The Rooted Podcast

Why has this story been included in the biblical canon? What does it reveal about Jesus’ divine position as just lawgiver and merciful judge?In this bonus episode, returning special guest Stuart Ford joins Esther and Mark to discuss the story of the woman caught in adultery from John 8.1–11. We explore the complexities of the narrative, including the authenticity of the passage and its inclusion in Scripture, the agenda of the Pharisees and scribes, and what Jesus’ response reveals about him. We draw out the profound themes of mercy, judgement and forgiveness. The discussion highlights the vulnerability of the woman, the hypocrisy and hard-heartedness of the accusers and the transformative power of Jesus' response. Ultimately, the conversation emphasises the call for Christians to embody the forgiveness and mercy on offer through Jesus in their lives.Check out our latest research about churchgoing in the UKTimestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:50) - Why are we talking about the woman caught in adultery? (03:15) - Should this story be in the Bible? (07:15) - What is the story of the woman caught in adultery about? (09:20) - Why does Jesus write in the sand? What did he write? (15:54) - Where is the man in the story? (19:29) - Sin, justice and mercy (23:54) - King David, adultery and redemption (26:59) - Forgiveness is not cheap or easy (29:44) - Personal reflections Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Mercy #MercyOverJudgement #John8 #WomenCaughtInAdultery #JesusWritingInTheSand #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What does it mean for Jesus to be the true vine, or vineyard? What does it mean to abide in Christ and be fruitful?In this episode, Noël and Mark are joined by special guest Chantelle Baker, to discuss the final I Am statement in John’s Gospel: ‘I am the vine; you are the branches’ (John 15.5). We begin by exploring how this verse has been translated. Should it in fact be rendered, ‘I am the vineyard and you are the vine’ and does this change the meaning of the metaphor?The conversation touches on the wider use and significance of ‘vine’ imagery in the Bible, before exploring what it means to abide or remain in Christ. Thinking about fruitfulness, we look at the connection between who we are and what we do – the relationship between faith and works – and the many different expressions of this we might see in community. We finish by asking who or what the fruit of the vine is for and sharing our personal reflections.Check out our latest research about churchgoing in the UKTimestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:45) - John 15 (02:15) - Has John 15 been mistranslated? (05:05) - Vine imagery in the Bible (10:00) - What does it mean to abide in Christ? (15:15) - Producing fruit is a result of abiding in Jesus (19:52) - Can we abide in Christ without being fruitful? (21:37) - What does fruitfulness look like? (25:37) - Who is our fruit for? (30:17) - Personal reflections Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Abide #AbidingInChrist #IAM #TrueVine #IAmTheVine #John15 #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

In what sense is Jesus ‘the way, the truth, and the life’? What was the significance of his words about his Father’s house?In this episode, we’re joined by Jack Morris, our producer, to discuss Jesus' statement in John 14: 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'. As well as unpacking the significance of each word, asking what Jesus meant by ‘way’, ‘truth’, and ‘life’, we explore the wider context in John’s Gospel for Jesus saying this and the picture he provides of his Father’s house. The conversation touches on the interaction between Jesus and the confused and questioning disciples and his words of comfort to them. It delves into the need for us to have a relationship with Jesus, the nature of truth and how Jesus reveals truth, and what constitutes the fullness of life.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:30) - The context of Jesus saying ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’ (05:50) - The value of Jesus accepting his disciples despite their doubts (09:00) - What is Jesus the way to? What is Jesus' way? (16:22) - What is the truth? How is Jesus the truth? (19:52) - Truth in today's society: empirical truth vs subjective ‘truths’ (22:52) - What does it mean that Jesus is ‘the life’? (26:52) - What is the good life? (30:37) - Personal reflections Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Truth #EternalLife #IAM #TheWayTheTruthTheLife #WayTruthLife #WhatIsTruth  #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast Bible a MonthCould you put the Bible in someone’s hands every month with a regular donation of £10 or more? Find out more about how you can share God's word today.

How does Jesus fulfil the role of the good shepherd? How does the use of shepherding imagery in John 10 compare to how it is used in Ezekiel 34?In this episode we're joined by special guest Michael Pfundner to explore John 10, where Jesus identifies himself as both the good shepherd and the gate for the sheep. We explore the significance of Jesus' statement in relation to Old Testament use of sheep and shepherding imagery, such as that found in Psalm 100 and Ezekiel 34. The discussion also touches on New Testament examples including the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18. We consider the responsibility of church leaders today to shepherd their flocks well, and the responsibility of the sheep, believers in Jesus, to learn to both discern and follow God's voice.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (02:15) - Is Jesus claiming to be God when he says 'I am'? (04:25) - Shepherding imagery throughout Scripture (08:42) - Comparing Ezekiel 34 and John 10 (15:09) - The parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18 (17:34) - 1 Peter 5: the pastors of the church as shepherds (19:46) - What does Jesus mean when he says 'I am the gate'? (22:34) - What would Jesus say today? (23:59) - Why do we need Jesus’ protection? (27:04) - Good shepherds vs bad shepherds (28:44) - The importance of knowing the shepherd and our relationship with Jesus (30:49) - The intimacy of God vs the distance of the hired hand in John 10 (35:14) - Personal reflections Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Gospel #IAM #GoodShepherd  #Jesus #Discernment #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? How does Jesus raising Lazarus foreshadow his own resurrection?In this episode Noël and special guest Rev Amanda Bedzrah delve into the theme of resurrection as presented in John 11, focusing on Jesus' statement: 'I am the resurrection and the life.' They explore the story of Lazarus and Jesus' tears. Amanda speaks of the human experience of grief and how these verses highlight the deep love and empathy of Jesus.  They discuss how Jesus being 'the resurrection and the life' is not just a future promise for believers but a present reality. Resurrection is not just something Jesus does, but who he is. They also consider the importance of community in spiritual resurrection. The discussion turns to the significance of Jesus' conversations with women and ends with personal reflections on how it impacts us today that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.Rev. Amanda Bedzrahhttps://amandabedzrah.com/https://empowerawoman.org/https://www.instagram.com/amanda_bedzrah/Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:40) - Introducing Revd Amanda Bedzrah (03:00) - John 11: Jesus raising Lazarus (04:45) - Why does John put this I Am statement in the middle of Jesus raising Lazarus? (08:00) - Jesus shifting the focus to himself being the eternal resurrection (09:25) - The similarities and contrasts between Lazarus' resurrection and Jesus' resurrection (12:20) - Spiritual resurrection requires participation from ourselves and our community (17:10) - Jesus wept: How Jesus' humanity reveals his love (23:19) - How does Jesus' resurrection power encourage us today? (26:49) - What does it look like to believe in Jesus? Do we trust in Jesus or the world? (31:34) - The significance of Jesus' conversations with women (38:49) - Personal reflections on Jesus being the resurrection and the life Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Gospel #IAM #Miracles #ResurrectionAndTheLife #Lazarus #JesusRaisingLazarus #JesusAndWomen #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What did Jesus mean when he said, 'I am the light of the world'?In this episode we look at John chapters 7—9, focusing on Jesus' second I am statement: 'I am the light of the world.' We track the wider context John provides in his Gospel account touching on the escalating tension between the Jewish leaders and Jesus. We explore the significance of references to light in the Bible and connect Jesus’ statement with both the healing of the blind man and the discussion about spiritual blindness. We consider whether there’s a link between light and learning, as well as truth. We talk about how words can enlighten us, just as Jesus – the Word made flesh – illuminates things once hidden. Finally, we reflect on what it means that believers are called to be the light of the world today, emphasising the importance of following Jesus and sharing his message.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:40) - The context of Jesus saying, 'I am the light of the world': John 7—9 (04:50) - References to light throughout the Bible (10:00) - The link between light and knowledge (12:30) - The connection between the Torah and light (17:59) - The Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles) (19:44) - Physical and spiritual blindness (26:54) - What does it mean that Jesus called his believers to be the light of the world in the sermon on the mount? Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Gospel #IAM #Miracles #LightOfTheWorld #SpiritualBlindess #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What does Jesus mean when he says, 'I am the bread of life'? How does Jesus satisfy eternally?Welcome to the first episode of our series on the 'I am' statements Jesus makes in the Gospel of John. The conversation focuses on what Jesus meant when he said, 'I am the bread of life' in John 6. We consider how this statement links to the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 as well as exploring its connections to the story in Exodus 16 about God providing manna, or 'bread from heaven', for his people in the wilderness. We discuss the deeper spiritual truths about who Jesus is that John conveys through this passage.We highlight the significance of abundance in God's provision and discuss the contrast between the temporary sustenance provided by the manna in the desert and the eternal satisfaction offered through Christ. We also look at the metaphorical significance of Jesus' words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, and how this relates to what he says about 'believing in him' and eternal life. We reflect on the sometimes offensive nature of Jesus' teachings and the sacrificial aspect of his message. We finish by thinking through what this means for us today.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro to the John series (02:00) - The feeding of the 5,000 (08:15) - Metaphor and symbolism in the Gospel of John (10:35) - The links between feeding the 5,000 and the Israelites in the wilderness (19:52) - The contrast between what Moses offered vs what Jesus offers (24:59) - Why does Jesus say to eat his flesh? (33:49) - The link between believing in Christ and abiding in him (35:44) - What is the impact on our daily lives? Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Gospel #IAM #Miracles #BreadOfLife #FeedingOfThe5000 #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

