Discover the Word Podcast

Some time ago Elisa led us in conversations about "tables" and how certain mealtimes moved the story of the Bible forward. For these two weeks Bill wants the group to consider the opposite—how famines (or the lack of food) was a catalyst for biblical events and a force for change in the lives of the characters of the Scriptures.

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When we stop and consider that so many men and women in the Bible experienced various hardships, including famines, we see how God was still working in their lives to draw them closer to Him. From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and his family to Naomi and Ruth and King David, they all found themselves in challenging situations. Some of their circumstances may raise some difficult questions, but they also offer some helpful insights into what it means to be people of faith, who in spite of any questions, learn to trust God even in life's most difficult times.  
How does reading about how God helped well-known Old Testament figures even during times of famines help you trust God despite your circumstances?  
What could your next step toward trusting God during hard times look like?  
 
Reflect  
How might Abram’s response to a famine in Genesis 12:10 have influenced how his son Isaac response to the famine in Genesis 26:1? 
How did the famine mentioned in Genesis 42:5 work out for good for Jacob and his family?  
How did God give Naomi beauty for ashes after the famine mentioned in Ruth 1:1? 
Why did King David want to avoid the famine mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:13? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for being with me even in difficult times. Help me to trust You despite my circumstances. Help me to love and serve You whether I’m in a season of feast or famine.”  
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Joseph by Bill Crowder 
Tables in the Story of God Week 1 
Tables in the Story of God Week 2 
The Book of Naomi 
The Gospel of Ruth 
Listen: 
Inseparable   
God Is at Work      
Read: 
It's Not Fair - Trusting God When Life Doesn't Make Sense 
Navigating the Wilderness 
Watch: 
Never Out of God’s Sight - Genesis 41:1 
Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21

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It may be one of the most well-known verses on confession and forgiveness in all of Scripture, but what does 1 John 1:9 mean? And how can it impact the way you live both day to day and from here to eternity? As you consider this Bible verse phrase by phrase, may this crucial statement penned by Jesus’ disciple, John, become a reality to you. 1. If we confess . . . 2. . . . . our sin . . . 3.  . . . He is faithful and just . . . 4.  . . . and will forgive our sin . . . 5. . . .and purify (cleanse) us from all unrighteousness. 
How does exploring the meaning of this life-changing Bible verse help you discover God’s immeasurable love and mercy for you?  

What could your next step toward learning more and receiving God’s forgiveness look like?  
 
Reflect  
Why is fellowship with God and others, which is mentioned in 1 John 1:1–4, so special and vital?  
Based on 1 John 1:5–7, why are believers called to walk in the light? 
According to 1 John 1:8–10, how does God respond when we confess our sin to Him? 
How does Jesus help us when we sin, according to 1 John 2:1–2? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that if I confess my sin to You, You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me. Please help me not to sin. And when I do sin, please help me to be quick to confess it to You and quick to receive Your forgiveness.” 
 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Our Daily Bread Ministries Ambassador Program 
Listen: 
When We Sin - Week 1 
When We Sin - Week 2 
Read: 
Forgiveness Defined  
The Gifts of Confession 
Watch: 
John 8:1-11 - Why God Hates Sin 
Jerusalem: The Cost of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)

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