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Effective Bible Study Lesson 1 – “Who Can Study the Bible?”

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Note: Effective Bible Study is a Sunday morning study for Q1 2016 at North Charleston. Below are slides and helpful resources pertinent to our class discussions.

Lesson #1: Who Can Study the Bible?

SUMMARY: The first step to learning good Bible study technique is to realize that if you are not the right who in studying the Bible, then how you study the Bible will not matter.

Click here to download this lesson’s study sheet (PDF).

Will you make The Josiah Covenant?

Click here to download a printable handout of the slides (PDF).

SLIDES:

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Vengeance is God’s

Vengeance is Gods

I’ve been thinking lately about some biblical principles of peace. When we practice these principles in our lives, then the result will be peace in our lives, our communities, and in our world.

Here’s the principle about which I’m thinking today: Vengeance belongs to God. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 as he writes, “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). What exactly does that mean? What does this have to do with peace in our live and communities? Here are several observations.

1. Because vengeance is God’s, we can give our problems to Him. The Holy Spirit isn’t asking us to tolerate someone else’s wrongdoings. He isn’t saying that we should let people run all over us to the extent that evil runs amuck in our society. That’s where the civil authority comes in (discussed in Romans 13). Instead, Paul is saying that the right response when we’re tempted to seek out vengeance is to give that to God. God will render to each one according to their deeds (Rom. 2:6).

2. Because vengeance is God’s, we know that the injustices committed against us will be handled fairly. We tend to allow the wrongs committed against us to swell out of proportion in our minds, don’t we? Little things become big things quickly. God is just and fair.

3. Because vengeance is God’s, not one evildoer will go unpunished. God sees everything (Heb. 4:13). He knows what happened in every situation, and He knows every detail of truth about that situation. Romans 12:19 teaches me that His wrath will come on those who are disobedient to Him – including those who may deeply hurt you.

4. Because vengeance is God’s, everyone has an opportunity to repent. Now this point can be a hard pill to swallow. Remember, God loves everyone. That, of course, includes the blasphemer, persecutor, the violent aggressor, the adulterer, the thief, the drunkard and the extortioner, to borrow some from Paul’s listings in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:13. The goal is that they will learn of Jesus and respond to Him in obedience to the gospel. So, even here in Romans 12:20, Paul writes,

Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Treat your enemy with kindness and love. Be willing to forgive the moment that he or she asks your forgiveness. Do everything you can to fill your heart with the love of Jesus. The Bible teaches that God allows the earth to stand today because He wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 1:15). Certainly that includes your enemy.

Let’s wrap it up: God is faithful. God is just. You know, when we seek to avenge ourselves and to get back at someone else because of something they did to us, are we not stepping into God’s territory and putting ourselves in a place that God says clearly belongs to Him? We better be careful. We better be people of peace.

And so, Paul offers this final exhortation at the close of Romans 12: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

[divider]

TheNewYou1400 This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

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A Common Strength: Steadfast Servants

A Common Strength

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building (1 Cor. 3:6-9).

There’s a very important phrase found in 1 Corinthians 3:9. Paul says, “For we are God’s fellow workers.” That’s the New King James translation. I like the way the King James Version translates it: “For we are labourers together with God.”

Stop for a minute and analyze that phrase: “labourers together with God.” As Christians, we are laborers. There is work to do! Further, we are laborers together. We’re not alone in our Christian journey. In fact, we can’t do it alone! It takes all of us working together as the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). Finally, he goes so far as to say that we are laborers together with God. Now that is amazing! God is our strength; it is from Him that our power comes to accomplish His will in our lives (Rom. 1:16).

Today, I want us to consider the work of the church in light of that power from God. The work in which we are involved is the most important work on earth! We’re talking about soul-saving, eternity-determining matters! God gives us the strength to accomplish this great work through His amazing word.

The work of the church needs steadfast servants, sound shepherds, and stationed supporters. Let’s examine each of these individually over the next three days.

Today, we turn our attention to the steadfast servants.

God wants everyone to be a steadfast servant. He has given us the guidance we need to know what we are to do and how we are to do it. Consider three areas: the prerequisites, the purpose, and the power.

The Prerequisites

For one to be a servant of God, he or she must be obedient to the gospel. That’s how we become part of God’s family, added to the church (Acts 2:47). The Christians at Rome had “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Rom. 6:17). They met the prerequisites.

The Purpose

We are not redeemed by Christ’s blood merely to occupy a pew several times a week. There is work to do! The work of the church has been categorized into three sections: evangelism, edification, and benevolence. Evangelism is the spreading of the gospel (Mat. 28:18-20). Edification is the building up, the encouragement, of the church, our brothers and sisters in Christ (Eph. 4:16). Benevolence is assistance that is provided to those in need (Gal. 6:10).

The Power

Finally, let’s notice once again that the power to accomplish these three important tasks is found in God – and only in Him! His gospel is the power to save (Rom. 1:16). His nature has shown us comfort so that we can comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-4). His Word promises that our labors are not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).

Let’s wrap it up: We have important work to do. Are you involved in the Lord’s work? Are you a steadfast servant, one who is unwavering in God’s work? Live up to the potential for which you were reborn into Christ by giving your life to Jesus and working for Him every day.

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A Great Tool for Spiritual Growth

Persecution-Growth

Everyone suffers – the good and the bad, the old and the young, the rich and the poor. No one is exempt. Christians certainly aren’t excused from suffering. Jesus said that the prophets were persecuted and we will be, too (Mat. 5:10-12). Paul said that all Christians will suffer (2 Tim. 3:12). He knew, in a deeply personal way, the pain of suffering, yet he said that today’s sufferings can’t compare to eternity’s glory (Rom. 8:18).

Persecution is an opportunity for spiritual growth. Do you want to be closer to God and to God’s people? There’s hardly a better way to deepen your faith than to endure persecution. That’s why James tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2), because “the man who endures temptation … will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).

Allow me to direct our attention to 1 Peter 4. Much of this entire book is devoted to the topic of suffering for our faith. Peter says that Christ suffered for us and that we were called to suffering ourselves (1 Pet. 2:21). He continues the conversation about Christ’s suffering in chapter three: “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). It is with that backdrop that chapter four begins.

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God (1 Pet. 4:1-2).

Will you respond to suffering in a way that will bring about spiritual growth for your soul? Peter tells us how to do it here in 1 Peter 4.

1. Be defended.

Peter says that we need to be armed to defend ourselves against one of Satan’s most powerful weapons, persecution. You know as well as I do that the devil will use suffering to shake our faith. Peter says that we must arm ourselves with the mind of Christ. When Jesus “suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). That’s what we must do.

2. Be determined.

Some people are going to think that we’re weird for choosing a path that could bring suffering our way (1 Pet. 4:3-4). Peter assures us, “do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4:12). We do that, don’t we? We suffer and wonder, “Why is this happening to me?”. But why do we think that we’re the only Christians who will never suffer? Why do we think that we will be the only Christians in history who haven’t been persecuted?
Peter says that our suffering is not strange. Instead, we ought to be determined to rejoice in it (1 Pet. 4:13), to glorify God in it (1 Pet. 4:16), and to commit our souls to God in it (1 Pet. 4:19).

Let’s wrap it up: Do you really want to be a strong Christian? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Mat. 5:10). When the pain comes, let’s choose the path of growth. Christianity is called “the Way” in the book of Acts. We don’t claim that it’s the easy way. We don’t claim that it’s the way of least resistance. But it is the right way. It’s the way that Jesus says leads to eternal life and rest with Him and with God. That’s the way that I want to walk. What about you?

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Just Be a Good, Moral Person?

GoodMoralPerson

Somehow, someway, people got this notion that all one needs to do to go to heaven is to be a good, moral person. Maybe it’s because of the “feel good” type preaching that so many people are hearing these days. Don’t get me wrong, preaching should make us feel good, but gospel preaching can also challenge us to do God’s will.

I’m afraid this mentality might also exist in the Lord’s church. Some people may rationalize: “I don’t have to be at every worship service to go to heaven, I just need to be a good, moral person.” Sometimes, whether we really come out and say it or not, our actions reflect this type of thinking. Apparently some Christians think that they don’t need to tell others about Jesus in order to go to heaven as long as they’re “good, moral people.” Still others may reason that they aren’t required to stand up and be different in the world in order to go to heaven as long as they’re “good, moral people.”

Ultimately, it comes down to our definition of being good and moral, doesn’t it? I think we understand how our culture views these terms. To our society, the idea of being good and moral would include avoiding things that might put us into prison or that might single us out for something that everyone else would find distasteful. Basically, it’s all about keeping up appearances and maintaining the status quo.

The problem is, that’s not true Christianity.

Jesus makes it clear that He wants us to be good (in the sense that our society uses the term), but He wants us to be more than that. We are to be servants who are anxiously watching for the time when our Master will return (Luke 12:43). When He returns, we are to be found doing what He has asked us to do.

Jesus said that only those who do the will of the Father will be permitted into heaven (Mat. 7:21). He proceeded to describe good, decent, moral people who would be shocked that they weren’t allowed entrance (verses 22 and 23). They were good by society’s standards, but they hadn’t obeyed.

Let’s wrap it up: The Lord asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Christianity is about goodness, love, hope, joy, and, yes, feeling good about our souls. But it’s also about obedience. In fact, our reception to and obedience of God’s grace (Titus 2:11-12) is the very reason why we can feel so great about being a Christian. We have God’s promises that those who are faithful will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).

Be a good person – by God’s standards, and look forward to heaven.

[divider]

TheNewYou1400 This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

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How to Make and Keep Spiritual Resolutions

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).

As Christians, we seek that spiritual transformation in our hearts and our lives. The problem is setting the right goals, and achieving those goals.

Michael Hyatt is a leadership expert. Having served as the chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the largest publishing companies in the world, Hyatt gained invaluable experience in goal setting and achievement. Today, Michael Hyatt works as a virtual mentor through his website and online courses to help others achieve their goals.

In a blog post titled How to Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick, published in 2009, Hyatt gives four strategies that are certainly applicable for one who seeks to be transformed in the sense that Romans 12:2 describes.

1. Keep your resolutions few in number.

Hyatt recommends keeping your goals few in number to keep them manageable and attainable. You want to be able to memorize your goals so that they can constantly be in the back of your mind. Here’s the application – identify an area (or several areas) in your spiritual life that isn’t what you want it to be. How can we improve to render better service to God? Focus on that area for now, then go from there. Maybe it’s that you need to increase your study time. Perhaps it has to do with your speech. Whatever it is, seek transformation in the word of God by identifying the issue and reshaping your life by the guide of God’s word.

2. Make your goals “SMART.”

“SMART” goals are not just intelligent or wise. SMART is an acronym. Our goals should be …

  • Specific – Hyatt says we should be as specific as possible in identifying exactly what we want to accomplish.
  • Measurable – You must have some means to demonstrate and evaluate that you are accomplishing your goals.
  • Actionable – It needs to be something that you *do*. Hyatt recommends beginning each resolution or goal with a verb.
  • Realistic – If you’re like me, the temptation is to somehow go from planning to dreaming beyond what I’m ready for right now. We have to be careful that we stretch ourselves without overdoing it.
  • Time-Bound – You need to set a date for when you want to have this goal completed. Since we’re dealing with spiritual maturation, perhaps we should say that we need to set a date to check in and measure our improvement.

These SMART goals will help us find the clarity we need to become more like Jesus.

