Context Matters Podcast

What is the Context Matters Podcast?
This podcast is for people who are curious about the ancient context that influenced the final shape of the Bible…AND ALSO…how our modern context influences the way we understand the Bible and God and all things spiritual.

Who is the voice of the Context Matters Podcast?
Dr. Cyndi Parker is the voice of the Context Matters podcast. Dr. Parker holds a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from the University of Gloucestershire and has taught in churches, seminaries, and universities around the world. Her research interests include biblical views of place, biblical history and geography, and the correlation between theology and ecology (with particular interest in food justice). Cyndi lived in Jerusalem for five years, teaching Historical Geography of the Bible and The Life and Times of Jesus at Jerusalem University College. She has led dozens of trips to Israel and continues to develop innovative, educational trips that inspire students of all ages through experiential education. Cyndi is also the owner and creative director of Narrative of Place, LLC. Dr. Parker has spoken at PCC on several occasions.

Examples of Context Matters Podcast Episode Titles
·         Agriculture, Slaves, and the Church's Identity
·         Do Not Bear God's Name in Vain
·         Is the Exodus Event Historical?
·         Old Testament Controversies
·         Jesus in His Real World
·         Encountering Jesus in Place
·         Womanist Midrash is What Again?
·         Questions That Come from Grief
·         Silence and Imagination
·         Cute Monsters and the Problem of Evil  

How to use the Context Matters Podcast in a Growth Group Setting?
Here are a couple approaches that Growth Groups may use if they are desirous of studying and discussing the Context Matters Podcast:

·          Approach 1:
Group Members Listen to Podcast Prior to Meeting – Each group participant listens to the current week’s podcast prior to meeting together. While listening to the episode, group participants are encouraged to make notes and writes questions to address with the group at large.  

Group Leader(s) Prepares Discussion Questions – After listening to podcast the leader then prepares a list of discussion questions for the group(s) meeting.  

Group Discusses Podcast Episode – During the group’s weekly or biweekly gathering, time is spent diving into the questions that were prepared by the leader. Also, the questions that the other group members have are addressed at this time.  

·         Approach 2:
Group Leader(s) Listens to the Podcast Episode Prior to Meeting – The group’s leader listens to the current week’s podcast prior to the group gathering. While listening to the episode, the leader(s) makes notes and write questions to address with the group at large.  

Group Leader(s) Prepares Discussion Questions – After listening to the podcast and making notes, the leader(s) then prepares a list of discussion questions for the group’s meeting.  

Group Members Listen to Podcast Together – During the group’s weekly or biweekly gathering, the group listens to the podcast episode together. While listening, group participants write notes and questions to address together.  

Group Members Discuss the Podcast – During the group’s weekly or biweekly gathering, time is spent diving into the questions that were prepared by the leader. Also, the questions that the other group members wrote are addressed at this time.

Where can I access the podcast episodes?
To access episodes of the Context Matters podcast, click here.