Searching the Sacred

Ruth Pt 1 | Into Moab

Season 4 | Ruth Pt 1 | Into Moab
Welcome back to Searching the Sacred. This season we won't be bouncing from passage to passage, but methodically moving our way through the book of Ruth. 
Each week, not only will we have an episode for you to listen to; but for those who support us on Patreon, we have a discussion guide that allows you to join the conversation. 
In this first episode we barely make it into verse 2! Famine drives this family into Moab, death leaves a widowed mother-in-law with no sons or a husband, and yet they persist.
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We started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
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This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.
 

Learning to Pray Pt. 3: A Flourishing Humanity | Matthew 6

Season 3 | Learning to Pray Pt. 3: A Flourishing Humanity | Matthew 6
The conclusion to our series on prayer and Season 3!
What is the significance of daily bread, forgiveness of debts, and not being tempted and delivered from evil? How do these go together and what do they teach us about what it means to be human? 
And stick around for a re-imagining of The Lord's Prayer based on the totality of our conversation.
 
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We have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.

Learning to Pray Pt. 2: Welcome To The Household | Matthew 6

Season 3 | Learning to Pray Pt. 2: Welcome To The Household | Matthew 6
We are rounding out season 3 with a special three-part conversation on prayer. In Matthew 6, Jesus is in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount and he talks about how and where and what to pray. 
Part 2 of our conversation focuses on the first half of the Lord's Prayer.
What does it mean that this prayer is communal? Why the gendered name for God? What does it mean to keep God's name holy? And why does Jesus use the word 'Kingdom'? So many good topics in this episode.
In part 3 (coming later this week), we will focus on the second half of the Lord's Prayer.
 
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We have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.

Learning to Pray Pt 1: Hypocrites and Heathens | Matthew 6

Season 3 | Learning to Pray Pt 1: Hypocrites and Heathens | Matthew 6
We are rounding out season 3 with a special three-part conversation on prayer. In Matthew 6, Jesus is in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount and he talks about how and where and what to pray. 
Part 1 of our conversation focuses on verses 5-8, which lead up to the Lord's Prayer. Jesus tells his followers not to pray like the hypocrites who are attempting to draw attention to themselves, or like the heathens who use many words trying to get their god to listen and respond. 
How are we like the hypocrites and the heathens? What is prayer?
In part 2 (coming later this week), we will focus on the first half of the Lord's Prayer.
 
__
We have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.

Why A Test? | Genesis 22

Season 3 | Why A Test? | Genesis 22
Why does God test Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac?
This story is troubling on multiple levels...and has left many wondering what it could mean. We don't solve it, but we do enjoy asking some good questions.
 
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We have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.

Wrestling with Salvation | Joshua 1

Season 3 | Wrestling with Salvation | Joshua 1
What would it look like to reimagine Jesus by looking at two people who carried his name - Joshua and Isaiah? 
The courage and strength expected of Joshua might be different from the battle-ready context that we often have assumed. And what does it mean to call people towards salvation when they have gone so far astray?
 
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We have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.
 

The Grandmothering of Jesus | John 21

Season 3 | The Grandmothering of Jesus | John 21
In John 21, the disciples - led by Simon Peter - are going fishing. Why? They've just witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus, he's appeared to them at least two different times, and they decide to go fishing. 
It's easy in these moments to judge the disciples behavior. Maybe we would like to think we would have done something more purposeful or spiritually minded. But do we really know how potentially confusing and challenging these days after Jesus returns would be? 
And so we find the disciples fishing, and Jesus offers to make them some food. What could this moment be about?
 
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We have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.

Running For Your Soul | 1 Kings 19

Season 3 | Running For Your Soul | 1 Kings 19
Welcome to Season 3 of Searching the Sacred. To get this season started, we have a special guest joining us...Sarah Nichols, a teacher with 40 Orchards.
In this episode we explore 2 Kings 19 and the story of Elijah, who is running away from Ahab and Jezebel. 
What is our relationship with power? How far would we be willing to run to find our souls? What might be needed for this journey?
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We have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.

Jesus Playing Jazz: The significance of the Passover in framing the Eucharist | Mark 14

Bonus | Jesus Playing Jazz: The significance of the Passover in framing the Eucharist | Mark 14
Did you know that the Bible actually has the instruction to 'kill the passover'? Not the 'passover lamb', but just the 'passover'. And this phrase is in the text multiple times...even in the New Testament. What could this possibly mean? And what could the significance be for Jesus' invitation in the Upper Room?
This special bonus episode is coming just prior to Holy Week 2022.
We are joined by scholar and friend of the podcast, Nathan Fisher...our first guest appearance on Searching the Sacred!
As mentioned at the beginning of the episode, we have started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron. Any monthly donation will come with a free PDF for how to host a Seder meal. 
As mentioned in the middle of the episode, 40 Orchards is hosting a special Holy Week scripture circle focused on The Lord's Supper. This will take place on Wednesday, April 13th. You can sign-up HERE.
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This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.

Let’s All Be Weirdos | Genesis 14

Season 2 | Let’s All Be Weirdos | Genesis 14
Pop Quiz... Where is the first use of the title priest, the first use of the word shalom, and the first place where bread and wine are offered together? If you guessed Genesis 14 and the story of Melchizedek...then you've been studying with 40 Orchards! 
In Hebrews 5, the Christ is named as being in the line of Melchizedek. But who is this seemingly important, but rarely mentioned character?
The story of Melchizedek can help us explore the story of Abram.
The story of Melchizedek can help us unpack who Jesus is and the ever-present Christ.
The story of Melchizedek can offer us questions about how we show up in the world.
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.