3. Write them down.

Michael Hyatt says that writing down your goals is powerful. Putting those goals on paper adds a level of authenticity to me. Once it’s written down, it’s official.

4. Go public.

Hyatt urges his audience to share their goals with other people. In the family of God, we know that God designed the church to be interdependent to a large degree. We confess our faults to one another (James 5:16), and we rely on each other to lift us up and encourage us (Heb. 10:24-25; Gal. 6:1-2).

Let’s wrap it up: Let’s give some quick examples of how some SMART spiritual goals might look. Instead of your goal being, “I want to increase my Bible reading,” make it like this: “Read through the entire Bible by December 31, 2015.” Instead of “conduct a Bible study,” write it like this: “Study the Bible with so-and-so by March 2015.” These are just a few examples that might help us get clear with our goals and make next year a year of spiritual transformation.

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Paul’s Resolution

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

Are you interested in taking steps toward spiritual improvement in 2015? I’ve been making some personal plans over the past several days. In Philippians chapter three, we see a wonderful pattern for spiritual goal setting.

Here are five observations from Paul’s resolution statement in Philippians 3:13-14.

1. Prioritization

Some things are more important than others. Paul had his priorities right. He says, “one thing I do” (Phil. 3:13). He was focused on the spiritual things first. Will your 2015 (Lord willing) reflect that same focus?

2. Progression

Paul said that he was forgetting the past and reaching forward to the future. There were some things in Paul’s past that I’m sure brought shame to his mind. Conversely, there were perhaps some parts of Paul’s more recent past that may have made him proud (in a good kind of way). However, those things were behind him. The fact that he had a past meant that he had made progress, right? Be sure that you are making progress – and that you’re making it in the right direction (Mat. 7:13-14).

3. Pressure

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” Paul said (Phil. 3:14). The word “press” means to put in rapid motion; to pursue. There was a time when Paul put pressure on the cause of Christ (Acts 9:4-5; 22:4). Following his conversion to Jesus, Paul pressed toward the finish line of a life well lived. In what direction are you pressing?

4. Prize

Paul was pressing toward the prize. There’s a reward, a rest, that awaits those who faithfully run the Christian race and cross that great finish line. John was instructed to write,

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

It’s important to remember why you do what you do. There was a heavenly home upon which Paul was focused. But it was about more than just the prize. The prize’s value was found in Who resides in heaven. Back up to Philippians 3:8-11 and you see that Paul was fully focused on heaven because of his focus on Christ. Notice that, in those verses, Paul expresses his desire to…
* … Gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
* … Be found in Christ (Phil. 3:9).
* … Know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Phil. 3:10).
* … Attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:11).

It’s important that we maintain our motivation in living for Jesus.

5. Planning

Paul had clear goals. He lived with the end in mind, focusing always upon his promised prize and on the One who had given Him that promised hope. This doesn’t happen by accident, does it? And it won’t happen by accident for you or me, either. We won’t grow by osmosis through hearing sermons on Sundays and sitting through Bible classes on Wednesdays. We will have to focus our hearts and employ our hearts on studying and practicing the truth.

Let’s wrap it up: Prioritization, progression, pressure, prize, and planning: these are all elements that accompanied Paul’s resolution statement. These five elements will undoubtedly be included as you and I make plans for spiritual improvements.

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Are New Year’s Resolutions Scriptural?

Are New Year’s resolutions scriptural? We have come to that time of year again when we begin to think about our plans for the future, including changes that we would like to make in the coming year. Is there anything wrong with making resolutions to spiritually improve? Not only is it not wrong, I want to encourage everyone to make spiritual resolutions – and to keep them!

When we think about planning for the future, it’s important to remember the James four principle. In James 4:13-17, James states that we should carefully and considerately make plans. He notes that there is a significant temptation to live day to day without remembering that every day is a gift from God – a gift that we are not guaranteed. So, as we plan, we ought to make sure that we consider the Lord’s will. We are supposed to remember that we may not be here tomorrow. We may not be here one hour from right now!

Taking that principle from James into consideration, we must also note that being a Christian can be hard work. Let’s face it, no one squeaks into Heaven on a whim. Being admitted into Heaven on the Judgment Day is all about God’s grace coupled with our faith and obedience to God’s word.

That’s why, in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul likens Christianity to a race in which runners are competing for a prize. He says that, in physical races, all compete, but one receives the prize. The New Testament makes it clear that everyone who is faithful to God will receive the heavenly reward (2 Tim. 4:6-8), but Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians chapter nine is that Christians should give deliberate, strenuous effort in reaching for the prize – just like the runner in the race who comes in first place.

So, should Christians make new year’s resolutions? Well, the Bible certainly encourages regular self-examination and good time management.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul said,

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

We must constantly evaluate our spiritual lives. We know that we’re not Jesus, we’re not the Judge. However, we have the standard by which we will be judged and it’s important that we are constantly checking up ourselves to ensure that we’re in line with that standard.

Further, in Ephesians 5:16, the Holy Spirit says that we are to redeem the time because the days are evil. The idea in the verse is that we’re trying to snatch up the time from loss. It’s like when you drop your hat into the flowing river and you have one shot to recover it before the waters carry it beyond your reach and it’s gone forever. Christians don’t have any time to waste. We must ensure that we are being good stewards of our lives. What better way to do that than to set goals, or make resolutions?

Let’s wrap it up: It’s the second week of December. Now is a great time to take a minute to think about where you want to be spiritually and what you need to do to get there. But remember that James four principle. If you see an area lacking in your life – especially if your relationship with God isn’t what it should be – don’t wait until January 1 to correct it. Take action today to get closer to God.

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Happy New Year! My Plans for 2014

NewYear2014

I am a work in progress. I imagine I always will be. On this blog, I share my progress, my observations, and tips that I have found helpful in living the Christian life and in preaching the gospel. As I am constantly trying to improve myself, I am also constantly seeking to improve the content that I share with you here. For me, a new year is a great and natural time to make goals and to give special attention to self-improvement.

When I look at great men of God like the apostle Paul, I’m encouraged by the fact that I am not the only one who needs improvement. Paul said he needed daily self-examination and improvement, just like I do.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Cor. 9:27).[/box]

In the spirit of self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5), with the sincere desire to become more like Christ (1 Pet. 2:21), and in the interest of being the best I can be as a minister of the gospel (1 Tim. 4:15-16), I hereby declare these personal goals for 2014.

1. I will reach inbox zero by Friday of each week. I don’t think I have ever reached inbox zero since I’ve had an email account (many moons ago with hotmail!). Too much of my time is buried in email. This year, Lord willing, I will maximize my time and my efficiency, beginning in my inbox.

2. I will read through the New Testament each month. I know many preachers have been doing this for years, but, for me, this is one of those stretch goals. This resolution will force me to block off time that I will dedicate only to personal Bible reading. I’m excited for this challenge.

3. I will set aside one day each week for visiting and evangelistic meetings. This will be a scheduled appointment with myself that I must fill. This will force me to actually seek Bible studies and opportunities to edify my brethren instead of just waiting to stumble upon those situations.

4. I will produce 50 episodes of the Preachers in Training podcast. Based on my experience from 2013, this is another lofty goal. At The Light Network, we believe the keys to the work’s success and longevity are consistency and content. Rather than playing podcasting by ear, I hope to take PIT seriously as a regular part of my schedule and ministry.

5. I will post on this blog three times each week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. As I stated in my inaugural post for this website, this website has some selfish incentives that help me to stay creative and fresh, and to (hopefully) improve my writing skills. As I force myself to post at least three times per week, I will try to think outside the box both in content and in form (i.e., not just text posts). To bring focus to my blog posts and to better serve those who read my posts, I plan to introduce several new aspects to my website.

