The Chara Project Podcast

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:

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 pu...

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, a...

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 Bibl...

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 maturit...

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...

Join The Chara Project team as they journey into the sixth era of the Story of the Bible—and unpack the most pivotal moment in the entire Biblical story—the arrival of the long-awaited Savior. After tracing the Old Testament’s anticipation of a coming Rescuer, the episode steps into the New Testament and explores how Jesus fulfills the promises, prophecies, and patterns that pointed to Him.

You’ll get a big-picture look at the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—and discover why each writer chose to spotlight different angles of Jesus’ identity: Messiah, King, Son of Man, So...

Join The Chara Project as they journey into the fifth era of the Story of the Bible—the Exile, one of the most dramatic and transformative eras in the entire biblical story found throughout the prophetic books of the Old Testament. 

If you’ve ever wondered how the people of God ended up scattered across empires, why prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel sound the way they do, or how this period shaped the world Jesus later entered, this episode is for you.

You’ll explore the rise and fall of kingdoms, the warnings the people...

Join The Chara Project as they journey into the fourth era of the Story of the Bible—the Kingdom era—one of the most dramatic and complicated sections in the Biblical story spanning Joshua through 2 Chronicles. 

Following the Exodus era following the Israelites out of Egypt, this era traces their move into the Promised Land, their battles with deeply corrupt nations, and their struggle to remain faithful to God in a world full of competing influences.

You’ll explore the famous conquests under Joshua, meet unexpected heroes like Rahab, and see how a nation meant to repr...

Join The Chara Project as they journey into the third era of the Story of the Bible—the Exodus, covering the powerful story found in Exodus through Deuteronomy. 

After zooming in on one remarkable family (the Israelites) in the Patriarchs, we trace this same family’s journey 400 years later, as they multiply in Egypt, fall under oppression, and are miraculously delivered through Moses—a reluctant leader chosen and empowered by God.

We walk through the dramatic plagues, the first Passover, and the parting of the Red Sea, highlighting how each moment reveals God’s supremacy over fals...

In this episode, join The Chara Project as they journey into the second era of the Story of the Bible—the Patriarchs (Genesis 12–50). After the sweeping overview of Creation, the Bible zooms in on one remarkable family through whom God will unfold His rescue plan for humanity.

Walk with Abraham as God calls him out of his homeland, establishes a covenant of blessing, and asks him to trust beyond what seems possible. Discover how God patiently fulfills His promises despite barrenness, doubt, and human attempts to “help” God along. See how Isaac and Jacob inherit these same promises...

Step into the opening pages of the Bible as The Chara Project team does a deep dive into the Story of the Bible. In this episode, they explore the Creation era (Genesis 1–11) and uncover the foundational truths that shape the entire biblical narrative.

Together, they unpack who God is, why He created the world, and what it means that humanity was made in His image. You’ll hear how God brings order to chaos, designs creation with purpose, and invites humanity to “rest and rule” with Him. But the story doesn’t stay idyllic for long as the team t...

What if the Bible isn’t a collection of disconnected stories—but one unified story pointing to Jesus from beginning to end?

In this episode, The Chara Project team walks through the entire storyline of the Bible—cover to cover—in a clear, compelling, and accessible way. Whether you’re brand-new to the Bible or you’ve been reading it for years, this conversation will help you see how every era, character, and page fits together to reveal God’s unfolding plan to redeem and restore humanity.

Journey with us through the eight major eras of the Bible—f...

As a nonprofit, every year the Chara Project hosts a ministry update to go behind the scenes and take a heartfelt look at how God has been at work through our growing community. Instead of a live virtual event, this year’s update comes in podcast form, packed with reflections on what God has done and where He’s leading next.

Over the past six years, The Chara Project has continued to empower people to study the Bible with confidence—on their own and with their neighbors. In this episode, you’ll hear how that mission is thriving...

