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WellThought is a collection of essays, videos and tools to equip the church for the vision of the church. We pray these items will help encourage and challenge you to be more like Jesus. If you have any questions or suggestions, or are interested in contributing future content, contact our editors at wellthought@jacobswellnj.org.

Posts by Reid S. Monaghan

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A Generous Christmas

The Advent and Christmas season is a time of reflection, worship and gratitude here at Jacob's Well. It is also a time of generosity and teaching the next generation the truth that Jesus taught us "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Over the last several years we have engaged in intentional generosity as a community during the holiday season. In the month of Dec...

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An Introduction to 1 Timothy

When teaching a new book in the Bible we develop an introduction that covers the background, authorship, context and main themes of the work. The following is a link to our introduction to the book of 1 Timothy. ...

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Our Flow is Gospel - An Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

The following is an introduction to the first letter to the Thessalonian church in the mid century CE. It covers various historical and cultural background issues as well as personal, theological themes in 1 Thessalonians. ...

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A First Among Poets

A Brief Biographical Sketch of Jupiter Hammon one of the first published African American authors in the Americas. ...

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Partial Victories and the Faithfulness of God

A survey and introduction to the Old Testament Book of Judges. The redemptive historical setting, basic background and major theological themes in Judges...

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Great Prayers of the Old Testament

The following is a simple list of prayers uttered throughout the ages by Old Testament saints...

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The Kings Speech - An Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

A look at the Gospel of Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount found in Chapters 5-7. ...

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An Introduction to the Proverbs

INTRODUCTION [1] Wisdom, as related to human beings, may simply be defined as the life quality that enables one to make good choices in the complicated circumstances of life in order to walk a good path. For the follower of Jesus, wisdom is the art of godly living. Every culture knows that there is a way to live that is rightly called foolishness. There really is a way t...

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BUILD - An Introduction to the Book of James

To read on your device or to print a PDF of our introduction to the Book of James simply follow this link:BUILD: The Book of James...

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The Home Team - Gospel and Family

What is the family and why should we be rooting for it? A discussion of humanity in community for the glory of God....

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Francis Grimké - Pastor, Preacher, Activist

There are some stories which are simply neglected in the history of America and the story of the Grimk family is certainly one of them. What began with a southern, white family of Charleston aristocrats flowered into a group of people dedicated to the abolition of slavery and civil rights in America. The Christian gospel shapes the story at many of its twists and turns. Th...

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The Attributes of God

God has revealed himself to us in Scripture to have certain attributes to his nature. ...

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eXL - An Introduction to Exodus

Introducing basic narrative hermeneutics, studies of the Pentateuch and background issues for the Book of Exodus...

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Peter - Disciple, Apostle and Witness for Jesus

A look at the Apostle Peter ...

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Sojourner Truth - When I found Jesus

Sojourner Truth - follower of Jesus, abolitionist, advocate for women's rights...

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Passion - An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

An introduction to the Gospel of Mark...

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Isaac Watts - Joy to the World

A brief treatment of the life and influence of Isaac Watts on the history and singing of hymns in the English speaking world....

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What's All This Then - Richard and Sundar discuss Death and Eternity

Richard and Sundar discuss death and the coming reality of eternity...

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Finding God in Our Questions - Richard and Sundar on the Centrality of Love

two friends discuss the biological, philosophical and theological nature of love...

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Finding God in Our Questions - Richard and Sundar on People Sucking

Two friends discuss the problem of suffering and the suckiness of people...

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Finding God in Our Questions - Richard and Sundar Discuss the Perfect and the Good

Two friends discuss the ideas of perfection and ontological goodness...

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Finding God in Our Questions - Richard and Sundar Discuss Religion

Two friends discuss the religious nature and sense of the divine in human beings...

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Finding God in Our Questions - Richard and Sundar Discuss the Universe

Two friends discuss the universe together...

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Finding God in Our Questions - An Introduction to Christian Apologetics

An introduction to the usefulness of our questions in growing in faith, confidence and the defense of the historic Christian faith...

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Theology and Mission - On Circumcision and Titus and Timothy

Theology and missionboth matter During the first few decades of the Christian movement there arose a controversy as to how the Old Covenant laws should relate to New Covenant faith. As the gospel of Jesus was proclaimed in the world, both Jews and non Jews began to place their faith and trust in him as their Savior. As God created a new community of the faithful out of gr...

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An Overview of the Gospel Literature

A short introduction to the canonical gospels...

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Freakin Out - An Introductory Essay

In our world human beings struggle deeply with various fears, concerns and anxieties. This essay is a brief discussion of these things and how they are related to our trust in God. ...

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Jesus...Fully God, Fully Human

Jesus Christ is the most unique figure in all of human history. He was fully God and fully human in one person....

