Highlight After crossing the Jordan, Joshua instructs the Israelites to take twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial. These stones serve as a reminder of God's miraculous intervention and faithfulness in bringing His people into the Promised Land. The memorial stones are a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness. Rahab's inclusion in the Israelite community is also a testament to God's grace and the power of faith. Just as the stones remind the Israelites of God's deliverance, Rahab's story reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to fulfill His purposes.  Read More

Highlight In Joshua 3, the Israelites prepare to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the river, and the waters part, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This miraculous event echoes the parting of the Red Sea and signifies God's continued presence and power among His people. The crossing of the Jordan River is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to make a way where there seems to be no way. Rahab's faith in this God, who performs such miracles, is validated as she witnesses the Israelites' entry into the land. Her decision to align with God's people is further affirmed by this display of divine power.  Read More

Highlight The Book of Joshua picks up after the Israelites have wandered in the wilderness for 40 years waiting for God to lead them into the land he promised when they escaped Egypt. Moses has just died and Joshua has been told by God that He is going to use Joshua to fulfill the promises he made to the people through Moses. It’s both an exciting and terrifying time for the Israelites  Read More

Welcome to Week Six of the Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Reading Plan! This reading plan is designed to partner with Compassion Christian Church’s sermon series of the same name, which you can find information about right here. A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog. Throughout Scripture we see God choose unlikely people to become His primary tool to impact the outcomes of seismic events in Israel’s history, and in turn the history of our world. Social outcasts, economically disadvantaged, struggling with disability or illness, lacking influence or even agency to make change in their own lives, much less in the lives of their community or nation.  Read More

Highlight Jesus often made claims that ruffled people’s feathers. In this particular passage, Jesus confesses He is the bread of life, the Son of God who came from Heaven. And the people did not like that. They pulled the classic small world card - “I know your parents (v. 41-42).” They knew Joseph and Mary, and would have remembered Jesus growing up with his family.  Read More

Highlight This is the only glimpse of Jesus as a boy. Scholars have a few different ideas as to why Luke added this story in his Gospel - to show Jesus’ comfortableness in the Temple, with the language of God as “Father,” Jesus’ awareness of who He is. But another importance this story points out is Joseph and Mary’s fidelity in holding true to all of the Jewish laws and customs.  Read More