Discover the Word Podcast

Ever wonder about the cultural norms left unsaid in the Bible? Discovering the collectivist perspective will help you better understand Scripture. 

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If we read the Bible exclusively from our Western individualist point of view, we may miss or misunderstand cultural values everybody in the ancient Mediterranean world understood. As this week’s guest, Randy Richards, reminds us, the values of kinship, patronage, and brokerage, which focus on the family or group dynamic instead of an individual, are found throughout Scripture. We also find examples of honor, shame, and boundaries in the Old and New Testaments that are used as tools to help enforce and strengthen these cultural values. 
Understanding the ancient Mediterranean culture that the Bible is set in can enrich our understanding of some Scripture passages. 
How has discovering some of the cultural backdrop of the Bible helped you gain a deeper understanding of Scripture and how the Bible applies to your life? 
What next step could you take toward learning more about the cultural context of the Old and New Testament? 

 
Reflect  
Why were the Pharisees trying to shame Jesus in Matthew 9:11? 
How was the apostle Paul trying to use shame in a positive sense in 1 Corinthians 15:34?  
In 1 Timothy 2:9, how was the apostle Paul trying to use shame in a positive way to encourage women to stand up against the culture’s way of dressing?  
Based on Romans 1:1, what was the role with the highest honor for the apostle Paul? 
How were the chief priests, teachers of the law, and the elders trying to have an honor contest with Jesus in Luke 20:1–8? 
Why did Jesus tell the parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9–14 to those who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else?  
Why is the apostle Paul setting a boundary in 1 Corinthians 10:27 –28? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that as I grow in my knowledge of Scripture, I can grow deeper in my love and understanding of You! Help me to dive deeper into Your Word, so my relationship with You can grow stronger. Help me to gain wisdom that I can apply to my life.”  
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by our guest E. Randolph Richards  
Listen: 
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes (with guest Randy Richards)) 
Understanding How to Read the Bible Today 
Read: 
Starting in the Right Place 
How Should We Read the Bible—and What Type of Book Is It, Anyway? 
Watch: 
In Pursuit of Peter 
In Pursuit of Paul

How does our Western/individualistic perspective limit our understanding of the Bible that was written from an Eastern/collectivist perspective? Discover some cultural norms left unsaid in Scripture.   

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As we read Scripture through the lens of our Western culture, this week’s guest, Randy Richards, reminds us that we may miss or misread some key values embedded in the Ancient Near Eastern culture the Bible was written in. Our Western individualist culture values “me” over “we,” but the Eastern collectivist culture that the Bible was set in values kinship, patronage, and brokerage that emphasize the family or group dynamic rather than an individual.  
Understanding the ancient Mediterranean culture that serves as the backdrop for the Bible can add rich context that can shed a whole new light on some passages of Scripture. 
How can discovering the cultural context of the Bible help you better understand and apply Scripture to your life? 
What could your next step toward learning more about the cultural context of the Old and New Testament look like? 
 
Reflect  
What can you learn about the family dynamics between Joseph and his father and brothers by reading Genesis 37 through the lens of valuing kinship, which emphasizes strong family ties and parents mediating between siblings? 
How does Ephesians 2:8 model the value of patronage, which emphasizes a patron giving a gift to help rescue a loyal friend? 
How do 1 Timothy 2:5 and 1 John 2:1 model the value of brokerage, which emphasizes having a mediator speak on your behalf? 
How do you feel reading John 1:12 and 1 Thessalonians 1:4 knowing you are part of God’s family?  
Based on Matthew 6:3 and Luke 6:35, how are Jesus’ disciples supposed to differ from the patronage culture of that time? 
How significant is it that Jesus calls His disciples, including you, His friends in John 15:15? 
Based on Romans 1:20–21 and Psalm 50, how are we to respond to God’s gifts? 
In Luke 7:1–10, why did the centurion send Jewish elders and then friends to Jesus instead of going to Jesus on his own?   
  
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that understanding more of the Bible’s cultural context can help me get a deeper understanding of You! Help me grow in my knowledge of Scripture so I can grow in my love for You! Help me to apply Your words to my life.”      

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by our guest E. Randolph Richards  
Listen: 
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes  
Misreading Paul | Week 1 
Misreading Paul | Week 2 
Read: 
Understanding the Original Situation 
In the Beginning: Reading Genesis and Exodus  
Watch: 
Biblical Context Explained 
The Holy Land

Struggling with worry and anxiety? No matter what you’re struggling with, discover how to cast your cares on God.

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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with worries, cares, and anxious thoughts, but you’re not meant to carry all those burdens on your own. Jesus said not to worry, and the apostle Paul said to cast all your cares on God.  
What are you worried about?  
What may be hindering you from trusting God with your worries, anxious thoughts, cares, and concerns?  
What could your next step toward trusting God more and worrying less look like? 
 
