WIWO: Mark – Episode 1: Introduction and Overview

Reading: Complete overview of Mark’s Gospel (skim through all 16 chapters) Context: What do you know about the author Mark and the circumstances surrounding this Gospel’s composition? Mark’s Gospel is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a close associate of the apostle Peter, who served as Mark’s primary source for the Gospel content. Early church tradition […]

WIWO – Returns in February

There’s much to be excited about Word In, Word Out. There’s the thanks we give God for the successful launch of the series last year. There’s the way it has successfully covered the two books of Timothy and the book of James. There’s the next series we’ll embark on in Mark. That was scheduled to […]

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 10: Patience in Suffering

Day 10: Patience in Suffering Read James 5:7-12 Context: Why does James return to the theme of patient endurance, and how does this connect with his earlier teaching about trials? There is a flow in what James has been pointing out throughout the letter. The need for godly wisdom, the need for humility, the need […]

Blog Schedule Update

Some things just feel right. Reading and writing words have felt right to me for as long as I can remember. The opportunity that blogging presents to write words and present them is one that I remain grateful for. Reaching 20 years of blogging has not given me the impression that it’s time to stop. […]

WIWO: James Day 9: The Danger of Presumptuous Planning

Day 9: The Danger of Presumptuous Planning Read James 4:13-5:6 Context: What attitude towards the future and material success is James confronting in both the merchants (4:13-17) and the wealthy landowners (5:1-6)? We should get the idea by now that James isn’t plucking random issues out of thin air. He has been making it clear […]

WIWO: James Day 7: Two Kinds of Wisdom

Day 7: Two Kinds of Wisdom Read James 3:13-18 Context: How does James’ teaching about two kinds of wisdom connect with his previous discussions about trials, faith, and the tongue? By this stage, we should be very familiar with what James has outlined in terms of distinctions. There is asking in faith vs wavering. There […]

WIWO: James Day 6: Taming the Tongue

Day 6: Taming the Tongue Read James 3:1-12 Context: Why does James specifically warn about the responsibility of those who teach, and how does this introduce his broader discussion about speech? You might get the impression that James is changing the topic from what he’s previously talked about, but there is continuity. That continuity follows […]

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, […]