Have you ever wondered what it truly means to align your life with the Torah, not just as ancient scripture but as a living, breathing guide for faith? TJ from Bear Independent has shared an impactful three-part video series diving deep into his personal testimony (Part 1: Testimony), the foundational covenants of the Bible (Part 2: Covenants), and his own convictions (Part 3: Convictions). Together, these videos explore the path of Torah observance and the relationship between Old and New Testament teachings.
I’ve taken some key timestamps and reflections from all three videos to stir conversation and reflection. Let’s dive into TJ’s thoughts and see how they resonate with our understanding of scripture.
TJ begins his journey by sharing a deeply personal testimony about his transition from skepticism and rebellion to an unwavering faith in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah (00:51). He recounts his disillusionment with traditional church practices, leading to a decade of exploring alternative spiritual paths (03:37). A life-changing spiritual attack (05:29) drew him back to Jesus, setting him on a path to rediscover what it means to live a life pleasing to God.
One pivotal point (13:30) is TJ’s realization that true spiritual fulfillment cannot come from outsourcing faith to pastors or institutions—it’s a personal responsibility. He shares how reading scripture daily and examining the teachings of Yeshua led him to seek a more authentic relationship with God. How does this compare to your journey? Have you ever felt called to revisit the basics of your faith?
In Torah Part 2: Covenants, TJ unpacks the seven covenants in the Bible, showing how each builds upon the previous and culminates in the Messianic Covenant (00:58). Starting with Adam in Genesis 2, he highlights how these agreements between God and man are both blessings and responsibilities.
One striking moment comes when he discusses the renewed covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-33 and its connection to Hebrews 8:8-10 (17:32). TJ challenges the idea of a “new” covenant, emphasizing that it is a renewed covenant that calls for the law to be written on our hearts. Do you see this renewed covenant as a continuation of the Torah? What implications does this have for modern believers?
Finally, in Torah Part 3: Convictions, TJ shares how walking in Torah has transformed his life spiritually, relationally, and practically. He candidly speaks about the cost of living Torah, such as family tensions and societal misunderstandings (34:44), yet emphasizes the spiritual rewards: deeper relationships, clarity of purpose, and countless blessings (28:37).
A highlight is his assertion that Yeshua is the Messiah and that Torah observance is a natural outflow of salvation through Him (48:36). He passionately explains that obedience brings blessings—not as a means of salvation but as a reflection of our love and gratitude toward God. What are your thoughts on his perspective? Do you see Torah observance as a response to faith or as something more?
I’ve taken some key timestamps and reflections from all three videos to stir conversation and reflection. Let’s dive into TJ’s thoughts and see how they resonate with our understanding of scripture.
Part 1: Testimony – Rediscovering Faith through Torah
TJ begins his journey by sharing a deeply personal testimony about his transition from skepticism and rebellion to an unwavering faith in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah (00:51). He recounts his disillusionment with traditional church practices, leading to a decade of exploring alternative spiritual paths (03:37). A life-changing spiritual attack (05:29) drew him back to Jesus, setting him on a path to rediscover what it means to live a life pleasing to God.
One pivotal point (13:30) is TJ’s realization that true spiritual fulfillment cannot come from outsourcing faith to pastors or institutions—it’s a personal responsibility. He shares how reading scripture daily and examining the teachings of Yeshua led him to seek a more authentic relationship with God. How does this compare to your journey? Have you ever felt called to revisit the basics of your faith?
Part 2: Covenants – The Framework of Faith
In Torah Part 2: Covenants, TJ unpacks the seven covenants in the Bible, showing how each builds upon the previous and culminates in the Messianic Covenant (00:58). Starting with Adam in Genesis 2, he highlights how these agreements between God and man are both blessings and responsibilities.
One striking moment comes when he discusses the renewed covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-33 and its connection to Hebrews 8:8-10 (17:32). TJ challenges the idea of a “new” covenant, emphasizing that it is a renewed covenant that calls for the law to be written on our hearts. Do you see this renewed covenant as a continuation of the Torah? What implications does this have for modern believers?
Part 3: Convictions – Living the Torah
Finally, in Torah Part 3: Convictions, TJ shares how walking in Torah has transformed his life spiritually, relationally, and practically. He candidly speaks about the cost of living Torah, such as family tensions and societal misunderstandings (34:44), yet emphasizes the spiritual rewards: deeper relationships, clarity of purpose, and countless blessings (28:37).
A highlight is his assertion that Yeshua is the Messiah and that Torah observance is a natural outflow of salvation through Him (48:36). He passionately explains that obedience brings blessings—not as a means of salvation but as a reflection of our love and gratitude toward God. What are your thoughts on his perspective? Do you see Torah observance as a response to faith or as something more?
Questions for Reflection
- TJ often quotes Yeshua’s words: “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). How do you interpret this in the context of Torah observance today?
- The connection between Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 8:10 suggests that the Torah is to be written on our hearts. What does this mean for daily living?
- How do you balance the challenges of modern life with the call to keep the commandments, observe the feasts (Leviticus 23), and honor the Sabbath?