Taming the Tongue3 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an exampl...  Read More

Trials and Temptations1 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be g...  Read More

Watch this overview video on the book of James, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, 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.  Read More

12 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God...  Read More

Faith in Action11 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke wel...  Read More

Watch this overview video on the book of Hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In Hebrews, the author shows how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's love and mercy and is worthy of our devotion.  Read More

Watch this overview video on the book of Philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this letter, Paul helps his friend Philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave Onesimus and shows that they are equals because of Jesus.  Read More

Watch this overview video on the book of Titus, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In Titus, Paul commissions Titus to show how the good news of Jesus and the power of the Spirit can transform the Cretan culture from within.  Read More

A Final Charge to Timothy3 10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evi...  Read More

Watch this overview video on 2 Timothy, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In 2 Timothy, Paul is near execution and offers a personal challenge to Timothy to keeping following Jesus no matter the sacrifice and risk.  Read More

Watch this overview video on 1 Timothy, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In 1 Timothy, Paul shows Timothy how to restore order and purpose to the church in Ephesus which has been disrupted by false teachers.  Read More

Watch this overview video on 2 Thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul clarified his earlier teachings about Jesus' future return and rebukes the Christians who were disrupting the community.  Read More