Don’t be surprised if you face resistance when you tell others what you have experienced with Jesus in your life. Do it anyway. You are not alone; the Holy Spirit is with you. [John 15:18-25; 15:26-27; 16:1-4a] Previous Next John List John 15:18-16:4 Don’t be surprised if you face resistance when you tell others what you have experienced with Jesus in your life. Do it anyway. You are not alone; the Holy Spirit is with you. Image by Vitaly Gariev, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti October 18, 2026 Read John 15:18-16:4a If the world hates you, it is because it hates Jesus [When we refer to verse 4a, we mean the first half of verse 4. Most translations of the Bible have a paragraph break or section break in the middle of verse 4 because the scholars think that more accurately reflects the organization of what John has written.] Verse 18 says that the world hates Jesus. Why does the world hate Jesus? Jesus says that the world might hate us. Why might the world hate us? In verse 19, Jesus tells us what we might be able to do to make the world love us. What could we do? If we belong to the world or are “of” the world, the world will love us. What does it mean to “belong to the world” or be “of” the world (verse 19)? We belong to the world or are of the world when we act as those who do not believe in Jesus act, think as they think, live according to the patterns of their worldviews. Jesus is not telling us to reject being involved with the world – we can be “in the world but not of the world,” as Jesus was. Who we “belong” to is a matter of who we take direction from. If we have given our lives to Jesus and belong to him, then we will not follow the ways and thinking of the world. What are some of the signs that followers of Jesus are not “of” the world and do not “belong to” the world? What are some of the things they might do, or do differently, or not do, because they belong to Jesus and not to the world? Are there times when the non-Christian society around you recognizes that you are not one of them? Does this ever cause problems for you? If so, what do you do about it? Near the end of verse 19, Jesus says, “I chose you out of the world.” Why is this important? What does the fact that you have been chosen out of the world by Jesus tell you about your relationship with him? How can you respond more fully to Jesus in response to his having chosen you out of the world to belong to him? In verse 20, Jesus says, “No slave is greater than his master.” He used that statement in John 13:16 when he washed the disciples’ feet and then called them to serve one another, but here, that phrase has a different meaning. What does he mean here when he says that no slave is greater than his master? In verse 21, Jesus explains why his followers will be persecuted: “because they do not know him who sent me.” Is this the root of the problems in the world: that people do not know God (the one who sent Jesus)? In what ways does this explain some of the evil and trouble we see in our world today? In verses 22-24, Jesus says that if he had not come and spoken to them and done the works he did in their midst, people would have no sin; but since he lived among them and did the works he did, they have no excuse. He is referring to the Jews of his time. Do you think this is also true of the non-believers of today have? Explain. In verse 25, Jesus quotes a statement that he says can be found in the law: “They hated me without cause.” In the New Testament, he “law” often refers to the Law of Moses (the Torah or first 5 books of the Old Testament), but here Jesus is referring to the entire Hebrew Scripture (our Old Testament) because the verse he is quoting from is Psalm 69:4 [69:5 in the NABRE]. For John, this is an important psalm for understanding who Jesus is: he also alludes to Psalm 69 in 2:17 and 19:29. Before we look at verses 26-27, let’s look at 16:1-4a. In 16:1, Jesus says he is telling them in advance that they will be persecuted so that they won’t fall away or stumble in their faith when it happens. In 16:4, he underscores that he wants them to remember this. Why is this so important to him? In 16:2, Jesus says that some of them will even be killed, signaling a greater persecution than just being expelled from the synagogues. The early Christian community did at times encounter opponents who were willing to murder Christians, not just kick them out of the synagogues. Does the Christian community face this level of opposition in your society? How does opposition to Jesus manifest itself in your time? Should we be surprised if we encounter opposition because we are Christians? How should we respond? Now come back to verses 26-27. Re-read John 15:26-27 The Holy Spirit will testify to Jesus In 15:26 and again in 16:7, Jesus says that he (Jesus) will send the Holy Spirit. In 14:16 and 14:26, he says that the Father will send the Holy Spirit. Some people try to claim that this is a contradiction. Others wander off the path by trying to build entire theological doctrines out of only one set or the other of these verses. We need to remember that Jesus is God and is one with the Father, so both ways of saying it are correct, even if we might emphasize one or the other at various times. Specifically in verse 26, who does Jesus say will testify to him? And specifically in verse 27, who does Jesus say will testify to him? How did the Holy Spirit testify to Jesus in the days of the early church, and how does the Holy Spirit testify to Jesus today? In verse 27, Jesus tells the disciples that they will testify to him (or bear witness), and other parts of the New Testament make it clear that he also expects us to testify to him – i.e., to tell others about what we have experienced of him. Witnesses tell what they have seen and experienced. What do you think we should be telling others about Jesus? In the Western world today, most Christians do not face the kind of intense opposition that Christians have experienced in other times and still experience today in other parts of the world. Yet most Christians are reluctant to talk about their faith with people who do not believe. What are some of the reasons why we hold back? In 14:17, Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit will abide in us. How does the Holy Spirit help us tell others about Jesus? How can