Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
1 & 2 Samuel reflect two sides of a promise — the promise to David that he would be king over Israel. In 1 Samuel David is waiting for that promise to be fulfilled. In 2 Samuel the promise is fulfilled.
In the book of 1 Samuel records three “tectonic shifts” in how God structures His kingdom. These three shifts are to prepare the way for the next major shift: transforming God’s people from with a geopolitical identity to a people with a heavenly identity.
If you’re looking for a refresher course on how to study the Bible or want to start learning, Bob Smith’s Basics of Bible Interpretation is still a good choice.
How could a 12-year old astonish the best theologians of his day? Why was the knowledge of Jesus radically different than everyone else?
All through my academic career I rubbed shoulders with people smarter than I. The standard was always higher than I could reach, no matter how I hard I tried. Holiness is like that.
Teaching through stories is increasingly popular. But there is a downside. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls.
In new groups, participants often seek connections through icebreaker questions. How we respond impacts the future community. I’ve learned to employ what I call the “Rule of In”.
Tired of the same old icebreakers? Are you using the same 3 interesting facts about yourself at every gathering? Here are some sample icebreakers to kick start your thinking.
Think about what you’d wish for if you had a genie. Think about what you pray for. How similar are they?
You’ve probably heard the joke that the greatest insult you can give a Bible teacher is that your work is both original and good. Why is that funny? The part that’s original is not good, and the part that’s good is not original. The goal of Bible study is to be right, not original.
This series examines the Temptations of Jesus with the goal of learning how to face waiting and affliction with hope, trust and endurance.
Here’s advice from an expert on how not to burn out your retreat speaker.
How do you know when a ministry is working? Numbers do not always reflect an accurate picture. These questions will help.
Can God use less-than-perfect believers without also perfecting them at the same time? Do their failures negate the good examples of Abraham and David? Apparently not.
In an 11 month period, my mother died of breast cancer and both my mother-in-law and her mother died of lung cancer. Here’s what I learned about how to love, help and support someone living with cancer and their caretaker.
Failed CEOs shared these 7 habits. What about leaders in the church?
Becoming a believer is in some ways like becoming a Ya-Ya. When you become a believer, not only do you gain a vertical relationship with God, you gain a horizontal relationship with other believers.
Putting servant leadership into practice: thoughts on leading from moral authority rather than hierarchy.
Martha chose to serve physical food while Mary chose to receive spiritual food. Mary chose wisely. When Jesus comes to town, all of us should drop everything to listen.
Which of our many doctrinal differences should Christians worry about? After all, one person’s heresy is another person’s minor difference of opinion.
When Paul writes in Ephesians 2 that believers are “growing into a holy temple in the Lord” and “being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit”, he’s drawing on rich Old Testament history.
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?
What do you believe about your English translation of the Bible? Here are 5 ideas you should NOT hold.
Explore 7 biblical steps to find your unique calling. Learn how to align your passions with God’s purpose and overcome obstacles through faith
The Apostle Paul divides humanity by one thing: those who belong to God and those who don’t. It is the only distinction that matters.
Emergent Theology claims theological certainty is an idol, but Paul claims the authority to speak on behalf of God.
Alone and cold in a German prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “I think we are going to have an exceptionally good Christmas.” As I sit in warmth and comfort, I wonder at his words.
What one particular husband thinks that other husbands might appreciate him telling their wives.
Everything you need to kick start your study of Ephesians: discussion questions, bible study tools, maps, charts, key words and podcasts.
Paul writes to instruct and exhort believers as to the full ramifications of their relationship with Jesus Christ, including what Christ accomplished on their behalf and the appropriate change in their lifestyle as a response.
The day our cat died our daughter changed her Facebook status to “starting over from the end of the world.”
To compare roles is to count paper clips. Neither is a valid measure of our worth.
Barnabas is an great example of the incredible good you can do when you don’t care who gets credit.
How can the apostle John say love is a mark of believers and hate is a mark of non-believers? Even a cursory examination reveals that believers hate and non-believers love.
When I was a new Christian, I told another believer that I was struggling with controlling my temper. She told me that I was not a genuine Christian because if I was, I wouldn’t sin. If she is right, not only was I not a Christian then — I still am not a Christian now. When you discover two very different interpretations of the Bible, how do you decide who’s right?
How do you recognize a group which claims to represent genuine, apostolic Christianity but in reality does not? Here are 5 questions that separate “the sheep” from “the wolves.”