A collection of Bible Studies and Devotionals.
The Bible Studies are primarily aimed at an in-depth look at a passage or a group of passages. These could be helpful for a teacher’s lesson prep, or for personal study.
The Devotionals are primarily aimed at being the starting point for journaling or group discussion.
(A number of my articles are categorized in both categories, when appropriate.)
God is Willing to Forgive Struggling Christians -Basic Christian Doctrine, Part 4
Many Christians look at the holiness of God, and their own continued struggles, and wonder if God is losing patience with them. “Have I sinned too much? How can He still forgive me?”
Taming the Tongue: Understanding James 3
As we will see, this is an area where all of us can grow (yes, even you.)
The Misconceptions We Have of God
“Whatever comes into your heart and mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” – A.W. Tozer
Worship and Warfare: A Study of 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
How Jehoshaphat responds to an invading army can actually teach all of us how to better center ourselves on God.
By Grace Through Faith: Basic Christian Doctrine Part 2
It is a trusting belief, an acceptance of Who He is and what He has done, that brings salvation. It is never a matter of us somehow earning it.
5 Key Differences between Conviction and Condemnation
What’s the difference between Conviction and Condemnation? And what should we do with that information?
Psalm 13: Learning to Lament
In this article, we will examine Psalm 13 as a blueprint for lament. Then, we will conclude by exploring how apply these principles, to bring our own laments to God.
A Few Brief Thoughts on the Biblical Concept of “Purity”
Our concept of “purity” is oversimplified; purity has been poorly portrayed and taught in our culture. Purity is NOT just an avoidance of sexual sin.
On Gratitude and Thankfulness
Gratefulness is like a bicycle. A bicycle’s default position is stationary. To get anywhere, you got to put some effort into it.
What is “the Fear of God”?
What does “the fear of the Lord” mean? What does it mean in the Bible, and how can people today apply this to their lives? Let’s make sure we rightly understand this.
What does Romans 8:28 really mean?
Romans 8:28 is one of those verses where misunderstanding the verse can really distort your understanding of God and Christianity.
Let’s make sure we’re rightly understanding this verse.
Is it an “Easy Yoke” or a “Daily Cross”?
Is Christianity supposed to be easy, even restful? Or is Christianity supposed to be hard, a daily ‘death to self’ that demands much of us?
Making Most of the Day: The Unique Value of Today
“Today will never come again.” I think that’s a profoundly helpful way to see our lives.
Should Christians read Jonah as History or Parable?
The issue isn’t one of “should we read Jonah?”, but rather “how should we read Jonah?
Isaiah 55 Prayer Devotional
This devotional is intended to be a guide through a time of reflective prayer based off of Isaiah 55.
“Do you love Me?” An Examination of Jesus’ Restoration of Peter in John 21
This is one of the many passages that loses much of its message in English. Let’s look at a few key phrases in the original Greek.
Judas and Peter: A Case Study on Repentance
Let’s look at the failure of both Judas and Peter, and see what we can learn.
What Does God Want from Me?
“What should the interaction between the Divine and humanity look like?” Or, to put it more personally, “What does God want from me?”
Philippians 4: Paul Shows Us How to Functionally Center Ourselves on God
In the fourth chapter of the book of Philippians, Paul gives us some of the most famous and memorable verses in the Bible.
Beyond just being one of Paul’s “greatest hits”, there is some tremendously practical and approachable wisdom being given. Let’s look at a few things that stand out in Philippians 4:4-13.
Psalm 113: The Greatness and the Goodness of God
The God of the Bible is both great (holy, transcendent, powerful) and good (full of mercy, kindness, and compassion.) Any view of God that doesn’t hold both of these attributes simultaneously is going to misunderstand Who He is.
What Is (and Isn’t) Repentance?
Repentance is a matter of the present tense. Real repentance has to do with how you are currently responding to your current conviction. You can really repent, and still struggle.
Pride, Shame, and Humility, and How to Grow as a Christian
The way we grow in humility is to look at Jesus. To keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. This is the best path to all Christian growth.
Why the Resurrection of Jesus was Unprecedented in the Bible
What does it mean that Jesus was the “firstborn from the dead”?
“What If” vs. “Even If”: A Practical Path to Peace
In Christ, God has promised that all things will be redeemed for His people. He WILL overcome the world, and its brokenness.
“Godliness with Contentment” Lesson and Reflection
What does it mean for a Christian to be godly? What does it mean for a Christian to be content? How do those concepts intersect? And what do you do with that?
To What Standard Should We Work and Live?
What are your thoughts about the phrase “Do your best”? Is that how God wants us to live?
On Joy and Hope
I think we might be well served to understand joy as less of a ceiling (the highest state or expression of good emotions), and more of a floor (a foundation upon which other emotions are experienced).
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