While working on my upcoming series “Who is the Holy Spirit,” I’ve been adding several new sections to the Bible Study Resource pages, including introductory information, free journal articles and answers to basic questions. I hope you’re finding them useful.

Podcasts

What does it mean to carry your cross, Luke 14:25-35

Jesus said whoever does not bear his own cross cannot be his disciple. This passage can be terrifying because Jesus makes strong claims about hating your family and your own life. If we claim to follow Jesus, then we need to know exactly what he’s requiring to be his disciple.

New Lecture notes for: Questions Jesus Asked

• 01 Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
• 02 What’s easiest to say? Mark 2:1-12
• 03 Good or evil, life or death? Mark 2:23-3:6
• 04 Why are you so afraid? Mark 4:35-41
• 05 What is your name? Mark 5:1-20
• 06 Who touched me? Mark 5:21-34
• 07 Why do you weep? Mark 5:35-43
• 08 How many loaves do you have? Mark 6:30-46
• 09 Don’t you understand? Mark 7:1-23

New Resources

• Genesis Study Resources
• Deuteronomy Study Resources
• Deuteronomy Quotes in the New Testament
• Minor Prophets Quoted in the New Testament
• Joshua-Job Quotes in the New Testament
• Paul’s use of the Old Testament
• Introduction to the Old Testament
• Introduction to the New Testament

Slightly under 50% of WitW listeners are outside the United States. Here are the other countries that round out the top 10:

2. South Africa
3. United Kingdom
4. Germay
5. Philippines
6. Canada
7. India
8. Australia
9. Nigeria
10. Netherlands

My remaining 2020 goal is to pass 150,000 downloads (currently 135,334). 

Please tell your friends about the podcast — but more importantly, encourage them with something you learned.

I need your help: Please tell a friend about the podcast — but more importantly encourage them with something you learned.   Thanks for listening!

Next: August 2020

Previous: June 2020

Photo by Anna Demianenko on Unsplash

During my study break, I will randomly offer single podcasts that illustrate good Bible study methodology or that are passages I’ve always wanted to teach. I’ve also been adding to the number of resource pages to aid you in your study.

Podcasts

Matthew 12:43-45 Return of the Unclean Spirit

Matthew 12:43-44 contains one of the most difficult sayings of Jesus. This passage can only be solved with good Bible study methodology.  I think it is one of the hardest passages I’ve ever tackled.

The Great Banquet Parable, Luke 14:7-24

In Luke 14, Jesus gives a series of parables in rapid secession.  They are all set at a banquet.  These parables aren’t as famous as some of the other parables Jesus tells.  They are relatively straightforward so they tend to get overshadowed by other parables like the prodigal son.  But I think they are very profound.

Coming July 8:  What does it mean to carry your cross? Luke 14:25-35

Jesus said whoever does not bear his own cross cannot be his disciple. This passage can be terrifying because Jesus makes strong claims about hating your family and your own life. If we claim to follow Jesus, then we need to know exactly what he requires to be his disciple.

NEW Resources:

• Exodus Bible Study Resources
• Exodus quotes in the New Testament
• Exodus-Numbers Parallels
• Leviticus Bible Study Resources
• Chart of Israel’s Judges
• Numbers Bible Study Resources
• Word Study Shortcuts
• Leviticus quotes in the New Testament

Only half of WitW listeners are in the United States. Where are the others? Here are the top 10 countries:

1. United States
2. South Africa
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. Canada
6. Philippines
7. India
8. Australia
9. Nigeria
10. Netherlands

My remaining 2020 goal is to pass 150,000 downloads (currently 133,055). 

I need your help: Please tell a friend about the podcast — but more importantly encourage them with something you learned.   Thanks for listening!

Next: July 2020

Previous: May 2020

Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash

The 47th and final talk in 1Corinthians was my 501st podcast. Many thanks to those who listened to the whole series! 1Corinthians is the textbook case for understanding context. Listen to my “1Corinthians Final Thoughts” to understand why this is a profoundly important claim about the way we approach the Bible.

After a short break, I plan to launch a NEW topical study (something I rarely do): “Who is the Holy Spirit?” This series should take us through the summer and then who knows what we’ll tackle in the fall. I’m open to suggestions.

Podcasts

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 life now versus transformed life in the kingdom of God.

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.

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.

Resources

Who are you listening to?

“Has God said?” The role of personal revelation in Bible teaching

Bible Study 101: Procedure

Bible Study 101: Interpretation

My remaining 2020 goals is to pass 150,000 downloads (currently 129,585). 

I need your help: Please tell a friend about the podcast — but more importantly encourage them with something you learned.   Thanks for listening!

Next: June 2020

Previous: April 2020

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

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. 

One positive about the shutdown/quarantine:  I have a lot more time to study. I will finish 1Corinthians by the end of May 2020.  What shall we study next?   Please contact me if there’s a topic or book you’d particularly like to study.  Thanks for listening!

Podcasts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Resources:

NEW: Ruth Bible Study Resources

NEW: Best Good Friday Service (I heard)

Bible Study 201: Plagiarism and Bible Teaching

Criteria for evaluating a ministry

Women’s Ministry Survey Example

My 2020 goals are to:

1. break 500 podcasts (currently at 498) and
2. pass 150,000 downloads (currently 129,585). 

I need your help: Please tell a friend about the podcast — but more importantly encourage them with something you learned.   Thanks for listening!

Next: May 2020

Previous: March 2020

Photo by Uriel Soberanes on Unsplash

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.

I expect to finish 1Corinthians by the end of May 2020.  What would you like to hear next?  I’m considering going on to 2Corinthians – after a short break.  But I’d also love to teach through the Gospel of Matthew (primarily to get to the Sermon on the Mount) and I’m also working on a series tentatively titled “Who is the Holy Spirit?”  Please reply to this email if there’s a topic or letter you’d particularly like to study.  Thanks for listening!

Podcasts

36 1Corinthians 12:4-11 What are spiritual gifts?

Paul argues that while all believers have the same Spirit, God distributes different gifts to different believers on purpose. Paul’s purpose in this section is not to give a catalog of gifts, but to give examples of some diverse ways the Spirit works. I contrast Paul’s teaching here with the popular understanding of spiritual gifts.

37 1Corinthians 12:11-13 Should everyone speak in tongues?

As Paul continues discussing the unity and diversity of the body of Christ, we consider what that tells us about speaking in tongues today. Should everyone speak in tongues?

38 1Corinthians 12:14-31 Understanding the body of Christ

Paul compares the people of God to the unity and diversity of the human body. In this rich analogy, Paul teaches us how we should view ourselves, how we should view each other and where we should find our worth.

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.

Resources:

COVID Cville Church Services

If you visit them online now, when the closures are over, you’ll feel right at home going in person.

NEW: Esther Bible Study Resources

What if I failed my Bible reading plan?

7 Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Leaders

Servant Leadership in Practice

My 2020 goals are to:

1. break 500 podcasts (currently at 493) and
2. pass 150,000 downloads (currently 127,219). 

I need your help: Please tell a friend about the podcast — but more importantly encourage them with something you learned.   Thanks for listening!

Next: April 2020

Previous: February 2020

Photo by Mohammad Amiri on Unsplash

I hope thinking through the issues surrounding communion has been as meaningful for you as it has been for me.  But I’m really looking forward to what’s coming next! 1Corinthians 12-14 has been on my bucket list of “things I want to teach” for a long time!

Podcasts

32 1Corinthians 11:17-22 Situation with Lord’s supper

What’s the problem with the way the Corinthians are handling the Lord’s Supper? Were they profaning a holy ritual? Were they ignoring social economic justice? Both or something else? This podcast examines what the Corinthians were doing wrong.

33 1Corinthians 11:23-26 Significance of the Lord’s supper

What’s the connection between Passover and Communion? Why are we suppose to celebrate the Lord’s Supper? And what is it suppose to do for us? In this podcast, we look at how Paul explains the significance of the Lord’s Supper.

34 1Corinthians 11:27-34 Taking communion in an unworthy manner

What does it mean to take communion in an unworthy manner? How are we to examine ourselves before participating? In this podcast, we look at what Paul found wrong with the way the Corinthians were handling the Lord’s Supper and what he wants them to do instead.

35 1Corinthians 12:1-3 The Mark of Spirituality

Paul starts the topic of spiritual gifts in 1Corinthians 12. The Corinthians are confused in thinking that speaking in tongues is the mark of true spirituality and that those who have not spoken in tongues are lesser Christians. Paul lays the foundation in 12:1-3 for his argument which will run through chapter 14.

NEW Resources:

What is Lent?

The 4 qualifications for being an apostle

My 2020 goals are to:

1. break 500 podcasts (currently at 488) and
2. pass 150,000 downloads (currently 126,425). 

I need your help: Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a positive review on your favorite podcast platform, and tell a friend. If you can only do one, telling a friend is best.  Thanks for listening!

Next: March 2020

Previous: January 2020

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Thanks for the awesome feedback on the 1Corinthians 11 head covering passage!  I hesitated to put my views out there given the controversial nature of the passage.  But your feedback has been worth it!  Now it’s on to the Lord’s Supper and then spiritual gifts. THANKS for listening!

Podcasts

28 1Corinthians 11:2-16 Should women wear head coverings?

When a woman participates in a public worship service, is it proper for a her to uncover or head?  This podcast gives an overview of what (I think) Paul meant to say and what it means for us today. If you only want the bottom line, listen to this podcast. The next several podcasts cover the details and the controversies. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 8, 2020.

29 1Corinthians 11:2-16 Cultural background

The cultural background behind Paul’s advice on women wearing head coverings is incomplete and contradictory. Here’s what we know and (what I think is) the best way to put it together. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 15, 2020.

30 What does Paul mean by head, 1?

Paul appeals to the creation of Adam and Eve to make his argument. This podcasts examines what Genesis 2 teaches us and why Paul appeals to it. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 22, 2020.

31 What does Paul mean by head, 2?

Most everyone agrees that Paul is speaking metaphorically, but few agree exactly what he means by the metaphor of head. To understand Paul’s use of head in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, we look at Paul’s use of head in all his other letters, particularly in Ephesians. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 29, 2020

NEW Resources:

What is hard complementarian?

What is a soft complementarian?

What is an egalitarian?

Resources on women in authority in the church

How the Old Testament is organized

The Old Testament Books in Chronological Order

My 2020 goals are to:

1. break 500 podcasts (currently at 485) and
2. pass 150,000 downloads (currently 124,920). 

I need your help. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a positive review on your favorite podcast platform, and tell a friend. If you can only do one, telling a friend is best.  Thanks for listening!

Next: February 2020

Previous: 2019 Reflections

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash