Sunday School; A Pillar Bible Study

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...

It’s the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they unpack the callings of Isaiah and Simon Peter. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:55 Reading 1 - Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 Psalm 138 1-5, 7-8 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Gospel - Luke 5:1-11 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

This week, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation and the readings are all about the priesthood. Hear Malachi give a prophecy about God’s return that is parallel to Isaiah’s own prophecy about God’s return. Then, Dr. Scott Powell explains the context of the Presentation. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:20 Reading 1 - Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 24: 7-10 Reading 2 - Hebrews 2:14-18 Gospel -...

In these readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, the Israelites finally acknowledge their sins and Jesus declares a Jubilee Year. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:35 Reading 1 - Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm cf John 6:63c Psalm 19: 8-10, 14 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 Gospel - Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other...

It’s the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time! This week, Dr. Scott Powell talks about ancient Israel’s understanding of a jubilee year. He also shares a few reasons the wedding at Cana is more than just a magic trick precursor to Jesus’ other miracles. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:15 Reading 1 - Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 96: 1-3, 7-10 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Gospel - John 2:1-11 This...

JD asks some follow-up questions after going through the readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year C. We’re trying this out— give us feedback in the comments below! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they unpack the first of the ’servant songs’ found in Isaiah— and link it to the creation story in Genesis. Scott talks about Acts 10, the turning point of the New Testament. Then, he makes some really cool connections about water. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:20 Reading 1 - Isaiah 42:1-4,...

Happy Feast of the Epiphany! This week, Dr. Scott Powell gives his take on the tradition of the Three Kings— and reflects on the return of the glory of God. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:00 Reading 1 - Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Reading 2 - Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12 Watch: The Star of Bethlehem Listen: The Psalms season of Sunday School This is a public...

It’s the Feast of the Holy Family! Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they unpack one of Scott’s favorite stories from Scripture, St. Paul’s letter of encouragement to Colossia and that time Mary and Joseph lost Jesus. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:40 Reading 1 - 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 Ps 128: 1-5 Reading 2 - Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 Gospel - Lk 2:41-52 This is a public episode. If...

Merry Christmas, everyone! In reflecting on the readings for Christmas Mass During the Day, Year C, Dr. Scott Powell talks about the importance of context in defining the word “gospel.” Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:27 Reading 1 - Is 52: 7-10 Ps 98: 1-6 Reading 2 - Heb 1:1-6 Gospel - Jn 1:1-18 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

This episode has been re-published after it failed to populate podcast apps. Our apologies! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they unpack the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C— including the Visitation and the minor prophet Micah’s warnings to a prosperous Israel. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:50 Reading 1 - Mi 5:1-4a Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Reading 2...

Shout for joy, everyone! It’s Gaudete Sunday. Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera talk about the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent.  Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:25 Reading 1 - Zep 3:14-18a Is 12:2-6 Reading 2 - Phil 4:4-7 Gospel - Lk 3:10-18 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarc...