In these times of tension and despair, Christian fellowship is needed more than ever.
But with churches closed and members isolated in their homes, it requires creativity.
That’s why Nick Hall launched a new podcast, The Bible Quarantine!
Hall, an energetic evangelist and founder of the evangelistic movement PULSE, recognized the need for Christians to stay connected once social distancing guidelines were enacted.
Even though we can’t attend church services, Bible studies, small groups, or other church events, we still have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to keep encouraging each other and finding community, he reasoned.
It’s also critical that believers keep digging into God’s Word and deepening their relationships with Him during this time of quarantine.
So Hall created a new podcast called “The Bible Quarantine,” with the aim of keeping congregations connected and strengthening the nationwide fellowship of believers.
“If I’m honest, this started as a goofy idea,” Hall admitted. “I posted an image of a show idea called ‘The Bible Quarantine’ with the caption ‘Because man shall not live on Netflix alone.’”
Even though Hall’s initial idea was more of a joke than a serious proposition, he quickly realized that people were loving the idea and wanted to see it in action.
“It got a very strong response because people are looking for hope and encouragement during this time of uncertainty.”
Hall brainstormed a few episodes and got started on the podcast right away, launching the series over Facebook and Instagram TV.
The evangelist wanted each episode to touch on an issue of current importance, such as the meaning of church when it’s no longer a physical place.
Overall, the podcast is intended to help Christians stay rooted and grounded in the Word of God.
“I think God’s Word is going to speak to us during this time—and I believe this can be a life-defining season if we invite God in,” Hall said.
“We have a choice. We can sit in fear or we can use this forced Sabbath as a time to slow down and come back to what matters.”
With that goal of emphasizing “what matters,” Hall noted that the podcast is meant to “encourage you, make you laugh, and challenge you to make the most of this pause in our busy lives.”
In the first episode of “The Bible Quarantine” (“Closed on Sunday”), Hall discussed the importance of the church—even in this strange season where its physical presence is diminished.
“You can’t cancel church,” Hall began. “Church isn’t a building. It’s not a service. You can’t cancel church because it is a people.”
Hall highlighted Acts 1-4, a passage which tells the story of the early church and challenged listeners to take time to read and reflect on the chapters.
“What you’ll find in the first chapters of the Book of Acts is the story of when God launched the church.”
Hall then drew parallels between the rise of the early church and our current situation. Christians were scared and in hiding, only meeting in small groups, and many were dying around them (from Roman persecution).
Yet, Hall noted, this first generation of Christians set an admirable and practical example for those of us living through COVID-19.
Acts 2:42-27 shows us the practice of these early believers: they “gave themselves to teaching” and “fellowship” and were filled with “awe, wonder, and expectation.”
“Sometimes hard times happen, and when they do, throughout the history of the church, these have been the times when the church actually is activated,” Hall shared.
“We are not a church so that we can hide in our buildings and keep this heart and love and faith to ourselves. We are the church, as in the people of God, the called out ones, for moments like this.”
Hall challenged his listeners to follow the example of the believers in Acts 1-4: to give themselves to teaching and the Word, to find creative ways to fellowship together and to focus on God throughout this time of fear.
The church should be growing in faith and in love right now, Hall argued, and he urged his listeners to find practical ways to serve Christ and others.
“We want ‘The Bible Quarantine’ to be a place where we encounter God and then…go love people,” Hall told his listeners.
Other recent episodes of “The Bible Quarantine” include “Love Your Neighbor,” “Why Loving the Bible Matters,” and “Fear God, Don’t Fear,” along with many other relevant topics.
Each episode is 7-8 minutes long and focused on Scripture. Hall offers practical advice straight from God’s Word in an easy-to-understand format, sharing hope and encouraging believers to be the hands and feet of Jesus in these strange times.
“The Bible Quarantine” is a great resource for families and churches, and it is easily accessible. Find recent episodes on Facebook or Instagram and start listening today!
