Walking By Faith: Recent Episodes
A church of Christ in Woburn
This lesson looks at two tremendous character traits of Joseph (Genesis 37-50): his high standard of purity, and his ability (through years of mistreatment) to see God's hand work good out of evil. We are also inspired by the Genesis account of Joseph's life, the details which foreshadow Jesus' betrayal, death, and resurrection.
In this chapter, Moses warns God's people not to make covenants or intermarry with those who live in the land they are about to inherit. Here, we see a picture of what it means to be holy, set apart for God's special purposes, and the promised blessings to those who live holy lives. This lesson addresses Christians marrying Christians, the concept of "once saved, always saved", overcoming fear, and the role of hornets in our lives!
Most of us are familiar with Luke's account of the birth of Christ. However, this message adds insights from early Christian writers and little-known prophecies that can encourage our faith, add greater significance to certain details of this story, and equip us to rebut critics of the account of the virgin birth in Bethlehem. Also, we address classic questions Christians have had over the ages regarding differences between the accounts in Matthew and Luke.
Throughout Scripture, significant events took place at Bethlehem. As we remember the details of our Lord's birth, we see how this event was foretold in various times, places and events that took place centuries before. May this give us even more reason to rejoice and stand in awe at the birth of our Savior!
For more about Ray and Rhoda and to hear more teaching from Ray, visit www.wengerministries.org.
See this attached list of devotional classics referred to in this lesson to supplement your devotional times with God.
Secrets of the Kingdom Life (the book this lesson originated from)
If you feel like you are under spiritual assault, maybe it is because you are. In this practical lesson we pull back the curtain on the unseen spiritual battle for our souls, being waged by the forces of evil. Coming out of Ephesians chapter 6, we look at the spiritual war: the forces of evil arrayed against us, the protective armor God has given us, and the offensive weapons at our disposal.
PDF of Lesson Notes
To learn more about Harding's inspiring life and convictions, see James A. Harding, Evangelist and Teacher by John Mark Hicks
PDF of Lesson Notes
Read the Bible in a Year Plan
This plan allows you to pick a start date and it will provide a customized plan to read through the Old the New Testaments in one year. (In order for it to work, you must download the file to your computer.)
Many wrestle with the goodness of God. If God is good, why does He allow evil things to happen? This might lead one to conclude that God is not all powerful, otherwise he certainly would stop evil from happening. In fact, it often seems good people experience much bad, while people who engage in evil seem blessed. This lesson explores the nature of God, what the Scriptures teach about His goodness, and how He works to bring about both justice and mercy in His timing.
This is a short epilogue to our lesson about Jacob's strange encounter with God in Exodus 32. In it Chuck explores the concept of theophany, or an appearance of God. If you haven't heard that lesson yet, you can listen to it here: https://walking-by-faith.simplecast.com/episodes/jacob-wrestles-with-god-genesis-32
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus gave Peter a new name and a new identity. Peter would have many trials and failures, but would become a pillar of faith for the Church as he served our Lord. What lessons can we learn from Peter's life, example and teaching, that we might have such faith?
Why is Biblical unity so difficult? Why do so many churches end up splitting apart, even churches comprised of Christians serious about following Jesus' teachings? This sad pattern is in stark contrast to early Christianity, where the church remained one for the first 200 years. Drawing on Scripture, examples from the early church, and his own spiritual journey and mistakes made, David identifies common problems that consistently lead to dividing the church. This hopeful message provides many gems to help restore Biblical unity and obliterate any sinful sectarian spirit within us.
The Scriptures call us to do two apparently contradictory things: 1) to become all things to all men, that we might by all means save some (1 Cor. 9:22), and 2) to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27). Many churches focus on one command, while ignoring the other. One church is so relatable to the world, that it becomes indistinguishable from the world. Another church focuses on holiness and separation, but is ineffective converting lost souls. This lesson challenges us to follow all of Jesus' teachings as we strive to win a lost world with the same determination, commitment, and effectiveness of our Lord.
PDF of lesson outline: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzutDJsZgV9wenZJWEpyWmNxR3M/view
walking-by-faith.org
When we engage in expository preaching, working through a book of the
Bible, we sometimes stumble upon wisdom that we might not otherwise
uncover. Genesis 5 tells us of a mysterious man named Enoch who walked with
God....
These passages of Scripture lay the foundation for the entire Biblical
story describing the relationship of God and mankind. Here we learn of the
Fall, the sin of Adam, Eve, and Satan, and the consequences of such sin.
These passages include Scripture often quoted in the New Testament....
Genesis chapters two and three are filled with such important foundational
teachings for the entire Bible, including Jesus' teachings. This lesson
covers chapter two and the first section of chapter three and addresses the
following topics...
Genesis 1 covers the creation of the world. The chapter raises many
significant questions:
``` * What does the creation account reveal about who God is? * How should we understand the creation of the world? What is reasonable? * Why do so many smart people reject God as the Creator of the universe? * How did Paul argue God as Creator of the universe to help intelligent people....
```
This lesson will focus on one of the most pivotal days in the history of
the world. From this Old Testament example, we will address four of the
eight reasons discussed in our last lesson as to why Christians should read
the Old Testament....
Hebrews 6 tells us that there are six elementary doctrines (teachings) of the Christian faith, which the Hebrew writer appears to assume Christians should master before moving on to maturity. Two of these are the resurrection and judgment. We recently taught on the resurrection. What about judgment? What does Jesus teach about it? Why is this teaching important? Why do we rarely speak about judgment? What can we learn about God through Christ's teaching on eternal blessings and punishment? The goal of this two-part lesson is to better understand what the Bible teaches about judgment and to equip us to teach this to others.
Hebrews 6 tells us that there are six elementary doctrines (teachings) of
the Christian faith, which the Hebrew writer appears to assume Christians
should master before moving on to maturity. Two of these are the
resurrection and judgment. We recently taught on the resurrection. What
about judgment? What does Jesus teach about it? Why is this teaching
important? Why do we rarely speak about judgment? What can we learn about God through Christ's teaching on eternal blessings and punishment? The goal of this two-part lesson is to help us to understand what the Bible
teaches about judgment and to better equip us to teach this to others.
There are many reasons Christians give for avoiding the Old Testament,
which makes up three-quarters of the Bible. This lesson inspires us to dig
into the treasures of the Old Testament, making the case that God has
provided the Old Testament Scriptures for the benefit of Christians....
Paul spends an entire chapter on the resurrection of the dead. In the
previous lesson, we provided an overview of chapter fifteen with its key
themes. In this lesson, we dig deeper into the chapter to explore further
why a correct understanding of the resurrection is so central to the
Christian faith and obedience to Jesus' teachings, how an incorrect understanding can lead to worldliness in the church, and how we can use the Scriptures and reason to defend the resurrection to non-believers. This
lesson concludes with the final chapter in the book of 1 Corinthians, where
Paul comments on weekly collections of money for the poor, house churches, and the holy kiss.
After addressing many issues in the church in Corinth, Paul turns to one
last problem, that some Christians in the church did not believe in the
resurrection of the dead. Paul spends an entire chapter explaining the
centrality of the resurrection to the Christian faith, including what
raised from the dead means and why it matters so much. While the
resurrection of the dead is one of the elementary teachings of the
Christian faith (Hebrews 6:1-2), this foundational teaching is
misunderstood by many Christians. Paul's stirring and strong defense of the
bodily resurrection of Christ and his followers provides us today with the
confidence and courage to live as Christ lived, and to be steadfast and
immovable in our work for the Lord. This lesson covers an overview of the
chapter with its key themes, with the next lesson providing a deeper look
at parts of the chapter.
In this passage, Paul instructs the church in Corinth that their women
should keep silent in the church, that they are to be submissive, and they
are to learn from their husbands. He goes on further to state that it is
shameful for women to speak in church. Does Paul really mean this? Was this
instruction only for the church in Corinth at that time? What does Paul
mean by "being silent"? We tackle these questions by looking at this and
related Scriptures that speak to the Biblical role of men and women, and
God's love, heart, and expectation for both.
Music plays a predominate role in the American culture, and in most
cultures around the world. What can we learn from the Scriptures about
music and the role God intended it to play in our lives? This lesson looks
at both good and bad examples from Scripture and asks us to examine our own engagement with music in light of both.
1 Corinthians 14:1-33 includes two somewhat controversial issues: speaking
in tongues and what it was like when Christians came together for worship.
The lesson addresses three questions in regards to the gift of tongues: 1)
What is speaking in tongues? 2) What was the purpose of speaking in
tongues? and 3) Is speaking in tongues available to the Church today? We
are also asked what we can learn from this passage as to what Church should
look like when we come together as Christians.
This lesson tackles a foundational and often misunderstood teaching of the
Kingdom of God revealed in many of Jesus' parables, including the parable
of the wheat and the tares (weeds). God will ultimately separate the good
and the evil at the last day. This lesson addresses our responsibility as
individual Christians to strive to be wheat, good fish, wise virgins, and
properly attired guests at the Kingdom banquet. The lesson also addresses
our responsibility to address sin in the Church.
Each year, brothers and sisters from around the world gather in
Pennsylvania to provide a forum for Biblical teaching for those who desire
to live as disciples of Christ. One of the primary goals of this event is
to be a place where kingdom-minded Christians from various backgrounds can meet one another for edification and encouragement, and to learn from each other. This year's theme was discipleship....
In chapter twelve, Paul turns his attention to the miraculous gifts of the
Holy Spirit. What does the Bible teach about the miraculous gifts,
including gifts of healing, speaking in tongues, and the working of
miracles? Are these spiritual gifts available today? Many Christians
understand the miraculous gifts to have died within a generation of the
Apostles. But is this what the Bible teaches? This passage also paints a
beautiful picture of Christian unity within the body of Christ, a major
theme in the book of 1 Corinthians. What can we learn from Paul about
building a healthy, unified church?
In this passage, Paul tells the Corinthian Church that some of them are
weak, ill, and spiritually asleep (dead) because of their failure to
properly celebrate the Lord's Supper. He then explains how the Lord's
Supper can bring life. This lesson is divided into three parts: 1) Paul's
rebuke of the Church (with specifics as to what they were doing wrong), 2)
Paul's instruction on the Lord's Supper, and 3) Practicals we can glean
from the Scriptures in regards to celebrating the Lord's Supper.
Part 1 of this lesson tackles chapters 8 and 10, in which Paul discusses
the practice of eating food sacrificed to idols, an issue that is causing
division in the church. While sacrificing food to idols is not common in
the United States, Christians face this issue in many parts of the world.
There are also important lessons for us to learn in resolving Church
conflict. In Part 2 of this lesson, we look at two other related passages:
Acts 15 and Romans 14. In Acts 15 we are given a beautiful example of how
the Church addressed a difficult issue that could have caused significant
division among sincere believers. Instead, the conflict (and its
resolution) brought about great unity blessed by God. In Romans 14, we
learn what Paul meant (and did not mean) by "opinion matters". This passage
is often invoked by Christians in interpreting Scripture. It is important
to understand how Paul defined opinion issues so we can properly apply his
instruction to the Church today with the goal of Biblical unity.
A defining mark of men and women we find in the Bible is their understanding of God's faithfulness. Those who grasped this attribute of God lived in a way that brought God great honor and accomplished his purposes....
The story of Esther has many lessons to encourage us in times of adversity,
to inspire our faithfulness, courage, and love, and to give us hope in
God's great power to accomplish His will. This lesson covers the entire
story of Esther, looking at the characters of Mordecai, Esther, and Haman
and what we can learn from each.
This lesson highlights wisdom from Solomon (who the Bible calls the wisest
man on earth) to give wisdom to the young, as well as to the old and wise.
What are the benefits of wisdom? How do we get it? Are there blessings
that come from fearing God? How do the people we spend our time with
impact our character and how wise we can become? Solomon provides answers
to these questions.
