Bible in a Year (The Story) Podcast
Bible in a Year (The Story) podcast features Professor Rachel Bodell, a marketing storyteller who teaches marketing, innovation, and leadership at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA University). She will not only read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation in one year, but she will share all the resources that have helped her to understand the Bible as one unfolding connected story along the way through short commentaries and reflections from biblical scholars, most of which read original biblical languages like Hebrew and Greek (e.g., Dr. Tim Mackie, N.T. Wright, Dr. Carmen Imes, Dr. Jeannine Hanger, Dr. James Petitfils, Kristi Mclelland, Dr. John Walton, Dr. Michael Heiser, and Dr. Lucy, Peppiatt) By 2024, we hope to additionally offer special episodes from the renowned Bible scholars themselves that will help you understand the context of hard-to-understand stories within the meta-narrative of the Bible. We want to help you not only listen but hear what God is saying through the Bible every year and grow in your understanding, practice, and re-telling of the story to others as you learn more about how all the pieces of the Bible fit together to tell the GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD with a God that is inviting us to participate in the story as it is unfolding today! Each episode is about 15 minutes and includes two to three scripture readings and a short commentary and reflection with suggested biblical scholar sources (e.g. The Bible Project and Premiere Insights) for this is our prayer ”that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1:9-11). Some passages of the Bible and commentary reflections contain adult themes that may not be suitable for younger children - parental discretion is advised. Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Today we read Numbers 34, Deuteronomy 33, and Psalm 120. This story is about inheritance in the form of land and the land is always described as something God gives. We revisit and add to our understanding of “cities of refuge” in this story. We read the blessings Moses gave to the tribes of Israel and we wrestle with the tension of these two stories Numbers and Deuteronomy, coming to an end without an end. We are told of Israel's future drift, even in full view of the promised land. We are also told of God’s persistent grace. His love and mercy without end. We are promised that He has and He will prevail.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Today we read Numbers 33, Deuteronomy 32, and Psalm 118. The story comes towards the end of the Torah, Moses and Yahweh God are reminding the people of “the story” in the unified story of the Bible. The peoples endless struggle with rebellion and God’s relentless grace and mercy. Today we talk about how our lives are our offering to God today and that we all have talents and together, the people of God are stronger to keep focused and safeguard against drift.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Today we read Numbers 32, Deuteronomy 31, and Psalm 117. This story is interesting. It’s a story about two and a half of the twelve tribes who want to settle outside the Promised Land, but are willing to help in the mission for the Promised Land. Biblical scholars debate whether this request was accommodated for by God or allowed by God, as in respecting the choice of these tribes to self-exile. Most biblical scholars view it as an accommodation based on the agreement between Moses and the tribes. The story in Deuteronomy is a clear signaling of the people making the choice we’ve seen modeled in many stories so far, rebellion and disobedience. It is also a story of God retelling His commitment as He has shown all along, to rescue, restore, and redeem when the people’s hearts are ready to make the change. God keeps His promises. He is just, merciful, and full of grace. This is told in a sermon and song at the same time that the leadership is being transitioned from Moses to Joshua.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Saturday Apr 22, 2023
Saturday Apr 22, 2023
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Today we read Numbers 31, Deuteronomy 30, and Psalm 116. We read about God’s victory against adversaries that tempt the people of God into worshiping other gods. Remember, God already dealt with the Israelites who defected. This story is also about Moses passionately asking the people of God to choose life with the one who is your life, a choice must be made in response to God’s intervention.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Today we read Numbers 29-30, Deuteronomy 29, and Psalm 113. This story is a reminder of the importance of God’s rhythm and practice of remembrance, The need for atonement, and the importance of gratitude, humility, and generosity. We also learn from this part of the story that tension is mounting and Israel/we cannot change our own hearts regardless of the model or process, God will circumcise our hearts so that we can love the Lord God. Lastly, the story offers Israel some edits to representative vows and authority which has some reverberation to God giving us a portion of His power and authority to use that representative power to make a covenantal vow with Him or not.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Today we read Numbers 27-28, Deuteronomy 28, and Psalm 112. In this story, there are two accounts of right relationship with God. First the daughters of Zelophehad who were “right” in their request for the inheritance God promised and Joshua, or in Hebrew, Y'shua (Hebrew: ישוע), the next leader of Israel who was filled with the spirit. This story describes his relationship with God in the Hebrew word 'urim’ which means to be or give light, to shine. The word is connected to truth and receiving God’s prophecy; it is the opposite of darkness. This is interesting because the Ancient Greek name Jesus, was actually derived from the Aramaic and Greek forms of Yeshua/Y’shua - in English, Joshua. The story in Deuteronomy paints this vivid illustration of a life without God where His hand, His breath, His voice does not interfere in the self-exile Israel, they/we initiate when they/we choose our own way over Him and His ways. Every time I read it, I feel this discomfort and softening of my heart and will to God’s way. I think American’s, like me, who love the concept of freedom, struggle with the idea of taking that freedom and yielding it to Him, not to die or end, but to thrive under His leadership.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Today we read Numbers 26, Deuteronomy 27, and Psalm 111. In this story, we read about the start of the next generation, the children of the Exodus generation who were freed from slavery in Egypt, and rescued by God. We start their story and discuss something important about generations, being grateful for the one before us and empowering, preparing the succession to the generation after us. Then we read about decision time, blessings, and what is present in the absence of blessing. Wandering leads to exile and exile, death. Will we respond to God’s call to obey Him with our whole heart today?
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Today we read Numbers 24-25, Deuteronomy 26, and Psalm 107. We continued the story of the sorcerer Balaam which reveals two important things, God is sovereign and the lure of other gods leads Israel to break the first commandment. This leads to devastating outcomes. This story also included a prophecy of a king that would come from the line of Judah, it would be God’s king, and we know this will be Jesus. In the second story, we are reminded of our greatest defense: listening, wholeheartedly obeying, and giving generously our first and best to orphans, widows, those serving God, and more. This story reminds us that God’s laws are after relationship and they are acts of worship whereas most other relationships are laws to earn or arrive at some type of better place or existence. God’s law is differentiated from all else.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon (2017) Numbers Q&R. Episode 6. Podcast. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/numbers-q-r/
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Saturday Apr 15, 2023
Saturday Apr 15, 2023
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.