Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Discover how real places illuminate real faith. In this episode, we walk through two gorgeous visual guides by Dr. David deSilva—Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul and Archaeology and the World of Jesus—and explore how inscriptions, city layouts, and everyday artifacts deepen our Bible study. We connect sites like Ephesus, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colossae, Qumran, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, and Emmaus to the world of Scripture so we can read Paul’s letters and the Gospels with sharper historical and cultural context.
We also point you to study Bible resources that pair well with biblical archaeology: Crossway’s ESV Archaeology Study Bible, the (sadly out-of-print) NIV Archaeological Study Bible by Zondervan, and the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (Zondervan). Whether you’re new to Christian discipleship or seasoned in biblical interpretation, this walkthrough will help you connect archaeology, ancient context, and Christian formation in practical ways for teaching, preaching, and small-group Bible study.
About Disciple Dojo
We create clear, accessible resources to help followers of Jesus grow in sound theology, wise biblical interpretation, and everyday discipleship. From long-form teaching to book/Bible reviews and interviews with scholars and ministry leaders, our goal is to equip the church with tools that are faithful, thoughtful, and usable.
If this helped you: please subscribe, tap the bell, give it a like, and drop a comment with your favorite archaeology-informed resource (peer-reviewed sensational claims!). Explore more teaching, podcasts, and study materials on our site and podcast feed.
Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul - amazon.com/Archaeology-Ministry-Paul-Visual-Testament/dp/1540960951
Archaeology and the World of Jesus - amazon.com/Archaeology-World-Jesus-Gospels-Testament/dp/154096096X
Related videos:
* Inside the Temple of Apollo at Didyma - youtu.be/5GYhNeMMk6A
* Walking around Ephesus - youtu.be/bEAuat7Dx40
* A Virtual Tour of the 7 Churches of Revelation with Dr. David DeSilva - youtu.be/3xDIAlJAYqA
* Crossway Archaeology Study Bible review - youtu.be/JZ_MM4KFpls
* Zondervan Archaeological Study Bible review - youtu.be/0AEWTmXWua4
* Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible review - youtu.be/0dNTdceIYvc
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - zazzle.com/discipledojo
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at discipledojo.org
Subscribe to the Disciple Dojo podcast for more in-depth teaching and discussions:
SoundCloud - soundcloud.com/discipledojo
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/26BDZz70HmnT5eoD9BEKQ7
iTunes - itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/disciple-dojo/id1002934837
Amazon - tinyurl.com/uz8dbfet
Discover how real places illuminate real faith. In this episode, we walk through two gorgeous visual guides by Dr. David deSilva—Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul and Archaeology and the World of Jesus—and explore how inscriptions, city layouts, and everyday artifacts deepen our Bible study. We connect sites like Ephesus, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colossae, Qumran, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, and Emmaus to the world of Scripture so we can read Paul’s letters and the Gospels with sharper historical and cultural context.
We also point you to study Bible resources that pair well with biblical archaeology: Crossway’s ESV Archaeology Study Bible, the (sadly out-of-print) NIV Archaeological Study Bible by Zondervan, and the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (Zondervan). Whether you’re new to Christian discipleship or seasoned in biblical interpretation, this walkthrough will help you connect archaeology, ancient context, and Christian formation in practical ways for teaching, preaching, and small-group Bible study.
About Disciple Dojo
We create clear, accessible resources to help followers of Jesus grow in sound theology, wise biblical interpretation, and everyday discipleship. From long-form teaching to book/Bible reviews and interviews with scholars and ministry leaders, our goal is to equip the church with tools that are faithful, thoughtful, and usable.
If this helped you: please subscribe, tap the bell, give it a like, and drop a comment with your favorite archaeology-informed resource (peer-reviewed sensational claims!). Explore more teaching, podcasts, and study materials on our site and podcast feed.
Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul - amazon.com/Archaeology-Ministry-Paul-Visual-Testament/dp/1540960951
Archaeology and the World of Jesus - amazon.com/Archaeology-World-Jesus-Gospels-Testament/dp/154096096X
Related videos:
* Inside the Temple of Apollo at Didyma - youtu.be/5GYhNeMMk6A
* Walking around Ephesus - youtu.be/bEAuat7Dx40
* A Virtual Tour of the 7 Churches of Revelation with Dr. David DeSilva - youtu.be/3xDIAlJAYqA
* Crossway Archaeology Study Bible review - youtu.be/JZ_MM4KFpls
* Zondervan Archaeological Study Bible review - youtu.be/0AEWTmXWua4
* Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible review - youtu.be/0dNTdceIYvc
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - zazzle.com/discipledojo
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at discipledojo.org
Subscribe to the Disciple Dojo podcast for more in-depth teaching and discussions:
SoundCloud - soundcloud.com/discipledojo
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/26BDZz70HmnT5eoD9BEKQ7
iTunes - itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/disciple-dojo/id1002934837
Amazon - tinyurl.com/uz8dbfet
