Have you ever noticed how the first and last things you do can have great importance?
When comedians plan a routine, they have to think about how they’ll start and how they’ll end.
PURPOSE: To help listeners see how the arrangement of the commandments tells us something of the significance of the commandments.
Have you ever noticed how the first and last things you do can have great importance?
Read More »A thing is not true because it’s in the Bible; it’s in the Bible because it’s true. Would you agree with that?
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand why they struggle to believe what seem to be clear statements in the Bible.
A thing is not true because it’s in the Bible; it’s in the Bible because it’s true. Would you agree with that?
Read More »Do you think there were things once considered sinful that are not considered sinful today? An interesting conversation about eliminating sin from our culture.
Read More »IDEA: Perceptive thinkers have understood the dangers of covetousness, but they have not agreed on how to avoid the danger.
PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that Christianity is not different from other philosophies in recognizing the danger of covetousness, but it does differ from other religions in the cure for that sickness.
It’s important to recognize that Christianity doesn’t necessarily differ from other religions in pointing out spiritual sickness. It differs in the cure for that sickness.
Read More »Would you agree or disagree with the observation that this is a fairly simple, straightforward command, like “You shall not steal” or “You shall not murder”?
PURPOSE: To help listeners explore some of the difficulties that arise from reading the text.
Would you agree or disagree with the observation that this is a fairly simple, straightforward command, like “You shall not steal” or “You shall not murder”?
Read More »Has it ever struck you that in singing our Christmas carols, we get no carols based on what Mark wrote? Why is that?
Why did Mark choose not to tell us anything about Jesus’ birth?
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand why Mark doesn’t focus on Jesus’ birth.
Has it ever struck you that in singing our Christmas carols, we get no carols based on what Mark wrote? Why is that?
Read More »Do you like to read biographies? What is it about biographies that attracts you?
Sometimes we think of the Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) as historians, but they are really theologians.
PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that the Gospel writers were theologians and not historians.
Do you like to read biographies? What is it about biographies that attracts you?
Read More »Are there a few basic truths about God and how the gospel changes our lives which form the core of Scripture?
PURPOSE: To help listeners reflect back on the parable using this summary of its great ideas.
One of Mortimer Adler’s books was titled Six Great Ideas. In it he examined six virtues that lie at the foundation of civility. From many of the important books written over the centuries, Adler distilled six basic ideas which have shaped Western civilization.
Read More »PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate how contrasts develop a Bible passage.
One way to study the Bible is to notice the contrasts. For example, look at Cain and Abel; Abraham and Lot; Joseph and his brothers; Jacob and Esau; Rachel and Leah. The one becomes a foil to show you the virtue of the other.
Read More »What does Jesus mean by a “talent”?
PURPOSE: To have listeners understand that application has to be carefully thought out.
Sometimes when we study the Bible, the most obvious questions appear to be the most difficult to answer.
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