Reflections
35 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1.2K ratingsExperience the story of Jesus with Reflections, a podcast by BibleProject featuring short, guided meditations on passages of Scripture. New episodes release every Wednesday.
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Episodes
Our Final Episode
August 18, 2021 07:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBIn this special final episode, the team shares why the podcast portion of Reflections Bible Study is wrapping up and how you can continue to participate in our journey through the Bible the rest of this year. To receive our written Reflections Bible Studies for the rest of this year in your inbox, subscribe at bibleproject.com/study. Show Credits Host: Cheree Hayes Bible Reading: Michelle Jones Review Reading: Matthew Halbert-Howen & Cooper Peltz Production: Dan Gummel & Zach Mckinley ...
Looking Back to Look Forward
August 11, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBIs the book of Chronicles just a rerun of stories we’ve already been told? How does it help us understand where the story of the Bible leads? In English Bibles, the books of 1-2 Chronicles follow Samuel and Kings, but in the ancient Hebrew ordering of the Scriptures, Chronicles is the final book of the Old Testament. So what is the significance of this? The book of Chronicles ends with a decree to build a temple. This is the same decree that is told in the book of Ezra-Nehemiah. But Ezra an...
Treasured by God
August 04, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBAfter Israel returned from exile, many of the people were just as selfish and unjust as before. But there was a remnant of Israel who trusted and honored Yahweh. God called them his treasure and reminded them to hold on to his words of promise. We too can join this faithful remnant. When we feel overwhelmed by the state of our world, we can stand alongside generations of those who patiently trusted God. He assures us that he will bring justice and set all things right. He will keep his word....
There’s Hope in the Nightmare
July 28, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBThe book of Daniel explores what it means to be God’s people while living in a culture that is set against his values. How do God’s people remain faithful and confident in a situation like this? The strange dream in Daniel chapter 7 gives us some insight. In it we see there’s a kingdom ruled by the “Son of Man,” the one with all “authority, glory and sovereign power.” The oppressive rulers of this world will fail, but the Son of Man’s rule will never end. So when arrogant kings rise up, the ...
Who Does God Choose to Work Through?
July 21, 2021 07:00 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBWhat kind of person does God choose to work through most often? Can he work through me too? The book of Esther is a classic expression of the biblical idea that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. And God is still in the habit of elevating those who society has deemed unimportant. It might not always look as heroic as Esther’s story, but God can use anybody as an instrument for his purposes. If we want to partner with God, we don’t have to be rich, important, or powerful...
Is God Inclusive?
July 14, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBYahweh warned Israel not to tie themselves to foreign gods through marriage. But when those same foreigners left their gods to honor him, Yahweh welcomed them with open arms. Yahweh’s people were not as welcoming. Ezra and Nehemiah loved God, but they were misguided to exclude foreigners from joining God’s people. Since Ezra and Nehemiah weren’t exactly models for godliness and reform, what can we learn from their stories? How can we welcome others in the family of God who are different from...
Promise for New Hearts
July 07, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBGod’s people fail over and over again. We’re so messed up. Will there ever be a day when we get it right? The prophet Ezekiel said that God would renew his covenant by renewing hearts, and he’d do this by giving his own Spirit to those who trusted in him. God fulfilled his promise through Jesus. Now as followers of Jesus, we are invited to practice living with his Spirit. And as we do, we find our hearts are being renewed every day, filled with new desires and new decisions to love God and o...
Learning How to Grieve from Lamentations
June 30, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBThe biblical authors of Lamentations and Psalms invite us to express our grief, anger, and sadness to God. But this is hard. It’s so much easier to either avoid pain with numbing distractions or vent out frustrations without ever bringing them to God. But he is patient. He understands how painful our situations are, and he cares and grieves with us. Today, let’s practice grieving with him. Bible Reading Lamentations 3:22-33 Reflection Questions What is one specific area you are grieving ...
The Deep Anguish of God
June 23, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBThe prophetic books are intense, so it’s easy to skip ahead to more comfortable portions of the Bible. But Jesus often used the prophets’ words to describe what he was all about. So if we want to know Jesus, we need to read the prophets. And as we do, we can learn that when God’s people reject him, they are rejecting life itself. The disorder, chaos, and suffering that results is painful and it grieves God. But there is hope that God’s people can return to the life that he offers. Bible Re...
Wisdom from Sensual Love Poetry?
