Sunday School; A Pillar Bible Study

It’s the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and we’re back in Wisdom literature for our first reading. Dr. Scott Powell explores the meaning of the Hebrew word ‘hevel,' which most modern English-language bibles translate as ‘vanity.’ Then, Scott unpacks St. Paul’s challenge of Ecclesiastes in his letter to the Colossians, and Jesus’ parable in response to a man demanding justice in the distributi...

This episode contains discussion of sexual violence and may not be suitable for children. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they unpack the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and discuss how it could be connected to this week’s other readings from the Psalms and Colossians. Then, Scott makes the argument the Our Father is all about the Exodus. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to...

It’s the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they explore the temptation to make idols in the Old Testament, and the connection between Old Testament blessings and curses and the corporal works of mercy Catholics practice today. Then, Scott provides some context for the well-known Gospel story of Martha and Mary. You can find Scott’s book here: W...

It’s the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they wrestle with the paradox of the Mosaic law and the parable of the Good Samaritan. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:06. Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 30: 10-14 Psalm 69: 14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 Reading 2 - Colossians 1: 15-20 Gospel - Luke 10: 25-37 This is a public episode. If you'd like...

Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they talk about the purpose of ordinary time, why God allows bad things to happen, and Jesus’ appointment of 72 to go ahead of him on the way to Jerusalem. Check out Scott’s book here: Walking with Christ: A Journey Through the Gospel of Luke Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:00. Reading 1 - Isaiah 66:10-14c Psalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20 Reading 2 - Galat...

It’s the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera to talk about St. Peter’s exodus from prison on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, St. Paul’s final letter, and Jesus’ giving the keys of the kingdom to St. Peter. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:52. Reading 1 - Acts 12: 1-11 Psalm 34: 2-9 Reading 2 - 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18 Gospel - Matthew 16: 13-1...

It’s time to celebrate Corpus Christi! Join Dr. Scott Powell, Kate Olivera, and JD Flynn as they explore the identity of the mysterious Melchizedek, and the connection between the priesthood and the feeding of the 5,000 in the Gospel. Reading 1 - Genesis 14: 18-20 Psalm 110: 1-4 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 Gospel - Luke 9: 11b-17 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...

It’s Trinity Sunday! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they wrestle with chokmah, St. Paul’s Christological reshaping of chokmah in his letter to the Romans, and Jesus’ farewell discourse at the Last Supper. Reading 1 - Proverbs 8:22-31 Psalm 8: 2a, 4-9 Reading 2 - Romans 5:1-5 Gospel - John 16:12-15 Interested in advertising on Sunday School? Email Michelle at mlarosa@pillarcat...

Come, Holy Spirit! It’s Pentecost Sunday, and Dr. Scott Powell is here to share some of the biblical language that gives context to these readings. Reading 1 - Acts 2:1-11 Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-31, 34 Reading 2 - Romans 8: 8-17 Gospel - John 20:19-23 - This episode of Sunday School was brought to you by Amazing Parish. Amazing Parish coaches hundreds of Catholic pastors across the United States eac...

This Sunday— in most dioceses— we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. Dr. Scott Powell explains why the Ascension is actually the pinnacle of the Easter season and the connection between these readings and the often misunderstood parable of the ten virgins. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:50 Reading 1 - Acts 1: 1-11 Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2 - Ephesians 1:17-23 Gospel - Luke 24...

In these readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we hear about the Council of Jerusalem and Jesus’ last discourse to his apostles. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 8:35 Reading 1 - Acts 15 :1-2, 22-29 Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8 Reading 2 - Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 Gospel - John 14:23-29 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

It’s the Fifth Sunday of Easter! Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they talk about a chiasm in Acts of the Apostles and reflect on the betrayal of Judas. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:25 Reading 1 - Acts 14:21-27 Psalm 145: 1, 8-13 Reading 2 - Revelation 21:1-5a Gospel - John 13:31-33a, 34-35 This episode of Sunday School was brought to you by Amazing Parish. Amazing Parish co...

