Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together without looking at the picture on the box? It's pretty tough, right? You might get a few pieces to fit with each other, but no matter how much time you spent working on the puzzle, you wouldn’t have the complete picture in mind until you finished - if you ever did.
The Bible is kind of like that. It's a collection of 66 puzzles, each in its own box. These Puzzles (Bible books) present amazing images – stories, poems, and letters – that are best understood when we see the whole picture. The puzzles are designed and illustrated by a variety of authors in their time and place and written for an audience as particular as the author. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the authors of the Bible have created their chapter in the grand narrative of God and His People. These 66 puzzles then fit together in an epic mega puzzle that is the Bible.
Fruit vs Roots
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this on my Substack: My Sabbath School discussion guides and sermons tend to focus on one large passage of scripture in the context of the book it is written in and then zoom out to explore the emerging themes from that passage in the rest of the Bible. I do this because I am more likely to rightly discern and teach the Bible if I have first understood it in context.
Some people cherry-pick the fruit and never dig around the roots. They pick out their favourite verses from the Bible and make them fit their own worldview rather than understanding the world where those verses were written. This is like only looking at a few puzzle pieces and guessing the whole picture. This leads to confusing and even wrong ideas about what the Bible is trying to teach us.
Imagine you opened the Bible and saw a single sentence: "Go, sell everything you have." If you only read that one sentence, you might think God wants everyone to sell all their stuff. But if you read the whole story, you'd find out that Jesus was talking to a specific rich young man who was struggling to put God first. The point wasn't that everyone had to sell everything, but that we should put God first – before anything and everything else.
Culture and Context
That's why it's so important to study the Bible in context. When we read a passage, we need to look at:
Context: What happened before and after?
Author/Audience: Who was the author, and who were they writing to?
Culture: What was life like at that time?
Writing Style: Is it a story, a poem a letter, or something else?
Think about the story of David and Goliath. If we just read the part where David throws the stone, we might think he just had good luck that day. But if we read the whole story, we see how David trusted God, how he prepared, and how he understood the situation. He wasn't just lucky; he was brave and faithful. By looking at the entire story we see that God uses those who trust in him, even when facing impossible odds.
When we study the Bible this way, we learn so much more! We understand the real meaning of the stories, and we can apply them to our own lives. When we explore the culture and context of the Bible passage we are studying, we will always discover hidden treasures!
Why does this matter?
When we understand the culture and context, we are being honest with the Bible. And when we teach the Bible this way, we represent God and His Word with integrity. We let the Bible speak for itself, instead of trying to make it say what we want it to. We learn to be humble, knowing that we don't know everything and can always learn more.
Slow down and Submerge
When you read the Bible, choose a passage and dive into it. Next time a teacher or preacher jumps around the Bible plucking pieces from random puzzle boxes and cramming them all together, ask them how they know they’re not just making up their own picture!
Bible study is a slow art, like raising children and discipleship. It grows with you and shapes you. Biblical understanding and wisdom happen as you are going through life with God. When you study the Bible, invest the time and dig deep. Try reading a whole chapter or even a whole book! Ask yourself questions like:
What's happening in this story?
Who are the characters?
What can I learn from this?
Get into the Bible and the Bible will get into you! By digging deeper and understanding the context, you'll discover the amazing picture of truth revealed in God’s Puzzle-Box Set – The Bible. As you faithfully study the Bible while on life’s journey, a mature relationship with God will blossom within you. When you invest in the box set of the Bible, one puzzle book at a time, you will see more clearly the big picture of God’s purpose, and you’ll see yourself in the picture!
It is uncanny how the topic of Spiritual Gifts keeps coming up in conversations I’ve had in the past weeks. Mentoring university small group leaders, talking to people after church, and chatting with kids after speaking for the chapel program at Edinburgh College. “How is God using you and your spiritual gifts?” just keeps popping up again and again.
Something is happening in the world, within me and, perhaps, you. It is a singularity focused on the Spirit and the gifts He releases to grow the Kingdom of God.
This morning, my wife and I enjoyed the view and the delicacies at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. As she cut up her waffle, Jenny said, “We’ve been talking about Spiritual Gifts among the teachers at school.” I listened as she shared some thoughts from their conversations.
Then, sawing my way through an impossibly tall Avo Stack, I said, “How do you feel about your spiritual gifts?” She smiled and said, “I know God is using me every day as a teacher. Some days I feel it and other days it’s more in the background. But, as far as ‘gifts’ go, I’m not sure.”
When I was mentoring Lilli in Tasmania (over video chat) last Friday, she said, “I did one of those Spiritual Gift quizzes last year at church. But, I was left wondering afterwards. It just seemed really random.”
After speaking to the High School students at Edinburgh College the previous Friday, four students came from different directions with questions after my talk. A couple were just looking for details about the Bible story I had just shared. But, one said, “You mentioned that your Spiritual Gifts have changed but tend to revolve around communication. How do I know my gifts?”
In all of these chats, I shared the answer I was given decades ago, as a pastor. I was leading a church through a Spiritual Gift inventory and found myself really disillusioned as I planned it. Did God really drop a list from Heaven and say, “Here’s a list of all the ways I might need your involvement. Consult the list and find your purpose! If you are on the list, you are in! If you find the list odd and unlike you, you are not trying hard enough! Read the list again!” It just seemed… shallow, boring and quite unlike the God I see in the Bible. He’s anything but boring!
I spent time in prayer and reading anything I could find on Spiritual Gifts and participation in the Kingdom of God as ambassadors for Christ. I do not remember the first time I said it, but when it came out of my mouth, I knew – Those were not my words. God had just collated everything I’d been studying and praying about and given me an answer simple enough that even I could remember it. Since that day, I’ve been answering the “Spiritual Gift” question with the same answer. This is the answer I gave the student, the mentee and the people at church. (My wife has already heard it at least a thousand times! lol)
There are two questions to ask to know your Spiritual Gifts:
1. What do I take joy in doing for God? (Where do I feel excited, blissful, impassioned and filled with love for God and for people?)
2. What do other people say I do well? (Other people can often see God using you long before you see it yourself.)
With those two questions in mind, you will find your role in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is our bliss. He calls us and then equips us. Don’t look at your skills to know your Spiritual Gifts. Look to Jesus. He doesn’t call the gifted, He gifts the called.
A few Sabbaths ago, while preaching at Warragul Church, a sentence came out of my mouth that wasn’t in my notes or my mind. A lady came up afterwards and said, “I’m so glad I visited Warragul today. When you said, (she looked down at her notes) ‘our energy and our giftedness do not come from the same place — our energy is physical and comes from our fitness. Our Gifts are spiritual and come from the Holy Spirit’ — I really needed to hear that.” I remembered saying it, because I thought, “Hmmm. That’s a good thought. Wish it was mine!”
God is like that. I told you already that my gifts revolve around Communication. If you look at a list of Spiritual Gifts, you will not find the words ‘communication’ or ‘revolve’. But, I know this is where God has gifted me because this is where God peeks and speaks through me into the world.
Sometimes, it’s when I’m writing. Time rushes past and I realise I’ve been lost in the flow of the Spirit for hours.
Sometimes, it’s when I’m mentoring. A kind word or a helpful thought comes out of my mouth and I know that was God meeting needs I hadn’t even seen.
And sometimes, it’s when I’m preaching. Someone will hear something I didn’t say but God wanted them to hear, or God will use my mouth to say something new so I’ll hear it and say it again and again and again in the future.
I tell you all of this to show you, this is my bliss – to share Jesus in my words. And to invite you to explore your bliss. Where is God honoured through you? Where do you find your joy? How have other people affirmed you recently?
God is there. He is gifting you! Lock in on those Spiritual Gifts and use them to serve Jesus with your heart and soul. You’ll never regret those minutes, hours, days and years spent serving in the Kingdom of God.
Have you ever had the chance to share something you love with someone you respect? I had this opportunity twice on the same day!
This past Tuesday morning I had the opportunity to share my favourite way to study the Bible with two people who are already Bible experts. One is a Life Group leader, a Bible worker and a future church planter (I’m sure of it!). The other is a friend I’ve known since we were both young ministers 30 years ago. Even though both of them are Jesus-loving, Bible-knowing believers - I got to share something new with them!
Writing Bible Studies
I’ve had the honour of mentoring Eve as an AUC Life Group leader. She is a passionate Bible student and a dedicated disciple-maker for Jesus. She runs a Life Group in Canberra. In our monthly mentoring video chat the week before, she said, “I enjoy the Sabbath School discussion guides you post each Thursday but was wondering if you could send them to me earlier in the week?”
I explained, I write them on Thursday mornings. Then I asked why she wanted them earlier. She explained that her Sabbath School started together and then separated into discussion groups and she put a few questions on the screen. She was spending time each week choosing a Bible passage or two and a short question list for each. If you’ve read my studies, there are a lot of questions!
I said, “I’m happy to do next week's SS prep earlier, if you have time. You can join me and I can show you my process for creating a study. Then you will be able to do it yourself.”
Eve thought this was a great idea and we met in a video chat on Tuesday morning at 8 AM. When she arrived, I loaded Logos Bible software and let the magic show begin. The Bible Study Builder in Logos is a gift from God! I love it! At the end of the hour, Eve was thrilled to see how easy developing a well-structured Bible study can be.
Researching and Writing Sermons
At 10 AM, the same morning, I called Mike. He’s old school and I had to call him on his phone. We chatted about life for a while and then we got into the reason for the call.
Mike had emailed me a week before:
Hi Dave
I’m needing help with sermons. I have struggled through preaching and dodgy PowerPoint presentations for years and you are so creative, I thought you might be able to help me.
Blessings
Mike
It had been years since we chatted, so we spent quite a while telling stories on the phone. Then, I said, “Mike, you asked me about creativity in sermon content. Do you have a computer in front of you?”
He said he did and we switched over to a video chat so I could share my screen with him. I showed Mike around the latest version of Logos — The Sermon builder, the Bible study builder and, especially, the new AI-infused search engine. There’s nothing like it! You can limit your question to the Bible, the books you own or the entire Logos library. Then, Logos uses the power of its already powerful search engine and AI intelligence to write a superb summary. Every time. To every question. It’s epic!
Mike said they already have Logos but hadn’t used it for a year or two. He’s keen to do so now that he’s seen what Logos can do!
So, That’s My Secret!
Creativity is about having the right tools. And Logos is my favourite Bible study tool.
You might think I work for Logos. I don’t.
This is not a paid promotion. It’s free in every way. I want you to get the most out of the Bible because God has so much in store for you in those precious pages!
I love showing people how I do what I do. I don’t see any reason to keep my creative process or my favourite tools secrets. The more people who can turn their Biblical questions into solid answers and their creative ideas into blessings for others - the better!
I also love using standard AI (Gemini/ChatGPT) to flesh out ideas. Used intelligently, AI is like having the fastest research assistant on the planet. I love it!
If you haven’t checked out Logos since they added the AI feature, and you love Bible study, I highly recommend it!
If you want a quick introduction to AI, Logos with AI or some other creativity-based question, just ask me! It’s free. Like all the best things in life!
This week, I started mentoring Small Group leaders online for 2025. I forgot how much I love it! I love hearing the stories of young people who are changing the world for Jesus. I’m writing this Friday afternoon.
This morning, I was chatting with a Life Group leader in Newcastle, NSW. He runs two groups. One at his university and another online for his friends from home in China. He has been running the online group since he came to Australia 4 years ago. It keeps him connected to home while also allowing him to minister to those he loves. In our conversation, He told me what he loves to do the most. I asked him about his giftedness and his passions. “I love leading people to Christ,” he said. Then, with a smile, he said, “My favourite thing to do is cook for my small group. They love Chinese cooking!” Then he laughed and said, “I also really like driving them places.”
“That’s hospitality!” I said. “The places where your passion and spiritual gifts intersect are the primary spot where God shines to others. It’s your spiritual sweet spot! Cooking for friends who are being discipled by you - that’s your bliss!”
He laughed and said he would love it if that’s all he had to do. He’d love to spend his every waking moment talking about Jesus as he drove people around and cooked for them!
It is my joy, as a spiritual mentor, to help people have these aha moments about themselves and their spirituality. There’s nothing more rewarding for me. That’s my bliss!
Disciple-Makers All
Yesterday, I mentored a Life Group leader from Finland who lives in Canberra. She was unable to attend the Mentoring Workshop at Converge in February due to being in Finland for a funeral. Her grandmother lived to 100 years old! She said it was good to see family again and share stories about grandma with everyone.
Then I gave her a nutshell version of the workshop. It revolved around one simple statement. If we can make this statement live in the front of our mind every moment of every day, we will be the most effective Christian leaders in the world. Here it is, “I am a disciple-maker.” That’s it. You are a disciple-maker.
As a follower of Jesus, you are a disciple-maker. Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Spot on - we follow and are followed. All. The. Time!
As a small group leader, you are a disciple-maker. At church, you are not running programs; you are making disciples. After every event, conversation, Bible study, and program, our primary question should be: “How did we shape disciples?” When we plan a sermon, study, or worship set, our primary question should be: “How will we intentionally build disciples for Jesus this time?”
After this review, she said, “I’m really enjoying the Sabbath School lesson discussion guides you write. Is there any chance of getting them sooner in the week?” She explained she uses my studies to prepare her own discussion guides to hand out to break-out group leaders in a larger Sabbath School. So, she needed something shorter.
I can see a future writer and curriculum writer in her! So, I said, “Would you like to join me as I prepare next week's study? We can meet online and I’ll share my screen and my process. That might help you in your planning.”
She was very excited, and so we are having a Sabbath School lesson-building session next Tuesday at 8 a.m. I am in my bliss! Seeing a young person who wants to grow spiritually and develop skills to increase the Kingdom of God—yes, yes, yes! This is disciple-making for me!
Cultural Norms
Wednesday, I had two mentoring sessions. One was a meet and greet with a Life Group leader from Wagga Wagga I hadn’t met before. So, I asked questions and told stories so we got to know each other. Then we prayed together.
The next session was with a duo in Ballina, NSW. They are both missionaries from other countries. We talked about the art of running a small group when nearly everyone is from a different country with different cultural norms.
As an example, we went through how each of our cultures engages in conversation, time management, personal space, and group structure. All three of us laughed a lot. We are each living in Australia but from somewhere else. California, Brazil and Norway.
As we opened our cultural suitcases, we realised things about ourselves, each other and our expectations. It was enlightening and enjoyable.
After our conversation, we prayed together and went back to life away from our screens. I went out into the warmth of sunny Melbourne and they went out to fill more sandbags to get ready for Cyclone Alfred! Yikes!
Mental Health
Last Sabbath, I taught the Sabbath School lesson and preached in Wangaratta. After the church service, as I was greeting people at the door, I asked one man, “How have you been?”
“Not well,” he said, “not well at all, really.”
The sermon had been about struggles in life and I had mentioned that I work in mental health. I realised his response was not a complaint, but a request for help.
I put my hand on his shoulder and we stepped outside next to the church door. Then I said, “Tell me more. How have you been unwell?”
“Mentally,” He said. “My mental health has not been good.”
“What does that look like,” I said, “for you?”
“Just so much negative self-talk,” he said. “I just constantly beat myself up.”
We chatted for a while and a group formed around him. I realised, he was loved here. He was in the right place. The head elde,s wife added valuable comments to the conversation. I could see they knew and loved this man. They cared deeply for him., caring
“What is your best advice for someone like me?” He asked.
“Two things,” I said. “First, find people. Being alone isn’t good for mental health.”
“Yeah,” he said, “I walk down to the corner shop and just chat with people.”
“Fantastic,” I said, “Doing something with others, or even better - for others, is very good for mental health.”
“Yeah,” he smiled and pointed at the head elder, “That’s what he says.”
“The second thing,” I said, patting the brickwork of the church, “Is to participate regularly in a community that acts like an extended family. Keep coming to Church. This place is very good for you.”
He looked at the head elder, “Those are the same two things you are always telling me to do!”
The head elder smiled and nodded.
“Smart man,” I said, laughing. “I think you know what to do!”
Spiritual Sweet Spot
I’ve just finished packing the van for our Lildyale church camp which starts tonight. I’ll head out to do the food shopping and then pick up my wife from the school where she teaches and we will drive to Howqua. A weekend getaway with my best friend and social time with our church family!
My mental well-being is on a high. I know why! I’ve been investing in others this week. That’s my spiritual sweet spot and I know it.
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, reveals a consistent picture of God's character, particularly His unwavering love and capacity for forgiveness. However, our human understanding of God's nature has matured over time, deepening and expanding as we encounter new revelations of His grace.
When Jesus came onto the scene, he framed God’s character very differently than the religious leaders of his day. In one of his most well-known stories, the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus offers a profound insight into the nature of God’s forgiveness, demonstrating that it's not a transaction based on obedience but an outpouring of unconditional love.
A Foundation of Law and Love
The Old Testament, particularly the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's law. This emphasis on law and covenant might lead some to believe that God's forgiveness is conditional, dependent on human adherence to rules and regulations. However, a closer look reveals that even within the legal framework of the Old Testament, God's love and compassion shine through.
Chapters 29 and 30 of the book of Deuteronomy, while outlining the consequences of disobedience, also highlight God's willingness to forgive and restore those who return to Him. After Chapter 29’s harrowing prediction that Israel would forget God and His Law ending up lost in the territory and hands of their enemies, a promise emerges in Deuteronomy 30: God will bring back scattered Israel. He will bring His beloved people home and circumcise their hearts, enabling them to love Him with all their heart and soul — when they “come to their senses” (30:1) in the depth of their despair.
Jesus uses this phrase in his story of the prodigal son to trigger his law-literate listeners to recall Deuteronomy 30:1-10. Jesus insinuates the Father's love remains constant despite the son's rebellion.
A Revelation of Unconditional Love
In the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32, Jesus offers a powerful illustration of God's unchanging love and forgiveness. The younger son, who represents those who have strayed from God's path, leaves the Father with half the family’s wealth. He squanders it in wasteful living and ends in the ditch, feeding pigs - the worst ending a Jew could imagine.
And when the son “comes to his senses” in the squalor of a pig pen, he comes home expecting the Father’s wrath. He even prepares a speech. But the Father’s response in Jesus’ story is much the same as it is in Deuteronomy 30. The Father’s love and forgiveness lead to a righteous robe, a family ring and a thump-thump-thumping celebration of life. With the Father, Jesus says, love always wins.
Jesus finishes his Character reveal of Israel’s God by suggesting something readers of God’s law already know: When we return to God, filled with remorse, we experience the depths of God's mercy and love. The Father's joyful welcome and extravagant celebration demonstrate that God's forgiveness is not earned through obedience but freely given to all who turn back to Him.
This parable challenges the notion that God's forgiveness is transactional, contingent on human performance. Instead, it reveals that God's love is unconditional, extending to all who seek Him, regardless of their past mistakes. The prodigal son's experience mirrors the journey of countless individuals who have found forgiveness and restoration in God's loving embrace.
The Older Brother's Struggle with Forgiveness
The parable also introduces the figure of the older brother, who represents those who have remained faithful to God's law — faithful Israel. The older brother's resentment towards his sibling highlights the difficulty of extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us. His anger and refusal to celebrate his brother's return expose the limitations of a legalistic understanding of forgiveness.
The older brother's struggle serves as a reminder that true forgiveness is not an act of obedience but the overflow of a heart transformed by a relationship with the God of love. It is so full of the Father’s love that letting go of resentment and embracing compassion, even for those who have hurt us deeply, is our natural desire. The father's plea to the older brother, "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours," underscores the importance of extending grace and forgiveness to others, just as God has extended grace to us.
Conclusion
In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus offers a profound insight into the nature of God's love and forgiveness. He reveals that God's love is not conditional, dependent on human obedience, but freely given to all who turn to Him. Jesus challenges us to move beyond a legalistic understanding of our relationship with God and embrace a deeper understanding of His heart.
As we reflect on the parable of the prodigal son, may we be inspired to extend forgiveness to others, just as God has forgiven us. May we also remember that God's love is unchanging and unconditional, always available to those who seek Him.
This simple statement resonates with a profound truth that echoes through the ages and across cultures. From ancient myths whispered around campfires to modern novels that grip our imaginations, stories have always held an unparalleled power to shape our understanding of the world, ignite our emotions, and connect us to something larger than ourselves.
His Story - The Bible and God
Consider Christianity, a faith that stands as a testament to this very power. At its heart, Christianity isn't a set of doctrines or a list of rules – it is an epic story. A sweeping narrative that unfolds from the dawn of creation to the promise of a glorious future, filled with drama, love, loss, redemption and hope. This grand story, often referred to as the Great Controversy, is the meta-narrative of the Bible. It provides the very foundation upon which the Christian faith is built. It’s an epic tale of a loving Creator, a tragic fall, a profound act of sacrifice, and the promise of ultimate restoration. Woven into this grand tapestry are countless smaller stories – parables, historical accounts, biographical sketches – each thread contributing to the richness and depth of the overarching epic.
Our Story - The People and God
And within this magnificent, timeless story, you and I have our place. Each of us, whether we realise it or not, is living out a story set of our own. These aren’t just random sequences of events; they are personal narratives imbued with meaning, shaped by our experiences, and ultimately, pointing towards something bigger than ourselves. For those of us who walk in faith, these individual stories take on a special significance. They become testimonies, personal accounts of how the grand story of God’s love and grace intersects with the intimate details of our lives. These testimonies are not merely about us; they are about the unfolding epic of faith and the progress it is making, in us and through us in the world.
Your Story - You and God
Have you ever considered your life as a story? Perhaps you've seen it as a series of tasks, a collection of responsibilities, or a daily grind. But what if you began to perceive it as a narrative, a journey filled with its own unique chapters, characters, and turning points? When we see our lives through this lens, something remarkable happens. We discern patterns, recognise themes, and understand that even the seemingly mundane moments are threads in a larger design.
The power of story lies in its ability to connect with us on a deeply human level. Stories engage our emotions in a way that facts and figures often cannot. A well-told story can evoke empathy, spark hope, ignite courage, and even challenge our preconceived notions. Why is this so? Because stories mirror the very structure of our own minds and experiences. We naturally process information through narrative. We remember events as stories, we explain our lives through stories, and we even dream in stories. It's how we make sense of the world and our place within it.
Creative Stories - Jesus' Way of Telling
Think about Jesus's parables. These weren't abstract theological treatises. They were relatable stories—about a lost sheep, a prodigal son, and a persistent widow. These simple narratives conveyed profound spiritual truths not through complex arguments but through relatable experiences of everyday life. Jesus understood the power of story to bypass intellectual barriers and speak directly to the heart. He knew that stories could illuminate the path to understanding and inspire transformation in a way that direct commands or theological lectures simply could not.
The Great Storytellers
The grand story of Christianity offers us a framework for understanding our own individual narratives. It provides context, meaning, and purpose to our lives. It tells us that we are not just random beings adrift in a chaotic universe, but that we are part of a divine plan, created with intention and loved beyond measure. This grand narrative begins with creation – a beautiful world crafted by a loving God. It then acknowledges the reality of brokenness and sin – the fall from grace that affects all of humanity. But it doesn’t end there. The Christian story is fundamentally a story of redemption. It’s a narrative of God’s unwavering love, manifested in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offering a path back to wholeness and restoration. And it culminates in the promise of a glorious future – a new heaven and a new earth, where all things will be made right.
Our personal stories, our testimonies, are like individual chapters within this grand epic. They are accounts of how this grand story of redemption has touched our lives in specific and personal ways. A testimony isn’t necessarily a dramatic, life-altering event (though it can be). More often, it’s a quiet unfolding, a gradual realization of God's presence and grace in the everyday moments of our lives. It might be a story of overcoming hardship, finding strength in weakness, experiencing forgiveness, or simply sensing a profound peace amidst the chaos of life.
These personal stories are powerful for several reasons. Firstly, they make the grand narrative of faith relatable and tangible. The epic story of the Bible can sometimes feel distant or abstract. But when we hear a personal testimony, we see how these ancient truths are still relevant and active in the lives of ordinary people today. We see faith not as an abstract concept, but as a living, breathing reality that transforms lives.
Secondly, testimonies offer encouragement and hope to others. When we share our struggles and how we found strength through faith, we offer a beacon of hope to those facing similar challenges. We show that faith isn't a fairytale for the naive, but a real source of power and resilience in the face of adversity. Our stories can be a lifeline to someone who is feeling lost, alone, or discouraged in their own journey.
Thirdly, sharing our stories strengthens our own faith. When we articulate our experiences, we reflect on God's work in our lives in a deeper way. We revisit moments of grace, we acknowledge answered prayers, and we recognise the hand of God guiding us through various seasons of life. This process of reflection and sharing solidifies our own understanding of our faith and strengthens our conviction.
Imagine the ripple effect that could occur if each of us embraced our stories as testimonies and began to share them more freely. Think of the encouragement, the hope, and the inspiration that would spread. Think of the individuals who might encounter faith for the first time, or whose flickering faith might be rekindled by hearing your story. Your story, no matter how ordinary it may seem to you, has the potential to touch hearts, challenge perspectives, and ultimately, point others towards the grand, life-transforming story of Jesus.
The Power of Your Testimony
So, what is your story? Take some time to reflect on your life as a narrative. What are the key chapters? Who are the important characters? What are the defining moments?
As you ponder these questions, begin to look for the threads of faith woven through your narrative. Where have you seen God's presence? Where have you experienced His grace? Where have you found strength beyond your own? As you identify these moments, you will begin to see your life not just as a personal journey, but as a chapter in the grand, unfolding epic of God’s love.
As you recognise the power of your own story, may you be inspired to share it with others, adding your unique voice to the timeless chorus of testimonies that echo the power and grace of the Christian faith? Let your story be heard, let it inspire faith, and let it contribute to the progress of this magnificent, ongoing epic. Your story matters because it is part of His story.
