Constructing Faith

Finding the key words for James 2:1-13 brought out some interesting and important questions. Why is it that James condemned showing partiality? This and other important questions are discussed.

In this episode I break down the process of developing the Purpose Bridge, and show you some ideas about developing the Central Proposition of the Lesson or Sermon. This develops into a powerful tool in teaching God's word. Plus, there is a little challenge I made for you.

There is a great contrast in this chapter that is becoming more clear as the text unfolds. The heart of this passage says a lot about how life works, and how to find the blessings of God. Join me and listen to this short explanation of finding the heart of this great text.

In this episode, we're looking at several questions about the text, and you'll see that it reveals a lot of great information. The difference between good and great Bible study lies in the questions you ask.

Winning at life is simple, but not easy. James 1:12-18 gives us great insight into how to make small changes in our lives that lead to greater intimacy with God. It's as simple as learning to choose our desires. That takes training and effort, but it is the surest way to change your life for the better and WIN.

It does no good to understand the text if we do not take time to understand how to apply it. In fact, if you cannot understand how to apply the text, you don't truly have a complete understanding of it.

The CPT (Central Proposition of the Text) is more than just a summary. It is a specific statement that includes the context and purpose of the text, as best as we can determine. It also considers both the immediate and larger contexts. It is very pointed.

In this episode of Constructing Faith, I reveal some of the most important words and concepts in James 1:12-18. By looking at the words of a text and deciding what are the most important ones, we begin to see a hierarchy that develops into an outline of the text.

Happiness. Everyone wants it and many don't seem to be able to find it. What's the secret? James tells us. If you want a happy life, here are four tools you'll need to build it. This presentation is humbly given in love, hoping to make a difference through the clear presentation of the message of this text.

In this episode you'll hear several questions to ask to find the Purpose Bridge. The Purpose Bridge bridges the gap between Bible study and application. Your motives are highlited here, and a purpose is discovered.

In this week's episode we look at the outline and the central proposition of the text (CPT) for James 1:1-11. I walk through the process of how I discovered the outline and how the pieces fit together to form the heart of the passage.

Did you ever notice the italicised words in the Bible? Did you know why they are there? They indicate words that have been added by the translators to make the passage more clear. You thought we'd be discussing words that are missing, and that is what the episode is about. These are words that are missing in the original text but are supplied by translators.

Someone said that Isaiah predicted steam engines more than 2000 years before they were invented. We know the Bible does contain amazing prophecies that predicted events in amazing detail, but did Isaiah talk about steam engines? Did he mention a steam locomotive in Isaiah 6? In this episode we look at that idea and talk about an important related principle: Context.

S.T.O.P. Spin Tires On Pavement. That was how my friend interpreted Stop signs when he drove. Oh, we knew better, but we were childish and immature -a lot like people approach the Bible sometimes.

Hopefully, we all have people in our lives who inspire us and make us want to improve ourselves. What is that quality? How do they do it? And how did Jesus do such a masterful job at changing the lives of the people He touched while living on earth so long ago?

In this episode you will hear several different possible purposes for using the text of Mark 2:13-17 to help others. It will help you identify how people feel about people caught in sin, and what we can do to help them learn to see people in a better light.

With one statement, Jesus brought into view His own character and nature while laying bare the hearts of those who opposed Him.

The message is, "THIS is what life is about. THIS is why you are here. THIS is why at the end, when everything is over, it DOES matter who you are and how you live. Even billions of years from now, it will matter.

In studying Mark 2:1-12, the idea is to develop it into some kind of study to help yourself and/or others. This account of the four men lower their paralytic friend through the roof of Peter's house reveals important information about the true nature of our reality.

The story of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof is a fascinating account that shows us an important lesson: Jesus understands our needs and is able to fulfill them. Listen and learn about several important and powerful ideas from this text.