Thread

Dr. David Pocta & Hannah Desouza

Thread is a podcast about finding our place in God’s story. We invite you to follow along with Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza as they guide us on a journey through the Bible, exploring how the biblical narrative can transform and inspire us to live a life of fullness in Christ.   We're more than just a podcast. Check out www.ThreadPodcast.org for resources that can help integrate Thread into your life and the life of your church.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 62: Luke - The Spirit & Jesus

    In this episode of Thread hosts Dr. David Pocta and Hannah Desouza dive into the Gospel of Luke, highlighting its distinct features and deep spiritual themes. The episode details Luke's focus on the roles of the Holy Spirit, joy, repentance, faith, prayer, God's presence, witness, and journey motif. Important elements such as the unique portrayal of Jesus' prayers, the emphasis on marginalized groups, and the significance of joy and faith in Luke's narrative are discussed. The episode sets the stage for a closer look at Jesus’ mission and journey in upcoming discussions.   00:00 The Joy of Spiritual Connection 01:11 Welcome to Episode 62: New Beginnings 02:28 Introduction to the Gospel of Luke 04:55 The Uniqueness of Luke's Gospel 11:00 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Luke 14:08 The Birth Narratives: Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary 18:34 The Spirit's Miraculous Works and Praise 20:05 Angelic Announcements and Shepherds 21:53 Simeon and Anna: Recognizing the Messiah 23:09 The Role of the Spirit in Jesus' Life 23:39 The Baptism of Jesus and the Trinity 26:07 Jesus' Wilderness Experience 26:51 The Spirit's Role in Our Lives 29:09 Luke's Spirituality: Key Themes 29:53 The Theme of Joy in Luke 33:01 Repentance and Forgiveness in Luke 35:06 Faith and Salvation in Luke 38:32 The Importance of Prayer 40:42 God's Presence and Witness 43:55 The Journey Motif in Luke and Acts 45:30 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics   Links: Download the Thread Podcast App Learn more aboutThread  Thread Facebook Thread Instagram Dr. David Pocta Hannah DeSouza

  2. 2025-11-17

    Episode 61: Irony (Mark pt. 6)

    In episode 61 of 'Thread,' Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza explore the theme of irony in the final chapters of the Gospel of Mark. They discuss how Mark uses irony to highlight the true nature of Jesus' messiahship, contrast insider and outsider perceptions, and emphasize God's kingdom advancing through apparent weakness. They conclude with reflections on the debated ending of Mark's gospel and its implications for the reader's faith journey.   00:00 The Silence Speaks: Understanding the Gospel's Irony 01:24 Welcome to Episode 61: Exploring Irony in Mark 01:48 Dave's Fishing Adventure and the Concept of Irony 03:21 Defining Irony: A Literary Perspective 05:21 Irony in Mark: Blind Bartimaeus and the Triumphal Entry 07:38 The Fig Tree and the Temple: A Lesson in Spiritual Barrenness 10:32 Anointing at Bethany: Contrasts and Betrayal 16:27 The Widow's Offering: True Greatness in Small Acts 17:39 Jesus and Peter: A Tale of Denial and Loyalty 19:06 Barabbas vs. Jesus: The Irony of the Crowd's Choice 20:49 The Mock Coronation: Soldiers Mocking Jesus as King 22:00 Mockery and Irony in the Crucifixion 23:51 The Roman Centurion's Revelation 25:54 Contrasting Reactions to the Crucifixion 27:59 The Women at the Tomb 31:05 Debating the Ending of Mark's Gospel 37:23 Reflecting on Mark's Spiritual Themes 42:28 Conclusion and Next Steps   Links: Download the Thread Podcast App Learn more aboutThread  Thread Facebook Thread Instagram Dr. David Pocta Hannah DeSouza

  3. 2025-10-20

    Episode 57: Crowds (Mark pt. 2)

    On this episode of Thread, host Dr. David Pocta and guest Dr. Robert Carrillo explore the themes of crowds, discipleship, and spiritual family in Mark chapters 2 and 3. Dr. Carrillo shares his extensive ministry experiences around the world and reflects on how crowds can both reveal the magnetism of Jesus and sometimes become obstacles.   Key Topics: 1. The Role of Crowds: The episode examines how crowds in Mark 2-3 reveal both the magnetism and the challenges of Jesus's ministry. Dr. Carrillo discusses how crowds are drawn to Jesus, sometimes out of curiosity more than genuine discipleship, and how these crowds can sometimes become obstacles to others seeking Jesus. 2. Challenges from Religious Leaders: The conversation transitions to the various confrontations Jesus faces from religious leaders in these chapters. They discuss the leaders' critiques, how Jesus challenges their notions of righteousness, and whether modern Christians can fall into the same trap of prioritizing moral boundaries over mercy. 3. Formation of Spiritual Family: The discussion delves into how Jesus forms a spiritual family through his disciples, elevating them to a privileged place due to their humility and commitment. They also touch on how this can sometimes be misunderstood or misused, stressing the importance of genuine love and relationships.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Jesus and His Disciples 01:21 Welcome to Thread: Exploring the Gospel of Mark 01:39 Meet Dr. Robert Carillo: A Journey of Faith and Service 04:18 The Role of Crowds in Jesus's Ministry 07:08 The Magnetic Nature of Jesus 11:30 Obstacles and Determination: The Paralytic's Story 19:57 Curiosity and Controversy: Religious Leaders vs. Jesus 27:37 Jesus's Anger and the Hardness of Hearts 28:45 Family and Spiritual Kinship 40:19 Concluding Thoughts Links: Download the Thread Podcast App Learn more about Thread  Thread Facebook Thread Instagram Dr. David Pocta Hannah DeSouza Dr. Robert Carrillo

  4. 2025-10-13

    Episode 56: Exodus (Mark pt. 1)

    In this episode of Thread, Dave welcomes his daughter Hannah and son-in-law Tacho for the first of six discussions on the Gospel of Mark. They share personal reflections and insights on the text and introduce key themes such as liberation, suffering, and action in Mark’s Gospel. Key Topics: 1. Introduction to Mark's Gospel and Its Themes: Dave and his guests highlight Mark's distinct portrayal of Jesus as a powerful liberator who defies norms and brings immediate action. The urgency and themes of suffering and secrecy are discussed as core elements of Mark's narrative. 2. Historical and Cultural Context: The conversation delves into the Roman Empire's influence on the text, including the significance of persecution under Emperor Nero and the apocalyptic language used in the Gospel. This context helps understand Mark's audience and the message of resilience and hope for early Christians. 3. Personal Testimonies of Liberation: Hannah and Tacho share their personal experiences of following Jesus, illustrating how the themes of liberation in Mark's Gospel resonate in their lives. They discuss the ongoing process of spiritual liberation and the transformative power of witnessing Jesus' example. Timestamps: 00:00 Jesus' Rescue Mission Begins 01:36 Welcome to the Podcast 02:13 Meet the Guests: Hannah and Tacho 05:18 Introducing the Gospel of Mark 08:06 Mark's Unique Perspective 11:41 The Suffering Son of God 15:10 Persecution and Hope 16:07 The Apocalyptic Tone of Mark 18:15 The Beginning and Ending of Mark 23:29 Mark's Spiritual Concerns 24:21 The Prophecy and John the Baptist 25:14 Jesus' Mission and Power 28:28 Repentance and Allegiance 35:10 Jesus' Spiritual Battle and Ministry 41:13 Personal Testimonies of Liberation 49:49 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview Links: Download the Thread Podcast App Learn more about Thread  Thread Facebook Thread Instagram Dr. David Pocta Hannah DeSouza

  5. 2025-09-01

    Episode 55: The Triumph of Jesus

    In this episode of Thread, Dave and returning special guests Marci and At discuss the final chapter of Matthew's Gospel, emphasizing 'The Triumph of Jesus.' They delve into the parallels between Jesus and Moses, noting shared experiences such as facing tyrannical leaders and surviving as infants. The episode also covers Jesus' conflicts with religious leaders, his crucifixion, and the ironies within the Passion narrative. The hosts highlight unique elements in Matthew's Gospel, such as the Great Commission, cosmic signs, and supernatural events. They emphasize the importance of the inner life and the mission of making disciples, ending with a contrast between Peter and Judas to underscore themes of repentance and inner transformation. 00:00 Introduction and Earthquake for an Angel 01:01 Welcome Back to Thread: Final Episode of Matthew's Gospel 02:07 The Triumph of Jesus: Conflict with Religious Leaders 03:16 Parallels Between Moses and Jesus 06:55 Unique Aspects of Matthew's Gospel 09:51 The Passion of Christ: Fulfillment of Scripture 16:35 The Innocence of Jesus Highlighted 25:39 Apocalyptic and Supernatural Elements in Matthew 26:40 The Significance of the Torn Temple Curtain 27:27 Resurrection of the Holy People 28:16 Earthquakes and Angelic Appearances 31:32 The Great Commission: A Deep Dive 32:46 Worship and Wavering Faith 37:28 The Call to Community and Mission 45:59 Peter vs. Judas: A Tale of Two Betrayals 49:44 Conclusion and Transition to the Book of Mark   Links: Download the Thread Podcast App Learn more about Thread  Thread Facebook Thread Instagram Dr. David Pocta Hannah DeSouza

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Thread is a podcast about finding our place in God’s story. We invite you to follow along with Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza as they guide us on a journey through the Bible, exploring how the biblical narrative can transform and inspire us to live a life of fullness in Christ.   We're more than just a podcast. Check out www.ThreadPodcast.org for resources that can help integrate Thread into your life and the life of your church.

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