34 Episodes

Episode 1

Why God Gave Choice

In the opening pages of the Bible, God gives the first humans a choice. But why? We invite you to reflect with us on this first week of the Reflections podcast by BibleProject.

15m • December 29, 2020

Episode 2

Wrestling God

Did God really pick a fight with Jacob in the middle of the night? Are we reading this right? In today’s study, we’re exploring a fascinating story from Genesis that shows us God’s relentless commitment to bless his people despite themselves.

13m • January 6, 2021

Episode 3

When We Cry Out

How does God respond when his people cry out to him? In today’s study, we invite you to contemplate the ancient Exodus story for the first time or with fresh eyes.

15m • January 13, 2021

Episode 4

Rescued for a Purpose

Last week, we explored how God rescues his people when they cry out to him. In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on why God rescues his people. He doesn’t only free us from corruption, he free us for restoration. His rescue is not just for us but for the restoration of the whole world.

12m • January 20, 2021

Episode 5

Meaning of Sacrifice

In today’s reflection, we are exploring the biblical theme of sacrifice and atonement. It can feel strange and uncomfortable at first, but as we learn more, we’ll discover just how life-giving and powerful this biblical theme is.

12m • January 27, 2021

Episode 6

Gift of Rest

In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on the meaning and importance of rest. As we explore the biblical concept of Sabbath and the ancient festival of Jubilee, we’ll find wisdom and principles that are still relevant for us today.

13m • February 2, 2021

Episode 7

Trusting God in the Wilderness

How does fear hold us back from experiencing God’s promises? In this episode, we reflect on God's trustworthy character and how he responds when his people fail to trust and follow him.

11m • February 9, 2021

Episode 8

God's Wisdom on Display

Why did God give his people so many rules? In this episode, we’re reflecting on the wisdom and purpose of God's commands.

12m • February 17, 2021

Episode 9

Understanding Ancient Law

How can we understand the ancient laws in the Old Testament? And what’s the point of reading them today? In this episode, we are learning how to read the ancient laws that God gave to Israel and reflecting on how they can impact our choices today.

11m • February 24, 2021

Episode 10

Making Sense of Divine Violence

There’s a lot of violence in the Old Testament, but isn’t God loving? How do we make sense of all this?

14m • March 3, 2021

Episode 11

When We Walk Out on God

What happens when we turn our backs on God? In this episode, we are reflecting on how God responds when his people walk out on him and when they return.

12m • March 10, 2021

Episode 12

How God Treats His Enemies

Where is God in the midst of impossible situations? In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on Ruth, a woman who came from a nation that violently opposed God’s people. Despite this, Ruth became an example of God’s loyal love even in the midst of impossibly difficult circumstances. We’ll also reflect on God’s impartial and merciful character and the hope he offers to all who trust in him.

12m • March 17, 2021

Episode 13

When You Feel Powerless

What should we do when life is unfair and everything feels out of control? In this episode of the Reflections podcast, we are reflecting on God’s powerful response to the cries of the powerless in 1 Samuel 2.

13m • March 24, 2021

Episode 14

Faithful Through Failure

Humanity’s failures never cancel God’s faithfulness to his promise. In fact, the God of Israel became human to fulfill the promise himself. Jesus, the long awaited King, faithfully completed everything we have left undone.

14m • March 31, 2021

Episode 15

Redeeming Disappointment

Where is God when the people we look up to disappoint us? In this episode, we learn how Israel’s long line of disappointing kings is meant to point us to a greater King, Jesus. He is the true David and a better Solomon. He leads God’s people with wisdom, unites the nations, and makes a way for God’s presence to dwell among his people. Wherever people disappoint, King Jesus is there, inviting us into the beauty of his temple––his perfect presence.

14m • April 7, 2021

Episode 16

What God Does About Suffering

Why does God allow so much suffering in the world? And is he doing anything about it? The Bible doesn’t answer all of our questions about why God allows suffering. But it does tell us a story about how God responds to human suffering. We learn that God has chosen to partner with humans to deliver communities from suffering, and that he chose to enter our pain by becoming human himself. Jesus took up the worst of human suffering, shoved it into a grave, and rose again to give us a new future––one that’s free of injustice and grief. Yes, our questions around suffering are valid. God hears us and understands our pain. Today, let’s tune into the question God has for us. As we face suffering in the world, will we partner with him to be a part of his solution?

14m • April 14, 2021

Episode 17

Message of the Prophets

Who are the Hebrew prophets? God wants his people to flourish, but sin destroys a community. In this Reflections podcast we learn that God sends his prophets to warn his people so they might turn from sin and its destruction.

12m • April 21, 2021

Episode 18

What Good News Looks Like

How is God at work in the world today? Jesus read from Isaiah 61 to describe what it looks like when the good news of his kingdom is at work in the world: the ignored are honored, the poor are fed, and the sick receive care. This kind of stuff happens wherever followers of Jesus honor him as King.

12m • April 28, 2021

Episode 19

What God Wants From Us

What does God really want as he relates to us? In this episode of the Reflections podcast, Carissa will teach us from the book of Hosea, where we’ll discover what God desires in relationship with us.

14m • May 5, 2021

Episode 20

God’s Mercy on Our Enemy

How can we show God’s mercy to people who’ve hurt us?

14m • May 7, 2021

Episode 21

How God Replies to Job’s Suffering

What do we need to remember in the midst of our suffering?

15m • May 12, 2021

Episode 22

How to Live Wisely

What does it mean to fear God and be wise?

13m • May 19, 2021

Episode 23

Power of Metaphor

What is the purpose of metaphor in the Bible?

14m • May 26, 2021

Episode 24

One Handful of Rest

How can we approach our responsibilities in life with wisdom and a healthy mindset?

15m • June 2, 2021

Episode 25

Wisdom from Sensual Love Poetry?

How do we gain wisdom from sensual Hebrew love poetry?

15m • June 8, 2021

Episode 26

The Deep Anguish of God

Why is there so much anger and violence in the Old Testament books of the prophets?

15m • June 16, 2021

Episode 27

Learning How to Grieve from Lamentations

How can we get through grief?

14m • June 24, 2021

Episode 28

Promise for New Hearts

God’s people have failed over and over again. Will there ever be a day when we get it right?

14m • June 30, 2021

Episode 29

Is God Inclusive?

What can we learn from Ezra and Nehemiah's stories?

15m • July 1, 2021

Episode 30

Who Does God Choose to Work Through?

What kind of person does God choose to work through most often?

16m • July 1, 2021

Episode 31

There’s Hope in the Nightmare

There’s so much pain and injustice in the world. Is there any hope?

13m • July 2, 2021

Episode 32

Treasured by God

When we’re overwhelmed by the state of our world, what should we do?

13m • July 2, 2021

Episode 33

Looking Back to Look Forward

How does Chronicles help us understand where the story of the Bible leads?

13m • July 2, 2021

New

Episode 34

Our Final Podcast Episode

Learn why the podcast portion of Reflections Bible Study has wrapped up.

15m • July 7, 2021