Chad Bird

Resources for Bible Study For those of you who are new to this page, Welcome! In my work as a Scholar in Residence for 1517, I produce materials that aid you in understanding the Scriptures, as well as Christ's centrality in those Scriptures. Here is a brief list and description…

Every time a car ride lasts more than ten minutes, one of our grandchildren will ask, “Are we there yet?” The question makes me smile, for their young impatience is like my much older impatience. When our Father takes me on a “road trip,” I am relentlessly asking from the back…

Word, Breath, Creation - Psalm 33. Head to 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series. Happy Studying! #BibleinOneYear #BibleStudy

I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of. For to have been thought about - born in God's thoughts - and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, most precious thing in all thinking. -George MacDonald

Paul tells us that "we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" (Rom. 8:26). The Greek word for "groanings" is stenagmois (στεναγμοῖς). What does this mean that the Spirit groans for us and within us? In…

First European Christian - Acts 16. Dive into the Bible in One year series at 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts. #BibleinOneYear #BibleStudy

What gets me through some of the hardest weeks and darkest days? What gives me joy in some of the best weeks and brightest days? It's this: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my…

When Believers Disagree - Acts 15. Head to 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series. Happy Studying! #BibleinOneYear #BibleStudy

We have encountered Barnabas a few times in Bible in One Year. Here is a short Q&A about who he was and his importance in Acts. Q: Who was Barnabas? A: Barnabas was a prominent early Christian, known as an apostle and missionary companion of Paul (Acts 14:14). His original name…

I read it once, a lifetime ago. Now for a second time. But 1000+ pages? Come on, Augustine.

100%. Read them all.

If the worship service is not focused upon Christ and his work, what are we even doing there?

Seek My Face - Psalm 27. Dive into the Bible in One year series at 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts. #BibleinOneYear #BibleStudy

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13). Before I formed you in the womb I knew you (Jer. 1:5). He who had set me apart from my mother’s womb…called me by his grace (Gal. 1:15). God knows us as people, individual humans, in the…

Lift Up My Soul - Psalm 25. Head to 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series. Happy Studying! #BibleinOneYear #BibleStudy

This map, by placing the Mediterranean area inside the US, gives us a helpful perspective on the extent of Paul’s travels, as well as the size of the Roman Empire. On his second missionary journey, for instance, Paul traveled the equivalent of going from South Carolina, up…

The Messiah is exiled from God on the cross as Israel was. Forsaken as Israel was forsaken. Cast away from Yahweh as Israel was. Why? 1517.org/articles/my-go… My God, My God, Why Have You ______ Me? Rethinking Psalm 22:1

The Cross' Comma - Psalm 22. Dive into the Bible in One year series at 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts. #BibleinOneYear #BibleStudy

Do yourself a theological favor and read Bound for the Promised Land by @orenrmartin. Here is a biblical, Christ-centered treatment of the theme of land through the entire Bible. I highly recommend it. a.co/d/4mlK8SK