you become more vocal and comfortable talking about your faith with non-believers? If you are studying in a small group, discuss this: What could this group do to help you be what Jesus is calling you do be? Pray for each other. (Prayer is one of the ways we can love each other as Jesus loves us – John 15:12.) Take a step back and consider this: Chapter 15 is filled with encouragement: Abide in me as I abide in you (15:4). As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you (15:9). I have told you these things so that . . . your joy may be complete (15:11). I no longer call you slaves . . . I have called you friends (15:15). I chose you (15:16, 19). In almost the same breath, Jesus says we will be hated and persecuted (15:18, 20; 16:2). And interspersed in the same place is a series of directives of what we should be doing: Keep my commandments (15:10). Love one another (15:12). Go and bear fruit that will last (15:16). Bear witness (to me) (15:27). Do you think it is intentional that these very different messages appear together? Why are they all here together in chapter 15, side by side? At this particular time in your life, what do you find most encouraging in this chapter? What do you find most challenging for you personally in this chapter? At this particular time in your life, what is Jesus calling you to do in response to chapter 15? Bibliography See John - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/john/bibliography . Copyright © 2026, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous John List Next

Jesus speaks almost simultaneously about abiding in him and loving one another – the interior life and the exterior life. How are they related? How can you both abide him and bear his fruit in how you love others? [John 15:1-10; 15:11-17] Previous Next John List John 15:1-17 Jesus speaks almost simultaneously about abiding in him and loving one another – the interior life and the exterior life. How are they related? How can you both abide him and bear his fruit in how you love others? A grapevine at Gikas Winery, Spata, Greece. Photo by Tom Faletti, 3 Nov. 2023. Tom Faletti June 7, 2026 Read John 15:1-11 I am the vine; abide in me The Greek word menó is central to this passage. It means to abide, to remain, to stay, to live or dwell somewhere. The most common translations are to “remain” or “abide,” although to “stay” or “dwell’ also communicate the key connotation that you are continuing “in” a particular place or position – in this case, in a particular Someone and his love. Jesus uses this word 6 times in verses 4 through 7, urging us to abide in himself. He also uses it once in verse 7, calling on us to let his words stay in us, and 3 times in verses 9-10, telling us to remain in his love. To introduce us to the concept of abiding or remaining in him, Jesus gives us an image of a branch of a vine, which needs to remain attached to the vine to stay alive. What does that image tell us about what it means to “remain” or “abide” in him? The word “abide,” or “remain,” always implies a place: you abide or remain somewhere . Where does Jesus want us to remain or abide? In verse 1, Jesus says that he is the “true” vine. He may be using the word “true” to distinguish himself from Old Testament uses of that metaphor. In the Old Testament, Israel is described as God’s vineyard (Is. 5:1-7; Is. 27:2-6; Jer. 12:10-12) and God’s vine (Ps. 80:8-16 [80:9-17 in the NABRE]; Jer. 2:21). Now, Jesus says that he is God’s vine, the one and only vine in God’s vineyard. In what ways is Jesus the “true” vine? Israel was an imperfect and fickle vine – the people and their leaders did not stay true to their commitment God. Jesus can be counted on forever, and we can find life in him and through him forever. In verse 1, Jesus says that his Father is the vine-grower or vinedresser. He is referring to the kind of farmer who cultivates a grapevine, tends it, waters it, and prunes it. How is God the Father like a vine-grower? In what ways is this metaphor of the vine and branches appropriate for us? How is Jesus like a vine, and how are we like his branches? In verse 4, Jesus says, “Abide in me.” What does it mean to abide “in” Jesus? Why is that word “in” so important? How do you picture yourself abiding in Jesus? What image do you have in your mind as a symbol or picture of abiding in him? What do you do to help yourself to continue to abide in Jesus? There are many things we can do: prayer, Bible study, praise, gratitude, service, united our sufferings with his, sacrificing ourselves for others with a conscience focus on staying connected to Jesus. Our participation in Holy Communion is also a way to abide in Jesus. The same word “abide” that Jesus uses here, at the Last Supper, he also uses in the Bread of Life discourse in John 6:56, where he says, “The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” This suggests that our sharing in the Eucharist/the Lord’s Supper can help us to abide in him. What kinds of things happen that take us away from abiding in Jesus? Now let’s look at the rest of what Jesus says in this passage. What does Jesus say about the Father in verse 1? How does that add to the image of what God is doing? Verse 2 has two parts. First, Jesus says that the vine-grower removes the branches that do not bear fruit. Why is that necessary for a vine? A diseased branch can infect the good branches and cause them also to stop bearing fruit. In what way does this apply to people? Why is it necessary to remove the branches that do not bear fruit? Are such people not really connected to the vine in the first place? Or is a separation necessary because a life that does not bear fruit is a contradiction that is incompatible with abiding in Jesus? Explain. Both of these are possible. Some people adopt the label “Christian” but never actually commit to living with and for Jesus. God will not force them to live forever with him when they have not chosen to do so; sooner or later, there must be a separation. There are also times when false prophets must be identified so that the Body of Christ is not led astray. Second, he prunes the branches that do bear fruit. Why is pruning necessary for a vine? If we are seeking to abide in Jesus, we should not need to be removed from the vine; but everyone needs pruning. What does it mean for us to be “pruned” by God? God seeks to remove everything in us that is not compatible with a life of intimate communion with God: our selfishness and self-centeredness in all the ways it shows up in unloving actions, words, and attitudes; the ways we fail to handle the truth accurately; the ways we fail to live in faith, hope, and love; etc. Our calling is to be become fully like Jesus (Eph. 4:13; Col. 1:28). Everything that falls short of that must eventually be pruned away so that we reflect Christ entirely. How can we cooperate with God’s pruning in our lives? In verse 3, Jesus says that the disciples are already pruned. According to verse 3, how have they already been pruned? By his word. In what ways are we already pruned even though in other ways we still need pruning? In verse 5, what does Jesus say will happen if we abide in him? What are some examples of fruit that you are already bearing? What are some examples of fruit that you are not yet producing but that he may still want you to bear? In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul provides a list of the “fruit of the Spirit”: some of the interior dispositions that the Spirit works in us that then flow out into our actions. When we see that fruit in action in our lives, then we know that we are grounded in the Spirit. The Bible also points us to universal values such as justice and peace that come from the heart of God. When we respond to the promptings of the Spirit to try to address issues of justice and peace in our world so that God’s justice and peace can prevail, we are bringing forth the fruit of a life rooted in the heart of Jesus. In verse 5, Jesus says, “apart from me you can do nothing.” People do lots of good things. Even atheists do good things. In what sense is Jesus’s statement true? What is it that can’t be done apart from him? By using the metaphor of a vine, Jesus tells us that we cannot live or have growth unless we remain connected to him. If a branch is severed from a tree or vine, it stops growing and dies. The branch is absolutely dependent on the vine. What lessons can we draw for ourselves from this metaphor? What is the point of verse 6? Why must the branches that don’t bear any fruit be thrown out? People assume that God is doing the “throwing out” in verse 6, but Jesus doesn’t identify God as the actor. He simply takes it as an obvious fact that those who show no evidence (fruit) of a connection with Jesus can’t stay connected to him. Why is that so? Verse 7 is similar to 14:13-14 (“whatever you ask in my name, I will do”), but this time Jesus is saying that the criteria for receiving what we ask is (1) that we remain in him, and (2) that his words remain in us. How do we do that? What do these two requirements look like in practical terms? Why is it so important to abide in him and allow his words to abide in us, as a precondition for effective prayer? Verse 8 seems to be directed more to the people of John’s time and to us, rather than to those he has already identified as his disciples. What does this say to us? How is bearing fruit related to being a disciple of Jesus? In Jesus’s metaphor, there is only one vine. We are not separate trees in an orchard; we are separate branches on one vine. What are our obligations to each other as members of one vine? How does my growth and fruitfulness affect yours, and vice versa? When we live as Jesus’s disciples and bear fruit, Jesus says that the Father is glorified (verse 8). How does what we do in our lives glorify God? In verse 9, Jesus turns to the importance of remaining in his love. What does it mean to abide in or remain in his love? In verse 10, what does he say is the evidence that we are remaining in his love? How does this verse challenge you in how you live your life? In verse 11, Jesus changes the focus again. What does he say about joy? Jesus wants his joy to be in us and our joy to be complete. How are those related? How does our experience of the joy of the Lord relate to whether we are abiding in him or not? How does our experience of the joy of the Lord relate to whether we are keeping his commandments (including the commandment to love one another) or not? How does our experience of the joy of the Lord relate to the fact that Jesus loves us? What would it look like for our joy to be complete? Read John 15:12-17 Love one another as I love you What is Jesus’s command? Who is he telling us to love? Why do you think it matters so much to Jesus that we love one another? What does it look like in practice when we love one another? What is the connection between abiding in Jesus, which Jesus talked about in the previous passage, and loving one another? How are they connected? What is a new step you could take this week to love someone who has been hard to love? Why does Jesus call us his “friends” in verses 14-15? How does it make you feel, knowing that Jesus calls us his friends? How can you be the kind of friend Jesus wants you to be? Take a step back and consider this: When Jesus tells us to abide in him and to love one another, neither of those is a “one-size-fits-all” proposition. How we abide in him and love another will look different from person to person. We will have some things in common. We are all called to pray, to learn about God through his Word, to see Jesus in those around us who are in need, and to be connected to a local church or Christian community. But people may pray differently, have different ways of studying God’s Word, respond differently to the needs around them, and find different ways of being involved in the Christian community. We are not identical automatons. Paul explores this in his ode to the Body of Christ: we are not all hands; the body needs feet and ears and eyes (1 Cor. 12:12-31). Each of us is made in the image of God, but each of us has our own talents, gifts, interests, and opportunities to manifest that image of God. Even as we abide in the one Lord, we have different callings. So how we love others and how we abide in Christ will vary. What are the specific practices or ministries that God has called you to, that you need to be faithful to if you want to stay rooted in Christ? As you do those things, what can you do to make sure that you are maintaining a vital, abiding relationship with God, not just engaging in external actions? How do you keep abiding in him? One of the ways we love others is by encouraging others in the specific ways that they are called to abide in God and bear fruit. How can you help those around you to embracing the callings they have received from God, so that they, too, are abiding in Jesus? Bibliography See John - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/john/bibliography . Copyright © 2026, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous John List Next

