The autumn season is finally upon us. Frost was on more than the pumpkins this morning! Regardless of your position on global climate change, the fall months are a welcome contrast to the heat from the months of summer. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), summer 2019 was the hottest summer on…
Biblical Illiteracy in the Church
Does your church offer any educational programs on Sunday mornings anymore? Is your leadership concerned with biblical illiteracy in the church? The Sunday school program, once considered “the finest integrated church growth tool on the market,” is no longer thriving, and is often seen as a relic from the past on the edge of extinction.…
Communicate Strength: Speaking Trust and Confidence
Incredible things happen when people communicate well. No other skill will position you to positively change and influence the lives of others like effective communication skills. But most of us are more than uneasy when called upon to speak. Fear of rejection, of making mistakes, and of being misunderstood permeate our souls when we are…
Growing the Faith: Leading and Deepening
Recently we have been spending time in our Adult Bible Study talking about the essentials of the faith – the items that we have to believe, that are not negotiable to still be considered a Christian. What doctrines are needed for growing the faith? We have mentioned concepts like beliefs in a personal, creative God;…
Traditions of Pentecost: A New Movement is Born
Traditions aren’t what they used to be, are they? Some things are just not necessary because they are no longer needed. I don’t have to sing all sixteen verses of Just as I Am as a hymn of invitation at the end of every church service. I don’t have to listen to my favorite music…
Biased: The Credibility of the Bible
[TABS_R id=488] Introduction to the Lesson On the tabs above, follow STEP ONE and watch the two video links. Today we turn our attention to the question of credibility. Can we trust the information contained in the books of the Bible? As we continue exploring the question, “Is there bias between the media and Christianity?”…
The Authority of Scriptures: Who Wrote the Bible?
[TABS_R id=300] Introduction to the Lesson On the tabs above, follow STEP ONE and watch the video links and read the information on the graphic. Today we turn our attention to the question of the authority of the Bible. Who wrote its books? When was it written? Was God involved in its writing? Listen carefully…
Content: Studying the Bible for Yourself
An interesting story from the Bible itself captures the majority of opinions about Bible studies and understanding the Bible. Philip comes across a ruler trying to figure out what a part of the Old Testament was talking about. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The ruler quickly replies, “How can I unless…