Background is your flashlight, not your steering wheel. Use it to illuminate the author’s path. Then keep walking where the paragraph leads
Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
Background is your flashlight, not your steering wheel. Use it to illuminate the author’s path. Then keep walking where the paragraph leads
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.
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 wisely: when to open them, which ones to read, and how to compare, without replacing your own study.
Paul confronts the false apostles and reveals what true gospel leadership looks like. Learn how to spot deception and follow the real thing.
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 made simple. Spot parallelism, read in stanzas, and apply God’s wisdom with simple, clear steps.
Explore the Meekness of Christ in 2 Corinthians 10. Paul confronts false claims with truth and God’s power, using authority that builds.
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.
Learn how to cross reference Scripture with a simple method: start near, test relevance, and let clear verses explain hard ones. Tools, examples, FAQs.
Explore why Paul calls us to be a Cheerful Giver, how generosity reveals faith, heals division, and reflects God’s grace in 2 Corinthians 8–9.
The gospels are unique in content, although they are similar in form to ancient biographies.
Learn a simple six-step method to study New Testament epistles: trace arguments, define key terms, and apply Scripture with confidence. Free checklist.
Paul devoted more than a decade of his ministry to the Jerusalem Collection. Understanding the story behind it helps us understand 2 Corinthians 8-9. Today we’ll explore the origin, purpose, and implications of the Jerusalem Collection, using events in Acts and Galatians to trace the evolving relationship between Paul, the Jerusalem apostles, and the Gentile churches.
Studying biblical prophecy is an often overwhelming task. Much of it is written in Hebrew poetry. The names and places are foreign, and the metaphors don’t always resonate with our modern ears. Yet we can usually understand the main point. If studying an Old Testament prophet overwhelms you, here are some tips to get you started.
Here’s what's new on Wednesday in the Word in September, 2025. Two new resources this month: a free Bible Study Starter Kit and a brand-new page with all my free downloads in one place. NEW Free Resources Bible Study Starter Kit a simple, text-first method anyone...
Learn how godly grief leads to true repentance, and what it teaches us about confronting others with love and truth.
Narratives are true stories. Over 40% of the Old Testament Scriptures are narratives. Generally, the purpose of a biblical narrative is to show the Lord at work in His creation. Every genre found in the Bible presents unique challenges for understanding. Narratives are no exception. With narratives we think in scenes, plot and character, rather than paragraphs and outlines.
“Do not be unequally yoked” is not a blanket ban on contact with unbelievers. It is a warning about binding yourself in partnerships that tug your heart away from Christ and deceiving nonbelievers into thinking they are on the right path.
Every genre found in the Bible presents unique challenges for understanding. Here are guidelines for studying epistles.
In 2 Corinthians 6:1–12, Paul urges his readers not to receive the grace of God in vain. Though many in Corinth claimed to believe the gospel, their rejection of Paul revealed a lack of faith. In this episode, Krisan Marotta explains why responding to grace involves more than religious affiliation or claims of belief.
Headed to college? Wondering how to survive the experience? Here is advice from an expert: Professor Ken Elzinga.
In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta examines how the Apostle Paul defends his ministry against critics who judge him by outward appearance rather than by the message he proclaims. Paul insists that true transformation comes from God’s work in the heart, not from impressive credentials or presentation. Through this passage, Paul calls the Corinthians—and us—to see others through the lens of the gospel, not worldly standards.
Church women’s retreats offer one of the best opportunities of the church for women to step away from their daily responsibilities, rest and connect with other women in the church and spend some concentrated time learning more about the Lord. While retreats require a lot of planning, they are worth it in the long run.
Exciting news! My first book, Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity, is releasing in January, 2026. I’d love your help getting it into the hands of the people who need it most.
My first book, Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity, is releasing in January, 2026. I’d love your help getting it into the hands of the people who need it most.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1–11, Paul continues his defense of his ministry by explaining how his confidence in the resurrection shapes his message, motivates his courage, and defines his integrity.
Registration is a chance to collect valuable information about your participants that can help you build small groups, evaluate the success of your program and plan for the future. Here are some questions you might want to include on your registration forms.
Paul offers a powerful defense of his ministry, explaining how the gospel he proclaims is not about him, but about the transforming power of God. Though Paul faces rejection, suffering, and accusations, he remains unwavering because he knows the source of the message and the One who is truly at work through it.
The first day of Bible study typically requires a lot of teamwork and cooperation. You probably need leaders to sign up for both refreshments and tasks. Here’s two example sign up forms.
In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta explores Paul’s bold claim that his ministry as an apostle is more glorious than the ministry of Moses. By comparing the Old and New Covenants, Paul shows that spiritual transformation doesn’t come from the Law but from the work of the Holy Spirit.
Here are a few of my favorite ideas, tips, tricks and books from 20 years as a Director of Women’s Ministry.
Trying harder won’t fix the human heart, and that’s exactly why the new covenant is such good news. In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks us through 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, where Paul defends his ministry by pointing not to his qualifications, but to the life-giving work of the Spirit. Paul’s confidence doesn’t come from his own strength. It comes from what God is doing through him.
Wondering how to put all the tools and pieces of Bible study together so that you can tackle a specific passage of Scripture? Here’s the overall procedure.
Why didn’t Paul visit Corinth? Find out in season 26 of the Wednesday in the Word podcast. Plus news and free guides.
Paul’s ministry didn’t look successful. He was often rejected, beaten, and misunderstood. But in 2 Corinthians 2:5–17, Paul reminds us that the gospel doesn’t need to be repackaged to be effective.