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—from Creation to the Patriarchs, the Exodus, the Kingdoms, and the Exile, to the long-awaited arrival of the Savior, the Early Church, and finally the New Testament Letters. Along the way, you’ll discover how the Old Testament points forward to Jesus, how the New Testament fulfills what was promised, and how the entire narrative tells the greatest story ever told.

If you've ever felt lost, confused, or unsure where to start with the Bible, this episode is your roadmap. It’s the perfect companion to our Story of the Bible Guide, helping you read with confidence, clarity, and renewed wonder.

Tune in—and rediscover the Bible as one breathtaking, unified story with Jesus at the center.

Access the Story of the Bible Guide at www.thecharaproject.com/storyofthebible

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, visit www.thecharaproject.com.

To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give

Support the show

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: from a brand-new website, new podcast episodes and online resources, to expanded partnerships with churches and schools using the CHARA Bible Study Guide as a teaching resource.

Heather and Sarah also share exciting plans for 2026—including a mobile app and what new guide is coming next. You’ll also hear encouraging stories of impact from the community and learn how you can help sustain this ministry through prayer, partnership, and giving.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the Chara Project, this episode will inspire you with what God is doing through this community—and invite you to join in helping people everywhere, not just read the Bible, but understand and share it.

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, visit www.thecharaproject.com.

To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give

#bible #biblestudy #biblestudytools #scripture #scripturestudy #christianpodcast #biblepodcast #ministryupdate #givingtuesday #nonprofit #charaproject #chara #giving #prayer #churchpartner #christianschool

Support the show

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 introduction to common figures of speech used in the Bible, including metaphors, hyperboles, and personification - so you can easily spot them as you dive into God’s Word. For anyone interested in navigating tough-to-read passages to know if they should be taken literally or not, this episode is for you!

Additionally, check out the corresponding article on determining Literal vs Figurative passages at www.thecharaproject.com/literalvsfigurative

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, visit www.thecharaproject.com.

To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give

Support the show