Transformed through love In our everyday life, we see attitudes to others sparking emotions such as distrust, “cancel culture” and the desire for annihilation of others who are different from us. This is reflected in stories we hear about relationships gone bad, situations turned sour, and the echo chamber of social media enhancing radical/reactionary viewpoints, which are underlaid by our human feelings towards others. Jesus – a fully human embodiment of God into our world …
Love Letters from Paul Galatians 4–6 (NIV) Introductory Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we come before your Word, which is perfect truth in its entirety, fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may, with our whole hearts, believe your Word and trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Galatians 4:1–7 Read Galatians 4:1–7 In what sense were we “in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world” (NIVUK) prior to Christ’s coming? Why is …
Who do we think we are? Through various stages of our lives, we may have had to re-think who we are, as our life and lifestyle changes prompt us to think about our identity. Who we are, and who we think we are, form the topic of gap years, of reality shows, of history and genealogy shows, and we continue to be fascinated by finding out more about our identity. Have you noticed when this …
Love Letters from Paul Galatians 1–3 (NIV) Introductory Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we study your Word, which is perfect truth in its entirety, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may believe, contemplate, understand, and apply it in our lives. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Galatians 1:1–5 Read Galatians 1:1–5 What stands out to you about these opening words? Paul addresses not the “church”, but “churches” of Galatia. …
Love Letters from Paul 2 Corinthians (NIV) 2 Corinthians is one of Paul’s most personal and emotional letters. Unlike 1 Corinthians, which deals with doctrinal and behavioural issues, this letter reveals Paul’s heart, his suffering, his comfort in Christ, his ministry, his struggles with false prophets, and his deep love for the church, despite its foibles and failures. This book richly explores grace in weakness, the ministry of reconciliation, and the comfort of God for …
The source of all comfort All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 (NLT) Some conversations are hard. You know those conversations that you know you need …
No gift is too small There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 (NLT) What do you think of when you hear the phrase “spiritual gifts”? Are there certain gifts that come …
1 Corinthians (NIV) Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians gives us a vivid snapshot of a real church with real struggles. There were conflicts, misunderstandings about worship, questions about Christian living, and confusion about spiritual gifts. Sound familiar? That’s what I’ve always loved about 1 Corinthians: it’s real. Their church is not too different from our church today. From the Lutheran perspective, 1 Corinthians highlights our deep need for Christ’s grace, the work of the …
Love Letters from Paul God’s plan and practical Christian living As we continue through Romans, chapters 9–16 read like a set of heartfelt letters. Paul writes to a church he has never met, yet his affection is obvious. These chapters remind us that God keeps his promises, the Gospel welcomes everyone, and Christian love shows itself in everyday relationships and practical service. Martin Luther once said, The Gospel is not what we do, but what …
Paul’s love letter in suffering No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37–39 (NIV) Powerful, all-encompassing …
A note about the Bible Studies for 2026 The theme for the Bible Studies this year is “Love Letters from Paul”. Throughout the year we will be looking at various letters from the Apostle Paul to Christian congregations. The words that Paul wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit, reflect on many important themes of the Christian faith including who God is, what God has done for us in Christ, our life together as “church”, and …
Paul’s love letter for mutual encouragement First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported over all the world … constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift …