The Bible Project Daily Podcast

Send us a textEpisode Description: How can I know the will of God? It’s a question that can be heard in the heart of almost every believer—both those just starting out and those who’ve walked with Christ for years. In today’s episode, we step into the story of Gideon, the reluctant warrior who longed for certainty in a time of chaos.As we study Judges chapter 6, we’ll reflect on how God responds to our doubts, our fears, and our questions—not with condemnation, but with patience and peace. This isn’t just a tale of ancient battles or fleeces and signs. It’s a powerful reminder that God meets us where we are and gently leads us into His purposes. And it’s also a call to trust His Word, His Spirit, and His sovereign guidance over mystical signs and emotional impressions.Whether you’re in a place of spiritual hiding or standing on the edge of a big decision, Gideon’s story offers timeless wisdom and a whisper of hope: God sees more in you than you see in yourself—and He is with you.🎧 In this episode, we explore:The spiritual cycle of sin, supplication, and salvation in IsraelThe fear and faith of Gideon, the unlikely heroWhat it really means to “discern God’s will”Why signs (like Gideon’s fleece) aren’t God’s ideal method of guidanceHow God speaks today through His Word and Spirit📖 Key Takeaways:God's will is revealed primarily to us today  through Scripture.Before asking “What should I do?”, ask “Am I walking in obedience?”Faith grows not from certainty, but from trust in God's presence and promisesGod patiently calls and equips even the most reluctant servants🔗 Relevant Scriptures:Judges 6:1–401 Corinthians 7:392 Timothy 3:16–172 Corinthians 12:102 Peter 3:91 Thessalonians 4:3🕊️ Final Thought: When you’re uncertain about God’s will,  first look to the Word. God has spoken, His Spirit lives within you, and His guidance is near.Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textEpisode Title: Learning to Celebrate God’s Victories Scripture Reference: Judges 5:1–11 Welcome: In today’s episode, Learning to Celebrate God’s Victories, we step into one of the Bible’s most famous Old Testament songs of praise: the Song of Deborah. After a dramatic and miraculous deliverance in Judges 4, Israel responds—not with parades or pageantry, but with worship. What does it look like for God’s people to truly celebrate His victories? How do we mark moments of breakthrough and deliverance? This episode invites us to learn from Deborah’s song and rediscover how praise—public, joyful, radical praise—can become our response to the goodness of God.📖 Episode SummaryA Song of Celebration: Judges 5 is a poetic reflection on God’s deliverance. Deborah and Barak respond to victory with worship—not self-congratulation.Public Praise is Powerful: Deborah calls even foreign rulers to listen. Worship becomes witness.The Importance of Godly Leadership: When leaders step up and people obey, praise rises.God Moves Through the Ordinary: Villagers, volunteers, and a mother named Deborah—all play a part in God's plan.Tell the Story: Celebration is not silent. We recount God's victories wherever life happens—by the well, in the streets, in our homes.🙌 Key Verse“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord!” (Judges 5:2)Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text🎙 Welcome to The Bible Project Daily PodcastEpisode Title: A Woman of Wisdom – A Tent Peg of Justice Text: Judges 4:1–23In today’s episode, we dive into a powerful and surprising chapter in the Book of Judges—where God raises up not one, but two women to lead, deliver, and bring justice to Israel.We explore the story of Deborah, a prophetess, judge, and military leader, and Jael, whose courageous act brings an unexpected and final blow to Israel’s enemy. This episode traces the familiar cycle of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation—and shows how God's deliverance can come through those we might least expect.Whether you’re wrestling with your calling or wondering if God can use you despite doubts and weakness, Deborah’s story offers a resounding “yes.”Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text👋 WelcomeWelcome back to the Bible Project Daily Podcast—a journey through Scripture, verse by verse. I’m your host, and as always, I’m grateful that you’re joining me as we seek to not only learn the Word of God but live it out together, daily.Today, we continue our study in the book of Judges with a sobering but essential lesson from Judges 2:6 through 3:6. This passage reveals a repeating pattern in Israel’s early history—a pattern many of us may recognize in our own spiritual lives. It’s a cycle that includes departure, defeat, distress, and ultimately, divine deliverance.As we walk through this text, we’ll ask an honest question: Which pattern describes my life? Am I growing steadily in faith, spiritually stagnant, or caught in the loop of spiritual highs and lows?Let’s explore what happens when we stop acknowledging God, and what God—rich in mercy—does in response.