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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 hope over to our YouTube channel.

In this conversation we talk about what started Lois down the road of the culture and Jewishness of Jesus. She shared her upcoming projects (updating Listening to the Language of the Bible coming out in Fall 2026 and her untitled book about reading the Bible with an insider coming out Fall 2027). She also listed books that are helpful when starting down the road of studying the culture of the Bible.

She shares her favorite verses for showing how knowing the culture and language can help us better understand the Bible.

If you purchase any of her books directly from her store, you get a discount for larger groups and Lois offers to do a zoom call with the group after they finish the study.

Here's a link to her store.

https://ourrabbijesus.com/store/

Here's the link to her websites:

- Our Rabbi Jesus

Welcome to En-Gedi... - En-Gedi Resource Center

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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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. Veronica and Erika share simple, manageable steps that help build consistency without pressure. They also walk through several completely free tools that make Bible study accessible to anyone. For those ready to go a little deeper, they finish by recommending a few low-cost resources that are worth the investment.

We mention Lois Tverberg, Brad Young, Ray Vanderlaan, Rabbi Barney Kashdan, and Messianic Jewish Publishers.

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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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 expectation. Looking at Moses and Pharaoh, we see that Pharaoh’s heart didn’t shift because of Moses’ words, things moved only according to God’s timing and plan. God could have accomplished everything without Moses, yet He still chose to involve him. So maybe obedience isn’t about outcomes at all, but about being willing to say yes to God and remain faithful, regardless of the results we see.

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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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 then inviting others to retell it in their own words. From there, we ask thoughtful questions that help uncover what the story reveals about God and about humanity. The conversation moves from understanding the text to living it out — considering how we can embrace the truths Scripture teaches while rejecting the lies our culture often promotes. Ultimately, this approach shows how stories invite conversation and create space for faith to grow through dialogue.

Here’s the link to Shannon's free workbook that includes the false narrative watchlist.

https://subscribepage.io/LiveLikeItsTruePodcast

About Shannon (from her website): I’m Shannon Popkin. I’m a wife and mom, author and speaker. From the platform, page, or podcast mic, I’m inviting you to open your Bible with me, drink deeply of the Story, and live like it’s true.

For more information about Shannon check our her website:

Shannon Popkin | Inviting you to live like God's Word is true.

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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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 truth meant to be remembered, repeated, and lived out. Rather than simply telling lessons, biblical narratives show us who God is by inviting us into real human experiences where He actively engages the story. When we read Scripture this way, we begin to see how God teaches through relationships, choices, and consequences. These same stories then become bridges we can use to connect with others and share our faith in meaningful, relatable ways.

About Shannon (from her website): I’m Shannon Popkin. I’m a wife and mom, author and speaker. From the platform, page, or podcast mic, I’m inviting you to open your Bible with me, drink deeply of the Story, and live like it’s true.

For more information about Shannon check our her website:

Shannon Popkin | Inviting you to live like God's Word is true.

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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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 people.

What lessons do these final chapters have in store? Where does this leave Israel as they stand on the threshold of a new journey?

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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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 people that when they fail - and they will - that God will bring them back and defeat their enemies.

If you want to listen to our episodes on Habakkuk 3 those are episodes 156 and 157.

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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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 fades, and why following the stubbornness of the heart can endanger an entire community. Moses warns of the consequences of turning away from God, yet offers hope through repentance, restoration, and God’s promise to “circumcise the heart.” He reminds the people that the Torah is not distant or impossible, but close, understandable, and meant to be lived. The message culminates in a powerful choice set before every generation: life or death, blessing or curse—choose life.

Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible

We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook
We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible
We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube


Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/