The Tree
Exclusive clip from RVL Discipleship: The Study
Clip from: RVL Discipleship: The Study – Season 1 – Episode 3
Why does the Bible mention Tamarisk Trees?
The Bible is full of tiny details that many modern readers would not make connections to. An example of this is the mention of tamarisk trees in the Bible. When God made His promise to Abraham that he and his descendants would received the Promised Land, Abraham planted a tamarisk tree. This action might seem odd and insignificant to us, but to those who understand the desert and its ecosystem, this was a massive declaration.
In response to God’s promise, Abraham planted the tamarisk tree which is the slowest growing tree. Tamarisk trees take years to develop, and Abraham likely would not reap the benefits that these trees provide. However, Abraham trusted God’s promise that he planted this tree in faith knowing that The Lord’s promise would be fulfilled.
If we trusted God’s promises in the same way Abraham did, how would our lives look different?
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About Ray Vander Laan
Ray Vander Laan is a master in biblical context who, for the first time, is sharing his methods to a wider audience. Ray’s passionate style of teaching connects with students of all ages and inspired his founding of That The World May Know, a ministry focused on location-based teaching of scripture. He has personally guided thousands of people on study tours and released 18 volumes of educational content. RVL Discipleship™ is the culmination of his time in the physical steps of the Rabbi.
RVL’s teaching style brings the Bible to life with real-world insights that are rooted in deep scriptural truth, each session connects ancient wisdom with modern living. Witness how these teachings can inspire your small group to live boldly for Christ.
Jesus’ original disciples really knew their Bible. As modern-day followers of Christ, it is vitally important that we value Scripture in the same way. Season 1 of The Study outlines how we are meant to interact with the Text.
Discipleship was formalized with the rise of rabbis in Jewish culture, but the concept really started much earlier than that. Season 2 explores the roots of discipleship, examining how God trained and established the nation of Israel in preparation for Jesus’ ministry to come.
What was daily life like for the Jews of Jesus’ day? Season 3 of The Study focuses on Jesus as a man, our God made flesh, who chose to reveal Himself as a first century rabbi to a first century Jewish audience.
The fourth and final season of The Study focuses on the practical role of a rabbi’s followers in the first century, unpacking cultural and scriptural implications and applying them to our lives as modern-day followers of Jesus.
In RVL Discipleship: The Study, join Bible scholar Ray Vander Laan as he guides you from simply knowing Scripture to experiencing it as a disciple of Jesus. Through the lens of culture, history, and context, you’ll explore what it meant to be one of Jesus’ original disciples—and what that means for us today. This four-season video series invites small groups and individuals to take steps of faith, moving from learning about Christ to living like Him.
In RVL Discipleship: The Study, join Bible scholar Ray Vander Laan as he guides you from simply knowing Scripture to experiencing it as a disciple of Jesus. Through the lens of culture, history, and context, you’ll explore what it meant to be one of Jesus’ original disciples—and what that means for us today. This four-season video series invites small groups and individuals to take steps of faith, moving from learning about Christ to living like Him.
Embark on a transformative journey with our RVL Discipleship: The Study printed participant guides. These guides are your trusted companion to the video episodes as they expertly lead you through the lessons for each of the four seasons of RVL Discipleship: The Study. Within its pages, you’ll uncover thought-provoking discussion questions, and a treasure trove of tools designed to ensure that your study experience is nothing short of enriching and inspiring.
In RVL Discipleship: The Study, join Bible scholar Ray Vander Laan as he guides you from simply knowing Scripture to experiencing it as a disciple of Jesus. Through the lens of culture, history, and context, you’ll explore what it meant to be one of Jesus’ original disciples—and what that means for us today. This four-season video series invites small groups and individuals to take steps of faith, moving from learning about Christ to living like Him.
The Southern Poverty Law Center couldn’t be more wrong. They recently named Focus on the Family to its radical and inflammatory “hate group” list. Ridiculous!
The ministry you support is pro-person, not pro-sin. We follow the infallible biblical truth that God created two (and only two) genders, and that marriage is a sacred institution between one man and one woman. These are divinely inspired beliefs held by faithful Christians for thousands of years, not hate speech.
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President of Focus on the Family