How does Proverbs help us to have peace in our world of anxiety?In this episode we're joined by Leonie to explore the intersection of biblical wisdom and the challenges posed by today's news cycle. We discuss the impact of constant negative news on mental health, being constantly fed by scripture and the importance of trusting in God amidst chaos.We also talk about how wisdom literature can guide Christians in navigating these turbulent times. The conversation emphasises the need for engagement with the world while maintaining hope and trust in God's eternal kingdom.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (02:15) - What is our relationship with the news? How does Proverbs help us live well today? (10:00) - What does Proverbs say about trusting God? (14:00) - The importance of constantly hearing scripture (17:37) - Finding hope and peace in wisdom literature (21:37) - Hope in God's kingdom (29:57) - Christian faith requires engagement with the world Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Proverbs #Wisdom #Conflict #BiblicalWisdom #BiblicalConflict #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What challenges do we face in applying God’s wisdom about conflict today? How can we pray about conflicts, war, peace and reconciliation?In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Rachel Jones to discuss what Proverbs says about conflict. We explore various aspects of conflict we experience today, whether that's in personal relationships at home, work and church, in our wider communities, or on an international scale. Proverbs says much about avoiding conflict, but we also consider whether there are times when it’s necessary.The conversation touches on different causes of conflict such as pride, greed and injustice, and highlights the wisdom we find in Proverbs and the New Testament to help us resolve conflict and restore relationships. We finish by asking how we can pray about conflict and share the message of hope we have as Christians.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro and welcome to Rachel Jones (02:00) - Proverbs about conflict (03:45) - What do we mean by conflict? (05:20) - Conflict on social media (07:30) - Conflict in churches (11:45) - What makes a person quarrelsome? (16:42) - When should we confront people? (21:52) - The importance of dealing with conflict quickly (23:07) - Personal vs international conflict (24:37) - The impact of the 24-hour news cycle (31:07) - How can we pray about conflict? Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Proverbs #Wisdom #Conflict #BiblicalConflict #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What does Proverbs say about honesty, integrity and lying?In this episode Mark is joined by Stuart Ford to discuss how Proverbs deals with the themes of honesty and integrity. They explore various proverbs related to lying and false witness, considering the complex moral implications of dishonesty – in personal relationships and in society. They tackle the challenging question of whether lying is always wrong.The conversation touches on the cost of integrity, the realities of living in a fallen world and biblical accounts where people lie, yet God still uses those situations to further his purposes. They finish with a discussion about the high standards we’re called to keep and the need for us to have a unified character of honesty and humility in order to reflect God’s nature in every situation.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:45) - Proverbs about lying and integrity (03:10) - What is a lie? False witness and the Ten Commandments (08:57) - Is lying always wrong? (13:12) - Matching our character to Jesus' (17:47) - Examples of lying in the Bible (21:27) - The need for honesty and integrity in leadership (26:11) - How do we live with integrity? Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Proverbs #Wisdom #Lying #LyingInTheBible #Honesty #Integrity #WisdomLiterature #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