It’s summer camp time in Australia. As I was driving a van load of teens to Howqua, I listened to their interaction. I asked a few questions. The six of them were from five different Adventist churches. Some only met on the van. They were looking forward to camp (dumb questions get obvious answers!) And, no, they did not need a restroom stop half an hour into the trip. Or an hour and a half into the trip. They were teenagers. Self-regulating and ready for camp!
The Joy in the Journey
I had a question I was going to ask them. I’d even planned out a couple of directions the discussion might go. But, as I listened to them from the front, I realised two things. They were excited to be with each other. I was having trouble hearing them (I’m old and deaf on one side!). When they tried to include me in the conversation they yelled my name (which let me know I hadn’t heard them the first few times!) And then, I would respond, “Sorry, can you repeat that?”
“Mr Edgren, How old are you?” a young man shouted.
“Do you want a maths problem or just a simple number?” I answered. They laughed.
“Either is fine. I’m pretty good with maths.” He said, “I just want to prove that I’m not the oldest person on the bus.”
“Ah,” I said. “How old are you?”
“18.”
“Well, young man,” I laughed, “I’m 52. So, I’ve got ya beat!”
He laughed and added, “I can drive for you if you need a break.”
Ah, now I understood. He wanted an ‘in the flow’ way to tell the other teens. 18 is the driving age in Australia. He was the only one, other than me, with a licence and he wanted people to know. I liked him already.
For most of the trip, their conversation provided a gentle background that sounded like a distant congregation of swans and foreign tourists. Seriously, my hearing is that bad. It was a carnage of sound. A decade ago I had an acoustic neuroma removed (a brain tumour on my hearing nerve) and lost the hearing in my left ear. My right ear is about 65 per cent, on par for my age. Combined with the severe tinnitus on the left (yep, that’s all I hear over there!) I struggle to hear unless I’m one-on-one with someone.
As I drove the 2.5-hour trip, I rejigged the conversation we didn’t have. Had we been sitting around a table, it would have been fun!
“What brings you joy?” Wait for answers.
“What is joy?” Wait for answers. Guide conversation to three points. The feeling word for instant gratification is ‘feels good.’ The feeling word for thinking about or doing something fun is “happy.” The feeling word for the gladness you feel when something is permanently true is “joy.”
“So, what brings you joy? What is something in your life that you are glad is true, all the time? Your skill in sport? Brilliance in maths? Friends? Family? What is a steady truth in your life that brings you joy?”
And, then, I was looking forward to hearing their answers. It is so much fun to hand the conversational reigns to young people when you’ve given them a solid setup and said, “GO!” They are awesome to listen to. Just awesome.
But, I’m deaf. So, rather than sobbing about my sorrows, I began playing with the question myself. But, I changed it a bit. I’ve been through multiple phases of life. So, I shifted the question to, “How has your joy changed over the years? What brought you joy when you were 18 and unstoppable? 30 with 3 kids? Empty nesting with Jenny? (It never stays empty for long!)
Because of my age, well no. As John Maxwell says, “Wisdom does not always come with age. Sometimes age comes alone.” That said, because I’ve been around for a while, there is some wisdom I’ve learned from life. Suffering is a great teacher. Times of choice and consequence are another great teacher. Long talks with trusted mentors are a great teacher.
Wisdom comes only after time for reflection. Suffering and reflection. Choices and reflection. Guidance and reflection. Wisdom emerges from quiet pools of reflection. Or something ponderous like that. And then, there’s wisdom that comes from joy. Joy isn’t temporary. It is firmly attached to your truth and your relationships.
You can be joyful always because you know God loves you. Rain or shine. Pain or pleasure. Paul says, Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. He took joy to the cross with Him. That’s amazing! He was able to shout, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?!?” and hold onto His joy—us being with Him in eternity—at the same time.
Joy is the solid substance surrounding surety. Joy is the emotional connection you have with what you trust to be true, always. Using this as a definition of joy, I looked back over my life while I drove the van. What brings me joy?
When I was young, I was a performer. Musician. Actor. Storyteller. In my first sermon, at 12 years old, I was dressed in character and told a bible story in first person. That was a brave pastor! And, I thank him for asking me. He shaped my life greatly. My joy from 12 until around 25 came from performing. I loved it. I was good at it because I did a lot of it. And, I knew I could trust myself to do well. No nerves. My identity in Christ was also affirmed by this joy. I felt like Eric Liddle in Chariots of Fire, who said, “When I run, I feel the Lord’s pleasure." Similarly, when I sang, acted, and told stories for God, I knew He loved it. I could feel His love shining on me.
When I graduated from College with a theology degree at 26 we had one child and the next two came in the first three years of ministry. I love people. So, I loved being a pastor and a dad. My joy until 40 came from thriving in place and building up groups. Leadership as a father, pastor, and editor. I was still performing, really. Sometimes as a preacher, storyteller, etc. Most of the time as a leader in creative work. My joy came most fully when performing with others — getting things done as a team. Empowering others to run a great worship service, evangelism series, small group bible study, camp-meeting kids division. That joyful sense of God’s pleasure came when in the flow as a leader shaping people.
January 2013, at age 40, I had a brain tumour removed. I spent 3 months off work while I was banned from driving and learned to make sense of the world through one ear. Shopping centres were borderline insanity. Just stop the noisy merry-go-boom and let me get off!
