Bible in Life

Cultivating Virtue   There are two main components to growing in Christlikeness - putting off vice and putting on virtue. You see this all throughout the New Testament.  For example, Colossians 3:5-9 concerns behaviors to be eliminated and 3:12-17 lists virtues to cultivate.  You find this same pattern all throughout the New Testament.  And in every place, we have are called to act. In other words...

Letting the Bible Shape our Parenting  In this episode I share two big truths about kids from the Bible that shapes the way we relate to our kids and parent our kids.  Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.   Mark 10:13-16 13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them...

John 1:14 and the Tabernacle - A Christmas Reflection And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.    Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:  https://www.johnwhittaker.net   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions...

What does it mean to be "God fearing"? It used to be common to describe someone who was particularly devout as "God fearing," but that phrase is rarely used any more. But the Bible does call God's people to fear the Lord and promises good blessings for those who are God fearing. So what does it mean to fear God in the Bible?    Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:  https://www.j...

The Kingdom of God and the Gospel   Why does Jesus say that he preaches the gospel of the kingdom of God?  The way the gospel is talked about by Christians today usually has little if anything to do with the kingdom of God. Usually Christians describe the gospel as being about Jesus' death and resurrection and how people can be saved.  So what exactly is the gospel and how does it relate to the ki...

How is God going to work out his plans if humans are so disloyal to Him even though they have the Holy Spirit?  I saw this question recently: It doesn't seem as if God's plans are working out too well. Humans are loyal to him; only Jesus has been. The Holy Spirit doesn't seem to be making much of a difference. So how is God going to have loyal human partners and work out his plans?  But this quest...

5 Things I'm Learning about Life and Ministry from 2 Corinthians, pt. 2   In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, I share the more lessons I am learning about faithfully serving God from Paul's example in 2 Corinthians. The full list of five things we reflect on in this two-part series are: 1. the connection between God's faithfulness and our integrity 2. embodying the cross  3. celebrating...

5 Things I'm Learning about Life and Ministry from 2 Corinthians, pt. 1   In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, I share the first 2 and half lessons I am learning about faithfully serving God from Paul's example in 2 Corinthians. We reflect on: -the connection between God's faithfulness and our integrity -embodying the cross  -celebrating our weaknesses   Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hea...

Now that we're saved, how should we relate to unbelievers?  Once we start following Jesus, we don't stop living public lives in which we interact with people who don't follow Jesus. So how should we relate to unbelievers in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and online? And how does our salvation affect our interactions with unbelievers?  Titus 3:1-7   Remind them to be subject to rulers, to...

What difference does grace make? In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John reflects on Titus 2:11-14, considering four key differences the grace of God makes in our life.   Titus 2:11-14   11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present...

Making the Teaching about Jesus Beautiful According to the apostles of Jesus, the best way for Christians to fight slander against them and their beliefs is to live in such a way that the criticisms don't stick, especially with those who actually know them and live next to them and work with them. In fact, in Titus 2:1-10, Paul repeats this refrain three times, ending with the idea that by our way...

Sound Teaching Leads to Sound Living What are some indicators of unsound teachers in the church? Why does sound teach matter so much? In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John reflects on Titus 1:10-16 to answer these questions.    Titus 1:10-16 10 For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they...

God's People Need Good Shepherds Shepherding is greater than leadership.  The consistent image for leaders in the Bible is shepherds. And shepherds are among the sheep. Shepherds know the sheep and the sheep know them.  Shepherds provide for and protect the sheep.  This is why churches must have good shepherds - leaders, elders, overseers who embody godly character and serve the sheep as shepherds...

Four Fundamentals of a Solid Christian Life | Titus 1:1-4   We never outgrow the fundamentals. This is true in sports or music or an everyday activity like driving. And it's also true in our Christian life.  In fact, when life seems overwhelming or confusing or uncertain, one of the best practices is to return to the fundamentals. As Paul opens his letter to his colleague Titus, he reminds him of...

Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement wrong? Penal Substitutionary Atonement has been understood as one aspect of what it means that Jesus died for our sins. The basic idea is this: by dying in our place, Jesus' death achieved paid the penalty for our sins.  My guess is, that sounds very familiar to you. It's been a very common and central understanding of Jesus' death. But in recent years it's becom...

Expect Little Change Without This  In this episode John reflects on the importance of self-awareness, self-honesty, and confession for spiritual growth and human flourishing.  1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:  https://www.johnwhitta...

Let's Talk about Grumbling and Complaining  It's common to tell kids "to do all things without grumbling or complaining." But who reminds us adults of that?  Let's talk about it together.  Bible Passages for this Episode:  Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perv...

How (NOT) to Read Old Testament Stories  Narrative, i.e., stories, is the most common form of literature in the Bible. And there are some exciting and even wild stories in the Old Testament. But how do those stories apply to our life?  The New Testament affirms that they're written for our benefit.  Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that thr...

Leaders Must be Examples of Christlikeness   In the New Testament, the most important thing about Christian leaders is their character. There is almost no discussion of what leaders do; the priority is who leaders are. Key passages for this episode: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9   Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:  https://www.johnwhittaker.net   Support this ministry: Set up...

If God is so powerful, then why is there so much evil?  This question came in from a listener and I decided to address it immediately, because it's important and timely.    Key Bible passages mentioned in this episode.    Genesis 3:16-19 16 To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall deliver children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he sh...

Weak but Not Inadequate | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 3 Paul's leadership and ministry is weak to all appearances, and the Corinthian church isn't impressed. They prefer their leaders with more charisma and credentials and power than Paul has.  In 2 Corinthians, Paul explains that his ministry takes the shape it does for a very good reason and even though its unimpressive by the...

Is Discipleship the Wrong Paradigm for the Church Today? | A Conversation with Kyle Strobel  Kyle Strobel is a theologian at Biola University focused on spiritual theology, and he is the head of the Institute of Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology. He’s also a teaching elder at his church. He, along with John Coe, has written what I consider to be one of the best books on prayer title...

What's Paul's Focus as a Leader? | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 2 The focus of the leadership books, conferences and trainings of the last 25 years or so has been on organizational leadership. This has created a situation where good christian leaders are people who can grow big and impressive orgs.  But for Paul the standard is different... the way he thinks and talks about leade...

How Does Paul Understand Authority | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 1 How does Paul understand what his authority is for? 2 Corinthians 10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,   2 Corinthians 13:9-10 9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak, but you are strong; this we...

Two Great Truths about Grace from Romans 8   Romans 8 teaches two great truths about grace that can change your life:  Truth #1 - "no condemnation" Truth #2 - "life in the Spirit"    Romans 8:1-4 Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law c...