Biblical Literacy Archives - The Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership

What Everyday Christians Need to Understand About the Kingdom of God

Lisa Harp Hinds2023-08-21T15:03:01-06:00

by Amber Mann Riggs The Kingdom of God. It’s a Jesus-phrase that gets a lot of air time in Christian circles, and yet the depth of it often means that we don’t realize the profundity of what we are talking about when these words pass through our lips. However, as Christians who want to actively influence our homes, church, workplaces, and communities for the honor and glory of Christ, understanding what Jesus meant by the Kingdom of God has the power to bring remarkable clarity to how we interact with both other people and our environment. Here’s what we need to understand about [...]

What Everyday Christians Need to Understand About the Kingdom of GodLisa Harp Hinds2023-08-21T15:03:01-06:00

I Dreamed of the Kingdom of God

Lisa Harp Hinds2023-08-21T14:46:02-06:00

by Donna Foster I used to believe that John was making up the story about man’s final destiny. I was reading the Book of Revelation and became fascinated with its story. Some parts made me feel afraid. It kind of reminded me of the movie “Early Edition.” To read a book and become so enthralled is as if you were a part of its written story. Amazing! The book came alive; it put me in imagination mode. I twitched my lips and used my left hand to cover my face from the hot glaring sun. I rested my head against the [...]

I Dreamed of the Kingdom of GodLisa Harp Hinds2023-08-21T14:46:02-06:00

Where and When is the Kingdom?

Lisa Harp Hinds2023-08-21T14:34:34-06:00

by Loren Gjesdal Every attentive reader of the New Testament should pause when they read these words of Jesus: For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:27-28). It has been nearly 2,000 years since Jesus spoke these words, and we are quite confident all who heard them have tasted death, yet [...]

Where and When is the Kingdom?Lisa Harp Hinds2023-08-21T14:34:34-06:00

The Importance of Education

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:49:56-06:00

By Noe Reyes My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children Hosea 4:6 KJV. This passage is one of the saddest from the Bible. It expresses the profound sadness and raw emotion of a Holy God who desires to be known by His people. From the beginning of time, the omnipotent and only God established the importance of education for his chosen ones. Because of this, he strongly recommended to the [...]

The Importance of EducationBrian Franks2022-07-28T15:49:56-06:00

3 Keys to Communicating Christ

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:46:44-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows Do you communicate with someone at least once a day? If so, you are a communicator. Are you a follower of Christ? If so, you are a leader. You are a leader because you were created and re-created to lead. You are a communicator because, well, we are all communicators. Every day you send and receive messages with those around you – your family, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and even strangers. In other words, you communicate. Unless you opt for the hermit life, communication is unavoidable. Through your various communications with those around you, you are leading each person to a conclusion about your life. So, as an influential [...]

3 Keys to Communicating ChristBrian Franks2022-07-28T15:46:44-06:00

5 Simple Ways to Increase Sabbath School Attendance

Brian Franks2022-07-20T13:34:11-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz Most Sabbath School teachers share a common frustration: low attendance. They feel like their congregation would benefit from Sabbath School class, but fewer than half of those who attend the worship service show up for class. Here are five tips for attracting more people to class: 1. LET TEACHERS TEACH Many church classrooms consist of a discussion facilitator lobbing questions at a large group (10 or more people) who then “discuss” the topic. Oftentimes, this discussion consists of people repeating their favorite sayings, affirming their pre-conceived ideas, and trading half-quoted Scriptures. While the “round table” approach might work well [...]

5 Simple Ways to Increase Sabbath School AttendanceBrian Franks2022-07-20T13:34:11-06:00

How Do You Learn Proper Biblical Interpretation?

Brian Franks2022-07-20T13:29:16-06:00

By David Zellers Have you ever heard or read something about what is in the Bible and wondered, “Is that really right?” You hear sermons and read books, articles, and the commentaries in your Bible, but sometimes these do not seem right. Additionally, when reading your Bible, you may find it hard to relate it to your life. Studying the Bible takes some time and effort. However, with study, the Bible becomes a living, relevant source of wisdom, guidance, and meaning for your life. Thereby, to find the truth that sets you free, you must make certain you are receiving the [...]

How Do You Learn Proper Biblical Interpretation?Brian Franks2022-07-20T13:29:16-06:00

From Veggie Tales to What’s in the Bible: Following Phil Vischer’s Lead

Brian Franks2022-07-20T09:42:53-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz The first time I saw Veggie Tales I was a high school sophomore in a room full of guys from around the country and we couldn’t stop laughing at Larry the Cucumber’s hairbrush song. Veggie Tales was funny stuff. Every half-hour episode was packed with witty cultural references, silly vegetables and a nice moral lesson, always ending with the affirmation, “God made you special, and He loves you very much.” Almost twenty years later, I still watch Veggie Tales with my kids as they’re introduced to Veggie-tized versions of classic characters from Indiana Jones to George Müller and classic literature from Hamlet to Huckleberry Finn. [...]

From Veggie Tales to What’s in the Bible: Following Phil Vischer’s LeadBrian Franks2022-07-20T09:42:53-06:00

Same Sex Attraction: Five Things Christians Need to Know

Brian Franks2022-07-12T13:22:19-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz Followers of Jesus are still confronted with temptations to sin. And not just palatable sins, but the kinds that make most Christians uncomfortable. For example, some Christians are confronted with the temptation of homosexuality brought on by their same-sex attraction. As with all temptations, these Christians must resist and cling to Christ who has re-created them in the imago dei. Further, He has re-created them to lead those in their every day circles to encounter Him personally. No matter the sin that tempts us, in Christ we have an influence—an opportunity to increase God’s kingdom. Recent tectonic shifts [...]

Same Sex Attraction: Five Things Christians Need to KnowBrian Franks2022-07-12T13:22:19-06:00

John: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 3

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:58:14-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz BACKGROUND AND SCOPE The purpose of this series is to explore a supposed rift in how Jesus is depicted in the Gospels. As many scholars have noted, John’s Gospel proclaims a majestically high Christology. Indeed some have seen in John a Christology that finds no parallel in the other Gospels. 1 To put it simply, “If Jesus was as He is depicted in Matthew and Mark and Luke, He cannot have been as He is depicted in John. The two are incompatible.” 2 Previously we examined the opening scenes in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and found that each presents not only an [...]

John: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 3Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:58:14-06:00

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