Family Bible Reading

People frequently claim that we can’t trust the Bible, that Jesus didn’t exist, and so on. What do scholars, especially in the fields of ancient history, archaeology, and New Testament think of the claims of the Bible? Surprisingly to some, the vast majority of scholars accept many of the key points of the New Testament narrative being historical true. Thus, as we explore the question of whether we can trust the Bible’s account of Jesus and the early church, we will be citing the New Testament as well as nonbiblical sources from around the same time period. Citing the Bible in this discussion is not only reasonable, but necessary. Most of what we know about Jesus and his first followers comes from the Bible and the nonbiblical sources that support various historical claims of the Bible (like certain people existing, etc.) give further support for the New Testament being an authentic account by the followers of Jesus. In addition, we have both non-Christian and Christian sources from th...

 With Jesus' establishment of the Lord's Supper coming up in our Bible reading plan, I wanted to share a sermon I preached that explores the Lord's Supper on a deeper level than our brief devotional can get into. This is from 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 in the CSB (Christian Standard Bible).  23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. The Origin: Passover and Last Supper Paul’s words in verses 23 to 25 are familiar to anyone who’s spent a while in church. They are taken from Jesus himself, as he celebrated the Pass...

Depending on your Bible translation, you may be “missing” Matthew 17:21. This is because that additional phrase is not found in the oldest surviving copies of Matthew and was probably not in Matthew’s original writing. However, Mark 9:29 has the same phrase, though the earliest copies do not include "and fasting." The phrase found in Matthew 17:21 was probably unconsciously added as later scribes copied this passage and had Mark’s account memorized and on their mind. As I have worked with Hebrew and Greek in my seminary studies and ministry, I have found myself making similar mistakes easily, especially with well-known phrases or passages with similar or parallel appearances in other places in the Bible. The field of study called textual criticism focuses on what the original writings of the Bible said, as small mistakes in spelling, punctuation, phrasing, and even a few cases of apparent (but doctrinally harmless) additions like these are common when reading older versions o...

"Worry can be a natural first reaction to an uncertain situation, but to persist in worry reveals a lack of trust that God is in charge.” – Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins Anxious feelings affect us all, some more than others. Having these feelings isn’t sinful, but when we dwell on them instead of dwelling on God, we are not only sinning, we are bringing discord and chaos into our hearts and lives. To help, Paul gives us a three-step program to orient our hearts, minds, and living on God instead of worry: the Three Ps Program, Pray, Ponder, and Practice. Pray When anxious thoughts come upon us, we should turn from dwelling on them to dwelling on rejoicing and prayer. Here’s some great things to pray about while you’re struggling with anxious feelings: ·        Thank God for these negative feelings driving you to prayer. We need reminders to pray and put our trust in God alone! ·        Thank God for his endless love for ...

The Lord’s Prayer (also known as the Model Prayer or Disciples’ Prayer) is the prayer Jesus used to teach his disciples to pray, found in Matthew 6:7-13 and Luke 11:1-4. The following is a brief study from Matthew's telling of the Lord's Prayer (cited from the ESV). And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Notice that Jesus never said the words of the prayer itself is what we should pray. Rather, he says we should pray like the prayer he gives. Jesus also said we should not repeat words or be long-winded to sound more spiritual. Our prayers should be honest, worshipful conversation directed to God. Our Father in heaven We start in prayer by addressing the One we are praying to. He is “Our Father” – the Father of all those who know Jesus. He is “in heaven” – he is greater and more majestic tha...