Have you ever heard someone say that the Bible was meant to be read “literally”? Yet the Bible is filled with language that is figurative and symbolic in nature. So, how are we really supposed to decipher between what text is to be taken literally versus figuratively?

Join the Chara Project team as they explore how to discern literal versus figurative language in the Bible. They provide practical guidance for interpretation, including how to consider the author’s intent, literary genre (e.g., poetry, prophecy), and historical context.

You won’t want to miss the introduc...

Ever wondered if a Bible verse applies to your life today or was meant for its ancient audience? Maybe you've asked yourself, “Well, that’s fine for them back in Biblical times, but does that really apply to me today?” You're not alone in asking this question - it's actually a VERY common question and not always the easiest to answer.

Join the Chara Project team as they dive into the art of discerning cultural versus timeless truths in the Bible. They share practical tools to help you navigate the Bible’s stories and instructions, ensuring you apply it...

Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT can transform your Bible study? In this culturally relevant episode, The Chara Project team explores safe and effective ways to use artificial intelligence to enhance your engagement with the Bible. 

Discover how AI can simplify research, spark insightful questions, and uncover historical context, making Bible study more approachable—especially for beginners. From crafting reading plans to exploring original languages, this episode reveals practical tips to leverage AI without compromising the depth of personal study. 

The team also shares crucial warnings to avoid pitfalls, ensuring AI remains a he...

Probably one of the most common questions people have when they start exploring the Bible is “How did we get the Bible?” 

Often, there are a few questions behind that question, like "Where did the Bible come from?", "How do we know what we’re reading is the same as what was originally written?", "How was the Bible preserved and passed down over thousands of years?", or "Why these 66 books and not others?"

Join the Chara Project team as they explore this topic and discuss how we got the Old Testament and New Testament, what's not inc...

What is the Bible? This is a question many ask, as the Bible is a pretty large book that can feel overwhelming at first glance. 

Join the Chara Project team as they unpack the Bible's purpose, its layout, and what story it tells. Along the way, the team will discuss how the Bible isn't one book, but 66 books broken into two parts - the Old and New Testaments, and how it tells the story of God's love for us. You won't want to miss this encouraging and helpful episode that will get you excited to open up a...

Want to build confidence in studying the Bible? One way to do this is from learning from other people's stories–hearing the impact of the Bible and it's message on people's lives that can encourage us in our faith journey.

Join the Chara Project team as they interview long-time friend Lynfield Hines, a pastor for more than twenty years. Driven by a deep family legacy of faith, Lynfield shares how he encountered Jesus at seven, lead Bible studies on the playground in junior high, and through it all, approached the Bible with curiosity and passion. In his jo...

Want to build confidence in studying the Bible? One way to do this is from learning from other people's stories–hearing the impact of the Bible and it's message on people's lives that can encourage us in our faith journey.

Join the Chara Project team as they interview Bruce Juhlin, a long-time friend and board member of The Chara Project.  Bruce shares his unique journey of coming to faith in Jesus before engaging with the Bible, marked by a challenging religious upbringing and a tragic loss as a teenager. Discover how a moment of despair led him to...

Want to build confidence in studying the Bible? One way to do this is from learning from other people's stories–hearing the impact of the Bible and it's message on people's lives that can encourage us in our faith journey.

Join the Chara Project team as they interview Ashley Readenour, a long-time Bible study friend of Sarah and Heather's. Ashley shares her journey from a childhood marked by abuse and relgious hypocrisy, to a life-changing encounter with God’s Word that sparked a pivotal shift in her life. Discovering God’s love transformed her view of scripture from a...

Want to build confidence in studying the Bible? One way to do this is from learning from other people's stories–hearing the impact of the Bible and it's message on people's lives that can encourage us in our faith journey.

Join the Chara Project team as they interview Kass Wessman who shares how as an adult, a children’s storybook Bible first introduced her to Jesus—and how its message deeply transformed her heart. Listen as Kass recounts her powerful journey of discovering truth in scripture and how daily time in God's Word renews, sustains, and sets her fr...

