Our Purpose
Our Mission:
TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN STUDYING THE BIBLE ON YOUR OWN & WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR
All of us have some kind of relationship with the Bible. No matter where you are in your journey, it’s possible to find JOY through the Bible. And that’s our desire. The Greek word for JOY in Biblical text is Chara (pronounced khar-ah) and we believe the joy-filled message of the Bible is for everyone. Here at The Chara Project, we are on a quest for us to all find JOY through the Bible.
In Luke 10:27, we see the two greatest commandments:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
It’s difficult to love someone you don’t know.
When we engage God in His Word and learn how to study the Bible, we get to know God, His character, and His heart for others. As our relationship and love for God deepens, it outpours onto the relationships with our neighbors.
And who is our neighbor? Jesus goes on in Luke 10 to tell the parable of the good samaritan, helping us realize that everyone we come in contact with is our neighbor - regardless of differences.
God has orchestrated our story and given us the opportunity to learn how to study the Bible on its own terms as we’ve engaged in relationships and Bible study with people from different faith backgrounds. Over the past 10 years, our relationships with our neighbors have deepened. Our understanding of the Bible has been strengthened. And the clarity of the gospel and hope that Jesus brings has never given us more joy.
This remarkable journey birthed The Chara Project and it’s our mission to build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor.
It is our ultimate hope to create a world where anyone can explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and build relationships around the Bible with those who might believe differently than you.
So we encourage you to:
Equip yourself to know and understand God’s Word
Invest in relationships with neighbors that don’t share your beliefs
Pray that God would open doors and hearts to study His Word together
Join us in loving God and loving our neighbors, as we build confidence in studying the Bible. You are welcome here!
WHO WE ARE: A SAFE PLACE FOR ANYONE TO EXPLORE THE BIBLE
The Chara Project helps build your confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor, regardless of faith background.
If you have a desire to learn how to study the Bible, this is the place for you.
If you have a desire to engage in Bible study with your neighbors, even those with differing beliefs, this is also the place for you.
No matter where you are in your journey with the Bible - The Chara Project was created to empower you to grow in your understanding of and love for God’s Word and share that experience with your neighbor.
Everyone is created and pursued by a loving God and will be met with both compassion and grace at The Chara Project! We, as a team, are anchored in the Bible, its joy-filled message, and want you to experience it in the same way.
We believe…
In creating a loving, encouraging, and safe environment to explore and study the Bible
The Bible should be approachable and hopeful, not overwhelming or confusing.
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar in order to understand it.
It’s possible to study the Bible with people with different beliefs.
Engaging a neighbor in Bible study can build relationships, challenge perspectives, and strengthen everyone’s Biblical understanding.
WHAT WE DO: BUILD CONFIDENCE IN STUDYING THE BIBLE
We offer resources and teaching that help you learn how to explore and study the Bible on your own and with your neighbor, regardless of faith background.
We know there are a lot of resources out there that teach how to study the Bible. What’s unique about The Chara Project is that everything we do is anchored in our CHARA Bible Study Guide, a simple and memorable approach to studying the Bible, which was created to equip you to read the Bible on its own terms.
We all bring biases and assumptions to the Bible, many of which may not align with the intended message of the biblical authors. And they may not align with your neighbors' biases and assumptions either. The CHARA Bible Study Guide shifts our focus from how we hear and interpret the Bible’s message today, to first understanding how the original audience would have heard it before we apply it to our lives today. Because we aim to teach you HOW to think, instead of WHAT to think, the CHARA Bible Study Guide is a great resource for Bible study either on your own or in a group - particularly in groups with differing beliefs.
RESOURCES
Simple Biblical Resources: Access the CHARA Bible Study Guide, articles, and online or printable Bible studies; all created to help you learn how to study the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Studies are accompanied by videos or podcasts.
Neighbor Resources: Access the Neighbor Guide, including tips on how to lead a Bible study group and engage your neighbor in Bible study, regardless of faith background.
Study Bibles: We believe a good study Bible is one of the best tools for helping you understand and make sense of the Bible, which is why we make recommendations for our favorite Study Bibles, but also have a Request a Study Bible program for those who don’t have access to one or can’t afford one.
TEACHING
Live Speaking/Workshops: Check out our upcoming events. We host our own and also bring our team on the road for those who want us to visit their community for speaking engagements and workshops.
Videos/Podcasts: We have real conversations around what you can experience as you engage the Bible on your own and with a neighbor–available on YouTube or any podcasting site.
Bible Coaching: Work with one of our seasoned Bible Study coaches to ask questions you have as you dive into the Bible on your own or with others.
