Podcast: Recover the Lost Art of Bible Meditation in 2023 (David Mathis)
David Mathis talks about the spiritual discipline of meditating on Scripture and why it has the power to lead us to renewed excitement, joy, and satisfaction when it comes to God's word.
Resources to Help You Read and Study the Bible in 2023
We know being in the Scriptures daily is essential to the Christian life, but it can be overwhelming to know where to start and what to do. These resources will help you read, study, and understand the Bible.
Podcast: There’s More to the Christmas Story Than You Think (Benjamin L. Gladd)
Benjamin Gladd talks about how the Gospel of Luke draws on the riches of the Old Testament to reveal truly amazing things about the identity of Jesus, Old Testament prophecy, and the real meaning of Christmas.
Reading the Christmas Story on the Shoulders of Giants
Read through this well known passage from Luke chapter 2 along with commentary notes from giants of the faith such as Martin Luther, John Owen, Charles Spurgeon, and Jerome.
Is It True That “All Is Vanity”? (Ecclesiastes 1)
Max Rogland
In a culture that promotes immediate gratification, will we have the endurance to persevere in the hard work needed to understand the message of Ecclesiastes?
God's Word Is Living and Active (Even Genealogies)
Ian J. Vaillancourt
Is there any hope that reading a biblical genealogy can lead us to encounter God? The (perhaps surprising) answer is yes, but first we need to learn about the purpose of these passages.
10 Passages to Read on Reformation Day
Foundational truths from Scripture in celebration of Reformation Day.
Is It Okay to Pray a Curse on My Enemies? (Psalm 5)
C. John Collins
Prayers of this sort generally carry the unstated assumption that the evildoers will not repent and seek forgiveness; should they turn, these prayers are reversed as well.
What Does Proverbs 1:7 Mean?
Ryan Patrick O'Dowd
Proverbs 1:7 seeks to instill in us the indispensable virtues for becoming wise. We must tremble at the Lord’s holiness, just as we are drawn to him in love.
How to Preach Parables
Douglas Sean O'Donnell,
Leland Ryken
Parables feature what the whole of the New Testament covers: gospel need, gospel proclamation, gospel response, and gospel ethics. In your preaching, follow Jesus’s pattern.
10 Reasons Pastors Should Study the Bible in Its Original Languages
Peter J. Williams
Every pastor—as time and opportunities arise—should study the Bible in its original languages. Yes, it's that important.
How to Preach Biblical Narrative
Douglas Sean O'Donnell,
Leland Ryken
I love stories. You love stories. Your congregation loves stories. The unbelieving world loves stories. Below are seven suggestions for preaching a sermon on a biblical narrative.
10 Things You Should Know about the Genres of the Bible
Douglas Sean O'Donnell,
Leland Ryken
Identifying the genre of a text gives us the right terms for interacting with it. Conversely, if we do not interact with a text in terms of its genre traits, we cannot deal adequately with it.
A Missing Ingredient in Today’s Preaching
Leland Ryken
The literary approach to the Bible, and the importance of genre as a chief ingredient of such an approach, are subjects of neglect. This represents a missed opportunity of massive proportions.
7 Reasons Why You Should Study the Book of Ruth
John Piper
Ruth is a very old book. The events took place over three thousand years ago. Could it be relevant and helpful for your life? I think so.
Podcast: The Greatest Chapter in the Bible (Andy Naselli)
Andy Naselli talks about what he considers to be the greatest letter ever written: Romans 8.
Does Rahab Show Us That It's Sometimes Okay to Lie? (Joshua 2)
David Reimer
Although sparingly told—or perhaps because it is sparingly told—the tiny drama has exercised a fascination out of all proportion to its size.
Imagine Reading ‘The Lord of the Rings’ the Way You Read the Bible
Greg Gilbert
Imagine reading The Lord of the Rings out of order. You pick it up, flip over to Rivendell for a moment, then hop over to Mordor before slamming back into the Shire.
Podcast: 15 Questions about Reading and Understanding the Bible (Greg Gilbert)
Greg Gilbert answers common questions about reading the Bible such as: How do I get started with a consistent habit of Bible reading? When should I read it? How long? And what if I don’t understand something?
What the Church Today Needs to Hear from the Book of Revelation
Nancy Guthrie
This message to patiently endure persecution for Christ is a message our church needs today. And if where we are right now means we don’t need it today, maybe we will tomorrow.
10 Key Bible Verses on God’s Law
Read from Scripture what God says about his commandments, our obedience, and his faithfulness.
7 Tips for Researching and Studying Theology
Joel R. Beeke,
Paul M. Smalley
The following seven principles are useful for researching a theological paper, preparing to write an article, or developing a full systematic theology one piece at a time.
Podcast: 12 Key Tools for Bible Study (Lydia Brownback)
Lydia Brownback discusses 12 key tools for Bible study that all Christians can use—tools that will help us go deeper into the biblical text and understand the Bible’s life-giving message for ourselves.
Why Did Jesus Say, “On This Rock I Will Build My Church”? (Matthew 16)
Dan Doriani
When Peter forbids the cross, he is a stumbling stone. When he proclaims Jesus as the Christ, he is a rock.
Blessed: Time, Symbolism, and Imagery in Revelation with Greg Beale (Episode 10)
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie is joined by Greg Beale to discuss questions related to the sometimes difficult symbolism and imagery of the book of Revelation.
What Does Philippians 4:13 Mean?
Jason C. Meyer
This verse is well-loved and often quoted, but frequently misunderstood and thus misapplied. This verse is not a promise that God will enable believers to do whatever they want whenever they want it.
Blessed: Revelation’s Message to Persecuted Believers with Karen Ellis (Episode 9)
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie talks with Karen Ellis about what it looks like for believers to patiently endure persecution.
Blessed: Revelation’s Call to Courage and a Refusal to Compromise with Russell Moore (Episode 8)
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie and Russell Moore discuss themes presented in the letters to the churches found in Revelation 2–3 and how we can gain courage and hope from the book of Revelation.
Blessed: The Promise-Shaped Patterns that Resolve in Revelation with Jim Hamilton (Episode 7)
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie talks with Jim Hamilton about how our understanding of the book of Revelation hinges on our understanding of the promises of God throughout the rest of Scripture.
Blessed: The Organization of Revelation with Vern Poythress (Episode 6)
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie talks with Vern Poythress about reading the book of Revelation not as a puzzle book to be figured out but as a picture book which should stir us up to be moved by Christ's rule and God's plan for history.