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A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains twenty-six lessons on the gospels, harmonized to avoid covering the same material repeatedly, but allowing for consideration of the supplementary nature of the four books.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the first twelve chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, focusing upon the early church and the ministry of the apostle Peter.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the Pauline section of the Acts of the Apostles as the church continues to spread throughout the known world and endure persecution.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the early Pauline epistles, First and Second Thessalonians, in addition to the letter by James.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the Pauline epistles of Romans and Galatians.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the Pauline epistle of First Corinthians.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the Pauline epistle of Second Corinthians.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the Pauline epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Collosians and Philemon.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the Pauline epistles of First and Second Timothy and Titus.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the anonymous letter written to the Hebrews.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the comparatively brief letters of First and Second Peter, First, Second and Third John, and Jude.

A Passage Through the New Testament is designed to take a Bible class through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament at a sober pace, allowing for maximum study, discussion, and personal application. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the book of Revelation.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the book of Genesis.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the books of First and Second Samuel.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the books of First and Second Kings.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel in a cursory manner.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

A Passage Through the Old Testament is designed to take a Bible class all the way through the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament in two years’ time. Sacrifices were made to arrange this pace, especially in obscure passages such as some found in the Pentateuch, major prophets and wisdom literature. Topical class books can supplement the cursory study of these books at other times, however, so that no part of God’s writ is slighted. This class book contains thirteen lessons on the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and the Intertestamental Period.

In centuries earlier than the twenty-first, the Bible was so universally taught in Western nations that nearly everyone had intimate knowledge of the basics of Scripture. Sadly, that interest in God’s word has waned mightily and now even among Christians, the young are more likely to be immersed in entertainment and recreation than fundamental, divine principles. This two-part series of studies, Bible 101, is designed to chase away ignorance of God’s word with an overview of the Bible message. Old Testament 101 begins at Creation and follows the patriarchs, judges and kings all the way to the Intertestamental Period.

In centuries earlier than the twenty-first, the Bible was so universally taught in Western nations that nearly everyone had intimate knowledge of the basics of Scripture. Sadly, that interest in God’s word has waned mightily and now even among Christians, the young are more likely to be immersed in entertainment and recreation than fundamental, divine principles. This two-part series of studies, Bible 101, is designed to chase away ignorance of God’s word with an overview of the Bible message. New Testament 101 begins the birth of Jesus and follows his ministry, the development of the early church, epistles and prophecy, up to the days since A.D. 100.

Typology is a magnificent piece of evidence which helps to show the divinely sewn thread that runs throughout the Bible. In so many significant New Testament examples, we see them foreshadowed in great moments and characters in the Old Testament. When the type and antitype relationship is properly understood, it becomes a valuable faith builder. One must use caution, however, and not take this mechanism too far.

Within families and churches, brotherhood is an important concept, which lends itself to a proper relationship and a wonderful closeness, described by the Holy Spirit, as being “knit together.” From the fleshly brothers and sisters in the Bible, we learn both positive and negative lessons on the subject of brotherly love. The Hebrew writer exhorts us to “Let brotherly love continue.” In a world filled with malice and indifference, it is vital that the people of God learn to love one another and act like it. This series of lessons focuses on fleshly families and attempts to extract from them various lessons that will apply to both the home and the church.

This series of lessons will mine the riches of Hebrews 11 in order to magnify the character of faith in these people, for “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (1). If, by it, the elders obtained a good testimony, we will likewise.

The twenty-eight chapters of the Acts of the Apostles provide a wide variety of compelling characters, both good and bad. The book is filled with some of the finest saints ever to live, coming into contact with some of the most evil enemies of the cross ever to trouble the church. Acts includes apostles, prophets and miracle workers. It has giants in faith, both men and women. It has sorcerers and governors. From these men and women, we can gain a great variety of instruction regarding our daily walk with Christ. In those outside the body of Christ, we seem to find wickedness personified; still, their error is instructive as well.

