Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
Paul reassures the Thessalonians that Christ has not returned because certain events must happen first. But they can take comfort that Christ will return to bring both justice and salvation for those who believe.
Paul encourages a suffering church by reminding them of the certainty of God’s justice and judgment. One day their suffering will end. But more importantly their faithful response through suffering is evidence that they will inherit a place in the kingdom of God.
We finished 1Thessalonians in April and will start 2Thessalonians in May. I will finally teach a passage I’ve avoided for a long time: Paul’s discussion of the end times in chapter 2. It will be interesting!
Paul closes this letter with what appears to be an arbitrary list of exhortations. However, the list follows a theme, as Paul explains how a church community should treat each other.
Today we often seek preachers who tell us stories, make us laugh, and tickle our ears with poetry and platitudes. We would rather listen to Jon Stewart than Jonathan Edwards. We ought to think critically about how far we have slipped down the slope of valuing style over substance.
Paul explains what it means to be alert, awake and prepared for judgment day: have faith. Christians know how the world will end and we do not have to fear it. Jesus died for us so that we might live with him.
Examining the connection between ideas is a useful tool for Bible study and discernment. As practice in discernment, find the wrong turn in the following argument.
Ultimately, how you handle your speaking notes will depend on personal preference. As you experiment, here are some ideas that may help you find your style and prepare like a pro.
Paul deals with a second issues related to how live as a Christian: work. His advice is strive to follow God, rather than impact the world.
As a new believer, I was confused about sanctification. My rather simple understanding was sanctification means your “sin-meter” is going down.
Teaching through stories is increasingly popular. But there is a downside. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls.
On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It matters whether something is real or not. It also matters whether an idea is true or not. The historical fact is Jesus rose from the dead, and it makes a difference that he did.
You’ve probably heard a teacher, pastor or preacher say something to the effect “and then God told me.” What’s up with that? What role does personal experience and/or personal revelation play in Bible study? For me, the bottom line is: Scripture takes precedence over emotions and experience; and teachers ought to strive for accuracy and precision in their language. Here are the guidelines I use when teaching.
I avoided teaching 1&2Thessalonians for a long time, because of the passages on the end times (e.g 1Thessalonians 4 and 2Thessalonians 2). But I wanted to teach them because of Paul’s advice for living your life now in 1Thessalonians 4-5. Those passages seem particularly applicable in today’s upside world. I hope you learn as much as I did.
In 1Thessalonians 4, Paul addresses specific questions and issues in the Thessalonian church. First, Paul addresses how Christians should handle their sexuality. Then he tackles work.
At a writing conference, one speaker claimed everyone needs 3 people to become a better writer. His list applies to Bible teachers — with one addition.
While Paul laments his inability to visit the Thessalonians, he rejoices over their faithful response to the gospel. Paul claims his crowning joy is seeing people like them respond to the gospel.
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.
Paul explains how he conducted himself at Thessalonica and why his message his trustworthy. Today we face the same choice: whether or not to believe Paul.
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.
In their first year of faith, Paul sees three changes that confirm the genuine belief of the Thessalonians: their “work of faith,” “labor of love,” and “steadfastness of hope.”
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. First and foremost you need to learn to study the Bible well. Start with Bible Study 101. Then progress to the topics below.
Paul is writing to a very young church of people from different ethnic groups in a city that is intensely hostile to them. Paul wants to encourage them to persevere in the faith and clarify some issues that confuse them.
In March I’ll be starting a new series on 1&2Thessalonians. In his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul teaches a young church facing persecution how to live between the first and second coming of Christ. I hope you’ll join me.
An 11-week Bible study podcast series on Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. Paul teaches a young church how to live between until Christ returns.
In this final section, we offer some advice on how to evaluate your current relationships and what to talk through before you say “I do.”
If the cultural view of sexuality, what is the biblical view? Is it just a list of dos, don’ts, and not yets? The question I want to address in this section is: What are you waiting for and why is it worth it? We find those answers in the Song of Solomon.
We compare and contrasts the different kinds of relationships: biblical marriage, secular marriage, friendship, dating, friends with benefits, and an ideal Christian courtship.
When it comes to dating, sex and romance, a majority of college students report being “profoundly upset” about their own behavior. Our goal in this seminar is to show you a better way.
New Series: Marriage, Forming a more perfect union. No more wandering toward the altar. Here’s a better way to get from single to married.
The key to understanding Hebrew poetry and Wisdom Literature is knowing that the “rhyme” of ideas is more important than the sounds. This “rhyming” of ideas is called parallelism.
No one sets out to be a fool. Yet sometimes we all stumble into the trap. Here are 7 steps to cultivate stupidity.
No more wandering toward the altar. Here’s a better way to get from single to married.
Does God tempt us? Or test us? What’s the difference? The distinction between testing and tempting concerns the motives of the one doing the testing.
When I was a new believer, the words of Jesus were baffling. Thankfully, I’ve grown to understand him. I have reached two conclusions about the teaching of Jesus.
I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I have reached the stage of life that Tevye dreamed about in his song “If I were a rich man.” This podcast allows me to spend many hours every day in prayer and Bible study, for which I am very thankful. Truth be told, I’d do it even if know one else listened. But it’s nice to be able to share the “wealth.”