53: Why Did Jesus Say the Tax Collector Was Justified? (And Not the Pharisee?)

55: Are You Really Ready? What the Parable of the 10 Virgins Teaches About Spiritual Preparedness

In this final installment of our “Storytime with Jesus” series, we unpack one of the most sobering and misunderstood parables: the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25). It's not just about oil or end-times prophecy—it’s about readiness, responsibility, and the weight of being chosen. We talk honestly about the fear-mongering around the Second Coming, the pressures of spiritual performance, and what it really means to be ready for Jesus. Whether you’ve wrestled with end-times anxiety or just want to understand what this parable means for your everyday walk with Christ, this episode will challenge and encourage you. * What the Parable of the 10 Virgins really means and why it’s not about fear * The connection between spiritual maturity and producing fruit * Why readiness can’t be borrowed—your faith is your responsibility * The dangers of end-times obsession and spiritual distraction * How Jesus calls us to live with anticipation without anxiety * Matthew 25:1–13 (The Parable of the Ten Virgins) * Matthew 24 (context for the Olivet Discourse) * Revelation (Bride of Christ metaphor) 00:00 – Celebrating our podcast anniversary and Spotify comments 03:00 – Why this is a “spicy” and tough parable 07:20 – Honest thoughts on end times teaching and fear-based theology 10:30 – Reading the Parable of the Ten Virgins 14:00 – Jewish wedding context and the role of the bridesmaids 18:00 – What does it mean to be spiritually ready? 21:00 – Can readiness be shared? Why the oil couldn’t be given 25:00 – Grace, judgment, and God’s deep desire for everyone to be with Him 27:00 – Final reflections and prayer for readiness and fruitfulness Quotables: 🟡 “You can’t borrow someone else’s readiness. You have to live it yourself.” 🟡 “Being picked to carry the lamp was an honor—just like being a child of God is an honor.” 🟡 “God is too honorable to leave people confused at the end. But He is also just.” 👉 Like what you heard? Don’t forget to follow on Spotify and drop a comment—we love connecting with you there! ✉️ Got questions or suggestions for a future episode? Let us know via Instagram or Spotify comments. 📲 Share this episode with a friend who needs to know: readiness isn’t about fear—it’s about faithful living. CONNECT WITH US on Instagram @lisaschef and @jantouchberry iv2U9UtJi0S7kkGNLjfW

54: What Kind of Soil Are You? | The Parable of the Soils | Luke 8: 1-15

In this episode of Untwisting Scripture, we're digging into one of Jesus’s most well-known — and most misunderstood — parables: the Parable of the Four Soils from Luke 8. This isn't your average Sunday School take. We're unpacking what Jesus really meant when He talked about seeds, soil, and spiritual growth. Was He talking about salvation, fruitfulness, or both? And what does it mean for your walk with God right now? Whether you’ve heard this story a hundred times or you’re hearing it fresh, this conversation invites you to reflect deeply, ask honest questions, and maybe rethink what “believing in Jesus” actually looks like. 📌 Key Takeaways: * The Parable of the Soils challenges us to examine the condition of our hearts, not others'. * Allegiance to Jesus goes beyond mental agreement — it’s a lived-out commitment. * The thorns of life (worry, riches, pleasure) can choke out spiritual growth even in believers. * Jesus used parables to force decisions, not to entertain — they demand a personal response. * Luke uniquely highlights the faithful role of women in Jesus’s ministry, which has deep theological implications. 🕰 Timestamps: * 0:00 – Welcome + why parables aren’t cozy bedtime stories * 3:24 – Setting the scene in Luke 8: Jesus on the move * 6:50 – The surprising significance of the women around Jesus * 8:00 – Reading the Parable of the Soils * 10:40 – Why Jesus taught in parables: was He hiding the truth? * 15:00 – Breaking down the four soils and what they symbolize * 17:30 – Is this about salvation, fruitfulness, or both? * 21:30 – Why this parable is more about reflection than judgment * 26:30 – How distractions (even worry!) can kill your growth * 29:18 – The power of perseverance and spiritual fruit * 31:00 – What allegiance to Jesus really looks like 💬 Memorable Quotes: “All parables force a decision. They aren’t just stories—they demand a response.” “Belief isn’t just something that happens in your head. It’s allegiance. It’s action.” “We’re not called to categorize others. We’re called to examine our own soil.” 📚 Resources Mentioned: * Luke 8:1–15 (NIV) * Daryl Bock’s commentary on Luke * Ephesians 6:12 – Spiritual warfare and prayer * John 6 – Bread of life and the cost of following Jesus Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode challenged or encouraged you. IG @lisaschef and @jantouchberry 🙌 Connect with Us:

53: Why Did Jesus Say the Tax Collector Was Justified? (And Not the Pharisee?)

Happy Birthday to the Untwisting Scripture podcast! In this special one-year anniversary episode, Jan and Lisa reflect on the podcast’s impact, audience feedback, and the power of creating space for honest biblical questions. Then, they dive into the next parable in their “Storytime with Jesus” series—unpacking the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18:9–14. This episode explores what it really means to be “justified before God” and challenges listeners to examine where pride may be hiding in their walk of faith. Whether you relate more to the rule-following Pharisee or the desperate humility of the tax collector, this conversation invites you into a deeper understanding of mercy, prayer, and spiritual posture. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and tax collector was so radical in His day * How self-righteousness subtly creeps into modern Christian life * What it actually means to be “justified” and how it relates to righteousness * Why humility is essential in prayer—and how to cultivate it * How this parable pairs with the story of the persistent widow to reshape how we pray * The importance of safe spaces to ask hard questions about the Bible Key Scriptures Discussed: * Luke 18:1–8 (Parable of the Persistent Widow) * Luke 18:9–14 (Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector) * Romans 3:10 – “There is no one righteous, not even one” * Matthew 7:3–5 – The plank and the speck * Various parables from the “Storytime with Jesus” series Timestamps for Key Moments: 00:00 – Celebrating one year of Untwisting Scripture 03:10 – The unexpected impact of asking questions about the Bible 06:45 – The “English garden vs wilderness” analogy for spiritual growth 10:20 – Recap of the Parable of the Persistent Widow 11:08 – Reading and exploring the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector 15:00 – What “justified” means in a biblical context 17:15 – How pride shows up in modern Christian behavior 20:00 – The dangers of comparison and pious posturing 23:00 – Why new believers often have the deepest joy 24:08 – How this parable reshapes our understanding of prayer Notable Quotes: * “There is no one righteous, no not one.” * “Humility is a shy virtue—once you claim it, you lose it.” * “We are all in a mess. But by the mercy of God, we have hope.” * “Jesus challenges not just our actions, but the posture of our hearts.” Resources & Links: 🎉 Celebrate with us by sharing the podcast with a friend! 📱 Follow us on social media 📝 Don’t miss the bonus resources and veggie tale clips— https://youtu.be/3hfZK61eiC0?si=h-JzsOaDvgfg0XoW 📩 Got questions? Message us or text us—your input might shape our next episode. Next Up: We’ll wrap up the “Storytime with Jesus” series with two more parables that challenge our assumptions and reframe how we see God's kingdom. Got a parable you’d love for us to unpack? Let us know!

