The Bible Project Daily Podcast

Send us a text Episode Summary:In this thought-provoking episode, we explore Paul’s diagnosis of division within the Corinthian church—and uncover its root cause: pride.The Corinthians were puffed up, aligning themselves with particular leaders, boasting in personalities rather than humbling themselves before Christ. Paul peels back the layers of this problem, showing that beneath all the quarreling and factionalism lies a dangerous self-satisfaction.But Paul doesn’t stop at diagnosis. He also offers the cure—a call to humility, to imitate Christ through the example of the apostles. Through vivid imagery, biting irony, and fatherly love, Paul reminds us that everything we have is a gift of grace. And when we forget that, pride flourishes and unity suffers.🧠 Key Themes Explored:The real cause of division in churches is not just a misunderstanding of doctrine or a poor view of leadership—it’s spiritual pride.Three piercing questions (v.7) expose the absurdity of boasting in what we have received by grace.Sarcasm and irony are used by Paul to wake the Corinthians from self-deception.True Christian leadership looks like humble endurance and suffering, not celebrity status or worldly acclaim.The path to unity is not strategy or structure, but Christlike humility.Discipleship is learned through imitation—not just instruction.💬 Key Quotes from the Episode:“When tools start taking credit for the craftsman’s work, it’s not just wrong—it’s ridiculous.”“You are proud—and that’s absurd.”“The cure for division is not better strategies or more charismatic leaders. It’s humility.”“Pride multiplies division. Humility multiplies unity.”🙏 Reflection Questions:Am I living humbly—or puffed up with pride?Do I treat others in my church as recipients of grace, or as rivals for influence?Am I more concerned with how people view my spiritual life, or with how faithfully I follow Christ?Who are the godly examples in my life that I can imitate, as they imitate Christ?🛠️ Application:Paul urges the Corinthians—and us—to stop boasting, stop comparing, and stop dividing. Instead, he calls us to embody the humility of Christ and the selflessness of faithful ministry.Take time this week to reflect on the grace you've received. Let it dismantle pride. Let it build bridges. Let it unify.Support 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:In this episode, we unpack Paul's teaching on what true leadership in the church looks like. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3:6 to 4:5, Paul gives us three vivid metaphors to describe church leaders: gardeners, builders, and stewards. Through these images, we are reminded that leadership is not about status, showmanship, or superiority—it is about humble, faithful service to God. The Corinthian church was dividing over personalities and styles of preaching, but Paul resets the focus. It is God who gives growth, Christ who is the foundation, and the Lord who judges and rewards faithfulness.Key Points:Leaders Are Gardeners (3:6-9):They plant and water, but only God gives the growth.Ministry is about patience and service, not celebrity.Leaders Are Builders (3:10-17):Christ is the only foundation.Ministry must be built with lasting, spiritual materials (gold, silver, precious stones).What is built will be tested by fire.Careless or corrupt ministry will result in loss or judgment.Leaders Are Stewards (4:1-5):They are entrusted with God's mysteries.Faithfulness is what matters most, not impressiveness.Final judgment belongs to the Lord, who alone sees and rewards rightly.Reflections:Have you placed too much importance on a leader or preacher, rather than on Christ?Are you building your own ministry or spiritual life with materials that will last?Do you find encouragement in the truth that faithfulness—not success—is what God rewards?Encouragement for Leaders:Be faithful with what God has given you, no matter how small or unseen it may seem.Don’t be consumed by comparison, criticism, or the applause of others.Your praise will come from God, in His time.Encouragement for Congregations:Don’t idolize or tear down preachers; they are servants, not saviours.Be grateful for those who minister to you.Look beyond the personality to the gospel foundation they lay.Application:Pray for your leaders.Examine your own heart for pride or comparison.Build your life on Christ, and serve with the right motives.Closing Thought:Don’t waste time evaluating everyone else’s ministry. Instead, be faithful. Serve humbly. Build wisely. And trust that your praise will come from God.Subscribe & Share:If this episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone else, leaving a review, or subscribing to hear more.Support 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 Podcast, where we journey together through the Bible—chapter by chapter, verse by verse.In today’s episode, we continue exploring 1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5, a passage that cuts straight to the heart of the Christian faith: the message of the cross.✍️ Episode NotesTitle: The Message of Christianity and Our Part in It. Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26–2:5 🔑 Key Themes:The cross divides humanity: some see foolishness; others, the power of God.God overturns worldly wisdom by choosing the weak and lowly to display His glory.Paul didn't come with polished rhetoric, but with a simple message: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.True Christian unity flows from focusing on the message, not the messenger.📖 Key Verse:“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” —1 Corinthians 1:18🧠 Reflect:Do I evaluate faith based on outward impressiveness or inward truth?Is my boast in Christ alone, or in Christian personalities and preferences?Thanks for joining us. If this episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone and subscribing to stay with us as we continue through 1 Corinthians.Support 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 to The Bible Project Daily Podcast—where we journey together through the whole Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. In today’s episode, we continue unpacking one of the most profound and challenging sections in all of Scripture.We’re looking at 1 Corinthians 1:18 through to 2:5, where the apostle Paul lays bare the very heart of the Christian faith: Christ crucified. This message—often seen as foolish by the world—is the very power and wisdom of God.But more than that, Paul shows us how the message of the cross levels all human pride, calls us to unity, and sets the foundation for true Christian living. Whether you're curious about Christianity or have been walking with Christ for years, this passage confronts and comforts in equal measure.