In this passage of Scripture, Paul warns the Corinthians of sins that can destroy one's relationship with God and disqualify Paul himself, as well as the Church, from the ultimate prize of eternal life.
In this passage, we are inspired by Paul's example to win people to Christ. Paul defends, in great detail, the rigth to be supported in the full time ministry, as well as explains why he gave up this right.
What is the greatest obstacle to helping those in need? This lesson puts meat on Jesus' command to love your neighbor as yourself.
What does the Bible say about being single? In this passage, Paul provides instructions to those who are single in the church. We may be surprised at what Paul (and Jesus) teach about the single life, that this is a preferred lifestyle to the married life, if lived in devotion to God.
In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul addresses specific issues related to those who are married and to those who are single in the church. This lesson covers Jesus' teaching on divorce and remarriage, the foundation on which Paul builds. This material is extremely challenging and foreign to most Christians, as Jesus' teaching is a radical departure from societal norms and is seldom taught or studied in most churches.
Did Jesus rise from the dead, or didn't he? The Christian faith hangs on this question. What did Jesus have to say about the resurrection? What importance did the apostles place on the resurrection? What proof do we have that Jesus' resurrection took place? We tackle these questions in this lesson, which can be useful to strengthen the faith of Christians, as well as to prove to nonbelievers that Jesus did rise from the dead, which changes everything.
In the second half of chapter six, Paul addresses immorality in the Corinthian church. Paul explains the importance of the physical body, that Christians are united with Chris, and that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This lesson looks at these blessings and the responsibilities Christians have to keep their temples holy. We look specifically at the sin of pornography and the images that pollute our bodies.
In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul speaks the truth in love, calling out the church in Corinth for bringing law suits against each other, instead of resolving their disputes internally. This lesson addresses whether Christians should ever bring law suits, as well as what a Christian should consider before making a decision to resort to the courts.
Today we take a spiritual detour from our 1 Corinthians study to talk about being refined by God through testing. Many Christians are taught that God is eager to bless their lives of His followers to prosper them, not to harm them, to give them a wonderful life and future. Yet, what do the Scriptures really teach? Throughout the Bible we find a very different message that challenges our view of God, our loving Father.
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul turns to a new and serious matter: the church's failure to expel from the congregation a brother involved in sexual immorality. This lesson covers the Biblical definition of sexual immorality, Paul's and Jesus' admonition and example of dealing with Christians who refuse to repent of serious sin, the reasons why most churches disobey Paul's clear instruction, and the consequences of failing to do so.
In this lesson, we take a short break form our study in the book of Corinthians to look at the concepts of faith and grace, two of the most misunderstood and misused terms in Scripture. This lesson provides a Biblical definition of these terms, explains how they are used in the Old and New Testaments, and demonstrates why our correct understanding of faith and grace is critical to our walk with God and our very salvation.
In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul builds on his teaching on church unity from the first three chapters. Paul addresses the Church's boasting, envy, and strife. This lesson tackles the important questions of what Paul meant when he says not to judge and what he meant when he says imitate me. This lesson calls us to serve the Lord in humility and without comparing ourselves to others.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul uses four examples form daily life to instruct his listeners on church unity, peacemaking, Jesus Christ as the only foundation of the Church, how we will be judged (and rewarded) by God as to how we build the Church, honoring God by how we care for our bodies, and the importance of the Holy Spirit.
We start our study with an explanation of the value of good expository teaching and an introduction to the book of Corinthians. This lesson calls us to consider whether we share Jesus' (and Paul's) vision for Christian unity and challenges us to root out any trace of sectarianism in our hearts.
What does Biblical leadership look like? This lesson draws on decades of experience of a church elder (a.k.a. bishop) who shares experiences and good and bad leaders and the impact they had on churches and the flock. We are called to a Biblical mode of leadership, far different than the world's leadership paradigm.
This lesson looks at prophecies in the Psalms predicting Jesus' life, death
and resurrection. These prophecies were used throughout the book of Acts to
strengthen the faith of Christians....