The list of great characters from the Old Testament would, no doubt, be a quite lengthy one. Hebrews 11 provides a record of some of the greatest and this series of lessons will focus on a few of them. From the age of Genesis through the long Exodus pilgrimage, into the Judges period and subsequent monarchy, all the way through the exile, God’s people were blessed with men and women of amazing faith and strength. None of these characters is perfect and these lessons will not ignore their shortcomings. It will be our main intent to emphasize the successes of such characters, however. It is our hope that we can gain valuable training in being people of great faith ourselves.

When Paul wrote Titus, an evangelist working on the island of Crete in the seventh decade of the first century, he reminded the young man that he was there to set in order things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city. While a church may exist for a time without appointed overseers, such a situation will always expose the need to ordain elders and deacons as soon as is scripturally possible.

This series of Bible studies originated as a series of articles in the Woodmont Beacon, the bulletin of the Woodmont church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas. The articles have been reproduced here as a class text and questions have been appended to facilitate a consideration of questions that often arise among believers and seekers alike. Lessons include questions about salvation, worship, miracles, and Christmas.

This series of Bible studies originated as a series of articles in the Woodmont Beacon, the bulletin of the Woodmont church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas. The articles have been reproduced here as a class text and questions have been appended to facilitate a consideration of questions that often arise among believers and seekers alike. Lessons include questions about salvation, worship, miracles, and Christmas.

This series of Bible studies originated as a series of articles in the Woodmont Beacon, the bulletin of the Woodmont church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas. The articles have been reproduced here as a class text and questions have been appended to facilitate a consideration of questions that often arise among believers and seekers alike. Lessons include questions on creation, resurrection, benevolence, and ministry titles.

The ministry of Jesus Christ shows clearly that Christianity is an intensely practical religion. The philosophies of men tend toward abstractions and subjectivity, but the teachings of our Lord make distinctions between right and wrong objectively and direct human beings into a life more abundant. The short epistle of James renews this commitment to practical and godly living, inserting the power of true faith into everyday events so that discipleship is a lifestyle.

They are the axioms of uncertain origin. Some of our most repeated expressions are actually found in the Bible, but are so far removed from their contexts that the original intent of the Holy Spirit is all but forgotten. In this series of lessons, we will go back to the Bible to find the origin of these “Golden Rules” and then apply them according to the context provided. Lessons include axioms about turning the other cheek, a house divided, and the truth shall make you free.

They are the axioms of uncertain origin. Some of our most repeated expressions are actually found in the Bible, but are so far removed from their contexts that the original intent of the Holy Spirit is all but forgotten. In this series of lessons, we will go back to the Bible to find the origin of these “Golden Rules” and then apply them according to the context provided. Lessons include axioms about remaining silent, spoiling the child, and salt of the earth.

They are the axioms of uncertain origin. Some of our most repeated expressions are actually found in the Bible, but are so far removed from their contexts that the original intent of the Holy Spirit is all but forgotten. In this series of lessons, we will go back to the Bible to find the origin of these “Golden Rules” and then apply them according to the context provided. Lessons include axioms about doubting Thomas, letting go and letting God, and Armageddon.

They are the axioms of uncertain origin. Some of our most repeated expressions are actually found in the Bible, but are so far removed from their contexts that the original intent of the Holy Spirit is all but forgotten. In this series of lessons, we will go back to the Bible to find the origin of these “Golden Rules” and then apply them according to the context provided. Lessons include axioms about washing my hands, a cross to bear, and pride going before a fall.

They are the axioms of uncertain origin. Some of our most repeated expressions are actually found in the Bible, but are so far removed from their contexts that the original intent of the Holy Spirit is all but forgotten. In this series of lessons, we will go back to the Bible to find the origin of these “Golden Rules” and then apply them according to the context provided. Lessons include axioms about the skin of my teeth, a leopard changing his spots, and no peace for the wicked.

They are the axioms of uncertain origin. Some of our most repeated expressions are actually found in the Bible, but are so far removed from their contexts that the original intent of the Holy Spirit is all but forgotten. In this series of lessons, we will go back to the Bible to find the origin of these “Golden Rules” and then apply them according to the context provided. Lessons include axioms about under my wing, the quick and the dead, and the race is not to the swift.

They are the axioms of uncertain origin. Some of our most repeated expressions are actually found in the Bible, but are so far removed from their contexts that the original intent of the Holy Spirit is all but forgotten. In this series of lessons, we will go back to the Bible to find the origin of these “Golden Rules” and then apply them according to the context provided. Lessons include axioms about thorn in my flesh, ivory tower, and holy water.

The book of Daniel is numbered among the Old Testament’s major prophets, called that not because of greater significance, but relative length. Daniel was a prisoner-of-war, captured by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon when Jerusalem finally met its long-predicted demise. Daniel was taken away, educated and trained that he might serve his new king in government service, but he maintained so much of his Hebrew culture and upbringing that he and many like him were able to preserve a faithful remnant on which a new Israel was founded. The book that bears his name begins with six historical chapters about his own exploits, while the last half displays a series of prophetic images.

The Book of Ecclesiastes is a collection of observations on life, attributable perhaps to King Solomon, or at least to a tradition of Hebrew wisdom founded upon his insight. Ecclesiastes tells the tale of a man who sought meaning in life in every imaginable place, only to find in the end that without God at its essence, life itself is rather meaningless and futile.

It was in 597 B.C. that Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar deported Israel’s King Jehoiachin along with 10,000 of his leading citizens. Among them was the prophet and priest, Ezekiel, who had grown up under the godly reforms of King Josiah and who continued to show an affinity for truth and the kind of honest visions that came from Jeremiah. Ezekiel settled into exile in Tel-Abib by the River Kebar, but five years later, he was summoned into his own prophetic ministry through a vision from God.

The book of Isaiah the prophet is one of the longest in the Bible, at 66 chapters. It covers a wide variety of issues, relating to its original audience and those who would be living when the Messiah finally arrived. Although it was written more than 2700 years ago, the lessons that Isaiah communicates appear to be timeless. The heartless worship that he encountered in ancient Israel is no different in nature than when it occurs today. The cure is the same as well.

Jeremiah impresses modern readers on so many levels. His biography is compelling, but his prophetic record is even greater. Jeremiah is credited not only with the prophecy that bears his name and tells story, but also with the short book that succeeds it in the canon – Lamentations. As a man, Jeremiah is noted for his courage, humility and sensitivity, making him the weeping prophet, but not a weak one. The prophet’s task was to convince his countrymen that the Babylonian threat was not only real, but certain, even as false prophets assured the same audience that all was well. Jeremiah lived about six hundred years before Christ and labored during a time of international turbulence and Hebrew decline.

The book of Job is an enthralling examination of the reasons behind the suffering of men and how a group of them try to figure out what caused one particular series of calamities in the life of Job. Through their curiosity and speculation, we begin to learn the right and wrong answers to some of our deepest questions. Hopefully, we also learn to trust God a little more and to loathe the devil a bit more as well. In this series of lessons, we want to study the text of Job with an eye toward understanding better the reason for human suffering, especially so that we might be better prepared when it hits.

The thirty-one chapters of the Proverbs provide a cache of invaluable and timeless wisdom from the mind of the Lord. The book identifies itself as being for the young, but the instruction found within its pages are fit for those of any age who desire to follow the paths of righteousness and avoid the pitfalls of foolishness. The Proverbs are intensely pertinent in this age of temptation and declining morality. The young will find answers and the old will find validation provided each hunger and thirst after the right way to go. Volume 1 in this series covers the first nine chapter of the book of Proverbs as a narrative introduction to the pithier statements that follow.

The thirty-one chapters of the Proverbs provide a cache of invaluable and timeless wisdom from the mind of the Lord. The book identifies itself as being for the young, but the instruction found within its pages are fit for those of any age who desire to follow the paths of righteousness and avoid the pitfalls of foolishness. The Proverbs are intensely pertinent in this age of temptation and declining morality. The young will find answers and the old will find validation provided each hunger and thirst after the right way to go. Volume 2 in this series covers the pithy proverbs categorically, touching on subjects as diverse as family, sobriety, the tongue, sexual immorality and self-control.

Save for a few special pearls, the Hebrew psalms are a rather obscure treasure in the midst of the Old Testament. Solace, however, is found beyond the 23rd, direction to the penitent is heard outside the 51st, and exercises in perseverance can be discovered in outposts other than the 119th.

