Introducing the Main Idea of a Sermon with a Question
In his book Preaching: How to Preach Biblically, John MacArthur discusses how he writes the main ideas of his sermons. He says, “I often state my main idea in the form of a question and then show how the passage answers it.”[i] He does this because he has discovered...
Galatians, an Example of Determining a Bible Author’s Purpose
To learn how to study the Bible, please check out Inductive Bible Study by Dr. Kenneth Acha In the book of Galatians, Paul doesn’t directly state the purpose. We have to discover his implied purpose by looking at what he said, the problem he addressed, and the outcome...
How to Test Your Understanding of Propositions in a Bible Passage
Adler provides two easy ways to test that you understand any proposition in your paragraph (not just the main idea): 1) Be able to state it in different words (your own words). The proposition is the thought the words represent, not necessarily the exact words...
The Student, the Fish, and Agassiz
By the Student It was more than fifteen years ago that I entered the laboratory of Professor Agassiz and told him I had enrolled my name in the Scientific School as a student of natural history. He asked me a few questions about my object in coming, my antecedents...
Preach Serious and Weighty Sermons by Mark Dever
The density of sermons By Dr. Mark Dever, Senior Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. The following is a transcript of part of a lecture he gave. The full lecture can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tL5C8IT0DM (From 25-45 mins)...
The First Thing Every Believer Should Learn to Do
What is the first thing a Christian should learn to do? Hint: It’s also the most important for every believer 1st Person: Know God. Know he loves us. 2nd Person: Know how to hear God. Third person: Know how to read the Bible. He needs to learn how to use his manual or...
The Right Way to Lead Bible Study
Encouraging participation during Bible study in a Life Group is key. However, doing it right is also very important, and many people make mistakes. What is the right way to achieve the benefits and minimize the harm? That’s what we’ll discuss today. Purpose To help...
Intend to Obey: A Great Strategy for Effective Bible Reading
Resolve to Obey, and you will Observe More. In Bible Study, your attitude determines your altitude. One of the best things you can do to help you better observe God’s word is to have a purpose and intention to obey what God is saying. That will help flip on the...
The Habit of Self-Control
Bible Verses on self-control "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its...
Pastoring Your People in Life Groups
How to Help People Get to Jesus The following is the summary and transcript of a video by Pastor Vincent Carpenter of Antioch, Waco. The video is found here: https://lifegroupleaders.com/pastoral-care/ Introductory story: “Throughout my teens and my years of college,...