Today we’re exploring the old testament’s great final section: the Prophets. And we’ll begin with the greatest of them all, … More
Category: Bible intros #1
Old Testament Intro Course 5: The `Writings` – Job to Song of Solomon
We come now to a wonderful but very different set of old testament books. Here’s a few introductory ideas that … More
Genesis 1 part 1: What Is Our God Like?
Genesis opens the Bible with some of its most profound and enriching pages. It tackles some of the most fundamental … More
Genesis 1 part 2: Why’s It So Great To Be Human?
Genesis: a fantastic book that answers so many of our most basic questions! In our last post we went right … More
Genesis 2: And What Does It Mean To Be Human?
Genesis 2 moves on to present the arrival of humankind. And what it gives us is extremely important; it describes … More
Genesis 3: Why Is Our World Such A Mess?; And The 5 Crucial Temptations
Genesis 3 is an incredibly helpful chapter. It shows us the historical catastrophe that ruined our world; it records also … More
Genesis 4: Why Is Our Culture In Such A Mess?
There’s a vast amount that’s enormously important in Genesis 3 and 4. People often express a sense that something is, … More
Genesis – Answering The Standard Questions
Why are we feeding on Genesis? Why do we believe it? And how do we answer the questions that we’re … More
Adam and Eve: When and Where?
In recent decades we’ve needed people who can work out how a high view of the Bible’s reliability coheres with contemporary cosmology … More
Old Testament Intro Course 1 – The Big Picture
I love the old testament! There’s so much of God’s glory in it. Agreed, some parts can be hard work. … More
Old Testament Intro Course 2: Foundations (1)
WELCOME TO THE BANQUET! What we’ll to try to do in the rest of this course (and what you can … More
Old Testament Intro Course 3: Foundations (2) – Leviticus to Ruth
I pray that what follows gives some really fertile starting points for grasping these six foundational books! Last time we … More
Old Testament Intro Course 4: The Leadership Manual – 1 Samuel to Esther
Now the old testament’s further `historical books`. How will we feed on these – and why? Well, first, to understand … More
Deuteronomy 4 and intro
Deuteronomy is a challenging book, and maybe many of us avoid it! I don’t think l preached it during many, … More
Genesis 5
After the Bible’s profound first four chapters, whatever can we learn from something like the genealogy in Genesis 5? Well, … More
Genesis 6
This site’s aim, we’ve said, is partly to learn what we can from the Bible’s chewier parts… So can we … More
Genesis 6 and 7: The Flood
What practically do we, Jesus’ disciples, learn from the Flood? It’s always good to ask, what does the new testament … More
Genesis 7 – the Flood again
Sometimes people say: However can you Christians believe in the flood? Well: we can’t prove it; we don’t have videos … More
Genesis 11 and 12 – Part 1
Genesis (with Exodus) is the deeply foundational book of the old testament, as we’ve seen from its opening chapters: What’s … More
Genesis 11 and 12 – Part 2
The tower of Babel speaks straight into my own life! How? There’s nothing more vital than that we `live by … More
Genesis 12 to 14
Abram’s story again: What’s God’s first massive lesson for us about growing in faith? Genesis has lots to show us… … More
Genesis 15
Today we’re with the key new testament verse about Abram, embodying the very heart of our gospel: ‘Abraham believed God, … More
Genesis 16 and 17
So what’s our third great lesson in faith from Abram? It’s Genesis 16: the classic story of how not to … More
Genesis 18 and 19
Ok, Sodom’s history now. How can we `everyday Christians` be fed from these events? Genesis 18: The Lord in human form … More
Genesis 22 – Part 1
So now we come to Abraham’s last huge lesson in his lifelong growth in faith; Genesis 22. Some things in … More
Genesis 22 – Part 2
Faith is utterly central to our Christian life; God’s people `live by faith`, we’re told. So God is very motivated … More
Genesis 24
OK, Genesis 24, time for a love story: how Isaac gets a wife. And there’s this, from Abraham: `The Lord, … More
Genesis 26 and 27: Isaac
Abram’s story has shown us a huge amount about what faith means. What can we learn from Isaac’s story? Two … More
Genesis 25 to 28: Jacob
Genesis, we’ve seen, is the vital book of foundations. What is God like (ch1)? What does it mean to be … More
Genesis 32
Ever thought of Jesus as a wimp? Well, today in Genesis 32 we see Jesus as a wrestler. We’ve seen … More
Genesis 37 to 41: Joseph
So, the next of Genesis’ big lessons for us, how God rescues people: how do you sort out a conceited … More
Genesis 39: sex, and Joseph
Last time we started on Joseph. So this time, sexual temptation… Part of Joseph’s salvation and training involved him being … More
Genesis 48 to 50
When I was an English literature student I was taught that, to grasp a great book, you must work on … More
Joshua 1 (part one) and intro
Today we start feeding on Joshua. I’ve been looking forward to this! Joshua’s story is a book about adventurousness, and … More
Joshua 1: What Leads Into Victory? (part two)
Like we said last week: Joshua is a magnificent, joyful book about victory, about God’s people coming into the promised … More
Joshua 1: What Leads Into Victory? (part three!)
Like we’ve said: Joshua is a hugely helpful book about victory; about God’s people coming into the place where the … More
Exodus intro
God has given us two great foundational books to the Old Testament. Exodus is the second, full of utterly vital … More
Joshua 2: Lessons From A Hooker
What marks God’s people if we’re moving into victory? Part 4! Joshua chapter 2: Joshua sends spies to Jericho. They … More
Exodus 1 and 2
We said about Genesis: to grasp a Bible book we need to grasp its beginning and end. So now Exodus, … More
Exodus 2 to 4 – part 1
As we gaze into the future – as we all do sometimes – and think what God wants to use … More
Joshua 3 and 4: Unexpectedly Profound!
Joshua is an unexpectedly profound book, and today’s chapters are a great example. But some of its stories can seem … More
Exodus 2 to 4 – part 2
God wants us every one of us to have a really significant life. But how does He prepare us so … More
Exodus 2 to 4 – part 3
How does God train someone – you or me – to make a real impact for His glory? We’ve been … More
Joshua 5: `Get Circumcized Now!` – ???
Joshua: What marks God’s people if we’re moving into victory? Part 6! There are two things God commands His people … More
Joshua 5:13: God Is Not Part Of My Team??
Today’s a focused post. About a final preparation for victory at Jericho: but (I think), one of the most powerful … More
Exodus 5 to 11 – God and Pharoah
We’ve been feeding on how God trains up Moses. But mighty Pharaoh is the centre of Exodus’ next chapters: Egypt’s … More
Joshua 6 to 8: How (And How Not) To Demolish Strongholds
`The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world`, says Paul; `They have divine power to demolish … More
Exodus 12 – Passover, part 1
So now we come to – arguably – the most important event in the old testament: the only one Israel … More
Exodus 12 – Passover, part 2
Last time we fed on Exodus 12’s amazing picture of how God sets people free. Israel were enslaved; just as … More
Exodus 14 – the Red Sea
So we reach the Red Sea. We know this story well… What we may have forgotten is the surprising thing … More
Joshua 9 and 10: Joshua’s Most Puzzling Section – and Genocide??
Today’s is a puzzling section. So, three major spiritual lessons, and some suggestions about the puzzles… In chapter 10 God’s … More
Exodus 16
Exodus is one of God’s two foundational books; showing us just how God sets people free. But last time we … More
Exodus 17 – the cruciality of prayer!
Now for Exodus 17. A weird story, but one hugely helpful for our imaginations! Here God records the first battle … More
Exodus 19 – Sinai: what’s different, what isn’t
And so we reach Israel’s breathtaking encounter with God’s holiness at Sinai. One of the greatest moments in history, one … More
Ten Commandments 1 and 2: Keep God First!
The first two of Exodus 20’s Ten Commandments are about idolatry; why? Is God still saying anything relevant through them … More
Ten Commandments 3: Honour God’s Name!
This time and next we’re feeding on two very practical expressions of worship. What can we learn from what God’s … More
Ten Commandments 4: Protect Your Day For Joy!
Make absolutely sure you all have a day off each week! (Even your animals, Ex 20:10!) This is the very … More
Ten Commandments 5: You and Your Parents
Just one of the ten commandments has the promise `So that you may live long in the land`, and it’s … More
Joshua 14: Dream Big Dreams!
