing or stop serving. That's the opposite of active waiting.

In this episode, we talk about:
Why waiting feels so vulnerable. It makes us face how little control we actually have, and it puts us in a position of surrender.
Jesus's last words before His ascension. His command was to wait, along with clear marching orders to be His witnesses.
How the disciples stayed active in the waiting. They prayed, gathered, made decisions together, and rejoiced until the Holy Spirit came.
Why none of us are in a waiting room. Whether you're in a season of active service or a season where you have to trust and rely on your relationship with God, you have a role to play in the kingdom.
The question I hear so often: Should I keep asking God for the answer? If asking brings you into deeper alignment with Him, keep asking. But if it makes you more impatient and self-absorbed, stop asking and start serving. God has not forgotten you or your request.

This is the day the Lord has made. Even without the answer, you can rejoice and be glad in it, and trust that He has heard your prayer.

Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 5:3, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 38:15, Psalm 130:5, Psalm 118:24, Psalm 37:4, Acts 1:3–11, Ecclesiastes 3:1

Want More?
Grab the free decision-making guide:nicoleunice.com/decisions
Book mentioned:Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life by Henri Nouwen

We are so used to having answers at our fingertips. My algorithm serves up what I want, and I don't have to sift through anything or discern it. Slowly, we lose the spiritual muscle it takes to actually wait on the Lord. This week in our series on discerning God's voice, we're talking about the patience that listening requires. If we aren't prepared to wait on the Lord, we risk taking matters into our own hands, or passively missing out on something rich God has for us. So we'll look at what active waiting is, why it's so hard, and what the disciples in Acts 1 teach us about living fully while we wait.
What We Cover
Almost all of us are waiting on something. We're waiting for a relationship to begin, for the next step in our career, for a diagnosis to clear, for grief to pass. But we don't have to wait passively. We can wait actively.
Here's how I define it: active waiting is living in the present moment to the fullest, so we can actively look for signs of what's to come. It doesn't mean we stop existing or stop serving. That's the opposite of active waiting.
In this episode, we talk about:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Why waiting feels so vulnerable. It makes us face how little control we actually have, and it puts us in a position of surrender.</li>
<li>Jesus's last words before His ascension. His command was to wait, along with clear marching orders to be His witnesses.</li>
<li>How the disciples stayed active in the waiting. They prayed, gathered, made decisions together, and rejoiced until the Holy Spirit came.</li>
<li>Why none of us are in a waiting room. Whether you're in a season of active service or a season where you have to trust and rely on your relationship with God, you have a role to play in the kingdom.</li>
<li>The question I hear so often: Should I keep asking God for the answer? If asking brings you into deeper alignment with Him, keep asking. But if it makes you more impatient and self-absorbed, stop asking and start serving. God has not forgotten you or your request.</li>
</ul>
This is the day the Lord has made. Even without the answer, you can rejoice and be glad in it, and trust that He has heard your prayer.
Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 5:3, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 38:15, Psalm 130:5, Psalm 118:24, Psalm 37:4, Acts 1:3&ndash;11, Ecclesiastes 3:1
Want More?
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Grab the free decision-making guide: <a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/discernment">nicoleunice.com/decisions</a></li>
<li>Book mentioned: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061686158?lv=shuf&amp;channelId=500&amp;plpRedirect=mhFallback">Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life by Henri Nouwen</a></li>
</ul>

Waiting for God's Voice: What to Do When God Hasn't Answered Yet

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/e769f23c-c65f-43aa-8afa-b4d2013e160d/transcript

We're in week two of our Wayfinding series on discerning God's will, and this week we're talking about something I've been thinking about a lot lately, partly because I spent three days hiking alone in the Santa Cruz Mountains before stepping into this new season of ministry. We're talking about terrain, and what the mountains and valleys of your life are actually trying to teach you.

Here's the first thing I want us to hold onto: we should expect both. Psalm 126 gives us this soaring, almost disbelieving joy: "When the Lord restored our fortunes, we were like those who dreamed." And Psalm 13 gives us the raw lament, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" Those two psalms sit just pages apart, and that's not an accident. That's the reality of life. Mountains and valleys, abundance and loss, seasons that surprise us with joy and seasons that bring us to our knees.

Download the free four-week Decisions study guide at https://www.NicoleUnice.com/decisions

The question for those of us in a season of discernment is: what is the terrain trying to clarify? And here's what I've found to be true: when we're wandering, when a decision hasn't come, when the direction still isn't clear, it often means God is still purifying our destination. He's showing us all the other things we're quietly serving alongside Him.

Because here's the thing about discernment that I really need us to understand. Discernment isn't about choosing between right and wrong. That's just obedience. Discernment is about choosing between good things, and knowing which good thing points you most directly toward your highest calling, which is serving God wholeheartedly. When serving God becomes the actual destination, everything else, your career, your relationships, your money, your time, becomes a means to that end. Not the end itself. And the moment any of those things becomes an end in itself, it becomes an idol.

I know that's rigorous. I know it's uncomfortable. It's uncomfortable for me too. But this is where the terrain does its work, because it's only possible to hear from God clearly when we're willing to live in the reality of our actual condition. Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek. He's not describing a special category of people. He's describing all of us, and saying that the ones who experience my blessing are the ones willing to live in the truth of that.

So this week, the invitation is simple but not easy: listen. Listen to God through His Word, through wise counsel, through what He's already done in your life. And stay in the uncomfortable zone of waiting, knowing that God is good and His hands are full of abundance.

Reflection Questions
What season are you in right now, a mountain, a valley, or somewhere in between?
Are there any good things in your life that have quietly become conditions you've placed on following God?
What would it look like this week to listen to God more intentionally, through His Word, through counsel, through silence?

Want More?
📥 Download the free four-week Decisions study guide at https://www.NicoleUnice.com/decisions - includes weekly reflection prompts to keep discernment moving between episodes
📖 Scriptures from today: Psalm 126 · Psalm 13 · Matthew 5:3–5 (Sermon on the Mount) · Psalm 66:16–20 · Genesis 32 (Jacob wrestling for the blessing)
📸 Want to see photos from Nicole's three-day solo pilgrimage in the Santa Cruz Mountains? Find them on Instagram @NicoleUnice or on her Substack (https://nicoleunice1.substack.com/) 

We're in week two of our Wayfinding series on discerning God's will, and this week we're talking about something I've been thinking about a lot lately, partly because I spent three days hiking alone in the Santa Cruz Mountains before stepping into this new season of ministry. We're talking about terrain, and what the mountains and valleys of your life are actually trying to teach you.
Here's the first thing I want us to hold onto: we should expect both. Psalm 126 gives us this soaring, almost disbelieving joy: "When the Lord restored our fortunes, we were like those who dreamed." And Psalm 13 gives us the raw lament, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" Those two psalms sit just pages apart, and that's not an accident. That's the reality of life. Mountains and valleys, abundance and loss, seasons that surprise us with joy and seasons that bring us to our knees.
Download the free four-week Decisions study guide at <a href="https://www.NicoleUnice.com/decisions">https://www.NicoleUnice.com/decisions</a>
The question for those of us in a season of discernment is: what is the terrain trying to clarify? And here's what I've found to be true: when we're wandering, when a decision hasn't come, when the direction still isn't clear, it often means God is still purifying our destination. He's showing us all the other things we're quietly serving alongside Him.
Because here's the thing about discernment that I really need us to understand. Discernment isn't about choosing between right and wrong. That's just obedience. Discernment is about choosing between good things, and knowing which good thing points you most directly toward your highest calling, which is serving God wholeheartedly. When serving God becomes the actual destination, everything else, your career, your relationships, your money, your time, becomes a means to that end. Not the end itself. And the moment any of those things becomes an end in itself, it becomes an idol.
I know that's rigorous. I know it's uncomfortable. It's uncomfortable for me too. But this is where the terrain does its work, because it's only possible to hear from God clearly when we're willing to live in the reality of our actual condition. Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek. He's not describing a special category of people. He's describing all of us, and saying that the ones who experience my blessing are the ones willing to live in the truth of that.
So this week, the invitation is simple but not easy: listen. Listen to God through His Word, through wise counsel, through what He's already done in your life. And stay in the uncomfortable zone of waiting, knowing that God is good and His hands are full of abundance.
<hr>
Reflection Questions
<ol dir="ltr">
<li>What season are you in right now, a mountain, a valley, or somewhere in between?</li>
<li>Are there any good things in your life that have quietly become conditions you've placed on following God?</li>
<li>What would it look like this week to listen to God more intentionally, through His Word, through counsel, through silence?</li>
</ol>
<hr>
Want More?
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>📥 Download the free four-week Decisions study guide at <a href="https://www.NicoleUnice.com/decisions">https://www.</a><a href="https://www.NicoleUnice.com/decisions">NicoleUnice.com/decisions</a> -&nbsp;includes weekly reflection prompts to keep discernment moving between episodes</li>
<li>📖 Scriptures from today: Psalm 126 &middot; Psalm 13 &middot; Matthew 5:3&ndash;5 (Sermon on the Mount) &middot; Psalm 66:16&ndash;20 &middot; Genesis 32 (Jacob wrestling for the blessing)</li>
<li>📸 Want to see photos from Nicole's three-day solo pilgrimage in the Santa Cruz Mountains? Find them on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/?hl=en">@NicoleUnice</a> or on her&nbsp;<a href="https://nicoleunice1.substack.com/">Substack</a> (<a href="https://nicoleunice1.substack.com/)">https://nicoleunice1.substack.com/)</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