It’s Good Shepherd Sunday! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they talk about St. Paul and Barnabas’ disruption at a synogogue in Antioch, the 144,000 sealed in Revelation and Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:45 Reading 1 - Acts 13:14, 43-52 Psalm 100: 1-2, 3, 5 Reading 2 - Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 Gospel - John 10:27-30 This is a public episode....

Dr. Scott Powell breaks down the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter— including a deep dive into the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He also explores some possible deeper meanings behind Peter’s first conversation with the Risen Christ. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:50 Reading 1 - Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Psalm 30: 2, 4-6, 11-13 Reading 2 - Revelation 5:11-14 Gospel - John...

It’s the Second Sunday of Easter— Divine Mercy Sunday. This week, Dr. Scott Powell talks with JD Flynn and Kate Olivera about the structure of Acts of the Apostles, the ancient idiom that contextualizes the book of Revelation, and Jesus’ healing of Thomas. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:00 Reading 1 - Acts 5:12-16 Psalm 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24 Reading 2 - Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-1...

This week, Dr. Scott Powell approaches the readings for Easter Sunday in reverse. Join Dr. Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as we learn how Jesus’ resurrection interacts with a frequently misunderstood Jewish feast day. Then, Scott shares what he considers to be the turning point of the entire New Testament. And don’t miss Dr. Powell’s latest book— Walking with Christ: A Journey Through the Gospe...

It’s Palm Sunday, everybody. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they unpack this Holy Week overture— including St. Paul’s kenotic hymn, the meaning of Jesus’ last words on the cross and the choice we make each Palm Sunday. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 21:30 Reading during palm procession - Luke 19:28-40 Reading 1 - Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-20, 23-24 Reading 2 -...

It’s the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they explore themes of water and dust— and reconsider the Gospel story of the woman caught in adultery. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:45 Reading 1 - Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126: 1-6 Reading 2 - Philippians 3:8-14 Gospel - John 8:1-11 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subsc...

Rejoice, everyone— it’s Laetare Sunday! In our first reading, Joshua leads a new generation into the promised land. Then, Dr. Scott Powell suggests it might be time for some of us to rethink how we approach parables. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:50 Reading 1 - Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 Psalm 34: 2-7 Reading 2 - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Gospel - Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 This is a public episode. If y...

It’s the Third Sunday of Lent! This week, Moses has his first encounter with God, Christians in Corinth wrestle with interacting with society as Christians and Jesus offers a straightforward warning. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 8:45 Reading 1 - Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 Psalm 103: 1-4, 6-7, 8, 11 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Gospel - Luke 13:1-9 - Join JD and Ed in Rome this Dec...

In these readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, Abram asks God for something tangible and Jesus undergoes the Transfiguration. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:55 Reading 1 - Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18 Psalm 27: 1, 7-9, 13-14 Reading 2 - Philippians 3:17—4:1 Gospel - Luke 9:28b-36 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...

It’s the First Sunday of Lent! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they explore a more robust definition of the Exodus and talk about the testing of Jesus. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:45 Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Psalm 91: 1-2, 10-15 Reading 2 - Romans 10: 8-13 Gospel - Luke 4: 1-13 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers...

It’s the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell as he unpacks the readings— including an uncommon reading from Sirach. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:45 Reading 1 - Sirach 27:4-7 Psalm 92: 2-3, 13-16 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Gospel - Luke 6:39-45 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi...

It’s the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell as he shares a story of David at his finest and helps JD Flynn and Kate Olivera reconsider a familiar Gospel reading. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:50 Reading 1 - 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 Psalm 103: 1-4, 8, 10, 12-13 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 Gospel - Luke 6:27-38 This is a public episode. If you'd like t...

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they discuss the readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time— and ask what it actually means to be blessed by God? Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:02 Reading 1 - Jeremiah 17:5-8 Psalm 1:1-4 & 6 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Gospel - Luke 6:17, 20-26 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscrib...