Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for hope, elpis
hope, elpis, G1680
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Blog
Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
What is a concordance and why do I need one?
A concordance is an organized list of all the biblical texts which contain a given word. Concordances allow you to broaden your understanding of how a word is used and its range of meanings. There are 3 types: analytical, exhaustive and complete.
01 When God calls: Burn your ox (1 Kings 19:19-21)
When God called Elisha to be succeed the prophet Elijah, Elisha was a farmer with no apparent qualifications. Yet Elisha burned his ox and followed. Then Elisha refused to leave his mentor’s side, humbly asking that God equip him for the journey ahead.
What can I learn from a Bible map?
You’ll be surprised at how the information on a map can open your study. Consider how knowing that the road to Jericho was 17-miles changes the parable of the good Samaritan
When God Calls: 5 Ways to Run Your Race Well
A 3-week Bible study on finding and responding to God’s calling in your life from the books of 1 & 2 Kings.
04 How To Trust God When Judgment Is Coming (Habakkuk 3:1-19)
Habakkuk responds to what he has learned with a song of praise and fear. In his prayer we see the answers to our 2 theme questions.
faith, pistis, G4102
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek word for faith, pistis, G4102.
03 The Righteous Will Live by Faith: Trusting God’s Justice (Habakkuk 2:1-20)
Habakkuk first asks why God would let evil go on so long among His own chosen people. Confused by the Lord’s answer, Habakkuk then asks how the Lord can let the wicked trample the righteous? Again, the Lord’s answer is not what Habakkuk expects.
endurance, hupomoné, G5281
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek word for endurance, hupomoné, G5281.
February 2022 Reflections
In February we finished the first 8 chapters of Matthew’s gospel, which completed the Sermon on the Mount. After 4 weeks on the Old Testament book of Habakkuk, we’ll start on new series on 1&2 Thessalonians, before returning to Matthew.
02 What If God’s Answer Is Worse Than the Problem? (Habakkuk 1:1-2:1)
Habakkuk asks the Lord one of the most fundamental questions of faith: How long will you let your people suffer? The Lord answers, but not the way Habakkuk expects.
Tell me more about Jesus
If you have an interest in learning more about who Jesus was, why he came or what he taught, here are some places to start.
01 Introduction to Habakkuk
The Old Testament book of Habakkuk speaks to two of the most fundamental questions of the Christian faith: 1) How long will God let His people suffer? and 2) Why should we keep believing Him if we’re not spared the tragedies of life?
Habakkuk: Faith Under Fire
A 4-week Bible study on Habakkuk. Habakkuk teaches us how to move fear to faith no matter what our circumstances.
41 How to Know If You’re on the Road to Life (Matthew 7:12-29)
Discover what Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:12-29 about the Golden Rule, false prophets, the narrow gate, and building your life on the rock. Learn how to recognize true faith and avoid the road to destruction.
Why is life so hard?
Why is life so hard? The Bible has a lot to say about suffering and trials and the problem of evil. Here are a few places to start exploring answers from Scripture.
40 Four Truths That Unlock Jesus’ Promise Seek and You will Find (Matthew 7:7-11)
Discover what Jesus really means in Matthew 7:7-11. Learn the 4 truths that unlock “ask and you shall receive,” why God’s good gifts look different than yours, and how saving faith transforms prayer.
How do I know I’m saved?
One of the most crucial questions we all face is: how do I know I am saved? How do I know that I won’t walk away from God one day? Here are a few passages that will answer that question.
January 2022 Reflections
We’ll finish the Sermon on the Mount in mid-February. What to study next? The poll results were evenly split between the Old and New Testaments (35% each) with the rest voting for “topical” and 1 vote for “anything.” So . . . I’ve decided to take a break from Matthew and study the Old Testament book of Habakkuk.
39 Why Everything You’ve Been Taught About Throwing Pearls to Pigs Might Be Wrong (Matthew 7:6)
Discover why the traditional interpretation of Matthew 7:6 (“pearls before swine”) may miss Jesus’ point. This minority view better fits the Sermon on the Mount’s context and challenges us to treasure God’s gifts. Includes Old Testament background from Exodus 22.
I’m a new believer. Where do I start?
Welcome to the family! Really you can start anywhere and pick any book of the Bible to begin learning. In addition to finding a good local church and small group, here’s one suggested path to start learning.
38 The Log in Your Eye Is Bigger Than You Think (Matthew 7:1-5)
Discover what Jesus really meant by “judge not” in Matthew 7:1-5. Learn why the log and speck parable challenges self-righteousness and reveals the path to God’s mercy. Biblical teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.
2021 Reflections
I spent 2021 in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 1-7. Teaching through the Sermon on the Mount has long been on my bucket list of passages to teach and I'm grateful to have reached that goal. If it were actually possible to compile a list of the "Bible's Greatest Hits,"...
Once a believer, always a believer?
Do I choose God or does God choose me? Once a believer, always a believer? You may never have thought these questions through. Or you may be inconsistent in living like they are true (or false). Either way, how you answer some basic theological questions makes a world of difference in daily life.
37 What Jesus Really Meant by ‘Don’t Worry’ (Matthew 6:25-34)
Discover what Jesus really meant in Matthew 6:25-34 about worry, anxiety, and trust. Learn the biblical difference between concern and worry, and how to seek God’s kingdom while meeting your physical needs. Includes practical application from the Sermon on the Mount.
worry, merimano, G3309
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for worry, merimano
Do I choose God or does God choose me?
Do I choose God or does God choose me? Once a believer, always a believer? You may never have thought these questions through. Or you may be inconsistent in living like they are true (or false). Either way, how you answer some basic theological questions makes a world of difference in daily life.
36 Why You Can’t Serve Two Masters And What Happens When You Try (Matthew 6:19-24)
Discover what Jesus really meant by “treasures in heaven” in Matthew 6:19-24. Learn why you can’t serve two masters, how to store up lasting treasure, and the test that reveals if your eye is spiritually healthy or blind.
judge, krino, G2919
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek verb to judge, krino.
December 2021 Reflections
We have some really interesting passages left in the Sermon on on the Mount: store up treasures in heaven; do not be anxious about your life; don’t throw pearls to the pigs; seek and you will find; the golden rule and not everyone who says “Lord Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. We’ll cover those in January-February and then I’m taking a break before starting the next series.
peace, eiréné, G1515
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for peace, eiréné
35 The Lord’s Prayer: What “Lead Us Not Into Temptation” Means (Matthew 6:13)
“Discover what Jesus really meant by ‘lead us not into temptation’ in Matthew 6:13. Understand testing vs. tempting and why this prayer matters today.
trespass, paraptoma, G3900
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for trespass or transgression, paraptoma
34 The Lord’s Prayer: Why Jesus Included Forgiveness (Matthew 6:12-15)
Discover what Jesus really meant when He taught us to pray “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Learn why forgiving others is essential to saving faith and how the parable of the unforgiving servant challenges your heart.
debts, opheilema, G3783
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek noun for debts, opheilema G3783.
November 2021 Reflections
I hope you've been enjoying our study of the Lord's prayer. It's something most of us routinely say but don't often study. I plan to finish the Lord's Prayer in December, finish the Sermon on the Mount in January, and then start a new series after a break. We'll come...