The Chara Project Podcast

The Chara Project
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

The Chara Project podcast is for anyone interested in learning how to explore and understand the Bible, no matter your faith background. Tune in regularly as our team helps you build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Each podcast complements content found at www.thecharaproject.com.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 138 | Does Genesis Tell Us the Age of the Earth? Why Biblical Authors Matter

    Does Genesis tell us the age of the earth? Many of us come to the creation story with modern questions, but Genesis was written to answer the questions of the Israelites after 400 years in Egypt. Understanding the author’s purpose changes everything about how we read it. The 66 books of the Bible were written by about 40 authors, and each one wrote with a purpose. In this episode, Heather and Sarah share 3 reasons why understanding the Author's purpose matters: So we don’t ask the Bible to do something it was never intended to doSo we don’t whisper where the author shoutsSo we don’t shout where the author whispersBeyond Genesis, they look at how often Luke records Jesus talking about money (and why we tend to skim past it), and how verses like Luke 6:38 and the prayer of Jabez get turned into messages their authors never intended. If you’ve ever wondered why the Bible seems to say different things to different people, this episode will help you read it the way its authors meant it to be heard. This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. Subscribe for more on understanding the Bible, and tell us in the comments: is there a verse you’ve heard “shouted” that might actually be a whisper? To learn more about reading the Bible in context, download the CHARA Bible study guide and find more resources at thecharaproject.com. Subscribe for more on understanding the Bible, and tell us in the comments: has a verse ever changed for you once you learned its history? The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 138 | Does Genesis Tell Us the Age of the Earth? Why Biblical Authors Matter

  2. Oct 28

    Ep. 137 | Does the Bible Forbid Tattoos? Why Historical Context Matters

    The Bible is the bestselling book in history, yet more than half of Americans have barely read it. The most common reason? It’s hard to understand, and the parts we struggle with most are usually the ones rooted in a history very different from our own. In this episode, Heather and Sarah share 3 reasons why knowing the Bible’s historical context changes the way we read it: It exposes our biases and assumptionsIt lets us hear what the original audience heardIt gives us a framework for every storyTo put it to the test, the Chara Project team takes on one of the most debated verses in scripture: “Do not… put tattoo marks on yourselves” (Leviticus 19:28). What did it mean to the people who first heard it, and does it apply to us today? If you’ve ever opened the Bible and felt lost, this episode will give you a new lens for reading it with confidence. This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. Related episodes: Ep. 120 | How to (Carefully) Leverage AI for Bible Study Ep. 121 | How to Determine Cultural vs. Timeless Bible Passages To learn more about reading the Bible in context, download the CHARA Bible study guide and find more resources at www.thecharaproject.com/charaguide. Subscribe for more on understanding the Bible, and tell us in the comments: has a verse ever changed for you once you learned its history? The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 137 | Does the Bible Forbid Tattoos? Why Historical Context Matters

  3. Oct 21

    Ep. 136 | Bible Verses Out of Context (4 Reasons Why Context Matters)

    Ever heard seen Bible verses taken out of context? Or struggled to know what a verse really means?  In this episode Sarah and Heather explain why context is the most important tool for understanding the Bible. They show how reading scripture out of context can lead us to doubt God's goodness, believe false teaching, or even deceive ourselves. They walk through four reasons context matters, with examples from the Bible and everyday life: It gives us a framework (Luke 24, James 2:10)It keeps us from doubting God's goodness (Genesis 3, the prosperity gospel, Jeremiah 29:11)It helps us know what's true (Acts 17:11, James 1:5)It keeps us from deceiving ourselves (Matthew 5, Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge," Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things")Whether you're new to Bible study or have read scripture for years, you'll come away knowing why reading the Bible in context can help you interpret it with confidence. To learn more about reading the Bible in context, download the CHARA Bible study guide and find more resources at thecharaproject.com. Subscribe for more on how to study the Bible. This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 136 | Bible Verses Out of Context (4 Reasons Why Context Matters)

  4. Oct 7

    Ep. 135 | How to Read and Understand the Bible (5 Simple Steps)

    Ever opened your Bible, read a verse, and wondered what it actually means? Or felt overwhelmed about where to even start? In this episode, Heather and Sarah share the simple 5-step Bible study method they use every time they read scripture. They've taken the best books on hermeneutics (aka how to interpret the Bible) and boiled them down to five steps anyone can use, spelled out in the name CHARA: Context - Understand the text surrounding the passage History - Understand the history and culture of the ancient world Author - Understand the author’s purpose and their style of writing Research - Guide your study with questions, observations, and resources  Apply -  Identify how you can apply this passage to your life Whether you're new to Bible study or have read scripture for years, you'll come away with a clear, practical way to read and understand the Bible with confidence. Download the free CHARA Bible Study Guide and bookmark at thecharaproject.com, and subscribe for more on how to study the Bible. This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 135 | How to Read and Understand the Bible (5 Simple Steps)

  5. Jun 3

    Ep. 134 | What happened between the Old and New Testament?

