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The Context and Color of the Bible
Veronica and Erika are sisters who love to teach the Bible and share what they are learning. They’ve discovered that by putting Scripture back into its culture and context, it adds color to the black and white pages of the text. They want to help you dig deeper into the Word.
Episodes
285 episodes
#288 - Elyon: The God Who Is Higher Than It All
In this episode, we explore the Hebrew name עֶלְיוֹן (Elyon) — “the Most High” — and what it reveals about God’s authority and position in a world full of competing powers. From its first appearance in Genesis to its powerful use i...
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23:26
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#287 - Listen in on Our Conversation with Lois Tverberg
Time to cross off an item on my (Veronica) bucket list! Ever since we started the podcast, it's been a dream of mine to get Lois Tverberg on the podcast. We interviewed her over zoom and if you would rather watch us you can h...
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48:31
#286 - What Tools are in Your Bible Study Tool Box
In this episode, we push back on the “go big or go home” mindset that often leaves us overwhelmed and ready to quit. Instead of trying to do everything at once, we talk about the power of starting small when it comes to studying the Bible. Vero...
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32:43
#285 - When Obedience "Doesn't Work"
Erika and Veronica explore the deeper purpose of obedience to God, especially when it feels like nothing is changing. We often assume that if we do the right thing, God will respond with visible results, but Scripture challenges that expectatio...
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26:46
#284 - Turning Bible Stories into Meaningful Conversations with Shannon Popkin
This episode continues our conversation with Shannon Popkin as we explore how Bible stories can be used to teach lessons and deepen meaningful discussion. Shannon walks us through a simple, repeatable method that begins by telling the story and...
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46:00
#283 - The Bible Was Written to Be Heard: Why Stories Matter with Shannon Popkin
This week on the podcast, we explore why the Bible is filled with stories and how those stories function as powerful teaching tools. In an ancient, oral culture, stories weren’t just entertainment — they were carefully crafted containers of tru...
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51:18
#282 - Saying Goodbye to Moses
We've come to the end of the Deuteronomy and the entire Torah. We've walked with Moses from before his birth right until his death. We've seen his high points and low points. We've seen his wide range of emotions for his peopl...
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32:51
#281 - Moses's Final Words Before Death - chapter 31 & 32
Moses is (finally) wrapping up his speech to the people. As he's preparing to transfer leadership to Joshua, he's giving his final pleas to the people to hold fast to God. He paints a powerful image of God to remind the peopl...
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32:46
#280 - Unpacking Deuteronomy 29 and 30
In this episode, we follow Moses as he shifts from recounting laws and history to revealing the deeper moral and spiritual meaning behind Israel’s journey. He explores why people so often fail to recognize God’s presence, how gratitude fa...
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35:43
#279 - Looking at the Blessings for Israel in Deuteronomy 28
Moses tells the Israelites what their blessings will be when they obey God's laws. But then he quickly goes back to what the curses. Find out why even the curses are a good thing and what they reveal about God. Our websi...
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31:51
#278 - Understanding the Curses of Deuteronomy 27
In this episode, Veronica explains the curses that Moses lays out to the people. She helps show how these curses would affect the people, why these are bad, and how they take in more scope than we realize. She also starts the...
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31:18
#277 - Concluding the Laws of Deuteronomy 25 & 26
We finish the final laws of Deuteronomy and come back to where we started. Moses is looking at all the people and encouraging them to stay united even after he's gone. We also look at how God's character and attributes are se...
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34:20
#276 - Comparing God's Laws with the Surrounding Nations - Deuteronomy 23 & 24
When the laws don't make sense, it might be helpful to look at the laws of the surrounding nations. During this episode Veronica explains how God's laws actually protect women, foreigners, and the poor. We discuss marriage, slavery,...
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36:32
#275 - Continuing the Laws of Deuteronomy 21 and 22
Time to get into more laws that don't always seem connected. We discuss captive women, husbands having more than one wife, looking out for your neighbor's animals and ways God's law do protect women, even when we can't see it.
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37:52
#274 - Unpacking More laws in Deuteronomy 20-21:1-9
What are God's rules for war? Deuteronomy 20 lays out what God expects of the men, but did you realize there is some compassion in those rules? Read this chapter and then look at the books of Samuel, Kings, and Judges to see how wel...
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25:40
#273 - Laying Out the Laws for Priests, Prophets, and Accidental Deaths (Deut 18-19)
Erika brings up the discussion of why and critical thinking. Why does a good God give this law? How does this law bring life? Why did God choose the Levites? Why are the expectations about the priesthood clearly laid out...
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26:40
#272 - Festivals and Israel's Leaders in Deuteronomy 16 and 17
In this episode we talk about the three pilgrimage festivals, judges, and kings. God is continuing to set up how His people are to run their nation differently from the pagan nations around them. He wants the leaders of the land to ...
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35:28
#271 - Kosher Foods, Tithes, Debts, and Servants in Deuteronomy 14 & 15
Do you give rules to your kids just for the fun of it? Or do you have a reason for your rules? Most often the rules are there to set our children up for success and to live a better life. How much more than does it make...
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35:38
#270 - Rejoicing over the Laws of Deuteronomy 12 and 13
Would you think God's laws and instructions bring about rejoicing? Why would God's laws and instructions bring about rejoicing? On the podcast, Veronica begins discussing the section of Deuteronomy that lays out laws. W...
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37:01
#269 - Called to Obey Before Getting the Actual Laws in Deuteronomy 11
In this chapter Moses calls the people to obey and explains what they will receive (hint rain is vital in the blessing). He reminds the people that if they lived in Egypt, they wouldn't need God like they will in the land of promise. &nbs...
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31:06
#268 - Tablets, Fearing God, and Israel's Call to Obedience in Deuteronomy 10
Moses continues his look back. Veronica explains how covenants and stone tablets were typical of Ancient Near Eastern customs. Then Moses turns the conversation to Israel's call to fearing God, walking in obedience, serving Hi...
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29:35
#267 - Looking Back in Deuteronomy 8 and 9
Moses continues his look back as he explains to Israel what God promises if she is willing to obey. The lessons in Deuteronomy are based on remembrance. Moses is calling the people to remember God's faithfulness, their struggl...
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37:44
#266 - Learning About God through Past Stories and His Instructions in Deuteronomy 7
Moses is still looking back as he retells Israel their story. But as he looks back, he's also looking forward to what God promises to do when the people are obedient. These stories and commands have lessons for us and about G...
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31:55
#265 - What is the Purpose of all These Laws in Deuteronomy 6
Veronica explains some famous verses found in Deuteronomy 6 while also showing us how God's law is meant to impact society. When we try to understand these laws, it helps us see how God's kingdom should be governed. Living under God's law...
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25:25