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

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

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