Today’s section of Joshua is marvellously encouraging! And it’s a great (even amusing!) picture to absorb for our longterm personal … More
Ten Commandments 6: Murder And Other Things We Do Like That
Next Exodus commandment: `You shall not murder.` Well, I imagine not many murderers are reading this. (Although Billy Graham’s wife, … More
Ten Commandments 7: Gouging Out the Roots of Adultery
Next comes sex… `You shall not commit adultery`, says God in the next of the ten commandments. How can this … More
Ten Commandments 8: Theft And Other Things We Do Like That
God’s eighth commandment: `You shall not steal.` We don’t need this one, do we? I mean, it’s obvious. `Honesty is … More
Ten Commandments 9: Why “All Liars Go To Hell” (Rev 21)…
Ninth commandment: do not lie. And it would be so great to live somewhere where people didn’t… … Somewhere where, … More
Ten Commandments 10: The Root Command? (part 1)
`Don’t covet`: God’s tenth and final commandment. A surprisingly vital one: Edith Schaeffer says it’s the root of many of … More
Ten Commandments 10: The Root Command? (part 2)
`Don’t covet`: the tenth, final commandment. As we listen to God, coveting and materialism prove unexpectedly major issues for each … More
What’s So `Refreshing` About The Old Testament Laws? (part 1)
We’ve fed on the 10 commandments. But how, if at all, do we feed ourselves on the old testament’s minor … More
What’s So `Refreshing` About The Old Testament Laws? (part 2)
`The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul`, sings David in Psalm 19. `Oh, how I love your … More
The Old Testament Laws and Slavery
Sometimes people say: How can you see the old testament law as God-inspired when it tolerates slavery? Well, the first … More
Is Jesus Here In These Ex21 Laws?
Before we leave the `minor laws` of Exodus 21… Is Jesus here in this apparently obscure section? If so it’s … More
Exodus 24 – Now The Old Testament Starts?
Now for Exodus 24: a hugely important and helpful – if puzzling – chapter. Because, if we can grasp it, … More
Old Testament intro course: whole-course handout
[What follows is a handout you may find useful if you’re teaching something based on this Old Testament introductory course. … More
Exodus 25 to 40: The Amazing Tabernacle
Now whatever’s this? Most of Exodus ch25 to ch40 is about the tabernacle, and God’s exact (25:9,40,27:8) instructions how to … More
Exodus 32 – The Golden Cow (part 1)
Now for the last big story in Exodus. The golden cow: the catastrophic sin through which 3000 people died and … More
Exodus 32 – The Golden Cow (part 2)
We’re feeding on Exodus’ last big story – the golden cow: the disastrous sin through which 3000 people died and … More
Exodus 32 to 34: Prayer And The Glory Of God
Exodus 32: Israel comes within 30 seconds of being obliterated. Wonderfully, one man’s prayer saves the day. How? It’s astounding. … More
Joshua 20 to 23: How To Make The Blessing Last
We’ve been learning, through Joshua’s remarkable book, what marks God’s people if they’re moving into victory. And we want to … More
Exodus 28,29,39: The High Priest – Showing Us Jesus
Every Bible book gives us something joyfully unique. Hebrews adds to everything we know about Jesus that He’s our `Great … More
Exodus 40: What Exodus Was For!
And so we come to Exodus’ end. It’s always good to watch how a Bible book closes! This is how … More
Joshua 24: Making My Own Discipleship Last
Here we are at the end of Joshua. It’s been a fantastic journey, watching what marks God’s people if they’re … More
What’s So `Refreshing` About The Old Testament Laws? (part 1)
How, if at all, do we feed ourselves on the old testament’s minor laws, such as we hit in Leviticus, … More
What’s So `Refreshing` About The Old Testament Laws? (part 2)
`The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul`, sings David in Psalm 19. `Oh, how I love your … More
Gideon – The Book Of Judges Speaks To Our Pain
What might be God’s path to bring us to major triumph? Gideon’s history blesses us by showing how, unexpectedly, our … More
Judges 11: Did Jephthah Really Burn His Daughter To Death?
Atheists often quote Judges 11, Jephthah and his daughter, as a case of human sacrifice that shows how utterly inhuman … More