Philippians 1:3-5 The Apostle Paul was very familiar with the church in Philippi. He goes as far as to say he thanked God every time he thought of them. He joyfully prayed for them. He called them partners with him in ministry. When he calls them […]
II Timothy 2:1-2 It is often said, “It is not what you get out of life but rather what you give that makes one truly joyful and content.” Winston Churchill went as far as to say, “We make a living by what we get, but we […]
Romans 12:3 Have you ever been sitting in a church service listening to the sermon and think to yourself, “Man, I wish (fill in the blank) was here this morning to hear this”? Or maybe you read something in a book, a devotional, or out of […]
Revelation 7:9 It has been said that “the only thing you can’t do in heaven is sin”. That statement, like many other things spoken about God and the Bible, is not exactly right. If sin is not the only thing that will not be done in […]
Acts 13:1-3 and 14:26-28 The selected passages from Acts frame Barnabas’ and Paul’s first missionary journey, which began and ended at the local church at Antioch. Notice that it was in the church at Antioch, while Barnabas and Saul (who would later be called Paul) were […]
Read Mark 4:35-41 The Bible says a lot about hope and about dealing with a crisis. For example, was it a crisis when the disciples were caught in a storm and Jesus was with them? What can we learn from his question to them after he […]
Read Revelations 7:9 Read the article titled 6 Ways the Bible Changed My Perspective on Ethnic Diversity Of course, diversity is not just about race or ethnicity. But some Christians and Americans seem to struggle with having a godly view about race. In 2020, these […]
Read 34 Bible Verses about Emotional Intelligence In the article titled Is Emotional Intelligence ‘Biblical’ by Dr. Jeannie Clarkson, she states that “Emotions play a more critical role in mental health and human relationships than most people realize. God commands us to tend to our emotions: […]
Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gave the world the most important succession plan ever created in Matthew 28:19-20. As you evaluate how to design a succession plan this week, reflect on how Jesus set up a strategy for his mission to be accomplished in his physical absence. […]
Ecclesiastes 7:1-12 “Most people don’t realize how much food they throw away every day — from uneaten leftovers to spoiled produce. By managing food sustainably and reducing waste, we can help businesses and consumers save money, provide a bridge in our communities for those who do […]
Malachi 3:7-12 “Cash is King” is an old saying that cash controls everything. We have discussed the Statement of Cash Flows where we evaluate the flow of cash for companies. Reflect on what God’s Word says about controlling, hoarding, and spending cash.
John 21 Change is something of necessity in life, but it is also something that people resist. The broader scope of the change, the greater the resistance we often encounter. When we think of changing the culture of an organization, this is typically something very deep-rooted […]
Psalm 35:17-19 “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.” -E. F. Schumacher Sometimes we have to move in a direction that others do not […]
Psalm 127 It can be challenging to understand some organizational cultures, but it can be even more challenging to work for an organization when you feel deep inside that something is just not right. This requires some self-reflection, including a closer look at personal values and […]
Read Proverbs 15:1 Tell a realistic story where Proverbs 15:1 is used to diffuse a situation at work. You may make a short recording using your phone to tell the story or type it out.
Read Hebrews 10:24 As Christians, part of our role in the body of Christ is to “stir up love” and do “good works.” This may be easier to accomplish in our relationships with other believers, but what about in our roles at work? As you […]
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 Paul wrote the book of 1 Corinthians to ensure that regardless of ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, etc., when an individual becomes a part of the body of Christ, he or she is an individual contributor while at the same time part of […]
Read Proverbs 27:1 Consider this story. A man admired a peer in a Fortune 50 company and asked the source of his leadership style. The man indicated that he had read many management books but had not encountered this style before and inquired if his peer […]
Read Romans 12:3-8 This week you will explore your strengths through the CliftonStrengths® Assessment. Paul in Romans speaks about a single body with many members. Each member in the body of Christ has a different function (gift/strength). In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul writes about unity, the […]
Colossians 3:12-17 Read the article titled Christian Conflict by Josh Squires. Yes, Christians have conflict (like everyone). We often have different resources and different end goals regarding conflict.
2 Samuel Chapters 11 and 12 Leadership is developed through educational processes (formal education) and through experiences (proverbial school of hard-knocks). When our leadership is challenged or we are faced with difficult situations or even temptations, it is in these moments that we must be able […]
I Corinthians 13 This week we are talking about leaders getting tasks done and caring for people. The above chapter from 1 Corinthians is often called the love chapter. Is love too strong a word to use in your organization? Maybe you could think about […]
Philippians 2:1-11 Leaders’ communication is both verbal and nonverbal within an organization. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.” Jesus’ act of self-sacrifice, emptying himself of all that was rightfully his, gave humankind the hope of […]
John 13:1 Jesus teaches his disciples an important lesson following his meal with them; leaders must serve! Leaders tend to assume they are the ones to be served, but Jesus demonstrates that this is not the case. Leaders must get their hands dirty, sharing in the […]
1 Kings 12:1-17 As leaders, we have an obligation to accept accountability and challenges from those around us. We may not always agree or even appreciate those who present an alternate view, but it is in these moments we can examine our actions and intentions through […]
Acts 2:14-47 During the first half of the eighteenth century, a significant movement took place in the American colonies that has come to be referred to by church historians as the Great Awakening. During this time, large numbers of individuals made professions of faith, began attending […]
I John 1:1-4 Philosophical systems of thought are nothing new. Long before the New Testament was even written, many philosophical schools were in existence and drew a large number of adherents. These philosophical movements often provided unique perspectives on foundational subjects such as the nature of […]
Acts 5:17-42 The book of Acts records the fascinating story of the growth of the early church from a small fledgling movement in Jerusalem to a faith that had permeated the Roman world. No matter what stood against the church, the faith continued to advance throughout […]
I Peter 2:4-10 After three centuries in which Christians were harassed by government officials and experienced significant opposition in society, their fortunes changed drastically when the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity early in the fourth century. No longer the subject of intense persecution, Christians suddenly found […]
Acts 1:1-2:13 and I Corinthians 1:23 The book of Acts records that in the days following Christ’s crucifixion, a mere group of 120 of his followers had gathered in Jerusalem. This was a considerably smaller number of individuals than what might be expected given the large […]
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6 As we close out the class, we focus on risk taking. God’s Word describes how we […]
Read 2 Corinthians 9: 6 When multinational organizations sow and reap within a foreign country, their generosity brings stability to the foreign economy. Sowing and reaping from a multinational organizational perspective is in the creation of employment, in developing consumer goods that are reasonably priced and […]
Read Matthew 6: 24 Multinational organizations look towards material things to create organizational wealth for stockholders. This is associated with the organization’s attitude of creating wealth without considering the impact this would have on economic development. The financial manager bears a large responsibility for creating the […]
Read 1 Timothy 6: 17-19 These verses describe how the focus of multinational organizations should not simply be on creating wealth for the organization. They should also use their money to do good. Multinationals should focus more on using their businesses to create a positive lasting […]
Read Proverbs 11:1 Success should be the result of honest industry and hard labor. Dishonesty in the international financial market decreases multinational organizations’ mission to support foreign employment and follow government regulations and policies. If one uses the exchange rate movement in an honest way, this […]
Ecclesiastes 11:6 In this passage, Solomon embraces the idea of diversification. No one knows precisely which investment will succeed or even if it will succeed. A farmer learns that individuals should not put all their eggs in one basket. Now, if you’ve never heard that saying, […]
Proverbs 13:10 Some things take time, cannot be rushed, and must be developed with great wisdom and advice. Investing is a process that takes time to understand and develop. If you think you know everything there is to know about investing, you probably will experience great […]
Ruth 2:6-16 We finish the course this week with international trade concepts. This includes the way we treat widows and foreigners and those who are struggling. Boaz models for us how to treat them and the important role a business has, as God’s hands and feet […]
Proverbs 28:8 Mark 8:36 This week we analyze monetary and fiscal policies and learn about how interest rates are set and the role they play in the economy. These all impact whether or not a business can generate a profit. Profit is a good thing because […]
Ruth 2:4-5 Boaz was a well-known and wealthy business owner. He was considerate in the way he communicated with his employees and they responded in kind. Despite having a large operation, he knew each one of his employees. Later in the story, we see how he […]
Ruth 1:1 This week is about supply, demand, shortage, and surplus. In Ruth 1:1, we see the effects of shortage: high demand, low supply. Talk of a shortage, particularly a shortage of food, can cause people to do things they normally would not do. […]
From the King James Version, here are Bible verses that are culturally focused: Roman 12:2 Galatians 3:28 John 15:19 Daniel 1:17-20 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 1 John 2:15-17 As we conclude our study of strategy, our final focus is on the role of corporate culture and leadership. […]
The Book of Nehemiah can be found at the Bible Gateway website. Go to the book and then select the following chapters and verses: Nehemiah 2:6,13-20; 4:13-14; 5:16; 6:15; 7:2-3; 8:18; 9:38-10:39; 13:6-30 The Bible is full of examples of how processes were designed, and detailed […]
Matthew 13:46 ESV 1 Timothy 4:8 Hebrews 13:5 ESV Michael Porter (b. 1947) is known for his theories on economics and business strategies. In his ground-breaking work in 1985, he provided his theory about organizations and the concept of value chain. It included the full range […]
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them-for this is their lot. Moreover, […]
Proverbs 6:6-8 This week you will develop your skills in capacity planning and supply chain management. An important component of capacity planning is reactive capacity that can effectively respond to uncertain demand. How much reactive capacity do you have when God calls? This may depend on […]
Leviticus 19:1-2 This week you will be introduced to variability. Operations management would be easy if variability didn’t derail our plans. Without variability we could always reach our goal of consistent performance, but variability always creeps in and provides us with something new to manage. Variability […]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Here in our first week, we look at the process view of operations and clearly see that operations management is a collaborative effort. Working well with others is the key to success in many aspects of life including our spiritual life. Our greatest fulfillment […]
Jeremiah 29:11 This week, we discuss how the numerous conflicting demands and pressures described in module one shape the strategic choices that MNEs must make. Every step in our life and in our business has already been ordered for us before we were even born. God […]
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 This week we contrast the transnational innovation process with more traditional “center for global” and “local to local” approaches, and also acknowledge that in the international business environment of the 21st century, few companies have all the resources and capabilities they need to […]
Luke 14:28 This week we begin by suggesting that the balance involves more than a search for an ideal structural solution. It requires that MNEs not only understand their present and future strategic task demands but also their historic organizational capabilities—something we call a company’s “administrative […]
Exodus 35:31-32 and Exodus 36:1 Moses was in tune with God and knew He wanted a sanctuary. To build it would require men who were in tune with God and had the required skills, intellectually and technically. Moses chose Bezalel and Oholiab as they were both […]
Proverbs 13:11 and Proverbs 12:11 God wants us to be honest. If we are, He will reward us. He knows we will be tempted, but He wants us to think before we react. He desires us to be smart with our money and use it wisely […]
Ephesians 3:16-19 Even while Paul was in prison, he showed his love for God and used it to help others. He knew God’s power was much stronger than anything else and if he would dwell on the Father, he would continue to grow toward His riches. […]
Exodus 20: 1-17 (NIV) The Ten Commandments are one of the most well-known passages in the Old Testament. While the Ten Commandments were given to Moses thousands of years ago, consider their application to our society and individual lives today. Some view them simply as a […]
Matthew 26:39 This week we look at different pricing strategies and pricing programs that are an important part of a good marketing program. We have all looked at a product or service and asked ourselves is this really worth the price? Matthew helps us see […]
I Kings 5-6 II Samuel 7: 5-17 Some of the concepts you will explore this week relate to brands and branding. Several scriptural passages are relevant to the behavior around branding. An example of this is the account of Solomon’s building of the Lord’s Temple in […]
Read Colossians 3:23-24 During the second week, we discussed the Parable of the Talents and how as Christians we are to be good stewards of the things for which we are responsible. In the Week Three devotional, we spoke of man’s creativity and how this spurs […]
Exodus 18:19-24 The story of Moses and Jethro is a great example of the need for organizational structure. As the story is told in Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, comes to visit. As he is visiting, he sees that Moses is serving as a judge or […]
Philippians 4:12 This week we will learn about how the impact of a negative event is so much stronger than that of a positive event. We will also consider emotions, moods, and attitudes in the workplace and how they can affect job satisfaction. As evident […]
Matthew 25:14-30 The parable of the three servants (or parable of the talents) in the New Testament has often been discussed regarding the curation of personal abilities (or talents). It is a picture of being faithful in little things according to abilities and being given increasing […]
Matthew 20:25-28 The Bible contains many stories and principles about leadership. While in modern times, Greenleaf normalized the idea of servant leadership in the business field, the principle of servant leadership is succinctly described in Matthew Chapter 20. When looking at this text there are several […]
This course has heavily focused on the leadership around communicating, sharing vision, trusting people, and being self-aware throughout all of this skill development. Implementation though … project management … ensuring the work does get done, takes an entirely new level of leadership. It is the type […]
Why would Jesus have such a great following of people? Because they deeply cared about religion? Maybe, but they weren’t exactly spending time at the temple. While the disciples of Christ were frustrated with the continual flow of stories, the crowds grew. We will learn this […]
Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 42:1; Ezekiel 2:8 We don’t think twice about having regular meals every day. And for many of us, snacks throughout the day are also common. And when we exercise (like playing basketball), we know the importance of having drinks to keep ourselves hydrated. […]
Isaiah 12:1-2 The phrase “for all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still” occurs numerous times in Isaiah 9-10. Then God’s judgment is prophesied in the last part of chapter 10, followed by the promise of the “Branch” in […]
Psalm 51:12 Saul and David were both anointed by God to be king over Israel. Both men sinned. Both men were confronted by a prophet of God to repent from their sins. That is where the similarities end. One man tried to justify his actions by […]
John 4:1-42 According to John’s Gospel, Jesus traveled during the early stages of his ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem and the surrounding regions. During this time, he conversed with Nicodemus in Jerusalem and ministered in the broader region of Judea. Upon his return to Galilee, Jesus […]
Luke 19:1-10 Near the end of a long and arduous journey from the northern region of Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus entered the ancient city of Jericho where his presence drew large crowds. Among those who sought to catch a glimpse of the famous prophet and rabbi, […]
Mark 8:27-34 In his account of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and surrounding regions, Mark records that Jesus and his disciples traveled to “the villages of Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:27 NRSV).” As they journeyed together, Jesus asked his disciples several probing questions. He began by questioning them […]
Galatians 4:4-5 One of the many challenges relating to the study of the Gospels is ascertaining how the ministry of Jesus fits into the broader scope of human history. The biblical writers were convinced that nothing in Jesus’ life was occasioned by mere happenstance. Where he […]
Ezra 7:6-10 Ezra 7:6 tells us that not only did Ezra come from a significant ancestry, he was also godly and was seeking the kingdom of God. The phrase “skilled in the law of Moses” tells us that Ezra was swift in the Scriptures. He knew […]
I Samuel 15:10-23 The life Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden of Eden before their fall was completely dependent on God’s arrangement. The numerous trees produced plenty of food, and because Adam and Eve had free access to the tree of life, they never had […]
Rather than view the historical books simply as “history”—a formal writing of what happened at a certain time in a certain place, what if we were to view these books as discussing God’s role in the lives of the people in the story? The following breakdown […]
Read Isaiah 49:1-13W The Servant, as described in Isaiah 49, will guide exiled Israel home. The interplay between the “ideal Israel” and the “nation Israel” in Isaiah 49:1-13 should leave the interpreter probing the text for what is going on in this particular context. The prophets […]
Read Luke 1:1-4 ; 2 Timothy 3:10-17; 2 Peter 1:12-21 The Bible is both a divine and human book. For instance, we know that the biblical author Luke was not an eyewitness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, Luke was used by God to write more […]
Mark 1:35-38 In this passage from Mark, the disciples relayed to Jesus that the crowds were looking for him. The expectations people had for Jesus were very high. Throughout his ministry, Jesus faced the expectations of disciples, crowds, and the religious establishment. Through it all, Jesus […]
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 Paul reminds readers in 2 Corinthians 5 that Christians have a ministry of reconciliation. Paul states, “Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should […]
Hebrews 12:1-2 One of the most encouraging aspects of Christianity is understanding that your generation is not the only generation to share the message of the Gospel. Throughout church history, we read about the multitude of believers who have gone before us, known as the great […]
Revelation 20:1-6 John writes to us that a future and final judgment is coming for Satan. Ultimate defeat and ultimate victory rest in the person and work of Christ, alone. Christians should be encouraged to look forward to the certainty of Christ’s victory and the defeat […]
I John 2:1-2 What we believe about who salvation is available for matters as we think about ministering to those around us. The question we must ask ourselves is, does Christ’s death on the cross pay for the penalty of sin for both those who believe […]
Romans 5:12-15 Sin affects and has infected us all. As pastor Conrad Mbewe said in regards to sin, “The disease is on the inside.” Passed down from Adam we stand condemned in sin. If we are honest about the fallen condition of ourselves we know that […]
I Corinthians 15:3-8 As Paul now comes to the end of the first letter he wrote to the Corinthians, he reminds them of what is most important. Paul has covered a lot of ground and touched on many theological issues and problems. His last note of […]
The only reason we know anything about God is because He has revealed Himself to us. He has done it through creation (Romans 1:20), through directly speaking to mankind (Exodus 19:3), and most dramatically by sending His Son Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Since knowing God through […]
Genesis 1:26-27 Here we find the ending of the creation narrative and an interesting declaration about the way that he has created mankind. God declares that men and women are created in the image of God. This is striking to read since to this point nothing […]
Philippians 2:9-11 Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? Over the past several years, the most common names for baby girls are Olivia and Emma. Olivia means “ancestor’s descendant,” and Emma means “universal.” The most common name for baby boys is Liam and […]
II Peter 1:19-21 The Bible is the most amazing book ever written. It is made up of sixty-six books written by forty different authors on three continents over a span of approximately 1,500 years, in three languages, and it has one theme and one message throughout. […]
Psalm 29: 9 This week, we are focusing on the power of persuasive speaking. We are studying Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and how his rich, evocative language, magnificent metaphors, and vivid imagery bring color and potency to his message. The Bible is […]
Acts 17:22-31 Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on “knowing your audience.” The Apostle Paul spent years on his missionary journeys, going from one very different cultural area to another. If he had “canned” messages, he would not have been nearly as effective at spreading […]
Matthew 18:1-5 This week, you will deliver your first speech of the course. It requires a “visual aid”: a prop or artifact to illustrate who you are, what you are like, and what you can do. As the old saying goes, “One look is worth a […]
Exodus 3 A familiar Old Testament passage tells of Moses’ experience at the Burning Bush. There, the Lord commissioned him to give what might have been the biggest or even the first speech of his life: go to Egypt and get an audience with the Pharaoh. […]
Ephesians 5:21-33 The Apostle Paul spoke clearly to those in the Ephesian Church who were married. Regardless of how we view Christian marriage, it is evident that submission is to be mutual. In Christian marriage, two people, under the Lordship of Christ, are constantly reaching toward […]
Genesis 2:18-24 Genesis 2 is about the first marriage in the history of humanity. God created Adam from the dust of the ground. They walk and talk together in the cool of the day. Yet Adam still feels lonely for someone of his own kind. God […]
Psalm 139:13-16 Let us begin our devotionals by appreciating God’s design in creating us as human beings. Regardless of whether we are male or female, single, married, divorced, a single parent—whatever our state or role, we were loved and desired by Almighty God long before we […]
1 Corinthians 15:58 The human services professional can choose several routes as a profession. However, the mindset should be one of passion and a steadfast posture. We must look at our profession as a form of ministry because that, in a sense, is what it is. […]
Proverbs 4:7 Many people begin things with very little knowledge and not surprisingly, lack of success is the result. However, one needs to stay current to be not just relevant but effective. Knowledge is information gathered, but wisdom is rightly applied knowledge. As human services professionals, […]
Leviticus 19:32, James 1:27 In popular culture, “church” can be characterized by any number of attributes: ceremonial garments, charismatic preaching, lively music, to name a few. However, the religion that is acknowledged by God is the one that assists orphans and widows in distress. In current […]
Proverbs1:7, James 3:17 Many embark on occupations or trades with little knowledge, and at times with a narcissistic point of view. Narcissists generally leave God out, because they usually think they are God. They refuse instruction and wisdom from those whom God places in their path; […]
Read Exodus 18 Judge Moses was leading the Israelites to the best of his ability. His constituents “stood around him from morning till evening” (Exodus 18:13). One can imagine the scene. What would be going through your mind if you had an issue requiring Moses’ attention, […]
1 Samuel 18:12-15 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. ABA refers to a set of principles that focus on how behaviors change and how learning takes place. This passage is very fitting for ABA, because the behaviors of the men (David […]
2 Chronicles 7:13-16 There are clear consequences that result from our behavior, or the behavior of those around us. We know that crime affects entire communities, from the victims to those who are indirectly affected by crime (i.e. we all pay higher insurance rates because of […]
2 Timothy 2:1-7 Living in grace has a strengthening effect for those who are in Jesus Christ. To be “in the world but not of the world” (John 17:16) assumes that we will continue to face trials, stress and trauma; however, the believer approaches life differently […]
Proverbs 3:5-8 Trusting in the Lord can be challenging at times, especially when life seems out of control and our standard routine is disrupted, or when traumatic events occur. It is natural to question and seek to re-balance our sense of “normal” when tragedy strikes or […]
Proverbs 9:9 In the devotional verse for this week, Scripture reminds us that instruction and teaching are very important. To teach a person striving for righteousness will help that person to grow in all things. They will grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ […]
Acts 26:24 Paul the Apostle was a man of much learning and Festus perceived him to be of great intelligence. It is humorous to reflect on this verse in light of your statistics course. Albeit, don’t worry because you most likely (ok, probably) won’t “go mad.” […]
Here we are at our last devotional of the course. It will feature how the Scripture might relate to ideas in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Albert Ellis and other cognitive behavioral therapists, believe firmly that our thoughts are what make us behave as we do. In […]
This week we will study the theories of Jung and Existentialism. Existentialism ponders the questions: “Who am I?” “What can I know?” “What should I do?” “What can I hope for?” “Where am I going?” Solomon asks these same questions in the book of Ecclesiastes. He […]
Proverbs 13:20 While we are all individuals, the people we associate with play a large role in shaping our individual character. We often take on the characteristics of the group we are in, or mimic behaviors and attitudes of those we admire. This can promote positive […]
Titus 2:6-8, Joshua 13:1, Joshua 23:1-3; 6 In these verses, we are reminded that no matter how old we are, we still have responsibilities in the Lord’s work. Paul gives Titus instructions about how to be an example in one’s teaching, speech, etc. In Joshua, we […]
Mark 9:36-37 , Psalm 127:3-5a ,Proverbs 22:6 How amazing that Jesus chose a little child to exemplify how our love and caring for children demonstrates our love for our Lord! The writer of Psalm 127 reminds us that children are a gift from God. Our love […]
Psalm 139:13-16 This passage relates very well to what we will be studying in the next five weeks. To know that the Creator of the universe knows us so intimately is such comfort. As you read the chapters on theories of development, research done on development, […]
Psalm 43:5, I Corinthians 10:3-6, I Corinthians 13:13 The Week Two devotional discussed the challenges that employees face with respect to feeling like they are forced into a job which doesn’t fully engage their talents and strengths and then left there without being given opportunities to […]
Jeremiah 1:5 , Proverbs 25:2, Ephesians 1:3-10, Philippians 2:12-13, Philippians 4:13 In an ideal world, organizational leaders would know what is good for the organization, but also what is good for each employee. They would know exactly how to recognize the unique gifts and contributions of […]
Genesis 1:26-29 , John 1:1-3 God made us unique individuals to use the gifts he gave us to do wonderful things for his glory. This involves all manner of organizational life and behavior, whether it is in a business, government, a ministry or non-profit, or something […]
In today’s high paced digital society, there so many apps and software programs that can be helpful but trying to use them all can be overwhelming and bury you even further. Start evaluating and discussing programs, email platforms etc. Now so you can begin to […]
Psalm 1, Proverbs 22:17 , Proverbs 23:12, Philippians 2:12-13 This week, we focus on the application of the course information, personally and professionally. Stage six of Crabb’s counseling model is to “plan and carry out biblical behavior.” This is, in essence, what we are focusing on […]
I Peter 1:1-12 Peter talks about the living hope that is ours through our new birth in Christ. As those who serve in the place of pastoral leadership and are involved in pastoral counseling, the ultimate message that we have to give individuals is that we […]
In John 10:1-21 , we have the words of Jesus as He talks about the Good Shepherd and His sheep. Jesus is, of course, the Good Shepherd and this passage reminds us of the tremendous love that Jesus has for us, His sheep, as He talks […]
Exodus 20:17 There are a number of Scripture passages about coveting in the Bible. Coveting basically means wanting something that belongs to someone else. God tells us in this passage not to covet anything. So, what does this have to do with ministry? Whatever type of […]
Proverbs 16:9 We all have ideas and plans for how our events, and activities should go. However, God’s sovereignty and power will prevail over everything we do. Sometimes we go to great lengths to make our plans and try to carry them out. Remember Jonah. His […]
Proverbs 16:3 As believers, we all know that committing our plans to the Lord is of the upmost importance. What does this practically look like in your planning of personal and ministry matters? Praying before we plan is definitely top on the list. Getting advice from […]
Nehemiah 1:4; 2:7-8; 11-20 When we manage and organize ministries we often want to jump right in to the “doing” of ministry. But what should come before “doing?” In the book of Nehemiah, we read about Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king, who is told that […]
Revelation 7:9 It has been said that “the only thing you can’t do in heaven is sin.” That, like many other things said about God and the Bible, is not exactly right. If sin isn’t the only thing that will not be done in heaven, then […]
Read Acts 13:1-3 and 14:26-28 The selected passages frame Barnabas and Paul’s first missionary journey, which began and ended at the church at Antioch. Notice that it was while Barnabas and Saul, who would later be called Paul, were worshipping the Lord in the context of […]
Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 28:18-20 may be the most common Bible reference Christians think of when the topic of missions is raised. Many have it, or a portion of it, memorized. Perhaps “Go into all the world” and “Make disciples of all nations” are both familiar to […]
Luke 19.1-10 We begin with a few points regarding the text. This week we want to see a shift from evangelism as “doing” to evangelism as “being.” We will examine biblical examples of evangelism as a lifestyle and how they can apply to our own marketplace […]
Matthew 9:9-13 We begin with a look at our text for this week: What mattered to Jesus were people and their relationship to God. At times, He fellowshipped with people the religious saw as undesirable. Christ calls us to do the same and there will be […]
2 Timothy 4:1-5 Coming to a close in our exploration of teaching, you will be spending some time reflecting on what you’ve learned. You will identify growth in your own life and practice some of the techniques you have learned. We leave on a note of […]
2 Timothy 3:10-17 Paul describes many elements of the teacher-learner relationship in these verses. Timothy watched Paul and observed his behavior and reaction to different kinds of situations (v 10-11). Paul points out the common features of those desiring to live a life devoted to Christ […]
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Much of 2 Corinthians is Paul’s defense of his ministry. First, he does not compartmentalize his evangelistic ministry from his disciple-making ministry. He sees them as one and the same. There is a difference, of course, in helping someone to begin the walk […]
II Timothy 2:1-13 Although the Greek words for disciple and discipleship are not used in Paul’s epistles, the concept of discipleship permeates his epistles. In fact, Paul writes two of the Pastoral Epistles to Timothy, who is described in the book of Acts as a disciple. […]
Proverbs 13:24 Ephesians. 5:23 Hebrews 12:5-11 , Ephesians 6:4 , Matthew 18:5-6 , Luke 18:15-16 , Mark 10:16 ,Matthew 21:16 Domestic Violence Many of us have experienced domestic violence either as a spouse or as a child. Even if we have not suffered physical violence ourselves, […]
Exodus 23:8 , Deuteronomy 16:18-20 , Deuteronomy 10:16-18 , Isaiah 1:23 , II Chronicles 19:7 , Jeremiah 17:9-10 , II Corinthians 5:17 The writers of Scripture lived in a world where the situation with regard to bribery was similar to that which prevailed in traditional Africa, […]
1 Kings 8 The day that Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant into the newly constructed temple in Jerusalem was one of the high points in Israel’s history. The Ark symbolized the presence of God (Exodus 25:10, 21-22) and its entry into the temple marked […]
Nehemiah 8:1-8 (ESV) By the opening of Nehemiah 8, the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt and the people of Israel were settling into towns and homes (Nehemiah 6:15, 7:73). Recognizing that a great feat had been accomplished and that God had placed the exiles (over 40,000 […]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 There are several sources of authority in ethical decision-making. For Christians, the Bible is the foundation and ultimate source. Prioritizing & choosing the Bible as the ultimate direction in biblical ethical decision-making. Questions to consider for this week’s concepts from a spiritual perspective:
Isaiah 6 , Isaiah 45 Worship and the conscience have always been interconnected. Isaiah describes for us how he saw the glory of the Lord. He saw not the fullness of the Lord’s glory but rather just the hem (“train”) of the Lord’s robe. This vision […]
Mark 8:27-29 Jesus was traveling with His disciples when He brought up the subject of His identity with them. He wanted to know who people thought He was; in other words, what the crowds were saying about His identity. After receiving various answers, He went to […]
Luke 5:1-11 , Mark 1:14-20 , Matthew 4:18-22 These passages relate to the calling of Jesus’ first disciples. With these few devoted men, the Gospel of Jesus would go into the entire world, reaching to the uttermost parts of civilization. In preparation for what Jesus had […]
Luke 10:25-37 In his book The Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight offers a perspective on the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this passage, a lawyer has approached Jesus and is asking how one might obtain eternal life. Jesus responds by focusing the lawyer’s gaze to the […]
Exodus 3:1-4:17 On the surface, Moses’ objections seem to be about himself; however, they are actually questions about God. Specifically, Moses’ objections are about the presence, identity, power, and sovereignty of God. “Who Am I?” God’s response notes that Moses’ identity is not the issue. The […]
II Samuel 11:1-12:25 , Psalm 51 One of the major aspects of this week’s material is self-examination. Psalm 51 correlates with the narrative from 2 Samuel, as it is David’s prayer in response to the events of his adultery and subsequent murder of Uriah. It should […]
Proverbs 27:6 , Matthew 16:23 , Hebrews 3:12-14 We come to the close of this course with an emphasis on “encouraging the heart.” As we seek to encourage others, there are two important truths from Scripture to keep in mind. The first is to remember that […]
John 3:28-30 , Romans 2:6-8 , Colossians 3:23-24 This week we focus on “Enabling others to act.” This sounds like a wonderful leadership approach doesn’t it? But often our hearts deceive us when we truly try to empower others and enable them to grow. We hesitate […]
Read Ephesians 6:12 One of the primary differences between the Pharisees and the Sadducees of Jesus’ day was their views on the supernatural. The Pharisees believed in the supernatural (e.g., angels and demons), and the Sadducees did not. Animism is a religious framework that is supremely […]
Read Jeremiah 10:5-6 This is an interesting passage that directly challenges polytheism. Here, Jeremiah explains the reality of the idols that are worshipped by the surrounding nations. To wit, idols cannot speak, they cannot walk, they cannot do evil, and they cannot do good. In other […]
Read Psalm 96: 1-5; Acts 17:24 In this passage (and many others) the writer argues for monotheism. Not only does the Psalmist extol the virtues of the one true and living God, in this passage, he also emasculates polytheism when he writes, “For all the gods […]
Read Genesis 1:1 The Bible opens with a simple fact claim: “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” The author doesn’t attempt to support the existence of God, he simply declares God’s existence and action as the starting point of reality. The belief in […]
I Chronicles 29:1-20 Though King David didn’t live long enough to see the temple of God built, he was very integral in its planning and funding. Our passage gives us a valuable example of how to present and convey vision in a Fundraising presentation. Also, we […]
Nehemiah 2:1-20 Nehemiah was tasked with the monumental job of leading the rebuilding of the walls and gates of the city of Jerusalem. While we typically give Nehemiah credit for being a tremendous leader during this project, and rightfully so, what stands out just as much […]
I Timothy 5:17-18 While instructing Timothy, his beloved son in the ministry, regarding the proper administration of the church and her workers, Paul turned his attention to the financial support of the elders, or those who minister to, and, in the church on a full-time basis. […]
2 Samuel 11:1-2; Ephesians 6:10-20 If one was to ask any missionary about spiritual warfare, especially one who is serving in a place where the Gospel does NOT have a stronghold, they would surely have some stories to tell. The fact is that Peter accurately described […]
Acts 13:16-41 For those who have answered God’s call to minister in a cross-cultural setting, it undoubtedly didn’t take them long to realize that they weren’t in Kansas anymore! (The Wizard of Oz, 1939). To be successful in any cross-cultural ministry setting, particularly when planting a […]
Acts 13:2; Acts 16:6-10 Anyone who has been in ministry for any length of time has asked a question like this: “How do I know if _______is God’s will for my life?” This question almost always comes in the form of determining whether God is calling […]
2 Kings 18:13-37 In this account, the Assyrians are attempting to conquer all of Judah, including Jerusalem. Though the names may be challenging for English speakers, the details are fascinating. In short, the Assyrians have been very successful in sacking the cities of Judah, except for […]
John 4:1-45 In this passage the Samaritan woman illustrates how worldview shapes a community, including social behaviors of insiders, expectations of outsiders, and the community’s religious beliefs. This story presents a clash of cultures between Samaritans and Jews, which is evidenced in a variety of ways. […]
2 Corinthians 11:24-28 In his second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul includes a list of sufferings he underwent during his effort to take the gospel to ends of the earth. Spend some time thinking through that list. Imagine yourself in those circumstances. Feel the […]
Acts 13:1-3 In these verses we see what is often referred to as the beginning of missions. Paul and Barnabas were serving in the church at Antioch, when the Spirit directed that they be set apart “for the work to which I have called them” (Acts […]
Luke 2:25-32 Many of us have experienced someone who made a promise, but never kept it. Someone gave a hope or expectation that never materialized. Depending on the size of the expectation, you may have dismissed the let down as “no big deal” or you might […]
I Timothy 4:12 Many times, people believe that maturity has to do with a person’s age. They think that if you are older it automatically means that you are more mature. Although your age can indicate maturity, age does not always mean that the person is […]
Jeremiah 1:5 God spoke these words to the prophet Jeremiah when He first called him into the ministry. They are fascinating to read and point to an amazing truth about God and all of us: Before we ever existed, God had an amazing thought… and decided […]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)(opens in a new tab) [copy and paste from Word doc]
Genesis 16:1-16; 21:1-21 Both Ishmael and Isaac received promises from God. Many times, Christians forget the promise God made concerning Ishmael. To properly understand the Covenant God made with Isaac, we ought to digest the significance of God’s promise to Ishmael as well.
Titus 3:1-15; Ephesians 2:8-10 These verses comprise Paul’s final instructions to Titus, the pastor and overseer of the Christian churches on the island of Crete. They focus on the life the believers lived before the kindness of God appeared, and the life they should live after […]
Proverbs 1:8-33 Large-scale social issues like the ones listed above remind us of our desperate need for godly wisdom as we sort them out in our biblical worldview, and adopt a posture towards them in our personal, work, and church life. As you read Proverbs 1, […]
Philippians 2:1-4 , Matthew 9:35-38 Last week we explored the motivation of love in communication. This week we will focus on the action of compassion. Leadership involves relationships with others. How we interact with others reveals our character. During our devotional time, we will turn […]
Romans 12:18 , Romans 14:19 , Ephesians 2:14-18 During this course, the devotions have addressed the motivation of love and the action of compassion. “Peace” is the focus of this week’s devotion. We learn from the Bible of the importance of peacemaking. The members of the […]
Matthew 20:26-28 Someone once said, “No one stands as tall as when they kneel to help someone.” If you want to be a great leader, you must learn how to serve. In a society where people seem to be focused on themselves, serving others can be […]
I Thessalonians 5:11 , II Corinthians 13:11 As a ministry leader, being an encourager means that even though you may have doubt or anxiety in your mind, your words and actions always point to God and what he is doing in your midst. Many times, situations […]
Psalm 141:3-4 This week we focus on high level communication as leaders seek to implement changes in their organizations. This same heart attitude manifests itself in organizational dynamics in troubling ways. Leaders are great at seeing the big picture of the organization (hopefully). They understand the […]
Read Psalm 105:4 As you think about this our first week and the material to be covered, take time to consider the importance of people and how Christ has called us to love one another. Most importantly, as we look to the Lord for His strength, […]
John 16:33 Jesus recruited His volunteer staff and made them disciples. He taught them to be confidently strong in the power of our Heavenly Father. In John 16:33, Jesus shared that, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” […]
Deuteronomy 25:5-10 The law of Levirate marriage, outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, was given by God specifically to Israel. Since Israelites were forbidden to marry those outside the nation of Israel (exogamous marriage), God instituted this means of extending the nation of Israel into future generations. When […]
Luke 14:7-11 In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, Jesus gives a message about humility. He also reveals a bit about the social structure of his day. In this parable he warns the guests not to sit in the seats of honor in case someone more […]
Daniel 1:1-16 These sixteen verses illustrate the way culture is all around us, whether we are talking about deities (vs. 2), literature and language (vs. 4), foods (vs. 5), or any host of other elements of culture. In this opening chapter, Daniel – of the lion’s […]
Matthew 4:18-20 ; Matthew 7:24-27 ; Acts 9:1-16 ; Hebrews 9:27 One of the basic principles of historic Baptists is the idea of Freedom of Conscience or also known as Individual Soul Liberty. This is the clear teaching of the Scriptures that each individual soul is […]
2 Peter 1:16-21 and 2 Peter 3:1-18 The Apostle Peter, early on in his second inspired letter (epistle), speaks about the fact that Christianity is not some myth someone manufactured. In fact, he points out that he was an eyewitness of the “majesty” of Jesus Christ. […]
Matthew 16:18 ; Matthew 18:17 In these verses we are introduced to the term church. In the Greek, the term is ecclesia means a called-out assembly. But the New Testament use of ecclesia has a unique and distinct meaning. Although there are a few NT references […]
Genesis Chapters 1-3 This portion of the Bible is foundational. It describes an historical event–CREATION! It is the TRUTH about how the world began. The “beginning” began with God. God is eternal, so He was there before all that we see around us ever existed! This […]
John 14:1-6 At this point in the Gospel of John, Jesus is with the disciples in the Upper Room the night He will be arrested. He will soon be crucified. What we read in this passage of Scripture is some of Jesus’ final teaching of His […]
I Samuel 19:9-10 , Matthew 8:28-33 These passages have sparked debates among some Christians as to whether psychological disorders are caused by “evil spirits” or “demon possession.” In some circles, exorcism still takes place. As students, we can work through difficulties using both scriptural concepts and […]
Romans 12:1 , Philippians 4:8 These two passages are vital to the power of thinking in one’s life. Romans 12 says our minds must be transformed by the power of Christ; this will, in turn, help us to no longer conform to this world. In the […]
Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 12 Learning is something that takes place every day throughout our lifetime. We learn through verbal and non-verbal messages; we learn through observation. God has created us with a brain that is unlimited in capacity. First and foremost, we are told to live out […]
Psalm 139:13-16 The principles in the first workshop emphasize first of all how God has gifted some men and women in knowing what and how to research. We could just use “common sense,” but often this falls short of what research actually is. Scientific research allows […]
Deuteronomy 8:17-18, I Samuel 31-II Samuel 1, Psalm 75:7 Luke 1:52, Psalm 14:1-4, Daniel 2:21-22 These references (long and short) describe or comment on the certainty of change even when rule and order seem certain and unmovable. No nation is infallible or permanent. Whatever systems and […]
Genesis 1:26-28, Matthew 25:14-30, and Proverbs 31 Humans were commanded to reproduce humans (be fruitful and multiply), to cultivate and subdue (grow a harvest, not destroy) the earth, and to have dominion (rule productively over the creation). As history has progressed, different cultures, even if differing […]
Psalm 67:2 From country to country, healthcare delivery systems can look very different. But what remains constant, whether you are an American or a Spaniard, is the “want” to provide healthcare to all. You have opportunity this week to see how your counterparts in the healthcare […]
Proverbs 3:5-6 It is a hectic world and healthcare is challenging, especially if you are a manager or administrator. It is good to know that we have divine assurance: if we submit to the Lord and his ways, he promises to direct our paths. At the […]
II Corinthians 4:16 St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive!” There is power to a person’s life as they are “renewed day by day.” The scriptures promise an aliveness that continues to grow, even as our physical bodies grow old and […]
Romans 12: 2 The Greek word suschematizo (which can be translated “conforming to an external pattern”) means to personally mold yourself according to the pattern of this world. Another way to translate “pattern” is “matrix.” J.C. Ryle put it this way: “This verb speaks of an […]
Job 12:7-10 When we see the beauty of the earth and the amazing landscapes that are around the world, we know that God created these down to the finest detail. He also created the processes that allow for these features to be continually changing and renewed. […]
Psalm 46:2 This week we will talk about how the Earth’s crust subducts into the Earth and how it is pushed together to build mountains. One of the greatest places for subduction is the Mariana trench. A subduction zone is a place where one of the […]
Psalms 60:2 The earth is broken into plates that move over the layers of the Earth. Here we see that God is the one who broke the earth into these pieces and created the processes that make them move—affecting all the things we are going to […]
Isaiah 65:17 Our world continues to grow and change. As stewards of the environment, God trusts us to take care of the natural resources He has given us. However, people have often strayed from God’s way for them, and we see this in the overuse and […]
Genesis 1: 26-28 In the book of Genesis, God told Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” He gave humans dominion over the earth, and He blessed them. God designed people to be leaders, and trusted them to care […]
Job 12:7-8 Today’s world seems far removed from that of the Old Testament. The widespread use of technology as a part of everyday life focuses our attention on things that supposedly make our lives easier. In reality, they entangle us in endless webs of busyness and […]
Genesis 1:31-2:1 Imagine what it must have been like when God created the heavens and the earth and all the living and nonliving things in it. What would it have been like to be there as our God flung the stars across the heavens? How awesome […]
Romans 5:12, 19 , Colossians 3:11 One man, all sin; one man, all saved. Death through Adam, life through Christ. The very foundation of Christianity is based upon this revelation described by Paul. There are multiple cultures, multiple languages, but only one people. This is further […]
2 Peter 3:1-6 It is easy to get so caught up with living in this world that we begin to start thinking like the world thinks. Peter warns us to maintain a pure mind based on the word of God. One method suggested to accomplish this […]
Daniel 1:4 (ESV) We will begin our fourth week with a biblical principle related to the importance of learning. The concept of understanding learning, in this context, means that they were very well educated. In this situation, the Jewish prisoners, including Daniel, were able to be […]
We will begin our last week stepping back with a bigger view of what the Bible actually is: a collection of many types of writing. We have letters, stories, literature, poetry, law, and so much more bundled up and presented to us from God. We will […]
Genesis 1:1 We will begin our third week with a biblical principle related to beginnings. In God’s book, the Bible, the first book is aptly named “Beginning” or “Genesis.” The first verse is short, concise, and to the point. God did not write Genesis, or the […]
Nehemiah 8:13 (AMP) We begin our third week with a biblical principle related to studying with a mind towards critical thinking. Nehemiah 8:13 (AMP) tells us, “On the second day, all the heads of fathers’ houses, with the priests and Levites, gathered to Ezra the scribe […]
2 Timothy 2:15 We begin our second week with a biblical principle related to academic ethics. II Timothy 2:15 (ESV) tells us to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the […]
Matthew 25:25 We will begin our first week with a biblical principle related to improving ourselves despite our fears. Matthew 25:25 (ESV) tells us “so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.” If you […]
Daniel 1:4 (ESV) We will begin our fourth week with a biblical principle related to the importance of learning. The concept of understanding learning, in this context, means that they were very well educated. In this situation, the Jewish prisoners, including Daniel, were able to be […]
I Timothy 3:5 (ESV) We begin our third week with a biblical principle related to managing our own life. The context of this verse is a message from Paul to Timothy about proper leadership in the church. Paul tells Timothy that an individual who could not […]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) Starting each week’s focus with a spiritual element helps us develop a mindset that God should be at the start of all our endeavors. You are already on a path to expand your knowledge to include other students’ experiences and perspectives, and to […]
Daniel 1:4 (ESV) We will begin our fourth week with a biblical principle related to the importance of learning. The concept of understanding learning, in this context, means that they were very well educated. In this situation, the Jewish prisoners, including Daniel, were able to be […]
I Timothy 3:5 (ESV) We begin our third week with a biblical principle related to managing our own life. The context of this verse is a message from Paul to Timothy about proper leadership in the church. Paul tells Timothy that an individual who could not […]
NOTE: Throughout your program, as you complete devotionals and discussions with classmates, consider how these are similar to Bible studies, Sunday school discussions, and other ministry discussions. This is an opportunity for you to practice your ability to “reason together” as Isaiah noted. It is an […]
Matthew 25:14-30 Commonly called the Parable of the Talents (talents being the term used by the King James translators, or “bags of silver” by more modern translators), it could just as easily be called the Parable of Capitalism. Described here are two difficult realities within a […]
“Money, money, money, money . . . mon – ey” These are the first five words of For the Love of Money by the O’Jays. Click here to listen to the entire song by the O’Jays. You may or may not like the O’Jays’ style, but […]
Read James 3: 2 Depending on your Bible translation, all of us offend, make mistakes, stumble, or get tripped up, in many ways. If a person NEVER fails in what he says, then he or she is perfect in every way. The Bible gives the answer–the […]
Read Psalm 119:104 , Exodus 20:15-17 , Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 12:18-20 All the scripture passages above reveal the Lord’s will for honest and fitting speech. Psalm 119 is an extended poem, an acrostic, about the beauty and benefit of God’s word. Almost any possible challenge or […]
Luke 20:25 In these verses, Jesus is asked a question by the Pharisees who were trying to find a legal reason to arrest Him for teaching false doctrine. Jesus, knowing their true motives, answered their question with truth that could not be misunderstood or challenged. They […]
John 21:15-17 In these three verses of John 21, Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep” three times, and each had a specific meaning. The first time Jesus told Peter to “feed his sheep”, He was describing how lambs need continual tending. The second time Jesus […]
Colossians 2:8 In this passage, we learn that Paul is instructing the Christians at Colossae to be aware of false prophets who teach vain philosophies that contrast with God’s truth. The Colossae Christians were adding to the scripture using teachings of false prophets. They were adding […]
2 Timothy 3:1-9 This is a difficult passage to read. The traits of such individuals are longstanding, self-defeating in their self-interest, marked by turbulent relationships with others, and causing pain to others. Such individuals within the church, especially if they are in positions of leadership, can […]
Hebrews 4:14-16 In this beautiful passage, we learn that while Jesus is our high priest, he is not a distant one and, in fact, he empathizes with us in our weakness and suffering. Moreover, he also understands the many ways, often unhealthy, we try to avoid […]
Lamentations 3:1-24 Deuteronomy 28:27-29 2 Thessalonians 2:11 As you read these three passages, reflect on how the passage in Lamentations describes the symptoms of anxiety and depression, whereas the passages in Deuteronomy and 2 Thessalonians seem to describe a thought disorder, specifically, a psychotic disorder. Consider […]
Romans 12:4-5 ,Romans 15:1-3 ,1 Peter 2:21-25 ,Hebrews 3:12-14 ,Hebrews 4:11 Part of strategic management is the leader’s role in implementation. In the end, leaders need to make sure things get done. But a worldly perspective can make it seem that the job has to be […]
Matthew 28:19 ,Luke 12:30-34 ,John 3:16 ,John 7:38-39 ,I Timothy 6:10 ,II Peter 3:9 The Bible is clear that we are to be passionate about spreading the Gospel. Taking a class that focuses on international business could be a good way to think about our calling […]
Genesis 1:26 Colossians 3:15-17 God is a God of wisdom, truth, order, grace, and beauty. Part of worshiping him is acknowledging those attributes and delighting in them. And in turn, God encourages us to emulate those same attributes as we go through our lives. After […]
Matthew 6:12 In this chapter of Matthew, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. He makes a point of making the prayer short and instructs them to also stay on point. Included in His brief instructional prayer is verse 12 that relates our forgiveness from […]
I Timothy 6:10 The love of money has led to the public downfall of many in the financial industry. Looking at some recent headlines, we could get a list of names of people in the finance industry who have been lured into unethical behavior in their […]
Deuteronomy 8:18, II Thessalonians 3:6-15 A disciplined life takes planning and hard work. In this II Thessalonians passage, the Apostle Paul sets himself up as an example of leading a disciplined life through a strong work ethic. Paul goes so far as to suggest anyone not […]
Luke 19:1-10 In this passage, Luke tells us about a time when Jesus was ministering to a large crowd of people. Jesus became aware of a certain man in the crowd and in his omniscience was aware that Zacchaeus was receptive to what Jesus was saying. […]
Over the past few weeks, we have learned a lot about how the world is changing through the evolution and infiltration of technology. It is an understatement to say that we live in a different world than the one that is talked about in scripture. However, […]
Matthew 10:29-31 All science is beautiful, whether it’s ornithology, zoology, botany, meteorology, or astronomy. When you go outside to reflect, it’s a hard choice whether to look at the birds, the clouds, the animals, the trees, or the night sky! Many Christians, however, have a negative […]
Matthew 5:1-16 We the people of the United States of America in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and […]
Read the article titled Management, which is from a biblical viewpoint. As you can see from the verses in this article, the Bible has a lot to say about management. This week’s devotional references three management principles or practices: There are also two criteria given for […]
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,and all these things will be added to you.Matthew 6:33 Jesus spoke these words to His disciples but before He did, he told them not to worry about anything, not what to eat or what to wear, […]
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.I Timothy 6:10 This is one of the most misquoted Scriptures. How often have you heard people say, “Money is the root of all evil.” They usually don’t know it came from the Bible. […]
Numbers 30:2 When you make a promise to another person, you should keep it. We can all agree on that. When someone has made you a promise and breaks it, we can all agree that you will feel justifiably wronged and betrayed. When a friend or […]
Ephesians 4:32 Imagine one of your employees has been negligent in a way that caused damages to another person or entity for which your business is now liable. We are not talking about a deliberate wrong being committed against someone or something, but an honest mistake. […]
Mark 4:21-22 Over and over again you will see in the area of finance people trying to cover up financial indiscretions and eventually getting caught. Most of those people did not start off their career thinking about cheating and stealing. Over the course of time, they […]
Luke 6:47-49 Jesus related the principles of His kingdom to the masses by relaying common comparisons that would allow them to grasp the greater concepts. He shows a great understanding of our natural world as it relates to the building of a strong house in […]
II Timothy 2:5-6 In his letter to Timothy, Paul is giving instructions regarding the character attributes of a believer. He is using metaphors to assist Timothy in understanding the principles of following Christ. He uses examples of an athlete and a farmer to demonstrate the rewards […]
Acts 1:8 (opens in a new tab) Globalism is certainly not new. It was an original concept in the heart and mind of God. Long before “Made in Japan” or “Made in China” ever appeared on the shelves of retailers across America, God was planning a […]
Exodus 20:17 & I Timothy 6:10 Whenever anyone tells you that it isn’t about the money, mark it down in your daily journal. It is, in one form or the other, always about the money. While money in and of itself is little more than a […]
Matthew 25:14-29 It would be hard to find a more classic, biblical example of the use and, yes, the misuse of capital than what this Scripture provides. To be sure, the underlying principle here is a spiritual one; however, Jesus again and again uses financial principles […]
Matthew 13: 24-30 Whenever we think of an economy, we typically think of a person’s or a nation’s wealth creating machine. The truth is that an economy is much more pervasive than merely “a system of producing, distributing, and consuming wealth” (YourDictionary.com) It’s “the restrained or […]
I Peter 3:15 & Jude 3-4 In both texts, I Peter 3:15 and Jude verses 3 and 4, the Bible commands us to defend the faith. In 1 Peter 3:15, the apostle writes to Christians exhorting them to sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts (i.e. […]
Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 28:18-20 may be the most common Bible reference Christians think of when the topic of missions is raised. Many have it, or a portion of it, memorized. Perhaps “Go into all the world” and “Make disciples of all nations” are both familiar to […]
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 As Paul’s ministry expands, we often see him defending himself against false accusations and false teachers. Although He makes plenty of references in his writings to his authority as an apostle and the special knowledge he received directly from Christ, he always reverts […]
Ephesians 2:8-10 In Ephesians 2:8-10 is a spiritual truth that brings us believers both comfort and hope. God Himself, in a personal act unique to each of us, is reaching into our lives and working. His work begins even before we respond to Christ in faith, […]
Romans 12:1-2 The book of Romans is full of important doctrines and principles for living the Christian life. Martin Luther, the great Reformer, found his life transformed by the studying of this book – and that changed the world forever, reviving the truth of the Gospel. […]
Read the books of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon. Focus particularly on the following verses: Philippians 1:12-20, 29-30; Colossians 1:29; Acts 14:22 Jesus himself said, “In the world you have tribulation…” (John 16:33). Suffering is to be expected in the fallen world we live in. No […]
Read all of Romans, with special attention to the following verses: Romans 3:10,20,23,21-22,24-25,27; 4:4-5,16,20-21; 5:1-2,8,15; Ephesians 2:8-10 The period of time known as the Protestant Reformation that swept through Europe in the 16th century resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism. The […]
Acts 9:1-22, Acts 22:6-11; Acts 26:9-20 & Romans 1:16-17 The account of Paul’s conversion from a devout Jew who violently persecuted Christians, to a devout Christian who fearlessly worked at spreading the Gospel even in the face of opposition is found three times in the book […]
In week 5 of our course, our goal is to appreciate the practical nature of Paul’s argument in Romans, especially as it relates to our interactions with fellow believers. We also want to value the opportunities that we each have for service to God. When teaching […]
In week 4 of our course, we want to appreciate the faithfulness of God despite Israel’s rejection of gifted righteousness by faith. For our devotional this week, read Romans 9-11 and consider how this section of the letter fits into the argument of the letter? What […]
In week 1 of our course on Romans, our goal is to understand the problem of sin, particularly as it relates to the context of Romans. Understanding the problem of sin is a prerequisite for understanding the gospel about Jesus Christ. For instance, we have all […]
Zechariah 3:1-10 The setting for this vision takes place during the return to Jerusalem of a remnant of Jews during the time of the exile. Israel had lost their most precious possession, the Promised Land, due to their constant unfaithfulness evidenced through idol worship during the […]
Romans 10:1-13 In this passage, Paul refers to a place in Deuteronomy where God tells Israel that the Law is not impossible to keep and that He would help those with the right attitude to do so by faith. While not promising a sin-free experience, God […]
Hebrews 11:1-2 Numerous religious beliefs attempt to explain how one can establish a meaningful relationship with God. Essential to the Christian faith are two unique teachings: 1) each person is born with a sinful nature that separates him or her from God; and 2) God provides […]
Matthew 28 Resurrection! The most remarkable miracle in all history happened when Jesus, by His own power, was resurrected from the dead! On that first Sunday after His crucifixion, Jesus came out of the tomb in resurrection power. God, in human form, came back to life […]
John 11:11-46 As we will discover, the miracles that Jesus performed were supernatural signs that demonstrated He truly was from God. Only God could do the miraculous actions that Jesus regularly performed, and they served to validate His divinity. In His itinerant ministry, Jesus developed friends […]
Luke 2:1-6 Although we often read this familiar passage at Christmas time, we can quickly move past the historical significance of the setting with the first Roman Emperor–Caesar Augustus–because we want to get to the birth story about Jesus. However, the given name of this initial […]
Luke 2:1-6 Although we often read this familiar passage at Christmas time, we can quickly move past the historical significance of the setting with the first Roman Emperor–Caesar Augustus–because we want to get to the birth story about Jesus. However, the given name of this initial […]
Matthew 2:1-15 There are 66 books of the Bible we highly recommend! But all these books tell one cohesive story. There is an organic unity to these individual books. This is because of the Divine Author, namely God, who has superintended the whole canonical process. This […]
