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117 – Part 2 - Understanding Foundational Christian Words
Episode 1179th September 2025 • Small Steps with God • Jill from The Northwoods
00:00:00 00:35:31

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That Shape Faith: Exploring Biblical Vocabulary for a Deeper Walk

In this episode, we explore foundational words used in the Bible—like prayer, peace, joy, meditation, repentance, and more—and discover their deeper meanings in both their original languages and practical application today.

Understanding these terms helps reshape how we experience God and live out our faith. Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned reader, this episode is a refreshing guide to revisiting the building blocks of biblical truth.

What Is Prayer Really About?
We dig into the Hebrew and Greek meanings of prayer, exploring how Jesus modeled communication with God. It’s not about rituals—it’s about relationship, honesty, and surrender.

Peace Beyond Calm
Peace isn’t just the absence of conflict. It’s a state of reconciliation and wholeness. We look at shalom and its implications for personal and communal well-being.

Joy That Endures
Biblical joy, unlike happiness, persists through trials. We connect joy to grace, understanding that it flows from God’s presence—not our circumstances.

Meditation, Reimagined
Christian meditation isn’t about emptying your mind but filling it with God’s Word. We explore ancient practices like Lectio Divina and practical tools for daily life.

Repentance and Transformation
More than guilt or punishment, repentance is an invitation to rethink and return to God. It’s a change of direction that brings freedom.

Salvation, Sanctification, and Your Identity
We clarify the difference between salvation (God’s gift) and sanctification (our ongoing growth). You are set apart for something holy.

Justice and Righteousness
Biblical justice protects the vulnerable and corrects wrongs. Righteousness is about living rightly, not looking perfect. Both are central to God’s kingdom.

Key Takeaways

This episode shows how understanding biblical language helps us connect more deeply with God’s truth. These words aren’t just theological—they’re practical tools for transformation. Prayer becomes honest dialogue. Peace becomes a daily posture. Joy becomes rooted in grace. And justice and righteousness guide our actions with compassion and integrity.

The more we understand the meanings behind these words, the more we can live them out. Even if you’ve heard them a hundred times, hearing them again—through the lens of Scripture and everyday life—can bring new clarity and encouragement

Download blank templates, schedules here:
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Jill’s Links
https://jillfromthenorthwoods.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgod

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/schmern

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.”


Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

“The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved”.


Bible Maps and images used with permission from https://www.bible.ca/maps/ or https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bj-ot-world/

Copyright 2014 Faithlife / Logos Bible Software. Free for non-commercial use by individuals or organizations. May be presented before live audiences; may be posted on social media; may be re-distributed. May not be used commercially. May not be modified or included in published works without permission; contact permissions@faithlife.com. Attribute as: “Copyright 2014 Faithlife / Logos Bible Software ()”.

By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.

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