Olive Tree Staff, Author at Olive Tree Blog

Bible Study Tips

A Guide to Finding the Right Bible Translation

For a faith with such a simple message of salvation, our selection of Bibles is quite complex! If you’ve ever struggled to know which Bible to read from, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we will give you a detailed explanation of the world of Bible translation…

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Bible Study Tips

How to Understand the Bible for Yourself

Have you ever started reading something, only to find yourself scanning the same paragraph over and over again? Does the Bible’s length or complexity intimidate you? Do you want to dive deeper into the Word of God? If so, you’re not alone. Keep reading to find out how you can…

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Historical

Why are Hymns Sung in Church?

The modern church has a complex relationship with hymns. Some branches sing them exclusively. Others have entirely given them up in favor of contemporary worship. Maybe you only sing hymns for Easter, Good Friday, Lent, Pentecost, or special occasions like weddings and funerals. Beyond your own tradition, it’s important to…

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Historical

What is an Asherah Pole?

Have you ever read the Old Testament and wondered what the references to “Asherah poles” meant? Why were they so popular? To answer these questions, we have the IVP Bible Background Commentary. Let’s see what it has to say about Asherah and her poles. The Short Answer Asherah poles were…

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Bible Study Tips

How to Combine Strong’s with Cross References

In the past, we’ve explained the difference between a Strong’s concordance and a cross reference, but if you’re using a Strong’s tagged Bible, you can enhance your study by combining it with a cross reference. It’s very easy to do! Strong’s tagged Bibles are great for learning about the breadth…

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Old Testament

Preaching from Leviticus: A Christological Approach

For many Christians, the book of Leviticus is a tough nut to crack. We know it’s important because it’s in the Bible, but we often still avoid preaching from this Old Testament book. It’s much more fun (and popular) to talk about the Law from the perspective of Romans or…

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New Testament

A Structural Discussion of the Drama of Mark

The Gospel of Mark is a beautifully-written masterpiece. It is generally believed to be the first written and organized account of Jesus; it’s dramatic and encapsulating, carrying the listener or reader along an emotional journey through the ministry of Christ. The exciting nature of this book has led many scholars…

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Historical

Eating With Sinners: Why Jesus Broke the ‘Rules’

Think back to grade school when you sat with your friends in the lunchroom. Maybe at first, you sat with a stranger who became your best friend. Groups that ate together daily tended to homogenize. No one wanted to be seen sitting with unpopular or ‘weird’ kids. Drama formed around…

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App Tips

How to Share the Olive Tree App

How did you hear about the Olive Tree App? Maybe you saw an ad on Facebook, a blog from a Google search, or heard about it from a friend. No matter your personal journey with the app, you can be the reason why your closest friends press into the Word.…

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New Testament

Healing & the Power of Our God

Many of us have come to Christ because we needed healing. Some days, it feels like our whole life needs fixing. If you’re looking for a cure for your troubled mind or broken body, look no further than Jesus. In this abbreviated excerpt from the Cecil Sherman Formations Commentary Set,…

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