2 Timothy 2:14-19 Interpreting Scripture requires diligent effort on the part of the Biblical interpreter. With respect to this, read 2 Timothy 2:14-19 and meditate on Paul’s words to Timothy. This week in Advanced Hermeneutics, we will consider the discipline of exegesis and its role within […]
Psalm 139 ; 2 Timothy 3:16 Read through this Psalm in three different versions out loud. Contemplate these questions. This psalm was written as a progression of four distinct thoughts. Each thought is grouped in six verses. The progression of the psalmist’s thoughts is A) God, […]
Luke: 2:7; Mark 14:14; Luke 10:34; Genesis 42:27; Genesis 43:21 Words matter. And in scripture we must understand that words make a difference. Take for example the word that we translate as “Inn” in Luke’s gospel, chapter 2 and verse 7. The word translated as […]
Luke 13:1-9 The passage begins with Jesus asking questions regarding people’s sin. Is one person worse than another? If not, what does that mean for us? The passage ends with the parable of the fig tree that is not bearing fruit. The picture is of a […]
A common theme of the Bible is “Seeing Jesus.” While it is easy for us to assume we are seeing Jesus in the Gospels, he is also seen in the other books as well. Seeing Jesus became the foundation for the disciples’ faith as well as […]
Isaiah 6 Isaiah is called to be a prophet while worshiping in the Temple about the year 740 B.C. In verses 1-7 of this chapter, Isaiah experiences a Vision of the thrice Holy God. He sees only the train of the Lord’s robe and is immediately […]
Psalm 1 Psalm 1 is both poetry and wisdom. How is the wise person described? The behavior of the wise man is based on the Law of the Lord. He delights in the Law and meditates on it constantly. The reward of the wise man is […]
Acts 1:8 and Acts 2 In Acts 1:8, we have the account where Jesus commands His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they have been empowered from on high by the Holy Spirit. The verse also describes the task of taking the gospel to the nations […]
Exodus 35-40 These chapters record the obedience of God’s people and their active participation in the worship of their God. God is glorified when His people properly worship Him. This has been a consistent theme throughout this course. Right from Exodus chapter 3:12, at the call […]
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 From your Old Testament study, you know that this passage includes the ringing Shema (6:4-5), Israel’s daily prayer: Listen, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone! It’s called the Shema because of the first word in the prayer, translated in English as […]
Luke 10:1-2 These verses speak of why we’re doing what we’re doing this week: meeting with groups of saints and experimenting with how to make Bible teaching as active and collaborative as possible. First, note Jesus’ statement “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” […]
I Timothy 4:6-16 We have begun the hard work of sermon preparation. You have called on your skills in hermeneutics and applied them to a passage of Scripture to draw out the idea found in the text. As we continue the work, you will add skills […]
Luke 24:13-35 Here we see that when Jesus opened the Scriptures, it was memorable and moving to His listeners. They found His teaching so compelling that they told others all about it! In the same way, we want our preaching to be memorable and move others […]
Matthew 16:13-20 It is easy to forget that the church of Jesus Christ is the institution promised would be successful in the world. We watch as the world turns around us in chaos but all the while we have confidence that Christ’s words are true. The […]
2 Corinthians 2:12-17 This scripture offers a word of comfort to preachers that they are not on their own. Their sufficiency comes from God, who commissioned them.A preacher’s confidence is in God, not himself. Not one of us is “sufficient for these things” on our own. […]
I Peter 1:25 Sin has created a condition in life called change. When people are younger the thrill of change drives much of their life. As people age, routine often becomes the driving force. Regardless of age, change is a part of our very being. It […]
Philippians 2:3-11 Paul wants Christians to become like Christ in humility (2:3). They are to become like Jesus who humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (2:8). Paul aspires to participate in Christ’s sufferings, becoming like Him in his death (3:10). Although […]
John 3:16-17 The difference between perishing and living, and between condemnation and salvation, is faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus could well have come to this world as a judge and destroyed every rebellious sinner. Rather in love, He came to this world as our Savior, and […]
Colossians 1:15-23 Jesus Christ is God, and He did what no mere man could ever do: reconcile lost sinners to a holy God. When the first man and woman sinned, they declared war on God, but God did not declare war on them. Instead, God provided […]
Psalm 139:13-16 The Scriptures are clear that God is the one who has created man. God is so intimately involved in the creation of man that the psalmist states that he formed his inward parts. God is not aloof in the creation of humans, but in […]
Romans 5:12-15 Sin affects, and has infected, us all. As pastor Conrad Mbewe said regarding sin: “The disease is on the inside.” We stand condemned due to the sin nature which was passed down from Adam. If we are honest about the fallen condition of our […]
Romans 5:8 The greater context of this verse reveals the overwhelming power contained in it. Paul emphasizes the fact that even if you and I would possibly die for a righteous man, we would never die for an unrighteous one. However, Christ died for sinners even […]
1 John 2:1-2 Our belief that salvation is available for all people matters as we think about ministering to those around us. The question we must ask ourselves is this, ‘Did Christ’s death on the cross pay the penalty of sin for both those who believe, […]
Galatians 1:6-9 Churches and ministry leaders are often worried about threats that come from outside of the church. They read books and blogs and lead discussion groups about the imminent threats that culture is presenting. These are real and pressing issues that face the church but […]
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul talks about the reality of the rapture as a sure and fixed event. It was a source of great hope for the Thessalonians. Paul wrote that Christ was not going to leave his people on this earth forever, but that he would […]
1 Corinthians 12:12 Within every organization, each associate has his or her own unique strengths which contribute to the success of the greater whole. This concept is very much like the church and the scriptural comparison to the body of Christ. Each part needs to respect […]
Romans 12 Romans Chapter 12 has been referred to as the “Will of God” chapter. Reoccurring themes throughout this familiar Scripture are mutual respect, harmony with all, and love for one another. This chapter reminds us what it would be like to live in a world […]
Read: Romans 12:1-3 Romans 12:1-3 calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is our true and proper worship. It urges us not to conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing […]
Exodus 25 and 32 Worship of God is the main theme of the book of Exodus. God told Moses at the time of Moses’ call that when he had brought the people out of Egypt, they should worship God on the mountain of God(Exodus 3:12). In […]
Exodus 20; 15:22-18:27 In Chapter 20, God’s people get the Moral Law. In the other chapters indicated, we have the record of the Wilderness Experience. The moral law is captured and summarized in the 10 commandments of God. Moreover, the commandments may further be categorized in […]
Exodus 3, 14-15 Chapter 3 records Moses’ call while Chapters 14 and 15 record the dramatic deliverance of God’s people and their victory respectively. God’s intention has always been and will always be to redeem a people for Himself. A careful reading of the chapters will […]
Exodus 11-12 (giving particular attention to the following: 11:4-7; 12:7-14, 21-27, 51). Chapter 11-12 of Exodus tells the story of one of the greatest events in the history of God’s people: the Exodus. It is the story of Yahweh’s deliverance of the nation of Israel out […]
If I declare at the beginning of class that today’s subject is a “trunk,” what will be the heart of our discussion? Will it be the nose of an elephant, a torso, the back of a Buick, the base of a birch, or the attic […]
Please read the following scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul wrote to the young man Timothy to encourage his study of the Bible. These Sacred Scriptures are sufficient for life, ministry and as the eternal message. The Bible is without error as the inspired Word of God. […]
Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV) One of the most heartfelt prayers recorded in the New Testament is found in Colossians 1:9-14. In this text, we have the opportunity to peak into the prayer life of the Apostle Paul. His words are both an inspiration to pray for others […]
There are many leaders in the Bible we have learned from during the 15 months of this program. None of them, except Jesus, were perfect. All had faults that often taught more about God and about leaders. But God used them all for His purposes. […]
I Peter 3:15 If we remember the overall context of 1 Peter, we know that Peter is writing to believers that are scattered abroad in the midst of a hostile culture that wants, at some level, nothing to do with Christianity. If they cannot get the […]
Read Genesis 39:1-22 We sometimes think that if we do what is right, all will be well. In the short term, this is often not the case. The story above is proof positive that sometimes, we pay a dear price for maintaining our integrity. Joseph finds […]
I Corinthians 6:9-11 “A corporate ethics program is made up of values, policies and activities which impact the propriety of organization behaviors.” –Stephen Brenner Ethics and moral behavior in business is declining. The government has written laws defining operational procedures to improve the ethics within […]
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 This week you will be discovering how quality is integrated into the operations process. Producing a quality product or service is typically demanded in the workplace by a variety of stakeholders. Quality in the Christian life also has many stakeholders; God being the most […]
Amos 3:2 If you have ever watched Spiderman, you may remember the line, “With great power comes great responsibility!”. Our verse for today has a similar thought that can be phrased like this: “With great privilege comes great responsibility.” Israel was held to a higher standard […]
I Timothy 4:6-16 Paul’s relationship with Timothy is often compared to that of a father/son, and in this passage, he gives Timothy fatherly advice as to how to live and what to believe – and then suggests that he teach these things to others even though […]
Genesis 37 Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see many scriptures that speak to leadership development. We see God giving personal attention to His children as he orchestrates events in their lives for maximum growth. He raises up leaders at times under happy circumstances. At […]
“Dude, you’re bad.” That used to mean the dude is not good. Now it basically means the opposite. “Shut-up!” That used to be reserved for only the most extreme situations and generally was demeaning in tone. Now the phrase is similar to an exclamation or shock. […]
II Timothy 1:13-14 It seems as if we are ministering in days where the landscape never stops shifting. The monumental strides our culture has taken toward accepting practices that are incompatible with Scripture seem to grow with each passing day. Add to this the many instances […]
I Corinthians 6:19-20 God the Father created our bodies; God the Son redeemed them and made them part of His body; and God the Spirit indwells our bodies and makes them the very temple of God. How can you defile God’s temple by using your body […]
Jeremiah 17:9 ,Proverbs 4:19 ,Proverbs 26:16 ,Proverbs 28:13-14 ,Mark 7:21-13 ,II Corinthians 4:6 ,Hebrews 4:12-13 Internal and external analyses are a vital part of any business strategy. They are also important in terms of our Christian life. The Bible is quick to warn us to […]
When we talk about leadership, what better example do we have than the leadership Christ provided to his disciples? If you have ever been in a leadership position, you realize that even though you have a leadership style that you prefer to use, often different […]
Haggai 1:6 This week we look at macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, inflation, unemployment, and savings and how they measure the overall health of the economy. In this reading from Haggai, the people of God had returned from captivity to Jerusalem for the purpose of rebuilding […]
Genesis 1:1-31 Genesis 1 provides a look at “the beginning.” When it comes to physical and life sciences, this passage describes God’s role as the Creator of our physical universe, as well as the creation of life itself. God, the Creator, was present before “the beginning” […]
Micah 6:6-8 As we think about our personal ethics, pleasing God, and doing the right thing, we must remember that God has already revealed to us what His will is. According to this passage, the greatest sacrifices do not please God. What pleases God is, as […]
Where do you find your motivation for sharing your faith? There are many possible motivations. Guilt-feelings can motivate for a little while. So can the passion of a charismatic leader. Duty is sometimes a very good motivator. What is your motivation? Paul was very clear about […]
Philippians 1:6 This week we will consider the role of project management within the operations process. Operations is an ongoing daily routine while projects have a beginning and an end. Salvation is a routine that doesn’t instantaneously result in a perfect Christian life. Your relationship with […]
Acts 5:17-42 The Bible contains numerous examples of men and women of faith who exhibited great courage in times of significant opposition. One thinks of individuals such as King David and Esther. David famously stood up against a terrifying warrior, and, against all odds, achieved a […]
Matthew 24:36-39;42,44 The disciples wanted to know when Jesus would begin His kingdom and when the end of time would come. He gives them a visual: the time before the flood. It is said that history repeats itself, and to know the past is to understand […]
Luke 10:25-37 The story of the Good Samaritan” is familiar to many Christians. However, while they see many of the obvious and even not-so-obvious elements in the story, many do not recognize that the story illustrates cross-cultural ministry opportunities for themselves. In the story, we usually […]
1 Timothy 1:5 (opens in a new tab) With this devotional we begin to explore how to teach effectively and pass on the Christian faith to those around us. It is interesting that the notes within the ESV Study Bible suggest replacing the word “aim” with […]
Read John 1 This scripture explores John the Baptist and his struggles. How does the Bible help us to overcome the struggles that we face with our financial institutions and learning to trust to grow the economy?
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) We begin our second week with a biblical principle related to communication. This is a fundamental basis for all our communication. There will be times when we must be critical. There will be times when we can’t deliver the news somebody wants to […]
John 1:1-18 “In the beginning . . .” These are the words the Apostle John was inspired to use to begin the Gospel that bears his name; however, the book is all about Jesus Christ! Those first three words are reminiscent of the Genesis account of […]
Romans 8:37-38 Looking at our culture today, one could become very discouraged and pessimistic concerning the future for our youth. If you spend time watching the news, the reports are bleak, and often, that creates pessimism that can sometimes infiltrate the church and affect how people […]
Proverbs 24:16 , Hebrews 10:32-39 , Hebrews 12:1-3 Life is an almost heart-breaking combination of beauty, joy, and love, combined with evil, wretched suffering, and depravity. As leaders, we are called to go into this world and, through the power of God, change it and show […]
Romans 12:2 The aspect of culture is an extremely important one in the world, in our organizations, and even in the Bible. Merriam-Webster defines culture as “the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time” (para. 1). Gayle, Tewarie, and White […]
Cognitive overload. Decision fatigue. Stress. We are in an age of 24 hour-7 days a week interruption, and as expectations mount, our ability to make wise choices diminishes. We see this in Exodus when Moses was literally making all the decisions for the children of Israel. […]
John 1:1-5 , James 4:2-4 , James 4:13-16 The world is infatuated with passion and excitement. We are ever looking for the extraordinary amidst the ordinary. As a result, so many charismatic leaders are hoisted on pedestals only to fail miserably and fall mightily, after exploiting […]
Acts 8:1-3; Galatians 1:13-14; Acts 9; Acts 17:15-34; Deuteronomy 16:20 Large parts of the Bible were written during the ancient Greece and Rome eras. Although much smaller and weaker than either nation, ancient Israel had vital interactions with the two superpowers. Some of the most important, […]
Exodus 3:14 From the beginning of time, God has revealed Himself and has desired to have a personal relationship with humanity. To Adam, He was the triune creator Elohim, and He would walk in the garden with him (Genesis 3:8). To Hagar, in her pain, He […]
John 13:34-35 , I John 3:16-18 , I John 4:7-10 Jesus is the great communicator. We can learn valuable lessons in communication by mindfully reading how Jesus responded to others and how Jesus communicated with those around Him. The Bible is the perfect place to start […]
Exodus 2:2-15 , Exodus 3:1-21 This week we will examine our development physically, cognitively, and socially. Which of these aspects is most important is a topic for debate; but all play a part in what and who we become. Surrounding this development are the hands of […]
Mark 16:15 One of the topics discussed this week is global marketing. Jesus is talking with his disciples just before He ascended into heaven to be with His Father and He gave them the command in Mark 16:15. This passage is often called the Great Commission. […]
Read Psalm 90:17 Last week we looked at Proverbs 16:3 and how, if we turn to God for guidance, He will help us establish plans. But what about implementing or acting on those plans? How do we go from planning to acting? Are there certain strategies […]
In Week Five we will be looking specifically at Tan’s chapter on the work of the Holy Spirit in counseling. For now, though, it is not too soon to begin turning our attention to this vital element of our personal, ministerial, and professional life. Isaiah 9:6 […]
Numbers 13:17; Numbers 13: 26-33; Numbers 14:1; Numbers 14: 26-31; and Joshua 1:1-9 Much of the book of Numbers follows the painful wanderings of God’s people, Israel, in the desert. Some of the most challenging passages show how they reacted to both hardship and blessing. However, […]
Consider downloading the You Version Bible application on your phone and/or laptop. We recommend that you check out the reading plans they have available. They can be life changing and we encourage you to read them. Read Romans 12 After reading Romans 12, consider the following […]
Proverbs 12:1 As technology changes, so do business practices and processes. These changes cause the need for continuous training and retraining throughout organizations. Learning new things is part of all areas of life. Learning and growing should be never-ending as we walk with Christ, but according […]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 In the world of education, whether we are students, teachers, administrators, or parents, the principle of collaboration is essential. Solomon emphasizes the strength that comes from working together. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 beautifully illustrates the power of collaboration highlighting that we can achieve more, support one […]
Mark 16:15-16 These verses in the Gospel of Mark speak of the Great Commission, and one can find a form of the Great Commission in all four of the Gospels. One key contrast between the accounts of Matthew and Mark is how Mark includes an outcome […]
I Thessalonians 1:1-10 As sermon preparation begins, it is good to remember that a preacher does not depend on oratorical skill, but rather, on the power of God. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gratefully speaks about how he knew that the new believers […]
Read Matthew 7:12 With all the business books available today, the best guide on intentional relationships is still the Bible. At the heart of teams is the central thought of placing others before self and treating others as you would want to be treated. Building an […]
I Corinthians 12:4-31 This passage is very clear. In the church there are different people with different gifts and different roles, but in this diversity, there is unity. The gifts are not for the glory of an individual but for the common good. Reflect on this […]
2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 , Philippians 4:9 Observational learning describes the process of learning through watching others, retaining the information, and then later replicating the behaviors that were observed. These scriptures are appropriate for understanding how observational learning works. For instance, Paul addresses the Thessalonians on how […]
Read Proverbs 16:3 There is intelligence and planning behind every great system. God has given us an example of this in creation. While we are not told in the Bible the process God went through in order to plan creation, we do know He had a […]
Psalm 119:105 Society is currently in the midst of a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) craze. No matter what you want to do, you can look on YouTube and find step-by-step instructions to help you complete your project. Online retail has added to the DIY trend by offering […]
In 2 Corinthians 1-11, Paul has primarily discussed his own fitness as a soldier of Jesus Christ. In Chapter 12, he tells the Corinthians he is coming to examine those who claim to be soldiers of Christ and see if they are truly fit for duty. […]
Job 24:22-24 “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” –Michael Jordan As a business, we must continue to improve. Even when a business fails, the business tries again to be successful. Just like Michael Jordan, the business continually […]
James 1:2-4 In Courage and Calling, Smith talks about how to develop “the capacity to respond to the developments around us with strength, . . . the skills to embrace change and new challenges with ingenuity, and . . . [emotional maturity] through difficult setbacks and […]
1 Timothy 4:11-13 This week, we consider the aspects of teaching that show the importance of the teacher’s expectations as well as how knowledge should affect daily living. In this passage, Paul is encouraging Timothy in his ministry. He says to “Command and teach these things.” […]
Matthew 5:18 ; Revelation 20:12 ; Psalm 12:6-7 ; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Historic Baptists believe the Bible is inspired and is the final authority for faith and practice. This authority comes from the Word of God, in written form, and it gives us instructions on the […]
Genesis 41:25-44 Joseph certainly experienced difficulties, but he continued to serve God. From his low point of having been sold into slavery and later wrongly imprisoned to the high point of being second in command of Egypt, God was always working in his life. In Genesis […]
Luke 15:1-17 Ministry can be very draining. Youth ministry can especially be draining as you consider all the activities and events that happen within youth ministry. There are also times of ministry in difficult situations. It is easy to allow yourself to become overwhelmed with all […]
Philippians 4:8 A lot of Christians, even though they know the Bible, still struggle with establishing an approach to making biblical decisions. While there is no template, several approaches need to be considered and an approach needs to be adopted. Questions to consider for this week’s […]
Matthew 10:5-42 NLT If anyone understood, or understands, the nuances of strategic planning, and the tactical planning it takes to accomplish a strategic plan, it’s Jesus. This “Sending of the Twelve” is probably the clearest, most overt example of his strategic and tactical planning. If you […]
Psalm 139, Acts 17:22-31, Hebrews 6:9-20, Proverbs 16:1-3 We are again looking at justification as we did last week. How does the freeing, forgiving, healing act of justification speak to meeting our basic emotional needs? All through scripture, we see how God hems us in by […]
Read Genesis 2:1-4 Read Philippians 4:19 From the very beginning, everything necessary for mankind to survive, and even thrive was right here. It obviously took a very long time for us to fully appreciate and maximize those resources. Frankly, we are still learning to fully appreciate […]
Proverbs 29:18 Jeremiah 29:11 Throughout the Bible, we are reminded that Jesus had a clear vision and he was a master in sharing this vision with His disciples. A leader must possess a clear vision and can communicate this vision to others. This vision enables people […]
Paul was always concerned about the reality of the faith of his fellow believers. More than once he dropped phrases that implied the possibility of a vain faith (1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 2 Corinthians 13:5-6; Colossians 1:23). This was one of the reasons he wrote Galatians and […]
Read 1 Peter 4:10 Peter tells us to use the gifts God has given us to serve others. If you have been given the gift of leadership, use it as God intended. Being an effective leader means caring about the people you lead. Christ has […]
Read How Should a Christian Negotiate a Deal? Consider the following questions.
