Podcast Summary: The Bible Recap

January Reflections & Corrections – Year 8

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: January 31, 2026

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble launches a new monthly practice of sharing "Reflections & Corrections" (the Rs and the Cs). She looks back on the Bible books covered so far in the chronological plan—Genesis, Job, and early Exodus—highlighting major spiritual themes, personal growth, and key theological points. Tara-Leigh then addresses a handful of things she wishes she'd communicated better, specifically tackling the terminology of "adoption" in Christian theology. The tone is warm, encouraging, and candid as she guides listeners through clarifications and heartfelt encouragement to continue their Bible journey.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reflections on January’s Readings ([00:01]–[03:30])

• Unified Story of Scripture

  • Emphasizes the Bible as a single story of God’s family, beginning in Genesis.
  • "God the Father is literally known best to us by being a father." ([00:38])
  • Highlights that God’s method of transforming the world involves choosing a specific family line (Genesis, Job, Exodus).

• Major Themes Introduced

  • The sovereignty and goodness of God, His redemptive work, and His personal involvement in human stories.
  • Cites 2 Corinthians 5:17: God confers new identities, as shown with Abraham, Sarah, and Jacob.

• Practical Wisdom

  • Discusses what Scripture has already set up for readers: biblical perspectives on marriage, work, humility, and even what not to do in family life.
  • Encourages listeners not to be discouraged by challenges or confusion in Bible reading: "You are doing something eternal, which means it's definitely worth 15 to 20 minutes of your morning." ([02:17])

• Spiritual Encouragement

  • Urges listeners to pray for an increased desire to read, to resist distraction, and to ask for God’s help.
  • "I bet God’s intricacies and specificity will surprise you. I know it surprised me and caused me to wonder a lot over the last 10 years." ([03:06])
  • Teases the ongoing unfolding of God’s story through continued reading.

2. Corrections: Things Tara-Leigh Would Do Differently ([03:31]–[04:50])

• Acknowledgement of Imperfection

  • Honest about occasional errors or unclear communication, largely due to the constraints of solo, late-night recording.
  • "I'm so grateful for your grace when I make errors or when I'm confusing in my delivery...I always hate it when it does." ([03:52])

• Process for Corrections

  • Introduces the episode as a monthly opportunity to clarify and correct mistakes.
  • Corrections after January 30 will be in February’s episode.

3. Deep Dive: The Language of “Adoption” ([04:51]–[10:25])

• Understanding Earthly and Spiritual Adoption

  • Addresses sensitivity to the term “adoption,” especially for those with difficult personal experiences or strained relationships with earthly fathers.
  • "Adoption is a step to redeem a really broken situation...There’s a similar challenge for people who've had broken, sinful earthly fathers because they struggle to accept the relationship terminology of having God as their father." ([05:31])
  • Asserts that God alone redeems these images perfectly.

• Why Use the Term “God’s Adopted Children”?

  • Tackles the misconception that all humans are “God’s children.”
  • "Scripture indicates that God’s only children are children by adoption. Being a child of God is a privilege, not a right..." ([07:08])
  • Explains that all people are God’s creation and image bearers, but adoption into God’s family happens through redemption in Christ.

• Scriptural Support

  • Cites Romans 8:14-16: "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God...the Spirit himself bears witness with our Spirit, that we are children of God. Not everyone has that."
  • Points to John 8:44, illustrating spiritual family distinctions.

• The Beauty and Permanence of Spiritual Adoption

  • "The good news for those who are outside God’s family is that God is in the adoption business and this adoption is far more permanent than any kind of DNA." ([09:03])
  • Emphasizes the need to esteem adoption rightly, both theologically and personally.

• Intent Behind Language

  • States her motivation for careful distinction: highlighting Scripture’s high view of adoption and clarifying that membership in God’s family comes only by adoption through faith.

  “By calling us God’s adopted children, I’m not only aiming to point out some theological distinctions, but I’m also aiming to show us how Scripture has a high view of adoption and to point out that we must esteem it rightly." ([09:52])

  • Apologizes to any listeners confused or hurt by previous phrasing.

4. Request for Support and Closing Encouragement ([10:25]–end)

• Personal Transparency
  • Asks listeners to pray for her to have wisdom, stamina, and health to continue the podcast.
  • "I desperately need and want your prayers in this process. I need wisdom. I need stamina. I need to stay healthy. I’ve already seen the enemy’s attacks on those things because he hates what we’re doing here." ([10:42])
• Mission Restated
  • The Bible Recap exists to equip millions to read, understand, and love the Bible.
  • "Truly, truly, he’s where the joy is." ([11:12])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bible’s unfolding story:

  “This is the way he writes our stories, too.” ([00:51])

• On persevering in Bible reading:

  "You are doing something eternal, which means it’s definitely worth 15 to 20 minutes of your morning." ([02:17])

• On spiritual adoption:

  "All humans are God’s creation. We’re all image bearers of God, and we all have inherent value. Because of that, we should treat all people with dignity and respect as fellow image bearers. However, Scripture indicates that God’s only children are children by adoption." ([07:00])

• On the permanence of spiritual adoption:

  "We’re inextricably linked to him through His Spirit that dwells in us and seals us." ([09:22])

• On asking for prayer:

  "I desperately need and want your prayers in this process...I’ve already seen the enemy’s attacks on those things because he hates what we’re doing here." ([10:42])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Introduction & purpose of bonus reflections episode | | 00:38 | Reflections on Genesis, Job, Exodus, and key themes | | 02:17 | Encouragement to keep reading despite challenges | | 03:52 | Introduction of corrections (the Cs) | | 05:31 | Addressing the language of adoption (earthly) | | 07:00 | Addressing the language of adoption (spiritual) | | 09:03 | The permanence of spiritual adoption | | 09:52 | Apology and clarification addressed to listeners | | 10:42 | Request for prayer and personal vulnerability | | 11:12 | Restating the mission and closing encouragement |

Final Thoughts

This bonus episode of The Bible Recap masterfully combines personal reflection, scriptural insight, correction of errors, and pastoral encouragement. Tara-Leigh Cobble’s candor and care invite listeners not only to persevere in reading the Bible but also to think deeply about biblical family, spiritual heritage, and God’s lavish, redeeming love. Her willingness to clarify her language and intentions around sensitive topics models humility and fosters trust. Listeners are left inspired both to keep reading and to pray for the continued flourishing of this community.