The books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther occupy the final piece of the historical section of the Hebrew Old Testament library. The events they describe occurred after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians and focus upon life after the exile was eased and the Jews were permitted to return and rebuild. Ezra and Nehemiah are devoted to events in Israel, while Esther recounts God’s providential preservation of the race in Persian captivity. Ezra emphasizes the reconstruction of a temple, Nehemiah, the rebuilding of the city walls and Esther, the events that gave rise to Purim.

It comes as little surprise that the Bible’s inspired writers chose many metaphors and idioms to refer to Jesus Christ, the son of God and savior of mankind. In prophecy, on Earth and in glory, Jesus is the blessed redeemer and no turn of phrase or lofty comparison is too magnificent to fit his office. Jesus occupies many offices, in fact, and getting to know him better is dependent upon an interest in exploring each of them thoroughly.

In retrospect, the entire ministry of Jesus seems to center around the establishment of his kingdom, the kingdom of God so long predicted throughout the Old Testament. It was a prophecy that gained momentum with the fall of Israel and the frustrations of the Hebrews as they paid tribute to heathen kings. The kingdom prophecy, however, took a right turn when the Messiah came, for it became clear that it was a spiritual realm and that membership was not exclusively Jewish. When Jesus prayed for the kingdom to come, it had not yet, of course, but his signs and words all pointed to an imminent establishment. These lessons reveal the kingdom in his words and those of the apostles and inspired historians and correspondents to whom were assigned the task of dedicating the kingdom of God, the church of Christ.

The Bible asserts that God himself is love (First John 4:8), and that by partaking from his divine character, we can embody love as well. Nowhere is this more evident than in the thirteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. This series of studies is based on another series of articles on the chapter written in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Each lesson contains part or all of the article and a number of discussion questions to provoke thought.

The Holy Spirit describes King David of Israel as a singular man after God’s own heart. Indeed, his biography is seasoned with acts of courage, faith and trust, but his character is likewise marred by the kinds of sins that every man falls into – lust, greed, violence, presumptuous. What made David a man after God was his resilience and determination to excel.

The New Testament is a pattern book, which shows and tells us how the church should look and act. The various congregations in the New Testament show positive lessons as to how God wishes the church to behave and negative lessons which contain God’s disapproval. If the Bible student truly desires to keep God’s commandments and respect his authority, he will study the New Testament and attempt to make himself and the church of which he is a member as close to God’s ideal as possible. This series of lessons will help the student to understand the difference between God’s approval and disapproval.

This is a very different series of study guides for teaching the New Testament. Rather than studying the New Testament verse-by-verse or in an overview, this series seeks to look at the letter according to its contexts–passage-by-passage, that is, by analyzing each of its paragraphs. Responses to the questions should be done on a separate sheet of paper and in short-answer or essay format.

The parables of Jesus are among the greatest and most picturesque lessons in all his ministry. One must remember that the intent of the parables is always just beneath the surface of the story and not be overwhelmed with what is on the surface. The parables were used to hide deeper knowledge from those unprepared for it. While they became lost in the surface of the teaching, true disciples could delve deeper and learn better how to walk with Christ.

The King James translation of the New Testament included a reminder that members of Christ’s church should strive to be a peculiar people. Indeed, many throughout the denominations of Christendom, as it is fashioned, think of the members of churches of Christ as very peculiar – strange and antagonistic to the prevailing ecumenical sentiment that concludes all denominations are created equally. Peculiarity, however, goes beyond perceived strangeness to distinctiveness in authority, headship and calling.

The book of Revelation proves to be mysterious and often confusing, even unapproachable to the average Christian. For this reason, it has been exploited by the devil through human speculators to the disillusionment of millions. Revelation is the unfolding of God’s will in prophecy. Revelation 1:3 urges its readers to hear and keep it, and so it was mainly for the immediate use of the Christians who were reading it and being comforted by it in the first century.

This is a study of difficult passages in the Bible and how we manage to interpret them. Some passages are attacked by skeptics as possessing inherent contradictions with other passages. Some are just plain difficult to interpret regardless of one’s affection for Scripture. The first five lessons in this series are designed to help the student understand how to approach difficult passages; the remaining lessons deal with a few such passages.

