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Digging Deeper into Scripture: John 20:19–31
When we use the expression “take my word for it,” we are asking another person or group to trust that what we are saying is true. More specifically, we are asking this person or group to...
The Minor Prophets: An Overview
The Greek title “Book of the Twelve” (dodekapropheton) describes [the last twelve] of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew canon. Jesus son of Sirach perhaps referred to this title when he...
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Mark 10:35–45
I grew up reading comic books (often when I should have been studying). I was fascinated by the heroes, stories, art, and action. Back then, you could buy comic books at the grocery...
The Gospel of Matthew: An Overview
The first book of the New Testament begins in a manner similar to the first book of the Old Testament: focused on genealogy (cf Matthew 1:1–17; Genesis 5). Matthew sketches for us a human...
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Genesis 22:1–18
The United States enjoys what is largely a free-market economy. Those entering and competing in the free-market economy vie for the attention of the consumer and do so, in part, with...
3 Principles to Guide Your Study of the Old Testament
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the main focus of the New Testament. After all, it was His sacrifice on the cross that saved us. But the importance of Jesus as the Messiah can’t be...
Malachi: An Overview
God speaks through Malachi to rebuke His people for their unrighteousness, specifically the priests for their failure to fulfill their duties and to those marrying foreign idolatrous...
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Ephesians 5:22–33
When working with couples in premarital counseling, we study a range of topics germane to wedding and marriage, such as finances, children, in-laws, chores in the home, expectations, and...
Zechariah: An Overview
When Zechariah was prophesying, the people of Judah were standing amidst the destruction of their once glorious city. With no city and no temple, the people of Judah had no hope; they...
5 Bible Verses about God’s Plan for You
The concept of “God’s plan” can be nebulous. The platitude, “This was just God’s plan,” rings hollow—or even hurtful—in times of pain or terrible events in history. While we cannot always...
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Psalm 126
In this psalm, after the Israelites had been exiled in Babylon for seventy years, we see God’s restoration of His people—not merely restoration from exile but foreshadowing our spiritual...
Overview: The Books of Wisdom and Poetry
The Books of Wisdom and Poetry are commonly used as guides for the lives of the Israelites in biblical times and us today....
Zephaniah: An Overview
The day of the Lord is a permeating theme in Zephaniah. Zephaniah recorded God’s warning to Judah and Judah’s enemies about His coming judgment. However, God also assured Judah that on the...
2:09How the Old Testament Points to Baptism with Author Richard Davenport
How are the biblical accounts of Noah and Ark and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea related to Baptism? In his new Bible study, author Richard Davenport walks through these accounts and the rest of
Digging Deeper into Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5
When I was eleven years old and in sixth grade, my mom took me to an informational meeting at church regarding Boy Scouts of America. Attendees discussed the idea of organizing, or I...
Haggai: An Overview
Is it safe to build the temple again? Are we going to be destroyed by another nation? The people of Judah were asking these questions during Haggai's time, and God used Haggai to reveal...
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Isaiah 5:1–7
With the onset of autumn comes the end of summer work at our house. One of our summer projects each year is growing tomatoes. We make every effort to create the ideal growing environment...
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Matthew 18:15–20
During nearly thirty years of professional church work, I have often wondered which sin is most damaging to the local congregation. In my experience, it is not disregard for worship and...
Overview: The Books of History
The following has been adapted from the Lutheran Bible Companion. To understand the Books of History, it is imperative to understand what came before them. The Books of the Law and the...