096: Chad Bird on His Journey from a Truck Driver to Theology Writer, Why Some People See Jesus As An Intern, and What Jacob can Teach Us About Discipleship

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517 Publishing. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest, an organization that’s rethinking global missions in all the right ways.

Here’s what I love about their model: They don’t just step into a community and create long-term dependency. They invest in local leaders, build sustainable plans, and have a clear exit strategy—empowering people rather than creating a system where they always need outside help. As a pastor, I spent a long time looking for a global mission partner that actually helps without hurting, and HopeChest checks all the right boxes.

Global mission work isn’t optional for the Church—it’s part of our calling. So if your church doesn’t have a solid global partner yet (or if you’re looking for one that actually works), it’s time to get in the game. How? Start with a vision trip. This summer, HopeChest is leading trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia—and you should go.

Check them out and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. 

Huge thanks to HopeChest for sponsoring Season 8 and for doing missions the right way.

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

1517.org

Limping With God by Chad Bird

The Christ Key: Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament by Chad Bird

Key insights from the episode: 

The Psalms saved my life. - Chad Bird

In our limping, we learn how to steward our pain. - Chad Bird

Discipleship is all about following in the footsteps of our Lord. - Chad Bird

When you’re with Jesus, you’re always safe. - Chad Bird

Imagine all the heroes of the Bible as your next-door neighbors. - Chad Bird

Chad Bird’s Challenge: Pick a short book of the Bible and read or listen to it every day this week. (Bonus challenge: strike up a conversation about Jesus!)

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

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