In this passage, we witness Jesus challenging His disciples’ understanding of greatness. What Happened? While travelling to Capernaum, the disciples were having a heated debate about who was the greatest among them. Jesus, aware of their discussion, asked what they were arguing about, but they remained silent, likely ashamed of their petty dispute. When they […]
Mark 9:30-32: A Secret Journey and a Puzzling Message
This passage takes us on a secret journey with Jesus and his disciples through Galilee. It’s a quiet time for teaching, away from the crowds that usually follow Jesus. What Happened? Jesus tells his disciples something shocking: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, […]
Mark 9:14-29: Faith and Healing
This passage in Mark’s Gospel is a dramatic story about a father’s desperation, a boy’s suffering, and the power of faith in Jesus. The Scene Jesus comes down from a mountain with Peter, James, and John to find a commotion. A crowd surrounds his disciples, who are arguing with a man. The man’s son is […]
Galatians 6:11-18: True Marks of a Believer
In these final verses of his letter to the Galatians, Paul gets personal and passionate, driving home his central message about the true meaning of Christian freedom. What’s Happening? Paul emphasises the importance of inward transformation, not outward appearances. He contrasts those who boast about circumcision or following Jewish laws with those who bear the […]
Galatians 6:1-10: Lifting Each Other Up and Sowing Good Seeds
This section of Galatians is like a mini-guide to living in a healthy Christian community. It deals with helping others who’ve messed up, taking responsibility for ourselves, and keeping our eyes on the prize – eternal life! What’s Happening? Paul is giving the Galatians practical advice. He says if someone in your church family makes […]
Galatians 5:13-26: The Battle Within
This passage in Galatians explores a struggle familiar to every young person – the clash between the desires of our ‘flesh’ (our sinful nature) and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s a battleground where freedom in Christ collides with the temptations of the world. What’s Happening? Paul reminds the Galatians that Christian freedom isn’t […]
Galatians 5:1-12: Freedom’s True Purpose
This part of Paul’s letter gets straight to the heart of what it means to live as Christians who are truly free in Christ. What’s Happening? Paul is fired up! He’s telling the Galatian Christians, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened […]
John 3:16-18: The Way to Become a Christian
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in […]
Galatians 4:21-31: The Story of Two Covenants
In this passage, Paul uses a powerful allegory from the Old Testament to illustrate a crucial point about faith versus law. He’s not just telling a story from the past; he’s painting a picture of two contrasting paths for us today. What’s the Story? Paul revisits the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. Sarah, Abraham’s […]
Galatians 4:13-20: Unconditional Love vs. Legalism
In this passage, Paul gets personal. He’s not just talking about abstract theological concepts; he’s sharing his heart with the Galatian church, reminding them of their shared history and expressing his deep concern for their spiritual well-being. What’s the context? Paul had initially preached the gospel to the Galatians when he was physically ill. Despite […]
Galatians 4:8-12: Breaking Free from Empty Rituals
In this passage, Paul addresses the Galatians’ struggle with returning to old religious practices, particularly those related to observing special days, months, seasons, and years. He challenges them to understand the true nature of their faith in Christ. What was happening? Some Jewish Christians were pressuring the Galatians to adopt Jewish customs, believing these rituals […]
Romans 13:1-7: Respect for Authority, Even When It’s Tough
What’s the Idea? In a nutshell, Paul is saying that we should respect and obey the government. Whoa, hold on! Before you start listing all the reasons why that’s impossible, let’s dig a little deeper. Why Should We Respect the Government? But What If…? Okay, now for the tough questions. The Bottom Line Respecting authority […]