I was told, that after brain surgery, some people take up to 10 years to recover their previous attention span and energy level. Others never do, so slowing down is required. I’ve only felt ‘myself again’ in the past year or two. It really takes time!
My neurosurgeon said (one of the benefits of having brain surgery is for the rest of your life you have the distinct confidence booster of saying, “My neurosurgeon said.” I throw it in now and then just for added weight!) Ahem, sorry. So, my neurosurgeon said the drill they use to get through the skull has a similar impact on the brain to being kicked by a horse. I told him, “I much prefer you to a horse.” He didn’t even seem grateful. I mean, who wants to say “Well, according to my horse…”
Three months after the surgery, I was placed in two new churches, as pastor. Yep, you read that right. Just something easy to recuperate. I was told, “One church doesn’t want a pastor and at the other, you’ll be assisting a super-pastor. So, you’ll have plenty of time and space to heal.”
January 2014, at age 41, I was fired for having an affair in super-pastor’s church. I agreed with them, I deserved to be fired. I took full responsibility for my moral failing and bowed out as respectfully as I could. I spent that year transitioning into school chaplaincy work in the state school system. Working one-on-one with kids was perfect for my hearing issues and my energy levels. After COVID, I shifted to mental health support work. Still one-on-one but with adults. It’s very similar to how I did school chaplaincy.
January 2025. Here I am! 52 years old, and the oldest person on the bus. Winner! :)
You may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned my joy since the brain tumour. It has been a journey, let me tell you!
The joy in my life has shifted dramatically. I still enjoy preaching and telling stories occasionally, but they are secondary joys now. Over the past decade of quiet time, I’ve changed.
The joy that used to come from performing has shifted to getting teary when my daughter leads worship in church, or my son tells a story or acts in a musical, and having deep and meaningful chats with my eldest son. They all inspire me. I cry at movies when someone small is made big. I started creating resources for people to use in groups. Groups I’m not it. Resources I don’t use. Just to know others are being lifted toward Jesus in conversation.
My joy shifted as my focus shifted. I’m not that into myself anymore. (I know, not very American of me!) I remember once asking a Union President to create a new position here in Australia (not for me, I mean, I was willing, but it just needed to be a position so those needs were met.) And he said, he could see my passion for the topic and that it was a valid need but there was no budget for it. I offered to do it for free. He said, “You have a job in your conference.” I was shocked. Of course, I do. I can do this too. As a gift. (looking back I can’t help smiling. I was an arrogant brat!) “You need to focus on your current role.” He said, “I’ve been told ‘Dave Edgren does well what Dave Edgren wants to do’. I’m trying to say this in the nicest way possible, you need to want to do well at your assigned task. Then, perhaps, you will be offered other tasks.”
Gut punch! And, reality check. Much later. Upon reflection.
My joy now comes from Jesus. That might sound trite or simple or reaching… But, it’s just true. Jesus means more to me now than He ever has. A relationship with Jesus is worth pursuing. When I spend time talking to Him, reading about Him, talking about Him, writing about Him I get a taste of the complete joy he mentioned in John 15. The joy Jesus has is available, He offers it to us — to complete our joy.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” - John 15:9-13 NIV
Over the past decade of single-sided-silence, I have learned about love. Daily.
My wife loves me. The day I was fired, she showed me Jesus as I’d never seen Him before. “He died to forgive the sin of the whole world.” She said, “Surely, when He asks us to forgive each other, this is what he meant.” How could I doubt Jesus when His presence and love were so clearly alive in my wife at the most heartbreaking moment of her life?
Jesus loves me. He humbled himself by becoming an earthling, to live with us and die for us. That’s the God of the universe I’m talking about. God became human so He could be fully understood by humans. And as the fullest example possible of God’s love, Jesus died on the cross. Because He loves us so much he’d rather die than live without us.
I love Jesus. And I love people. And I live a Joy full life. Jesus is my joy.
People have so much trouble believing God loves them. They say they know He loves them, but in the same breath they say, “That’s why I have to do more.” Why? To earn God’s love? To say thank you? I can say, with authority: all God wants is you. Bring yourself, fully, to the altar. He loves you!
I went through a two-decade-long process of trying to find the truth. They call it deconstruction. First, you pull apart everything you believe to be true. Then, hopefully, you reconstruct into someone new with new solid ground where you can think your thoughts.
But, Jesus derailed my deconstruction train. I couldn’t write Him out of the story. The affair was smack in the middle of pulling everything apart. And, so was the forgiveness of Christ embodied in my wife’s love and grace. Jesus became so very very real to me.
So, I zoomed way out and then back in, putting my story in the context of the Great Story. Since childhood, I had been in focus, but now Jesus is in focus. I’m still there, just off to his left (so I can hear him in my good ear). But Jesus is the focal point of my story now. I don’t know how to say it better than that. For me, it’s not about reconstruction but focus. It’s reformation, really.
As a Californian (the best kind of American. lol), my culture taught me that I was the hero in my own story. I could be anyone I wanted, earn as much as I wanted, and live the life I wanted because I deserved it. All I had to do was grab the world and make it mine.
