Welcome to the
Scripture Confident Living Blog
I want to study the Bible, but I don’t know where to start.
Bible study ideas just flow out of me. That hasn't always been the case. Like many of you, I once stared at this big book called the Bible with a complete feeling of overwhelm, wondering, "Where in the world do I start?" Knowing that many of you feel slightly paralyzed by this and other questions that are holding you back, I developed a 5-day email course called "Busting Your Top 5 Bible Study Roadblocks." Today, I'm giving you a little sneak peek here on the blog.
Unveiling the Authorship of the Bible
The Bible is more than just a book—it's a timeless compass, offering wisdom and insight for life's journey. Have you ever wondered about the individuals behind its pages and how their words made it into this ancient, revered text? Well, you're not alone. Understanding who wrote the Bible and how it came to be can boost your confidence in its trustworthiness and deepen your connection to its message.
Should we study the Bible like a textbook?
Bible study is worth every effort we once gave school work. It's certainly more worthwhile than reading Shakespeare. Yet many of us don't approach the Bible as we did Shakespeare. So the questions remains: Should we study the Bible like a textbook? Here is my answer.
When You Don't Get the Rest You Need
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31.
Those were Jesus’ words to His disciples after one of their ministry journeys. A restful retreat: what a good idea! But did they get their retreat or did they have to wait?
The Meaning of Life According to the Bible
In the pages of the Bible, we find not just a source of timeless wisdom, but also a wellspring of truth that guides us toward what we truly need. It teaches us that we are made for a relationship with Jesus, who offers us love, purpose, and hope even in our darkest hours.
Study Bible Topics that Matter to You
Topical Bible studies are a great way to learn about God, take a biblical stance on current events, overcome a sin or weakness, tackle your personal growth goals with God's help, answer a theological or any other Bible question, need God's wisdom and direction. Take charge of your quiet time and study the Bible topics that really matter to you.
What Does It Mean to Be “In Christ”?
Before long, any believer will come across the phrase “in Christ” either while studying the Bible or hearing another believer talk about matters of the faith. Who is “in Christ”, and what does that phrase mean? Let me help you better understand Bible passages that use the phrase “in Christ”.
Is this promise for me?
The Bible is full of God’s promises to His people. We love to read them. We love to apply them to our lives. We use them to remember that we serve a good and giving God. But are all those promises for us? Do we have the liberty to apply them to any life situation? After all, we serve a God who does not change and His promises are true.
How to Choose Your Best-Fit Bible Commentary
You are looking for a Bible commentary? Awesome; I’d love to help. There are so many commentaries out there - long, short, digital, print - I can see why your head is spinning. I think it’s great you are taking this step to find one that works for you.
The Mirror — Walk through James 1:22-25
You won’t be surprised to hear me say that time spent studying the Bible is never wasted. However, when we leave without heeding the following advice from the book of James, we are fooling ourselves into thinking we did something noble to grow our faith.
The Best Bible Version for Bible Study
If you are bilingual, have taken a foreign language class, or have a close friend whose first language is different from yours, you are familiar with one truth about languages: Nuances and meanings don’t always fully translate. When your bilingual friend wants to explain one of his culture’s popular phrases, he may first give you a very literal translation, then compare his phrase with a popular American one that uses different words to communicate a similar concept, then combine the two for a happy medium. Can we replicate this for the Bible to take in God’s words more fully?
5 Steps to Truly Connecting with God during Your Quiet Time
What's the point of a regular quiet time anyway? Is it to check something off a list, to earn God's favor, or is it to connect with Him? I hope you spend time in God's Word to learn about your Creator and connect with the King of your life! In fact, I hope not a day goes by without a time of worshipping your Savior whole-heartedly and allowing God to fill your cup.
How to Trade Your Anxiety for God's Peace
How can God meet us when we are anxious and stressed? Let these Bible verses encourage you to leave your stress and anxiety at His feet and take up His peace instead. What a trade!
Seeking God's Direction through His Word
I'd venture to say that most of us are currently seeking God's input and direction for our lives in one way or another. We want to make good decisions, ones based on truth and His will. What better way to look than His Word?!
Understanding Bible Genres
The Bible contains books in various genres. This knowledge greatly impacts how we interpret a given Bible passage. For example, we want to take narratives literally, believing they actually happened as described, while we will more carefully interpret poetry, which - like modern poetry - often describes true observations with figurative language. Let's consider each of the genres of the Bible and how they flex our interpretation muscle.
How to Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Bible Study
Above all, we have to invite the Holy Spirit into our Bible study. Let's acknowledge Him as the greatest Bible Teacher we will ever experience. It is the Holy Spirit who blesses us understanding, conviction, and peace. So invite Him in!
Be Still and Know… How to Rest in Jesus
Recently, I took a few hours off to be by myself and get away with Jesus. I sat on bench by a fountain in town and envisioned myself in the presence of God - something that is always a reality, but I chose to focus in on this beautiful truth. My heart felt burdened and overloaded and I brought this feeling before God. In my heart, I spoke out, “Lord, please don’t take this as a feeling of ungratefulness. You are nothing but present with me and have blessed me in countless ways.” His gentle voice spoke back, “I know. I see your heart. You are not here to complain. You are here, so I can fill your cup.”
How Often Should I Study the Bible?
It’s commonly said that Christians should read their Bible every day. Is that a biblical command? Are we required to read the Bible daily? What if we can’t figure out how to make that happen? How often do we need to study the Bible to be faithful followers of Christ?
Reading Epistles as Intended
Did you know that the epistles (Romans-Jude) are letters written by an apostle or religious leader sent to an early church community? Can you imagine how they read this letter when they first received it? I bet they didn’t pick their favorite verse and forget about the rest. Instead…
9 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Next Bible-Study Guide
With thousands of Bible study guides in the market place, how do you pick one? Which guide will teach you more about your Christian faith, about God, and His will? Rather than reading a “Christian Living” book or devotional, choose a Bible study guide that lets you dive into God’s Word. Consider these 9 things as you choose…