52: Why Does God Feel Silent When I Pray? | The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Ever prayed and felt like heaven was quiet? In this episode of Untwisting Scripture, co-hosts Lisa Scheffler and Jan Touchberry walk through the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18) and what it reveals about God’s justice, timing, and heart for His people. This episode gently untangles the confusion around unanswered prayer, reminds us why persistence matters, and challenges common misconceptions about the Bible—including why the “red letters” might not mean what you think. If you're wrestling with hard questions like “Why isn’t God answering?”, “Is the Bible reliable if the Gospels differ?”, or “Can I keep praying when I feel discouraged?”, this conversation will ground you in hope and truth. * Why does God feel silent when I pray? * What should I do when it feels like my prayers aren’t working? * Does God really care about justice and making things right? * Can I trust the Bible if the Gospels don’t always match? * Should Christians focus on red letters in the Bible? * How can I pray with confidence when life feels unfair? Luke 18:1–8 — The Parable of the Persistent Widow “Our faith is in Jesus. Not in a book. The Bible helps us know God, but it’s not God.” “Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop believing for justice. God is better than the judge—and He hears you.” 0:00 – Storytime with Jesus: intro to the persistent widow 4:55 – Why the Gospels don’t always match—and why that’s okay 11:10 – Red-letter Bibles and how we misread Scripture 20:40 – Our faith is in Jesus, not in perfect Bible interpretation 26:30 – Luke 18 unpacked: what this parable is really about 36:00 – When life is unfair: trusting God’s justice 43:45 – The power of persistent prayer (and how it shapes us) 48:00 – How to hear from God: asking what to know + what to do 52:00 – Invitation to hear more + Lisa’s upcoming sermon * Lisa’s Upcoming Sermon on the Persistent Widow – Christ Fellowship YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney [https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney] * YouVersion Bible App - https://bible.com [https://bible.com] * Evangelist + author Jamie Winship (on praying with clarity) - https://youtu.be/y5cWzCePFac?si=s4jV6QoX0jYIXeGr [https://youtu.be/y5cWzCePFac?si=s4jV6QoX0jYIXeGr] Got questions, thoughts, or your own “persistent widow” moment to share? Leave a review or connect with us—we love hearing from you! In This Episode, We Explore:Scripture Focus:Memorable Quotes:Timestamps:Resources & Mentions:Connect with Lisa & Jan:

Ep. 51: What Are You Doing with What You've Been Given? | The Parable of the Ten Minas

Episode Title: What Are You Doing with What You've Been Given? | The Parable of the Ten Minas Episode Summary:In this episode of Untwisting Scripture, Lisa Scheffler and Jan Touchberry unpack one of Jesus' lesser-known parables—the Parable of the Ten Minas from Luke 19. It’s a story that might not make the Sunday school highlight reel, but it’s rich with historical context, prophetic weight, and a powerful call to action for believers today. From Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem to the political history embedded in the parable, Lisa and Jan take listeners deep into the cultural moment of Jesus’ teaching. They explore the layered meaning of the parable—what it meant for Jesus’ Jewish audience on the edge of judgment, and what it still means for us as stewards of grace, truth, and Kingdom opportunity. This one’s not fluffy—it’s real, sobering, and incredibly relevant. Key Takeaways: * Why Jesus told this parable on the road to Jerusalem—and why the timing mattered. * The political and cultural history behind the “nobleman” and how Jesus’ original audience likely heard this story. * The sobering warning to those who reject the King—and the prophetic fulfillment in 70 AD. * How this parable points forward to the final judgment and what that means for believers. * The challenge to ask: What am I doing with what I’ve been given? Am I hoarding or multiplying? * Why God’s justice and mercy are both essential to understanding His character—and our response. Timestamps: 00:00 – Awkward intros and podcast birthday fun 🎉 03:25 – Why this parable, and why now? 07:10 – The political context: A nobleman, Rome, and real history 14:00 – Jesus’ repeated parables and why Luke places this one here 18:45 – What the Jewish audience would have heard—and why it was a warning 22:30 – How the judgment in 70 AD fulfills this prophecy 26:30 – What it means that God's patience has a limit 29:20 – What do we do with this? Applying the parable to our lives 33:30 – Is this about salvation, works, or both? 36:25 – Final encouragement: Don’t hoard your grace—multiply it Notable Quotes: “God always settles His accounts. His patience is vast—but it is not endless.” “You don’t get to hold on to the stuff that God gives you. We’re supposed to be out there blessing others.” “He gives you grace not just for you—but for the world He’s trying to reach through you.” Resources Mentioned: * Luke 19:11–27, The Parable of the Ten Minas * Background on Archelaus and 1st-century Israel Connect with Lisa & Jan:Got a topic you want them to cover next? DM the show or drop a comment on social. And don’t forget to help celebrate the podcast’s one-year birthday by sharing how Untwisting Scripture has impacted you!Lisa - Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/lisaschef] and IG [https://www.instagram.com/lisaschef/]Jan - Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/janbryantouchberry/] and IG [https://www.instagram.com/jantouchberry/]