May 2020 Reflections
1Corinthians is the textbook case for understanding context. This is a profoundly important claim about the way we approach the Bible.
Study break
The podcast is on break for some much needed study time before we start a new series. In the meantime, you can listen to any of over 500 previous episodes.
Quotations: where Scripture quotes Scripture
When studying a passage, it’s often helpful to see how the author biblical authors understood it. Here my growing list of places where Scripture quotes Scripture.
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#TBT: Bible Study 101: Procedure
Wondering how to put all the tools and pieces of Bible study together so that you can tackle a specific passage of Scripture? Here’s the overall procedure.
47 1Corinthians 16 Final Thoughts
In the business end of the letter, Paul explains his travel plans and gives his final admonitions. We’ll also reflect on two important themes we learned from the letter as a whole.
#TBT: “Has God said?” The role of personal revelation in Bible study
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.
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46 1Corinthians 15:50-58 The end of death
Paul argues that death is a bigger problem than we think because it is more than the end of our earthly life. It is the doorway to judgment. But God will give us mercy in judgment and victory over death because of Jesus Christ.
#TBT: Who are you listening to?
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.
45 1Corinthians 15:29-49 Sown in dishonor, raised in glory
Paul answers an objection to the resurrection raised by his opponents with three comparisons: a seed versus the plant it becomes; Adam who brought death versus Christ who brings life; and natural lie now versus transformed life in the kingdom of God.
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April 2020 Reflections
Paul’s discussion of the resurrection in 1Corinthians 15 is powerful! Somehow I never seriously studied this chapter before and I can’t believe how profound Paul’s argument is.
44 1Corinthians 15:20-28 The goal of history
In correcting the Corinthians’ view that there is no resurrection, Paul argues that resurrection is an essential part of the way God intends to solve the problem of sin and death.
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#TBT: Women’s Ministry Survey Example
As a ministry leader, you often do surveys. But what questions should ask? Which questions solicit the best input? After 30 years in ministry — and countless surveys! — these are the questions I’ve found most helpful.
43 1Corinthians 15:1-19 The importance of Christ’s resurrection
Paul starts correcting the Corinthians view that there is no resurrection from the dead by making two points: 1) Jesus, the man, was resurrected and 2) if Jesus wasn’t resurrected, then his death accomplished nothing and we are still guilty before God.
Continue Reading 43 1Corinthians 15:1-19 The importance of Christ’s resurrection
#TBT: Criteria for evaluating a ministry
While serving as the Director of Women’s Ministries for over 20 years, every January we had a “state of the ministry” meeting where we would focus on two questions: 1) What are we doing well? and 2) What can we do better? But what criteria do we use to answer those questions? Numbers do not always reflect an accurate picture.
42 1Corinthians 14:26-40 Order in the Church
Paul gives the Corinthians a rule for deciding when to speak in their public gatherings: If your speech does not edify the group, keep silent. If your speech does edify the group, take turns in an orderly fashion.
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Good Friday 2020
Since churches have had to move their services online, I took advantage of the opportunity to “attend” about 10 different Good Friday services. This was my favorite.
#TBT: Plagiarism and Bible teaching
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.
41 1Corinthians 14:1-25 The greater gifts
Paul argues that prophesy is a better than tongues because prophesy edifies the larger body while speaking in tongues edifies only the speaker. Implicit in his argument is that we should value truth over emotion.
Ruth Bible Study Resources
Everything you need to kick start your study of the Old Testament book of Ruth
40 1Corinthians 13:1-13 The supremacy of love
Before he explains what he means by the greatest gifts, Paul interrupts his argument to explain something more important than all of the individual gifts: love.
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March 2020 Reflections
I think 1Corinthians 12-14 are some of the most profound chapters in the letter. In correcting the Corinthians’ view of speaking in tongues, Paul gives us a valuable perspective we can apply to many important issues in life. I’m grateful to finally have a chance to teach through them.
COVID Cville Church Services
Here’s where you can find some of our local churches during the COVID closures. If you visit them online now, when the closures are over, you’ll feel right at home going in person.
39 1Corinthians 13:4-7 Attributes of love
Paul’s famous passage on the attributes of love is part of a 3-chapter argument. In this podcast we focus on what Paul is saying about love and why Paul felt it was important to correct the Corinthians understanding of love. In the next podcast, we’ll examine how this passage fits into the context of his overall argument.
#TBT: Servant Leadership in Practice
Putting servant leadership into practice: thoughts on leading from moral authority rather than hierarchy.