Reflect  
How does it feel knowing that God wants you to cast all your cares on Him as it says in 1 Peter 5:7 and that we’re to be anxious for nothing as you read in Philippians 4:6–7? 
How does Matthew 6:19–34 help you to not worry so much about tomorrow? 
How does the good soil Jesus mentioned in His parable found in Luke 8:4–18 differ from the other soil He mentioned? 
How can you stay focused on what matters most like Mary in Luke 10:38– 42 instead of being distracted by good things like Martha?  
How does Timothy’s genuine concern for the well-being of the Philippian church that the apostle Paul commended him for in Philippians 2:14–24 differ from unhealthy worry?  
 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that I don’t have to be consumed with worry and anxious thoughts. Thank You that I can go to You with all my cares and concerns. Help me to keep trusting You no matter my circumstances.”        
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Resilient  
Bible Engagement and "The Power of 4": A Key to Spiritual Growth| Center for Bible Engagement| Our Daily Bread  
Listen: 
Resilient  
Don’t Worry!  
Read: 
The Resilient Life  
How Can We Put Our Worries to Work for Us? 
Watch: 
Uncovering Resilient Faith with Lina AbuJamra (Unshakable Moxie) 
Worrying Steals Your Days - Luke 12:25

The apostle Paul often used the theme of running in his letters. Discover what he might have been trying to tell us through his running metaphor.

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The apostle Paul often used the metaphor of running a race to remind his readers, and us, how important it is to run our race well. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul encouraged believers to run away from sin and temptation and to run toward God.  
What have you been running toward lately? 
Is there something you need to flee from in your life so you can pursue God instead? 
What could your next step of running toward God look like? 

Reflect  
How can you run away from sin and temptation as the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:14? 
What does it look like to “run in such a way” as it says in 1 Corinthians 9:24? 
According to 1 Corinthians 9:26–27, why is it important to be disciplined along your Christian journey? 
Based on 1 Corinthians 14:1, what are we to be running toward? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that You are with me as I run the race You have set before me. Help me to run away from sin and temptation and run to You with my whole heart. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit can empower me to run my race well.”      

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 
In Pursuit of Paul 
Listen: 
Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes  
Paul, the Letter Writer | Week 1  
Paul, the Letter Writer | Week 2  
Read: 
The More Excellent Way: What Paul Actually Means in 1 Corinthians 13  
Spiritual Disciplines | Running the Race  
Watch: 
Why Do We Have to Struggle? | 1 Corinthians 10:13  
Cleansing the Body and Spirit – 2 Corinthians 7:1

In a sense, you could say that the entire Bible is about God’s desire to dwell with his people. Immanuel—God with us. Experiencing God’s presence is what we were created for. And we are promised in Scripture that if we seek God, we will find Him. But how do we experience the presence of God when we don’t see Him or feel like He’s with us? Well, in this series of conversations with Dr. David Mathewson, the Discover the Word group explores how experiencing God’s presence can be a regular practice and experience of God’s people. And time In His Presence can transform, heal, and empower us.

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From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is the story of God dwelling with His people. We were created to commune with God, but it can be challenging since we can’t see or feel Him. 
How can you experience God’s presence on a regular basis? 
Is there something hindering you from spending time in God’s Word and in prayer and worship so you can experience His transforming, empowering, and healing presence and power in your life? 
God longs to make His presence known to you.  

What could your next step toward seeking God’s presence look like? 
 
Reflect  
How does Genesis 1–2 reveal God’s desire from the very beginning to dwell among His people?  
According to Hebrews 4:11, why is spending time with God so important? 
How do you feel knowing that we have access to God the Father through His Son Jesus as it says in Hebrews10:19–22?  
What did the Bible figures mentioned throughout Hebrews 11 get commended for and how can that encourage you on your journey? 
What helped the psalmist in Psalm 73 go from despair to hope? 
Even now, how can you gaze upon God’s beauty as it says in Psalm 27:4? 
How does Revelation 4–5 fill you with hope for what awaits in heaven? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that You long to spend time with me. Thank You that I can feel Your presence even though I can’t see You. Help me as I seek to feel Your loving, healing, and empowering presence in my life. Thank You that in Your presence, there is fullness of joy!”      
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 
30 Days in God's Presence  by Dr. David Mathewson from Denver Seminary and Jennifer J Fitzgerald   
Listen: 
What Is Faith?  
Does Sabbath Still Matter? 
Read: 
In His Presence  
The Promise of Presence - John 14:15–17, 25–31  
Watch: 
Hebrews 11:1 - Biblical Faith  
Revelation 4:8 | Holy, Holy, Holy