Here's the tea: the Bible makes a lot more sense when you let it explain itself. One passage at a time, we dig into what's really going on and see the character and heart of God in what He says and does. No gatekeeping, no lecture, and no pressure to land where anyone else does.
Let us see the sacred person beyond the sacred page.
"You're really cute, but I have no idea what you're saying."
In Finding Nemo, Marlin asks the little sea turtle Squirt for directions, and Squirt answers fast and in his own surfer lingo. Marlin really wants to know what Squirt is telling him. He just can't understand it. If that's how you feel when you open the Bible, this is a good place for you.
Who it's for
You don't need a seminary degree. You need time in the text.
You grew up in church and some stories never quite made sense.
You're new to the Bible and don't know where to start.
You love the Bible and want to understand it better.
You're skeptical and would rather read it for yourself.
You don't believe in God, but you're curious what the Bible actually says.
You're angry at God and want real answers, not easy ones.
Curiosity, not contempt
God asks questions. So can we.
It's easy to come to God with statements already made: "That makes no sense." "God would never." "I already know what this means." Contempt closes the conversation before it starts. Curiosity keeps it open.
In Genesis 3, right after the first people sinned, God didn't walk into the garden with a lecture. He came asking questions. He already knew the answers, and He asked anyway, inviting them to talk with Him.
We need to approach Him the same way He approached us. So on The TriniTea, instead of making statements, we ask questions, and then we let the text answer.
"Where are you?"Genesis 3:9 ESV
"Who told you that you were naked?"Genesis 3:11 ESV
"What is this that you have done?"Genesis 3:13 ESV
How we steep it
Three parts, one pot.
01 · Curious
Start with the question
Every passage raises questions, even the familiar ones. Why is it written this way? What did it mean to the people who first heard it? How are we supposed to read it? Whether it's a strange story or a verse you've heard a hundred times, we start by asking.
02 · In the text
Let Scripture explain Scripture
Where else does this show up? What came before it, and what comes after? We read passages side by side and let the Bible fill in its own context. You'll leave thinking, "I could do this too."
03 · Character & heart
See who He is
What does God say here? What does He do, or not do? We watch Him across the whole story, the way you'd get to know a friend. His actions show us His character and His heart, and together, those are what make Him trustworthy.
Betsy brings the same curious, welcoming conversation from the podcast to churches, retreats, conferences, small groups and organizations. Everyone leaves feeling more confident opening the Bible themselves, whether they've read it for years or are just getting started.
Church service or gatheringA single message for a Sunday, a midweek night or a special event.
Retreat or conferenceA keynote, or a series of sessions over a weekend.
WorkshopA hands-on session that teaches people to let Scripture explain Scripture, with time to try it.
Small group or organizationBible studies, women's and men's groups, ministry teams and more.
Youth and studentsMiddle school, high school and college groups, retreats and camps. Betsy loves helping young people find out they can read the Bible for themselves.
What should Betsy teach?
You choose. Pick a passage or a topic your group is curious about, and Betsy will come and teach it.
Honorarium
Betsy asks for a $500 donation, a love offering, or a mix of both, plus help with travel expenses if the event isn't local.
Smaller budget? Please reach out anyway. Betsy loves teaching live and would love to talk and see what you can work out together.
Send a speaking request
Tell Betsy a bit about your event and she'll get back to you.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast app. The TriniTea started as an audio podcast, so for the full list of every lesson, head to Spotify.
I didn't grow up with the Bible. When I was little, my family went to church on Christmas and Easter, and then we stopped going for many years. When I was a teenager, my mom got a job in a church nursery, and the only reason I was willing to go with her was the live music. It was the one place I could hear free live music every week. Then one morning my mom came in and told me I was going on a mission trip I hadn't signed up for. Someone at church had paid for me to go.
On that trip I watched the faces of elderly people as we sang "How Great Thou Art" to them, and I felt like I was missing something ancient. Later, after a sermon about being worth more than the world had told me, I was in a room with every window and door closed when "My Savior, My God" came on. Suddenly a wind knocked me to my knees. How did I get knocked to my knees when there was no way wind could enter the room? I'm someone who always wants evidence, and I couldn't explain it. But in that moment I simply knew God was real.
Coming to Scripture with fresh eyes turned out to be a gift. I had no idea what God "had" to be, so I could just read the text and ask questions. I studied biblical studies at Eastern University, served as a youth pastor twice, and earned a master's in clinical counseling from Missio Seminary. Since then I've worked many jobs in many different fields, but through all of it, teaching Scripture has been my deepest passion. I love it most when I'm teaching live and people dig into the text with me: asking questions, noticing things I've never seen, and discovering together what it shows us about God.
I believe the Apostles' Creed is the bedrock, and almost everything else is open for conversation. The Bible shows more than it tells, so we get to know God the way we know a friend: by watching what He does over a long period of time. Sometimes He'll confuse us. But God plays a long game, and His character is worth trusting.
In June 2024 I went into septic shock and nearly died in surgery. For a while afterward my mind was foggy, but what I knew of God stayed clear. Coming that close to dying made me realize I wanted the people I love to always be able to hear what I think about Jesus, even if I'm not here to tell them myself. So I started recording The TriniTea, even if only my friends and family ever listened. Now I'm so grateful that it reaches people I'll never get to sit with in person. That's a real blessing. But my biggest dream is still to teach face to face, because there's something wonderful about discovering God together, in the same place at the same time.
Wherever you're listening from, I hope The TriniTea blesses you and helps you get to know God and be in wonder of Him. Let's get into it.
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Restoration in the Wilderness
Play on Spotify