Jesus gives us a peace the world cannot give, a peace that quiets our troubled hearts and overcomes our fears. Nothing has power over him. How can you rest in his peace? [John 14:25-26; 14:27-31] Previous Next John List John 14:25-31 Jesus gives us a peace the world cannot give, a peace that quiets our troubled hearts and overcomes our fears. Nothing has power over him. How can you rest in his peace? Image by Dámaris Azócar, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti May 29, 2026 Read John 14:25-31 My peace I give to you; do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid In verse 26, what does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will do? The Holy Spirit does not call attention to itself; it illuminates the words of Jesus. How can we open our hearts and minds and souls to be taught by the Holy Spirit? In verse 26, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will “remind you of all that I have said to you.” The “you” is plural, so this may be a promise to the Body of Christ as a whole, not to each individual. However, it raises an interesting question for us as individuals. Someone can only bring to your remembrance the things you already previously knew or experienced. If you only know a little of what Jesus has said, there isn’t much information stored in your memory to be brought back to your remembrance. What can you do to expand what you know about Jesus, so that the Holy Spirit can remind you of it when you need it most? In verse 27, Jesus offers us his peace, and he says his peace is not like the world’s peace. What is Jesus’s peace like, and how is it different from what the world gives? In the second half of verse 27, Jesus says, “Do not let your heart by troubled, nor let it be afraid.” Let’s take those separately. First, what is a troubled heart? What does it look like when your heart is troubled? How does Jesus’s peace respond to the needs of a troubled heart? Second, Jesus says, “Do not let your heart be afraid.” In what ways is being afraid different than being troubled? What kinds of things or situations can cause our heart to be afraid? How does Jesus’s peace help up deal with the things that cause us to be afraid? How can you rest in his peace? In verse 28, Jesus says that the disciples should be rejoicing that he is going to the Father. Of course, they aren’t rejoicing, because they don’t want him to leave. But Jesus sees where things are going. Are there ways we can rejoice even when we are losing someone? How can Jesus’s peace help us to rejoice even in times of loss? In verse 28, Jesus says that the Father is greater than he is. Jesus is fully God and fully human. He is speaking here partly from the perspective of the human and divine role he is playing. The Father sent him. He speaks only what he has heard from the Father. He does the work the Father has given him to do. And in John 13:16 he said that the one who is sent is not greater than the one who sends him. In these ways the Father is greater than him. As God, he is one with the Father (John 10:30) and therefore is not any less great. However, even though the Son is equally God, in the mystery of the Trinity it is also true that the Son is begotten of the Father, while the Father is entirely without origin (not begotten). Thus, the Son always defers to the greatness of the Father. In verse 30, Jesus says “the ruler of this world” is coming. Who is he referring to? Satan. Jesus immediately adds that the ruler of this world “has no power over me.” What does he mean? Jesus will be put to death. How is it that the ruler of this world has no power over him? In verse 31 Jesus explains that he is going to his death because he loves the Father, not because anyone has power over him. He is acting in obedience to the Father’s command, which will fulfill the Father’s plan of salvation for the world. How are we also sometimes called to submit to those who, in a spiritual sense, have no power over us, out of love for God and obedience to his commands? Looking beyond Jesus’s death and all the way to our time, it is still true that no one has power over Jesus. No devil, no ruler, no teacher of lies – no one has power over Jesus. How can that guide your thinking about what is going on in your world and in your life? How can this statement assure our hearts in times of trouble? In verse 31, Jesus says that he loves the Father. He does not say this explicitly anywhere else in the Gospels, yet there is never a time where it is in doubt. In everything he does, throughout his life on earth, we see that Jesus loves the Father. The chapter ends with Jesus saying, “Arise, let us go from here” (verse 31). Since John is presenting this entire discussion as happening at the Last Supper, this could be interpreted as a signal that they are leaving the supper and heading for the Mount of Olives. However, it is not until John 18:1 that John says they went out across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane in 18:1. Some scholars think that chapters 15-17 are in insertion of additional material that is related to what we have seen in chapter 14. Others think that chapters 15-17 tell us what Jesus said as they walked through the city and past the Temple on their way out to the Kidron Valley. Others interpret the statement rhetorically: The ruler of this age has no power over me, so arouse yourselves and let’s go face him. Jesus wants to rouse your heart so that you have confidence in his love for you. Here is what Jesus has said in this chapter: No matter what you are facing, Jesus has not left you alone. The Father and Jesus dwell with you. You are in him and he is in you. No ruler, no devil, not even Satan himself has any power over Jesus. And Jesus has sent his Holy Spirit to live inside of you. What does that say to you right now? What are you facing, and what do Jesus’s words say to you? Take a step back and consider this: A casual observer might think that Satan had a temporary victory when Jesus was put to death on the cross on Calvary, a victory that was only reversed when Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. Jesus’s statements in verses 30-31 refute that idea. Satan never had any power over Jesus: not before he went to the cross, not while he was dying on the cross, not even during the 3 days that Jesus was dead and in the tomb. Jesus always had greater power; he just chose to demonstrate his power in a way that the world does not think of as “power,” the way of self-sacrificing love. How can we reorient our thinking and allow God to transform your hearts and minds so that we do not see power the way the world sees power, but instead see how powerfully God moves in acts of sacrificial love? Often, we are silent when people around us voice the mindset of the world that power equates with force and the ability to do violence. By our silence, we unintentionally reinforce that false idea of power. How can we become more confident voices offering to others a different way of thinking that is guided by the One whose self-sacrificing power is greater than all the supposed powers of this world? Bibliography See John - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/john/bibliography . Copyright © 2026, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous John List Next

Bible-based teaching that explores the Christian faith and how to live everyday life with gratitude, joy, faith, truth, kindness, and respect. Christian Faith Faith and the Christian Life What do Christians believe, and what does the Christian life look like? These articles explore important questions about who God is and how we can live the transformed life he offers us more fully. God Loves All People and Never Wills Evil Even Though He Allows It People sometimes speak as though God only loves those who love him and wills the evil that happens in our lives. These are misunderstandings of the nature of God. God loves everyone and never causes evil, even though he allows evil in his pursuit of a greater good. God Did Not Abandon Jesus on the Cross The idea that God abandoned or withdrew from Jesus, or hid his face from Jesus, contradicts the Bible and Christian doctrine about the Trinity. God was there to the end and will never abandon humans. God Takes a Downside-Up View of the World Throughout the Bible, God views what is going on from the perspective of the lowly, the poor, and the outcast. Faith Versus Works: What Does the Gospel of Matthew Say Matthew does not support the idea that a sinner’s prayer is a simple ticket to heaven. In his Gospel, Jesus calls us to much more than that. Look for the Perspective that Allows You to See Joy Your attitude determines what is a “win.” Reconciliation Can Start with a Gesture What is the small gesture or action you could take? When Did Christians First Recognize the Divinity of Jesus? The earliest Christian documents – Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians – show an early understanding that Jesus is God, and the Gospels say it explicitly. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Discipleship, Responsibility, Transformation Many seek to use him for their own cause, but few want to embrace his total commitment to Christ. God Reveals Himself in Scripture and in the Natural World, through Faith and Science God teaches us through faith and science. The Rapture? It’s Not a Pre-Millennial Escape from Tribulation Pre-tribulation theories contradict Jesus and Paul. What does the Bible actually say? Let's put our faith into action! The life of a follower of Christ is an adventure. We each have a unique mind, body, and spirit , character, abilities, and circumstances . Jesus embraces each of us in the fullness of who we are. He also embraces us collectively as the Body of Christ. Through the working of the Holy Spirit in us, God wants to help each of us, individually and together – every day, all the time – to become more fully like Jesus and to participate in His work to transform the world. Where do you need to grow? In what ways can you take a step closer to God? Possible Future Topics Want to see more? If there is nothing posted on a topic listed above, it means I don't have anything ready for publication on that topic yet. If you would like to encourage a higher priority for a topic, or would like to see a topic explored further, send me a note using the contact form below explaining what you are interested in and why it should be a priority. If you would like to pay for the development of specific material, please feel free to explore that with me, but payment is not required. The main thing is to offer a convincing case that the topic you are interested in should be a priority as material is added to the website. Image at top by Erika Giraud, provided by Unsplash via Wix.

Bible Study resources for the Gospel of Mark, to help individuals and small groups explore how the Bible applies to life today: background, commentary, questions. Mark Introduction to Mark Mark presents Jesus as the Messiah (the Christ) and the Son of God. Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptist comes to prepare the way for one greater than him. Mark 1:9-16 Jesus is baptized, subjected to temptation, and starts preaching. Image at top: First lines of Mark 16, Codex Sinaiticus. Late 2nd century or early 3rd century. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:P.Oxy_LXXXIII_5345.png .