📖 Episode Notes & Key Takeaways Theme: Why the message of the cross is central to Christian faith—and why it still offends.🧭 Summary:In today’s study, we explore Paul’s bold claim that the cross of Christ is the dividing line of human history and human hearts. For some, it is foolishness. For others, it is life itself.Paul reminds the Corinthians that God has deliberately designed salvation to overturn worldly categories of wisdom, power, and status. He chooses the weak, the lowly, and the despised—not the influential—to show that salvation is His doing, not ours.And Paul himself models this by preaching not with lofty speech or clever arguments, but with trembling and simplicity. Why? So that our faith rests not on human wisdom, but on God’s power.🔑 Key Verses:“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise…” (1 Corinthians 1:27)“I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)🧠 Reflection Questions:Do I ever judge spiritual truth by how clever or impressive it sounds rather than by its faithfulness to Christ?What does it mean to truly boast in the Lord—and not in human personalities or achievements?How does the message of the cross challenge my understanding of wisdom, power, and success?✝️ Application:Let’s stop dividing over leaders or preferences and focus instead on the heart of the gospel—Christ crucified. That message unites believers, humbles the proud, and transforms lives.Wherever you are today, whether you feel strong or weak, confident or broken, this message is for you.🙏 Final Thought:To the world, the cross looks like failure. But to those being saved, it is victory. It is wisdom. It is power. And it is ours, by grace, through faith.Thanks for listening—and if today’s episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or leaving a review.Support 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 PodcastA journey through Scripture, one verse at a time, one chapter at a time, one book at a time.We’re currently in a brand-new season exploring Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. This powerful letter, written to a divided church in a diverse and challenging city, has relevance for the church today.📖 Today’s Episode:Divisions in the Church Text: 1 Corinthians 1:10–17In this episode, we examine one of the early church’s most pressing problems—division—and Paul’s urgent plea for unity centered on Jesus Christ. The Corinthian church was rich in spiritual gifts but poor in spiritual unity, as believers began to rally around human leaders rather than the cross.We’ll unpack what Paul means when he says, “Is Christ divided?” and reflect on how the modern church still wrestles with similar fractures. This episode challenges us to lay down personal preferences, reject personality cults, and return to the only unifying center we truly have: Christ and Him crucified.📝 Episode Notes📌 Key Themes:Unity over Uniformity: Paul calls for deep, Christ-centered unity—not sameness, but spiritual harmony rooted in the gospel.The Danger of Personality Cults: Loyalty to human leaders threatened to eclipse loyalty to Christ. Paul exposes this as foolish and spiritually dangerous.Gospel-Centered Identity: Our identity is not in Paul, Apollos, Peter—or any preacher—but in Jesus alone.The Mind of Christ: True unity flows from adopting the servant-hearted, humble attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5–8).Cross over Cleverness: Paul refuses to preach with worldly eloquence lest the cross be emptied of its power. The gospel must remain unembellished and central.🧠 Reflection Questions:Are there ways I’ve aligned more with a leader or tradition than with Christ Himself?Do I approach church with a consumer mindset or a servant heart?How can I personally contribute to unity in my church, my family, and my community?What does it mean for me to have “the mind of Christ” in daily relationships?🙏 Application:Ask God to help you discern whether your spiritual loyalty lies more with human leaders or with Christ.Seek reconciliation in areas where personal preference or pride may have caused division.Embrace a servant mindset in your home and church community—not to be served, but to serve.📡 Connect & SubscribeIf you found this episode meaningful, subscribe to The Bible Project Daily Podcast and journey with us through 1 Corinthians. Share the episode with a friend, and  grow together in gospel-centered unity.👉 Available on all major podcast platforms.Support 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: Hello and welcome back to The Bible Project Daily Podcast. Today, we continue our 40-day journey through 1 Corinthians—a letter for the modern church, if ever there was one.In this episode, we’ll witness something astonishing: Paul gives thanks for a church in crisis. Before addressing the many failings of the Corinthian believers, Paul stops to thank God for His grace at work in them—and in doing so, models how we too should begin not with condemnation, but with praise and confidence in God’s faithfulness.📄 Episode Notes: Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 Theme: Paul opens his letter to the fractured church in Corinth not with judgment, but with gratitude. He sees grace where others might only see failure—and calls us to do the same.Key Points:God’s grace is at work even in messy churches and messy lives.Spiritual gifts are signs of God’s generosity—not our superiority.The same God who calls us will also sustain and confirm us to the end.Fellowship with Christ is both a gift and a responsibility.Hope in God’s faithfulness is the anchor in the storms of spiritual immaturity and disorder.Takeaway Quote:“If God’s grace got you here, then God’s grace will get you home.”Reflection Questions:When was the last time you thanked God for someone, even when they were struggling?Are you confident that God will sustain you to the end? Why or why not?How can you actively pursue deeper fellowship with Christ today?📬 Subscribe & Share Don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends or your church small group. Let's grow together in grace and truth.🎧 Next episode: Paul begins addressing the root of division in the church—and shows us where true unity begins.Support 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