📖 Episode SummaryTitle: Fitting the Pattern Set by God Text: Judges 2:6–3:6In this episode, we look at what might be called "second-generation syndrome"—the spiritual complacency that arises when one generation fails to pass down a vibrant, lived faith. This is no small issue. The book of Judges gives us a raw and honest picture of what happens when a people forget their God and adopt the values and idols of the culture around them.We trace the spiritual cycle that emerges in Israel’s history:Departure from God through idolatry.Defeat at the hands of enemies.Distress that leads to misery and bondage.Deliverance through God’s mercy and the raising up of judges.This four-part pattern becomes a defining structure in Judges and a profound warning to us today. We'll also reflect on Psalm 106, which poetically summarizes this tragic history and invites us to examine our own hearts.Is your spiritual walk a daily commitment—or a rollercoaster ride? Let’s learn how to fit the pattern that God has set for His people: a life of faithfulness, growth, and devotion.📚 Key ThemesThe generational decline of faith and spiritual complacencyThe repeating cycle of rebellion and redemptionGod’s response to unfaithfulness: justice and mercyThe call to personal responsibility and firsthand faith🔗 Scriptures ReferencedJudges 2:6–3:6Psalm 106:34–42Proverbs 3:6Joshua 2:6–9🙏 Closing ThoughtGod does not abandon His people—even when they forget Him. But He does call each generation, and each person, to return and follow Him faithfully. May we be people who break the cycle of spiritual forgetfulnessLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textWelcome Message: Today's chapter introduces us to three unexpected deliverers—Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar—revealing how God uses prayer, His Spirit, and surprising people to accomplish His will. Whether you're wondering how God works today or how He calls ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, this passage—and this episode—offers a powerful and timely word.Episode Notes:Title: The Means and Methods of God Text: Judges 3:7–32 Series: The Bible Project Daily Podcast (TBPDP)Overview: This episode explores the recurring cycle in the Book of Judges—sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation—and how God interrupts that cycle with surprising means and unexpected people. We see how:Forgetting God leads to spiritual declinePrayer is one of God's primary tools for restorationThe Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people like OthnielEven left-handed Ehud and obscure Shamgar are used to accomplish divine purposesKey Themes:God answers prayer as a primary method of accomplishing His willThe Holy Spirit is essential in spiritual work and ministryGod chooses unexpected, even flawed, people to fulfill His purposesThere is always a call to action—God empowers, but we still must moveScripture References:Judges 3:7–32Colossians 4:3John 15:26–27Acts 1:8Reflection Questions:Where have you seen the cycle of sin and restoration in your own life?What role does prayer play in your daily walk with God?Are you open to being used by God, even if you feel ordinary or unqualified?How might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to act or speak today?Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textWelcome Message:Welcome back to The Bible Project Daily Podcast. In today’s episode, we begin our journey through the Book of Judges with a sobering reminder of how partial obedience to God’s Word can lead to long-term consequences. Join me as we explore how the tribes of Israel struggled to fully obey God's instructions and how that challenge still speaks to us today.Episode Notes:📖 Scripture Focus: Judges 1:1–2:5🧠 Theme: The danger of partial obedience and the cost of not following through on God's commands.🏌️‍♂️ Illustration: The importance of follow-through in golf becomes a metaphor for spiritual integrity.🗺️ Key Content:Historical background from Genesis to JoshuaHow the tribes of Israel partially obeyed God's command to drive out the CanaanitesThe consequences of compromise and rationalizationPractical and spiritual lessons for us today🙏 Reflection Question:Where in your life might you be settling for partial obedience when God is calling you to fully follow through?Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textSubscribe and follow this monthly podcast at;https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comIn today’s bonus episode, we explore the remarkable life and enduring influence of John of Damascus, the last of the great early Church Fathers. Living in the heart of the Islamic world yet shaped by deep Christian conviction, John stood at a critical juncture in church history. Amidst imperial decrees and theological upheaval, he became a bold defender of Christian doctrine and a powerful voice for truth against the rise of Islam.Best known for his defence of icons, John’s writings anchored Christian worship in the incarnation of Christ—proclaiming that the Word made flesh can and should be represented visually. Through his theological masterpiece, The Fountain of Knowledge, and his uncompromising witness under pressure, John of Damascus helped preserve and articulate the faith during a time of intense controversy.Join us as we reflect on his life, legacy, and what his courageous stand means for us today.📘 Episode HighlightsJohn’s early life under Islamic rule and his formative educationHis transition from public service to monastic devotionThe iconoclast controversy and John’s pivotal defense of sacred imagesA survey of his major works, including The Fountain of KnowledgeHis critique of Islam and role as a bridge between East and WestWhy his voice still matters in a world confused about truth and faithLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textThis was originally released as a Patrons Bonus Episode on the 7th April 2025 on Patreon.Follow me on;|🎧 Bonus Episode – Adolescence British TV Series: A Cry for Help from Our Young PeopleAdolescence | Official Trailer | Netflix https://youtu.be/Wk5OxqtpBR4?si=PihPlF6wPRKIhoi3👋 Welcome!Welcome, , to this exclusive bonus episode of The Bible Project Daily Podcast. Thank you for your faithful support, which makes it possible to produce thoughtful, biblically rooted responses to the issues of our time.In this special episode, I look into the recent British psychological drama Adolescence — a powerful and unsettling four-part series that brings into sharp focus the disturbing rise of youth violence, particularly that which is gender-based and digitally driven. Through the tragic story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, the series poses not the usual whodunit, but the deeper, more important question: why?I trust you realise what I am attempting to do here is offer more than a TV review, this episode I believe offers a pastoral and prophetic response. We explore how Scripture equips us to understand and respond to the growing crisis in youth culture — a world shaped by social media, distorted sexuality, online radicalisation, and spiritual malformation.📝 This Episode Includes Episode Highlights🎥 An analysis of the unique single-take filming style and its emotional impact📺 Adolescence as social commentary: youth violence, digital addiction, and broken masculinity📖 A biblical response to the themes raised: justice, discipleship, and the spiritual battle for our young😔 Real-life parallels, including the heart-breaking story of Olly Stephens🧠 Reflection on the role of the Church, parents, and community in protecting and forming adolescents📱 The influence of technology and why spiritual formation is more urgent than ever✝️ Key Scriptures: Matthew 18, Ephesians 6, Romans 1, Jeremiah 17, Galatians 5, Isaiah 5This is a raw, but I trust reflective, and theological meditation on the world our children are inheriting—and the call of Christ to be salt and light in it.📚 Scripture ReferencesMatthew 18:1–10 – Jesus' care for children and warning against causing them to stumbleEphesians 6:12 – The real spiritual battle behind cultural and technological forcesGenesis 1:27 – The imago Dei as the foundation of human dignityPhilippians 2:3–4 – Christlike humility and solidarityRomans 1 – Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textEavesdrop on a unscripted chat with Senior Pastor Rick Oldland of the Well Church. (Ansdell Campus).A general unscripted chat. Let me know if you would like me to do something like this again in the future.N.B. I will choose a quieter location, next time,Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksLeaders are readers of the Great Books of Western literature.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Dive into the intriguing clash between modernism and postmodernism, exploring how these philosophies shape art and ethics. Discover Slavoj Žižek's critiques and their implications for biblical wisdom amidst moral complexities. The discussion highlights the importance of humility and transformation in faith while critiquing superficiality in contemporary thought. Learn how to navigate the tension between worldly and divine wisdom, and confront systemic issues through a biblical lens, urging for deeper engagement with genuine values and truths.