You're Invited to the Taste and See Online Bible Study

Taste and see that the Lord is good! — Psalm 34:8

Some of my favorite memories have happened around the table.

The sweetest times involve family and friends enjoying delicious food and drinks, laughing and sometimes crying together, telling (and re-telling) old stories, reminiscing about good times, and sharing the Word, godly encouragement, and good jokes! Something special happens when a simple, hot loaf of sourdough bread is passed around with a plate of Irish butter… when a beautiful roast that’s been rubbed with rosemary, thyme, garlic, and kosher salt is welcomed with wide eyes and ooh’s and aah’s… when everyone at the table takes that first gooey bite of French onion soup with long, cheesy strings of Swiss Gruyere from bowls to mouths. Something beautiful — something mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healing — happens when we gather together around the table and share an appetizing meal.

But, you may be wondering… what does that have to do with the Bible? What does Scripture say about food? Does God even care about what we eat?

It might seem like what we consume hardly matters in the grand scope of eternity, but we’re going to discover that God takes a particular interest in food! In fact, as Margaret Feinberg exclaims in Taste and See,

“God is a foodie!”

Have you heard of Taste and See? It’s the brand-new book and Bible study from Margaret Feinberg, one of our favorite teachers and writers, and it has been almost 10 years in the making! And, we are as excited as popcorn on a skillet to announce that this study is our new community Online Bible Study in the New Year, starting January 21^st! This study will be like none we have ever done before, combining rich Bible study with cooking demos and invitations to go on food adventures! In Taste and See, you will go on a culinary journey through the Bible, discovering all the rich connections between food and Scripture — and what that reveals to us about God. You will explore:

• God as the creator of all food — and what His original Garden reveals to us about His goodness, creativity, and desire for us to live an abundant, fruitful life.
• How food in Scripture so often points toward God’s provision, protection, and presence.
• The importance of meals in Jesus’ ministry — both in large groups (the feeding of the 5,000) and discipleship of His leaders (the Last Supper) — and how we can follow His example to nurture deeper connections around the table. Jesus broke bread, served others, exemplified gratitude and how to pray to the Father, and it all happened around the table! (Or in some cases, breakfast on the beach).

And that is just the tip of the iceberg lettuce! There is so much more you will learn in this study. From manna to the mustard seed, the olive Branch, to Jesus’ handcrafted wine, you will delight in discovering the significance and meaning of food in the Bible… and what it means to our spiritual development and relationship with Jesus, the Bread of life (John 6:25-59).

And there’s one other aspect to this study that I have to mention… I don’t know about you, but I want to find healing for the ways I don’t have a healthy relationship with food and experience more of His presence. This time of year, there is such a focus on diets and losing weight… Food can be frustrating, right? It can start to feel like the enemy and carry all this unnecessary baggage and burden. I’ve gone up and down in weight, put on extra fluff when stressed, and shadow-boxed in a hate-love relationship with the beautiful food God gave us for our nourishment and our enjoyment! Maybe that sounds familiar… Let’s do something different this year. Let’s feed our soul on God – let’s feast on His goodness. Because truly, my deepest heart hunger it to know God more through this study, to be satisfied in Him, and balanced in the way I savor His goodness.

Think about the amazing variety of colors, tastes, and textures of healthy foods He created for us to eat! Pomegranates, almonds, Cripps pink apples, grains used to make pasta and bread, blood oranges for juicing, dates, olives, blueberries, sun-warmed heirloom tomatoes with a sprinkle of salt, and Brussels sprouts (Ok, you might hate them now, but roast them drizzled with olive oil and sea salt and a little garlic at 425 until crispy and you’ll think you died and went to Heaven!).

So much goodness! The Taste and See OBS will awaken your heart and your tastebuds to the richness of food in Scripture, what it means, and how good our God is.

Here’s a look at our calendar for Taste and See:

• Week One (Jan 21-27) — You’re Invited to the Table
• Week Two (Jan 28-Feb 3) — Delighting in the Sweetness of Fruitfulness
• Week Three (Feb 4-10) — Chewing on the Bread of Life
• Week Four (Feb 11-17) — Savoring the Salt of the Earth
• Week Five (Feb 18-24) — Relishing the Olive and Its Oil
• Week Six (Feb 25-Mar 3) — Discovering the Liturgy of the Table
• Wrap up and catch up (Mar 4-10)

Bonus: One of my favorite parts of the study is the invitation to donate nutritious food to the needy! What a wonderful way to honor and celebrate the Lord’s goodness and bounty!

Watch the Video Invitation from Margaret

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Your Turn

Will you join us at the table? Come share with us on our blog when you register and why not invite a few friends, too? It’s the perfect study for groups, and each week there are recipe ideas and a tasty activity you can try at the opening of the study (on your own or with a group). Plus, we have some free goodies for you when you sign up, including a beautiful Scripture printable of Psalm 34:8 – Taste & See that the Lord is Good!

Get FREE access to the six teaching videos, free recipes + first chapters, plus these free printables of Psalm 34:8 when you sign up:

Let’s make that our declaration as we enter the New Year!