June 16, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBWe all long to be truly seen, known, and loved by God and others. We want to fully give ourselves to these deep relationships. The Song of Songs is about that desire, that dream that imagines the unity of Heaven and Earth. One day this dream will be fully realized, but until then, we have access to unity with Jesus. He invites us into a real and intimate relationship. And in him, we can know a love that cannot be quenched or swept away—a love that can overflow toward others and heal creation...
One Handful of Rest
June 09, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBHow can we approach our responsibilities in life with wisdom and healthy mindsets? In this episode, we open the book of Ecclesiastes and discover some practical advice for how to live realistically. Bible Reading Ecclesiastes 4:4-12 Reflection Questions 1. Everyone can relate to the desire to either escape or control their lives. Which approach do you relate to most? 2. What specific area of your life are you inclined to escape or control right now? 3. What would it practically look ...
Power of Metaphor
June 02, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBWhat is the purpose of metaphor in the Bible? The biblical authors use metaphors to help us better understand the world, God, and ourselves. In today’s episode, we reflect on the surprising metaphor of God giving birth. In the book of Job, we see God giving birth to elements of creation, and in the book of Isaiah, God is depicted as both a warrior and a mother giving birth to a new reality. Bible Reading Isaiah 42:13-16 Reflection Questions 1. A mother often suffers to deliver her baby. ...
How to Live Wisely
May 26, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBWhat does it mean to fear the Lord and be wise? The book of Proverbs helps us understand how to live by God’s wisdom. It teaches us that true wisdom isn’t just knowing the right thing to do––it’s about doing it. But how do we know what the right decisions are in every situation? The Scriptures show us that God understands what is good and bad in the world. So to be wise, we must first recognize that our own perspectives are limited and God knows what we can’t comprehend. This humble depend...
How God Replies to Job’s Suffering
May 19, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBToday we open the book of Job, a complex story about a good man who suffered the cosmic loss of everything. What did God want Job to know in the midst of his suffering? And what do we need to know in our own suffering? In this episode, we remember that we’re not alone in hardship and that God is trustworthy. Even when the pain is so intense that we can barely see beyond it, God is at work limiting chaos and giving life. Bible Reading Job 38:1-18 Reflection Questions 1. What is one area...
God’s Mercy on Our Enemy
May 12, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBHow can we show God’s mercy to people who’ve hurt us? In this episode, we are reflecting on the final chapter of the book of Jonah. God doesn’t just want Jonah to preach to his enemies, he wants Jonah to share his compassionate heart toward them too. Will Jonah agree with God’s compassionate perspective? The book ends with a question to give us the opportunity to self-reflect. So let’s do that together. Bible Reading Jonah 4:1-11 Reflection Questions 1. Who is someone in your life you...
God’s Desire in Relationship
May 05, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBWhat does God really want as he relates to us? In this episode, we are reflecting on the book of Hosea, where we’ll discover what God desires in a relationship. Here’s a quick overview. God promised to love Israel like a husband vows to love his bride. But Israel didn’t love him back––they cheated on him. This broke God’s heart but not his promise. God’s commitment to love his people is stronger than anything else. So while Israel still experienced the consequences of their unfaithfulness,...
What Good News Looks Like
April 28, 2021 07:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBHow 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. Bible Reading Isaiah 61:1-11 Reflection Questions Where do you think renewal is most needed in your part of the world? Imagine God’s Kingdom bringing renewal to that situation. What do you th...
Message of the Prophets
April 21, 2021 07:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBWho are the Hebrew prophets? What was the goal of their message? And how can their words bring hope to us today? God wants his people to flourish - to experience peace and joy in a community of love. But sin destroys a community. So God sends his prophets to warn his people, so they’ll turn from sin and its destruction. When Israel refuses to listen, they experience the awful consequences of their own ways, just like the prophets warned. But when Israel listens, they receive God’s promised m...
What God Does About Suffering
April 14, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBWhy 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–...
Redeeming Disappointment
April 07, 2021 00:06 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBWhere 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. Bible Reading 1 Kings 6:23-31 Reflection ...
Faithful Through Failure
March 31, 2021 01:09 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBHow does God respond when we fail to represent his goodness in the world? 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. Bible Reading 2 Samuel 7:8-17 Reflection Questions What is one way God has been faithful to you recently? What is one specific way you’d like to grow in your faithfulness to Jesus? Who could b...
When You Feel Powerless
March 24, 2021 00:16 - 13 minutes - 12 MBWhat should we do when life is unfair and everything feels out of control? In this episode, we are reflecting on God’s powerful response to the cries of the powerless. If today you are feeling helpless before bullies and institutions, listen in. Today’s message will encourage and empower you. And if you are in a position of authority, stay tuned. This reflection will inspire you to humbly use your power to lift others up. Bible Reading 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Reflection Questions In what areas ha...
