A Devotional Celebrating Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost Jesus’s death wasn’t the end. In fact, it was just the beginning. THE VICTORY OF JESUS is a 50-day Bible study for Christians looking to skip the fluff of a typical devotional without getting bogged down by a lot of academic pomp. If you’re looking for a […]
We Revere Jesus’s Death So We Can Celebrate His Resurrection I’m never sure of what verb to attach to Good Friday. It’s a Christian holiday, a holy day. Though I do sometimes say celebrate Good Friday, it doesn’t seem like the right word. Neither does happy Good Friday, even though the outcome for us is […]
The website of this urban church says they’re a multi-racial, multi-socio-economic relational community, where the homeless worship and support one another. I anticipate meeting people of other races and expect a service relevant to its inner-city neighborhood. Consider these seven discussion questions about Church 68. 1. As we approach the building, others carry crockpots. Looks […]
Consider the Example of the Early Church and Then Follow It We’ve already talked about the three main ways Jesus changed our perspectives for following him when he fulfilled the Old Testament prophets. The early church applied this by meeting in homes, serving as priests, and helping those in need. As Jesus’s priests they minister […]
The King Claimed to Be Afraid of His Men, When He Should Have Been Afraid of God From a human standpoint, Saul appeared he had what it would take to be king. Yet from God’s perspective, his first king fell short. Saul had many character flaws, which ultimately caused God to reject him as king. […]
Today’s passage: John 8:1–30 Focus verse: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7) Jesus’s detractors drag a woman caught in the act of adultery before him. They’re doing this to test him. These religious leaders who present the adulterous woman care nothing […]
Candy and I live in a homogenous area of mostly white, middle-class families residing in a suburban setting, sitting on the edge of rural. Our community has minimal diversity and our area churches, even less. Most of my life I’ve lived in settings with people like me. Our current home is like our others. The […]
Consider the Example of Jesus’s Followers in the Bible The commands in the Old Testament about the tabernacle/temple, priesthood, and tithe are clear. The New Testament, however, lacks specific instructions for us to follow. But this doesn’t mean we should adhere to the Old Testament model as a default. Instead we look at the practices […]
A curious fellow in the book of Judges is Micah (not to be confused with the prophet Micah who lived many centuries later and has a book of the Bible named after him). This Micah, with two chapters surrounding him, is not listed as a judge and does not lead the people to overthrow their […]
Today’s passage: John 7:25–53 Focus verse: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37) Health professionals and fitness experts teach on the importance of good hydration, of getting enough to drink. In much of the world, access to clean drinking water is a given. People in these regions don’t give water […]