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Determinisms

Is the future determined? Is there any such thing as destiny? What do various worldviews say to us about this matter? ...

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What Sacred Games?

Have we fulfilled Friedrich Nietzsche's imagination by creating sacred games to distract us from the emptiness of life without God? ...

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Chasing the Wind - An Introduction to the Book of Ecclesiastes

An introduction to Ecclesiastes connecting authorship, literary genres, purpose and overall message of the book....

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Judge Not the Judgment of God

Why the judgment of God is right and good and why we must understand this in order to grasp the significance of the gospel of Jesus Christ....

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Thoughts on Suffering

Thoughts on God, suffering and the gospel of Jesus Christ...

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Don't Fight Authority

God has given us authority in our lives for our good and his glory. There is authority in the family, the church and civil government that has been ordained and instituted by God. ...

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Genesis, The Doctrine of Creation and Science

An interaction with questions and issues surrounding the interplay of science, the book of Genesis and the biblical doctrine of creation....

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Historical Understandings of the Lord's Table

A brief summary of historical understandings of the Lord's Table...

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Core Rhythms - Coming to the Lord's Table

Ways in which we come to the Lord's Table as a church...

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Baptism and Covenant

A discussion of baptism and its relationship to the new covenant. We take a look at whether the sign of the new covenant should be applied at birth or the new birth. ...

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Preparing and Gathering for Worship

The importance of our practice of gathering each week for worship...

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Living on Mission with Jesus - New Rhythms

Sharing the gospel with others...

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Coming to the Scriptures

A short guide to help us connect regularly with the sacred Scriptures. ...

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Core Rhythms - Deepening our Life with God

In God's grace and kindness he has given his people certain rhythms and spiritual practices in life in order to transform us and develop deep relationship with Him and one another. ...

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Patrick of Ireland

Each year a peculiar celebration takes place among many people. Green clothes are worn, green beer is imbibed and strange stories about snakes being chased out of Ireland are told. Shamrocks abound and leprechauns seem to jump out from behind every bush. People are pinched for not participating in the fashion of the day and parades are thrown in the name of a man who live...

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Elders, Deacons and Members

It is clear from Paul's letter to Titus that the church was not to be a chaotic mass of people without guidance or leadership. In fact, Titus' very mission on Crete was to "set what remained in order and appoint elders in every town." (Titus 1:5) God has graciously gifted his church with leadership so that there might be a proper order to its life together. Although the si...

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Lemuel Haynes

A short summary of the life of the pioneering African American preacher Lemuel Haynes (1753–1833)A short summary of the life of the pioneering African American preacher Lemuel Haynes (1753–1833)A short summary of the life of the pioneering African American preacher Lemuel Haynes (1753–1833)...

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Manifest - An introduction to the Book of Titus

Long ago a young man was charged to continue to push forward the mission of Jesus on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. The communities that Jesus established were to bring his message and manifest his Kingdom throughout the earth. This would happen as the Words of God were proclaimed faithfully and good works were done in his name. In this introduction I want to orient ...

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Booze and the Bible - Walking in the Wisdom of Good

Looking at the teaching of Scripture regarding the use and abuse of alcohol...

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Walking in the Wisdom of God

An introduction to the wisdom literature and the book of Proverbs...

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Our Desires and Living out Our Priorities

Why do we not always do what we want? Or do we? ...

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A Comparison of Karma and Divine Judgment

A brief look two views of life, consequences and eternity...

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Mr. Un-Clean and the Gospel

The Old Testament cleanliness codes point forward to the coming Christ who would sanctify a people for himself. Jesus is crucified outside of the camp to bring people to God and call us forward in sacrificial mission. ...

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Rich and Poor in the Kingdom of God

A biblical meditation on being rich or poor in light of the Kingdom of God. ...

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Let Jesus Speak - Vignettes in the Gospels

Looking at the identity of Jesus and how we encounter him in the gospels......

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Mawidge...mawidge is what bwings us togewer today...

A biblical meditation on marriage....

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Watch Your Mouth...

How should we use our words? Good question, read on. ...

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Monkey See, Monkey Do?

An Essay on the Imitation of God......

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Three Tough Questions

Three tough questions when wrestling with God...

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What is the Church?

What is the Church? This article looks at the church as a people called to God through the gospel, transformed with him as they grow together and sent into the world on mission to represent for Jesus....

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On Prayer

A wrestling with the biblical practice of prayer...

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Life on Doctrine - Introduction to the Book of Ephesians

A short introduction to the biblical book of Ephesians for contemporary readers....

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The Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth

A look at the historical reality of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...

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Relating to Caesar - Christians and Governments

Throughout history, followers of Jesus have served faithfully under various forms of government and political regimes. This essay is a small treatment encouraging us to remain faithful to Christ in whatever circumstance or rule we find ourselves under. ...

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