Scripture First

The lectionary text for the first Sunday of 2025 is filled with options to focus a sermon on. Lars Olson joins Kiri and Mason to break down a few of them. 

First, we discuss the theologically packed f…

Mary and Joseph lose Jesus for several days after the Passover festival only to find him in the temple with the rabbis. 

Sarah Stenson teaches us the incredible confession Mary has when she says to th…

This week we’re discussing Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist, giving her sermon to Mary, pregnant with Jesus, and Mary’s Magnificat in response. 

Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson point out the imp…

This week, Dr. Chris Croghan is back to discuss John the Baptist in this Advent text saying, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” 

Ma…

In this week’s conversation, Lars Olson explains what the season of Advent is and why it’s not simply a season of preparation ahead of Christmas: it’s announcing Christ is here, now. 

Lars also teache…

In a text about the signs of Christ’s return, Sarah Stenson teaches us this week that Christians have always looked for the signs that Jesus is about to return. Even Martin Luther listed the events h…

Pilate asks Jesus a seemingly straightforward question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" As you’ll hear Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us, it’s anything but.

If a king is truly sovereign, he cannot be put o…

Jesus and the disciples are back at the temple when the disciples exclaim, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 

You might think this is the disciples admiring a beautiful chur…

Jesus warns his disciples of the scribes who walk around in long robes, like to be greeted with respect, and have the best seats at banquets.

We ask Lars Olson, what’s so bad about wearing long robes …

Take a moment to answer this question to yourself: what is a saint?

For All Saints Sunday, Sarah Stenson asks Kiri, Max, and Mason what we think a saint is, and we think it’s a path you’re on to becom…

To discuss the Reformation Day text the lectionary gives us every year, we welcome Dr. Chris Croghan back to Scripture First to discuss what is truth. 

Jesus says to his disciples, "If you continue in…

James and John ask Jesus to grant them to sit in his glory at his right and left hands. As you’ll hear Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us in this week’s episode, they’re focused on what t…

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A man asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

Lars Olson explains how there’s one word that unlocks this man’s heart behind asking this question and why Jesus responds the way He does: …

In this week’s lectionary text, Jesus addresses some of the most hot-button issues when asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

Dr. Chris Croghan turns the heat up on those who are nervou…

The disciples report there is someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and Jesus says whoever is for Him cannot be against him. This spurs our conversation with Sarah Stenson about what it means to…

God tells the disciples to listen to Jesus. Jesus tells them exactly what’s going to happen. Yet they don’t understand. They argue about which of them is the greatest.

Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson exp…

Jesus puts His disciples on the spot by asking, “Who do you say that I am?” With nowhere to hide, Peter boldly proclaims, “You are the Messiah.” 

With that correct answer, Jesus clearly explains what …

Jesus goes deeper into the land of the Gentiles and encounters a woman who begs Jesus to cast out a demon possessing her daughter. He gives a curious answer: it wouldn’t be fair for Him to heal her. 

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In this week’s lectionary text, Jesus confronts the Jews for their hypocrisy: they believe they’re honoring God’s law by going above and beyond what it requires with man-made traditions. 

Sarah Stenso…