Questions About Church Community
Bible Studies on Church Community
The Fellowship Offering
The fellowship offering (or peace offering) was unique among sacrifices because it was shared between God, the priests, and the worshipper. This commu...
5 min readThe Guilt Offering and Fellowship Offering Regulations
Leviticus 7 concludes the instructions for sacrifices, providing priestly regulations for the guilt offering and fellowship offering, and establishing...
6 min readAssembly Membership and Community Conduct
Moses establishes who may enter the LORD's assembly and provides laws for camp purity, runaway slaves, prostitution, usury, and vows.
4 min readThe Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit comes upon the believers with wind and fire, enabling them to speak in other languages. Peter preaches to the gathered crowds, proclai...
8 min readPeter Reports to Jerusalem
Peter defends his ministry to Gentiles before the Jerusalem church, and the gospel spreads to Antioch where believers are first called Christians. God...
4 min readExpel the Immoral Brother
Paul is shocked by the Corinthians' tolerance of sexual immorality among them. He commands them to expel the offender for his salvation and the church...
5 min readThe Mystery Revealed
Paul explains the mystery of the gospel—that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in Christ—and prays for believers to comprehend the boundless lov...
6 min readWalking Worthy of Your Calling
Paul urges believers to live out their calling in unity, describes the gifts Christ gives to the church, and contrasts the old self with the new life ...
7 min readWalking in Light and Love
Paul calls believers to imitate God as beloved children, walking in love and light while avoiding the darkness of immorality, and gives instructions f...
7 min readA Model Church
Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians' faith, love, and hope. They received the word with joy despite affliction and became an example to believers th...
5 min readReady for the Day of the Lord
Paul concludes his letter with teaching about Christ's sudden return, practical exhortations for community life, and a comprehensive blessing covering...
5 min readQualifications for Church Leaders
Paul outlines the character requirements for overseers and deacons, emphasizing that leadership in God's household requires exemplary personal conduct...
5 min readCaring for the Church Family
Paul provides detailed instructions for relating to different groups in the church—older and younger members, widows deserving support, elders who l...
6 min readThe Word of Life
John opens his letter by declaring the Word of Life—what was heard, seen, and touched—inviting readers into fellowship with the Father and Son. Wa...
5 min readProphecy and Tongues in Worship
Paul addresses the use of prophecy and tongues in worship. Prophecy builds the church directly; tongues require interpretation to edify others. Everyt...
6 min readPeter's Miraculous Escape
Herod kills James and imprisons Peter, but the church prays earnestly. An angel frees Peter in a miraculous escape, while Herod's pride leads to his d...
5 min readContending for the Faith
Jude urges believers to contend for the faith against false teachers who have infiltrated the church, using Old Testament examples to warn of God's ju...
7 min readThose Who Returned: Jerusalem's Post-Exilic Community
This chapter lists the families who returned from Babylonian exile and resettled in Jerusalem, with particular attention to the priests, Levites, and ...
4 min readGreatness, Sin, and Forgiveness in the Kingdom
Jesus teaches that the greatest in the Kingdom are those who humble themselves like children. He warns severely against causing others to stumble, tea...
8 min readLawsuits and Sexual Purity
Paul rebukes believers for taking disputes to secular courts. He warns against sexual immorality: your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. You were b...
5 min readThe Jerusalem Council
The early church faces its first major theological crisis: must Gentiles follow Jewish law to be saved? The council's decision preserves the gospel of...
5 min readEvery Spiritual Blessing in Christ
Paul opens Ephesians with a magnificent hymn of praise detailing the spiritual blessings believers possess in Christ—chosen before creation, redeeme...
7 min readThe Man of Lawlessness
Paul corrects false teaching that the Day of the Lord has already come, explaining that a great rebellion and the revealing of "the man of lawlessness...
6 min readSupporting Fellow Workers in Truth
John writes to his friend Gaius, commending his hospitality to traveling missionaries and contrasting his faithfulness with the divisive behavior of D...
6 min readPatience Until the Lord's Coming
James's final chapter warns the rich of coming judgment, calls believers to patient endurance like Job and the prophets, forbids oaths, encourages pra...
6 min readPeter and John Before the Council
Peter and John are arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for healing in Jesus' name. Peter, filled with the Spirit, proclaims that salvation is fo...
7 min readWarning Against Idleness
Paul requests prayer, expresses confidence in the church, and firmly addresses those living in idleness, commanding believers to work diligently while...
5 min readWalking in Truth and Love
John writes to the "elect lady" about the importance of walking in truth while maintaining love, and warns against welcoming false teachers who deny C...
6 min readLiving Stones and Royal Priests
Believers are called to grow spiritually like newborn babies, becoming living stones built into a spiritual house. As a chosen people and royal priest...
7 min readI Was Glad When They Said to Me
Psalm 122 expresses the joy of pilgrimage to Jerusalem and fervent prayer for the peace and prosperity of God's holy city.
4 min readFalse Teachers Condemned
Peter warns extensively about false teachers who will infiltrate the church, bringing destructive heresies. Their condemnation is certain, as illustra...
7 min readWalking as Jesus Walked
John urges believers not to sin while assuring them of Christ's advocacy when they do. Love for brothers, not the world, marks true believers. John wa...
7 min readThe Ascension and Waiting for the Spirit
Jesus gives final instructions to His apostles, promising they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes. He ascends to heaven while they watch. T...
7 min readHow Good and Pleasant Is Unity
Psalm 133 celebrates the beauty of brothers dwelling together in unity, comparing it to precious oil and life-giving dew.
4 min readFinal Warnings and Greetings
Paul warns that he will deal firmly with those who continue in sin. He urges them to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith. The lett...
5 min readLetters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira
Jesus addresses four churches: Ephesus has lost first love despite good works; Smyrna faces tribulation but is spiritually rich; Pergamum holds fast d...
7 min readRunning the Race
Surrounded by witnesses, believers must run with perseverance, fixing eyes on Jesus. God disciplines His children for their good. The chapter contrast...
7 min readTimothy's Encouraging Report
Paul expresses his deep concern for the Thessalonians' faith and his joy upon receiving Timothy's positive report about their steadfastness amid perse...
5 min readLetters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
Three final church letters: Sardis appears alive but is dead; Philadelphia, despite little power, receives an open door; Laodicea is lukewarm and self...
6 min readWarriors Who Joined David: From Fugitive to King
This chapter catalogs the brave men who defected to David during his fugitive years at Ziklag and the vast army that gathered at Hebron to crown him, ...
5 min readDivisions in Corinth
Paul addresses a church fractured by factions following different leaders. He reminds them that Christ alone was crucified for them and calls them to ...
5 min readPhilip and the Ethiopian
Persecution scatters the church, but the gospel spreads. Philip preaches in Samaria with great results. Simon the magician believes but is rebuked for...
8 min readGod Stands in the Divine Assembly
A unique psalm depicting God judging among "gods"—likely unjust human judges or angelic beings. God condemns their corruption and reminds them of th...
5 min readCorinth: Ministry in a Difficult City
Paul plants the Corinthian church during an 18-month stay. He works as a tentmaker, receives divine encouragement through a vision, and establishes a ...
6 min readLiving to Please God
Paul provides practical instruction on holy living, addressing sexual purity, brotherly love, and proper conduct, while offering profound comfort rega...
5 min readLiving Out Faith
The final chapter provides practical instructions for Christian community: show hospitality, honor marriage, be content, submit to leaders, and offer ...
7 min readInstructions for Timothy
Paul warns of coming apostasy, then charges Timothy to focus on godliness, sound teaching, and setting an example for believers despite his youth, pro...
5 min readAnanias and Sapphira and Growing Opposition
Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit about their gift and face sudden judgment. The apostles perform many signs and wonders. They are arrested ...
7 min readEncouragement in Persecution
Paul opens his second letter to Thessalonica by thanking God for their growing faith and love, offering comfort amid persecution, and affirming that G...
5 min readSpiritual Gifts and One Body
The Spirit gives diverse gifts to the church for the common good. Though many parts, we are one body in Christ. Every member is needed; none is superi...
5 min read