Want to build confidence in studying the Bible? One way to do this is from learning from other people's stories–hearing the impact of the Bible and it's message on people's lives that can encourage us in our faith journey.

Join the Chara Project team as they interview Mike Bell, a pastor at South Mountain Community Church in Utah and Executive Director of Healing Nations. Mike's unlikely path had him joining a Christian band before believing, and it was his bandmate that challenged and led him to embrace Jesus and dive into the Bible. Mike shares how sc...

Want to build confidence in studying the Bible? One way to do this is from learning from other people's stories–hearing the impact of the Bible and it's message on people's lives that can encourage us in our faith journey.

Join the Chara Project team as they interview Terresa Wood from the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake City, Utah. From living on the streets to having her heart captured for Jesus, Terresa's story of doubt turned to hope is an encouraging story that show's the relentless love of God. Her story will inspire you to dive deeper in...

Want to build confidence in studying the Bible? One way to do this is from learning from other people's stories–hearing the impact of the Bible and it's message on people's lives that can encourage us in our faith journey.

Join the Chara Project team as they interview Ren Richardson, whose faith journey took him from religion to atheism to discovering the gospel message in the Bible. Ren's story of the Holy Spirit's work in his life, matched with his patient and methodical approach to uncovering the text of the Bible will encouraged you to understand God's Wo...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

Let's take a look one by one at the different literary styles–this episode focusing on how to...

As we enter into the New Year, we can often set New Year's resolutions - incorporating good habits, shedding bad habits and overall having a renewed mind as we start a new calendar year. At The Chara Project, our prayer for you this New Year, is that you can know and understand God and His character from studying His Word, so that you trust Him more deeply. Join the Chara Project team as they take a closer look to how God describes Himself in Exodus 34:6-7 and how we can see these same characteristics recalled and realized throughout the...

As we enter into the New Year, we can often set New Year's resolutions - incorporating good habits, shedding bad habits and overall having a renewed mind as we start a new calendar year. Our prayer for you this New Year, stems from Hebrews 12:1-2, that says, "let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith." Join the Chara Project team as they help us with 6 tips for keeping your eyes...

We've been studying Biblical prophesy a lot this year, and what better way to highlight the reason for Christmas than through a few Old Testament prophecies that point to Jesus' birth. Join the Chara Project team, as they focus on 3 types of Old Testament prophecies that are highlighted in Matthew’s gospel account of the Christmas story: the lineage of the Messiah, the nature of the Messiah, and the birthplace of the Messiah. If you want to gain more confidence in Jesus as your Messiah this Christmas, and the reason we celebrate this important holiday, then this is the po...

In the month of November, as we near the holiday of Thanksgiving, we often take time to recognize what we're thankful for. But what does the Bible says about Thanksgiving? Join the Chara Project team, as they do a topical study on the word Thanksgiving and find out how the Bible gives a lot of examples of WHY we should be thankful and INSTRUCTION on how and when to be thankful. This episode will leave you encouraged and grateful for the main reason we have for giving thanks this season.

This podcast is also released as a...

As you study the book of Jonah, you will likely come across a verse in Matthew 12:41, where Jesus refers to Himself, saying that “something greater than Jonah is here.” What is Jesus really claiming in this moment?

Join the Chara Project team as the team takes a closer look between Jesus and Jonah, uncovering 10 things they have in common, and 10 reasons why Jesus is greater than Jonah.

This podcast is also released as a video podcast on YouTube here.

Want to study the book of Jonah on your own or in a group? Acce...

How do we study Jonah chapter 4?  Up to this point in the book of Jonah, he had completed his mission and the Ninevites had repented. This is where the story seems to have a natural end. And yet we still have one more chapter left in the book of Jonah. In one of the oddest endings to a book in the Bible, we see a conversation unfold between Jonah and God that gives us insight into the heart of Jonah.

Join the Chara Project team as they take a deep dive into the book of Jonah - n...