Proverbs 11:14 ,Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:3-4, Hebrews 3:12-14, James 4:13-15 Often leadership is thought of as the act or possession of a single person in a single position of authority, but the Bible has a different emphasis. Power is to be shared among many. Leaders share […]
John 21 There are many ways in which Jesus modeled the way for others and reinforced values through storytelling. Through his leadership and mentorship of the disciples, He challenged them to leave everything and He taught people to recognize the value in others. This is […]
Micah 1:3-4 Wind and water cause erosion and weathering, or the breakdown of rocks. Water can cause mountains essentially to melt or to split and create beautiful valleys and picturesque landscapes. Wind can wear away mountains into beautiful arches, pillars, and other soft but dramatic features. […]
Exodus 15:1-18 This chapter is a song of Moses that recalls the mighty acts of God when He led His people out of Egypt. Read this song and reflect on how Moses describes God. For example, there are a number of descriptions of the Lord as […]
Read Ephesians 4:2-3 – Colossians 3:23 In the realm of human resources, particularly within sports organizations, the focus is on recruiting, developing, and supporting the people who make the team successful. Whether it’s athletes, coaches, or administrative staff, each person plays a vital role in the […]
Colossians 3:16; Psalm 95:1-2; 1 Peter 4:10 Thank You For Giving To The Lord Singing is a remarkable gift that has the power to touch the hearts and souls of those who listen. When we share our gift of singing with others, we not only enrich […]
Matthew 5:16; Psalm 139:14; Colossians 3:23; Psalm 98:4 Listen To Our Hearts Singing is a beautiful gift that allows us to express our emotions, connect with others, and share our innermost feelings. Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or just starting to explore your voice, finding your […]
II Timothy 2:15 This verse is quoted with mind numbing regularity in Christian circles today. And yet, for all of its quoting, ignorance of Scripture is far too common, both in the pew, and the pulpit. What does this verse mean? For the purposes of our […]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul writes to Timothy instructing him on the nature of Scripture. He desires to build off of young Timothy’s understanding that had been handed down to him through his mother and grandmother. Paul asserts that the key thing that Timothy knows is two-fold. […]
Read: Exodus 4:10-12 Public speaking can be a daunting task. The fear of stumbling over words, forgetting important points, or not being understood can cause even the most confident individuals to feel anxious. Moses, one of the greatest leaders in the Bible, understood this fear all […]
Deuteronomy 6:17-18 In this passage from the Old Testament, Moses is speaking to the Israelites before they leave the wilderness and enter the Promised Land. Moses instructed the people to “do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight…” In the world of business as […]
Matthew 18:1-5 This week, you will deliver your first speech of the course. It requires a “visual aid”: a prop or artifact to illustrate who you are, what you are like, and what you can do. As the old saying goes, “One look is worth a […]
Galatians 6:9 Leadership in education is one of the most rewarding yet challenging callings. Every day presents new opportunities to shape the minds and hearts of students, but it can also bring moments of exhaustion, frustration, and discouragement. Galatians 6:9 encourages us to press on and […]
Matthew 5:14-16 In this passage, Jesus speaks to His followers about their role in the world. He uses the metaphor of light to describe how Christians are to live visibly, exemplifying God’s goodness and drawing others to Him through their actions. As sports marketers, our work […]
Read Galatians 4:4-7, Read Philippians 1:9-11, Read 1 John 1:5-8 Week Five focuses on application. The temptation is to focus only on actions and behaviors. If that’s all we do, then we’ve basically relegated the Gospel to mere formula and the Bible to a “How-to” manual. […]
Read: Psalm 150 Psalm 150, a powerful expression of praise and joy, invites us to celebrate God’s presence in every aspect of our lives through music and dance. The Psalm reads: “Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, […]
2 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul has the expectation that Timothy will develop people behind him to serve as leaders in the church. He is to take the instruction that he has received from Paul and other faithful teachers and entrust it to those he is training up […]
Read Galatians 6:9 As teachers, we want to do what is best for our students. Best practices in Language Arts are the most effective strategies to teach these skills, and will have the highest yield for student success. Good teachers cannot tire of seeking out the […]
Proverbs 11:14 , Proverbs 14:12, Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:3-4, James 4:13-15 This week we will look at the strategy and leadership required for succeeding in international business. To that end, Scripture reminds us that we are, on the one hand, to work hard and with diligence, […]
Nehemiah 1 and 2 Nehemiah 1 and 2 present a compelling story of vision, prayer, and action. Nehemiah, upon hearing about the desolation of Jerusalem, is moved to deep sorrow and turns to fervent prayer, seeking God’s guidance. His prayer leads to bold action: he approaches […]
Acts 17:16-17, 22-24, 28 In this passage of Scripture, we find Paul waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens. Paul was upset at all of the idols he saw around the city. Paul took the opportunity to talk publicly to the people, but […]
Read Hebrews 3:12-14, Read James 5:16 Week Four provides an overview of contemporary leadership. We will see that ideas like decentralization, empowerment, servant leadership, transformational leadership, and even Spirituality in the Workplace are embodied in the biblical idea of covenant (or community). Covenant involves the notion […]
Hebrews 10:24-25 One of the most important spiritual disciplines you can develop is faithful involvement with other believers. It is always amazing when a Christian says, “Oh, I don’t go to church very often” or, “I prefer to watch sermons online” or, “I will listen to […]
Luke 5:1-11 In Luke 5, we read about Jesus and how he chose his disciples. Although it could be argued that Jesus had a different purpose and criteria for choosing each disciple, there are some similarities between how he chose his disciples and how we choose […]
I Corinthians 8:1-9 Sin compromises the image of God and makes biblical ethical decisions difficult. The Law provides guiding principles for ethical decision-making in various contexts. But there are still difficulties associated with biblical ethical decision making. Explore the intellectual effects of sin and appreciate the […]
I Kings 2-10 (as an overview) King Solomon’s reign is usually held to be the highest point of early Israel’s civilization (political, military, religious, artistic, and cultural influence). Though the king and his kingdom were not without sin, these early chapters present much to be admired […]
How easy is it to take things at face value? As valuable as storytelling is, it is a method that stirs our emotions, and if we don’t balance our feelings with our minds, we can find ourselves chasing ghosts. Paul reminded the Colossians of this lesson […]
Once Jesus chose the twelve disciples, there was a great deal of training and development that needed to be done. It seems the disciples rarely understood Jesus’ mission until after he rose from the dead. However, there were teachable moments of clarity and new understanding that […]
Matthew 11: 28-30 Rhythm of Grace ; Rhythm of Your Love Have you ever talked about the rhythm of your life? Perhaps you have a great life rhythm between your work life and your home life. Or perhaps you are like many of us, and lament […]
Psalm 92: 1-3; Ephesians 5:19 Listen To Our Hearts The Bible is full of references to music and singing. David wrote the book of Psalms which were meant to be sung accompanied by musical instruments. Ephesians 5:19 encourages us to speak to one another in psalms […]
Read Ephesians 5:1-2 Following God daily involves imitating His qualities and teachings, showing love, kindness, and compassion to others, and seeking His guidance in decisions. As Christians, this means we must develop spiritual muscles to discipline ourselves, spirit, soul, and body. This is referred to as […]
1 John 5:4 In this verse John is emphasizing the idea that those who are believers in Christ have the power to overcome the challenges and temptations of the world through their faith. It is a message of encouragement for Christians to stand strong in their […]
Luke 19:1-10 Near the end of a long and arduous journey from the northern region of Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus entered the ancient city of Jericho where his presence drew large crowds. Among those who sought to catch a glimpse of the famous prophet and rabbi, […]
Proverbs 11:1 This week, we discuss concepts and strategies to set prices. God wants us to be fair in our pricing strategies and honest in all our business dealings. Yes, in the fallen world this is not always the case. Being honest in business dealings was […]
Read Proverbs 28:6 In our Scriptural text for the week, we read about instructions for living. The verse gives us a contrast between the poor and the rich. Naturally, one would desire to be rich rather than poor; however, in this verse, it is more admirable […]
Matthew 20:26In this passage, Matthew records how Jesus described leadership in the world and leadership in God’s kingdom. God’s values are the opposite of human values. True greatness is found in service, not in domination…in the cross, not in the crown. The focus this week is […]
Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 7:24-25 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us valuable principles about growth, transformation, and the importance of intentional living. Similarly, in the professional realm, a well-developed professional learning plan is an essential tool for growth and excellence. Just as a solid […]
Genesis 1:1-31 ; John 1:1-14 Our foundation rests on God, in Christ, being the creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe. He created the earth, its universal environment, and humans in his own image, both male and female. God saw that the elements of creation were […]
Joshua 1 Part of good coaching is the transference of timely, healthy life principles, passed on from one wise coach to another. In the passage above, we see Moses’ coaching fingerprints on Joshua, who is getting ready to lead Israel forth into the Promised Land. Notice […]
Hebrews 11:1-40 This faith chapter in Hebrews delineates the men and women throughout biblical history who faithfully believed in God’s promises. Their testimony encourages us through the trials that we face in our lives today. In the chapter we find many challenging experiences that were overcome […]
In week 3 of our course, we are seeking to understand how Paul’s gospel of grace in Romans leads to sanctification rather than an unholy life. For our devotional this week, read Romans 6-7 and then reflect on how Paul’s gospel leads to a holy life. […]
Romans 12:17 As Christians, we are required to treat each other with love and kindness and to do what is right, without regard to how we’ve been treated. This includes being honest and upfront in our business dealings. Jesus offered the greatest gift: the gift of […]
Philippians 2:3-4 Philippians 2 implores us to consider others better than ourselves and to look out for the interests of others, considering them as even more important than ourselves. This is a real challenge for all of us; only by cooperating with God can our minds […]
Proverbs 11:1 This week, we discuss concepts and strategies to set prices. God wants us to be fair in our pricing strategies and honest in all our business dealings. Yes, in the fallen world this is not always the case. Being honest in business dealings was […]
The Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1–17) were laws given by God as guidelines for daily living. Although God gave the commandments to His people through Moses at Mount Sinai more than three thousand years ago, they are still relevant today. These laws are also known as […]
Proverbs 13:10 Some things take time, cannot be rushed, and must be developed with great wisdom and advice. Investing is a process that takes time to understand and develop. If you think you know everything there is to know about investing, you probably will experience great […]
Jeremiah 17:7-10 During the early-modern period, several developments took place throughout the sciences, humanities, and arts. As might be expected, the many discoveries and advancements that took place during this time often resulted in elevated estimations of humanity’s potential. For many, it certainly seemed as though […]
I Corinthians 6:9-11 Beyond the approaches explored, Christians must engage with Scripture as the word of God and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit who offers us enlightenment in the truths of God. We can therefore better navigate postmodern values and establish eternal biblical […]
Psalm 1:1-3; Genesis 3:1-7; John 8 The Law of Unintended Consequences is the phenomenon where actions designed to create one certain outcome also produce unforeseen, or unanticipated, outcomes which can be positive or negative. As you consider this week’s devotion, please answer the following questions.
Psalm 71:1-3 Psalm 71 was written by an older man. He is an old man with many trials and problems, but he is obviously a joyful man who is able to put his focus on the Lord in the midst of these trials. For many of […]
II Timothy 3:16-17 and James 1:22 One of the greatest temptations of a Bible college student is to turn the Bible into little more than another textbook. Yes, it will most likely be the focus of the majority of your coursework, and you should strive to […]
Acts 20:24-28 In Week 1, we are looking at human resources and their connection to the organization’s mission, vision, and success. In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul is sharing his farewell message to the Ephesian church before setting sail, and he leaves them with instructions on […]
One of the key elements to the Theology of God and the Trinity is how Jesus Christ the Son fits into the equation. Most heresies and cults form over this one very crucial issue: Who is Christ? Some of the most common answers have been that […]
Ephesians 3:8-18 Perspective matters. Some people look at the world and see God; others do not. Some look at suffering and see a world suffering under the effects of sin; others see unfairness. When hiking in the mountains, what one sees is always determined by the […]
Proverbs 22:6 This small verse in Proverbs 22 has been quoted by millions of Christian parents over the centuries. We know it to be true, because it is God’s Word: authoritative, infallible, and inerrant. But what does it mean, and do we understand it correctly? […]
Galatians 5:16-23 It has become unfortunately all too common to hear of another heralded Christian leader falling into sin. Whether it be of a sexual, financial, or theological nature, it is still hard to bear. We have all heard of their shock and surprise to find […]
Galatians 6: 9-10 , Hebrews 12: 6-7,9 Operant conditioning is a type of associative learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment. These scriptures are fitting for Operant Conditioning because God believes in positive and negative reinforcement. God has […]
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor […]
Matthew 28:19-20 Many people immediately think of historic Baptists in view of the ordinance of Baptism. It certainly is one of the important tenets of faith for them, but it is a Baptist distinctive because of the way we view baptism biblically. Other groups that call […]
John 20:30-31 The Gospel writers reveal that in the days following his resurrection, Jesus appeared before his followers on several occasions. The Apostle John, for example, records that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18), one of his most faithful followers, as well as to his […]
I Peter 2:11-17 Conflict over religious matters was certainly not unique to the Protestant Reformation era. In the years following the Reformation, many intense conflicts took place in Europe and elsewhere, many of which were the result of theological differences or disagreement over the proper form […]
Genesis 36 “Ethical leadership means both acting ethically and setting the standard for others to do so as well. Leaders have an opportunity to inspire others not only to do the right thing but also to consider the kind of people they want to be.” –Ann […]
Read Isaiah 6:1-10 and Matthew 13:1-17 Jesus was known to communicate using parables. His disciples asked him why he spoke this way. Jesus quotes from Isaiah the prophet in his response to the disciples’ question. This week you will be learning about the type of literature […]
1 Corinthians 15:58 We will begin our fourth week with a biblical principle related to steadfastness. At this point in the course you might need some encouragement to resolutely walk step by step to the last day and finally submit that big informative essay. The Bible […]
Matthew 28:18-20 There are five “great commission” passages in the New Testament (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:45-49, John 20:21-23, Acts 1:8). Collectively they paint a rich, vivid portrait of our purpose and task as the church, one only accomplished supernaturally. All five passages highlight our […]
I Timothy 4:16 Paul gives careful instruction to Timothy about the nature of his life and doctrine. Paul tells Timothy that he needs to keep a close watch on both of them because he understands practically that they impact those around him. This is what leads […]
Hebrews 5:11-14 The author of Hebrews writes to an audience of primarily Jewish background believers living when persecution against the church was escalating. They’ve been followers of Christ for some time, but rather than growing in spiritual maturity, some, at least, seemed to be drifting away […]
II Timothy 3:14-17 Paul, an older minister, is writing to Timothy, a younger minister, about those Christian habits he wants Timothy to build into his life. This is a part of discipleship: the process of becoming a deeply committed Christ follower. It is obvious from his […]
Welcome to our first devotional response of this course. This week we look at very controversial concepts presented by Sigmund Freud and other psychoanalytic theorists. Some of Freud’s concepts do have validity today, including what he called “defense mechanisms.” Here is a Bible example. This one […]
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 Commercial banks came under great scrutiny after the financial crisis of 2008. Consider how God was doubted and how commercial banks have been […]
What is a gospel? The simple, contemporary answer is “Good News!” This is nice as far as it goes, but a gospel is much more than simply good news. Mark 1:1 writes, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This does […]
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 One of the distinctives of Historic Baptists is the topic of the separation of church and state. Although the Bible does not use this term, Scripture warns that believers must maintain a biblical worldview in light of secular governmental authorities. Since many rulers, […]
Romans 5:8 This verse can be described as the most controversial verse in all of Scripture. Why? Because it highlights the great exchange while at the same time highlighting the absurdity of it. We are told that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. […]
Read Hebrews 11:6 and Psalm 14:1 The Bible provides a decidedly negative view of those who do not believe in God. An interesting phenomenon in the modern world is a growing number of atheists or skeptics. Many atheists would describe themselves as having evolved beyond the […]
Throughout Paul’s journeys, the Bereansare especially interesting examples of exactly what Paul urged the Colossians to become. As we explored last week, the Bereans have openness to what they are hearing, while not assuming it is certain. Acts 17:10-12 helps us see that they took in […]
Mark 8:27-34 In his account of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and surrounding regions, Mark records that Jesus and his disciples traveled to “the villages of Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:27 NRSV).” As they journeyed together, Jesus asked his disciples several probing questions. He began by questioning them […]
Romans 12:1-2 In the Bible, Apostle Paul encouraged his followers to “not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Transformational leaders must first be transformed. Personal transformation begins by renewing or transforming the mind, which is not […]
Romans 13:8-10 Love as the source of all virtues and the foundation of all law. Biblical love shapes our approach to biblical ethics. Love is the fire that keeps ethics alive. Our biblical ethics cannot stand the test of time without love. Without LOVE, all virtues […]
Isaiah 40:12-14 This passage of Scripture has some of the most beautiful language about God found in Scripture. God Himself is asking man, “Can you do what I do? Can you hold the waters of earth in the hollow of your hand?” A visit to Huntington […]
Matthew 24:3-51 As the first half of this course is ending, it’s helpful to consider the question, “What will the future bring?”. Jesus took care to address this question with his disciples, so that they would be able to stand firm against the turmoil they would […]
Proverbs 6:6-11 What better example in nature of planning for the future than the ant. Though small in stature, this little creature is big on work. Even while she is diligently providing for her immediate needs, at the same time she has an eye on the […]
The Bible speaks to the aspect of performance. Here are a few that apply to work performance from both an individual and employer’s perspective: When you are treating your professional work as your ministry to God, whether or not you are in a professional/traditional ministry role […]
Proverbs 19:1 We will begin our week with a biblical principle related to honesty in all things. Honesty is much more than not telling a lie. It is about living a life of integrity and trustworthiness. It includes intellectual honesty, as we conscientiously and accurately acknowledge […]
Genesis 23-50; Genesis 11; Romans 8:28-29 God’s promise to Abraham did not stop with him, alone. It extended to Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve sons. It also extended to the Israelites in Egypt and the wilderness. These chapters show how the Israelites developed into God’s people, […]
Colossians 1:15-20 From the very moment that Jesus began to proclaim the kingdom of God was at hand and that all men should repent, there were questions regarding His identity and mission. Who was this man from Galilee who spoke with authority, raised the dead, and […]
Hebrews 1:1-3; Romans 10:13-17 , I Peter 2:9-12 ,; I Peter 3:14-16 What are the most important presuppositions for Christianity? One may be found in Genesis 1:3, “And God said…” That God speaks to humankind is foundational to our faith. That God acts is of great […]
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 ESV During this week, we explore regulations of commercial banks. After reading the scriptures this week, reflect on how they relate to what our attitude should be as believers […]
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying […]
Romans 5:6-8 Paul, in arguably one of the greatest sections of Scriptures, confronts and reminds the Christians at Rome of their pre-conversion condition. Paul reminds them that they were without Christ and that they themselves would never die for an unrighteous person, as did Jesus. Although, […]
Ephesians 1:9-11, Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20 The context for this devotion is Gen. 37-50, which is the story of Joseph in Egypt. The Bible selections for this week are varied but connected. Even when events in our own lives, regions, or nations, seem random, they serve […]
1 Kings 8:41-43, Deuteronomy 10:19, and Leviticus 19:33-34 Each of the above passages give insight into the Lord’s heart for “the other.” Depending on your Bible translation, “the other” may be appear as stranger, sojourner, or foreigner. In the context of these passages, “the other” is […]
Proverbs 3:21-26 Meditate on this passage which is filled with God’s wisdom and guidance for us. God reminds us to never let wisdom and understanding out of our sight, so we can exercise sound judgment and discretion. These are wonderful words for us as we […]
Proverbs 3:21-26 Meditate on this passage which is filled with God’s wisdom and guidance for us. God reminds us to never let wisdom and understanding out of our sight, so we can exercise sound judgment and discretion. These are wonderful words for us as we […]
Matthew 5:13-17, Matthew 6:22-23 Sociology is the study of society. The basis of society is the family and the family has its birth through Adam and Eve. God is the originator of the family and therefore, society. You may know the origin of humanity from a […]
Genesis 1:26-31, Galatians 3:26-29, II Corinthians 5:16-21 All humanity has the same parents, Adam and Eve. As human beings, we are categorized by racial groups. The Bible does not deny the diversity evidenced in race; however, it does establish in Christ all races are a part […]
1 Corinthians 12 Regardless of the industry of a company, personnel is the single most valuable asset within an organization. As such, good personnel can bring a company to its highest success, and poor personnel can bring it to its fastest demise. Investing in people has […]
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 It is worth noting, as we finish our course this week, that while we have been dealing with the thoughts and arguments of mankind, there is more to what is behind these contemporary issues. Paul writes, “For though we walk in the flesh, […]
Ephesians 4:25 , Psalm 15 This week we will focus on the biblical practice of “honesty.” Being truthful at all times is difficult. Speaking honestly may hurt someone’s feelings. Honesty, however, is a character trait employers seek. The ability to be honest with others and yourself […]
2 Peter 1:16-21 Scripture is truly unique; there is no other literature like it. But there is this lingering hermeneutical question about who wrote the Bible – was it humans or God? In 2 Peter 1:16-21, Peter provides insight into the answer to this question. Please […]
Genesis 4-11 The transition from Genesis, chapters 2 to 4, shocks the careful reader. God created man in perfect righteousness in Genesis 2, but before we are very far into Genesis 4, we see that Adam and Eve have fallen into sin, and one of their […]
The textbook for this class tells us that marketing is related to identifying, meeting, and addressing social and human needs (Kotler and Keller, 2016). As Christians, the Bible tells us we are tasked with meeting the spiritual, social, and human needs of people. Logic tells us […]
Luke 17:20-37 In this scripture, Jesus is speaking about the Kingdom of God. He notes that the Pharisees were often looking with speculative eyes on the issues of the coming of the Kingdom. However, Jesus makes it clear that the coming of the Kingdom of God […]
Read Proverbs 18:13 and Proverbs 18:17 At first glance, these devotional verses may seem far from the topic of writing. However, when we consider writing as a form of “truth-seeking” and “truth-telling”, the connection may be clearer. The key idea in both verses is this: quick […]
Deuteronomy 27:1-8 The story of the Mount Ebal altar is so informative. God, through Moses, told the people how they should build it and how they should not build it. There are many healthcare policies that guide us in providing transparency to individuals requesting care, and […]
Acts 17:16-34 The apostle Paul was an excellent student of culture, and he was a master at appropriately functioning within different cultures. In Athens, Paul used his cultural awareness to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. Notice that Paul didn’t change the gospel message, he simply […]
Matthew 18:15-17 Human behavior is motivated by internal thoughts and beliefs but is also influenced by our social surroundings. Although academic theories help us understand how to navigate social influence and differences, God’s Word serves as the ultimate guide. This can be illustrated in Matthew 18. […]
What product or products give you a sense of loyalty? There are some products and services where we are willing to buy our preferred brand at a higher price if necessary. Maybe we think it is worth it to make a special trip to a different […]
Read Psalm 110 Psalm 110:1 is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament. For instance, Jesus applies this Psalm to himself in Matthew 22:41-46. After reading through Psalm 110 and considering the context, how should one understand King David’s psalm in light of how Jesus […]
I Peter 4:10 God has given all of us gifts so we can best serve the body. They are not to be used selfishly but for His glory and for the benefit of others. It is important to create a ministry team with a variety of […]
Deuteronomy 5:7-21 In today’s business environment, we all too often see the results of businesses operating in an unethical manner. As good businesspeople, we must be careful to conduct ourselves with the highest degree of integrity. God gives us the standards by which we should live […]
Proverbs 22:6 The Bible clearly gives the responsibility of rearing children to the child’s parents. If the parents are Christians then their duty also includes raising their offspring to love, honor, and obey the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 says that if the child is reared to obey […]
Isaiah 64:8 ,Romans 9:20-21 ,I Corinthians 4:7 ,Philippians 2:13 This workshop focuses on the various business strategies available to help businesses achieve success. What strategy a business chooses depends on its unique strengths and the opportunities that are presented to that business with customers. A […]
John 5:39 We might all agree that God inspired the Old Testament, but is it authoritative for the Church? Isn’t the Old Testament written “for the Jews” and not for the Church? The Old Testament is foundational for understanding the New. In fact, Jesus uses […]
Luke 15:11-32 Cultural Anthropologists often divide the world’s cultures into three social paradigms: Honor/Shame, Power/Fear, and Guilt/Innocence. They suggest that every culture has a dominant paradigm, which is used as a social control mechanism. For example, Western cultures typically are dominant Guilt/Innocence cultures, which means that […]
Exodus 4; 31:18; 24:12; 32:16; 34:1 The verses above record God’s interaction with His servant Moses. The verses indicate God spoke to Moses and gave him the tablets of stone on which the law of God is written for God’s people. This in essence teaches us […]
Acts 17:11 (ESV) We will begin our last week with a biblical principle related to the importance of research and critical thinking. It’s easy to misunderstand faith and critical thinking. Faith and critical thinking are not against one another. Critical thinking and research both help us […]
II Kings 18:1-3, II Kings 18:5-7a, II Kings 21:1-2, II Kings 10-12; 16, II Kings 19-20, II Kings 22:1-2 Four different kings following one right after the other – two wicked and two faithful. With this in mind, consider the following question:
1 Peter 5:7 We have all experienced times of anxiety, worry, frustration, and anger. It is likely you have experienced a bit of anxiety in this course. Has it been as difficult as you anticipated? Has it been easier? The Apostle Peter wrote: “With all things, […]
John 10:14-18 Jesus reveals the purpose for which He was sent by the Father: to lay down His life for our salvation. In the passion narrative we witness the unfolding of God’s plan for salvation as Jesus lays down His life for His people. John 10 […]
2 Timothy 2:15 God expects us to be diligent and labor in a way that we can be properly and truthfully tried, and found to have a good reputation, with no need to feel ashamed. Colossians 3:23 This verse goes on to encourage us that “whatsoever […]
Matthew 6:19-24 Guidelines for the wealthy Matthew 6:25-34 Guidelines for the poor A cursory reading of the Bible gives people the impression that Jesus has grave concerns about the accumulation of wealth; however, a more thorough study of the Word makes it clear that Jesus is […]
Ephesians 4:1-6 , Psalm 133 This week we will focus on the biblical principle of “unity.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines unity as: a condition of harmony or continuity without deviation or change (as in purpose or action). Read Ephesians 4:1-6. Paul writes to those in Ephesus […]
Matthew 3:13-17 Here we read the interesting account of Jesus’ baptism by John. Jesus instructs John to baptize him, much to the consternation of John. Jesus has a reason for doing this as he shows his followers that there is nothing that he asks them to […]
Luke 15:11-24 This story has been called the “greatest short story ever told,” and with good reason. This parable sums up the character of God. We can see how God acts toward those who have turned their backs on Him. Max Lucado, in his book When […]
Deuteronomy 24:19-21 , Leviticus 19:9-10 , Exodus 22:22-24 , Job 31:28; 1:16-18 Widows and orphans have always been the most vulnerable and helpless group in Africa, and their vulnerability is increasing. So are their numbers as wars, ethinic conflicts, epidemics like HIV/AIDS, disease and natural disasters […]
Acts 17:16-34 The Apostle Paul is on his second missionary journey, during which he visited Galatia and Macedonia (the area we know as modern-day Turkey and Greece). He has preached the gospel, been persecuted (beaten and imprisoned), and, yet, he has seen individuals put their faith […]
Read Isaiah 64:8 Think of the creation of the world in terms of the end result. For example, God created a bird and a whale, but He also created the components of life that make those creatures possible. He created chemicals and organic materials and assembled […]
Read Acts 17:16-34 (opens in a new tab) If there was ever a time when many of us would like to have been the proverbial “fly on the wall” in Scripture, surely this is one of them. Paul, the best mind in the NT other than […]
Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 28:18-20 may be the most common Bible reference Christians think of when the topic of missions is raised. Many may have memorized all or part of it. Perhaps the words “Go into all the world” and “Make disciples of all nations” are familiar […]
1 Corinthians 8:6 God the Father is the ultimate source of all creation and we were created for Him. He is the purpose of our existence. Jesus Christ is described as a mediator or agent of God. This indicates that through Jesus we have been created […]
1 Corinthians 12:22 Paul describes the body of Christ, explaining that every part is valuable, even those that may seem weaker or less important. God gives special honor to those who are vulnerable, showing that everyone has a place and purpose in His plan.Laws protecting students […]
Matthew 7:24-27 Early in his ministry, Jesus traveled extensively in the region of Galilee proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God. He quickly grew a reputation for his powerful teaching and miraculous works. In fact, people traveled from great distances to hear him speak or […]
Galatians 6:9; Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you Never give up…. Practicing the guitar can be quite difficult, even under the best of circumstances. As musicians, practicing our instrument is very important if we want to be successful. God’s word encourages us […]
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 In the world of sports, ethics and values often seem to take a backseat to competition and winning at all costs. The passage from Corinthians reminds us of the importance of running the race of life with integrity and purpose. Ethics in sports […]
John 1:1-14; John 3:16; John 14:1-6; John 12:44-47 For this final week of class, you have a few passages of Scripture to read written by the apostle John. John was a disciple of Jesus Christ, and he was inspired by God to share the story of […]
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul articulates a profound strategy for evangelism and apologetics: contextualization for the sake of the gospel. His approach emphasizes the importance of understanding and relating to the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of those he sought to reach. […]
Colossians 3:16 In our exploration of music selection and arrangement in worship, this verse from Colossians 3 underscores the importance of songs in conveying the message of Christ and facilitating communal worship. Reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding:
I Timothy 3:1-10 Matthew 4:18-22 In this week’s readings, we see how important the structure of an organization is to the successful implementation of its strategy. God’s strategy to bring humanity back into relationship with Him also requires structure. In 1 Timothy 3:1-10, Paul gives us […]
Luke 10:25-37 John 4:1-44 In Luke 10, Jesus sums up all the commandments in two statements: After saying this, Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” In response, Jesus told what is often called the story of the Good Samaritan. After a priest and a Levite […]
In the very early days of the church, the Apostle Paul provided an understanding of God’s design for the way unique gifts of leadership would function within the organization of the church. The goal of each specific leadership gift focused on “preparing God’s people for works […]
Romans 8:37-39 God plays for keeps. He had a plan to make His love known to the world through His Son Jesus, and He has kept to the plan. The timeline for the plan was eternity. Paul is speaking to us in this passage regarding […]
Judges 12:1-7 This story of an ancient battle in the Middle East sheds light on a universal cultural reality; language influences whether people are insiders or outsiders of a social group. After the Giliadites defeated the Ephraimites in battle, the surviving Ephraimites attempted to flee back […]
Rick Warren noted that 2,000 years after this leader lived, he has 2.1 billion followers. That is a leader—the Greatest Leader of All Time! Jesus Christ is that leader. Mark 10:45 says about his leadership: “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, […]
Psalm 1 As individuals, we are constantly impacted by the world around us, as well as by our personal experiences and beliefs. These external and internal forces influence what we do and how we act and have a powerful impact on our lives. When we […]
