• Topic > Christian Living > Bible study >

    Grasping the “good gifts” Christ died to give us

    This week on Discover the Word, join a series of conversations that examine some mysterious texts in the Bible. Today, we will discuss Ephesians 4:8–10, where the apostle Paul quotes Psalm 68 with all its strange talk about “ascending” and “descending” and conquering kings who either take or give gifts. It sounds almost like a […]

    Exploring mysterious texts of the Bible

    The Bible has a number of confusing texts that bemuse, baffle, and befuddle us! So how do we make sense of them? Today on Discover the Word, we set out to explore some “Mysterious Bible Texts” starting with 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul talks about “being baptized for the dead.” That’s a head scratcher until you […]

    Context is king!

    If your friends around the table could only give you one piece of advice about how to read and study the Bible, what do you think it would be? Most likely, it would be “Pay attention to the context!” and so today on “Discover the Word,” we remember that context is king! Listen today on “Discover the Word”!

    What to do with conflicting Bible verses

    What are we to do with conflicting Bible verses like, “Don’t answer a fool according to his folly” and “Answer a fool according to his folly”? Today on “Discover the Word,” we begin a “Discover the Word 101” conversation that can help you make sense of even apparent contradictions in the Bible! Join the group today on “Discover the Word”!

    Hidden Treasure

    My husband and I read in different ways. Since English is a second language for Tom, he has a tendency to read slowly, word-for-word. I often speed-read by skimming. But Tom retains more than I do. He can easily quote something he read a week ago, while my retention can evaporate seconds after I turn away from the screen or book.

    Skimming is also a problem when I’m reading the Bible—and not just the genealogies. I’m tempted to skim familiar passages, stories I’ve heard since I was a child, or a psalm that is part of a familiar chorus.

    Proverbs 2 encourages…

    Discover the Living Word through the written Word

    Today on “Discover the Word,” we conclude our week-long discussion about how the Bible helps us discover who God is. In the gospel of John, we read “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” And then that Word came to dwell among us. The Word—is Jesus. Discovering the Living Word through the written Word. It’s a powerful truth that will transform how you read the Bible.

    When our understanding of God is challenged

    While the Bible instructs us in practical living, it’s also a book of mystery. With God, A plus B doesn’t always equal C! Today on “Discover the Word,” we’re told how to deal with those times when what we thought we understood about God is challenged!

    Hope through the Scriptures

    Paul tells us in Romans that the Bible was written for our instruction, that “through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” But what does that mean exactly? How does “persevering” in our understanding of the Bible help us with our present-day struggles and temptations? Don’t miss this important conversation today on “Discover the Word”!

    The power of the Scriptures

    What does the apostle Paul mean when he says all Scripture is “inspired,” or “God breathed”? Today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss why it’s important for us to read the Bible with a listening ear to the Holy Spirit. The Bible is not static, it’s alive and powerful. Don’t miss the discussion!

    What does it mean to have a “high view of Scripture”

    The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. But it’s far more than a book of great literature or high moral concepts. Today we begin our discussion on “Discovering the Bible” by emphasizing the necessity of approaching the Bible with a “high view.” Learn what it means to have a “high view of Scripture” when you join the group today on “Discover the Word”!

    A Hunger for God

    A-poe-la-pi is an elderly member of the Akha, a hill tribe people who live on the mountain ranges of Yunnan Province in China. As we visited him on a recent missions trip, A-poe-la-pi told us that he had missed the weekly Bible study because of heavy rains. So he implored us, “Could you share God’s Word with me?”

    A-poe-la-pi can’t read, so the weekly gathering is vital to him. As we read the Bible to him, he listened intently. His earnest attitude reminded me that when we listen carefully to the story of the inspired Scriptures, we honor the Lord.

    In Deuteronomy…

    God’s long-range perspective for growing us

    Today on “Discover the Word,” our special guest Margaret Feinberg helps us conclude our discussion about the surprising depth of some of the agrarian images used in the Bible. Today’s conversation comes out of a fruitful visit Margaret had with a vintner that showed her how the long-range perspective a vintner has for growing grapes is the same kind of long-range perspective God has for growing us.

    Pruning the vine

    Today on “Discover the Word,” special guest Margaret Feinberg helps center our discussion on what Jesus actually meant when He talked about “pruning the vine.” Instead of whacking the vines with a machete, the vinedresser trims the vine gently, branch by branch. We continue our fascinating conversations about the agrarian images used in the Bible as Margaret tells us about time she spent with a vintner learning about “the fruit of the vine.”

    Working together in proper order

    What’s the buzz on all those bees in the Bible? Well, today on “Discover the Word,” with the help of special guest Margaret Feinberg, we’ll comb through just a few of the nearly seventy scriptural references to bees and honey. As a beekeeper revealed, “ ‘a land flowing with milk and honey’ is one where the intricate social systems of all the hives are working in proper order.” Be(e) part of a fascinating conversation today on “Discover the Word”!

    Jesus works through the most unlikely people

    Most people think of a “shepherd” as being a male figure. Yet in reality, tending and herding sheep is often a job done by women and children. Today on “Discover the Word,” our special guest Margaret Feinberg discuss how shepherds were—and are—often marginalized. And so while living on the fringe of society, isn’t it amazing that shepherds were included as main players at our Savior’s birth?