Peter DeHaan’s next book, More Old Testament Sinners and Saints, has a worldwide release scheduled for June 19, 2024. It is now available for preorder from most sellers.
More Old Testament Sinners and Saints continues the journey of Old Testament Sinners and Saints, with even more fascinating people to discover from the pages of Scripture.
In More Old Testament Sinners and Saints, you can dig into 100 more colorful characters in the Old Testament to uncover life-changing insights that you can apply to your life today.
Be inspired to follow their successes and informed to avoid their mistakes.
Preorder now to receive your copy of More Old Testament Sinners and Saints: Discover 100 Little-Known but Intriguing Bible Characters when it releases on June 19, 2024. Available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Return Every Sunday for a Month to Get a More Comprehensive Understanding
The goal of 52 Churches was to visit a different Christian church every Sunday for a year. As people learned about our journey, they became universally excited.
Many wished they could go on their own church visiting sojourn. Some followed my blog posts about the experience, while others anticipated reading my book when it came out.
Friends also plied us with questions:
What are you learning?
What was your best experience?
What’s the weirdest thing that happened?
Are you glad you’re doing this?
Do you miss your home church?
Are you getting tired of your journey?
And so on.
Others wondered how we could evaluate a church by attending only one service. You can’t. Obtaining a realistic understanding of a church requires multiple visits.
What if you go when the service includes a business meeting, a guest minister, a different worship leader or team, a holiday celebration, or a special remembrance?
We encountered all of these on our visits. What if the church is between ministers? There will certainly be a different atmosphere under an interim pastor or string of guest speakers. Then it will change again once the new leader is selected.
Some churches have a monthly schedule, alternating the style of their services from week to week.
This might mean they have a different worship style or schedule each Sunday throughout the month. Other churches have a monthly potluck or special event, so that one Sunday is different from the rest.
Then there are seasonal adjustments. Some have summer schedules and winter schedules, while others have holiday traditions that differ from regular services.
Visit at Least Four Times
To obtain a full evaluation of a church, multiple visits are required.
I recommend making at least four visits to a church you are considering.
To this point, Church #51 asked us to make twelve visits before deciding, but I think twelve is enough to form a habit, so your repetition makes the decision for you.
Our intent, however, wasn’t to evaluate churches but to expand our comprehension of God.
Different traditions approach God differently. Each has something to contribute towards informing a holistic practice of worshiping the triune God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
Despite this, I want to return to some churches. Perhaps we visited on a non-typical Sunday. Maybe they have other services or meetings, worthy of checking out. And some, I just plain liked and want to return.
In upcoming posts, we’ll revisit some of the fifty-two churches. As we do, I’m sure God will reveal more to us, growing us in faith and our understanding of church community.
Takeaway
Visiting a church once is never enough to understand it. Even if you disliked your first visit, return a second time—the experience may be different.
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Focus verse: “Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.” (Acts 1:16)
Besides praying, the disciples also do something else as they wait for the Holy Spirit. Peter takes the lead. The disciples may already accept him as their leader. He was in Jesus’s inner circle.
Peter was also often the first disciple to speak, whether good or bad. Yet Jesus also called Peter into leadership when he told Peter to “feed my sheep” (Day 29).
With 120 of Jesus’s followers gathered, Peter stands to address them. He mentions Judas, one of their own, one of the twelve disciples Jesus handpicked to follow him. Peter reminds them that Judas betrayed Jesus.
Judas is dead and Luke parenthetically fills in the details. Judas used the money he received for betraying Jesus to buy a field. He went there and fell headlong into it, thereby killing himself. Implicitly, he died by suicide.
The locals call it the Field of Blood.
This account, however, differs from Matthew’s more concise explanation of Judas’s demise. Matthew simply writes that, filled with remorse, Judas goes and hangs himself (Matthew 27:1–10).
