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.
1 & 2 Thessalonians: Between Times
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Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
04 I do or I don’t: Making the decision
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.”
03 God’s Design for Sexuality
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.
02 The Relationship Landscape
We compare and contrasts the different kinds of relationships: biblical marriage, secular marriage, friendship, dating, friends with benefits, and an ideal Christian courtship.
01 God’s Design for Marriage
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.
January 2023 Reflections
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.
Understanding Hebrew Poetry
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.
How to cultivate foolishness
No one sets out to be a fool. Yet sometimes we all stumble into the trap. Here are 7 steps to cultivate stupidity.
Marriage: Forming a More Perfect Union
No more wandering toward the altar. Here’s a better way to get from single to married.
Does God tempt or test us?
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.
Understanding Jesus
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.
2022 Reflections
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.”
Why a Bible Study Podcast?
Why do a podcast on what the Bible means and how we know when we’re practically drowning in online sermons? Because Bible study is a lost art.
25 Most Popular Icebreakers
Over my years as Women’s Ministry Director, I collected a lot of ice breakers. After all you can’t use the same 4 ice breakers at the same ministry events year after year. But when ones are best? According to research, these are the 25 most popular.
December 2022 Reflections
Thanks to all of you who listened to all 65 episodes on the Gospel of Matthew! It’s been an incredible journey for me and I hope for you, too. What’s been your favorite part? Anything that surprised you? Something you never understood before? Anything make more sense now? I’d love to hear from you!
Why Jesus came, a Christmas message
The angel tells Joseph something about this son Mary will have. Who does the angel say this child is?
65 Matthew 12:22-50 A Tree and its fruit
Each one of us must decide what to do with Jesus. Sitting on the fence is not an option. The stumbling block is not lack of evidence. The stumbling block is the stubbornness of our hearts. In the end, we do not believe, because we do not want to believe.
helper, paraklétos, G3875
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for helper, paraklétos.
64 Matthew 12:15-21 Behold my Servant
For the second time, Matthew quotes an Old Testament prophecy as predictive prophecy. Isaiah says ‘Behold my servant’ and explains something about how the Servant will act. Matthew shows us this is out Jesus acted.
force, biazo, G971
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the biblical Greek verb for compel or force, biazo, G971.
Christmas Carol Sing
Enjoy this is a 30 minute video of Reggie Coates leading 10 Christmas songs that you can sing-a-long with and be drawn into the Christmas season with a focus on Jesus.
63 Matthew 12:1-14 Two Sabbath stories
The Sabbath played a big role in the worsening relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees. Matthew gives us only these two stories. By the end of the second story, we learn that Pharisees are planning to kill Jesus partly because of his views on the Sabbath.
November 2022 Reflections
Why did so many people reject Jesus when they saw him face to face? For people who are self-satisfied and indifferent to God, miracles change nothing. They believe they already have wisdom.
Word Study Shortcuts
While I recommend you learn how to do your own word studies, here are some shortcuts you can take to save time, to get past “study block” or compare your ideas with someone else’s.
How to do a word study
Word studies are one of the basic tools of Bible study. If you want to understand the author’s intended meaning, you need to understand the words he chose in his original language. If you only circle key English words, you may be circling the same English word but 3 different Greek words and missing some of author’s intent.
Old Testament Maps
Old Testament Maps: Here are my favorite maps related to the Old Testament and where to find them from Wednesday in the Word.
62 Matthew 11:25-30 Take my yoke
For people who are self-satisfied and indifferent to God, miracles change nothing. They believe they already have wisdom and they reject Jesus. But those who are know they are needy and weary understand the miracles and embrace the wisdom of Jesus teaching. To them Jesus promises rest.
Should Christians fast today?
My study of fasting in Scripture taught me two things. 1) If you want to fast as a religious ritual, do it from a heart that is expressing a genuine faith and sincere desire to know and love God; and 2) Don’t use fasting as a test to reject your fellow believers and/or impress other people.
How to outline
An analytical outline is a way of displaying a text of Scripture so that the flow of thought and the relationship between the grammatical parts become clear. It is my favorite study tool and one of the first things I do. Learn how to make one.
New Testament Maps
New Testament Maps: Here are my favorite maps related to the New Testament and where to find them from Wednesday in the Word.
61 Matthew 11:16-24 Woe to unrepentant cities
What Malachi predicted is finally happening. This generation finally stands in the presence of the herald and the Messiah. How does this generation receive that message? Jesus explains with an analogy: Jesus and John are like children sitting in the marketplace playing the flute and calling to their friends to dance, but their friends refuse
deliver, paradidomi, G3860
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek verb for deliver, paradidomi G3860.
Marks of false Teachers
A vital part of your Bible study arsenal is learning to recognize false teachers. Here are three interesting lists — both modern and classic — on how to discern a true teacher from a false teacher. Notice the similarities.
60 Matthew 11:7-15 John the Baptist’s role
Jesus was so different from the Messiah people expected, even John the Baptist had moments where he wondered if Jesus was the Messiah. If he’s really a prophet, how could John become confused? In this passage, Jesus answers that question.
wise, sophos, G4680
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for wise, sophos.
What is All Saint’s Day?
What is All Saint’s Day? All Saints’ Day is a time to celebrate heroes of the faith from scripture, as well as prominent figures in the early church.