Narrative Lectionary from Working Preacher

Welcome to "I Love to Tell the Story," a podcast exploring the Narrative Lectionary! In this episode, Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Matt Skinner delve into the Letter to the Galatians, which will be the focus for the next three weeks leading up to Pentecost. Explore the concept of humanity's lack of true freedom in the face of sin and death, and how Christ's death and resurrection break these powers, opening a path to right relationships with God and each other. 

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to Galatians 02:58 Context of Paul's Letter 05:39 Understanding Justification 08:32 Conclusion and Reflection 08:58 End

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21 written by Jerry Sumney at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/living-by-faith/commentary-on-galatians-113-17-211-21-5.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/GDzlxgLXgcw.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode of 'I Love to Tell the Story', Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Matt Skinner discuss the complexities of the early Christian church as depicted in Acts 15. They explore the challenges faced by the early church regarding law observance, the inclusion of Gentiles, and the meaning of salvation within the community. The conversation highlights the diversity of beliefs and practices among early Christians and the importance of unity in faith despite these differences.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and New Beginnings 01:02 Exploring Acts 15: The Early Church's Challenges 06:12 Understanding Salvation in the Context of Community

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Acts 15:1-18 written by Jerry Sumney at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/council-at-jerusalem-2/commentary-on-acts-151-18-3.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ZQAn2TmNfOU.

In this episode, Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm explore the story of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8, focusing on the themes of the Holy Spirit's guidance in spreading the gospel, the inclusivity of baptism, and the significance of reaching out to those who seek God. They discuss the historical context of the eunuch's story, the implications of his baptism, and the ongoing mission of the church in being sensitive to God's leading.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to the Ethiopian Eunuch's Story 02:49 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Mission 06:02 Inclusivity in Baptism and God's Grace

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Acts 8:26-39 written by Katherine A. Shaner at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/ethiopian-eunuch-baptized/commentary-on-acts-826-39-4.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/n5dyWOnkzJ0.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast, Profs. Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson explore the themes of resurrection, discipleship, and transformation as illustrated in the readings from John 21, Acts 9, Psalm 30, and Revelation 5. 

They discuss the significance of Jesus' resurrection appearances, the call to discipleship, the symbolism of feeding and shepherding, and the transformative experiences of Saul and Ananias. 

The conversation also delves into the emotional journey from mourning to joy, as well as the counter-cultural message of Revelation regarding power and authority.

Commentaries for the Third Sunday of Easter can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/third-sunday-of-easter-3/commentary-on-john-211-19-6.

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Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions!

Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!

Learn more by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/XTD6KJCFGBs.

Welcome to I Love to Tell the Story, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary from Luther Seminary’s Working Preacher. In this episode, Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm explore the powerful and provocative story of Stephen from Acts 6 and 7.

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 24:1-12 written by Katherine A. Shaner at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/stephens-witness/commentary-on-acts-61-72a-44-60-2.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/nSYh5xyG24s.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

What happens when the risen Jesus walks with you, but you don’t recognize him? And how does scripture set our hearts on fire even before we break the bread?

In this episode of I Love to Tell a Story, Rolf Jacobson, Lois Malcolm, and Jennifer Pietz unpack the rich theological and pastoral layers of the Emmaus Road story. As the disciples journey away from Jerusalem in disillusionment, they encounter a stranger who reveals scripture in a new light—rekindling faith, reframing expectations, and reigniting hope.

The conversation touches on how disappointment and grief shape our faith journeys, the significance of hospitality and shared meals, and how Jesus is made known through both scripture and sacrament. The hosts invite preachers to embrace the “multimedia” revelation of the risen Christ—through emotion, intellect, and community.

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 24:13-35 written by Katherine A. Shaner at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/emmaus-road-2/commentary-on-luke-2413-35-10.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Sm44RvVQzX0.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode, Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm explore the powerful resurrection narrative in Luke 24, focusing on the role of women as the first witnesses to the empty tomb.

💬 What does it mean to "remember" Jesus' words? 🕊️ How does the Holy Spirit empower believers in the wake of the resurrection? 🌿 What does it look like to live as people of new life and forgiveness?

The conversation unpacks the angelic question, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”, and its deep theological implications. The hosts reflect on how the remembrance of Jesus’ teachings by the women at the tomb connects faith, memory, and the fulfillment of scripture—offering hope and transformation for believers today.

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 24:1-12 written by Katherine A. Shaner at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/resurrection-3/commentary-on-luke-241-12-11.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/KNo9QEUGQMI.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm deeply dive into Luke 23:32-47, exploring the powerful and poignant account of Jesus' crucifixion. They discuss the trial, execution, and profound imagery of Jesus’ suffering, emphasizing his innocence and the significance of his final words in Luke compared to other gospels.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 The Context of Jesus's Crucifixion 02:26 The Innocent Sufferer: A Deep Dive into Luke's Narrative 05:02 Contrasting Last Words: Trust vs. Abandonment 07:26 Forgiveness and Understanding in Suffering 07:36 Outro

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 23:32-47 written by Karl Kuhn at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/crucifixion-2/commentary-on-luke-2332-47-4.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/BPFmoFYMqNI.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

What really happened at the Last Supper? In this episode, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm unpack Luke’s account of this pivotal moment, exploring:

- The role of Satan in influencing Judas’ betrayal - Jesus’ radical servant leadership and its challenge to worldly power - The human weakness and ambition at play among the disciples - The establishment of the new covenant through Christ’s sacrifice

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 22:1-27 by contributing author Karl Kuhn, found at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/lost-sheep-coin-son/commentary-on-luke-151-32-4.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to the Narrative Lectionary Podcast 00:52 The Role of Satan in the Last Supper 03:45 Jesus as the Model of Servant Leadership 05:42 Disputes Among Disciples: The Quest for Greatness 07:07 Human Weakness and the New Covenant

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/JaxP-kfb8P0.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

Join Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Alan Padgett as they discuss Luke 19:29-44 for April 13, 2025. In this episode, our theological experts explore Jesus' arrival at Jerusalem—his "triumphal entry" riding on a donkey—and his heartfelt lament over the city.

The conversation highlights how Luke's narrative fulfills the Messianic promises from earlier in the gospel, with Jesus explicitly declared as "king" through the adaptation of Psalm 118:26. The hosts reflect on what kind of king Jesus reveals himself to be—not one who seeks political or military power, but one who weeps over rejection and prepares to lay down his life.

Key topics include: - The cultural context of ancient processionals welcoming dignitaries - Jesus' humble approach on a donkey contrasting with worldly power - The emotional weight of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem - The prophetic vision of Jerusalem's destruction and humanity's resistance to peace - Palm Sunday celebrations and their significance across different Christian traditions

Whether you're preparing for Palm Sunday or exploring the paradoxical nature of Christ's kingship, this discussion offers valuable insights for sermon preparation and Bible study.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/o6r7Pf0fG7A.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher