Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 1): Avoiding Controversy

Text: Galatians 2:11-14 This is the first lesson in a series about dangers that exist “on the safe side.” This phrase means “avoiding danger, with a margin for error” (definition). Sometimes this is fine or even wise, but there is a difference between wisdom and safety. Sometimes they overlap, but not always. At times, staying “on the safe side” is […]

Everything is Controversial

Jude 3 Jude says we must “contend earnestly for the faith.” Why? It is because “the faith” is controversial. While many want to shy away from controversy, we cannot avoid it – not just because of our obligation, but because of reality. Everything is controversial to someone. In this lesson we will consider why this […]

What Titus Was Told To Do

Text: Titus 1-3 In the brief letter to the young evangelist Titus, Paul told him to do certain things. Examining these instructions will teach us some things about preaching, the church, the truth, and more. So let us briefly examine seven things that Titus was told to do. Appoint Elders (1:5) God’s plan for the local […]

Avoid Foolish Controversies

Text: Titus 3:9 There always have been, and always will be, controversies over matters of religion and what the Bible teaches. Some people want to avoid controversy altogether – Christians cannot do this (Jude 3). Others are too quick to get involved in controversy – we must not do this either (Titus 3:9). As controversies […]

Why Was Paul Amazed at the Apostasy in Galatia?

Text: Galatians 1:6-9; Acts 13-14 Paul’s letter to the Galatians was addressed to the churches of that region – Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. These churches were established during Paul’s first preaching journey (Acts 13-14). The Christians in this region experienced a lot of opposition to the gospel, yet this was not what caused them […]

The Example of Barnabas

Text: Acts 11:24 The Scriptures teach us that we should imitate the lives of the faithful (Philippians 3:17). Barnabas is one such example of faith that we should follow. He was a “good man” – not by the world’s standard of goodness, but by God’s. His goodness was rooted in his faith and his being […]

So That They Might Be Taught War

Text: Judges 3:1-2 Those who lived during the time of Joshua were given the land and promised victory over their enemies (Joshua 23:4-5,14). But a new generation arose that would need to continue to deal with these enemies (Judges 2:8-10, 20-21). This was to test them (Judges 2:22) and teach them war (Judges 3:2). We […]