Chris Jolly explores the Bible's significance with Jim Wackett, CEO of Scripture Union New South Wales. Discover how the Bible's diverse literature—from history and poetry to wisdom and law—creates a cohesive narrative centring on Jesus. They discuss reading strategies for new Christians, including starting with the Gospels before exploring the Old Testament. Wackett suggests utilising resources like the YouVersion app and Bible study groups to deepen understanding. This episode offers insights on approaching the Bible and its profound influence on culture and personal faith.

Jim Wackett is the CEO of Scripture Union New South Wales, an organisation dedicated to promoting daily Bible reading and prayer. With a rich history of leadership in religious communities, Jim is integral to spreading biblical literacy and supporting Christians in their spiritual journeys. His work with Scripture Union involves creating accessible resources that aid both new and seasoned believers in engaging with Scripture meaningfully.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of the New Christian Podcast, host Chris Jolly welcomes Jim Wackett, CEO of Scripture Union New South Wales. Together, they delve into the intricacies of the Bible, exploring why it's essential reading not only for Christians but for anyone interested in understanding its profound cultural and historical influence. Chris reflects on his journey from scepticism to faith and how reading the Bible played a significant role in reshaping his perspectives.

The conversation opens up with an exploration of what the Bible truly represents — a library of various literary genres that collectively narrate the story of humanity's relationship with God. Jim Wackett emphasises the Bible's monumental impact on Western civilisation and shares practical advice for new Christians on how to approach reading this complex text effectively. Among the many insights, Jim introduces the “Star Wars approach” to Bible reading, a strategy that suggests beginning with the Gospels to understand the teachings of Jesus before delving into the Old Testament backstory.

The episode offers valuable guidance for those new to Bible study, highlighting resources like the YouVersion app and Scripture Union's WordLive platform as useful tools for engaging with biblical texts. Jim and Chris discuss the benefits of reading the Bible within a community, drawing parallels between Bible study and personal fitness. The insights shared in this episode aim to equip listeners, whether seasoned in their faith or just exploring, with the tools needed to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith.

Key Takeaways:
The Bible is a collection of 66 different books offering a rich tapestry of history, law, poetry, and prophecy, all pointing toward the narrative of humanity and God's relationship through Jesus.
Understanding the Bible's influence on culture, language, and legal systems highlights its importance as more than just a religious text.
New readers are encouraged to adopt the "Star Wars approach" by starting with the Gospels to grasp the core message of Jesus before exploring the Old Testament.
Engaging in Bible study within a community enhances understanding and accountability, much like group fitness does for physical health.
Various resources, like the YouVersion app and WordLive, offer structured Bible reading plans and daily devotionals to support personal and communal Bible study.

Notable Quotes:
“It's a library of 66 books…a mixture of history, law, biography, poetry, wisdom literature, letters—it's a really rich tapestry of various pieces of literature styles.”
“The Bible is worth reading because it's simply the most influential book in human history.”
“I recommend starting in the New Testament with the Gospel of Mark…and then maybe look at the Gospel of Luke, and then maybe the book of Acts.”
“All the books of the Bible are broken up into what we call chapters and verses; these were things that were incorporated later on during the Middle Ages.”
“Reading the Bible in community with others is like going to the gym with friends—encouraging each other to improve.”

Resources:
Scripture Union New South Wales
YouVersion Bible App
WordLive

Dive deeper into the exploration of faith and scripture by tuning into this engaging episode. Discover more profound insights and practical tips that await as you continue your spiritual journey. Don't miss out on more episodes filled with enlightening content from the New Christian Podcast.

Chris Jolly explores the Bible's significance with Jim Wackett, CEO of Scripture Union New South Wales. Discover how the Bible's diverse literature&mdash;from history and poetry to wisdom and law&mdash;creates a cohesive narrative centring on Jesus. They discuss reading strategies for new Christians, including starting with the Gospels before exploring the Old Testament. Wackett suggests utilising resources like the YouVersion app and Bible study groups to deepen understanding. This episode offers insights on approaching the Bible and its profound influence on culture and personal faith.
Jim Wackett&nbsp;is the CEO of Scripture Union New South Wales, an organisation dedicated to promoting daily Bible reading and prayer. With a rich history of leadership in religious communities, Jim is integral to spreading biblical literacy and supporting Christians in their spiritual journeys. His work with Scripture Union involves creating accessible resources that aid both new and seasoned believers in engaging with Scripture meaningfully.
Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode of the New Christian Podcast, host Chris Jolly welcomes Jim Wackett, CEO of Scripture Union New South Wales. Together, they delve into the intricacies of the Bible, exploring why it's essential reading not only for Christians but for anyone interested in understanding its profound cultural and historical influence. Chris reflects on his journey from scepticism to faith and how reading the Bible played a significant role in reshaping his perspectives.
The conversation opens up with an exploration of what the Bible truly represents &mdash; a library of various literary genres that collectively narrate the story of humanity's relationship with God. Jim Wackett emphasises the Bible's monumental impact on Western civilisation and shares practical advice for new Christians on how to approach reading this complex text effectively. Among the many insights, Jim introduces the &ldquo;Star Wars approach&rdquo; to Bible reading, a strategy that suggests beginning with the Gospels to understand the teachings of Jesus before delving into the Old Testament backstory.
The episode offers valuable guidance for those new to Bible study, highlighting resources like the YouVersion app and Scripture Union's WordLive platform as useful tools for engaging with biblical texts. Jim and Chris discuss the benefits of reading the Bible within a community, drawing parallels between Bible study and personal fitness. The insights shared in this episode aim to equip listeners, whether seasoned in their faith or just exploring, with the tools needed to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>The Bible is a collection of 66 different books offering a rich tapestry of history, law, poetry, and prophecy, all pointing toward the narrative of humanity and God's relationship through Jesus.</li>
<li>Understanding the Bible's influence on culture, language, and legal systems highlights its importance as more than just a religious text.</li>
<li>New readers are encouraged to adopt the "Star Wars approach" by starting with the Gospels to grasp the core message of Jesus before exploring the Old Testament.</li>
<li>Engaging in Bible study within a community enhances understanding and accountability, much like group fitness does for physical health.</li>
<li>Various resources, like the YouVersion app and WordLive, offer structured Bible reading plans and daily devotionals to support personal and communal Bible study.</li>
</ul>
Notable Quotes:
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;It's a library of 66 books&hellip;a mixture of history, law, biography, poetry, wisdom literature, letters&mdash;it's a really rich tapestry of various pieces of literature styles.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;The Bible is worth reading because it's simply the most influential book in human history.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;I recommend starting in the New Testament with the Gospel of Mark&hellip;and then maybe look at the Gospel of Luke, and then maybe the book of Acts.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;All the books of the Bible are broken up into what we call chapters and verses; these were things that were incorporated later on during the Middle Ages.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;Reading the Bible in community with others is like going to the gym with friends&mdash;encouraging each other to improve.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sunsw.org.au/">Scripture Union New South Wales</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/">YouVersion Bible App</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.wordlive.org/">WordLive</a></li>
</ul>
Dive deeper into the exploration of faith and scripture by tuning into this engaging episode. Discover more profound insights and practical tips that await as you continue your spiritual journey. Don't miss out on more episodes filled with enlightening content from the New Christian Podcast.