Bible Study resources for the Gospel of Matthew, to help individuals and small groups explore how the Bible applies to life today: background, commentary, questions. Faith Explored: The Gospel of Matthew Introduction to Matthew Matthew shows the universal relevance of Jesus – to all people of all nations. Jesus cared about all people and offered a gospel for all people, while demonstrating His authority over all nations. Matthew 1:1-17 Who is Jesus? – Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 Mary’s pregnancy, from Joseph’s perspective: What is God doing? Matthew 2:1-12 Wise men come to see the newborn king – and still do today! Matthew 2:13-23 Herod seeks to kill Jesus, which is why Jesus ends up as a refugee in Egypt, and then in Nazareth. Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist: Repentance is not comfortable but is part of our calling. Matthew 3:13-17 The baptism of Jesus, and how it relates to you. Matthew 4:1-11 The temptation of Jesus shows how to respond to our own temptations. Matthew 4:12-17 Jesus chooses a particular place – Galilee – to begin his ministry. Matthew 4:18-25 Jesus gathers disciples and followers. Matthew 5:1-5 Blessed are the poor, the grieving, the meek. Matthew 5:6-12 Blessed are those who are focused on what God cares about. Matthew 5:13-16 You provide the salt and light of Jesus to the world. Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus fulfills the Old Testament: the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 5:21-26 Murder, anger, insulting others – how are they related, and what can we do about them? Matthew 5:27-32 Adultery, lust, and divorce start in the heart. Matthew 5:33-37 Integrity means your words line up with your actions. Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus takes retaliation in a new direction. Matthew 5:43-48 Why does Jesus tell us to love our enemies? Matthew 6:1-18 Who needs to know about your almsgiving, prayer, and fasting? Matthew 6:9-15 How to pray: The Lord’s Prayer shows the way. Matthew 6:19-24 What is a healthy view of wealth? Matthew 6:25-34 Worry – how to deal with it. Matthew 7:1-6 You will be judged in the same way you judge others. Matthew 7:7-11 Pray with confidence that God will respond as your Father. Matthew 7:12-23 The Golden Rule is part of the fundamental choice Jesus is calling us to make. Matthew 7:24-29 Is your faith built on rock? Is the Sermon on the Mount a central part of your faith? Matthew 8:1-17 Jesus cares about our afflictions. Matthew 8:18-34 To follow Jesus, we need to make some choices. Matthew 9:1-17 Who are you willing to befriend? Matthew 9:18-34 Allow Jesus to heal you, open your eyes, loosen your tongue. Matthew 9:35-10:15 Compassion compels Jesus and us to proclaim the good news. Matthew 10:16-42 Make the choice to follow Christ and do not be afraid of the consequences. Matthew 11:1-19 What is the evidence that Jesus is the Messiah? Matthew 11:20-30 Will we accept the direction of the Lord or resist? Matthew 12:1-37 What matters the most? What do your words reveal? Matthew 12:38-50 Two reactions to Jesus: disingenuous skepticism and genuine commitment. Matthew 13:1-23 What kind of soil can I be, to allow the seed of God’s word to take root and be fruitful in my life? Matthew 13:24-53 God patiently waits for us to bear fruit and asks us to be patient with those around us. Matthew 13:54-14:21 Living parables: Incidents in Jesus’s ministry that tell a bigger story, including the feeding of the 5,000. Matthew 14:22-36 Get out of the boat: Where are you called to take a step of faith and not be afraid? Matthew 15:1-20 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; it’s what comes out from your heart that defiles you Matthew 15:21-28 The healing love of God is for Gentiles, too. Matthew 15:29-39 Jesus’s compassion extends to all people; even foreigners. How can we be like Jesus? Matthew 16:1-12 What is God trying to do in our world today, and are we missing the signs of what is needed and what he is doing? Matthew 16:13-20 Who is Jesus? Who is Peter? Where do you fit in the Church that God is building? Matthew 16:21-28 Suffering is coming for Jesus, and he calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Matthew 17:1-13 Do you struggle with the Christian teaching that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human? Three apostles had a visible experience of this truth. Matthew 17:14-27 A healing, a second warning of suffering to come, an interruption to pay a tax – just a normal day in the life of Jesus . . . and us? Matthew 18:1-9 Welcome a child, be as humble as a child, and don’t lead any “little ones” astray: the starting point for our relationships in the church. Matthew 18:10-20 Jesus doesn’t want to lose anyone – not those who have strayed, and not those who have wronged others. He offers a path that seeks reconciliation and broad agreement before disciplinary action. Matthew 18:21-35 How many times must I forgive someone who does something wrong to me over and over again? How is God a model for the answer? Matthew 19:1-12 Divorce: What does it mean for two to become one? Matthew 19:13-15 When you welcome children as God does, you never know the impact you might have. Matthew 19:16-22 The danger of riches: What kind of grip do they have on you? Matthew 19:23-26 Who can be saved? Your wealth won’t save you, but what will? Matthew 19:27-30 What will those who give up earthly goods for Jesus receive? Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus offers the same salvation to all – high or low, early or late – and asks us to adopt his attitude, which is that many who are last will be first. Can we embrace his approach? Matthew 20:17-28 When Jesus calls us to serve, he doesn’t just mean servant leadership; he means servant “helpership” that puts others’ needs first. Matthew 20:29-34 What does God want us to see? And once we see the real world as he sees it, how would he like us to respond? Matthew 21:1-11 Can you embrace a king who comes in peace? Matthew 21:12-17 Jesus wanted the Temple to be a house of prayer and a place of healing. Can our churches and our lives be that, too? Matthew 21:18-22 The cursing of the fig tree was a prophetic action, where Jesus stands against those who are "all leaf and no fruit." Is our metaphorical fig tree producing fruit or withering? Matthew 21:23-27 Responding to difficult questions and dealing with politics. Matthew 21:28-32 Can we say “Yes” to God, and then actually do the work he asks us to do? Matthew 21:33-46 What are you called to do in the work of God’s vineyard? Matthew 22:1-14 Are you wearing spiritual clothes fit for life in the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 22:15-22 What do we owe to governments and leaders? What do we owe to God? How can we honor God and obey the laws of our leaders? Matthew 22:23-33 If we try to make sense of God based on our human limitations, we will misunderstand the Scriptures and the power of God. How can the Scriptures guide us to a bigger picture? Matthew 22:34-40 What does it look like when we love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind, and extend the same love to others? Matthew 