How to Read the Bible Part 1: Reading the Bible Aloud in a Community?

This is our first episode in our series "How To Read The Bible." Tim and Jon discuss the differences in ancient and modern ways of reading scripture, including why the Hebrew people would read scripture together as a group. The guys also talk about how challenging it can be to read the Bible by yourself.

In the first half of the show (0-34:00) the guys talk about the differences between modern day emphasis on application the reading of God’s word, and the Old Testament emphasis on “responding” to hearing God’s word.

The second half of the show (34-50:00) Tim exposits on the ancient Hebrew practice of reading the Torah out loud together. A practice that was instituted in the Old Testament and has continued all the way through to modern times in today’s synagogues. Tim also talks about an interesting piece of Jewish history, the Dura Europos Synagogue. Jon asks why is it so important to read the Bible together as a group.

The last ten minutes of the show the guys ask what the origins of the sermon are and why ancient Israel had such a difficult time remembering what God had done for them.

We have a video coming out later this month that will accompany this podcast series. You can view all our videos on our youtube channel: youtube.com/thebibleproject

Additional Resources:

The Word Of Promise: Dramatic Reading of The Bible App.

Dura Europos Synagogue in Syria [see Wikipedia]

Jeffrey Tigay, ​The JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy​

Mesha Stela [see Wikipedia]

Music Credits:

Defender Instrumental by Rosasharn Music

Acquired in Heaven by Beautiful Eulogy

The Truth about Flight, Love and BB Guns by Foreknown