The woman behind the popular annual Bible reading podcast that recently reached number one on Apple Podcasts says she never dreamed the show would reach millions of listeners since its launch in 2019. Told.
“I couldn't believe it. I was so grateful. I never imagined, because five years ago, my prayer was that 300 people would listen,” said the host of “Bible Review.” Tara-Lee Cobble told Fox News. Digital.
“I never imagined it would take the number one spot among Christian podcasts, much less all podcasts. When we talk about God, we do more than we can ask, think, or imagine. “That scripture comes to mind,'' she added.
Coble launched Bible Summary in 2019 with a “very small dream” of reaching just 300 listeners. The next morning, she was surprised to open her email and see her 300 messages from people in the United States and around the world.
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Tara Lee Coble, host of “The Bible ReCap,” told Fox News Digital how her podcast has grown over the years, reaching the top spot on Apple's charts. (Bible Summary/iStock)
“I was surprised. I had no idea. I was very encouraged by the fact that so many people wanted to read the Bible,” she explained.
Since then, her podcast has grown from a one-woman show in her apartment to a show with an entire team. Coble has been writing books and study guides to accompany the show for the past four years, and her podcast has garnered her more than 331 million downloads.
“We've grown organically…We don't buy advertising, we don't buy billboards. It's just word of mouth and we're excited about it,” she said.
Mr. Coble said that he was inspired to start “Bible Summaries'' after struggling to read the Bible.
“I started this project because I had spent much of my life trying and failing to read the Bible through, and the only time I ever succeeded was with a pastor friend who had read the Bible many times. offered to answer my questions 'on the way,' she said.
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Tara Lee Cobble said a friend led her to read through the Bible for the first time, and she wanted to share that example with others. (St. Petersburg)
As I grew to love reading the Bible over the years, I wanted others to have the same experience.
“That was my goal. I didn't just want people to read it, I wanted people to understand it. I wanted them to like it,” she said.
Typically in less than 10 minutes per day, Cobble guides podcast listeners through their daily reading in a conversational format. This is her 16th time reading the entire Bible, and she says she still learns new things every year.
Along the way, she learned what to do and what not to do when reading the Bible.
Her top tip for Bible readers is to focus on God.
“Don't look for yourself. Don't look for your to-do list. Don't look for your application points. Don't look for God, God's character, what God loves, what God hates. 'Look for what motivates God,' she suggests, 'look for God in what God does.'
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Reading the Bible should be done in community, Cobble recommended. (St. Petersburg)
Coble also encourages people to read the plan with family, friends, or church groups to increase understanding and accountability. Her third tip is to not get discouraged during difficult passages.
“Embrace uncertainty. The questions you ask in Leviticus will not be answered until Hebrews,” Coble said. “You can't give up when you don't have answers. You can't give up when you're dissatisfied with things. This is a relationship. God isn't necessarily here to answer all our questions. I'm here to reveal who I am.'' So, wait for your questions, some questions will never be answered on this side of eternity, and others may be partially answered this month. Please understand that. ”
Ultimately, she wants her readers to understand that reading the Bible is not about checking off a checklist, but about seeking a deeper relationship with God.
“You're going to do this imperfectly, and that's okay. Some days you're going to forget about it, some days you don't want to do it, some weeks you're behind, and that's okay. Pick it up.'' “And start again tomorrow.'' It's important that you don't let your perfectionism get in the way of this relationship. When you do things imperfectly, pick yourself up again, because every day you Because I’m in the Word and I’m on time.’ Even if I’m 10 days behind schedule, I’m on time,” she said.