Delve into the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, a pivotal guide for today's chaotic world. Discover how this ancient message tackles issues of division and moral struggles, reminding us of the grace that saves and transforms. Explore the context of Corinth—a city rich in culture yet rife with challenges—and how Paul addressed these with compassion. This insightful journey encourages living a Christ-focused life and highlights the importance of community and unity among believers.

Explore the captivating divergence between superstition and faith, revealing how societal fears fuel superstitious beliefs. Delve into Enlightenment perspectives from thinkers like Voltaire and Berkeley, who challenged notions of faith. Discover practical steps for cultivating biblical faith through scripture, prayer, and community. The conversation emphasizes trust in God's sovereignty over human attempts to control uncertainty, highlighting the importance of genuine faith reflected in actions and relationships.

Explore the life and impact of Carl Rogers, a pivotal figure in psychology, as he blends his Christian roots with revolutionary ideas. Discover the harmony between his person-centered approach and Christian teachings, emphasizing empathy and human dignity. Delve into the significance of authenticity and self-acceptance in both psychology and faith. Learn how Rogers' theories influence education and communication today, fostering understanding in our modern world. This insight offers a unique perspective on personal growth and mental health.

Dive into a fascinating exploration of Abraham Joshua Heschel's 'The Sabbath' and its significance in today's fast-paced world. The discussion highlights how the Sabbath offers a divine gift of rest and spiritual renewal amid our materialistic society. Delve into the tension between mercy and legalism in the Gospels, particularly through Jesus's interactions that challenge traditional norms. Discover the profound encounter at Jacob's well, emphasizing themes of spiritual thirst and true worship, enriching the Christian perspective on these timeless teachings.