    What happened in the 400 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament? This often-overlooked era—known as the Intertestamental Period or the Silent Period—bridges the gap between the books of Malachi and Matthew and helps explain the world Jesus entered. Join the The Chara Project team, as they walk through the major historical events that shaped the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the New Testament. Explore the rise and fall of four major empires—the Persian and Greek periods, a period of independence, and then the Roman period—and how each influenced Jewish life, faith, and identity. You’ll learn about Alexander the Great and Hellenization, the translation of the Hebrew scriptures into the Greek Septuagint, the Maccabean Revolt that led to the celebration of Hanukkah, and how the Jewish Diaspora, synagogues, Pharisees, and Sadducees emerged. Understanding this critical period helps make sense of the New Testament and the cultural setting of Jesus’ ministry. If you’ve ever felt like the Bible jumps suddenly from the Old Testament to the New Testament, this episode helps bridge the 400-year gap in the story of the Bible. This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. For more information about The Chara Project and how to study the Bible, including a download of the CHARA Bible Study Guide or Story of the Bible Guide, visit www.thecharaproject.com. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 134 | What happened between the Old and New Testament?

  6. May 20

    Ep. 133 | Covenants in the Bible

    If you’ve read any part of the Bible, you’ve probably seen the word covenant come up. But what is a covenant? Why are they so important in the Bible? Join the The Chara Project team as they unpack one of the most important themes in the entire Bible: God’s covenants with humanity. From Genesis to the life of Jesus, the Bible tells a unified story of God making promises to His people—and faithfully keeping them. This episode breaks down the meaning of Biblical covenants, walks through the five major covenants in the Bible: the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and the New Covenant, and shows how each Old Testament promise ultimately points forward to Jesus. Most importantly, learn what these covenants mean for us today and how the New Covenant reveals God’s deep love, faithfulness, and desire for a relationship with humanity. If you’ve ever had questions or have been confused about the covenants in the Bible, this episode is for you and will help you see how they each fit in the bigger story of the Bible. Learn about Biblical Covenants more at https://thecharaproject.com/covenants/ This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. For more information about The Chara Project and how to study the Bible, including a download of the CHARA Bible Study Guide or Story of the Bible Guide, visit www.thecharaproject.com. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 133 | Covenants in the Bible

  7. May 6

    Ep. 132 | The Story of the Bible: Letters

    Join The Chara Project as they close out the Story of the Bible series by diving into the rich, deeply practical final era: the New Testament Letters.  These 22 books—Romans through Revelation—were written by early church leaders to real communities navigating faith, identity, and life as a follower of Jesus in a complicated world. And their message still speaks with surprising clarity today. You’ll explore why the letters were written, how they were circulated, and the themes that tie them all together: salvation by grace, life in Christian community, fighting false teaching, spiritual maturity, and what it means to live a life shaped by Jesus. Paul’s letters lay out the heart of the gospel—how we are made right with God through faith alone. The General letters call believers to steadfastness, holiness, and hope. And the final letter, Revelation, gives a breathtaking finale to the entire biblical story, showing how God will ultimately defeat evil, restore creation, and dwell with His people forever. Whether you’re brand new to the Bible or growing deeper in confidence, this episode helps you see how the Letters connect the whole story—and how they can shape your story today. This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. Access the Story of the Bible Guide at https://www.thecharaproject.com/storyofthebible The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. For more information about The Chara Project and how to study the Bible, including a download of the CHARA Bible Study Guide, visit www.thecharaproject.com. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 132 | The Story of the Bible: Letters

  8. Apr 22

    Ep. 131 | The Story of the Bible: Early Church

    Join The Chara Project as they take you into the powerful, fast-moving story in the seventh era of the Story of the Bible—the Early Church era—found in the book of Acts.  If the Gospels show us Jesus’ life and ministry, Acts shows what happened next… and how an unlikely group of ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, carried the message of Jesus from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. You’ll explore the dramatic moments that launched the church: Jesus’ final instructions, the explosive arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter’s bold preaching, and the miraculous growth of a diverse, Spirit-filled community. You’ll see how persecution scattered believers—and how God used even suffering to spread hope. The episode also unpacks the stunning transformation of Saul into Paul, God’s “chosen instrument” to take the gospel to the nations, and the sweeping shift as Gentiles began entering God’s family. From house churches to miracles to missionary journeys, Acts shows the gospel breaking barriers, confronting opposition, and fulfilling promises God made long before. Whether you’re new to the Bible or building deeper confidence in understanding it, this episode will help you see how the Early Church’s story continued the unstoppable movement Jesus set in motion. This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here. Access the Story of the Bible Guide at https://www.thecharaproject.com/storyofthebible The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. For more information about The Chara Project and how to study the Bible, including a download of the CHARA Bible Study Guide, visit www.thecharaproject.com. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give Support the show

    Ep. 131 | The Story of the Bible: Early Church
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About

The Chara Project podcast is for anyone interested in learning how to explore and understand the Bible, no matter your faith background. Tune in regularly as our team helps you build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Each podcast complements content found at www.thecharaproject.com.

Information

  • Creator
    The Chara Project
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Chara Project Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Chara Project Podcast

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