Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
February 3, 2025
By Troy Rust Mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: 9:15 The redeeming work of Christ reminds us that separation from the world requires far more than lip service or a handful of moral disciplines. Separation from the world is marked by death. The sacrificial system of the Old Covenant required many tangible reminders of […]
February 3, 2025
By Mike Dawson Tennessee pastorFocal Passage: Psalm 63:1-11 In about the middle of my pastoral years (three decades ago!) ministers of music began introducing “praise and worship songs” into congregational hymn-singing. I especially remember two of those praise songs to this day; they were beloved — and were what I call ‘very singable.’ The words […]
January 27, 2025
By Troy RustMission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 How we use our resources says a lot about our worship. The children of Israel gave their earrings to Aaron to construct a golden calf for idol worship, because God had not met their expectations. After the wrath of God brought about the […]
January 27, 2025
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastorFocal Passage: Psalm 40:1-11 Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Or is it more of a “grrrr-attitude?” This week’s lesson on The ATTITUDE in Worship, from Psalm 40:1-11, could help you settle that question. We’re in a series called The Heart of Worship, and frankly, the study today is one […]
January 20, 2025
By Troy RustMission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 25:1-9; 31:1-6 You have heard it said countless times, “The devil is in the details.” Yet, when we read the Bible we learn that Satan’s ultimate concern is the end (deception), not the means. On the other hand, God is in the details. My father […]
January 20, 2025
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastorFocal Passage: Psalm 25:4-15 A gray-haired man and his young grandson were walking outdoors. The boy asked, “Grandpa, can a feller see God?” The grandfather stopped. He scanned the blue sky and the billowing clouds, saw the trees swaying in the wind, and the birds and squirrels flittering about. “Son,” he answered, […]
January 13, 2025
By Mike Dawson Tennessee pastorFocal Passage: Exodus 1:16-17; 22-2:10 Shiphrah, Puah, and Jochebed. Not everyone will recognize those first two names; many will know the third. They are three brave women depicted in today’s study passage, Exodus 1:16-17; 1:22-2:10. It isn’t an exaggeration to say this “ladies’ trio” helped change the history of the world. […]
January 13, 2025
By Troy RustAssociational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 22:21-27; Leviticus 19:9-10 I do not remember who said it, but I was permanently impacted by the thought that every Christian must decide to live a life of either self-preservation or self-sacrifice. The first option looks like the world, and the second one looks […]
January 6, 2025
By Troy RustAssociational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 20:1-17 Before the Ten Commandments were given, the Author gave the basis for their existence. He once again declared Himself to be the true and living God as evidenced by His recent miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Before He addressed practical issues […]
January 6, 2025
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastorFocal Passage: Isaiah 40:21-31 Matt Redman wrote a song that includes the line, “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, And … it’s all about You, Jesus.” That phrase, The Heart of Worship, is the title of our new lesson series. Today’s study, from Isaiah 40: 21-31, is The FOCUS of […]
December 30, 2024
By Troy RustAssociational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 16:11-19; 17:1-6 The flesh is a demanding taskmaster. Whether it wants to pursue excessive pleasure or have lunch on time, the flesh will dictate your life if you do not walk by the Spirit. After crossing the Red Sea, the immediate demands of the […]
December 30, 2024
By Mike Dawson Tennessee pastor Focal Passage: Matthew 24:32-44 It might seem strange — here in January — to still be in a series of lessons entitled “Looking Forward to CHRISTmas.” We could also wonder why today’s lesson in that series concerns Christ’s Second Coming — His Second Advent. Remembering that “Advent” is another term […]
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