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Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.

What is a soft complementarian?

What is a soft complementarian?

The views regarding women in authority in the church can be generalized into 3 basic positions: hard complementarian (most restrictive), soft complementarian (less restrictive), and egalitarian (least restrictive). This is a summary of the soft complementarian position.

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What is a hard complementarian?

What is a hard complementarian?

The views regarding women in authority in the church can be generalized into 3 basic positions: hard complementarian (most restrictive), soft complementarian (less restrictive), and egalitarian (least restrictive). This is a summary of the hard complementarian position.

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What is an egalitarian?

What is an egalitarian?

The views regarding women in authority in the church can be generalized into 3 basic positions: hard complementarian (most restrictive), soft complementarian (less restrictive), and egalitarian (least restrictive). This is a summary of the egalitarian position.

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2019 Reflections

2019 Reflections

My 2020 goals are to: 1) break 500 podcasts (currently at 479) and 2) pass 150,000 downloads (currently 121,159). I need your support! Please subscribe to the podcast and tell a friend about it.

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Holiday Study Break

Holiday Study Break

The podcast is on break for the holidays. In the meantime, please listen to a previous episode or series. May I suggest one of these:

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November 2019 Recap

November 2019 Recap

After 10 chapters in 27 podcasts on 1Corinthians, I’ll be taking a break for the holidays. But we will tackle the head covering passage when the podcast returns in January. THANKS for listening!

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26 Escaping Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)

26 Escaping Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)

1Corinthians 10:13 is often memorized as a stand-alone verse that promises God always provides a way to escape sin, if only you’ll take it. But in context, Paul is saying something quite different.

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24 Living on Support, Part 2 (1 Corinthians 9:15-27)

24 Living on Support, Part 2 (1 Corinthians 9:15-27)

In 1Corinthians 9, Paul uses his own situation as an example of how the Corinthians ought to think about exercising their freedom. As an apostle, Paul has the right to receive financial support, but declined to take any support from them. He wants the Corinthians to learn from his example and exercise their freedom the same way. In part 2 of his argument, Paul explains why he declined to take support.

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23 Living on Support Part 1 (1 Corinthians 9:1-14)

23 Living on Support Part 1 (1 Corinthians 9:1-14)

In 1Corinthians 9, Paul uses his own situation as an example of how the Corinthians ought to think about exercising their freedom. As an apostle, Paul has the right to receive financial support, but declined to take any support from them. He wants the Corinthians to learn from his example and exercise their freedom the same way. In part 1 of his argument, Paul defends his right to accept support.

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October 2019 Recap

October 2019 Recap

I admit I was dreading the meat sacrificed to idols section (1Corinthians 8-10). How could that possibly be relevant today? Now I wish I’d studied it years ago! I hope you’re finding it as challenging and engaging as I am. October milestones: We set a new record for subscribers in one month, and we hit podcast #475! How should we celebrate #500?

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September 2019 Recap

September 2019 Recap

In 1Corinthians 7 Paul turns to God’s purpose for sexuality and his discussion could be the “poster child” for the importance of understanding the context. I hope you’re enjoying 1Corinthians as much as I am. I’m particularly encouraged by your emails, tweets, and the many new subscribers! I love hearing from you!

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18 To the Widowed (1 Corinthians 7:7-11)

18 To the Widowed (1 Corinthians 7:7-11)

In 1 Corinthians 7:7-11, Paul addresses the widows and widowers, telling them both singleness and marriage are good gifts from God. Then he addresses those considering divorce as a way to please God.

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On Break

On Break

The podcast is on break this week for some much need rest and relaxation. In the meantime, here are 16 things to do during the break.

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17 To the Married (1 Corinthians 7:1-6)

17 To the Married (1 Corinthians 7:1-6)

In Corinthians 7, Paul turns to answering specific question the Corinthians asked. The first question concerns the place of sexuality. Paul corrects their view that married people should be celibate.

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August 2019 Recap

August 2019 Recap

With 1 Corinthians 4, we finished the first major section of 1Corinthians and moved into some of Paul’s more challenging teaching on issues like sexual immorality, lawsuits between believers, and what separates believers from the world. As we waded into deep theological waters, we’ve seen the overwhelming importance of context, especially when his argument crosses multiple chapters. Thanks for listening and emailing! Welcome new subscribers!

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14 Taking Legal Action (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)

14 Taking Legal Action (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)

Should believers take other believers to secular law court? Paul confronts the Corinthian church for doing so. But like the other issues he’s addressed, Paul is more concerned with the attitudes behind their taking legal action.

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Leader Evaluation Sample

Leader Evaluation Sample

When you recruit feedback from your students at the end of a Bible study year, don’t forget to solicit feedback from your leaders. 

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13 Leaven in the Dough (1 Corinthians 5:6-13)

13 Leaven in the Dough (1 Corinthians 5:6-13)

Continuing his discussion of the man having an affair with his stepmother, Paul uses a common biblical analogy that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. What exactly is he telling us about the church?

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July 2019 Recap

July 2019 Recap

You can now find a resource page for every book of the the New Testament on WitW! These pages contain links to maps, background information, charts, overviews, introductions, encyclopedias and key words to help you do your own inductive study! I hope you find them useful. On the podcast, I plan teach through 1Corinthians 8, take a break and return to 1Corinthians. Thanks for listening and emailing!

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12 Ignoring Immorality (1 Corinthians 4:17-5:5)

12 Ignoring Immorality (1 Corinthians 4:17-5:5)

Paul confronts the Corinthian church about their attitude toward a man having an affair with his stepmother. Paul is concerned with the blatant disregard of God’s law by the man in question, and even more concerned with the attitude the church is taking toward his behavior.

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Example First Day Sign up forms

Example First Day Sign up forms

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.

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Are there Rewards in Heaven?

Are there Rewards in Heaven?

Should we expect rewards in heaven for our behavior in this life? If 1 Corinthians 3 does NOT teach that we will receive rewards in heaven, are there other passages which do teach that doctrine?

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Are there Rewards in Heaven?

Are there rewards in heaven?

Some claim that Scripture teaches believers will receive various crowns in heaven based on their works in this life.  We  look at two key themes Scripture teaches, and two main mistakes we can make in studying these passages.

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