Gulp! Why it Matters that Jonah Got Swallowed
The story of Jonah is fun, but tricky for sensible people. Why is it in the Bible? Why did Jesus keep talking about it? And what’s the deal with the…Read more
Connecting Home, Church, and Youth Group
It’s usually easier to just do your own thing—teach your Bible lesson, run your youth program, lead your family devotions. But easier isn’t better. The Gospel Coalition has just published…Read more
My Classroom is Not a Hallmark Store
My Sunday school class won’t be coloring any paper hearts for Valentine’s Day. I have my reasons, but I need to watch how I tell them. A few days ago…Read more
A New (but Old) Study for Kids
Most new Bible studies don’t take 25 years to go from idea to published product, but this one did. Oddly, this speaks well of both teachers and kids. A new…Read more
Web Favorites from 2014
The best ministry articles aren’t just the ones that get the most clicks. I’ve decided that I like “Best of…” lists on the Internet. The year-end tradition draws my attention…Read more
A Letter from an Unsatisfied Churchgoer
It really was a perfectly good church service I attended a few days ago except for—well, except for the one thing that makes me write this letter. Dear Pastor, First…Read more
Christmas Meditation: The Sun of Righteousness
The last prophesy before Jesus was born called him the Sun of Righteousness. Fittingly, it evokes light, life, warmth—and danger. Tonight I’ll be speaking briefly in the candlelight service at…Read more
Three Places You Need to Sing This Week
We all need to sing, especially at Christmas. The Bible actually says so. Christmas is about singing. It brings caroling, holiday concerts, and rockin’ around the Christmas tree. Even secular…Read more
Five Alternatives to those Same, Stale Christmas Lessons
Every Christmas I seem to end up teaching the same points about baby Jesus. They’re good themes, but they get old. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. The…Read more
A Very Non-Special Christmas
What to do with those kids for Christmas? A decorating project? A party? A pageant? Or might the best of all Christmas ideas sound the least impressive? A few weeks…Read more