Steve Hunter Bible Study

Parable of the Sower One of Jesus's most memorable parables found in three of the gospels, Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, the Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus's most impactful teachings.  Enjoy this sermon: Sunday Sermon Parable of the Sower, Steve Hunter  https://youtu.be/kqHxg6aqaQU

THE PARABLE OF THE TWO TREES by Steven W. Hunter  (Use this original example of parables to teach students about Jesus's parables.  Start by explaining parables, read some of Jesus's parables, then follow-up with this modern parable.  Then, encourage them to write or make a video telling their own unique parable under 5 minutes in length.) There once grew a tree unlike any of the others.   Immediately it began shooting upward growing quickly.   It became stronger, with incredible large sun attracting leaves, and bark tough like iron.   Its roots grew a mile in the soil, and its branches began reaching upward day by day toward the sky.   Eventually, this great tree through its own efforts pierced the canopy of the forest and began overshadowing even the most ancient of great trees.   This tree’s height continued unhindered as it reached still higher for the sun until one day it hit its zenith far above all the others.   Having achieved ...

Reading this article, I was reminded of how elusive happiness is. We say, "I'll be happy when..." Then we get there and we aren't satisfied. It really hasn't been reached yet even though we hit our goal. When asked if he was happy being a millionaire, one millionaire said, "I'll be happy when I make my next million." It seems happiness is somehow always out of reach. I have heard countless athletes say that when they finally achieved their trophy, championship, gold medal, etc that they thought they would finally be satisfied and happy. When they got there, they were even more unhappy and disappointed. I have seen newlyweds quickly lose love for each other when the honeymoon wears off. I hear phrases like, "He doesn't make me happy!" Although both the man and his wife are good people they divorce due to a lack of happiness. Their marriage goal is unattainable and unrealistic. As a Christian, my happiness is n...

This is a thought-provoking article that may confront our concept of women's roles as leaders and ministers in the church.  It is well written by the Christian Post and seems to most accurately reflect the depth of this modern debate.   https://www.christianpost.com/news/women-as-church-leaders-female-complementarians-on-current-debates-beth-moore-misogyny.html

Can we trust the accuracy of the Bible? Biblical Inerrancy...I hear from some people that we shouldn't get hung up on this. I stand firm on the Bible being inerrant myself.  Here's why... 2 Timothy 3:16-17 clearly states this inerrancy... All Scripture is God-breathed  and is useful for teaching,  rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,   so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (That's all scripture) Let's also reason through this... Scripture was written by men who were inspired by God right? Do we trust the writings of authoritative men on subjects? Yes, in science, math, medical, counseling, psychology, architecture, and more. So, how much more can we trust in the inspired Word of God written by men? How do we know it's inspired?  Well, even Jesus attested to the authent icity of the scriptures on several occasions citing several different authors. So we have Jesus's own endorsement. Tha...

DIY How to avoid Pastor burnout Are you worried about pastor burnout? Here are 10 ways to avoid pastor burnout: 1) manage time well and take breaks 2) schedule physical activity 3) schedule reading time 4) schedule vacation, family, marriage time 5) gain perspective and happy experiences 6) pace for endurance, not a sprint 7) get things done early, don't procrastinate 8) recharge daily in the Word, meditation, and prayer    9) look back on each day with thankfulness 10) look ahead with great anticipation Pastors, just like anyone else, can experience burnout if they are not living a balanced life .  The Christian walk itself requires a balance of spiritual, physical, and mental well-being.  Even our spiritual disciplines must be in balance.  If any area of our life is out of balance, we suffer.  If the intellectual aspect of our life takes all of our time, our spiritual life and physical health degrade.  We feel sluggish and are not fu...

   Leadership and discipleship may run very parallel tracks as both leadership and discipleship involve disciplines, training, time-management, strategic planning, work ethic, passion, conviction, and will require mentorship for maturation yet they are different.       In considering leadership, you can observe that there are many leaders, both religious and secular, in our culture and our world.  Leaders can be found in both realms.  You can be both a disciple and a leader, but not all leaders are disciples.  Leadership requires the acquisition of essential skills used for leading others in both the church and the world, but what each leads people to is distinctively different.  For the secular man, leadership is structurally vital for the acquisition of money, property, power, influence, and other self-indulgent means.  Far too many of God's ministers in the age of the megachurch bring these same secular leadership goals i...