How Knowing Your Season Will Help Your Decision Making

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/87186352-1fe3-4ed2-b4f5-b4cc00008b72/transcript

If you're facing a decision right now, or wondering where God is in the middle of a season you didn't plan for, this series is going to meet you right where you are. Over the next four weeks, we're talking about discerning God's will and wayfinding to the good life, and it comes straight out of what I have personally been walking through as we've been discerning a major next step in my own life.

Download the free four-week study guide on Discerning God's Will at NicoleUnice.com/decisions

But before we get into decisions and direction, we have to start somewhere that might feel a little unexpected. We have to start with desire.

I know that word can feel uncomfortable, especially if you've grown up in the church hearing that desires are dangerous or selfish. But the Bible tells a very different story. Psalm 37:4 says God will give you the desires of your heart. Jesus Himself asks people over and over again, "What do you want?" And in John chapter 7, standing up at a Jewish festival in a loud voice that would have stopped everyone around Him, Jesus says, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me." He is addressing a longing. He is meeting a desire. He is saying, if there is something in you that is unsatisfied, come to me.

So what do you actually want? Most of us are working from surface-level desires. I want that promotion. I want out of this pain. I want more money, more peace, more security. And those things are real. But underneath them is usually something deeper and truer. The desire for security. For love. For freedom from fear. For purpose. For a life that actually matters. And those deeper desires? Those are holy. Those are God-given. Those are actually reflecting the image of God in you.

We also look at what God promises about the good life, because here's something Jesus says that a lot of us have missed: the kingdom of God is not just heaven someday. In Luke 17:21, He says the kingdom of God is already among you. And Romans 14:17 tells us what that kingdom actually looks and feels like: goodness, peace, joy, and power in the Holy Spirit. That is what's available to you right now, not just one day, here on earth.

So this week, I want to give you one brave invitation: ask yourself what you really want. And then ask again, what is the desire under that desire? Be honest with God. Be courageous. Even if you've never talked to God before, start there. Because that's exactly where the discernment journey begins.

Reflection Questions
What do you want right now, in this season of your life?
What is the desire underneath that desire?
If you could experience goodness, peace, joy, and power in your everyday life, would that be what you want?
Where do you sense God might be inviting you to trust Him with your deepest longings?

Want More?
📥 Download the free four-week Discernment study guide at NicoleUnice.com/decisions — follow along with the series and use it as a tool for talking to God about your next step

If you're facing a decision right now, or wondering where God is in the middle of a season you didn't plan for, this series is going to meet you right where you are. Over the next four weeks, we're talking about discerning God's will and wayfinding to the good life, and it comes straight out of what I have personally been walking through as we've been discerning a major next step in my own life.
Download the free four-week study guide on Discerning God's Will at <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/decisions">NicoleUnice.com/decisions</a>
But before we get into decisions and direction, we have to start somewhere that might feel a little unexpected. We have to start with desire.
I know that word can feel uncomfortable, especially if you've grown up in the church hearing that desires are dangerous or selfish. But the Bible tells a very different story. Psalm 37:4 says God will give you the desires of your heart. Jesus Himself asks people over and over again, "What do you want?" And in John chapter 7, standing up at a Jewish festival in a loud voice that would have stopped everyone around Him, Jesus says, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me." He is addressing a longing. He is meeting a desire. He is saying, if there is something in you that is unsatisfied, come to me.
So what do you actually want? Most of us are working from surface-level desires. I want that promotion. I want out of this pain. I want more money, more peace, more security. And those things are real. But underneath them is usually something deeper and truer. The desire for security. For love. For freedom from fear. For purpose. For a life that actually matters. And those deeper desires? Those are holy. Those are God-given. Those are actually reflecting the image of God in you.
We also look at what God promises about the good life, because here's something Jesus says that a lot of us have missed: the kingdom of God is not just heaven someday. In Luke 17:21, He says the kingdom of God is already among you. And Romans 14:17 tells us what that kingdom actually looks and feels like: goodness, peace, joy, and power in the Holy Spirit. That is what's available to you right now, not just one day, here on earth.
So this week, I want to give you one brave invitation: ask yourself what you really want. And then ask again, what is the desire under that desire? Be honest with God. Be courageous. Even if you've never talked to God before, start there. Because that's exactly where the discernment journey begins.
<hr>
Reflection Questions
<ol dir="ltr">
<li>What do you want right now, in this season of your life?</li>
<li>What is the desire underneath that desire?</li>
<li>If you could experience goodness, peace, joy, and power in your everyday life, would that be what you want?</li>
<li>Where do you sense God might be inviting you to trust Him with your deepest longings?</li>
</ol>
<hr>
Want More?
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>📥 Download the free four-week Discernment study guide&nbsp;at <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/decisions">NicoleUnice.com/decisions</a> &mdash; follow along with the series and use it as a tool for talking to God about your next step</li>
</ul>

