I have yet to see Simeon and Anna in a manger scene. They saw Jesus two years before the magi and almost every manger scene includes the magi. Why not Simeon and Anna too? These two senior adults can teach us a lot about finding Jesus in Christmas. They did at least four things that…
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I find it funny that people get angry over this song about joy. Isaac Watts’ hymn “Joy to the World” was the most published Christmas carol of the twentieth century, but there is a strong case to be made that it is actually about the second coming of Christ and was therefore never intended to…
Read MoreHere are the Kids Explore the Bible: At Home parent resources for the Winter quarter of 2017-18. Use these resources to help families make connections and successfully lead family devotion times, as together, families study God’s Word. We will begin posting these family resources a few weeks before each quarter begins. 07_ETB_At_Home_Winter_2018
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A “serious argument” broke out in the church at Antioch (Acts 15:2). The Greek word translated here as “argument” is staseos. It comes from a word that means “to stand” (as in “to take a stand”) and can carry the meaning of a dispute or even a riot. In Acts 19:40 the CSB translates the…
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It seems ironic and foolish to speak of churches having “worship wars.” Nevertheless, over the past couple of decades many congregations experienced conflict over that very issue. Some worshipers preferred a more formal, meditative style that promotes a deep sense of reverence toward God. Others wanted a freer, louder style that expresses joyful praise and…
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