How God Treats His Enemies
March 17, 2021 01:15 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBWhere 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. Bible Reading Ruth 2:11-12 Reflection Questions: What feels impossibly difficult in your life or communi...
When We Walk Out on God
March 10, 2021 02:34 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBWhat 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. Bible Reading Judges 2:10-19 Reflection Questions In what ways have you tried to do life on your own apart from God? What comes to mind when you imagine God running toward those who return to him? Take this moment to pray and return to God any areas of your life that you’ve held back. Want to Go Deeper? Check out this episode's Bib...
Making Sense of Divine Violence
March 03, 2021 02:19 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBThere’s a lot of violence in the Old Testament, but isn’t God loving? How do we make sense of all this? In this episode, we are exploring a few key things to keep in mind while looking at the topic of violence in the Bible. Note to parents: The terms genocide, child sacrifice, sexual fertility rituals, and sex slavery are used in this episode. Before listening with your child, consider if they are ready to be introduced to these concepts and if you are prepared to carefully answer any follo...
Understanding Ancient Laws
February 24, 2021 03:36 - 10 minutes - 9.79 MBHow 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. Bible Reading Deuteronomy 30:15-18 Reflection Questions What is one specific choice you can make to love God and others this week? How do you think that choice could bring life to those around you? What is the first step you can take with God...
God's Wisdom on Display
February 17, 2021 02:35 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBWhy did God give his people so many rules? In this episode, we’re reflecting on the wisdom and purpose of God's commands. Bible Reading Deuteronomy 4:5-9 Reflection Questions Wisdom and understanding is gained when we live out the knowledge we have received. Think of someone who is wise. Consider an example from the Bible or from someone in your life. What do you admire about this person? Before this person could display God’s wisdom, they first had to receive it. What do you think thi...
Trusting God in the Wilderness
February 10, 2021 02:03 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBHow 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. Bible Reading Numbers 13:25-33 Reflection Questions What specific fears or doubts have held you back from trusting and obeying God? Instead of replaying your past or current fears, shift your focus to God. What comes to mind as you remember God’s trustworthy character? Jesus leads all who trust in him ...
Gift of Rest
February 03, 2021 02:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIn 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. Bible Reading Leviticus 25:1-12 and 18-21 Reflection Time Take some deep breaths to remember that every breath we take is a gift from God. While you inhale and exhale, reflect on God and your reliance on him. Invite God into an aspect of your life that feels exh...
Meaning of Sacrifice
January 27, 2021 02:01 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBIn 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. Bible Reading Hebrews 10:11-22 Reflection Questions God is faithful and just to forgive us when we admit our sins. So let’s take time now to be honest as we answer this question: What comes to mind when you think about how you’ve sinned against God and others? ...
Rescued for a Purpose
January 20, 2021 01:45 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBLast 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. Bible Reading: Exodus 19:1-6 Reflection Questions: Choose one of the following characteristics of God to reflect on: wisdom, justice, or love. How have you specifically experienced that one characteristic ...
When We Cry Out
January 13, 2021 02:01 - 11 minutes - 11 MBHow does God respond when his people cry out to him? In this week's episode, we invite you to contemplate the ancient Exodus story for the first time or with fresh eyes. Interested in more? Watch a video and explore more questions for yourself or group discussion online. View this episode's Bible study.
Wrestling God
January 06, 2021 02:13 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBDid God really pick a fight with Jacob in the middle of the night? Are we reading this right? In this reflection, we explore a fascinating story from Genesis that shows us God’s relentless commitment to bless his people despite themselves. Interested in more? Watch a video and explore more questions for yourself or group discussion online. View this episode's Bible study.
Why God Gave Choice
December 29, 2020 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBIn the opening pages of the Bible, God gives the first humans a choice. But why? In this podcast, we explore the first few pages of the book of Genesis and what it means for God to give humanity choice. Interested in more? Watch a video and explore more questions for yourself or group discussion online. View this episode's Bible study.
Trailer: Reflections
December 18, 2020 20:30 - 1 minute - 1.05 MBWelcome to Reflections, a micropodcast by BibleProject. Each episode includes a short message from one of our Bible scholars, a narration of a Scripture passage, and a time to reflect and respond to a series of thoughtful questions. A new episode releases each Wednesday.