Following Jesus will cost you something—but what you gain in Him is far greater than anything you could ever lose.

In the Western world, we are used to seeing churches in most towns and cities. But they weren't always there. How exactly did the early church spread from one single preacher in ancient Jerusalem? Together, we'll take a cursory look at the birth of the Church, and our responsibility to continue helping its growth today.

We can’t go anywhere these days without running into Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our computers and phones use it in their operating systems. Websites and search engines operate with them, and most chat options are AI bots answering questions. Industries from education to content writing and entertainment wrestle with the limits of and input by AI.

AI can be a good tool. It can help us find information quickly, organize ideas, and streamline certain administrative tasks. Whether researching topics or solving practical problems, AI can add real value and save time. 

At the same time, we must recognize its limits, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. 

Tools can’t replace relationship, and relationship sits at the heart of Christianity. God calls us into fellowship with him and other believers. The Holy Spirit guides, teaches, corrects, and leads us in truth through relationship, speaking to us by his voice. No system or technology can take the place of this. Also, God provides pastors, mentors, and other believers with supernatural gifts to comfort us and encourage us. 

We can use AI as a resource. However, here are 7 reasons we should be wary of seeking spiritual guidance from AI.

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Jesus' ministry and message is meant for all people. That means that He couldn't stay in one place and preach, He had to hit the road! So get out your maps and get ready to trace the Lord's ministry from Galilee to Capernaum to Jerusalem and beyond.

For a new Christian, or anyone starting to read Scripture for the first time, the Bible can feel overwhelming at first. You open the pages of this thick book and see a bunch of books written across centuries by different authors. There are several genres, including history, poetry, and teaching. Where should you begin? 

There’s good news when looking at where to begin. The Bible offers many strong entry points to introduce you to who God is and help you step into the larger library we call the Bible. Some books give you a direct look at Jesus’ life and teaching, while others explore why he came at all. Others help you grow in wisdom and daily living. 

Each starting place is unique, but all will lead you to the same truth, the story of God who sent his Son to save the world. 

1. Gospel of John

The Gospel of John is one of the most popular starting points suggested by pastors and leaders. John clearly introduces Jesus with purpose and depth. John doesn’t start with a genealogy; he opens up with a masterful declaration that Jesus is the eternal Word who was with God and is God. This lays a foundation of awe and wonder for the whole book, providing eternal context for the narratives within. Jesus wasn’t just a good man, a teacher, or a prophet. He was God in human form. 

The rest of John supports this introduction. We encounter Jesus in amazing signs and wonders and heartfelt personal moments. He turns water into wine, heals the sick, and raises the dead. Christ does these things while teaching deep spiritual truths. John intentionally chooses these moments to bring evidence of Jesus’ love, divine nature, and mission. 

We also read how Jesus spoke in powerful and memorable statements like “I am the bread of life” and “I am the good shepherd,” both with complex connections to the Old Testament. The words of Jesus help us understand his role as the one who leads and saves us. One of John’s main themes includes right belief, inviting us to trust Jesus and receive eternal life. 

Finally, John’s gospel expresses the greatness of God’s love. Jesus came to dwell with us to reveal the Father and give his life for our restoration. 

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In the Creation account, Scripture mentions the firmament when God separates the waters above from the waters below. Critics say this proves the Bible is untrustworthy when compared to modern scientific knowledge, but is that true?

People love movies. We talk about them with friends, post online about our favorites, or express frustration when we pay for a movie that stinks. Movie stars enjoy privileged status, even great influence. Many may not remember, but we had a movie actor, Ronald Regan, become a president in 1980. Movie studios and streaming services make billions a year pumping out content. 

While many see consumeristic entertainment, hollow and empty, even corrupt and hedonistic, there’s a reason we love movies. 

We were created to be part of one.

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Animal sacrifices in the Old Testament provided a temporary covering for sin and reminded God's people of their need for a perfect, eternal sacrifice. God even called Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at one point. But rest assured, living sacrificially today doesn't involve any death! Except death to self and our own desires.

The Western Church has, over time, perhaps over-intellectualized Christianity. When we look at our Bibles, we see epic tales of loss and triumph, love and heartbreak, lives, cities, and nations transformed. These stories connect with people on a deep level, and are an excellent entry point into gospel conversations.

Prayer, fellowship, service. These are all spiritual disciplines that many of us are likely familiar and comfortable with. They are good habits to draw us closer to the Lord! But there's one that many avoid at all costs because it is so counter-cultural. However, engaging with this discipline can change everything for you.

Come early March, department stores stock up on Irish themed merchandise. Everything from T-shirts to mugs and hats cover shelves for a couple weeks. Bars advertise green beer at a discount. Large parties and parades with people dressed in green happen in communities around America, usually celebrating Irish culture. All in St. Patrick’s name. 

As a man of Irish heritage, I have no problem celebrating that great culture, but these things don’t begin to touch the heart of St. Patrick. In many ways, it distracts us from learning the revolutionary truths St. Patrick’s life must teach us. 

St. Patrick brought the gospel to a little island near Britain called Ireland. And the amazing reality is, he effectively converted a whole nation from paganism to Christianity. Not only that, within a few generations, the Irish people became some of the greatest missionaries for Jesus in history. 

How did he do this? Instead of putting a leprechaun on everything, let’s find the real value in St. Patrick as a missionary. And see what he has to teach us today.

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Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar, when we remember the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the central work of God in the Gospel. While Lent is traditionally Catholic, more Protestants and Evangelicals have begun to find value in this observance, as well.

After the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports wagering in 2018, several states legalized the practice. Lawmakers further opened the door to mobile betting apps, and companies quickly got involved, creating sleek platforms, advertising, and sign-up bonuses. Now, fans don’t need to visit a casino to gamble on a game – they can place a bet instantly on their phone. 

Technology has influenced this growth. Personalized promotions keep people constantly engaged along with live in-game betting. The apps aggressively advertise during sports broadcasts and podcasts. Social media influencers suggest picks. Betting has shifted to being a mainstream part of sports culture. 

Younger adults more comfortable with digital wallets and apps have driven this expansion. The gambling industry has generated billions of dollars through these apps, and the tax income is high for states, part of the reason they passed the laws. 

At the same time, such a rise has brought up concerns about gambling addiction and more. For Christians, many have a conviction that gambling is a problem, if not an outright sin. But what does the Bible say? And with the rise of sports betting, how should we engage the culture on this issue?

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Upon encountering God at the burning bush, Moses asks a simple question. What is the name of this God? God answers with the famous, “I am,” which is where we get his name “Yahweh.” 

Names do more than give a label to something. Biblically, a name describes character, nature, destiny, role, and more. Being infinite and holy, set apart, one name alone doesn’t do God justice. Therefore, as the Bible continues to tell the story, God continues to answer Moses’ question through several names.

Scripture assigns different names to God, each giving us insight into who God really is. While only a few of the many, here are seven names of God and what they mean for us today.

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