James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. Written by Jesus’ half-brother Jacob, the book of James shares sage wisdom for all the churches and followers of Jesus. It’s influenced by Proverbs and frequently quotes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. James’ best hits The …
Category Archives: Discipleship
38727 Overview: 1 Peter
Peter offers hope to persecuted Christians and guides them with practical instruction on living life consistent with following Jesus. 1 Peter gives persecuted Christians a powerful reminder that they have hope in the midst of their suffering. From the time of Abraham, God’s people were a misunderstood minority and should expect to face hostility because they …
38728 Overview: 2 Peter
Peter calls for faithfulness and confronts corrupt teachers who distorted the message about Jesus and lead others astray. 2 Peter is an intense, passionate farewell speech addressed to the same Messianic church communities as 1 Peter. In the book, Peter challenges Jesus’ followers to continue growing in their faith, love and service to God. Be vigilant of …
38729 Overview: 1-3 John
John calls followers of Jesus to share in God’s own life and love by devoting themselves to loving one another. Written by John the Elder to house church believers, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John echo the gospel of John. They emphasize that God is light and love and every true believer will demonstrate God’s light and love. A series of John’s letters Each …
38730 Overview: Jude
Jude confronts corrupt teachers who distort the message about his brother Jesus and lead others astray. Judah, one of Jesus’ half brothers, wrote the book of Jude to Messianic believers who were familiar with Old Testament scriptures and Jewish literature. He uses these texts to refute corrupt teachers who lived immoral lives. Living examples for the world Judah …
38731 Overview: Revelation Ch. 1-11
John’s visions reveal that Jesus has overcome evil by his death and resurrection, and will return one day as the true king of the world. The book of Revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and Old Testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of …
38732 Overview: Revelation Ch. 12-22
A final word The book is not a secret code that allows believers to decipher the timeline of Jesus’s return. Instead, it shows that every human kingdom eventually becomes Babylon and must be resisted. Jesus, the slain Lamb who died for the sins of the world, will return one day as King with His followers …
38601 Overview: TaNaK / Old Testament
The Hebrew Scriptures are a three-part collection of scrolls known as the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, or “TaNaK” for short. Did you know that the arrangement of the Old Testament in Christian Bibles is not original? Along with all ancient Jews, Jesus encountered the Scriptures as a three-part collection of scrolls known as the Torah, …
38602 Overview: Genesis Ch. 1-11
God creates a good world and commissions humans to rule it, but they choose rebellion again and again. When God looks at the world he made, he declares it good. He installs humans as his partners in ruling creation, but the humans choose to do what is good in their own eyes, leading ultimately to …
38603 Overview: Genesis Ch. 12-50
God promises to bless the world through Abraham’s family, despite their repeated failure. God makes a promise to bless all nations through the family of Abraham. But with aging husbands, impatient matriarchs, deceptive brothers, and family betrayal, how will God’s promise prevail? God Calls Abraham In chapters 1-11, the book of Genesis recounts God’s good …