What did Jesus expect of Peter when he said to feed his sheep?

Question: Our Lord Jesus in John 21 tells the apostle Peter to feed His sheep three times. What role was Peter being told to assume? Is it that of an elder?  Which sheep was our Lord talking about? Is it the other apostles and disciples or the church that was going to be established at Jerusalem?…

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Is the point of life seeing the fruit of your labors?

Question: For a while, I was going through King Solomon’s view of realizing how pointless life is. I was struggling with that for a couple of weeks. But I am doing better now. Just really meditated on it and what Solomon said and a realization of life in itself. It is kind of interesting but…

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How do I reach my Pentecostal girlfriend with the truth?

Question: I have been dating my girlfriend for quite some time now. We are very much in love and care very deeply for each other. We’re both Christians, although I attend a non-denominational church of Christ congregation and she attends a Pentecostal-ish congregation. I tried my best to show her what I know as the…

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How much should I push to stay in contact with people I have met?

Question: A few months ago, a sister in Christ of 18 years ran away from her home, allegedly with an ex-boyfriend. It is unknown where she is now. She, and her family, had been recent converts of some few years. And she had been interested in me. She seemed so innocent about things and so…

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How do I talk to my Catholic girlfriend about Catholicism?

Question: I absolutely loved this page: “What is wrong with Catholicism?” I feel like there are much more political based things wrong with Catholicism, but I like how you kept it as “What is wrong with the teachings.” I loathe the Catholic church for the many reasons posted on your page. I am deeply saddened…

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Should we refuse to study with someone who is in an adulterous marriage?

Question: My question is this: When studying with someone who is not in the Lord and they have remarried and their first marriage was ended and not for fornication or death; is it right to refuse that person study unless they leave their present husband since their first marriage wasn’t for biblical reasons? Or, are…

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When I see someone sinning, is it wrong not to say anything?

Question: After reading Leviticus 19:17, which commands us to rebuke our neighbor, I was surprised and a little worried.  You see, sometimes I am afraid that, if I rebuke someone, they will either mock me or think of me as sanctimonious and thus be reluctant to befriend me or be eager to point out my…

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How do I help a male escort out of his sinful lifestyle?

Question: I have a friend who is a male escort.  He had an alcoholic father and his sick mother took the kids and left.  While sexually active, he left home at 18 to pursue doing adult films. He stopped but started escorting to make a living.  He is now 20 and said he doesn’t mind…

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Shouldn’t you balance your rebukes regarding fornication with love?

Question: I was just reading one of your answers to a question relating to a couple who were attempting intercourse.  While the Bible is very clear about what is moral and right concerning intercourse, I found the response lacking some balance in support and love.  The word of God is a two-edged sword so is…

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What more can I tell my ex-boyfriend to convince him of the truth?

Question: I currently attend a church of Christ. The reason I’m contacting you is that my now ex-boyfriend attends a Baptist church. He recently broke up with me because of religious differences. I would not attend his services because I believe that they are worshipping incorrectly. He didn’t think our relationship would work because of…

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What is it that I am missing?

Question: God truly does work in mysterious ways! My seventeen-year-old daughter came to me a few minutes ago as I was finishing up the kitchen for the night and told me that she had received counseling from a minister online and how great the advice given to her was.  Seeing as I am a born…

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How do I talk to my husband about God?

Question: How can I talk to my husband about God? He is a very confused soul. He doesn’t believe that the Bible was written by God. He believes that it was written by men. He thinks that religion is overstated and not really worth anything. I don’t really have a good track record with him…

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The Work of the Holy Spirit in Teaching

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The teaching in the Bible about the work of the Holy Spirit is plain, but many in today’s religious society confuse the issue. Part of the confusion is the mysticism that made to surround the Holy Spirit and his work. We are not satisfied with simple answers, we want something more.…

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Did I go about teaching my now Buddhist son correctly?

Question: I have a new situation that I am trying to deal with and would like to ask your advice as to how to proceed. Some time ago, I received an e-mail from my son. We have had an ‘on and off’ relationship for some time, as well as with his sister. This is all…

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How could the gospel have been preached to every creature?

Question: My brother and I disagree about Matthew 24:14. I used it in relation to where Paul said the Gospel has been preached in all the world. His response was that was saying Jesus’ death had been proclaimed to all the earth but not preached. I understand his point of view because it says every…

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What is meant by “speaking the truth in love?”

Question: “That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:”…

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How It Works

by David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 36, Sept. 5, 2008. Churches today are looking for ways to reach out to the communities in which they serve. Some look to the latest book, or the most recent demographics, the best mail lists and so on. I think sometimes we so over-complicate church work…

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You don’t really teach children about the stoning of Achan, do you?

Question: I stumbled across your web site and saw the drawing of the stoning of Achan. In the upper right, it said something about pictures going with children’s Bible stories. You don’t really mean to teach children about stoning, do you? The Stoning of Achan Joshua 7:24-26 Answer: You misunderstood. The pictures are from an old…

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How do you know if someone likes you?

Question: I am a senior in college. There is a girl that I like who just started attending school here whom I am trying to get to know. It seemed she liked me in the beginning, but it seems she doesn’t really like me as much now. It seems she is trying to avoid me now. I’ve…

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How do you teach the Scriptures to an agnostic?

Question: I have an agnostic friend who was raised Catholic and believes that ‘something’ is ‘up there’ and created all of this. But he is convinced that all religion is man-made, whose purpose is behavior control and extortion. I sense that he is searching for something to hope in. Where do I begin to demonstrate…

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What do you do when people say it is wrong to speak out against homosexuality?

Question: Here lately the whole country seems to be quite preoccupied with the lifestyle of being a homosexual. It is all over the Internet, TV, everywhere it seems. And amazingly churches everywhere are ‘jumping on the bandwagon,’ so to say. So-called priests and other ‘leaders’ are actually embracing this lifestyle themselves while fighting their own…

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Does it please God when we preach and teach His Word?

Question: Does it please God a lot that we try to preach His Word and teach about Him to people? I have a gift. I can communicate very well with people, and I have the power to convince them. I am never scared of public speaking, I am an excellent speaker. When I talk to…

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How were the Thessalonians taught by God to love one another?

Question: In I Thessalonians 4:9, how were the Thessalonians “taught by God to love one another” so that Paul did not need to write to them? Are we taught in a similar way? Were other New Testament Christians taught in the same way? If so, why did apostles write to them telling them to love,…

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How do we teach against bad language?

Question: How do we teach against bad language with easy steps for rectification? Answer: The number one way to prevent bad language is for the parents and anyone else involved in the training of the child not to use bad language. Children imitate what they see and hear around them. That is their primary way…

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How do I teach a young woman who harbors anger over the past?

Question: Would you recommend specific passages that I can use for a girl who still harbors pain, anger, resentment, but who is looking for acceptance and love? I have tried to express love and acceptance to her. I think she believes me but doesn’t believe that God loves her. What can I do? Answer: You…

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