July 11, 2022
July 17 | Discovery
Why did the church in Thessalonica so badly need encouragement?
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.
In Times of Darkness
The Lord’s Supper was instituted in a time of darkness. And, so, when we are going through dark times of our own, we can partake of Communion and remember Jesus, and what his sacrifice means for us.
July 4, 2022
July 10 | Endurance Inspired by Faith
It’s been said that the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. . . . One thing hindering the Thessalonian believers from enduring the race was confusion about the end times and return of Christ. Confusion about the future caused them uncertainty in the present.
July 4, 2022
July 10 | Application (‘If You Knew’)
On their wedding day, does a couple fully understand what it means to pledge their love “for better or worse . . .”? When parents welcome a new baby, do they realize what that child will cost—not only in dollars, but in sleepless nights, hard conversations, and trips to the emergency room? . . .
July 4, 2022
July 10 | Discovery
In this passage, Paul talked about trials and temptations. Look specifically at 1 Thessalonians 3:3-5; what trials was the church facing? What temptations?
July 1, 2022
Bible Genealogies: More Than Just Lists of Names
By Megan Rawlings In a new trend among Christian users of TikTok, videos show the faces of people reading genealogies from the Bible. The readers often appear to be trying to stay awake, or they skim through the lists pretending to be interested. There is a sense of, “Skip the names; it’s no big deal. What do they have to offer anyway?” And to an extent, I understand that. Reading or listening to a long list of unfamiliar, multisyllabic names of people you don’t know begetting more people you don’t know can be daunting. But we need to read those
June 27, 2022
July 3 | Labor Prompted by Love
Christianity is not for the lazy. . . . The apostle Paul did not labor to achieve salvation; he labored because he had salvation.
June 27, 2022
July 3 | Application (‘Don’t Give Up on the Church’)
How do you view the church? Unbelievers mock it or view it as a relic . . . Consumer Christians treat the church like a retail store . . . Celebrity-focused believers view the church as an entertainment venue . . .
June 27, 2022
July 3 | Discovery
How many observations you can make about the relationship between Paul and the church in Thessalonica?
June 20, 2022
June 26 | Be Ready for the Day of the Lord
Joel and Obadiah each had something to say about the day of the Lord. For Joel it was the signal that God was turning a new page in history. . . . For Obadiah it was that all nations should take a cue from the defeat of Edom for how they treated God’s people.
June 20, 2022
June 26 | Application
The universe is headed toward a climactic end—the consummation of the ages orchestrated by the Lord himself. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. We live in the middle—believing what God has done in the past, trusting him in the present, and looking toward the future with hope. . . .
June 20, 2022
June 26 | Discovery
What area in your life do you need to “call on the name of the Lord?”
June 13, 2022
June 19 | Experience My Compassion
The picture of God in both Jonah and Joel is one of compassion, which the Lord so wants us to experience.
June 13, 2022
June 19 | Application
David Faust writes: What should you do when “locusts” threaten to consume your dreams and devour your joy? Joel suggested three ways to respond. . . .
June 13, 2022
June 19 | Discovery
What similarities do you see between how God treated Nineveh in Jonah 4 and Israel in Joel 2?
June 6, 2022
June 12 | Return to Me
Jonah was on the run. In chapter 1 he ran “from” God. In chapter 2 he ran “to” God. In chapter 3 he ran “with” God. And in chapter 4 he ran “counter” to God. God always desires for us to run to him in full repentance. . . .
June 6, 2022
June 12 | Application
"Have you drifted away from the Lord?" David Faust asks. "Have you neglected God, separated yourself from the church, and allowed your faith to wane? It’s not too late to come back."
June 6, 2022
June 12 | Discovery
Sometimes change seems impossible. But these passages from Jonah and Joel show that’s not the case. What “turning points” in your walk with God is he currently offering you?
May 30, 2022
June 5 | Where Have You Run?
The book of Jonah is a narrative prophetic book. There is no question it is a story. But what kind of story is it? Historical story? Story “based” in history? Fictional story (similar to a parable)? . . .
May 30, 2022
June 5 | Application
We all can relate to Jonah because at some point we all have tried to run from God. The Lord said go, and we said no. The Lord said speak, and we stayed silent. He sent us to Nineveh, and we headed for Tarshish. . . .
