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This week, we’re talking about whether or not AI can be trusted to help with our spiritual growth. New research shows that among practicing “Christians,” many are embracing the use of AI to help them grow spiritually, with some even trusting AI more than their “pastors.” What does all of this mean, and what is the best way to grow spiritually? We’re going to discuss that in this episode.Continue Reading
As one moves from childhood to adulthood, various changes occur in one’s physical body, relationships, responsibilities, maturity, knowledge, wisdom, and so on. However, many people do not want to grow up and put away childish things, whether that be in the form of a refusal to take on adult responsibilities or a reluctance to outgrow childhood obsessions (like toys and entertainment).
Paul used this basic principle of growth and maturity as an analogy for our spiritual lives.
“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things” (1 Corinthians 13:11).
In this article, we will consider some “childish things” we are to put away from a spiritual standpoint.Continue Reading
Over the course of this study, we have been looking at qualities we are to add to our faith – moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Now, we are going to wrap up the series by looking at Peter’s conclusion.
“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you” (2 Peter 1:8-11).
Let us consider four points from the verses above.Continue Reading
When we think about what we can do as individuals to grow spiritually, a few obvious things come to mind: reading the Bible, studying, prayer, and so on. One practice mentioned throughout the Bible but often ignored today is meditation. Yet if we practice this correctly, it can greatly help us in our service to God.
Notice what the psalmist wrote:
“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:97-99).
In this article, we are going to discuss meditation – what it is, how to do it, the benefits of it, and why it is a challenge to practice in the modern world.Continue Reading
As we continue our series about characteristics we are to add to our faith, we now turn our attention to knowledge. In the previous lesson, we discussed moral excellence or virtue, which is a moral goodness that can be seen by others. If we want to continue to grow in that quality, we must know what is good and right.
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).
The previous lesson was the start of a series about the characteristics we are to add to our faith. We began by noticing that faith must be the foundation for all that we do. Now we turn our attention to the qualities we are to add. These are not apart from faith, but are the characteristics we “supply” to our faith. The first trait Peter listed was moral excellence.
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).
At the beginning of his second epistle, Peter spoke of various qualities that Christians are to possess and continue to develop throughout their lives. He just reminded them that they had “escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Peter 1:4), so they were to live differently from the world. But what would this look like? Notice the characteristics that he listed:
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).
All of these qualities are essential, and we will discuss them as we progress through this series. However, it is important to note at the beginning that these characteristics are built upon a foundation of FAITH. So as we begin, let us consider this foundation of faith upon which the character of a Christian must be built.Continue Reading
What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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