Now, I know Jesus is the hero in Earth’s story. We all have supporting roles. We are not meant to be centre-stage unless we’re bringing something to Him. Jesus is Lord. Jesus sent out his disciples saying, “The Kingdom of God is near.” because He was right behind them. I don’t think we should show up saying, “The Kingdom of God is here,” until He is. When we put ourselves at the centre, we misrepresent our King and His Kingdom.
I feel the joy of Jesus most fully these days when I am involved in lifting others up in their walk with Jesus. I mentor young Bible study leaders online. That is bliss! We are having an in-person training day next month. So exciting! Over the past few months, I’ve been doing a lot more writing because I feel God’s pleasure when I write for Him. You’ve been reading it. I hope it has been blessing you and lifting you closer to Jesus.
So, my energy is back. For the past year or two, I’ve been at 100 per cent thinking capacity. It feels nice. And I have Jesus in focus. He makes my joy complete. In my heart of hearts, I would love to pastor a church with Jesus as my Joy. I hope the Holy Spirit inspires a leader somewhere to take a risk on me like Jesus has!
Last week, a friend who has been a friend since I started populating Australia with friends, bounded into view via email and said, “Hey Dave!” Then she asked something that got me excited! I love helping people find content and creators that meet their needs. I’m a networker.
Hey Dave,
Can I get a recommendation from you for primary school bible studies? I'm moving to 2 days of chaplaincy this year. Last year the pastors did the bible studies, but this year I'll be taking it on and to be honest. Good bible studies are proving difficult to find and I do not have the time to create my own.
Thanks in advance!
Blessings,
[Name]
I got excited for several reasons.
First, I was once a Christian school chaplain. My time was filled with hours of Bible study, prayer, chapel programs and heart-to-heart spiritual conversations with students, teachers and parents. I loved it! More recently, I did a decade of State-School Chaplaincy which is the same, but without Jesus. And that sux. I enjoyed the chats with kids and adults but missed being about to say, “I know someone who could help you with this right now. His name is Jesus. Let’s talk to Him together!” Instead, state school chaplains say things like, “Use your words.” and “Have you talked to someone qualified about this?” … Just a bit different - and hollow, if you know Jesus!
The Second reason I got excited was that, as you already know if you’ve been following my substack for long, I love writing Bible studies that meet people’s needs.
My Thursday post is designed to be used alongside the Adult Bible Study Lesson Guide from the Adventist church. It involves taking one passage of scripture from the lesson and digging deeper. I write this because many Sabbath School teachers wish they had a Bible study discussion guide for their weekly lesson discussions. You may be one of them! Please use and share this Bible study freely.
Next month, I will begin a Bible Study post on the book of Luke for the Life Group Leaders I mentor around Australia. A number of them asked for study guides aimed at university-aged students. So, I offered to write one for them. You will be able to read it if you are a subscriber. A free substack subscription is also given to all those I mentor for Life Group Leadership and coach for Sabbath School Leadership. Nothing increases Sabbath School effectiveness like a SS Coach!
The last reason I got excited about my friend's email is that I love helping people. I was excited to share some ideas with her.
Hey [Name],
It has been a very long time since I have worked with Christian kids. So, Bible studies.... lol
You could read my books and use the questions after each chapter (scroll books) or at the end of the book (NT characters short books). See them Here
You can also use AI to generate questions for Bible stories. Try this.
Preparation
Find a Bible passage you want to read and discuss (choose a story, of course!)
Passage: The passage you have chosen
Description: Describe the kids ages, knowledge level (Bible/english/etc)
Generate Study
Go to ChatGPT or Gemini, etc (AI of your choice).
Prompt: Generate discussion questions based on "bible passage" for a group of "description" kids with the goal being conversation and story sharing.
You can also add other things into the prompt you want it to focus on or where you want the concluding questions to head, etc.
You. Will. Be. Amazed.
AI can also save you hours of prep in designing a series of studies.
Give it your theme for the year and ask it what Bible stories suit. Or Bible Characters. Or Bible passages. AI is remarkably helpful!
It's like having a personal assistant to prep things for you and then you do the actual Spirit lead construction of the content. AI isn't so good and hearing the Spirit! lol
Sincerely,
Dave
Today, six days later, it suddenly struck me that my friend may have been subtly asking me if I would write some studies for her. How did I not see that, when writing Bible studies is my favourite thing to do? Dunno!
So, this morning, I wrote back to her and now to you - because this offer is open to everyone who is time-poor and needs great Jesus-centred writing and studies. Let’s talk!
G'day [name],
How did you go with creating your own AI Bible Studies? If you haven't done it yet, or it seems too big, I'm available to write them for you. Just give me an age group, number of kids, theme and number of studies, etc (just tell me the story of the studies you will be holding) and I will get to work.
See if you can get a budget for Bible studies. $15 a study. I will also put them on my Substack for the paid members.
Anyway, let me know! I'm just about to write a Substack article about you asking for Bible Study help and how long it took me to think, "Hey, I'm a writer. I should write them." And then — a time, times and half a time — later, "Maybe that was what she was asking!"
Do you have something you’ve been meaning to write? Ask me. I ghostwrite books. I edit writing. I read and make recommendations on your writing. I respond quickly. For articles and Bible studies, I charge a small fee and reserve the right to use it elsewhere. I love to write, teach, preach and inspire others for Jesus! So, if you’re looking for a Bible storyteller, SS/BS trainer, writer, or mentor to bounce ideas around with - I’m available! Please Contact Me.
.jpeg)
