October 2025 Reflections
Start Strong releases January 9. 5 New podcast episodes. 4 New Bible Study Resources. September 25 news from Wednesday in the Word.
How to Use Bible Background
Background is your flashlight, not your steering wheel. Use it to illuminate the author’s path. Then keep walking where the paragraph leads
16 Thorn in the Flesh: How to Embrace Weakness (2 Corinthians 11)
What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh and why didn’t God remove it? Discover how weakness can reveal God’s power and reframe your own struggles.
How to Transform your Bible Study with an Outline
An analytical outline is a way of displaying a text of Scripture so that the flow of thought and the relationship between the grammatical parts become clear. It is my favorite study tool and one of the first things I do. Learn how to make one.
How to Use Commentaries
How to Use Commentaries wisely: when to open them, which ones to read, and how to compare, without replacing your own study.
15 False Apostles: Why Were They So Convincing? (2 Corinthians 11)
Paul confronts the false apostles and reveals what true gospel leadership looks like. Learn how to spot deception and follow the real thing.
Word Study Shortcuts
While I recommend you learn how to do your own word studies, here are some shortcuts you can take to save time, to get past “study block” or compare your ideas with someone else’s.
How to Study Psalms & Proverbs
How to Study Psalms & Proverbs made simple. Spot parallelism, read in stanzas, and apply God’s wisdom with simple, clear steps.
14 How To Confront With the Meekness of Christ (2 Corinthians 10)
Imagine your church split between two voices. One is polished and persuasive, the other quiet and unimpressive. Which do you trust?
In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul shows how to fight lies without theatrics and how to exercise authority that builds people up. Learn how to spot the difference between charisma that flatters and truth that sets you free.
How to do a word study
Word studies are one of the basic tools of Bible study. With today’s tools, you don’t have to know Greek and Hebrew to do a good word study. Here’s how.
How to Cross Reference
Learn how to cross reference Scripture with a simple method: start near, test relevance, and let clear verses explain hard ones. Tools, examples, FAQs.
13 Cheerful Giver: How to Sow for a Lasting Harvest (2 Corinthians 8-9)
What does it really mean to give generously, and why does it matter? When Paul asks for money for the Jerusalem collection, he is doing more than asking the Corinthians to donate. He is inviting them to express their faith, restore broken trust, and unite with their spiritual family. If you have ever wrestled with when, why, or how much to give, this message will help you see giving in a whole new light.
These two chapters in 2 Corinthians give us a glimpse into how early Christians understood generosity and what it means to live as a cheerful giver.
About the Author
Krisan Marotta is a Bible teacher and host of Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.