Bible Literacy
How to read the Bible (and make sense of it).
Related topics: Authentic Christianity, Book Reviews, Theology, Worldviews
rules for bible interpretation (youth ministry lessons)
Bible interpretation is part science and part art. There are two phases that you'll go through. The first phase is working to discover the original intent of the writer. And the second is to apply those ideas to our modern context. While there are some varying...
how to do a bible word study (youth ministry lessons)
After building some foundational context for the Bible and understanding the dynamics of the original languages and modern English translations, we can now explore how to do a Bible word study. The Bible text is so rich with meaning, yet we often read without truly...
a short survey of the new testament (youth ministry lessons)
Because it is the foundational text for the Christian faith, a survey of the New Testament helps to ground us in interpreting any part of it. One of the basic rules of Bible interpretation is that the meaning of a specific text cannot contradict the message of the...
a short survey of the old testament (youth ministry lessons)
Building on my introduction to the bible lesson, the next step is to do a survey of the Old Testament. This is a very short and simple survey, but (hopefully) enough to bring some foundational perspective into how Christians can related to the ancient Jewish...
an introduction to the Bible (youth ministry lessons)
As I step into my new role as Director of Family Ministries at St. Edward's, I've been evaluating where all of the young people are at in their Christian walk. I'm responsible for everything from the nursery, to children's Sunday School, to youth group. And as I...
how to read the book of psalms
The Book of Psalms gives us some of the most beautiful poetry ever written. It's part prayer, part song, and one-hundred percent raw human emotion. In it we see David (and others) expressing a very New Testament heart of worship during Old Testament times. When...
complete guide to the 3 types of bible translations
One question I get more often than any other is, “Which of the Bible translations is the right one?” I’ll share my response to that question a little later. In order to get to the answer to that question, there are a few factors we should take a look at which will...
the #codexinstagramus initiative: a bible photography project
What if you could only use pictures to tell the story of the Gospel? I've been thinking a great deal about Luke, the writer of his Gospel and the Book of Acts. The influence of his writing is unquestionable. But one thing most people don't know about him is that he...
which is the best bible translation?
I'll be honest. Answering the question about the best Bible translation isn't as clean-cut as we'd like. And there are passionate voices on all sides of the argument. After everything I've learned about the various translations, my answer about the best Bible...
when fear rises
I wake with a headache and a stiff neck. I shiver in the breeze of the open window and pull the sheet up to my chin. I breathe a prayer for those out west who can barely breathe for the heat of the air, for those who can barely breathe for the heat of life,...
beware: your kids may one day read the bible
I live with four women. And our dog is female too. This means we are a very verbal household. At any one point in the day, it is common to have three to four conversations directed at me simultaneously. Seriously. My mind freezes and I lock up. Many times...
ephesians 5:21-33: wives and husbands
[serialposts] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. - Ephesians 5:21 Submit. It can cause a stirring of rebellion in any heart. This simple word can make one feel powerless and out of control. “Submit” screams of putting aside my wants, my desires, and...
ephesians 5:1-20: walk in love
[serialposts] Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. ~Ephesians 5:1-2 (NASB) One of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes is...