How does Proverbs challenge our view of money and what we should do with it?  In this episode, along with special guest Liam Thatcher, we delve into the theme of wealth as presented in the Book of Proverbs. First we think about how we define wealth today, particularly in the West, and consider how this compares to an understanding of wealth in biblical times. Then we discuss how money and abundance are presented in Proverbs and the principles it provides about how to honour God with our wealth.We explore the challenges Proverbs issues to both the wealthy and those experiencing poverty. We discuss generosity, living in a way that supports communal flourishing, and the biblical principles that guide us in our financial stewardship.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (02:00) - What is wealth? Modern day vs biblical times (09:50) - The principle of first fruits (12:20) - How Proverbs challenges the extremes of wealth: Proverbs 30.7–10 (14:20) - Proverbs that challenge those with wealth (18:50) - What does it look like to wisely steward wealth? (23:34) - Our mindset towards giving to the poor (34:04) - How Proverbs challenges those experiencing poverty Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Proverbs #Wisdom #BiblicalWealth #BiblicalWisdom #MoneyInTheBible #WisdomLiterature #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

Why is wisdom personified as a woman in Proverbs? This episode opens with a discussion about different ways wisdom is portrayed in Proverbs. We look at wisdom’s personification as a woman, considering the power of this literary device in its original context, whether it is partly a marriage metaphor and how it connects back to Genesis 1 and a design pattern established in creation.We explore three passages from Proverbs chapters 1, 3 and 8 to unpack their meaning. What is our responsibility to accept Wisdom’s call and what happens when we reject it? How do we desire wisdom above material wealth and how does this link to Jesus’ call in the Gospels to value the Kingdom of God above all else? What was the role of wisdom in creation and what does this mean for us?Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:55) - How is wisdom personified? (05:30) - Why is wisdom a woman in Proverbs? (10:40) - Exploring Adam and Eve archetypes in Proverbs (15:02) - Proverbs 1.20–33: a warning about rejecting Wisdom’s call (23:19) - Proverbs 3.13–18: desiring wisdom over material wealth (27:49) - Choosing wisdom: now vs eternity (31:34) - Proverbs 8.22–31: wisdom in creation Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Proverbs #Wisdom #BiblicalWisdom #WisdomPersonified #WisdomLiterature  #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What does it mean to have wisdom? Why should we pursue it and how can we put it into practice?In this episode, we explore how wisdom is presented in the Bible. With particular reference to Proverbs, we discuss the contrast between biblical wisdom and current ideas about self-help. We look at the relationship between age, experience and wisdom, and how wisdom is passed on. We discuss the need to see wisdom modelled in community and explore how Jesus both taught and embodied wisdom. We ask whether the proverbs should be read as general guiding principles or direct promises from God. The conversation closes with thoughts about the superior value of wisdom and character over head knowledge, as well as the uniquely hopeful message Christians have for people asking how to live well today.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:00) - Introducing Proverbs (02:00) - What is wisdom in the Bible? (04:30) - Godly wisdom vs self-help (07:00) - Wisdom literature in the Bible (11:25) - Does wisdom only come with age? (22:49) - Wisdom in the New Testament (28:14) - Wisdom is about God communicating (29:29) - Are proverbs meant to be promises? (34:14) - Wisdom and character over mere head knowledge Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Proverbs #Wisdom #BiblicalWisdom #WisdomVsSelfHelp #WisdomLiterature  #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What does it look like to live by faith? What is the relationship between faith and doubt? How can we persevere and grow in faith? This episode focuses on Hebrews 11. We discuss the definition of faith at the beginning of the chapter and what this looks like in a person’s life. From believing in God’s existence to taking him at his word, we explore how this shapes our relationship with him as well as our actions.Touching on the stories of some of the heroes of the faith listed in Hebrews 11, we consider how faith and trust in God are active and future oriented. The conversation also covers the interplay between faith and doubt, the importance of persevering in the faith, and how faith can grow though life experiences.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:45) - Understanding Hebrews 11 (05:25) - What is faith? (10:00) - Faith is active (14:00) - Faith in daily life (17:14) - A life shaped by faith – The 21: A Journey into the Land of Coptic Martyrs (19:59) - The relationship between doubt and faith (26:34) - Faith, knowledge and a greater love (29:34) - How do we grow in faith? (35:59) - The benediction: Hebrews 13.20–21 Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Hebrews #Sacrifice #BiblicalSacrifice #Covenant #NewCovenant #MosaicCovenant #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

