Books
While there are many books written about Christian discipleship, there are not nearly enough books on discipleship that primarily expound the Bible itself. The Apostle John wrote three letters, however, with the main purpose of helping disciples to grow.
That You May Know: A Primer on Christian Discipleship is an enriching study that will lead you through John’s teaching on following Jesus as a disciple.
This book is more than a commentary and more than a topical book on the subject of Christian discipleship. Instead, this is a primer on Christian discipleship written as a careful reading of God’s word in 1, 2 & 3 John. It’s ideal for your own individual devotional reading or as a helpful resource for your group Bible study.
Download the First Two Chapters of That You May Know for Free
Bible Studies: Paul's Letter to the Philippians
Studies from my forthcoming pastoral commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Have This Mind: A Primer on the Cruciform Life.
Access the complete set of Bible studies from Philippians here.
Bible Studies: The Gospel of John
Access the complete set of Bible studies from the Gospel of John here.
John 16:4b–15: The Treasurer of Jesus
The Holy Spirit is the Treasurer of Jesus: he exposes the bankruptcy of the world and enriches us from Christ’s treasury. (Exposition of John 16:4b–15.)
John 15:18–16:4a: The Enemies of Jesus
Because Jesus’ disciples will resemble Jesus, we must prepare for the enemies that we will face in the world. (Exposition of John 15:18–16:4a.)
John 15:1–17: The Fruit of Jesus
Despite the failure of fruitfulness in Adam and in Israel, God still demands fruit. Jesus bears fruit through his people. (Exposition of John 15:1–17.)
John 14:15–31: The Paraclete of Jesus
After his departure, Jesus is completing his mission—through new agents, by new activities, and from new accomplishments. (Exposition of John 14:15–31.)
John 14:1–14: The Way of Jesus
Jesus is much more than the prophets, priests, and kings of old. More than that, Jesus manifests the Father. (Exposition of John 14:1–14)
John 13:21–38: The Love of Jesus
Although contrary to our ideas of gaining glory through strength, Jesus glorifies himself through self-sacrificial love. (Exposition of John 13:21–38)
Bible Studies: The Book of Genesis
Access the complete set of Bible studies from Genesis here.
Genesis 40:1–23: Do Not Interpretations Belong to God?
Joseph’s interaction with the cupbearer and the baker reflects his confident faith, despite his trials. Still today, interpretations belong to God. (Exposition of Genesis 40:1–23)
Genesis 39:1–23: The Lord was with Joseph
As Joseph’s circumstances become increasingly worse, we find the strongest affirmations that the Lord is with him every step of the way. The Lord is with his people, even in their suffering. (Exposition of Genesis 39:1–23)
Genesis 38:1–30: More Righteous than I
Even in the horrifying story of Tamar’s seduction of Judah, God is still at work. Judah begins with thorough spiritual blindness, because God opens our eyes to our unrighteousness. (Exposition of Genesis 38:1–30)
Genesis 37:12–36: Joseph the Captive
In Genesis 37:12–36, Joseph suffers tremendously at the hands of his brothers. Even so, God works all things together for our Good. (Exposition of Genesis 37:12–36)
Genesis 37:1–11: Joseph the Dreamer
The introduction to Joseph portrays him as a faithful prophet who one day will become a ruler. For this, Joseph’s brothers hate him. (Exposition of Genesis 37:1–11)
Genesis 36:1–37:1: The Settlement of Jacob
God excludes Esau to prepare for the coming of Christ into the world. Thus, God excludes the worldly from his promises in order to enroll the whole world as his people. (Exposition of Genesis 36:1–37:1)
Bible Studies: Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians
Access the current set of Bible studies from 1 Corinthians here. This series is in progress.
1 Corinthians 3:1–17: The Temple of God
God builds his Church spiritually—through the accomplished work Jesus Christ and him crucified, and by the work of the Holy Spirit. God alone gives the growth, but his people are the instruments by which God gives the growth. (Exposition of 1 Corinthians 3:1–17)
1 Corinthians 2:6–16: Wisdom from the Holy Spirit
In his wisdom, God planned in eternity past to save sinners by the person and work of Jesus Christ, but the world cannot discern that wisdom. Thus, God sends his Holy Spirit to reveal his hidden wisdom in Christ. (Exposition of 1 Corinthians 2:6–16)
1 Corinthians 1:26–2:5: Christ and Him Crucified
If the cross is foolishness, and preaching is weakness, how does anyone ever come to believe in Christ? God calls his people to boast in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Exposition of 1 Corinthians 1:26–2:5)
1 Corinthians 1:18–25: The Foolishness and Weakness of God
The cross seems to be folly, yet, to those who are called, it is the power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation. God calls fools to faith by the folly of the cross. (Exposition of 1 Corinthians 1:18–25)
1 Corinthians 1:1–17: Christ’s Holy, Divided Church
The people in the Church of God are called to be holy, and yet are sinfully divided. You cannot have the whole Christ without the whole Church. (Exposition of 1 Corinthians 1:1–17)
Bible Studies: The Letters of John
Access the complete set of Bible studies from the Letters of John here.
1 John 1:5–2:6: Gospel
The good news of the gospel corrects the way we see sin. The gospel allows us to confess our sin, rather than denying it or embracing it. (Exposition of 1 John 1:5–2:6)
1 John 1:1–4: Truth
Before we can benefit from the good news of the gospel, we need the news of the blazing, glorious light of God and his truth. (Exposition of 1 John 1:1–4)
Bible Studies: The Gospel of Luke
Access a handful of Bible studies from the Gospel of Luke here. These were studies written during the Advent season of 2018. At the moment, I do not have plans to continue working through the Gospel of Luke; however, I wanted to make these few studies available online for whomever may benefit from them.
Bible Studies: The Book of Ecclesiastes
Access the complete set of Bible studies from the Book of Ecclesiastes here.
Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:26: What God Gives to the Children of Man
To prove that “all is vanity” and even “vanity of vanities,” the Preacher embarks on an exhaustive search of happiness in this world. God gives enjoyment to those who trust in him. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:26)
Ecclesiastes 1:1–11: Nothing New Under the Sun
How do we live in a world that is natural, and not spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42–46)? Furthermore, how do we live in a world that is fallen and cursed by sin? There is no salvation under the sun. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 1:1–11)
Bible Studies: The Gospel of Matthew
Access the complete set of Bible studies from the Gospel of Matthew here.
Matthew 18:10–14: Leaving the Ninety-Nine
Jesus explains the very reason why he himself came from the Father into the world: Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. (Exposition of Matthew 18:10–14)
Matthew 18:1–9: Humility like a Child
Jesus redefines greatness in the kingdom of heaven as humility, for our great King humbled himself even by death on a cross. (Exposition of Matthew 18:1–9)
Matthew 17:24–27: The Sons are Free
Whether Jesus pays the temple tax is a question of freedom vs. obligation. Jesus avoids every stumbling block to our salvation except the cross. (Exposition of Matthew 17:24–27)
Matthew 17:14–23: Nothing Will be Impossible for You
Jesus commends faith that can move mountains—especially the mountain of enduring suffering. Faith empowers believers to endure suffering. (Exposition of Matthew 17:14–23)
Matthew 17:9–13: Elijah Must Come
Elijah did come through the person of John the Baptist—and he suffered. We cannot see the glory of Jesus except through suffering. (Exposition of Matthew 17:9–13)
Matthew 17:1–8: “Listen to Him!”
The transfiguration of Jesus counter-intuitively emphasizes listening, rather than looking, at Jesus: Listen to Jesus as we await his appearing. (Exposition of Matthew 17:1–8)