In the ancient world, a covenant established a relationship of solidarity and loyalty. It was based on solemn promises, sealed with signs, and often regulated by a covenant document (the book of Deuteronomy is the fullest example in the Bible). The covenant document came from the lord of the covenant, stating who he was and how the relationship with his people had been established, and giving the conditions of the relationship.
If as Christians all we have to share online is how great or memorable parenthood or our children are, it’s not helpful for us or others.
10 tracks from Cathy Sampson. All money raised goes to support the kipepeo project in East Africa.
Important reads on Aboriginal evangelists, the pitfalls and positives of pastoring a small church, temptations when discipling, music and discernment, and liberalism.
The trouble with familiar passages of Scripture is that you stop reading them because you think you know what they say.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching themto observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matt 28:19-20) Are we in danger of trying to squeeze too much
I am a reluctant convert to the Swedish Method for Bible study. I read the Briefing article all of those years ago and decided to try it out in a couple of Bible study groups. It didn’t work! It didn’t seem to make group members think deeply enough about the passage, and it seemed to promote surface-level easy answers.
On Friday afternoons I find myself sitting in McDonald's, a cup of tea in hand, listening intently to girls ten years younger than myself. This precious hour is one of the highlights of my week. I love meeting with the teenage girls from church, chatting about life and God and
Death is something we will all come to. It’s scary and overwhelming, and it would be good for us to know how to prepare for it.
One of the most important and yet contested points in The Trellis and the Vine is a certain little claim made in chapter 8. The title of the chapter says it all: “Why Sunday Sermons are Necessary But Not Sufficient”. The authors’ point is fairly straightforward and simple. Sunday sermons