Category Archives: God’s Word

In Bible Study, Words Matter

by Christina Fox, in category God's Word

Words matter. As a counselor, I know the power of the spoken word, how certain words can break a relationship, while others can heal it. As a writer, I know the importance of selecting the right word to use in a sentence. Sometimes, just one word can be the difference between confusion and clarity.

Words matter in the Bible as well. God created the world through just the power of his word; he merely spoke and light appeared. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is The Word incarnate, God’s word to us made flesh. Unlike the words we write or speak, God’s word is active and alive; it changes and transforms. It is truth which sanctifies.

As we prepare to return to Bible studies with the women in our churches this fall, it is appropriate to look at the significance of words in Scripture, for every word carries meaning and significance. When we study a passage or chapter in the Bible, it is important to make note of the words used, the meanings of those words, and how they are used. It makes a world of difference as we seek to understand, learn, and be transformed by the very word of God.

As you study this semester, consider some of these words:

Names of People and Places: The meanings of names carry great weight in the Bible. Whenever we come across a name, whether of a person or place, we ought to look up its meaning. Unlike modern times, in the Bible, a person’s name often indicated something about who they were and what they would become (Gen 17:5). Sometimes God instructed prophets to name their children names that spoke to what was happening at that time in Israel or signified what would happen in the future (Hosea 1:6). Often the names of places tell us something about who God is and what he has done.

Repeated Words: Consider how often a teacher or parent repeats the same instructions to children. They often feel like a record set on repeat. In the Bible, when a word is repeated, it’s not accidental. It’s done so to enforce something, to highlight something, to make a point. The author is saying, “Listen up! This is uber-important!” When we come across repeated words or phrases, we ought to stop and take notice. A good example of this is when Isaiah hears the seraphim call out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (6:3)

Transition Words: Many bible study students have heard a pastor..

The God Who Sees

by Christina Fox, in category God's Word

So, she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing, for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

Hagar and the angel of the Lord in the wilderness are an important piece to the relational gospel story between God and His people. It is a story for those who feel weak, used, abused, abandoned, those who are aliens, and those who long to be seen. El Roi is the God who sees us. This name of God is revealed in Genesis 16. Hagar refers to God as El Roi in verse 13, but to understand the importance of this name we have to see the name in the context of the entire story.

In Genesis 16 we see Sarai desperately wanting to push God’s covenant promise along in her own human effort, control, and plans. In the text of Genesis 16 we see she suggests to Abram that he take her maidservant to be his wife. Neither Abram nor Sarai refer to Hagar by name in this entire account recorded by Moses in Genesis 16. She is a maidservant, an Egyptian in slavery in a foreign land, and she is used as an object by Abram and Sarai—unseen to them as the named woman, by the personal name Hagar—to Abram and Sarai, she is servant or just a pronoun.

After Hagar becomes pregnant, Sarai deals harshly with her and Hagar flees. Hagar is pregnant, an alien in a foreign land, and up until this point has not been referred to by her personal name. She flees to a place on the way to Shur—a place that is so far from where Abram and Sarai lived that she must have traveled a very long way on foot to escape the mistress who mistreated her, never called her by her personal name, and dealt with her harshly.

In the desert, the angel of the Lord speaks to her and calls her by her personal name for the first time in the text of Genesis 16. In Hagar’s response to the angel of the Lord, we see for the first time in Scripture, the recorded name of the God who sees, El Roi—the God who sees me…

E-100 I Want to Grow in my Faith: Life on Life Discipleship with Cheryl Mullis

by Cami Summers, in category Community, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, God's Word, Podcast, Relationships
I Want to Grow in my Faith: Life on Life Discipleship with Cheryl Mullis Are you more inclined to be merely informed by the Word or do you yearn for real heart transformation? Join Cheryl Mullis and host Karen Hodge as they converse about eternal fruit of cultivating a culture of life-on-life discipleship in the… Read More

E-99 Equipping the Church for Kingdom Prayer with Barbara Thompson

by Cami Summers, in category Community, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, God's Word, Podcast, Prayer, Relationships, Spiritual Disciplines, Theology, Thought Life
Equipping the Church for Kingdom Prayer with Barbara Thompson Long for your prayer life to be revitalized? Join Barbara Thompson, author of Equipping the Church for Kingdom Prayer, and host Karen Hodge as they unpack what it means to align our prayer lives with the truths in God's Word and the multiplied blessing that is… Read More

Hope in Our Covenant Keeping God

by Christina Fox, in category God's Word

It’s been several weeks of caution and seclusion. Our churches are livestreamed, our fellowship times are in digital halls, and our Bible studies are framed by computer or phone screens. There is a new normal that is still unfamiliar and uncomfortable, and we don’t know how long this altered existence will last.

Scripture is full of exhortations about waiting on the Lord (Is. 25:9; Ps. 37:7; Lam. 3:26), having patience (Gal. 5:22; Col. 1:11; Jm. 5:7), and God’s care in the midst of hard times (2 Sam. 22:31; Ps. 36:7, 46:1, 62:8). But there is one page of the Bible that I’m finding unconventionally encouraging in these unconventional times. Unfortunately, if you use an electronic version of the Bible, you probably won’t notice it. Go grab a physical copy of the God’s Word and turn to Malachi 4. Now, turn the page.

It’s blank, isn’t it? There’s a blank page, followed by a page introducing the New Testament. That blank page represents over 400 years of silence, uncertainty, and waiting.

If you’re still holding a copy of the Bible, your left hand is holding around 1,500 years of covenant history. I say “covenant” history because the Bible is full of covenants that God makes with his people. Throughout that history, God kept his covenant to preserve and bless his people, even though his people disobeyed the covenant conditions. The Old Testament is an ongoing story of how God committed to his people, his people disobeying, God reestablishing the covenant, and sending covenant messengers (aka prophets) to remind his people of the terms of the covenant. There are robust themes of God’s faithfulness despite his people’s sin..

E-98 The Certainty of God in Uncertain Times

by Cami Summers, in category Community, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, God's Word, Podcast, Relationships, Spiritual Disciplines, Theology, Thought Life
The Certainty of God in Uncertain Times What truths can you be certain of in these uncertain days? Join Karen Hodge and an intergenerational small group including Susan Hunt, Elizabeth Turnage, Susan Tyner, Paula Miles and Rachel Craddock as they remind each other what is anchoring them in His Word during these challenging days. The… Read More

E-97 The Cross-shaped Life: Preparing Our Hearts for Easter with Christine Gordon

by Cami Summers, in category Discipleship, Easter, Encouragement, Faith, God's Word, Podcast
The Cross-shaped Life: Preparing our Heart for Easter with Christine Gordon We invite you to spend some time today preparing your heart for Holy Week. Chris Gordon joins Karen Hodge in the book of Luke to help us consider the cost of discipleship. About the Speaker: Christine B. Gordon Christine is wife to Michael and… Read More

E: 90 The Good Shepherd’s Pasture: Raising Covenant Children with Elizabeth Harwell

by Cami Summers, in category Baptism, Discipleship, Easter, Encouragement, Faith, God's Word, Motherhood, Podcast, Reformed Theology, The PCA, Theology
The Good Shepherd's Pasture: Raising Covenant Children with Elizabeth Harwell Have you ever desired to explain to your children or grandchildren the spiritual significance of their baptism? Join Elizabeth Harwell writer of the newly released children's book "The Good Shepherd's Pasture--The Story of Your Baptism" and host Karen Hodge as they unpack the many dimensions… Read More

E: 89 Christ-Centered Marriage with Chris & Karen Hodge

by Cami Summers, in category Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, God's Word, Marriage, Podcast
Christ-Centered Marriage with Chris & Karen Hodge Looking to stay on the same page spiritually and emotionally as a married couple? There is no shortcut other than preaching the gospel to each other daily. Join host Karen Hodge and her husband Chris as they discuss the shape of a Christ-centered marriage. About the Speakers: Chris… Read More

E: 85 Hinged to the Next Generation with Stephanie Formenti

by Cami Summers, in category Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, God's Word, Identity, Podcast, Womanhood
Hinged to the Next Generation with Stephanie Formenti At CDM we feel it is mission-critical for older women in the Church to step towards the next generation. Join Stephanie Formenti, the female Chapel Associate at Covenant College, and Karen Hodge as they discuss stories and strategies that hinge to the next generation. About the Speaker:… Read More