I Peter 1:22-25 — This lesson begins with a detailed overview of the theology and worship of the Orthodox Church with particular emphasis on the role that icons play. The sad reality is that by its use of icons and other external forms, the Orthodox Church has diminished the role of Scripture. In considering all…
Luke 5:12-15 — In Jesus’ day, leprosy was not only a painful disease it was a shameful disease to be afflicted with. The sufferer was ceremonially unclean and forced to live outside the city. He had to deal with the stigma of his illness and the emotional toll of being isolated from community life. In this…
Luke 5:16 — The New Testament commands Christians to pray. It is a duty that often requires considerable effort and discipline. There are very few Christians who don’t struggle to pray like they know they should. But what we see in this short verse is a truth that has the potential to transform our prayer…
Luke 5:1-11 — In this text we have the Miracle of the Great Catch which culminated in Peter’s wonderful confession of faith, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” This was a glorious realisation, but the curious thing is that Peter had already witnessed several displays of Jesus’ divine power, some…
Colossians 2:19 — Is listening to a sermon on a mobile phone or watching a sermon on an iPad a satisfactory substitute for the gathered worship of God’s people? Can we be casual in our association with the church and expect to grow as Christians? The New Testament answers these questions with a resounding “no!” The Christian…
John 13:1, 21:1-9 — The Apostle John tells us that Jesus loved His disciples “unto the end.” That’s why we see Him pursing fellowship with them even after they deserted Him. Jesus went out of His way to restore His relationship with the Apostle Peter and to restore Peter’s broken spirit. Those who follow Jesus are called…
Colossians 2:18-19 — The Christians at Colossae were dealing with false teaching that had a strongly mystical element. There was an emphasis on dreams and visions and they were being judged for not having these kinds of experiences. Mysticism has always troubled the church and it continues to do so today, particularly in Charismatic and…
Proverbs 3:11-12 — Immediately after reminding his son about God’s promise of prosperity, Solomon raises the matter of God’s correction – “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord…” How do we understand this text, and others like it in the Bible, that talk about chastening? What form does this chastening take? Does the…
Colossians 2:16-17 — Are Christians obligated to observe certain holy days? Are there particular dietary laws that Christians must keep? What about the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day? The Christians at Colossae were being told that their growth and progress in the Christians life was dependant upon these things. Was that true? What was Paul’s response? As…
Genesis 3:1-21, Luke 13:1-5 — How do we reconcile God’s love and human suffering? This is among the most difficult questions that theologians have wrestled with and this is a question that all of us have asked when suffering has come into our lives. The Bible is not silent on this issue. It reveals that God…