The book of Esther is one of the most exciting books in all the Old Testament and is nearly unique in employing a woman as its leading character. This study follows Hadassah’s amazing transformation from anonymous Hebrew maiden to Esther, queen of the Persian realm and providential savior of the Jewish race.

The church of Christ is so different from the various denominations and religious bodies of the world that many are left in confusion as to the reasons her members take their peculiar stands. Reading the Bible should alleviate much of this confusion, though. This series of lessons is intended to train the Christian to answer effectively questions regarding his beliefs and practices.

It’s never been tougher to be a young Christian – a teenager committed to doing the right and moral thing in a society that generally doesn’t care and often even rewards those who do the wrong thing. So many are willing to look the other way and soften any consequences for bad behavior. They punish those who stand up for truth – creation, objective biblical standards for behavior, moral purity. If ever there was a season in which our youth could be forgiven for giving in to sin, this would be it. But it isn’t. As difficult as it is, even now and perhaps more than ever, we hope and expect that our young people will take that perilous stand with Jesus and insist upon doing the right thing.

We are naturally fascinated by a man who lived a perfect life on this Earth. Of course, Jesus of Nazareth was the son of God, the agent of creation himself. From the manger to Golgotha, Jesus served his father exceptionally. Even in mockery and crucifixion, the Lord remained true and just. The word, “Christian,” means like Christ and a claim to be a Christian is more than a designation; it is a duty. By examining the life of Jesus under a student’s microscope, he can gain a greater insight into the way that is always right and proper. Thus he can truly be like his master.

No man has ever delivered as magnificent a lesson as Christ’s sermon on the mount. The Christian could spend years studying this sermon, diving deeper and deeper into its vast mine of wisdom and knowledge. Anyone’s life would be better by applying the things of which the Lord spoke. This series of lessons will examine the sermon through various categories, in the hope that the lessons of Christ will sink down into the good soil of honest hearts.

Much superstition and ignorance surround the matter of spirit beings. False ideas seem to outnumber what the Bible actually says about the Holy Spirit, angels and demons. The Spirit World is written to assist Bible students in gaining a better understanding of them. The initial lesson in this series summarizes the Bible doctrine on the Godhead. Following that are six lessons that deal with the Holy Spirit and his person and work. Jesus is emphasized in two lessons; his father in another. The next three lessons deal with created beings: angels, demons and the devil. The final lesson has to do with the departed spirits of the dead.

God revealed himself and the beginning of his will to Moses on Mount Sinai as the Exodus ended and the wilderness wandering was about to begin. Within the law of Moses are the 10 commandments, long remembered and revered for their simplicity and purity. What is the place of the Decalogue today? This series of lessons will attempt to answer that question and mine the New Testament of Jesus Christ for hints of the ten commandments.

The apparent contradiction is jarring to some people. How could a God of love, who defines his nature and character by that very emotion, hate anything? God loves his creation so much, however, that his divine nature must hate its enemies, especially the evil and error that threaten its spiritual prosperity and hope of spending heaven in eternity.

Poetry and lyricism are filled with odes to work, most of them rather negative. “Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It's Off to Work We Go” is not as jaunty a sentiment as it might sound, especially when so many modern people loathe their jobs and secretly covet the slothful existence of the unemployed. These occupations were chosen, not necessarily because they represent the most basic Bible occupations, but because they best lend themselves to modern spiritual application. The study’s goal is to provoke thought, discussion and practical execution.

The children of God are distinct from the children of the devil as regards the way they live their lives, according to faith or the flesh. Galatians 5 records several matters in which the two can be distinguished by works of the flesh or fruit of the Spirit. The list of works of the flesh is surprising to many. While it contains sins that cause us to recoil in disgust, it also includes subjects that the mild Christian would label as minor. The reader is thus reminded that every transgression against God’s law is a serious matter and that every sin should be disgusting to us. The fruit of the Spirit provides a timeless lesson on the positive growth of the Christian. We must spend our lives tending the garden of our faith so that we may bear such good fruits as these all around us.