We all know that it can take a while to get your feet underneath you when you first begin teaching or preaching the Bible. From wrestling with the structure, meaning, and interpretation of the text to engaging with the congregation and finding your voice, this is an intimidating and challenging…

One of the scariest moments of my life happened in northern Wisconsin. Some friends and I took a pontoon boat across Tomahawk Lake and were caught in a vicious thunderstorm. The skies darkened, the wind picked up, the waves started rocking the boat, and the rain came down in sheets.…

We are all probably familiar with the stereotypical “doom and gloom” or “hellfire and brimstone” preachers. They often deliver a very one-sided view of God’s judgment, one that emphasizes God’s wrath, anger, and holiness and not his grace, mercy, and salvation. When properly understood though, God’s judgment and salvation go…

A doxology is, literally, a glory-word, a word or saying attributing glory to someone or something. While there’s nothing wrong with planning and preparing for a doxology, they are usually spontaneous and impulsive. Thus, a doxology is a spontaneous attributing of glory to God for something glorious He’s done. Take,…

Children often have the best questions and one that mine frequently asked was about God’s existence and activity prior to creation. If God existed before creation, then where was He? What was He doing? How long was He doing it? They often imagined Him enveloped in a black nothingness as…

We don’t normally think of study as something fun. But here at Olive Tree we’re committed to providing you with an awesome experience of studying the Bible. With the best resources available and a user-friendly customizable app, Bible study is fun (along with edifying, transformative, encouraging, etc.). Here’s a look…