[highlight]A 2014 THEME ESPECIALLY FOR THIS WEBSITE[/highlight]: I have selected “Lord of All” as the 2014 theme for this website. While not every post will deal with the theme, many posts will. I’m excited to share these thoughts with you.

[highlight]SHORTER POSTS[/highlight]: My blog posts are generally around 600 words. In 2014, I will reduce that goal to 450 words per post. This will force brevity for me and will make reading my posts quicker (thus, more convenient) for you.

[highlight]IMAGES AND VIDEO[/highlight]: While most of my posts will be text posts, I plan to incorporate far more image and video posts this year.

[highlight]TOOLS AND TIPS[/highlight]: Finally, you will notice more “tools and tips” posts. These will be everything from “behind the scenes” type posts (such as how to produce podcasts and what equipment I use) to app and hardware reviews.

Thank your for reading and sharing this journey with me. My prayer is that you will enjoy God’s blessings (1 Pet. 3:10-12) and walk in His light (1 John 1:7) this new year.

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Three Huge Advantages of Christian Friends

The old proverb says

As iron sharpens iron,

So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Prov. 27:17).

As always, the Bible is spot on! My wife and I spent last weekend with the three other married couples who are involved in The Light Network. Several months ago, we decided to take a weekend to make plans for our work in the coming year, Lord willing. The team works well together, so I knew we would be super productive. I also knew we would benefit from just relaxing and hanging out together.

As I take a few minutes to think about what I’ve learned and how I’ve benefited from the weekend, I can’t help but think about the major advantages of having good, Christian friends. Here are three:

[highlight]Christian friends remind me that I am not alone in my faith.[/highlight] We all know that it’s really hard to stand up for your convictions – especially when they counter culture to the extent that so many biblical teachings do. In a world where groups such as the ACLU and the Freedom from Religion Foundation sue everyone who dares to show their religion in a public way, and in a world where alleged scientists claim that evolution is the only stance on human origins for anyone with common sense, in a world where atheism is among the fastest growing movements in the United States, it is ever so easy to feel lonely as a Christian. Godly friends who are unified in the faith help us to effectively accomplish Jude’s command to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3).

[highlight]Christian friends remind me that I am not alone in my fight with sin.[/highlight] It’s not that the thought of my friends messing up brings me comfort. It’s knowing that their struggles are similar – if not identical – to mine. They can relate to my shortcomings because they are in the trenches, fighting the Christian’s battle every day just like I am. It’s only natural, then, that we share our triumphs and our tears; that we praise one another and pray for one another, all while thanking God and glorifying our Father that we can partake in Christ’s sufferings (1 Pet. 4:16; cf. 2 Tim. 1:8).

[highlight]Christian friends remind me that I am not alone in my family values.[/highlight] Some people (including Christian people) just don’t understand why Emily and I would choose to closely follow the biblical plan for the home. You know the one: where the man is the head of the house and the wife is the keeper of the home. They don’t understand why our family time (even though it’s just the two of us) is so important. They don’t get why we would choose to spend “time off” doing church work. For whatever reason, this is often the case especially for preachers and their families. My Christian friends get it. They’re trying to live it, too. They help me not to give up or to conform to society’s view of “marriage.” They are godly husbands and godly wives. They’re happy and content. They’re excited about their homes – and it’s contagious. They are proof that God’s way is best.

These three reasons affirm the positive truth to the negative warning given in 1 Corinthians 15:33:

Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.

I’m thankful for Torrey & Alexandra Clark, Chris & Melissa Clevenger, and Brad & Brooke McNutt. I’m thankful for my best friend, Emily, and the encouragement she constantly gives to me. Each of these (and others whom I could mention) challenge my thinking, encouragement me to live better, and excite me for heaven, where we will never have to pack up and go our separate ways.

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Question: What are some other advantages of Christian friendships? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.