Regardless of the supporting details, Judas is dead. Jesus’s original twelve disciples now number only eleven. Citing Old Testament prophecy, Peter wants to replace Judas and bring their number back to twelve.
The disciple quotes from two psalms, both written by King David several centuries earlier.
The first one says, “May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it” (from Psalm 69:25). David’s first focus in penning this psalm is against his own enemies.
Yet the future-focused prophecy aspect of it looks at Jesus’s enemies, in this case Judas. Let no one live there, in the place called “Field of Blood.”
David’s second psalm says, “May another take his place of leadership” (from Psalm 109:8). As with the first passage, David’s immediate focus is on his own tormentors, while the secondary meaning looks at Jesus’s.
In citing these two passages from Scripture, it’s unlikely Peter has the scrolls available for him to consult. He quotes them from memory.
In doing so, he uses Old Testament prophecy to inform their situation and direct their action. They need to replace Judas.
Questions:
Without having the written text to consult, how much of Scripture could we quote from memory?
How should we use the Bible to best guide us today?
Prayer: Father, may we hide your word in our heart (Psalm 119:11).
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
There are fifteen songs of ascent in the Bible. Five of them are in today’s reading. Four of the fifteen are ascribed to David and one to Solomon; the rest are anonymous. Most of them are quite short.
We understand the people would sing these songs of ascent as they traveled to Jerusalem—that is, as they ascended to the temple—to worship God.
Psalm 127, written by Solomon—opens with the convicting reminder that unless God builds a house, the builders labor in vain. In a parallel thought, unless God watches over a city, the guards watch in vain (Psalms 127:1).
I wonder how much we build in vain, striving to accomplish work on our own and without God taking part. Do we try to pursue life our own way or live a life in tandem with our Lord? If God’s not part of what we do, it is in vain.
May we not work—or live—in vain.
The next verse continues the thought, stating that it’s vain to get up early and go to bed late toiling just to make a living and feed ourselves. Yet this isn’t a call to laziness or permission to be idle.
In the context of this Psalm, it’s a solemn reminder to include the Lord in our striving, our work, and all that we do. If we don’t, we build in vain.
The second half of this song talks about the blessing of children, of having a quiver full—the more the better. This fulfills God’s command to Adam and later to Moses to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 9:7).
And where do these children live? In our homes!
Just as it is in vain if we attempt to build a house without God, it is in vain if we attempt to raise children without him.
We need the Almighty to help us build a house, just as we need him to build a family.
We must put him first in all we do and trust him with the outcome. Else we build in vain.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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Focus verse:He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
Today’s trio of verses each begins with the same phrasing: We know that.
What follows them are seven concepts John wants to remind his audience about. He has covered them throughout his letter and reinforces these key points now.
Here are John’s seven statements for us to remember:
1. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin (verse 18). John covers the issue of sin in depth, mentioning it in twenty verses. See our recap about sin in Day 28: Bonus Content.
2. We know that those born of God will stay safe (verse 18). John uses the phrase born of God six times and is the only biblical writer to do so. This is analogous to being born again, which is having eternal life—another phrase John often uses. See Day 11.
3. We know that the evil one cannot harm us (verse 18). John mentions the evil one five times and assures us we will overcome him (1 John 2:13–14). See Day 8: Bonus Content.
4. We know that we’re children of God (verse 19). John uses the endearing phrase children of God five times. See Day 13.
5. We know that the entire world is under the control of the evil one (verse 19). John mentions world in sixteen verses in this letter. He also says that God is greater than the world (1 John 4:4), so we have nothing to fear. See Day 25.
6. We know that the Son of God has come (verse 20). The focus of John’s letter is on Jesus—the Son of God—coming to earth to save us, such as in 1 John 5:5–6. See Day 26: Bonus Content.
7. We know that the Son of God has given us understanding to know (verse 20). The word know shows up in thirty-two verses in John’s letter. See Day 8: Bonus Content and Day 27.
And what is it that Jesus (and John) wants us to know?
Quite simply, they want us to know the One who is true: Jesus’s Father—and our Heavenly Father. We are part of him because we are part of his Son.
He is the one true God and gives us everlasting life.
Tips: Check out our tips to use this online Bible study for your church, small group, Sunday school class, or family discussion. It’s also ideal for personal study. Come back each Monday for a new lesson.
Discover practical, insightful, and encouraging truths in Love One Another, a devotional Bible study to foster a deeper appreciation for the two greatest commandments: To love God and to love others.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Mentoring Can Help Us Grow in Our Faith and Increase Our Impact
People sometimes ask me to mentor them. I’m honored that they ask. I want to say yes. Instead, I decline as respectfully as I can. Why? It’s because God hasn’t called me to be a mentor—at least not in the traditional sense.
He’s called me to write for him.
Taking time to mentor people one-on-one would detract me from doing something better, something better to advance God’s Kingdom.
Consider Nehemiah rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. Some people want to meet with him to discuss what he’s doing. He refuses. He realizes that taking time to talk to them would take him away from his mission (Nehemiah 6:1-15).
In context, however, the people that ask to meet with Nehemiah have ill intent, which is not the case of people wanting me to mentor them. But the principal is the same. We must avoid distractions from what God has called us to do.
Types of Mentoring
When most people think of mentoring, they have one view in mind. Yet there are several ways to mentor people. Here are some of them:
In-Person Mentoring: One-on-one in-person mentoring is the most common and best-known method of mentoring. It’s when two people meet for the purpose of one person learning from another.
Sometimes this is scheduled and structured. The other extreme is unscheduled and informal.
Regardless of the approach, the goal is for one person to help the other.
Remote Mentoring: When meeting in person isn’t possible or practical, mentoring can occur at a distance. This is remote mentoring.
It may occur using the telephone or video call for real-time interaction.
Or it may be done via email or using another nonsynchronous communication tool. This is ideal for situations where people aren’t in the same time zone, or when schedules don’t align.
Historical Mentoring: We can also mentor ourselves through historical figures. This, of course, is one-way mentoring, where interaction isn’t possible. Yet reading about these notable figures from the past and learning from them is a viable way where we can self-mentor.
With historical mentoring we can look at their life journey to see what they did well and what they could have done better. We can also learn from what they taught others, realizing those lessons ourselves.
In most cases historical mentoring occurs through reading books about them. But mentoring can also occur through watching videos. This can be of them directly (for those from the more recent past) or recreations of their lives (for those from longer ago).
Regardless, we can learn from them.
Mentoring through Books and Writing: We can also receive mentoring from contemporary sources. This can occur through books and writing (which I do a lot of) or through video (which I seldom do).
For people who want me to mentor them, they can receive practical and actionable input through my writing. I’ve written numerous books (currently over three dozen), which they can read and learn from.
For those who can’t afford to buy books, I have over 2,300 posts on this website, with one thousand more on abibleaday.com. That’s well over one million words of thought-provoking information. I gladly offer these posts for free to everyone, at any time, around the world.
In addition to this, I also have a special section on my website with resources for pastors. This is primarily for those who find themselves in a ministry situation but don’t have access to formal training or lack the means to pay for it. Though not comprehensive, it’s a collection of helpful resources to help them move forward.
Peer Mentorship: As the proverb says, iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Two people can mentor each other. This is a way of mutual edification, teaching one another, challenging one another, and helping one another become better than they could on their own.
If you long for a mentor and find someone else who also wants a mentor, considering mentoring one another.
Mentoring to Avoid: Too often, however, we allow popular—albeit unqualified—people to mentor us from afar. Just because someone can sing, act, or excel at sports doesn’t make them a worthy role model. Yet if we don’t guard ourselves, we will allow them to do just that.
In most cases, they will let us down, and too often they will mislead us. That’s why it’s critical that we choose our mentors carefully.
How to Find a One-on-One Mentor
A one-way mentoring from historical figures or contemporary writers is an easy way for anyone to receive mentoring, but some people long for one-on-one mentoring. The question becomes, “How do I find a mentor?”
Ask: The easiest approach is to ask. But go in with low expectations. The people most qualified to be a mentor are also the busiest. Give them the freedom to say no, and offer them grace when they do.
Receive: Though not common, someone may approach you and offer to mentor you. This is a huge gift. It means they see potential in you. They want to help you do better in life and achieve results faster.
Pray: Another option—a better one—is to pray for a mentor. Ask God to send someone your way, to prepare a path for mentorship. You still may need to ask them or wait for them to offer. But with God’s hand in it, it’s more apt to happen.
Listen: A final consideration—one that I use often—is to rely on the Holy Spirit to teach me.
I pray for supernatural insight. I listen for answers. I ask questions. I wait when needed.
Being able to hear from the Holy Spirit, however, doesn’t happen easily for most people. I wrote a blog post about how I learned to hear from God. I did this twice!
Consider Being a Mentor
One of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to others. In like manner, a key way to grow is to mentor others. You don’t need to have all the answers.
You just need to be one step ahead. It’s all right to tell your mentee that you don’t know or will have to get back with them.
As you mentor others, you will grow. And you’ll find that what they give back to you is worth your investment in them.
Mentoring Conclusion
Mentoring can occur in many ways, but the results are the same: We grow in our faith, become closer to God, and benefit those around us.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.” Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.
The Journey Is Over, but the Insights Have Just Begun
As we told people about our journey of visiting fifty-two churches in a year, everyone was intrigued. They wanted to hear more and expressed great interest in the book.
A few were envious, wishing they could do the same, but most admitted they could never embark on such a bold quest and certainly not for a full year.
When you see my wife, acknowledge her involvement. She was such a good sport and a great support the entire time.
The purpose of the book, 52 Churches, is to share our adventure.
My prayer is that the narrative, especially the summary, will serve as a means for churches to improve what they do, be more visitor-friendly, and examine practices to make sure they do the right things for the right reasons.
Unfortunately, we witnessed many practices needing an overhaul.
More importantly, I hope readers will have a renewed sense of how diverse Christianity is. May we see other churches not as opposition or through heretical eyes but embrace them with acceptance.
Jesus’s church is vast, with many flavors and nuances. One version is not better than another, simply different. Let’s celebrate our variety and support one another on our faith journeys—regardless of which local branch we attend.
We’ll all celebrate together in heaven. Let’s start practicing here on earth.
52 Churches Workbook
Discover more in The 52 Churches Workbook, with over 200 thought-provoking questions to propel you and your church forward. Great for personal reflection and group discussion.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Celebrate Jesus’s Return to Heaven, Which Prepares the Way for Pentecost
In my post The Four Main Christian Celebrations, I list for holy days (holidays) that smartly recognize Jesus and succinctly outline the key elements of his life and what he did for us. These Christian holidays are:
I wonder if I should add Ascension Day to the list. It is, after all, a critical element in the arc of Jesus’s life.
What is Ascension Day?
Ascension Day occurs forty days after Resurrection Sunday (better known as Easter). On Easter Jesus rises from the dead. He spends forty days with his friends and followers to prove he is alive.
Then he gives his disciples the directive to wait in Jerusalem for a special gift—the Holy Spirit—that Papa will send (Acts 1:4). After his parting words, he ascends into heaven (Acts 1:9-11).
Out of convenience many churches acknowledge Jesus’s returned to heaven on the following Sunday, which they call Ascension Sunday—even though it didn’t happen on the first day of the week.
Ascension Day is critical, for Jesus had to return to heaven before his followers—and we—could receive the Holy Spirit. Without Jesus leaving, Pentecost couldn’t have occurred.
The Five Holidays That Commemorate Jesus’s Life
Putting these five days together reveals a sound theological understanding of the essential role Jesus plays in our faith journey. Here it is:
Jesus comes to earth (Christmas). After he spends three years to teach his disciples and talk about the kingdom of God, he dies as our once-and-for-all sacrifice to cover all the mistakes we—and everyone else throughout time—have ever made (Good Friday).
To prove he has the authority to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, he overcomes death by rising from the dead (Easter). After confirming he is alive, he returns to heaven (Ascension Day) so that we may receive the Holy Spirit (Pentecost).
Recognizing these five days as Christian holy days and celebrating these holidays reminds us each year of the essential elements of the gospel story, God’s good news to save humanity.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Focus verse: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
As Jesus prepares to return to heaven, he has one final bit of instruction for his disciples. He commissions them to continue what he started and tell others the good news about how he died in their place to save them from their sins.
The Bible records these final instructions in three places—here in Matthew, as well as in Mark and Acts. Each differs from the others. We’ll cover each one in turn in our next three readings.
The most common one occurs in Matthew’s biography of Jesus. Over the years I’ve heard many preachers speak on this passage. It’s often called the Great Commission.
It’s great because no other commissioning charge is more important than telling the world about Jesus.
Jesus begins by saying that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to him. Implicitly he imparts this authority to his followers. Based on this he tells them to go and make disciples—everywhere.
He doesn’t tell them to make converts. He tells them to make disciples. Contrary to how most churches behave today, converts—or new members—isn’t the goal.
Disciples are what matters to Jesus. If it matters to Jesus, it should matter to us.
Jesus also tells them to go to all nations. Two thousand years ago most Jews assumed the promised Savior was coming for their nation only and no others.
Yet a careful reading of the Old Testament reveals that God planned all along that Jesus would save Gentiles, too, not just the Jews. The Scriptures allude to this multiple times.
As Jesus’s followers go and make disciples, they’re to do two things: baptize and teach.
Baptism is a public testimony of aligning with Jesus. Most of his followers today make much about baptism, arguing over how it should occur and what it means.
In considering these issues, we must remember the rebel crucified next to Jesus. Jesus promised him salvation based on his verbal assent, and he was never baptized.
Though baptism is important, the meaning behind it is even more important. Hold on to this truth.
The other thing the disciples are to do is teach. Jesus wants them to teach people to obey everything he commanded them to do.
But the people are supposed to obey Jesus’s commands, not the Old Testament ones. This is a key distinction.
Jesus commanded little of us. We’re supposed to follow and believe in him (Matthew 16:24 and John 11:25).
Jesus concludes by saying that he’ll be with us always, even to the end of time. And he’ll do this through the Holy Spirit who will arrive in a few days.
Questions:
What should our response be to Jesus’s final instructions to his followers?
What are we doing to obey Jesus’s essential command to make disciples?
Prayer: Jesus, wherever we go may we tell others about you and make disciples.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
It is popular in today’s society for people to form their own religious beliefs and define their own personal spirituality.
On the surface this seems right, fair, and appropriately open-minded. It is the epitome of tolerance and acceptance. It is also dangerous.
If I decide that there is no hell, does that mean it doesn’t exist, thereby keeping me from it?
If I decide that doing good things can earn God’s attention and eternal favor, does that negate the punishment I deserve for the wrong things that I do and the need to be made right with the creator?
In a more down-to-earth example, what if I determine that there is a justifiable reason (that is, “extenuating circumstances”) to speed, does that protect me from a speeding ticket or remove the consequences for the accident that I may cause?
Of course not!
Too many people take a bit of this religion and that religion, stir in some popular opinion, and top it off with their logic and self-interest.
The result is not a bona fide religion or cohesive belief system, but false hope in a false belief, which produces only good feelings and nothing else.
In essence, this popular approach is an effort to make God in our image. We forget that he created us in his image.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.” Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.
