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Vine’s Dictionary is now available with Bible Gateway Plus

Do you want a deeper understanding of the original meaning of the Bible? This classic dictionary can and will simplify the process you go through to understand the Bible’s original meaning. It makes understanding individual words quick and easy.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words includes thousands of biblical words to enhance your Bible word study.

As you read a passage, access word definitions to enhance your study of the Bible. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of each verse when you learn the original meaning of each word.

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6 Bible Study Methods You Need to Know (and Try)

Interior of The Word Study Reference Bible from Thomas Nelson, a Bible that can be used with any of the Bible study methods outlined in this article.

What is the goal or purpose of Bible study? While there are a number of different ways to say it they all boil down to this: We study the Bible to discover the intended meaning of a passage of Scripture and apply it to our lives today. It’s simple, but also not.

The “simple” is that we have a clear purpose. The “not” is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting there. That’s why different Bible study methods exist. 

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A Faith Lesson from Peter’s Denial of Jesus

Michele Cushatt - A Faith Lesson from Peter’s Denial of JesusBy Michele Cushatt

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Matthew 7:24–25

Before his death, Jesus dined with His disciples. It was Passover, the annual feast to remember Yahweh’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt after hundreds of years of slavery. (See Exodus 11 and 12.) To those seated at the table, it was simply another Jewish celebration. Jesus knew otherwise.

This would be the Passover to which all the other Passovers had pointed. He would be the lamb sacrificed, His blood providing cover and allowing the sentence of death to pass over God’s people, setting us free from our slavery to sin.

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How do you study the Bible with a TEXT (method)?

A devotional from The TEXT Bible, that showcases the TEXT Method of study

It can be difficult to know how to start when we’re just getting started with studying the Bible. Should we just pick it up and start reading? Is there a plan to follow? Are there any tools that can help?

For those just starting out with studying the Bible, the TEXT Method is a memorable and accessible entry point.

What is the TEXT Method?

Developed by Michael and Hayley DiMarco, the TEXT Method is a Bible study approach built on four steps:

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God has never done anything by accident – 5 Questions with Louie Giglio

You may find it difficult to figure out exactly where your story is going. You might think that your life is a little off or wonder, “What is the purpose in it all?” But the truth is, you cannot understand the story of your life apart from Jesus.

Your story begins with a creating God. The Bible proclaims that you are created in God’s image. Your beginning started in the mind of a majestic God. Everything beautiful, spiritual, wonderful, and eternal about you is the result of God’s divine image woven into your spirit from the start.

Louie Giglio is Pastor of Passion City Church and the Founder of the Passion movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus. Louie is also the author of national-bestseller Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table, Goliath Must Fall, and Seeing God as a Perfect Father (June 2023). He is also the general editor for The Jesus Bible, born out of the Passion Movement. The Jesus Bible Study Series explores the six acts of Scripture. Below we speak with Louie about the first volume in that series, BEGINNINGS: The Story of How All Things were Created by God and for God.


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What Is the Key to a Life Well Lived?

Robert Wolgemuth: What Is the Key to a Life Well Lived?By Robert Wolgemuth

Editor’s Note: There is one event most people don’t want to think about: their own death. And for good reason. We’re too focused on living our lives well. But that begs the question: what is the key to a life well lived? How can we face death knowing that we have finished well? Robert Wolgemuth addresses these questions in his new book Finish Line. What follows is an excerpt that explores Simon Peter’s experiences with Jesus, which reveal the key to a life well lived.

Like almost all Jesus’ inner circle, Simon Peter was executed for what he believed. About Jesus.

Of all the disciples, I guess I identify most with Peter. Maybe not as outwardly brash as this guy, but I’m every bit as impetuous. Sometimes leading with my mouth rather than my thoughtfulness. Thankfully, the older I’ve grown, the more successful I’ve become at controlling myself.

So walk with me to one of the most important conversations Jesus had with this disciple. It took place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, home base for many of the disciples.

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What Old Testament Prophecies Reveal About Jesus

Phylicia MasonheimerBy Phylicia Masonheimer

How many Old Testament prophecies did Jesus fulfill, and what does this mean for us today? Phylicia Masonheimer explores key Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, and what these verses reveal about Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.

God’s goal has always been to restore perfect love and peace between Himself and His creation. But even God’s beautiful temple, a place for Jews and Gentiles alike to come and worship, could not be preserved from humanity’s sin. The temple was destroyed, the ark of the covenant stolen, and with it, all hope of God dwelling with humanity.

Until Jesus.

Israel went into exile and did not repent. Yet during this time of darkness, God was at work. The ancient words of previous years were throbbing with promise: The Messiah is coming.

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The Africa Bible Commentary is now available with Bible Gateway Plus

As Black History Month closes in the United States and Canada, Bible Gateway is proud to announce that the Africa Bible Commentary is now available as one of the premium resources available with a Bible Gateway Plus membership.

Created to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay leaders, it is a one-volume commentary written by 70 African Scholars and was produced in Africa.

With the global reach of Bible Gateway and Bible Gateway Plus members living and working in over 75 countries, it is a blessing to include this title to help fulfill our mission to equip you to read and understand the Bible wherever you are.

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A Spirit of Fear Versus Fear of the Lord

John Bevere

By John Bevere

How many times is Fear mentioned in the Bible? Depending on the translation you search, the NIV Bible tells us—about 350 times—and “fear not” is in almost 175 verses in the KJV Bible. The NKJV encourages us to “fear God” 134 times. We recommend that you find what the Bible says about fear, and read below how, as John Bevere explains, there is a difference between destructive fear and the virtue of fearing God, which helps us become closer to God.

In the summer of 1994, I was asked to minister for a church conference in the Southeastern United States. At the time, I was on a journey to discover holy fear. I strongly sensed the need to lay aside this apprehension and minister on the fear of the Lord in the first evening session.

The next evening after worship the head pastor took the platform for what I assumed would be a routine introduction, but this wasn’t the case. For fifteen minutes he corrected what I had spoken about the previous evening. He confidently stated, “The fear of the Lord only applies to Old Testament times, but as Christians, we’ve not been given ‘a spirit of fear,’” referencing 2 Timothy 1:7.

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Why do we have so many English Bible translations?

Interior of the NKJV Verse Art Bible, one of the many English Bible translations available.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of English Bible translations we have today. It’s not uncommon to wonder why we have so many. Why do all these translations exist? Do they serve different purposes? Is there one that’s best—and if so which one? Let’s find out together.

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