Athey Creek: Audio Podcast

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | Ephesians 1:15-23” from Ephesians 1:15-23 by Brett Meador.

Sitting in a prison cell, Paul had every reason to be sad, angry, or bitter, yet he chose to focus on Jesus and respond with joyful worship despite his crushing circumstances. In Ephesians 1:3–14, we see how Paul combines deep theology and worship as he praises God from prison, and we learn how to embrace that same mindset as we face our own trials.

We begin our study of Ephesians by examining the opulent yet morally distorted culture of its day and seeing how strikingly similar it is to our own. Then, as we walk through Paul’s extended, unbroken praise of Christ in Ephesians 1:1–14, we explore rich theological truths, including election, predestination, adoption, and inheritance.

In Ephesians 1:8–10, Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus that God has a plan and purpose that brings Him pleasure. As we unpack this mystery, we discover four things we know that show how God is working in our lives, how to walk in the assignment we’ve been given, and why we don’t need to worry as we live in His perfect peace.

We wrap up the book of Galatians with Paul’s final thoughts on love over legalism. As we study Galatians 6, we learn how he calls us to treat one another, let go of legalistic behavior, and keep our focus on Jesus Christ.

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | Galatians 5” from Galatians 5 by Brett Meador.

In Galatians 5:1, Paul addresses a major issue in the Galatian church: a failure to understand the true freedom Christ came to give. On Palm Sunday 2026, we look at how similar confusion happened when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna.” As we study, we see how Jesus has been misunderstood throughout history, why these misconceptions and fickleness are so dangerous to our faith, and the true freedom we find when we understand who He really is and why He came.

Galatians 4 is a chapter full of comparisons that help us understand our relationship with God, the law versus liberty, and the identification of truth in a world full of lies. As we study, we see how these contrasting themes show us how to live as heirs of God’s promise, avoid being dazzled by false teachers, and walk in freedom and faith.

The Galatian church had questions about the Levitical law, whether they should follow it, and how it applied to their lives. In Galatians 3, Paul provides a comprehensive answer, reminding them of the work God had already done in their lives, pointing to Scripture to explain the history and purpose of the law, and showing how it was fulfilled in Jesus while still serving to reveal sin.

Even as some influential leaders within the church drift toward requiring the law for salvation, Paul stands firm in Galatians 2. In his powerful defense, he explains the situation, shows how the law reveals sin but cannot remove it, and reminds us that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

In Galatians 2:21, Paul states that he does not wish to frustrate the grace of God – that is, to reject God’s kindness toward us. To illustrate this, we examine two Old Testament stories: one shows a person who received grace, the other shows someone who refused it with disastrous consequences. As we reflect on these examples, we see why we should respond in acceptance rather than disregard.

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | Galatians 1” from Galatians 1 by Brett Meador.

Paul issues a strong warning to the church at Galatia against following different gospels – regardless of the source – because there is only one path to salvation. As we study Galatians 1:1-10, we see how people are still tripped up by false teachers today, learn to recognize these perversions of the gospel, and, most importantly, ensure we understand that salvation comes only by grace through faith.

In 2 Corinthians 12–13, we hear Paul’s final words to the church at Corinth as he seeks to build them up, root out lingering sin and false teachers, and firmly establish his credentials as an apostle with God-given authority. As we reflect on his message, may we learn not to take correction as criticism, to align ourselves with the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and rejoice in the grace and love found in Him.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, Paul shares a deeply personal struggle he calls “a thorn in the flesh” – a weakness he prayed would be removed, but the Lord chose to leave in place. Perhaps you can relate as you pray for relief from your own burdens but see no change. As we study this passage, we learn how God uses our struggles to display His strength and how He develops godly character in us when we allow Him to work through our weakness.

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | 2 Corinthians 10-11” from 2 Corinthians 10-11 by Brett Meador.

Paul confronts the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 10:7-12 concerning their emphasis on outward appearance and expectations of how an apostle should look and sound. Unfortunately, this tendency to judge by external expectations is common in both the Bible and our culture today. As we study, we see the danger of evaluating by appearance rather than by substance, learn what God looks at in our hearts, and discover how He wants to make us into people He can use, regardless of outward appearances.

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | 2 Corinthians 9” from 2 Corinthians 9 by Brett Meador.

Paul makes a short statement of thanksgiving and rejoicing in 2 Corinthians 9:15 that carries profound eternal significance. As we consider God’s gift – so great that Paul can barely describe it – we learn who can receive it, how it must be accepted by faith, and how this gift changes everything, now and for eternity.

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | 2 Corinthians 8” from 2 Corinthians 8 by Brett Meador.