Podcasts, news and events from WednesdayintheWord.com in March 2024.
March 2024 Reflections
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Blog
Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
04 Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
Scripture teaches believers have joy as a fruit of the Spirit in the middle of struggles. Joy is confidence based on hope.
03 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 2
Scripture teaches a second aspect to love as a fruit of the Spirit which concerns how believers relate to each other as a church and community.
02 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 1
A deep dive into Scripture to understand what love is as a fruit of the Spirit. Spoiler: It is not a feeling.
Why do we have four gospels?
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.
01 Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit: Understanding Galatians
The entire argument of Galatians in one podcast! Understanding the themes of Galatians is the foundation for our study on the Fruit of the Spirit. Knowing the context surrounding the list is the crucial first step.
A Wednesday in the Word Announcement
The latest news from Krisan Marotta and the Wednesday in the Word podcast: New series on the Fruit of the Spirit starts March 6.
Fruit of the Spirit
Ever wonder what Paul meant by love, joy, peace and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit? In this series, we explore the Bible to learn what Scripture teaches about these concepts and why Paul put them on the list. This series isn’t about definitions. It’s about discovering life-changing truths behind each fruit.
kingdom basiliea G932
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the biblical Greek word for kingdom basileia G932.
January 2024 Reflections
Apple podcasts will auto-generate transcripts in time for the next podcast series on the Fruit of the Spirit.
2023 Reflections
This year I tackled two books of the Bible I’ve been wanting to teach for a long time, 1&2Thessalonians. Plus I updated my series on Galatians.
December 2023 Reflections
In 2023, I created 32 podcasts and published 20 new resource pages to the library. You downloaded the podcasts 21,321 times for an average of 1,777 listens per month. You can see all the stats here if you’re interested.
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
What’s so special about Christmas?
Thoughts on real meaning of Christmas, gift-giving and celebrations.
November 2023 Reflections
What did you learn from Galatians? For me, it was walking by the Spirit, a topic we will explore more in the next series.
15 How to Invest in Truth Because You Reap What You Sow (Galatians 6:6-18)
In Galatians 6:6-18, Paul encourages his listeners to invest their lives in truth. We reap what we sow. If we seek teachers who flatter and entertain us, that is what we will harvest. God is not mocked. He knows what we seek.
14 What it Means to Bear Each Others’ Burdens and Carry Your Own Load (Galatians 5:25-6:5)
In Galatians 5:25-6:5, Paul explains how the fact that we all believe the same gospel translates into our lives as a community. First, he urges us to stop competing with our teammates. Then Paul explains how to respond when someone stumbles on this metaphorical race to glory.
13 What it Means to Walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-24)
Paul argues we don’t need the Law to keep us from pursuing sin. We have something better. We have the Spirit of God teaching us to pursue goodness.
12 What It Means to “Fall from Grace” (Galatians 5:1-2)
In the final chapters, he develops his third major theme which is the freedom the gospel brings. Because the gospel solves our two biggest problems, it brings freedom from the law and freedom from slavery to sin.
October 2023 Reflections
I’m very excited to teach Galatians 5-6 in November! The last time I taught Galatians I was blessed to be working with a team. But schedules required someone else teach the last two chapters. I have waited over 10 years to get my chance. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed learning it.
The easy way to make a lot of coffee
As a ministry leader you probably make a lot of coffee. I’ve found using the Toddy Coffee system is the easiest way to make the most coffee with the least amount of mess, fuss and clean up. Here’s how.
11 How Hagar and Sarah Explain the Two Ways to Approach God (Galatians 4:21-31)
In the story of Abraham we find two sons, two wives, two covenants, two mountains, and two cities. So we have only two options. One option leads to eternal life in the kingdom of God. The other leads to destruction.
Thessalonians Outline
Thessalonians Outline: Detailed outlines of the New Testament books 1 & 2 Thessalonians from Wednesday in the Word.
Prayer and Spiritual Formation: How does it work?
The theology of Spiritual Formation assumes there is a level a spirituality that I can have if I do certain spiritual practices. Prayer is typically is one of those practices. Yet, the biblical picture of prayer is not a spiritual discipline that I use to reach a higher spiritual level. Rather prayer is an unavoidable mandatory battlefield in the war of faith.
10 Five Principles of Christian Leadership (Galatians 4:12-20)
In his fourth argument, Paul appeals to the Galatians to return to the true gospel based on his deep affection and concern for them.
Galatians Outline
My detailed outline of Galatians along with an overview of Paul’s three main themes.
Does Spiritual Formation seek the right kind of change?
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.
09 Sonship: What it Means to No Longer Be a Slave (Galatians 4:1-11)
The Judaizers teach you need to place yourself under the guardianship of the Law. Why would adults want to return the restrictions of childhood? Like a child who has come of age, you have graduated from the guardianship of the Law.
elementary, stoicheion, G4747
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek word for elementary, stoicheion, G4747.
Is Spiritual Formation shooting at the right target?
The theology of Spiritual Formation sounds great on paper, but it is focused on the wrong target. Progress toward greater spirituality is measured by what can be seen (for example, how well I maintain the routines of sabbath, bible reading, confession; how loving my actions are toward others; how much I experience greater joy and contentment; how well I serve and sacrifice, etc.) which means success is measured by outward righteous behavior. But is outward righteous behavior the right target?
08 What it Means to Graduate from the Law (Galatians 3:23-29)
The Law teaches valuable lessons that prepare us for faith and keep us from evil. But, after the Messiah came, we graduated from the protective custody of the Law. All of us receive justification by the same path: faith in Jesus Christ.
self-control, egkrateia, G1466
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for self-control, egkrateia, G1466.
Does Spiritual Formation work? Answers from Haggai
“Spiritual formation” is a hot topic today. But does it work? The Old Testament prophet Haggai would answer no.
September 2023 Reflections
A national survey revealed that 42% of pastors considered quitting recently and many already have. There’s no question in my mind that we ask too much of pastors today, but I also think pastors share a bit of the blame. Here’s my solution to the “Great Pastor Resignation.”
07 Why the Gospel is a Promise, Not a Deal (Galatians 3:15-22)
Paul argues the Law, which was a deal, does not nullify the promise given to Abraham. In a deal, two parties agree to certain obligations. But a promise is made by one party unconditionally.
gentleness, prautés, G4240
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the biblical Greek word for gentleness, prautés, G4240.