About — Project Context

Why This Project Exists — A Personal Note

Project Context began with something deeply personal. I've always needed context in order to make sense of things. Without it, I feel anchorless—uncertain about which choices to make or how to move forward. Years ago, I took a strengths assessment, and one of my top strengths was Context: the drive to understand what came before so I can clearly see the present.

When it comes to the Bible, this strength has shaped my journey of faith. Scripture isn't meant to be read in isolation. To truly hear what the authors were saying, we must step into their world: their audience, culture, literary patterns, and the stories that shaped them. Without this, we risk misreading or missing the richness of what they were communicating.

Over the years, I've read widely—books, articles, commentaries—and found incredible insights. Yet no single resource brought together all the pieces needed to see the full landscape. That's what inspired me to create Project Context: a place to collect and organize the different components that help us understand the biblical story more fully.

🙏 A Special Debt of Gratitude

I owe much to the Bible Project. Their videos, podcasts, classroom, and articles expanded my understanding and showed me how literary design, theology, and ancient worldviews fit together. Their generosity in making this material accessible has been inspiring, and much of what shaped Project Context comes from the insights I gained through their work.

Personal Conviction: At the heart of this project is a simple belief: when we immerse ourselves in the context of Scripture, we gain a fuller picture of God's story—and that clarity helps us live more faithfully in response.

— Henry Rivera, Founder

Our Mission

The aim of Project Context is not only to educate but also to transform. We exist to help people:

Enter into the authors' perspective and see what they intended to communicate
Read the Scriptures as Jesus read them—seeing how all of it points to him (Luke 24)
Use these resources to spark reflection, guide discussion, and grow together in faith within families, friendships, and communities

Core Purpose: We bridge the gap between academic biblical studies and practical faith application, making deep contextual understanding accessible to everyone—from pastors and teachers to students and seekers.

What We Do

Project Context brings together the many components that shape understanding of Scripture:

📜 Historical & Cultural

The world of the biblical authors and their original audiences

📖 Literary Design

Patterns, structures, and artistic techniques that carry meaning

🌍 Comparative Stories

Parallels from surrounding cultures and traditions

✨ Jesus' Reading

Learning to read Scripture the way Jesus did—seeing how all of it points to him

By weaving these strands together, we can see the full landscape of the conversation—the framework that gives meaning to the biblical text.

Guiding Principle: Context is everything. When we understand the original setting and purpose of Scripture, we can better apply its timeless truths to contemporary life.

Vision for Impact

🌍 Global Access

Free resources available to faith communities worldwide, regardless of economic barriers or geographic location.

📚 Comprehensive Coverage

Every biblical character, book, and major theme explored through historical, literary, and theological lenses.

🎯 Practical Application

Studies designed for real-world use in teaching, preaching, small groups, and personal growth.

✨ Transformational Learning

Moving beyond information to transformation—helping communities live out Scripture's wisdom.

Who This Serves

👨‍🏫

For Educators

Comprehensive teaching resources with scholarly depth, ready for classroom or pulpit use.

📚

For Students

Accessible entry points into serious biblical study, with clear explanations of complex concepts.

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For Communities

Discussion guides and group resources that foster meaningful conversation and spiritual growth.

Resource Philosophy: Everything we create is designed to be:

✅ Academically rigorous ✅ Theologically sound ✅ Practically applicable ✅ Freely shareable ✅ Globally accessible ✅ Continuously updated

Core Values

🎯 Excellence in Scholarship

Maintaining high academic standards while presenting information clearly and accessibly.

🤝 Community Empowerment

Equipping faith communities with tools for deeper engagement with Scripture.

🌍 Universal Access

Removing barriers to biblical education through free, open resources.

✨ Transformational Purpose

Moving beyond information to formation—helping people live out biblical wisdom.

📚 Comprehensive Coverage

Addressing every book, character, and major theme in Scripture systematically.

🔄 Continuous Improvement

Regular updates incorporating new scholarship and community feedback.

Join the Journey

This project is more than a resource library—it's an invitation to see Scripture with fresh eyes. Whether you're preparing a sermon, leading a study, or deepening your personal faith, these resources are here to serve you and your community.

My hope is that Project Context helps you see the fuller picture of God's story, so that faith can grow in both understanding and practice.

Explore Studies →

Context Is Everything