These show notes cover a solo teaching episode with Russ. He explains what a biblical pilgrimage is, why Psalm 84 matters, and how Psalms 120 through 134 form the Song of Ascents. The main takeaway is simple and practical: faith is often a journey, and these psalms give language for the road.

Inside the episode:

• In this episode, Russ opens with a personal story about a life-changing trip to China with Eugene Bach and Cameron Robinson, using it as a picture of how a journey begins long before departure.
• He defines a pilgrimage as a journey to a sacred place for a spiritual purpose, then connects that idea to ancient Israel traveling to Jerusalem for festivals like Passover and the Feast of Booths.
• Russ reads Psalm 84 and highlights its longing for God’s house, including the image of “highways” in the heart and the journey through the “valley of weeping.”
• He explains the phrase “Selah” as a pause to reflect, and points out the repeated theme of growing stronger on the way to God’s presence.
• Russ introduces Psalms 120 through 134 as the Song of Ascents, a 15-psalm collection traditionally associated with pilgrims going up to Jerusalem.
• He traces the movement of the collection from conflict and distance in Psalm 120, to trust and protection in Psalm 121, to arrival and gladness in Psalm 122.
• He notes that the songs are not only about travel, but about life on the journey - including suffering, work, family, forgiveness, waiting, and learning to be still before God.
• Russ highlights Psalm 132’s focus on God choosing Jerusalem as his dwelling place among his people, while clarifying that this does not mean God is confined to a building.
• He closes with Psalm 133’s unity and Psalm 134’s blessing, showing the collection’s movement from far away conflict to worship and harmony in Jerusalem.
• The practical challenge is to read Psalms 120 through 134 in one sitting as preparation for worship.

This episode explains how the royal psalms first made sense in the context of Israel’s kings, then take on fuller meaning when read through Jesus. Russ uses the image of mountains in Bozeman to show how later revelation helps us see what was there all along in Scripture.We discuss Psalm 2, Psalm 72, and Psalm 110 as three key royal psalms, then close with a reading challenge from Psalm 89. Along the way, Russ connects the Hebrew Mashiach, the Greek Christos, Davidic kingship, and Jesus as both King and High Priest.

Inside the episode:

• In this episode, Russ introduces the “mountain behind the mountain” idea using the Bridger Mountains near Bozeman as a picture of how Scripture can have an original meaning and a later, fuller meaning.
• He explains that royal psalms were written about Israel’s kings, celebrating their rule, praying for them, and remembering God’s promises to David and his descendants.
• Russ unpacks the word Messiah from the Hebrew Mashiach, meaning “anointed one,” and explains the Old Testament practice of pouring oil over prophets, priests, and kings.
• He connects the Greek Christos to the word Christ, showing that “Jesus Christ” means Jesus the Messiah, or Jesus the anointed king.
• Psalm 2 is presented as a royal psalm about the king of Israel, especially the line “You are my son,” which Russ connects to God’s covenant with David.
• He notes that New Testament writers repeatedly quote Psalm 2 and apply it to Jesus, showing Jesus as the Son of David and God’s anointed one.
• Psalm 72 is discussed as a portrait of the ideal king, marked by justice, righteousness, concern for the poor, defense of the oppressed, and blessing for the nations.
• Russ emphasizes that no king in Israel’s history fully matched Psalm 72 until Jesus, who fulfills the vision of a righteous worldwide king.
• Psalm 110 is highlighted as unique because it describes a king who is also a priest, but not from Aaron’s line, instead “after the order of Melchizedek.”
• He explains how Psalm 110 becomes crucial in the New Testament, especially in Jesus’ teaching, Peter’s Pentecost sermon, and the book of Hebrews.
• Russ reads Hebrews 4 to show Jesus as the great high priest who sympathizes with human weakness and invites believers to draw near with confidence to receive mercy and grace.
• The episode closes by tying the three psalms together: Psalm 2 reveals the King, Psalm 72 shows the kingdom, and Psalm 110 shows the King as Priest.
• Russ ends with a reading challenge from Psalm 89, inviting listeners to reflect on what happens when God’s promise to David seems to clash with visible history.

This episode explores the difference between head knowledge and true relationship with God through the Greek word epignosis. Russ uses several New Testament passages to show that Bible reading is meant to lead to deeper encounter, not just more information.He also shares personal stories from a small group conversation, a college church service, Glacier Bible Camp, and his own devotional time to show how God reveals himself in both dramatic and quiet ways.

Inside the episode:

• Russ opens with a story from a small group where a young woman described a powerful prayer meeting experience that confirmed her faith.
• The main theme is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally.
• He introduces the Greek word epignosis as a fuller, deeper, more definite kind of knowledge.
• In Ephesians 1, Paul prays that believers would grow in the epignosis of God, showing that even Christians need deeper relationship, not just conversion.
• In Colossians 1, Paul prays for epignosis of God’s will, connecting spiritual insight with wise decisions and fruitful living.
• Russ contrasts this with 2 Timothy 3, where people are “always learning and never able to arrive at an epignosis of the truth.”
• He warns that Bible knowledge without obedience or relationship can leave a person spiritually unchanged.
• Russ reframes the goal of Bible reading: not to know all the stories or ace a theology exam, but to know God.
• He shares personal examples of God speaking through camp, a church service in college, and daily Scripture reading.
• He closes by encouraging listeners to read the Bible expectantly, asking God what he is saying through the text.