How does Jesus' once for all sacrifice supersede the Old Testament sacrificial system?In this episode we dive into the theme of sacrifice as presented in the book of Hebrews. We explore the significance of the Old Testament sacrificial system as part of God's people keeping their covenant with him. Then we look at how Jesus' sacrifice permanently fulfilled the purpose of the sacrificial system and brought about a new covenant relationship with God.We compare the transactional nature of the old sacrificial system with the relational nature of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We discuss how what we do as a result of Christ's sacrifice shows our heart towards him.In this episode we're joined by Yinxuan Huang, Bible Society's Quantitative Research Manager.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:30) - Introducing Yinxuan Huang (02:40) - The link between sacrifice and covenant (10:34) - Old Testament sacrifice vs Jesus' sacrifice (22:39) - Transactional vs relational (28:14) - How do we act in response to Jesus' sacrifice? (31:34) - Yin's story: learning about sacrifice (37:34) - The impact of Hebrews 10.26 (39:49) - An encouragement from Hebrews 10.19–25 Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Hebrews #Sacrifice #BiblicalSacrifice #Covenant #NewCovenant #MosaicCovenant #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

What did Joe Rogan and Wesley Huff say about the Bible? Can we really believe in the credibility of the Bible?In this bonus episode of The Rooted Podcast, we're joined by Dr Andrew Ollerton, head of Bible Engagement at Bible Society, to discuss the recent increase of interest in the Bible sparked by Wesley Huff's appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. We look at the credibility of the Bible and ancient manuscripts, the role of translators and the formation of the canon. We finish by discussing contrasting creation stories, why the Christian creation story provides a greater hope and the Bible as a coherent narrative pointing to Jesus. The conversation is a response to Wes Huff and Joe Rogan talking about these themes in depth recently and highlights the relevance of these topics and the Bible in current discussions.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:00) - Andrew Ollerton and his interview with Wesley Huff (04:00) - The Joe Rogan Podcast, Wesley Huff and Billy Carson's debate (05:55) - What makes millions of people listen to someone talking about the Bible? (09:55) - Can we trust in the credibility of ancient manuscripts? (14:00) - The impact of Joe Rogan finding the Bible credible (15:17) - Wycliffe and Tyndale: The impact of Bible translation (21:10) - The canon of scripture: does it matter that books are left out? (25:20) - Creation stories: Why the Biblical creation story provides hope (30:25) - The importance of seeing the Bible as one coherent story Bible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society resources to help you understand the Bible more:Trusting the Bible podcastBible TrekAndrew Ollerton:Listen to Andrew's interview with Wes HuffVisit Andrew's websiteBible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#JoeRogan #WesHuff #AncientManuscripts #JoeRoganBible #JoeRoganChristianity #ChristianApologetics #TrustingTheBible #ChristianPodcast