The New Christian is a podcast for anyone exploring faith — asking big questions about God, Jesus, and what it really means to follow Him.

Join Chris Jolly, Drive announcer on Hope 1032 and a new Christian himself, as he sits down with believers, faith leaders, and thinkers to explore the foundations of Christianity.

Curious, searching, or new to faith? Learn alongside Chris — one conversation at a time.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hope1032.com.au/podcasts.

The New Christian&nbsp;is a podcast for anyone exploring faith &mdash; asking big questions about God, Jesus, and what it really means to follow Him.
Join Chris Jolly, Drive announcer on Hope 1032 and a new Christian himself, as he sits down with believers, faith leaders, and thinkers to explore the foundations of Christianity.
Curious, searching, or new to faith? Learn alongside Chris &mdash; one conversation at a time.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at&nbsp;<a href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhope1032.com.au%2Fpodcasts&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cderrick.yeoh%40hopemedia.com.au%7C94e0d5bf1d8b45fbb28708de78d87e8b%7C44ee180c66c94274b5ea7a651fab25aa%7C0%7C0%7C639081068573158341%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=xCe4Z9b30uZoeQT617LJKcip5RQozi5zPbWdvK7ueOQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">hope1032.com.au/podcasts</a>.

The New Christian is a podcast for anyone exploring faith and asking what it really means to follow Jesus.  Hosted by Chris Jolly, Drive announcer on Hope 1032 and a new Christian himself, each episode features honest conversations with experienced believers, faith leaders, and thinkers about the foundations of Christianity.  Curious, searching, or new to faith? Some questions don’t have quick answers — but they’re worth asking.

The New Christian

The New Christian is a podcast for anyone exploring faith — asking big questions about who God is, who Jesus is, and what it really means to call yourself a Christian.

Hosted by Chris Jolly, Drive announcer on Hope 1032 and a relatively new Christian himself, this podcast follows a journey of discovery as Chris sits down with seasoned Christian leaders, mentors, and thinkers to explore the foundations of faith.

Season One covers questions like:

Who is God?

Who is Jesus?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Why church? Why prayer? Why does evil exist?

Even… how do you read the Bible?

Each episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation designed for the curious, the seeker, the new believer — and even the lifelong Christian wanting to go deeper.

No jargon. No assumptions. Just real questions, trusted voices, and a growing faith.

Whether you’re exploring Christianity for the first time or rediscovering it, you’re invited to learn alongside Chris — one conversation at a time.

Because some questions don’t have quick answers… but they’re worth asking.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hope1032.com.au/podcasts.

The New Christian&nbsp;is a podcast for anyone exploring faith &mdash; asking big questions about who God is, who Jesus is, and what it really means to call yourself a Christian.
Hosted by Chris Jolly, Drive announcer on&nbsp;Hope 1032&nbsp;and a relatively new Christian himself, this podcast follows a journey of discovery as Chris sits down with seasoned Christian leaders, mentors, and thinkers to explore the foundations of faith.
Season One covers questions like:
Who is God?
Who is Jesus?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Why church? Why prayer? Why does evil exist?
Even&hellip; how do you read the Bible?
Each episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation designed for the curious, the seeker, the new believer &mdash; and even the lifelong Christian wanting to go deeper.
No jargon. No assumptions. Just real questions, trusted voices, and a growing faith.
Whether you&rsquo;re exploring Christianity for the first time or rediscovering it, you&rsquo;re invited to learn alongside Chris &mdash; one conversation at a time.
Because some questions don&rsquo;t have quick answers&hellip; but they&rsquo;re worth asking.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at&nbsp;<a href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhope1032.com.au%2Fpodcasts&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cderrick.yeoh%40hopemedia.com.au%7C94e0d5bf1d8b45fbb28708de78d87e8b%7C44ee180c66c94274b5ea7a651fab25aa%7C0%7C0%7C639081068573121481%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=nm5RLave2SWf2z%2BEPuOuYYyslFZH6yYo%2FRGGYU6hcHM%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">hope1032.com.au/podcasts</a>.