Bible Study Lessons
I recently read a biography of David Livingstone (1813-1873), the great explorer and missionary to Africa. Although he faced intense challenges—frequent sicknesses, attacked by a lion, sleeping on dirt floors, misunderstood by locals, lack of converts—he was known for his calm and joyful demeanor and his endurance in prayer and mission. After reading about his … Read more
Five hundred years ago, St. Ignatius wrote what would become one of the most popular Christian books of all time, the Spiritual Exercises. His book contains a section that I think is especially helpful for personal devotions. Essentially, he divides a few stories in the Gospels into one, two, or three points and asks readers … Read more
One of the most influential Christian books of all time is The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, written in 1522-1524. The author, Ignatius of Loyola, was a Spanish soldier who was injured in battle by a cannonball. While recovering, Ignatius was deeply impressed by a couple of books—one on the lives of the saints and … Read more
Jesus was a man of the people. He spent time with all kinds of individuals, conversing with tax collectors, fishermen, Pharisees, men, women, and children. In addition, he appointed twelve apostles “that they might be with him” (Mk. 3:14). And he lived with these twelve guys, walking dusty roads with them, eating with them, taking … Read more
We don’t know ourselves very well. The story of Peter declaring his loyalty to Jesus is an illustration of this reality. After Jesus told him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times” (Mk. 14:30), Peter responded, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (v. … Read more