What was the role of a high priest in the Old Testament? How did Jesus fulfil the role of high priest for eternity? Who was Melchizedek?  In this episode we focus on priesthood in the Bible and the role of Jesus as the great high priest. We begin by exploring the historical context of priests and the Levitical priesthood in Judaism. Then we consider the picture of Jesus as the superior and eternal high priest in the book of Hebrews and the implications for us today. We discuss Melchizedek – his significance in the Bible, his dual role as both king and priest, and how he foreshadows Jesus. We finish by talking about how to balance our understanding of the familiarity and close relationship we can now have with God because of what Jesus has done, and the true reverence we should feel in his presence. Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:00) - Introducing Stuart Ford (02:34) - What was the role of a high priest? (06:55) - Human high priests vs Jesus as high priest (10:00) - How Jesus' sacrifice aligns with Old Testament sacrifices (15:28) - Melchizedek and his role in Scripture (20:37) - The superiority of Jesus' priesthood (23:49) - What does Jesus' priesthood mean today? (26:34) - How do we evangelise in our culture today? (27:39) - Reverence for the presence of God (31:39) - St Thérèse: holding things together Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Hebrews #Priesthood #BiblicalPriesthood #HighPriest #Melchizedek #JesusHighPriest #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

Happy Christmas from everyone from The Rooted Podcast. We hope you've enjoyed the podcast this year. The Hebrews series will continue in the new year, but we're going to take a short break over Christmas. We'll be back with episodes looking at priesthood, sacrifice, examples of faith, and just more all about the book of Hebrews. So in the meantime, from all of us on The Rooted Podcast,Happy Christmas and have a really good New Year as well.

Are we in danger of drifting away from the faith? Can you lose your salvation?  In this episode, we discuss the warnings peppered throughout the Letter to the Hebrews: don’t drift away from the faith; don’t harden your hearts; it’s necessary to grow in spiritual maturity and discernment; don’t grow weary! We consider the author’s intentions as we talk about the importance of community in being active in our faith and keeping each other on track. We reflect on the need to approach church with soft and open hearts. Moving on to chapter 6, we look at the transition we’re being encouraged to make from basic teachings to deeper understanding, and grapple with the question of whether we can lose our salvation.Finally, dipping into chapter 12, we explore the contrast between the Mosaic covenant made at Mount Sinai, where the people couldn’t approach God but had to stand at a safe distance, and the new covenant in Jesus which enables believers to approach God and worship joyfully in his presence.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:40) - The warnings in Hebrews (02:20) - The warning against drifting away from the faith (05:30) - Community and active faith (12:10) - Why does the author give warnings? (14:30) - The warning against hardening your heart (16:45) - Having a soft heart (19:45) - The deceitfulness of sin (22:29) - Moving towards spiritual maturity (27:14) - Knowing Christ (29:29) - Can someone lose their salvation? Hebrews 6 (40:14) - Going back to darkness after being in the light: Hebrews 12 Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Hebrews #ActiveChristianity #SoftHeartsVsHardHearts #SpiritualMaturity #Hebrews2 #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast

Why does it matter that Jesus became human like us and why was it necessary for him to die in the way he did? In today's episode, we’re joined by a special guest, Sarah Hindley, as we dive into Hebrews chapter 2. Our conversation focuses on the significance of Jesus being fully human as well as fully God. We discuss the Old Testament references used by the author and what they meant by describing Jesus' death as ‘fitting’. The episode concludes with a conversation about Jesus suffering temptation and what this means for us today. Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:00) - Welcoming Sarah (02:40) - Send us your questions (03:42) - Hebrews 2: The humanity of Jesus (05:00) - Why is it important that Jesus became a human? (09:50) - Theological implications of Jesus' incarnation (13:20) - Holding Jesus' divinity and humanity together (16:17) - The author quoting the Old Testament (23:22) - Did Jesus need to die? (26:47) - Sacrifice is the story of the Bible (28:27) - Jesus' suffering and temptation Rooted:Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.Send us your questions!We'd love to hear from you.Submit your questionBible Society:The Rooted Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a Christian organisation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of the Scriptures in today’s world. Visit our website to find out more.Bible Society socials: FacebookInstagramX (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible together. We won’t get everything right, and we won’t always agree! Please be patient with us and join us on the journey.#Hebrews #FullyHumanJesus #Jesus #HumanAndDivine #Hebrews2 #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast #JesusTempted #JesusSuffering