I Peter 5:1-4 There is no doubt as Peter is concluding his first epistle that his mind goes back to his last conversation with Jesus. Three times in John 21 Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me?” Each time Peter responded, “Yes, Lord; You know that […]
Psalm 51:7 If you have never seen snow this visual may have little, or no meaning, but the more snow you have seen and experienced, the more meaningful it becomes. Why then would King David, living in a land that today experiences a mere dusting of […]
Matthew 27:19-29, Ephesians 6:10-20 In the U.S., there is an increasing hostility and intolerance toward Christian beliefs and values. In current American culture, you are free to be a Christian as long as you do not actually live out your faith, vote your faith, take a […]
I Timothy 4:16 It is always good to heed the call of God to contend for the faith that He has graciously given to us. It is even better to know what we believe and why we believe and to be able to articulate it to […]
Obadiah 1:1a Sometimes we are given the privilege of knowing a lot about the personal history of many of the prophets. Their family, their children’s names, where they are from, their occupation, etc. But not so with Obadiah. This verse is it. But this verse tells […]
1 Corinthians 13 The “love chapter” in 1 Corinthians is well known. It is the go-to passage read at weddings while the bride and groom look ardently into each other’s eyes. It is easy to think at that time how easy love is. Look at these […]
Revelation 7:9-10 This passage is a powerful example of the importance of cultural diversity. In the text, John describes his vision of the Throne of Heaven and the type of people he saw there. According to John’s revelation, heaven—our eternal destination—is a culturally diverse place. The […]
I Samuel 16:7 How many times have you defined your own self-worth by comparing yourself to others, or the ideals that are promoted by societal viewpoints? We are constantly bombarded with information on what is acceptable and desirable, and this information affects how we view ourselves […]
Acts 1:1-8 Even a casual reading of the New Testament is enough to draw the conclusion that Christ is the chief Cornerstone and Foundation of the Church (1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:4-8). Christ is the One who builds the Church. However, He chooses to use […]
Philippians 2:1-11 Understanding Jesus’ attitude behind the Atonement is significant for the health of the Philippian church. Read Philippians 2:1-11 and meditate on how Jesus veiled his own status as God and took the form of a slave. Jesus’ mindset was selfless. He considered others as […]
This week you are writing your first research paper of the course. It requires careful pre-writing, ethical engagement with sources, good organization, and attention to grammatical detail. Think about the Gospel of Luke. Paul tells us that Luke was a doctor, so certainly he had the […]
Proverbs 6:6-1, Proverbs 12:24-27, John 1:14, Colossians 3:23-24 Last workshop’s devotion touched on the importance of working hard and avoiding laziness. This message is also relevant for this workshop because the content focuses on the primary and secondary functions (customer relations, sales, marketing, product distribution, accounting […]
In Ephesians 3:14-21 , Paul expresses a prayer that results in a magnificent promise. The prayer includes several specific, sequential requests, with each built upon the previous. Only as the last request is fulfilled does the full promise come to bear. You will notice that Paul […]
Luke 4:1-13 In the gospel of Luke, we see Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist. It was the first event following his baptism, but Jesus did not preach a revival or perform a mass healing; rather he had a dramatic encounter with Satan. We see […]
Read Matthew 5:18, Proverbs 6:6-8 and Proverbs 30:25 All three of these scripture selections are connected to the importance of the details of good writing. First is Jesus’ own warning that everything written in scripture has divine authority. Nothing is minor and all will be fulfilled. […]
Deuteronomy 25:13-16,Leviticus 19:35-36 ,Ezekiel 45:10,Micah 6:10-11,Proverbs 16:11,Proverbs 11:1 The above verses emphasize the point that using accurate weights and measures is God’s standard. As God’s people, we are not to use inaccurate weights and measures. These verses are just a small sample of verses that […]
We begin our fifth and last week with a biblical principle related to the importance of networking. As you read the New Testament, it is rather obvious just how connected Paul was across the ancient world. He knew Romans, the Jewish religious influencers, people across different […]
Read Deuteronomy 31 Part of good coaching is looking ahead and anticipating issues that the client may face. There is no substitute for the well-placed, Socratic questions that will help the client jumpstart thought regarding good preparation for what lies ahead. In the above passage, we […]
Proverbs 16:23 Much of our communication is dependent on what we say and how we say it. Speech is a very powerful communication tool. In this passage from the Old Testament, God tells us how important it is that we are careful not only with what […]
Genesis 12:1-3 As you read these verses, make note of who is involved, what is being required, and what is the potential outcome. One thing of note is that God raises up individuals to rescue the perishing. Although, in this case, the rescue ultimately will come […]
Read John 8 Bible teachers have discussed John 8 since the first century: As Jesus sat down to teach, the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in the act of adultery. Again, this passage has received much attention by the […]
Matthew 25:14-30 This week, we examine the changing roles and responsibilities of three typical management groups that find themselves at the table in today’s transnational organizations: the global business manager, the worldwide functional manager, and the national subsidiary manager. We have here the parable of the […]
II Peter 1:5-8 This passage, written by Peter, was to the churches scattered throughout Asia. He knew his death was imminent, and therefore wanted to instruct the Christians to pursue Christ’s virtues. The scripture begins with the instruction of “diligence”. This word shows the passion Peter […]
Acts 17:16-34 This passage finds Paul in Athens, disturbed by the idolatry of the Athenians. Now if there ever was a learned communicator, it was Paul, and if there ever was a learned audience, it was those gathered at Mars Hill. That said, there was also […]
Acts 2:42 Life is about devotion. People attach themselves to things they enjoy and love. Sin makes us devoted to ourselves. Salvation allows us to be devoted to God. As the early church began to find its way, Luke records four practices that believers were to […]
Revelation 20:11-15 The picture that John paints here in Revelation 20 is one of final judgment. In fact, this is a terrible judgment of all of humanity who are not saved. This also comes with a terrible consequence, which is that all whose names are not […]
Genesis 2:15-20 We all interact with the world of business on a daily basis. Understanding how business works and how we can relate to and operate within this world can have great benefit for us. In this class we will explore various aspects of business and […]
It seems surprising that God would want people to be divided as Genesis 11:1-9 suggests, until we remember that humankind has a terrible propensity to unify in their collective evil. The flood of Noah’s time, in fact, was an even more stringent response from God in […]
Acts 4 Our focus this week will be to examine the empowerment of Peter by the Holy Spirit in the passage above. Clearly, there was a conveyance beyond the norm of intelligence and experience. There was a heft, a gravity and result that went far beyond […]
I Timothy 4:11-16 One of the most dangerous parts of ministry is the ability to forget who we are and forget why we teach. In this text Paul writes to the young pastor, Timothy. Notice that Paul’s instruction to Timothy has little to do with a […]
Nehemiah 1:4-11 The book of Nehemiah is an excellent example of how good management can facilitate the accomplishment of great things. In Nehemiah 1:3-4, Nehemiah recounts how he heard that the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down. Nehemiah pleaded with God to let him rebuild […]
Matthew 4:18-21 Jesus knew the importance of staffing. He spent three years in ministry, and during that time, surrounded himself with 12 men, 11 of whom would continue the task of growing the church after their leader ascended into heaven. In this Scripture, we see that […]
Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:28-33 From a biblical perspective, beginning in Genesis, we understand family to be a man and a woman who are committed to each other over time, sharing intimacy, resources, decision-making responsibilities, and values, and assuming responsibility for the care of children. We trace […]
Acts 17:22-31 Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on “knowing your audience.” The Apostle Paul spent years on his missionary journeys, going from one very different cultural area to another. If he had “canned” messages, he would not have been nearly as effective at spreading […]
Psalm 51 The beauty of this psalm is twofold. First, it highlights the reality that David understood that he was created in the image of God. He understood that while he was born with a sin nature, and born of a woman, he was still God’s […]
Proverbs 23:4-5 , Matthew 19:24 , I Timothy 1:6 This week in particular focuses on the ways that businesses can manipulate global markets to maximize profit. This, in and of itself, is not evil. Money is not the source of evil—but it is a wonderful reflection […]
Isaiah 64:6 If we do not address our fallen and corrupting heart attitude, we will never be good leaders, let alone know the true joy that comes with resting exclusively in Christ and his love for us. Nor can we have true and open relationships with […]
Acts 17:11 (ESV) We will begin our last week with a biblical principle related to the importance of research and critical thinking. It’s easy to misunderstand faith and critical thinking. Faith and critical thinking are not against one another. Critical thinking and research both help us […]
John 17:3 Immanuel. God with us. God incarnate. God in the flesh. Jesus came inconspicuously, lived large in some ways, but not in others. He died a criminal, at least in some peoples’ minds, in a small patch of land that has been the center of […]
I Samuel 17:25 Talk about an incentive program! Kill the giant and get the king’s daughter and tax exemption for the rest of your life. That should motivate all of us for a sling and five smooth stones! The first king of Israel understood the power […]
As we study theology we must always come to the question of how this theology impacts our lives today. If theology does not have a connection to our everyday lives, then we are Deists. Deism is the belief that God has created everything, but then has […]
Acts 16:25-33 Paul and Silas are singing with a captive audience. These circumstances were less than ideal, yet Paul and Silas were still faithful. People were watching and listening. Are you aware that people are watching you, often in less-than-optimal circumstances, to see how you will […]
II Samuel 10 This week’s study focuses on motivation. What motivates people to do what they do? Trying to determine someone else’s motivation can be not only tricky, but dangerous. Such was the case with Hanun in II Samuel 10. The story begins with King David […]
Romans 13:6-8 , I Corinthians 12:6-11 ,I Corinthians 12:28-30 Between these three lists, Paul lists several different kinds of gifting: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leadership, mercy, wisdom, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy (repeated from Romans), discernment, tongues, interpretation of tongues. Volumes have been written about these […]
Proverbs 4:25-27 In sports, focus and concentration are essential for peak performance. Distractions, both internal and external, can easily disrupt an athlete’s game, leading to mistakes and missed opportunities. Proverbs 4:25-27 provides timeless wisdom on maintaining focus, guiding us to keep our eyes straight ahead and […]
Psalm 82:3This psalm is a call for justice, particularly for those who are vulnerable and marginalized in society. God’s heart for justice is shown in His desire to protect and advocate for those who cannot defend themselves. When we consider school laws, particularly those that protect […]
Proverbs 16:23 Much of our communication is dependent on what we say and how we say it. Speech is a very powerful communication tool. In this passage from the Old Testament, God tells us how important it is that we are careful not only with what […]
Proverbs 29:18 In this verse, Solomon speaks of the critical importance of vision. Without a clear direction or purpose, people lose their way. Vision, paired with wisdom and instruction, provides guidance and hope and direction for people. A visionary leader gives a sense of mission, pointing […]
Psalm 63:1 As we begin studying the topic of worship and personal growth, this verse from Psalm 63 reminds us of the deep longing within our souls for God’s presence. The psalmist’s thirst for God reflects the innate desire for spiritual growth that resides in each […]
James 3:1 James warns of the responsibility that comes with teaching, as teachers have influence over the minds and hearts of those they lead. With this responsibility comes a higher level of accountability. Teachers must understand the laws that govern their profession, as these laws ensure […]
Philippians 4:13; Isaiah 40:29 In the journey of education, one of our greatest joys as educators is witnessing the transformation of our students into fluent readers. Just as God gives strength to the weary and power to the weak, we strive to empower our students with […]
Matthew 6:34 Athletes often face significant pressure and stress, whether from competition, training, or the expectations of others. In such high-stakes environments, anxiety can become a frequent companion. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34 provide a powerful reminder to live in the present, relying on God’s provision, […]
Psalm 119:130 In this verse, we see the power of God’s Word to bring light and understanding. Just as we seek wisdom and guidance from Scripture, we embark on a journey of learning when we begin to teach reading. There are excellent strategies to use in […]
Proverbs 3:5-6 This passage challenges the reader to place his trust in the Lord and to not trust in his own understanding. Throughout Proverbs, trusting the Lord is often connected to fearing the Lord. In fact, Proverbs 1:7 says that the fear of the Lord is […]
Read Romans 8:18 Today, let’s explore the future tense in the New Testament and its significance for our faith journey. In passages like Romans 8:18, where Paul writes, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in […]
Genesis 1:1-3 In this passage, the shift from past tense (“created,” “was”) to present tense (“is hovering,” “said”) emphasizes the active role of God in creation. The use of present tense verbs conveys the ongoing nature of God’s creative power and His continuous involvement in sustaining […]
Read Proverbs 22:6 The basics for good writing are the mechanics of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When we teach writing, every product involves these basics. Teaching students these foundational skills affects every assignment they complete. Training students to write correctly has a life-long effect on their […]
Read Proverbs 29:2; 1 Corinthians 16:14 Creating authority in the classroom is essential for effective teaching and maintaining a positive learning environment. But authority is not about asserting dominance; it’s about cultivating an environment where respect, love, and learning thrive together. As educators, our authority reflects […]
Luke 19:1-10 In this passage, Luke tells us about a time when Jesus was ministering to a large crowd of people. Jesus became aware of a certain man in the crowd and in his omniscience was aware that Zacchaeus was receptive to what Jesus was saying. […]
Matthew 4:18-20 In this passage in Matthew, Jesus calls two of his disciples with whom he will spend the next three years. He helps them develop so that they will be able continue their work after Jesus returns to His Father. Building relationships with others takes […]
Matthew 13:45-46 John 3:16 In the book of Matthew, Jesus was teaching the people using parables or illustrative stories. In the passage above, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of great value and says that a merchant sold all that he had to […]
Read Proverbs 22:6. As a parent of two children, I’m always reminded of this scripture which tells us to train our children in the way they should go. It was my job to guide my children to become whom God intended them to be. My husband […]
Jeremiah 29:10-13 God has created you for a very special purpose. Do you know what it is? It doesn’t matter! He does. Ever think you are not worthy of His call? It doesn’t matter! He knows what He is doing. You have a special purpose in […]
Matthew 28:19-20 In our exploration of worship-driven outreach, this Great Commission from Jesus serves as a reminder of our calling to share the message of Christ with the world. Consider these questions as you reflect on worship’s role in outreach:
Read Titus 2: 7-8 Clarity in what a student reads and writes is necessary to reach the goal of comprehension and a deep understanding in literacy. Students must understand the words they use as well as the words that they encounter in literature. Our message to […]
Psalm 37: 5 Glory, Honor, Power Dear Father, As we come before You, we recognize the beauty and power of music as a gift from You. We come before You with grateful hearts for the ability to express ourselves through the intricate dance of notes and […]
Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; Job 12:10; Isaiah 42:5 Yeshua Throughout the Bible we read about the breath of God, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit. ‘Breath of God’ epitomizes both the supernatural power and the divine purpose of the Holy Spirit. It is the […]
Psalm 28:7; Psalm 9:11; Psalm 100:2; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19-20 There is a Redeemer Singing is a powerful form of expression that allows us to communicate our feelings, emotions, and thoughts in a unique and heartfelt way. One of the most beautiful ways to utilize this […]
John 4: 4-30 The story of the Samaritan woman at the well with Jesus, when examined from a marketing perspective, is a good example of the consumer buying process at work. How, you say? Well the Samaritan woman recognized her need (her need of the life-giving […]
Read James 1:5; Ephesians 5:15-16 As educators, we are going to face countless decisions. We live in an age when technology and new advancements in technology are happening on an almost daily basis. If we are not careful, we can become overwhelmed to the point of […]
James 5:16 In James 5:16, we are reminded of the powerful and transformative method of healing that Jesus exemplified and taught confession, prayer, and community. This verse encourages us to confess our sins to one another and to pray for each other as a pathway to […]
James 1:8 The Greek phrase for double-minded literally means “double-souled.” A person in this condition is always wavering, irresolute, doubting, changing, and inconsistent. God did not create us to be unstable people. He created us in His image. God is not unstable; He is the same […]
Psalm 119:1 Whatever Your Plan Is Following God’s direction, like following correct techniques in guitar playing, can be seen as a parallel in terms of discipline, respect, and the pursuit of excellence. Correct techniques in guitar playing can be related to the concept of following God’s […]
Ecclesiastes 1:4-11; Ecclesiastes 12:9-13 In the introductory paragraph to the book of Ecclesiastes, the author points out that there is a cycle of life. Seasons come and go, the sun rises, and it also sets, the tide comes in and goes out. We have this theme […]
Read Proverbs 16 :3; James 3 :17 ; Romans 12: 4-6 As educators, we are entrusted with the profound responsibility of shaping young minds. Curriculum planning is an opportunity to use our giftings and look to God for wisdom and guidance. Our curriculum planning should be […]
Psalm 119:1 Whatever Your Plan Is Following God’s direction, like following correct techniques in piano playing, can be seen as a parallel in terms of discipline, respect, and the pursuit of excellence. Correct techniques in piano playing can be related to the concept of following God’s […]
Galatians 6:9; Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you Never give up…. Practicing the piano can be quite difficult, even under the best of circumstances. In college, I used to cry in the practice room during piano practice. (Sometimes I felt like my […]
Romans 12:16; Psalms 133:1-3; Psalms 150:1-5 Praise Many love to sing harmoniously with others. Harmony means “beautiful order” which is created by God Himself. The English word stems from the Greek word harmonia, which means “to fit together”. The word harmony is a double entendre. Getting […]
Read: 1 Timothy 4:12 Paul encourages Timothy, a young leader, not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth, but to set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. This exhortation is vital for young communicators of […]
Psalm 127:3-4 Psalm 127:3-4 beautifully portrays children as a precious gift from God, a heritage and a reward. They are described as “arrows in the hands of a warrior,” highlighting the responsibility and potential that comes with raising them. As arrows are shaped, aimed, and released […]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Grief is one of life’s most profound and challenging experiences. Whether it stems from the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or any significant life change, grief can leave us feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future. However, in 2 […]
Read Proverbs 17:17. During difficult times, people often lean on scripture for comfort, guidance, and strength. Sharing a personal experience with others of how you leaned on God during hard times can be very helpful to them. This could involve sharing times of personal loss, challenges, […]
1 John 4:1a In this week’s devotional, we read a directive about not believing every spirit. We could expound upon this instruction to advise people to not believe everything they hear or everything they see. Moreover, the text instructs people to “test the spirits”. In other […]
1 Peter 3:15; John 1:14 In the passage written by the Apostle Peter, he encourages believers to always be ready to defend their faith. It’s not just about knowing what to believe, but why you believe it, which is the essence of apologetics. The ultimate purpose […]
Genesis 33:9 When is enough actually enough? Think about that. Think about the things you may want. You may own a car you like but what you really want is a BMW750i. Not only do you want that, but in black and pearl. Maybe you want […]
Colossians 3:1-17 Paul commands the Colossian believers to practice several reciprocal actions. They are to speak truth to one another (v. 9), forgive one another (v. 13), forbear with one another (vs. 13-14), and teach and admonish one another (v. 16). If a disciple is best […]
Romans 3:9-18 The reality of the situation of man is that he is born a sinner and is incapable of saving himself. People often think that they do not need God, but this text points out the truth of our fallen condition. Notice the language the […]
Matthew 7:24-27 Early in his ministry, Jesus traveled extensively in the region of Galilee proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God. He quickly grew a reputation for his powerful teaching and miraculous works. In fact, people traveled from great distances to hear him speak or […]
Genesis 2:24 , Deuteronomy 24:1-4 , Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9 , Romans 7:2-3 , 1 Corinthians 7:39 , Genesis 1:27 , Malachi 2:16 ,Matthew 9:7; 19:5-6 Many of the topics discussed in earlier chapters can put great strain on a marriage. so can situations where one partner […]
Romans 5:8 The greater context of this verse sets up the overwhelming power contained in it. Paul emphasizes the fact that you and I would possibly die for a righteous man but for an unrighteous person we would not dare to die for them. However, Christ […]
1 King 3:7-9 Solomon had the favor of God. Therefore, God asked him what his request would be. Solomon replied that he wanted discernment and from that day on he became very wise. Through his life, Solomon could discern right from wrong. He knew his people […]
Proverbs 1 (ESV) Proverbs 1 speaks of wisdom in terms of recognizing danger and fleeing from it. It encourages you to refuse the enticing words of tempters (Proverbs 1:10-19), while heeding the voice of wisdom, which invites you to a better way (Proverbs 1:20-33). Throughout the […]
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) We begin our second week with a biblical principle related to communication. This is a fundamental basis for all our communication. There will be times when we must be critical. There will be times when we can’t deliver the news somebody wants to […]
