It can be difficult and scary to talk about God. And maybe for some of us, it always will be, as talking about God can feel very personal, or very easily offensive. But in this post, as we continue to follow Paul’s journey as told in Acts 17, Paul will demonstrate how to talk aboutContinue reading “3 steps to follow when talking about God (to avoid offending people) – Acts 17, Part 3”
Author Archives: joelkime
How to listen to sermons (or any teaching from the Bible) – Acts 17, Part 2
In the summer between my sophomore and junior year of college, I was on a college ministry team that traveled around the Northeast USA spending 10 weeks ministering at summer camps. One week we served at Camp Berea in Maine. Camp Berea gets its name from the people we’re going to meet today as weContinue reading “How to listen to sermons (or any teaching from the Bible) – Acts 17, Part 2”
Why is it so hard to talk about religion? – Acts 17, Part 1
How do you feel talking about Jesus or about religion? Do you find it easy or difficult to talk with others about these topics? When it come to talking about Jesus, I had a bit of a reality check this week. As a pastor, you can imagine that I talk about Jesus a lot, butContinue reading “Why is it so hard to talk about religion? – Acts 17, Part 1”
Make the choice to rejoice – Acts 16, Part 5
Our study through Acts 16 has been filled with drama, and in the final verses, 35-40, there’s one more dramatic loose end to tie up. Though the local magistrates give Paul and Silas their freedom, Paul says, “No. We’re staying.” What? He voluntarily stays in prison? Why? Paul is making a point, letting the magistratesContinue reading “Make the choice to rejoice – Acts 16, Part 5”
How to have hope even when it seems all is lost – Acts 16, Part 4
Have you ever lost hope? You might know the feeling, either from something in real life when disaster has struck, or maybe you had one of those vivid nightmares that seem totally real, and you wake up, sweating, heart racing, so thankful it was just a dream. The loss of hope can cause us toContinue reading “How to have hope even when it seems all is lost – Acts 16, Part 4”
How to respond when your world is suddenly shattered – Acts 16, Part 3
Have you had one of those days where things are going so well, and all of a sudden, something happens and your life is turned upside-down? Maybe it is when the boss walks in, says “We’re letting you go, please turn in your key and company credit card, and collect your things.” Maybe it isContinue reading “How to respond when your world is suddenly shattered – Acts 16, Part 3”
Do you struggle to hear from God’s Spirit? – Acts 16, Part 2
Have you ever wished God could just be like Siri or Google, at your beck and call for answers and guidance whenever you need help? We Christians believe that God is always present with us, and in fact, that the Holy Spirit lives within us. There is plenty of teaching in the Bible that GodContinue reading “Do you struggle to hear from God’s Spirit? – Acts 16, Part 2”
How should Christians respond when our world falls apart? – Acts 16, Part 1
It’s been quite a year already, hasn’t it? And we’re not even halfway through! We started the year in political turmoil with a presidential impeachment hearing and the normal increased intensity of election year debates. Then Covid-19 hit, and we were in quarantine, including a near total shutdown of the country, for months. Then multipleContinue reading “How should Christians respond when our world falls apart? – Acts 16, Part 1”
A testy parting of ways – Acts 15, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This series of posts on Acts 15 is written by guest teacher David Hundert. Thanks, David! The series of five posts begins here. Saying “goodbye” is rarely easy, especially when it comes on the heels of brokenness. Maybe you’ve experienced one of those goodbyes. As we continue the story of Acts 15, theContinue reading “A testy parting of ways – Acts 15, Part 4”
A letter for unity – Acts 15, Part 3
Editor’s Note: This series of posts on Acts 15 is written by guest teacher David Hundert. Thanks, David! The series of five posts begins here. Are you experiencing a disagreement with someone? Brokenness in a relationship? What will it take to reconcile or pursue unity? As we have been seeing in this series of postsContinue reading “A letter for unity – Acts 15, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 