22:41-46 Jesus is greater than King David. He’s not your ordinary messiah, not your ordinary son of David. Who is Jesus in your life? Matthew 23:1-12 Are you serving others and helping to lift their burdens, or seeking attention and honor for yourself? Matthew 23:13-24 How can we recognize when we are focusing on little things that are of less importance and missing the more important matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness? Matthew 23:25-36 Clean and beautiful on the outside, dirty and ungodly on the inside. How can we avoid falling into the trap of focusing on our exterior image? Matthew 23:37-39 Jesus loves his people like a mother hen who desires to gather her young under her wings. How can we embrace this maternal love of God for us? Matthew 24:1-14 Jesus calls his followers to persevere in the face of persecution and links it to the preaching of the Gospel to all nations. How are you sharing the good news of Jesus? Matthew 24:15-31 Jesus’s followers will face suffering before he returns. What do we need to know, and what do we need to be doing? Matthew 24:32-44 Jesus tells us to be ready for his return. What are you doing to be ready for that day (whether it is the Second Coming or your death)? Matthew 24:45-25:13 Are you acting like you are ready for the Lord? What would it look like in your life to be the faithful servant, the well-prepared attendant? Matthew 25:14-30 What are the “talents” God has given to you, and are you using them fruitfully? Matthew 25:31-46 Each of us will be judged by our treatment of the hungry, the stranger, the sick, those in prison, etc. What are you doing to find Jesus in those places? Matthew 26:1-13 Two responses to Jesus: total opposition and extravagant devotion. How can you show how you feel about Jesus? Matthew 26:14-25 While the normal routines of life go on, Jesus knows that one of his disciples is in the process of betraying him. How do you keep going when bad things are happening? Matthew 26:26-35 How does Holy Communion help you to enter into the new covenant that Jesus offers us? Matthew 26:36-56 Prayer in difficult times: Can you learn from Jesus’s example and keep in mind the bigger picture of your life? Matthew 26:57-68 Jesus was found guilty because he told the truth. When should you speak the truth? And when should you speak out against injustices against others? Matthew 26:69-27:10 Peter and Judas illustrate 2 different ways to respond when you have committed a serious sin. How can you stay connected to a God who loves you even when you deny him? Matthew 27:11-26 Pilate tried to pretend that Jesus’s death was not his decision. How can we be honest about the role we play in what goes on in our lives? Matthew 27:27-44 Jesus endured the torture and the mocking for us. How can we embrace his sacrificial attitude? Matthew 27:45-56 Jesus was not abandoned by God, but it might have felt that way when he started praying Psalm 22. The psalm affirms him, and the centurion declared: “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:57-66 Jesus is buried: Some people take action; others wait and watch. Matthew 28:1-10 The empty tomb means that Jesus is alive – and still alive today! Matthew 28:11-20 Everyone can participate: Sharing and living the good news. Matthew - Bibliography Bibliography of major sources and additional sources used in this study of the Gospel of Matthew. Image at top by Tim Wildsmith, provided by Unsplash via Wix.

Bible-based study guide on hope for small groups and individuals, using Pope Francis's Jubilee Year 2025 document Spes Non Confundit as a guide. Hope (for Jubilee Year 2025 and beyond) Embrace God's Hope and Extend It to All A Scripture-Based Study Guide for Exploring Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year 2025 Document Spes Non Confundit Link to S pes Non Confundit Introduction: Respond to the Invitation to Embrace God’s Hope God wants to renew our hope and help us put our faith and hope into action. Overview: How to Use This Study Guide Suggestions for individuals, small group members, and small group leaders. A Note About Our Terminology What do we mean when we refer to a “part of a paragraph”? Session 1: Why we can have hope We find hope because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through Jesus. (Read paragraphs 1-4) Session 2: The Jubilee leads us on a journey of hope The Jubilee Year invites us to encounter Jesus, who is our hope. (Read paragraphs 1, 5, and 6) Session 3: Where signs of hope are needed today, part 1 Peace and war; welcoming children; prisoners. (Read paragraphs 7-10) Session 4: Where signs of hope are needed today, part 2 The sick; the young; migrants and refugees; the elderly. (Read paragraphs 11-14) Session 5: Where signs of hope are needed today, part 3, and broader appeals for hope The poor; the goods of the earth, debt, economic priorities; synodality. (Read paragraphs 15-17) Session 6: A life anchored in hope, part 1 Faith, charity, and hope; life everlasting; death; happiness. (Read paragraphs 18-21) Session 7: A life anchored in hope, part 2 God’s judgment; indulgence and Penance; the Mother of God; hope as an anchor. (Read paragraphs 22-25) Jubilee Year 2025 - Bibliography Sources used in this study of Spes Non Confundit . We would appreciate your feedback on this study: Feedback Form .

Bible Study resources for Philemon, to help individuals and small groups explore how the Bible applies to life today: background, commentary, and questions. Philemon Introduction Paul sends Onesimus to Philemon with a letter. Philemon - Bibliography Bibliography of major sources and additional sources used in this study of Paul’s Letter to Philemon. Philemon 1-7 The person Paul is writing to, Philemon, is an example of the kind of encouraging partner everyone might like to have, and Paul is an example of giving thanks and praise. How can we be like them? Philemon 8-25 How can we approach someone with a difficult a request in a way that might keep our relationship with them strong? Philemon: Broader Questions About Slavery The apostle Paul undermined the Roman system of slavery by seeking to transform the relationship between masters and slaves. Could he have done more? Could we be doing more to challenge the injustices of our time? Image at top by Luis Georg Müller, provided by Unsplash via Wix.

