Dryden Shorts – Let Go to Hold On

You will never take hold of what’s ahead until you let go of what’s behind. No one is saying to forget or even pretend it never happened. But as long as there’s a stronghold on what was, there can never be a hold onto what is yet to happen. Support is available to see what’s […]

WIWO: James The Last Day 12: Review and Integration

Day 12: Review and Integration Reviewing the Notes of the Previous 11 Days Context: Looking back over James’ letter, how do the various themes work together to address the needs of early Christians facing persecution and social pressures? The twelve tribes scattered across the Empire are at risk of succumbing to the pressures outside and […]

WIWO: James Day 11: The Power of Prayer

Day 11: The Power of Prayer Read James 5:13-20 Context: How does James’ teaching about prayer serve as both a climax to his letter and a practical response to the various challenges he has addressed? What is James’ teaching on prayer? It’s something we do when we’re suffering. It’s something done for the one who […]

WIWO: James Day 5: Faith That Works

Day 5: Faith That Works Read James 2:14-26 Context: Why does James feel compelled to address the relationship between faith and works so emphatically in this section? In a way, he’s been building up to this. He’s had to tell the listeners to ask for wisdom to get through trials and ask for it properly, […]

WIWO: James First Day: Setting the Foundation

Day 1: Setting the Foundation Read James straight through Background Focus: James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, writes to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. His letter reads more like a sermon than typical apostolic correspondence, filled with practical wisdom reminiscent of Old Testament wisdom literature and Jesus’ Sermon […]

WIWO: 1 Timothy Day 3 – 1:12–20 — Paul’s Testimony

Day 3: 1 Timothy 1:12–20 — Paul’s Testimony and Charge to Timothy Reading: Paul’s personal testimony and instructions to Timothy Study Questions: 1. Observation: How does Paul describe his own transformation and calling? Paul recognises that it took the grace and mercy of God to rescue him from his sins. Indeed, he sees himself as […]

JJ25 #06 – Close Encounters of the Divine Kind – What God Says

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15) The personal encounter with God can do wonders in establishing identity and purpose. Jacob had an awareness of God. You can […]

For 40 Days – Day 20: Intimidation: Consequences

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18 Then the princes of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed. (1 Samuel 18:30 ESVUK) David vs Goliath. If you want an immediately recognisable bible story, […]

For 40 Days – Day 15: The Scouts’ Reports: Consequences

Key Episode Scripture: Numbers chapters 13-14 “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they […]

For 40 Days – Day 14: The Scouts’ Reports: Conclusions

Key Episode Scripture: Numbers chapters 13-14 How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? (Numbers 13:11 ESVUK) They were on the brink of the Promised Land. It was within reach. They could even pop over for 40 […]