Moses tells God's people to neither add to nor subtract from God's commands. Nothing could be simpler, right? Actually, this was a problem for Israel and continues to be a problem for God's people today. Many Christians set aside (subtract) difficult or unpopular Biblical commands. However, other well-meaning Christians add requirements (extrabiblical rules) to what
The first church is marked by devotion to four things: the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. Examining each one gives us an opportunity to evaluate our own spiritual communities and to identify opportunities for growth. We also consider how miraculous signs and wonders confirmed the gospel message in the beginning. We conclude
Four Characteristics of the First Church (Acts 2:42-47) View Lesson
Four Characteristics of the First Church (Acts 2:42-47) View Lesson
Should Christians today care about the distinction between the clean animals (which could be eaten by Jews) vs. the unclean animals (which could not)? Several passages in the New Testament explain that we are no longer bound by these rules. However, early Christians saw in them foreshadowings of important truths that continue. In this lesson
Many Christians turn to the Psalms for comfort when facing hard times. However, if we consider how Jesus and the apostles used the Psalms, we see many more ways we can benefit from them. We begin this series with a study of Psalm 1, which provides simple, profound and practical lessons for us today. Putting
Introduction to the Psalms; Psalm 1 - Meditating on the Word View Lesson
Introduction to the Psalms; Psalm 1 - Meditating on the Word View Lesson
Peter says that just as there were false prophets in the past, there will be false teachers in the church. Therefore, we should not be surprised when they appear. Yet many Christians believe that while this has happened to other groups, false teachers could never overtake their church! In this lesson we consider Peter’s warning
Peter calls us to live holy lives, following Jesus, who suffered before entering His glory. One important reason to do this, according to Peter, is because we will be judged by our works. How do we reconcile that with the idea that we are saved by God’s grace? Peter also speaks of the word of
The Word that Endures Forever (1 Peter 1:14-2:3) View Lesson
The Word that Endures Forever (1 Peter 1:14-2:3) View Lesson
After the people complain of hunger, God gives manna, a daily bread from heaven. The Lord also gives two commands related to collecting the manna; the Israelites disobey both. There is much for us to learn from in this story: lessons about God's nature and provision, His expectation and desire that we love, obey and
The night before Jesus died, He promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would teach them "all things" and guide them "into all truth." The idea that the faith was handed down to the apostles complete, with no improvements or changes to follow later, has revolutionary implications for the church today. In this lesson we
In this lesson we continue our study of the Holy Spirit. We turn to important passages from the Old Testament that reveal the Spirit as the guide on our journey from spiritual slavery, through the Wilderness of this life, to heaven. We also look at the critical role of the Spirit in guiding the writers