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We Wonder

Back to School: An Interview with Sarah Dahl

·22 min·2 clips
Why does the host compare reading the Bible to an astronomer looking at the night sky?
The episode begins with host Sarah Dahl welcoming listeners to the back-to-school season and introducing an interview with executive producer Richard Clark. She explains that this season will focus on a deep dive into Paul's letter to the Galatians. Richard asks Sarah about her motivation for starting We Wonder, and she describes her background in children's ministry at City Church San Francisco, where she wrote curriculum to help both children and adults engage with the Bible. She mentions a Jesse tree project during Advent that traced the story of God's people from creation to Jesus. Sarah discusses the challenge of adapting her teaching style to a podcast format, emphasizing the goal of creating a contemplative experience. Richard probes the concept of 'wonder,' and Sarah defines it as an outward-facing posture that combines thinking, feeling, and encountering God, using the analogy of an astronomer studying the night sky. She shares her personal background, including a 1990s evangelical upbringing and exposure to the Montessori 'Godly Play' curriculum, which influenced her approach. Sarah reveals that her son listens to the podcast to fall asleep during Lent. She notes surprising feedback from single adults and housemates in San Francisco who listen together, as well as homeschool families and individuals practicing yoga while listening. The conversation shifts to the upcoming Galatians season, with Sarah explaining she prepared by reading multiple commentaries and translations. She describes Galatians as starting with a story about Paul's journey and conflicts, making it accessible, but also acknowledges scholarly uncertainties about some passages. Sarah characterizes Paul as passionate and 'on fire,' framing his letters as driven by emotion rather than dry theology. She lists resources like commentaries by N.T. Wright and Richard Hays, and an illustrated commentary with maps. Richard asks about future aspirations, and Sarah hopes the podcast will be a trustworthy companion for listeners as they grow in faith. The episode closes with credits and information on where to find show notes.

As heard by us

A warm conversation on scripture, imagination, family life, and the heart behind We Wonder.

Back-to-school season opens into a thoughtful look at how scripture can help furnish a life in We Wonder's conversation with writer and host Sarah Dahl and executive producer Richard Clark.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a family scripture podcast with a beginning-of-season reset, a 2019 origin story, and one son's bedtime soundtrack.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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