Discerning God's Will Starts with Knowing What You Really Want 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/cf1590c6-f9c9-480b-96a3-b4c40176dfe3/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

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/

Creating Rhythms of Silence and Solitude

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

Special Bonus Episode from "Untangling Prayer with Rachel Wojo"

Today’s episode features a special bonus conversation from "Untangling Prayer" hosted by Rachel Wojo. She interviews Kristy Graham host of On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse. Through powerful stories of faith, service, and God’s work around the world, this episode offers a reminder that Scripture is not just something we study—it’s something we live out.

Discover how Samaritan’s Purse is bringing hope, meeting physical needs, and sharing the message of Christ with people across the globe.

To hear more inspiring stories from On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, visit:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

You'll discover:
Why joy in suffering comes from God's presence rather than changed circumstances
How to pray honestly and still surrender the outcome to God
What persecuted believers pray for instead of protection, and why it matters
The difference between praying for your circumstances to change and letting God change your heart
Why serving others in your own pain can lift the weight you're carrying

If you're in a season where your prayers feel unanswered, this conversation is a reminder that you are seen by a loving God who understands your pain and meets you in it.

Resources Mentioned:
On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast: ontheground.samaritanspurse.org
Learn more about Samaritan's Purse: samaritanspurse.org

Special Bonus Episode from <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/untangling-prayer-with-rachel-wojo/">"Untangling Prayer with Rachel Wojo"</a>
Today&rsquo;s episode features a special bonus conversation from "Untangling Prayer" hosted by Rachel Wojo. She interviews Kristy Graham host of <a href="https://link.pscrb.fm/0f410/howtostudythebiblelifeaudiosamaritanspursejuly2026-c06d9">On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse</a>. Through powerful stories of faith, service, and God&rsquo;s work around the world, this episode offers a reminder that Scripture is not just something we study&mdash;it&rsquo;s something we live out.
Discover how Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse is bringing hope, meeting physical needs, and sharing the message of Christ with people across the globe.
To hear more inspiring stories from On the Ground with Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse, visit: <a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?utm_source=FY26LifeAudioFeedDropsHomepageLink&amp;utm_medium=direct&amp;utm_campaign=m_YMIN-26L3&amp;utm_content=redirect" data-start="780" data-end="812">https://www.samaritanspurse.org/</a>
<hr>
You'll discover:
<ul>
<li>Why joy in suffering comes from God's presence rather than changed circumstances</li>
<li>How to pray honestly and still surrender the outcome to God</li>
<li>What persecuted believers pray for instead of protection, and why it matters</li>
<li>The difference between praying for your circumstances to change and letting God change your heart</li>
<li>Why serving others in your own pain can lift the weight you're carrying</li>
</ul>
If you're in a season where your prayers feel unanswered, this conversation is a reminder that you are seen by a loving God who understands your pain and meets you in it.
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li>On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast: <a href="https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/home">ontheground.samaritanspurse.org</a></li>
<li>Learn more about Samaritan's Purse: <a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?utm_source=FY26LifeAudioFeedDropsHomepageLink&amp;utm_medium=direct&amp;utm_campaign=m_YMIN-26L3&amp;utm_content=redirect">samaritanspurse.org</a></li>
</ul>

Bonus: Finding Joy When God's Answer Is No with Kristy Graham of Samaritan's Purse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/e9cd05f1-0186-427c-a0a8-b47400d20b77/transcript

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

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

315 clip(s)