Studies, reading plans and every single day within them, alongside devotionals and articles. Search by title, book of the Bible, passage or topic.
Chapter study
Do not rush into this chapter. Genesis 22 is one of the most important passages in the Bible, and without it much of the New Testament loses its depth. Some chapters can be read quickly without much loss. This is not…
Chapter study
Psalm 23 is one of the most quoted passages in the Bible and one of the least observed. Many people carry it in memory without ever slowing down to notice how carefully every sentence is arranged. David is not writing…
Dig Deeper
Psalm 23:1 A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Want here means lack. David is not saying he will never desire anything again, he is saying he will not be left without what a shepherd owes his…
Dig Deeper
Genesis 22:1 After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” The Hebrew verb is nasah, to test or put to the proof. It is the same verb used of Israel in the wilderness, where…
Bible study
A verse-by-verse study of the most beloved psalm in Scripture Psalm 23:1 A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Psalm 23 belongs to the collection of psalms attributed to David, Israel's second…
Dig Deeper
Genesis 22:2 He said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, even Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.” The land of…
Dig Deeper
Genesis 22:7-8 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will…
Verse study
אֱלֹהִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה Elohim yireh lo ha-seh Hebrew Literally God will see for Himself the lamb. Hebrew joins seeing and providing in one verb, so the sentence claims that God has already looked ahead on…
Verse study
הִנֵּנִי hinneni Hebrew Behold me. A single word made of a presentational particle and the pronoun I. It reports availability without asking what will be required. A word that gives no conditions Hinneni is not a…
Verse study
תַּחַת בְּנוֹ tahat beno Hebrew Tahat means under, in the place of, instead of. It marks an exchange of position rather than a rescue by escape. Something still dies The chapter does not end with the knife lowered and…
Verse study
יְהוָה יִרְאֶה YHWH yireh Hebrew The LORD will see. Because God sees ahead, He sees to it. Provision in Hebrew begins as vision. A name earned on a mountain Abraham has known God as El Elyon, God Most High, and El…
Topic study
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. It is confident expectation resting on the character and the promises of God. Most people use the word hope to admit that they do not know. I hope tomorrow is easier. I hope the…
Biblical concept
Deception in Scripture is not only being lied to. Genesis 3:1 to 5 shows the shape of it: a true statement is bent into a question, the warning of God is denied, and a motive is suggested for God that God never gave. 2…
Word and phrase
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is confidence resting on God's word rather than on sight. Scripture ties faith to an object. Romans 10:17 says…
Biblical concept
The kingdom of God is God's rule, not a territory. Mark opens the ministry of Jesus with the announcement that the kingdom of God has come near, and calls for repentance and faith as the response. Scripture speaks of…
Place in Scripture
Mountains in Scripture are meeting places. Abraham is sent to a mountain in Moriah, Moses receives the law on Sinai, the temple is built on a hill in Jerusalem, Jesus teaches, is transfigured, prays and is crucified on…
Word and phrase
Righteousness in Scripture is relational as well as moral. It means conformity to God's standard and standing accepted before him, and Romans 3 says all have fallen short of it. Romans 1:17 speaks of a righteousness of…
Biblical concept
This is the title Jesus uses of himself more than any other. In Ezekiel the phrase simply means a human being, but in Daniel 7 one like a son of man comes with the clouds and receives an everlasting kingdom from the…
Biblical concept
Jesus says he is the true vine and his followers are branches, and that a branch bears fruit only while it stays joined to the vine. Apart from me you can do nothing is the plainest sentence in the passage. The Old…
Biblical concept
John 1:14 says the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and that we have seen his glory. Two things are held together: full deity from verse 1, and real humanity here. Nothing is subtracted from either. The verb dwelt…
Christian Living
2 Corinthians 6:14 Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? WEB 2-corinthians 6 The image is agricultural: two animals…
Christian Living
John 17:3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. WEB john 17 Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God, not merely as living forever. That means eternal…
Christian Living
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. WEB hebrews 11 Faith in this verse is not a feeling of certainty but a hold on something real. The words substance and evidence both…
Christian Living
Joshua 24:15 If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but…
Christian Living
2 Corinthians 12:9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. WEB…
Christian Living
Lamentations 3:22-23 It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. WEB lamentations 3 These lines sit…
Christian Living
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,…
Christian Living
Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, WEB acts 3 Repentance in Scripture is a change of mind that…
Christian Living
Ephesians 2:8-9 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. WEB ephesians 2 Paul removes every ground for boasting in two…
Christian Living
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. WEB 2-peter 3 Growth is commanded, which means it is not automatic, and it is growth…
Bible question
1 John 5:14 This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. WEB Before anything is explained, hear God speak about your prayers in his own words. 1 John…
Bible question
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. WEB Let God answer this before anyone comforts you or frightens you about it. 1 John…
Bible question
John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is…
Bible question
John 17:17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. WEB Read what Scripture claims for itself before reading anyone's argument about it. The claim is unusually direct. 2 Peter 1:16-19 For we did not follow…
Bible question
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the…
Bible question
Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you…
Bible question
2 Peter 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; WEB God speaks about growth before we…
Bible question
Romans 10:9 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. WEB This is the passage where Paul answers the question directly,…
Bible question
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? WEB God has already spoken about his will. Read that first, because…
Bible question
2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves…
Bible question
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. WEB Let God's own words set the terms before the study begins. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t…
Bible question
Matthew 6:9 Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. WEB This is one of the few questions the disciples asked out loud, and Jesus answered it directly. Read his answer before any advice about…
Bible question
John 20:28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” WEB Read three passages before any argument. One is a claim Jesus made, one is what his hearers understood by it, one is what a disciple said to his face. John 8:58…
Bible question
John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” WEB Jesus explains this himself, so read his words before ours. John 3:3-8 Jesus answered him, “Most…
Bible question
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. WEB Before we define the fear of the Lord, listen to how God speaks of it. Proverbs 9:10-11 The fear of…
Bible question
Luke 9:23-24 He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake,…
Bible question
Philippians 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. WEB Read God's words on anxiety before you read anyone's explanation of them,…
Bible question
Isaiah 41:10 Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. WEB Read the…
Bible question
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. WEB Faith is defined by Scripture itself, so let the definition come from God before any illustration of it. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith…
Bible question
Ephesians 2:8-9 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. WEB Grace should be heard from God before it is defined by…
Bible question
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, WEB The gospel is a message God delivered, so read his wording before ours.…
Bible question
Acts 16:30-31 and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." WEB The question in the title of this study…
Bible question
Exodus 34:6 Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, WEB Scripture does not begin with a definition of God…
Bible question
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.…
Bible question
John 14:16-17 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever, — the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, neither knows him. You know…
Bible question
2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, WEB Before asking historians, ask what Scripture says about its own origin.…
Bible question
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. WEB The resurrection is announced by Scripture before it is explained by anyone. 1 Corinthians…
Bible question
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. WEB This question deserves God's words before ours. Read these passages…
Bible question
Psalm 13:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? WEB Scripture speaks first, and what it says about silence is more honest…
Bible question
Psalms 2:7 I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father. WEB The title has a history. Read where it comes from, then hear it spoken over Jesus, then hear how his…
The Sunday Study
Verse-by-verse teaching with historical context, and a prayer to close. Nothing else in the email.