What is Lent? Is it an official Christian holiday? Was it instituted in the Bible? What — if anything — is required of believers during Lent?

Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
What is Lent? Is it an official Christian holiday? Was it instituted in the Bible? What — if anything — is required of believers during Lent?
What does Jesus mean when he says ‘before Abraham was, I am?” Traditionally seen as a declaration of divinity, context suggests Jesus intends to highlight his role as the Messiah.
It’s February. Approximately one-third of those who started a Bible reading plan in January abandon it by February. By May that number will drop to half. What if you are one of the statistics?
Jesus came to offer his life to free us from the condemnation that we deserve. Now he add something new: he also came to free us from slavery to sin.
How do I study the Bible? Wondering how to get started studying the Bible? There’s no one right way. You can jump in anywhere. But here are a few suggestions to get you moving.
Many Bibles omit the account of the woman caught in adultery because of questions about its authenticity. Despite these textual debates, the interesting narrative reveals profound truths about grace, humility and judgment.
Has your Bible study become routine? Do you find yourself glancing at the clock to see if you’re done yet? Did you make a resolution to read through the Bible in a year or study something new this year but find yourself never making the time? Here are 30 tips to get you back on track.
The second half of our study on the Gospel of John kicks off next week on February 5. We’ll pick up right where we left off.
Psalm 1 is classified as a “wisdom” psalm. In many ways it functions as an introduction to the book of psalms.
Psalm 27 teaches us that the one desire worth staking our life around is knowing God. Because if we have that, then we have everything worth having.
Reading through the psalms can change your life! Here’s a plan to read through the psalms in 30 days.
Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life. An 24-week Bible study podcast series on the Gospel of John from Wednesday in the Word
Psalm 143 is about being in the deepest blackest pit of despair and finding God anyway. It’s about depression, but the particular depression and anguish you feel when you’re confronted with the consequences of your sin.
2024 highlights from Wednesday in the Word. The Gospel of John marked season 25.
Have you decided to read through the Bible as one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Here’s a great selection of updated plans to help you keep that resolution.
Wishing you an “exceptionally good Christmas” and the true joy of the season that only the peace of God in hearts can bring.
Enjoy this is a 22 minute Christmas concert from Reggie Coates.
To help you celebrate, here are some of my favorite Christmas resources.
The angel tells Joseph something about this son Mary will have. Who does the angel say this child is?
This December you can have a Mary Christmas or a Martha Christmas. In a Martha Christmas you are so frantic doing good things that you miss the best gift of all. In a Mary Christmas you recognize what is truly important and find the best gift of all.
The Wednesday in the Word podcast is on break to celebrate the arrival of my newest grandchild. We'll return to the Gospel of John in January 2025. In the meantime: Listen to a previous series and here are 16 things to do while your Bible study is on break Photo by...
How can anything that fits under a Christmas tree transform the recipient’s life from misery to joy?
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m humbled by and grateful for your involvement with Wednesday in the Word. I'm taking a break from the podcast to celebrate the arrival of my newest grandchild. We’ll return to the Gospel of John in January 2025. In the meantime, I invite you...
I’m grateful for your involvement with Wednesday in the Word.
Who is Jesus? The people respond with belief, confusion and awe over Jesus’ teachings. These responses reflect our complex relationship to truth.
Barnabas is an great example of the incredible good you can do when you don’t care who gets credit.
John 6 opens with two famous miracles: feeding 5,000 people and Jesus walking on water. What makes this chapter intriguing is John does not focus on the miracles, but on their aftermath—the dialogue that follows.
How do you handle it when life isn’t fair? It’s easy to grow frustrated with our own lot in life and resent those who seem to have it better. Consider the story of Miriam.
Jesus heals an invalid on the Sabbath. Instead of marveling at this miracle, the Jewish leaders are incensed by the violation of their strict Sabbath laws.
Failed CEOs shared these 7 habits. What about leaders in the church?
What is All Saint’s Day? All Saints’ Day is a time to celebrate heroes of the faith from scripture, as well as prominent figures in the early church.
October 2024 Reflections Thanks for your feedback! I read every email. You're always welcome to send questions, comments and thoughts. I especially love hearing from other Bible teachers, pastors and small group leaders about how you incorporate what you've learned...
While exploring his theme of belief, John teaches us about worship and hungering for God’s will.
The New Testament authors assume their readers are familiar with the Jewish culture in their day. Here are some of the basics
John adds a new twist to his theme of testimony and belief: this time the believers are the hated Samaritans. John explores three themes this chapter. We examine the first theme in this podcast.
In Exodus, God tells the Israelites to keep the Feasts twice: once before the episode with the golden calf and once after. Here’s a summary of the 7 feasts.