Episode The Apocrypha
Discover the Jewish writings between the Testaments, known as the Apocrypha, and why they still matter for Christians today.
Chapter 1
What do you have in your Bible between Malachi and Matthew? If you’ve ever been curious about whether there was anything written during the supposed “silent years” between the Old and New Testaments, join the Discover the Word group for their conversation about “The Apocrypha.” Scholar and author Dr. David deSilva leads Bill Crowder, Elisa Morgan, and Daniel Ryan Day as they explore “The Apocrypha” and whether it’s helpful to read these texts.
Chapter 2
What if the so-called “silent years” between the Old and New Testaments weren’t so silent after all? If you’re curious about what Jewish writers wrote between the time of Malachi and Matthew, grab a seat and join the Discover the Word group as they explore the writings found in “The Old Testament Apocrypha.” Discover more about their origin and ponder if they’re worth reading today.
Chapter 3
The writings found in “The Apocrypha” may be a mystery to many of us today, but the texts would have been very familiar to Jews living in Jesus’ day. Join the Discover the Word group as they explore how the books found in “The Apocrypha” helped shape first century Judaism and discover how the writings may have even influenced the way Jesus taught.
Chapter 4
What comes to mind when you hear the words “The Apocrypha”? If it makes you a little nervous but also a bit curious, join the Discover the Word group as they explore what’s contained in the collection of books that sometimes appears in the Old Testament, sometimes between the Testaments, or sometimes not in the Bible at all. In this conversation, discover how these texts may have influenced the apostle Paul.
Chapter 5
What if the Apocrypha doesn’t have to be such a mystery? This week, the Discover the Word group has been exploring why it might be helpful to learn about “The Apocrypha.” In this conversation, the group wraps up this fascinating series. Join them to discover how the Apocrypha likely influenced the early church and ponder why the texts might be worth reading for yourself.
About This Episode
- Show Notes
Receive
The books in the Apocrypha may be a mystery to us, but when we consider that they played a role in shaping Judaism during Jesus’ time and the apostle Paul’s life and that they would have influenced the early church, it may be worth learning about these ancient texts. Perhaps by being familiar with these writings, we’ll get a better understanding of the culture and teachings of the devout Jews who wrote them during the “silent years” between Malachi and Matthew, and we will discover how the writings may still influence us today.
Reflect
- Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you?
- Could some of Jesus’ teaching referred to in Mark 6:2 have reminded listeners of some of the writings from devout Jews found in the Apocrypha?
- When you read Jesus’ teachings about forgiveness found in Matthew 6:12, Matthew 18:14–35 and loving your enemies in Luke 6:30–36, do they echo some of the teachings found in the Apocrypha?
- Could Philippians 3:6 be an example of how the apostle Paul may have been influenced by the Apocrypha?
- Could Hebrews 1:1–4 and Colossians 1:15–17 be examples of how the early church used language found in the Apocrypha to express their thoughts about Jesus?
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear God, thank You that I can learn about You and Your Son Jesus through the Bible. I also give thanks for writings that can help me learn about the culture and context of the years when You seemed to be silent. Help me to draw closer to You as I seek to learn more about You and Your marvelous ways.”
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources
Mentioned in this episode:
- The Apocrypha by David deSilva
Listen:
Read:
Watch:
This Week's Featured Resource
The Apocrypha by David deSilva
After exploring the Apocrypha in this episode, dive deeper into these key Jewish texts written between the Babylonian exile and the time of Jesus. Discover how they influenced Jesus, shaped the New Testament writers, and guided the early church in understanding God’s unfolding story.