August 15, 2022
August 21 | Application (‘I Am Who’)
Prior generations of parents and grandparents may have passed along their own habits, hang-ups, and hurts, but eventually we must stop blaming others and take responsibility for our own actions.
Theology & Bible
Theology & Bible helps Christians understand Scripture and the core teachings of the Christian faith. Explore Bible-based articles on biblical interpretation, doctrine, salvation, the Holy Spirit, baptism, communion, creation, and key themes across the Old and New Testaments. You’ll find thoughtful guidance for studying the Bible faithfully, applying God’s Word to life and ministry, and growing in theological clarity rooted in the gospel. Whether you’re a church leader, teacher, student, or everyday disciple, this hub equips you to know God through Scripture and live with conviction and hope.
August 15, 2022
August 21 | Discovery
Is our ranking of “really bad sins” and “not so bad sins” supported by the text from Ezekiel, or are we more likely to excuse things we’re comfortable with?
August 10, 2022
Communion Survey Results: Prepackaged Cups Widely Used (and That’s Likely to Continue)
A little more than half of the respondents (54 percent) reported their church uses the prepackaged Communion cups (with juice and bread sealed in a single container, purchased from a vendor). Among those folks, 42 percent either “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they were easy to use, while 45 percent either “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” the prefilled cups were easy to use. . . .
August 8, 2022
August 14 | Sins of the Leaders
Since the call of this exilic prophet (in Ezekiel 1–3), the prophet had cried out against Israel’s idolatry and the sins of Israel’s leaders. The result was that leaders began persecuting Ezekiel. At this juncture "the word of the Lord" came to Ezekiel to cry out against those leaders.
August 8, 2022
August 14 | Application (‘Don’t Lose Your Bearings’)
Long ago the prophet Ezekiel identified several danger signs of moral failure. How can we tell if our leaders are losing their bearings? Ezekiel 22 identifies five leadership pitfalls—ways the “princes of Israel” were veering off course.
August 8, 2022
August 14 | Discovery
What would it look like to “build up the wall” or “stand before God in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) against the atrocities we see in this chapter?
August 8, 2022
Enough
Have you ever heard someone say there are many ways to Heaven and that Christians are narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way? God’s Word is unambiguous and unequivocal about this topic. . . .
August 1, 2022
August 7 | Sent to a Rebellious People
The major prophetic book of Ezekiel is the Judges of the exile. It is the Dark Ages of captivity for Israel. This prophet-priest had to announce that sin came with consequences. With this lesson, we launch a two-month study of this book.
August 1, 2022
August 7 | Application (‘The Man Who Looked Away’)
"Recently I led a difficult funeral for a young woman who had died of a drug overdose," David Faust writes. "The whole time I spoke, an older man seated in the front row . . . refused to look at me . . ."
August 1, 2022
August 7 | Discovery
If God were looking for another Ezekiel to take a message to his people, would you be a good choice?
The Most Honored Seat at the Table
The most honored seat for the most respected guest was to Jesus’ immediate left. On this night, Judas sat in that honored position. . . .
July 25, 2022
July 31 | Don’t Be Idle Wasting Time
Paul made two prayer requests. He asked the Thessalonians to pray that the gospel would spread rapidly and be honored. Paul also asked God to deliver him and his team from wicked and evil people who have no faith.
July 25, 2022
July 31 | Application (‘Something Is Out of Whack in My Church’)
Let’s be honest. A lot of local churches don’t operate well. It’s beautiful when they do—when the body of Christ functions with harmony and efficiency. But it’s rare to find a congregation where everyone is “speaking the truth in love” and aligned around a common mission.
July 25, 2022
July 31 | Discovery
In 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, Paul talked about being “a model for you to imitate.” What is one thing in your own life that is worth imitating?
July 18, 2022
July 24 | Be Strong Through Trials
Paul gave the Thessalonians inspired advice about how to be strong through trials. It had to do with growing in faith and love, recognizing God’s judgment, and constantly praying.
July 18, 2022
July 24 | Application (‘It’s Messy on the Boat’)
Some read the biblical account of Noah’s ark and treat it like a charming little children’s story, but imagine what it was like being cooped up with all those animals for months. . . .
July 18, 2022
July 24 | Discovery
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 4. If Paul were writing about you, what one thing in your spiritual life would he boast about?
The Family Table
Some families still gather around the dinner table at the end of a long, hard day to break bread together. It’s a place to talk, laugh, and cry. In much the same way, Jesus gathered with his disciples around a table at the Last Supper. . . .
July 11, 2022
July 17 | Be Alert for Christ’s Return
This section on the return of Christ (beginning in 1 Thessalonians 4:13) is one of the longest in the New Testament. Evidently some of the believers felt as if those who had died before the return of Jesus would miss out on his second coming. Paul was writing to correct that fallacious thinking.
July 11, 2022
July 17 | Application (‘So What?’)
Ask Christians if they believe in Jesus’ second coming, and most will say yes. But if we believe in the return of Christ, we must dare to ask, “So what?” The second coming deserves more than a passing nod. In practical terms, how does our expectation of Christ’s return shape our lives?
