Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
The biblical picture of prayer is not that it is a spiritual discipline that I use to reach a higher spiritual level. Rather prayer is an unavoidable mandatory battlefield in the war of faith.
4 people you need to improve your teaching: cheerleader, coach, critic, craftsman. Learn to find them, set expectations, and trust the team. Learn to find them, set expectations, and trust the team.
Not only does the theology of spiritual formation aim at the wrong target, spiritual formation seeks the wrong kind of change. While spiritual disciplines focus on success at outward righteous behavior, the Bible teaches that the goal of spiritual maturity is a strong unshakeable faith.
The theology of Spiritual Formation sounds great on paper, but it is focused on the wrong target. Spiritual formation is “an intentional Christian practice with the goal of developing spiritual maturity that leads to Christ-likeness.” The central claim of...
In modern American culture growing older seems to mean becoming invisible; unfortunately this trend is also infecting the church. Relegating older women to the nostalgia-bin is a symptom of “The Huddle Syndrome.” Fortunately, the Huddle Syndrome is easy to break.
So you’d like to teach the Bible? How do you get started? How do you decide if Bible teaching is your calling? Here’s my advice for aspiring teachers.
A 12-week Bible study on the Letter of James. The central question of the book of James is: Are you living what you claim to believe?
If you think that worship equals singing, A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity by RC Sproul is a must-read book for you.
An 18-week Bible Study podcast on questions Jesus asked from the Gospel of Mark. Jesus also used questions as a teaching tool, frequently asking a question he already knows the answer to.
A collection of Christmas messages over the years.
75% of Psalms are 1 of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. Here is the general form for praise psalms.
75% of Psalms are 1 of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. Here is the general form for lament psalms.
75% of Psalms are 1 of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. Here is the general form for Thanksgiving psalms.
"Spiritual formation" is a hot topic today. But does it work? The Old Testament prophet Haggai would answer no. Spiritual formation is "an intentional Christian practice with the goal of developing spiritual maturity that leads to Christ-likeness." ...
Recently, my life has been marked by loss. Like the Beatles, how I long for yesterday! The last place I expected to find comfort was in the Old Testament Book of Haggai — yet I did.
A good teacher tailors her presentation to her audience. The same is true of the four New Testament gospels. Each gospel writer had a different audience in mind and tailored his presentation of the story to his audience.
Maps, charts, study guide – everything you need to study the book of Habakkuk.
What can the story of a coal miner’s kid trying to build rockets teach us about Bible Study and Psalm 27?
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.
Which side you take on some basic theological questions makes a world of difference in how you live your life.
A 23-week Bible study on the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel. In 2 Samuel the promise is fulfilled.
A 22-week bible study on the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. Israel is transformed from a loose band of tribes to a unified kingdom.
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.
Learn when storytelling strengthens Bible teaching and when it distracts. Discover simple guidelines to use stories with clarity, power, and purpose.
“Rule of In”: a simple tip for healthy small group dynamics. Learn how to welcome newcomers, and keep people in the circle, not pushed out.
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?
Learn how to avoid plagiarism in Bible study with clear do’s, don’ts, and real examples—when to cite, how to credit sources, and what to change.
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.
Discover a proven framework for evaluating ministry effectiveness beyond attendance numbers. Learn 20+ questions to assess spiritual impact, leadership development, and gospel-centered growth in your church programs.
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?