Special materials from Faith Explored to help you learn more about the Bible and apply it in your life, including Bible quizzes and quotes. Special Materials Easter Quiz: The Resurrection of Jesus How much do you know about the resurrection of Jesus? What does the Bible say? Take this 5-question quiz and see what you know. Quiz on Faith, Hope, and Love You’ve probably heard the words “faith, hope, and love” together many times. Take this 6-question quiz to see how much you know about them. Nagasaki - A History of Christian Faithfulness in Adversity For these Christians, neither persecution nor suppression, not even an atomic bomb, has kept them from staying faithful to Christ. Quotes Quotes worth thinking about. I Wince When I Hear People Say . . . Christians sometimes say things that they think are just standard platitudes but that actually raise theological concerns. People should be careful about making these claims, because they may not accurately reflect the teachings of Jesus or the character of God. Tags used for Blog Posts 1 Corinthians (10) 10 posts 1 John (2) 2 posts 1 Peter (5) 5 posts 1 Samuel (1) 1 post 1 Thessalonians (13) 13 posts 1 Timothy (4) 4 posts 2 Corinthians (2) 2 posts 2 Peter (2) 2 posts 2 Samuel (1) 1 post 2 Thessalonians (3) 3 posts 2 Timothy (1) 1 post Action (31) 31 posts Acts (5) 5 posts Advocacy (14) 14 posts Anger (6) 6 posts Anxiety (1) 1 post Bible (71) 71 posts Bible Study (34) 34 posts Catholic (10) 10 posts Christian Faith (27) 27 posts Christian Living (58) 58 posts Christmas (7) 7 posts Church (10) 10 posts Colossians (7) 7 posts Courage (2) 2 posts Death penalty (1) 1 post Deuteronomy (3) 3 posts Easter (4) 4 posts Ecclesiastes (1) 1 post Environment (1) 1 post Ephesians (11) 11 posts Everyday Life (40) 40 posts Exodus (4) 4 posts Ezekiel (1) 1 post Family (2) 2 posts Forgiveness (5) 5 posts Galatians (10) 10 posts Genesis (9) 9 posts Gentleness (5) 5 posts God (29) 29 posts Gratitude (5) 5 posts Hebrews (5) 5 posts Hope (5) 5 posts Human Dignity (19) 19 posts Hunger (2) 2 posts Immigration (3) 3 posts Isaiah (5) 5 posts Issues (24) 24 posts James (9) 9 posts Jeremiah (3) 3 posts Jesus's Death (2) 2 posts John (25) 25 posts Justice (25) 25 posts Leviticus (5) 5 posts Love (11) 11 posts Luke (31) 31 posts Malachi (2) 2 posts Marginalized (11) 11 posts Mark (10) 10 posts Matthew (44) 44 posts Mercy (4) 4 posts Micah (2) 2 posts Nonviolence (3) 3 posts Peace (3) 3 posts Philemon (1) 1 post Philippians (12) 12 posts Politics (15) 15 posts Poverty (5) 5 posts Prayer (8) 8 posts Proverbs (3) 3 posts Psalms (20) 20 posts Purpose (15) 15 posts Racial Justice (9) 9 posts Respect (15) 15 posts Rights (6) 6 posts Romans (16) 16 posts Science (6) 6 posts Sin (5) 5 posts Social Media (3) 3 posts Solidarity (9) 9 posts Temptation (4) 4 posts Thanksgiving (6) 6 posts Titus (1) 1 post Trust (6) 6 posts Truth (23) 23 posts Words (10) 10 posts Image at top by Sabbir Ahmed, provided by Unsplash via Wix.

Bible study leadership materials: how-tos for small-group leaders to help people grow in faith. Leading a Small-Group Bible Study Almost anyone can lead a small-group Bible Study if they believe in Jesus, are willing to prepare in advance, have an open heart, and have an awareness of social dynamics. Good leaders work to accomplish at least three important goals: Increase people’s understanding of the Bible, Foster spiritual growth through the application of God’s Word, and Provide a place to experience Christian community. Although leaders have different styles, every group benefits if the leaders seek these goals. Here are some handouts I have used in parish Leadership Training programs to help prepare people to lead well. Preparing to Lead a Small-Group Bible Study Meeting How do you prepare a small-group Bible Study meeting? Leadership Techniques for Good Bible Study Discussions How do you manage what goes on in a Bible Study meeting that you are leading? Important Functions of Leaders What are your goals as a small-group Bible Study leader, and what do you need to do to fulfill the role you have taken on? Image at top  provided by Wix.

Bible Study resources for 1 Thessalonians, to help individuals and small groups explore how the Bible applies to life today: background, commentary, and questions. 1 Thessalonians Introduction to 1 Thessalonians Paul brought the gospel of Christ to the people of Thessalonica despite opposition. 1 Thessalonians - Bibliography Bibliography of major sources and additional sources used in this study of Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thess.). 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Paul is writing not just to individuals, but to a church that is standing together and living the Christian life together in faith, hope, and love. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Paul’s concern for the Thessalonians is like the love of a mother or father for their children. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 Paul takes the long view, seeing present events in light of eternity, and provides early evidence of the doctrine of the Trinity. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Paul’s basic rules for Christian living: sexual purity, love for others, and an orderly lifestyle. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 The return of Christ and how to be ready. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Living the Christian life in the church. Image at top by Markos Mant, provided by Unsplash via Wix.

Bible Study resources for 2 Thessalonians, to help individuals and small groups explore how the Bible applies to life today: background, commentary, and questions. 2 Thessalonians Introduction to 2 Thessalonians Paul continues to guide the young church at Thessalonica with wisdom that is still relevant to local churches and the whole Church today. 2 Thessalonians - Bibliography Bibliography of major sources and additional sources used in this study of Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians (2 Thess.). 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Continue in faith, love, and endurance despite persecution, so that the Lord may be glorified in you. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 The world and the Church will face difficult times, marked by lawlessness and apostasy, but in the end the Lord will be victorious. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:18 Stand firm in what you have been taught and live an orderly life, doing your own work and not minding other people’s business. Image at top by Markos Mant, provided by Unsplash via Wix.