love Archives

Don't Plow with a Bull and a Donkey Together (Deuteronomy 22:1-12)

What do wandering donkeys, men's clothing, deck railings, and animal selection for plowing have in common? Is this chapter in Deuteronomy filled with obsolete Old Testament rules? You may be surprised by the spiritual (and extremely practical) gems we uncover in this lesson, including the kindness of God, our identities as men and women, the

Don't Plow with a Bull and a Donkey Together (Deuteronomy 22:1-12) View Lesson

Tithing and Being Generous (Deuteronomy 14:22-15:18)

The Jews were commanded to give a tithe. Should Christians give 10% of their income to the Church? We look at God's expectations for His people around giving (in both the Old and New Testaments), with insights from early Christians as to the kind of generous heart Jesus wants His followers to have! Teaching Notes

Tithing and Being Generous (Deuteronomy 14:22-15:18) View Lesson

Helping the Poor and Final Exhortations (1 Corinthians 16)

As Paul concludes his letter, his love for the brothers and sisters in Corinth is palpable despite the many problems he has addressed. We also see his deep love for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, as he instructs the church in Corinth to set aside money for their brothers and sisters across the Mediterranean Sea. We explore (and are

Helping the Poor and Final Exhortations (1 Corinthians 16) View Lesson

The Greatest of These is Love (1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13)

After discussing the various gifts in the church, Paul makes a powerful, memorable point that love is the greatest of them all. He then goes on to describe the characteristics of true Christ-like love. To start: love suffers long! While we are all familiar with this passage, do we live as if this is the most

The Greatest of These is Love (1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13) View Lesson

On Idolatry and Loving Others (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

Eating meat sacrificed to idols? What does that topic offer Christians today? Perhaps more than you realize! Well over a billion people belong to religions where classical idolatry is still rampant. Plus, various forms of idolatry have crept into the Christian church. We also gain important insights as Paul emphasizes the importance of loving others

On Idolatry and Loving Others (1 Corinthians 8:1-13) View Lesson

Redeemed (Leviticus 25-27)

In the final lesson of this series, we find beautiful images of God's kindness hidden within the details of the Sabbath rest for the land, the Year of Jubilee, and instructions for redeeming one's property or enslaved relatives. We also encounter a concise, one-chapter summary of most of the Old Testament history that will follow.

Redeemed (Leviticus 25-27) View Lesson

Bread, Light, Evil Speech and Vengeance (Leviticus 24)

This chapter is full of wonderful lessons for Christians. Early Christians saw the oil for the lampstand and the showbread of the tabernacle as foreshadowing significant things that have now been realized through Christ. From the tragic story of the man who cursed God and was condemned to death, we are reminded that what comes

Bread, Light, Evil Speech and Vengeance (Leviticus 24) View Lesson

Colossians in One and a Half Lessons - Part B

In this teaching we first tackle the question of why Paul wrote this letter (to address two doctrinal challenges facing the church). In addressing those problems, Paul develops the foundational idea that since Christians have died and been buried with Christ, we must now be raised with Him. This concept has profound implications regarding baptism and how we live

Colossians in One and a Half Lessons - Part B View Lesson

Colossians in One and a Half Lessons - Part A

Colossians in One and a Half Lessons - Part A View Lesson

Unacceptable Offerings (Leviticus 22)

The offerings of the Levitical priests foreshadow our own service to God, as indicated throughout the New Testament. Therefore, God’s instruction in Leviticus regarding what was an “acceptable offering" can help unlock wonderful insights that apply to us today. This instruction points to significant aspects of baptism, confessing sin, and the Lord’s Supper. Perhaps the

Unacceptable Offerings (Leviticus 22) View Lesson