Learning Zone

God is our refuge and strength,     an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way     and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam     and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]...

Paul’s message in these three chapters can be summarised “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good ... to one there is given [one gift] ... to another there is given [another gift] ... follow the way of love and eagerly desire...

Joshua has just led the Israelites across the Jordan and is now near Jericho. “He looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither’ he replied, ‘but as...

It is generally considered that the term “Maundy Thursday” came from the Latin version of the Bible. Most scholars consider that it came from the phrase “novum mandatum” in John 13v34 which in English is, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another.” It is also...

Do you have something nagging on your mind? Jesus heads up a mountain with his favourite three – Peter, James & John. We don’t know what the three were expecting, but it turns into a huge event. Jesus starts shining (we can only imagine) and then Elijah and Moses,...

While our government debates the issues of Brexit (!), Tony highlighted to me earlier in the week that in China, they are increasingly using financial rewards to encourage citizens to report religious meetings or evangelism which are not officially recognised by the...

This passage begins with the religious people challenging Jesus because his disciples are not following the religious tradition of hand-washing. Jesus points out that their emphasis on tradition causes them to act against what the Bible teaches. He calls them...

This account in Matthew is another popular bible story with children. The disciples head across the Lake of Galilee and a storm comes on. During the storm, Jesus comes to them on the water and the disciples freak out thinking they see a ghost. Jesus confirms who he is...

Jesus wanted some space alone to mourn the beheading of John, his second cousin and partner in the gospel (see last time). Just as he got to his “space”, the crowds found him (v13). What is Jesus to do? He chose to “have compassion on them and heal their sick” rather...

Last week, at the end of chapter 13, we saw how the people at Nazareth were offended by Jesus’ miracles. Today, we find that Herod is offended by John the Baptist’s statement of truth. 1)      Positively, Herod recognises and believes in miracles and even resurrection...