In this special bonus episode of How to Study the Bible, author and podcaster Carol McLeod joins Nicole to talk about falling in love with Scripture, walking with the Holy Spirit, and staying faithful in every season. From early-morning verse memory at her kitchen table, to decades of quiet service before writing her twentieth book, Carol reminds us that small beginnings matter. “His presence is all the preparation you need.” She shares a striking insight from Mark 5/Luke 8—linking a 12-year illness and a 12-year-old girl—and offers a tender word for anyone hurting this Christmas: Jesus came to carry your griefs.

"Christmas is especially for you if you’re hurting; Jesus came to carry your griefs.”

What We Discuss:

Model > mandate: Carol fell in love with Scripture because her dad lived it and invited her into his early-morning Bible time with intentional verse memory.

Start small & be faithful: Ministry often begins with a handful of people—dorm devos, a living-room group—long before books and microphones.

His presence prepares us: You can plan, but ultimately “His presence is all the preparation you need” when you teach or serve.

A double 12: A fresh reading of Mark 5/Luke 8 (woman hemorrhaging 12 years; Jairus’ daughter aged 12) calls us to care for both women with wounds and the next generation of girls who need Jesus.

Christmas is for the brokenhearted: Christ came not only to bear our sins but also to carry our griefs—especially good news for a hard holiday season.

Bible Verse References (linked)


Lamentations 3:22–23 — His mercies are new every morning.


Mark 5:21–43 / Luke 8:40–56 — Jairus’ daughter & the woman with the issue of blood (“Talitha koum”).


Isaiah 53:4 — He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

Want More?


Subscribe to How to Study the Bible and leave a rating/review to help others find the show.


Connect with Carol: resources, books, and devotionals at CarolMcLeodMinistries.com.


Discover Carol’s YouVersion plans: search “Carol McLeod” in the YouVersion Bible app.


Holiday help: check out Carol’s Christmas devotional, Let There Be Joy.
Check Out Carol's Podcast: The Significant Woman 
Download Nicole’s free Christmas Eve Family Liturgy:nicoleunice.com/christmas

In this special bonus episode of How to Study the Bible, author and podcaster Carol McLeod joins Nicole to talk about falling in love with Scripture, walking with the Holy Spirit, and staying faithful in every season. From early-morning verse memory at her kitchen table, to decades of quiet service before writing her twentieth book, Carol reminds us that small beginnings matter. &ldquo;His presence is all the preparation you need.&rdquo; She shares a striking insight from Mark 5/Luke 8&mdash;linking a 12-year illness and a 12-year-old girl&mdash;and offers a tender word for anyone hurting this Christmas: Jesus came to carry your griefs.
"Christmas is especially for you if you&rsquo;re hurting; Jesus came to carry your griefs.&rdquo;
What We Discuss:
Model &gt; mandate: Carol fell in love with Scripture because her dad lived it and invited her into his early-morning Bible time with intentional verse memory.
Start small &amp; be faithful: Ministry often begins with a handful of people&mdash;dorm devos, a living-room group&mdash;long before books and microphones.
His presence prepares us: You can plan, but ultimately &ldquo;His presence is all the preparation you need&rdquo; when you teach or serve.
A double 12: A fresh reading of Mark 5/Luke 8 (woman hemorrhaging 12 years; Jairus&rsquo; daughter aged 12) calls us to care for both women with wounds and the next generation of girls who need Jesus.
Christmas is for the brokenhearted: Christ came not only to bear our sins but also to carry our griefs&mdash;especially good news for a hard holiday season.
<hr data-start="2017" data-end="2020">
Bible Verse References (linked)
<ul data-start="2057" data-end="2531">
<li data-start="2057" data-end="2179">
<a data-start="2059" data-end="2140">Lamentations 3:22&ndash;23</a> &mdash; His mercies are new every morning.
</li>
<li data-start="2180" data-end="2412">
<a data-start="2182" data-end="2258">Mark 5:21&ndash;43</a> / <a data-start="2261" data-end="2337">Luke 8:40&ndash;56</a> &mdash; Jairus&rsquo; daughter &amp; the woman with the issue of blood (&ldquo;Talitha koum&rdquo;).
</li>
<li data-start="2413" data-end="2531">
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/53-4.html" data-start="2415" data-end="2478">Isaiah 53:4</a> &mdash; He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2533" data-end="2536">
Want More?
<ul data-start="2564" data-end="2958">
<li data-start="2564" data-end="2665">
Subscribe to How to Study the Bible and leave a rating/review to help others find the show.
</li>
<li data-start="2666" data-end="2761">
Connect with Carol: resources, books, and devotionals at <a href="CarolMcLeodMinistries.com">CarolMcLeodMinistries.com</a>.
</li>
<li data-start="2762" data-end="2855">
Discover Carol&rsquo;s YouVersion plans: search &ldquo;Carol McLeod&rdquo; in the YouVersion Bible app.
</li>
<li data-start="2856" data-end="2958">
Holiday help: check out Carol&rsquo;s Christmas devotional, <a href="https://www.carolmcleodministries.com/shop/p/let-there-be-joy-2">Let There Be Joy</a>.
</li>
<li>Check Out Carol's Podcast:&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/significant-women-with-carol-mcleod-carol-mcleod/id1500029875">The Significant Woman</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Download Nicole&rsquo;s free Christmas Eve Family Liturgy: <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/christmas/" data-start="2826" data-end="2892">nicoleunice.com/christmas</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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