Popular Topics on the United Church of God Web Site

November 30, 2009 by ucgmikebennett

Here are links to some popular topics we are promoting on the United Church of God Web site:

  • A Successful Bible Reading Plan
    A successful Bible reading plan is the goal of many people who seek knowledge and who seek God. The Bible is the only book that answers life’s piercing questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is ahead for the world? Is there anything beyond this physical life?
  • Bible Prophecy
    Bible prophecy is an integral part of the Bible, God’s inspired revelation to mankind. Through it God reveals Himself, His plan for humanity and why we are here.
  • Bible Stories – Profiles of Faith
    Bible stories are for our learning. Whether you’re an adult or a child, reading about men and women from the Bible can give us insight on how to (or how not to) conduct our lives.
  • Christian Church
    How can you find the true Christian Church of God, the Church Jesus built? How can you locate God’s special people in the midst of the splintered and fractured faith that we know as Christianity? What distinguishes them from those to whom Jesus Christ said, “I never knew you”? (Matthew 7:23).
  • Christian Faith
    What is Christian faith? Can it be defined or is it merely a feeling and collection of ideas that represent your convictions?
  • Christian Holidays
    The term, Christian holidays, carries a certain connotation for many people of certain themes such as Jesus Christ’s resurrection and His birth. Many people know that the typically celebrated Christian holidays are rooted in pagan customs. But are these the true Christian holidays? Why is it so important to understand what Christian holidays really are about and picture?
  • Christian Religion
    The Christian religion is no longer accorded the level of trust and credibility it once held in Western civilization. The unpersuaded see it as having few positive distinctions from all other religions.
  • Feast of Tabernacles
    The book of John points out that when the “Feast of Tabernacles was at hand,” Jesus Himself “went up to the feast” and taught at the temple in Jerusalem. This was done in observance of the final of three annual festival seasons that are outlined in the Bible, particularly in the book of Leviticus.
  • Free Bible Study
    Our free Bible Study Course contains 12 lessons that will make the Bible come alive as it leads you through the biblical answers to life’s crucial questions such as: Why are we here? Where is the world headed? What does the future hold?
  • Jesus’ Birth
    Jesus’ birth, life and death were the greatest gift to mankind ever given. Jesus’ birth was honored by shepherds due to direct revelation from an angel as recorded in the Bible: “‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:10-14).
  • Jesus’ Church
    “I will build My church.” The founding of Jesus’ Church was prophesied by Christ Himself nearly 2,000 years ago in Matthew 16:18. He also declared that His Church would never die out, promising that “the gates of Hades [the grave] shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
  • Jesus’ Resurrection
    Jesus’ resurrection is one of the greatest proofs that Jesus is exactly who He said He was – the Son of God and the only One through whom eternal life is offered.
  • Kingdom of God
    What is the Kingdom of God? The gospel or good news of the Kingdom of God was the heart and core of Jesus Christ’s message. What did Jesus mean when He talked about the Kingdom of God?
  • Kingdom of Heaven
    The true Kingdom of Heaven speaks of infinitely greater things than the graphically violent 2005 movie of that name. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven affects your whole physical life and your eternal future.
  • New Covenant
    Does the New Covenant negate God’s law and do away with any need to obey the Ten Commandments and other laws of God? The belief that it does has long been a popular teaching in traditional Christianity.
  • New Testament
    During His ministry Jesus Christ promised, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Mark 13:31). Did He keep this promise in spite of the time interval between His spoken words and when they were actually recorded in writing?
  • Online Bible Study
    Online Bible study is an excellent way to sharpen your understanding of the world’s most popular book, the Bible. Yet, much of the time, the Bible’s true meaning is misunderstood. Many believe that it’s too difficult to understand. However, the Bible itself gives us the keys to properly understand it.
  • Sabbath
    Is the Sabbath still relevant today? Society is busier and more stressed than ever. We can easily feel out of touch with everyone and everything, especially, out of touch with God. As humans, we need rest to function optimally, but rest is seemingly in short supply.
  • Salvation
    What is salvation? Why do we need it? How do we receive it, and when? If salvation results in everlasting life—as Christianity teaches—what will those who are saved do for all eternity? What is the penalty for those who fail to achieve salvation? If Christians rely on the Bible for their knowledge of these matters, why do we find so many differing beliefs?
  • Search the Bible Scriptures for Answers
    Bible Scriptures contain the answers to all of life’s most important questions. Yet, although millions of people are Bible readers, many find it hard to understand. Some even give up trying, thinking it is too confusing.

New Bible Study Guides Site Replaces This Blog!

November 25, 2009 by ucgmikebennett

I have written before about an exciting new project I’m coordinating of producing hundreds of Bible Study Guides to give practical answers and real hope from the greatest book ever written, God’s Holy Bible! Our team of dedicated writers has already written 45 lessons on everything from the armor of God to dealing with unemployment, and we are eagerly waiting to get them up on the Web!

Bible Study Guides sample lesson.

Bible Study Guides sample lesson.

Yesterday, we moved moved closer to that, as the site is now up, and a sample lesson has been posted! Check it out at http://freebiblestudyguides.org and you’ll see that the projected date for launch is January. But in the meantime you can get ministudies and other updates by following us on  Twitter. We’ll also be posting information on Posterous and Tumblr if you want to follow us there.

I’ve also updated the Blogroll in this blog’s sidebar with a link. This dormant WordPress Bible Study Guides blog has now been superseded, but will now point to the new site.

Your input and suggestions are welcome! We’d appreciate your prayers for this effort to help people and honor God’s Word.

Your Favorite Chapter?

June 9, 2009 by ucgmikebennett

What’s your favorite chapter in the Bible and why?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Quick Study: Egypt in Bible Prophecy

June 5, 2009 by ucgmikebennett
What does the Bible say about the future of Egypt?

What does the Bible say about the future of Egypt?

Throughout the Bible Egypt was in contact and often conflict with the people of Israel. No wonder Egypt is mentioned 611 times in the Bible! Although none of the New Testament mentions of the nation of Egypt refer to end-time prophecies, there are plenty of them in the Old Testament. Here are just a few:

In the Bible’s most detailed prophecy, Daniel 11, Daniel saw many specific events that then occurred over the next 400 years. The conflicts centered on the king of the North (the Seleucids, whose empire was swallowed up by the Roman Empire in 65 B.C.) and the king of the South (the Ptolemies, who ruled from Alexandria in Egypt).

Then the prophecy skips to end-time events. Daniel 11:36-38 appears to describe the actions of the Roman emperors and their successors, leading all the way up to a final king of the North of the end time.

“And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push [Hebrew nagach, to push or to attack] at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land…and the land of Egypt shall not escape” (Daniel 11:40-42, King James Version).

Soon after this, Jesus Christ will return to save humanity from self-destruction and will be proclaimed king of all nations, including Egypt (Matthew 24:22; Revelation 11:15).

Through those end-time events of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, Egypt will be punished for rebellion against God, as all nations will. But God promises to heal Egypt: “They will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them” (Isaiah 19:22).

Then Isaiah records one of the greatest ironic twists of history. Egypt and Assyria, Israel’s greatest foes, become blessed allies!

“In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance’” (Isaiah 19:24-25). That is truly the good news of the peaceful Kingdom of God!

To understand the volatile Middle East today, and the real hope God promises for the future, read the carefully researched and detailed booklet The Middle East in Bible Prophecy.

19-Month-Old Bible Scholar!

June 5, 2009 by ucgmikebennett

Talk about starting young! Bill Bradford, an elder in the United Church of God in Chicago, sent this note today:

This morning I had a reminder of the instruction of why God places importance of teaching our children His ways early.

My wife started teaching our 19-month-old the books of the Bible a few days ago.  This morning my wife was running through the books of the Bible and paused at Zephaniah as she couldn’t remember what was next.  Our 19-month-old blurted out “HAGGAI!”

For more of cute, humorous and inspiring stories about kids and God’s way, see the “Kids” category at our sister blog “Forward to the Kingdom.”

Coming Soon!

June 2, 2009 by ucgmikebennett

We’re excited about the new Bible Study Guides we are developing for the Web! Right now 20 of the short, practical and motivational guides have been written and are in the editing, review and design process. We want to have at least three complete series of guides ready before they are posted, but we are working as fast as we can!

Here are a few of the more than 100 guides we have outlined. Please feel free to give us other ideas!

The Bible and You: Practical Answers—Real Hope:

  • How Can the Bible Help Me?
  • How Can I Find Things in the Bible?
  • What Happens After Death?
  • Why Does God Allow Suffering?
  • The Good News of the Kingdom of God and You:
  •             A Real King Who Will Return to Save Humanity
  •             Humanity: In Training to Help Rule
  •             God’s Law of Love: Making Life Work
  •             The Earth: Real Utopia Is Coming!
  • The Answer to Your Prayers
  • How Can I Know God’s Will for Me? 

Bible Answers for…

  • Dealing With Stress
  • Dealing With Anxiety
  • Dealing With Loneliness
  • Dealing With Unemployment
  • Dealing With Money Problems
  • Dealing With Depression
  • Dealing With Health Trials
  • Dealing With the Death of a Loved One
  • Dealing With Difficult People
  • Getting Along With People
  • Communication Pitfalls
  • Keys to Good Communication
  • Making More Friends
  • Being a Good Neighbor (being a light)
  • Marriage: Before You Say I Do
  • Revitalizing Your Marriage
  • Christian Parenting: The Preschool Years
  • Christian Parenting: The Elementary Years
  • Christian Parenting: The Middle School/Junior High Years
  • Christian Parenting: The High School Years
  • Christian Parenting: The Young Adult Years
  • Christian Grandparenting
  • Choosing and Preparing for a Career
  • Being a Success on the Job
  • Decision Making
  • Healthy Living
  • Overcoming Addictions

Prophecy and You:

  • Are We Living in the “Time of the End”?
  • The Deluge of False Predictions—How to Separate Truth From Counterfeits
  • The Valuable Benefits and Purposes of Bible Prophecy
  • How You Can Correctly Understand God’s Prophecies and Promises!
  • Some Amazing Examples of Prophecies Already Fulfilled!
  • Christ’s First Coming—Its Supreme Significance in Your Life!
  • Jesus Christ—The Greatest Prophet of All Time
  • Christ’s Promised Second Coming—Climactic Solution to Mankind’s Problems!
  • Where Are Modern Nations Mentioned in Prophecy?
  • Focus on the Middle East
  • The Beast, the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation
  • The Day of the Lord and Armageddon
  • The Millennium and Peace on Earth!
  • The Second Resurrection: Mankind’s Opportunity for Salvation!
  • What Lies Beyond and What About Your Eternal Future? 

Armor of God:

  • Taking Up the Whole Armor of God
  • The Belt of Truth
  • The Breastplate of Righteousness
  • The Shoes of Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
  • The Shield of Faith
  • The Helmet of Salvation
  • The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
  • The Power of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit
  • The Cloak of Zeal

We’d love to hear from you with any suggestions or comments!