2 Timothy 2:1-7 The teacher carries great responsibility for the learning of each student. As we have discussed in previous weeks, we are not simply passing on knowledge but also seeking a change in the heart and life of the learner. This week we look at […]
Read Matthew 18: 15-35. Focus in on verses 15-17 again. Watch the short video at this site The Matthew 18 Principle is used to resolve conflict at a lot of Christian organizations. But the above devotional points out ways the principles in Matthew 18 can be […]
John 15: 1-17 John 15:1-17 presents the beautiful metaphor of the vine and the branches, where Jesus describes Himself as the true vine, His Father as the gardener, and His followers as the branches. This passage emphasizes the importance of remaining connected to Christ, for apart […]
I Corinthians 10:23-11:1, Romans 13:1-5 Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth was an invitation to maintain healthy socialization behaviors. Newly born-again Christians were separating themselves from non-believers because of what they were eating. In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he has chosen to […]
Exodus 18 Exodus 18 provides a significant lesson in leadership and the wisdom of delegation through the story of Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro observes Moses becoming overwhelmed with the task of judging and resolving disputes among the Israelites. He advises Moses to delegate these […]
Psalm 19:14 Psalm 19:14 reminds us to align our words and thoughts with God’s will, seeking to please Him in all we do. As we reflect on this verse, we recognize the importance of mindfulness and sincerity in our communication with God, acknowledging Him as our […]
Proverbs 4:13This proverb emphasizes the importance of wisdom and instruction, encouraging believers to hold tightly to guidance and teaching, as it is essential for a godly life.Instructional law governs the ways in which education is delivered and ensures that instruction is fair, consistent, and aligned with […]
Read Matthew 5:13, John 1:29 Let’s take a moment to reflect on the significance of nouns in understanding God’s Word. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth.” Here, “salt” is not just a seasoning but a metaphor that reveals […]
Read Matthew 28:18-20 This week, we continue to explore Greek verbs, which are key to understanding actions and events in the New Testament. In this passage in Matthew (known as the Great Commission), Jesus says: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in […]
Isaiah 55:11; Proverbs 3:5-6 In these verses, we are reminded of the power and efficacy of God’s Word to accomplish His purposes. Our goal as educators is to help students derive meaning from texts and engage with the material in meaningful ways. One of the greatest […]
Philippians 1:9-10 The subjunctive mood in biblical Greek opens up a world of possibilities, inviting believers to explore potential outcomes rooted in God’s desires and intentions. In Philippians 1:9-10, Paul writes, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge […]
Romans 12:1-2 In Romans 12:1-2, Paul uses participles that deepen our understanding of Christian living. The participles “presenting” (παριστάμενοι) and “transforming” (μεταμορφούμενοι) convey ongoing action. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is not a one-time event; it’s a continual act of devotion. Similarly, transformation is a […]
Philippians 4:13 In this scripture, Paul speaks of the secret to enduring all things through Christ who strengthens us. This verse is often quoted in times of challenge, reminding believers that their strength comes from the Lord. Paul experienced many trials and tribulations, yet he found […]
Philippians 4:14-23 The Lord will supply what you need as you serve. Paul commends the Philippian church for their consistent support of his ministry, highlighting their selflessness and commitment to the work of the Gospel. The Philippians had gone beyond their own immediate concerns, offering material […]
Philippians 4:8-9 Think correctly! Paul has been encouraging the Philippians to think rightly and to keep their hearts and minds on Christ Jesus. This passage is a practical blueprint for cultivating peace and maintaining a Christ-centered mindset in the midst of life’s challenges. His call to […]
Proverbs 11:3 This proverb highlights the importance of integrity in guiding our decisions and actions. Those who live with integrity are led by righteousness, while those who are deceitful eventually face destruction. When we think about leadership in education, this verse offers a timeless reminder of […]
Isaiah 43:19 Isaiah speaks of God’s ability to bring about new things in our lives, even in difficult circumstances. He provides paths where there seemed to be none and brings life to dry, barren places. This verse invites us to embrace change, to open our eyes […]
Matthew 5:16 The imperative mood in Biblical Greek is a powerful form of communication that conveys commands, requests, or exhortations. It reflects God’s instructions and desires for His people, calling them to action. For instance, in Matthew 5:16, Jesus instructs, “Let your light shine before others, […]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 As you complete your second class of biblical Greek, take a moment to reflect on your journey. Learning a new language, especially one as rich and profound as Koine Greek, opens doors to understanding the Scriptures in a deeper way. Consider the passage […]
Read Proverbs 22: 7 Multinational organizations create wealth for their stockholders and investors. When a multinational organization creates wealth, it should be shared by all individuals with whom they are associated, both within and outside of the organization. Unfortunately, multinational organizations that have wealth can rule […]
The famous Westminster Shorter Confession, a statement of faith that has been recited in churches for nearly 400 years, is still so true. It says that the “chief end” of humankind “is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Everything we do, not just “Christian” […]
Isaiah 41:10 This passage helps us to realize that we are not determined by our past, but rather we can learn from it. Although we are required to gather a client history, it is not to declare that the client is determined by their past, but […]
Colossians 2:9 The first and most important question in the study of Christology is, “Who is Jesus Christ?” History records that a man named Jesus from the village of Nazareth lived during the first century. But who was He? Was He simply a man? Or was […]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 James 1:22-25 One of the greatest temptations of a Bible college student is to turn the Bible into little more than another textbook. Yes, it most likely will be the focus of the majority of your coursework, and you should strive to know […]
Ephesians 6:10-20 Opposition to the Christian movement is nothing new. During the first century, many believers experienced hostility and mistreatment from both the Roman authorities and from their Jewish opponents. While the circumstances facing early believers often changed over the years, believers often found themselves in […]
Philippians 2:12-13 As we continue to think through the issue of deconstruction and, in turn, to reconstruction, ministry leaders must pray that they are given the opportunity to reconstruct. Even more so, ministry leaders should look for opportunities to help themselves and their people to grow […]
Exodus 3 A familiar Old Testament passage tells of Moses’ experience at the Burning Bush. There, the Lord commissioned him to give what might have been the biggest or even the first speech of his life: go to Egypt and get an audience with the Pharaoh. […]
Colossians 3:23-24 Athletes constantly seek motivation to train harder, play better, and push beyond their limits. Colossians 3:23-24 offers a profound source of motivation by reminding us of the higher purpose behind our efforts. We are Christians first, and athletes and sports fans secondly. This scripture […]
Philippians 4: 2-3 Conflict is inevitable- whether in the home, in educational institutions, or workplaces. Paul addresses a specific situation in Philippians 4:2-3 in the church at Philippi. He urges Euodia and Syntyche—two women who had worked diligently alongside Paul in the ministry-to resolve their differences […]
Genesis 1:1-31 As the curtain rises on the biblical story and the lights flicker on, the Creator is at center stage. “In the beginning, God . . . .” Before anything else ever was, He is. The rest of the chapter emphasizes His words and His […]
The author of Hebrews, in chapter 3, wants those who claim to be believers in Christ to consider Him carefully and to learn even more about Him. There are people who go to great pains to find out about their family. Sometimes people are trying to […]
Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus states that the greatest commandment is to love God, while the second greatest is to love one’s neighbor as oneself. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love him because he first loved us.” God’s love for us is the basis of our love for […]
Acts 15:36-41 Following the consequential gathering of early Christian leaders known as the Jerusalem Council, the Apostle Paul determined to revisit several communities that he visited on his previous missionary journey. Knowing that many of the believers in these communities were new to the faith and […]
Prayer of a Minor ProphetBy A. W Tozer This is the prayer of a man called to be a witness to the nations. Read it knowing that this is what he said to his Lord on the day of his ordination. After the elders and ministers […]
Jeremiah 10:12 Power, the expanding of energy. We see it all around us in the fabric of the universe, in the very nature of things that exist. So, it begs the question, where did this energy come from? Of all the sources which speak about beginnings, […]
Genesis 1:26 John 3:16 In the book of Genesis, we find the story of the creation of the universe and the creation of human beings. We also see the introduction of sin and the fall of humanity with Adam and Eve. The Old Testament is full […]
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Proverbs 13:16 You have all made the decision to become more knowledgeable by enrolling in an educational program. You are seeking out information to make you more competent in your future professional goals. The prudent person mentioned in Proverbs—that’s you!—will carefully consider this knowledge and form […]
Isaiah 40:8 Let’s begin this week with a parable simply called The Anvil. Once upon a time in a land before there were any cars or modern machines – a time when horses and carriages and wagons were common on the dirt roads – there was […]
Genesis 1:26-29 , Mark 7:21-23 Capitalism (and by default, globalization) has a lot of baggage associated with it and creates much debate. Either it is a wonderful agent of change for lifting millions out of poverty, or it is the agent by which indigenous people groups, […]
Read Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 9:24 In this passage, Paul urges the Philippians to adopt a mindset of humility and selflessness and to consider the needs and interests of others before their own. As we embark on our journey into the field of sport management, it’s […]
Proverbs 22:6 Proverbs 22:6 is a well-known verse that carries profound wisdom for parents and caregivers. It reminds us of the immense responsibility we have in shaping the lives of our children and the lasting impact of the patterns we establish in our homes. “Train up […]
ROMANS 12:1-2; Matthew 5:13-16 In these verses, Paul emphasizes the idea of presenting one’s whole self to God as an act of worship and service. He encourages believers not to conform to the ways of the world, but to undergo a transformation through the renewal of […]
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Timothy 3:16, NASV Paul wrote a young man to encourage his study of the Bible. “All Scripture is inspired by God . . .” (2 Timothy 3:16, […]
Ephesians 4:16 The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:16, offers a beautiful metaphor for the church as a body, where every member has a unique and vital role. Just as the body is intricately connected, so is the family. Each member, whether parent, child, or sibling, contributes […]
Philippians 4:10-13 The Lord supplied my need. While acknowledging their support, Paul offers the Philippians both gratitude for their generosity and insight into the secret of his sustained peace in all circumstances-whether abundance or scarcity. The central theme of this passage is contentment, a virtue that […]
Proverbs 15:2 In the journey of education, particularly in the cultivation of vocabulary, we are reminded of the profound impact that words can have on our understanding and perception of the world. Just as God’s word illuminates our path and brings clarity to our minds, so […]
Psalm 8:1-9 We began this course with a devotional about Psalm 19, and it is fitting that we come back to another Psalm as we begin our fourth week of study together. Many believe that Psalm 8 is one of the most poetic psalms of all. […]
Psalm 150; Psalm 33: 1; Colossians 3:17 Expressive Piano Worship There is a profound connection between playing the piano and the expression of our deepest emotions in worship. The piano, like other instruments mentioned in Psalm 150, becomes a vessel through which we can offer our […]
Ruth 1:1 This week is about supply, demand, shortage, and surplus. In Ruth 1:1, we see the effects of shortage: high demand, low supply. Talk of a shortage, particularly a shortage of food, can cause people to do things they normally would not do. […]
Acts 2 The book of Acts was written by Luke, and it is the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. In Luke’s Gospel, we read about the first 30 years of Jesus’ life. In the book of Acts, we read about the first 30 years of the early […]
Proverbs 4:7 Proverbs 4:7 emphasizes the value of actively pursuing wisdom and developing good judgment. Solomon frames wisdom as not just desirable but essential for living a purposeful and godly life. The pursuit of wisdom is not passive; it requires intentionality, planning, and discernment in every […]
Colossians 4:5-6 Paul begins with a call to be wise in our interactions with outsiders. In apologetics, wisdom involves understanding the context and culture of those with whom we engage, discerning the best approach to take. It means being aware of the challenges and questions people […]
Acts 1:8 The Great Commission is one of the last personal recorded instructions given by Jesus to His disciples. It is a special calling that Jesus gives to His disciples about the specific actions they must take while on earth. In Acts 1:8, we read that […]
James 1:5 The book of James is full of practical instruction. Yet James begins his letter with encouragement to pray for wisdom. Oftentimes it is not so much what we do, but how we do it that makes the difference between success and failure. This scripture […]
Job 38:7 How Great is our God Imagine being present at creation. The overwhelming wonder of seeing order created out of chaos, bringing peace, harmony, melody, the rhythm of the seasons, patterns, and dynamic sounds (thunder, tides of the seas) is beyond comprehension. God precepts and […]
Read Romans 13:1 ; Micah 6:8 As event managers, every detail we handle, from logistics, customer service, and to legal issues, is an opportunity to reflect God’s excellence and care. Whether it’s a small local event or a major sports tournament, our aim should be […]
1 Timothy 6:10 Paul warns Timothy about the dangers of loving money, noting it can lead individuals away from their faith and cause many troubles. This teaching highlights the importance of maintaining a proper perspective on wealth and its place in a Christian’s life. The discussion […]
Read Judges 21:25 In our verse for the week, we read about the absence of a leader in Israel, which resulted in the people doing things that they perceived to be righteous. As human beings, we are all different and we see that difference in thinking, […]
Colossians 3:23-24 Paul encourages believers to approach their work with enthusiasm and dedication, knowing that their ultimate service is to Christ. This perspective shifts the focus from earthly rewards to heavenly ones. Digital marketing requires creativity, diligence, and a genuine effort to connect with audiences. By […]
Galatians 3:28 ; Micah 6:8 Addressing racial and gender issues in sports from a devotional perspective involves promoting equality, justice, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their race or gender. The Civil Rights Movement and Title IX played pivotal roles in addressing racial and gender […]
Ephesians 5:18; Matthew 5:16 The issue of drugs, which often produces violence in sports, raises questions about our pursuit of pleasure and the consequences of harmful behaviors. Ephesians 5:18 reminds us to seek spiritual fulfillment over worldly indulgence. This involves emphasizing the importance of a healthy, […]
Revelation 2-3 It is no mystery that the book of Revelation has been the source of debate among the people of God. This is because the interpretation of this book tends to be challenging, given the unique genre and complex imagery. In light of your reading […]
Matthew 6:20-21 This verse emphasizes that where one’s treasure is, their heart will also be. This teaching encourages a focus on spiritual and eternal values rather than materialistic ones. Eternal truths and values never change and are always true and relevant in all situations. Mankind has […]
2 Peter 1:14; 2 Peter 3:18 Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, was restored by the resurrected Jesus. Peter would go on to write two epistles, 1-2 Peter. In 2 Peter 1:14, Peter discusses that he is close to his own death. […]
I Timothy 1-3 In these three chapters, Paul gives Timothy instruction to remain at Ephesus in order to provide instruction about teaching sound doctrine in the church. Part of Paul’s instruction to Timothy involves an explanation about the qualifications of pastors and deacons in a church. […]
Proverbs 16:3 This Proverb emphasizes the importance of dedicating our work and plans to God. When we align our goals with His will, we can trust that He will guide us and help our plans succeed. Developing marketing strategies requires careful planning and consideration. As we […]
Romans 12 As you read this chapter of Romans, please be praying for God to give you insight into Romans as you seek to understand this letter in its historical, literary, and theological context. Paul writes Romans to a church facing division, disunity, and arrogance. Their […]
James 5:16 In James 5:16, we are reminded of the powerful and transformative method of healing that Jesus exemplified and taught confession, prayer, and community. This verse encourages us to confess our sins to one another and to pray for each other as a pathway to […]
Read Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 5:16 Sport marketing and promotion require dedication, creativity, and passion. In this passage, Paul encourages believers to work diligently and wholeheartedly in everything they do, recognizing that ultimately, they serve the Lord. But in the gospel of Matthew, he urges us […]
Ephesians 4:29 Words are powerful. They can heal or harm, encourage or discourage, unite or divide. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, instructs believers to use their words to build others up and meet their needs. Effective communication is the backbone of any successful organization, […]
Proverbs 2:3-6 In this passage, Solomon encourages us to actively seek wisdom and understanding, comparing their value to precious treasures. He highlights that wisdom begins with a deep reverence for God and a willingness to pursue knowledge through Him. This pursuit isn’t passive; it requires effort, […]
Proverbs 18:21 Proverbs 18:21 emphasizes the immense power of our words. King Solomon, the author of Proverbs, understood that what we say can either build up or tear down, give life or bring destruction. This wisdom encourages us to be mindful of our communication, knowing its […]
Ruth 2:6-16 We finish the course this week with international trade concepts. This includes the way we treat widows and foreigners and those who are struggling. Boaz models for us how to treat them and the important role a business has, as God’s hands and feet […]
Matthew 5:9; Galatians 5:22-23 Violence in sports can tarnish the spirit of competition and harm individuals physically and emotionally. This verse from Matthew reminds us of the importance of promoting peace and reconciliation in all aspects of our lives. Athletes can be peaceful competitors in the […]
Colossians 4:6 In today’s digital age, communication happens quickly and often through screens—emails, text messages, social media, and other online platforms. While this instant connectivity has many benefits, it also presents unique challenges, especially for Christians who want to honor God in all they do, including […]
Proverbs 11:3 Proverbs is a book of wisdom emphasizing the importance of integrity and righteousness. This verse highlights how integrity serves as a guiding principle for the upright, leading them to make ethical choices. In contrast, those who act deceitfully are ultimately destroyed by their actions. […]
Galatians 3:28 In his letter to the Galatians, Paul emphasizes the unity of all believers in Christ. This verse underscores the breaking down of social and cultural barriers, affirming that in Christ, distinctions of race, gender, and social status are transcended. As we study gender and […]
Romans 13:1-2 Paul writes to the Romans, urging them to submit to the governing authorities because God has instituted them for the common good. This scripture emphasizes the importance of respecting the law and the role it plays in maintaining order in society.In understanding the foundations […]
Romans 12:16; Psalms 133:1-3; Psalms 150:1-5 Praise Many love to sing harmoniously with others. Harmony means “beautiful order” which is created by God Himself. The English word stems from the Greek word harmonia, which means “to fit together”. The word harmony is a double entendre. Getting […]
Ezekiel 1:4-14 In Ezekiel 1:4-14, we encounter a vision filled with awe-inspiring symbolism. Ezekiel describes four living creatures, each with four faces, four wings, and eyes all around. These details offer profound insights into God’s nature. The number four in this vision signifies completeness and universality. […]
Psalm 19 :1-14 While this passage is God’s inspired Word, it was David who, humanly speaking, wrote this song (psalm). Before David became king, he spent time in the field taking care of his father’s sheep. There were likely nights when he looked up and saw […]
Colossians 4:6 Paul’s letter to the Colossians encourages believers to communicate with grace and clarity, ensuring that their words are not only meaningful but also impactful. He emphasizes the importance of delivering messages in a way that reflects God’s wisdom, making them accessible and engaging to […]
Psalm 34:18 As we explore worship’s role in pastoral ministry, this verse from Psalm 34 reassures us of God’s nearness, especially in times of brokenness and despair. Worship is not only a source of comfort but also a means of offering solace and healing to others. […]
1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul speaks about his adaptive approach to ministry, aiming to connect with people from various backgrounds to share the gospel effectively. His goal was to engage with everyone in a way that resonated with them personally. Engaging with fans and building a brand […]
Read Proverbs 22:16 The primary purpose of the book of Proverbs is to teach wisdom and this week’s Scripture gives us great insight into being successful in the marketplace. The verse tells us how to avoid poverty if we heed two valuable pieces of advice. First, […]
Colossians 4:6 Paul’s letter to the Colossians encourages believers to communicate with grace and clarity, ensuring that their words are not only meaningful but also impactful. He emphasizes the importance of delivering messages in a way that reflects God’s wisdom, making them accessible and engaging to […]
Read: Exodus 35:30-35 In these verses, Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with the Spirit of God, Who has gifted them with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts to construct the sanctuary. Their creativity was a direct gift from God, intended for the collaborative […]
Read: John 1:1-5 In the opening verses of John’s Gospel, we are presented with a profound truth: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” These verses highlight God’s identity as the ultimate Communicator. The ‘Word’ refers […]
Understandably, it is customary for believers to desire application first and foremost. While applying God’s Word is the ultimate goal, it must not be the first step each time we read the Bible. Good application is based on good interpretation and good interpretation is based on […]
James 1:8 The Greek phrase for double-minded literally means “double-souled.” A person in this condition is always wavering, irresolute, doubting, changing, and inconsistent. God did not create us to be unstable people. He created us in His image. God is not unstable; He is the same […]
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul talks about the reality of the rapture as a sure and fixed event. It was a source of great hope for the Thessalonians. Paul wrote that Christ was not going to leave his people on this earth forever, but that he would […]