Today I’m taking us into Mark 1, because sometimes life gets a little off-kilter—and when it does, I really believe we need to return to the basics and refocus on who Jesus is. Mark is the shortest and most action-packed Gospel, and it’s such a powerful place to start (or start again), especially if you’re feeling spiritually disoriented or overwhelmed by all the competing voices around you.

In this first chapter, we watch the story move fast: prophecy fulfilled, John the Baptist preparing the way, Jesus baptized, Jesus tested in the wilderness, and then Jesus stepping into ministry—calling ordinary disciples and bringing wholeness everywhere He goes. And by the end of the chapter, we land on this stunning moment where a man with leprosy asks, “If you are willing…” and Jesus responds, “I am willing.” That’s the heartbeat of this episode: Jesus is willing to cleanse, heal, forgive, and restore. The question I want to leave us with is: Am I willing to come to Him?

What We Will Cover in Our Study of Mark 1 - 


A clear overview of Mark 1 and how quickly it introduces Jesus’ identity, authority, and mission.


Understand why Mark opens with Old Testament prophecy and what that signals about Jesus as Messiah.


See the purpose of repentance as a heart-level “turning” that prepares the way for Jesus in our lives.


Notice the pattern: affirmation → wilderness → ministry (Jesus is declared beloved, then tested, then sent).


Learn what discipleship looks like in Mark: ordinary people called to follow Jesus up close.


Recognize Jesus’ authority in real-life categories: spiritual oppression, sickness, fear, and isolation.


Catch the significance of Jesus touching the leper: compassion over ceremonial distance; holiness moving toward suffering.


Walk away with a personal invitation: Jesus is willing—will I bring my need to Him?

Resources mentioned:
Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/


Nicole’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Today I&rsquo;m taking us into Mark 1, because sometimes life gets a little off-kilter&mdash;and when it does, I really believe we need to return to the basics and refocus on who Jesus is. Mark is the shortest and most action-packed Gospel, and it&rsquo;s such a powerful place to start (or start again), especially if you&rsquo;re feeling spiritually disoriented or overwhelmed by all the competing voices around you.
In this first chapter, we watch the story move fast: prophecy fulfilled, John the Baptist preparing the way, Jesus baptized, Jesus tested in the wilderness, and then Jesus stepping into ministry&mdash;calling ordinary disciples and bringing wholeness everywhere He goes. And by the end of the chapter, we land on this stunning moment where a man with leprosy asks, &ldquo;If you are willing&hellip;&rdquo; and Jesus responds, &ldquo;I am willing.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s the heartbeat of this episode: Jesus is willing to cleanse, heal, forgive, and restore. The question I want to leave us with is: Am I willing to come to Him?
What We Will Cover in Our Study of Mark 1 -&nbsp;
<ul data-start="1729" data-end="2613">
<li data-start="1729" data-end="1838">
A clear overview of Mark 1 and how quickly it introduces Jesus&rsquo; identity, authority, and mission.
</li>
<li data-start="1839" data-end="1946">
Understand why Mark opens with Old Testament prophecy and what that signals about Jesus as Messiah.
</li>
<li data-start="1947" data-end="2057">
See the purpose of repentance as a heart-level &ldquo;turning&rdquo; that prepares the way for Jesus in our lives.
</li>
<li data-start="2058" data-end="2174">
Notice the pattern: affirmation &rarr; wilderness &rarr; ministry (Jesus is declared beloved, then tested, then sent).
</li>
<li data-start="2175" data-end="2275">
Learn what discipleship looks like in Mark: ordinary people called to follow Jesus up close.
</li>
<li data-start="2276" data-end="2388">
Recognize Jesus&rsquo; authority in real-life categories: spiritual oppression, sickness, fear, and isolation.
</li>
<li data-start="2389" data-end="2519">
Catch the significance of Jesus touching the leper: compassion over ceremonial distance; holiness moving toward suffering.
</li>
<li data-start="2520" data-end="2613">
Walk away with a personal invitation: Jesus is willing&mdash;will I bring my need to Him?
</li>
</ul>
Resources mentioned:
<ul data-start="2895" data-end="3213" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-start="2895" data-end="2973">Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a></li>
<li data-start="2974" data-end="3060">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice">Nicole&rsquo;s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice</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>.

How To Study The Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

When Life Feels Off-Kilter: Go Back to the Gospels | A Bible Study on Mark 1

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b82c6bc4-0207-4f88-b851-b3eb013ce222/transcript