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All (369) Scripture Commentary (144) Theology (40) Mike Winger (185)
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-19

Points 8-12: (8) Lamb substituted for the firstborn — Jesus is God's firstborn/only-begotten (John 3:16, Col 1:15, Heb 1:6). (9) No bones broken — Exodus 12:46, fulfilled in John 19:33-36 when soldiers didn't break Jesus's legs. (10) Offered for the household/family — Jesus creates a new family of God (John 1:12). (11) Lamb had to be slain/die — the death was required, not optional; Jesus said he MUST be killed (Mark 8:31). (12) Had to be at Jerusalem — Deuteronomy 16:5-6; Jesus crucified in Jerusalem.

Points 8-12 — firstborn, bones, household, death, location

John 1:12 Mark 8:31 Colossians 1:15 firstborn John 1:12 children of God
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-11

Sacrificial giving has the highest value to Jesus — the things that cost you the most are worth the most. When you think your service to God is at its lowest value, Jesus may see it at its highest.

The widow's mite principle: sacrifice determines value, not amount

widows mite sacrificial giving widows mite
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-18

The Christian response to persecution is NOT pointing fingers and crying "persecution!" — it's loving enemies, blessing those who persecute you, praying for those who spitefully use you. Persecution is a chance to shine Christ's love.

Biblical response to persecution from Mark 13:9-13

Mark 13:1-13 Mark 13:1-13 persecution response
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Witnessing to Abuse Victims: A friend was sexually abused by her family including her mother, foster family, the school priests, and her first husband. Understandably, she refuses to believe in any God. How can I witness to her?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Abuse Victims

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Do Angels Sing?: Do angels sing? Or is worshipping via singing something unique to humanity? Thank you so much for your ministry. It really is encouraging for me and my wife. How can we be praying for you and your family?

Q&A question: Do Angels Sing?

marriage worship angels
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

Witnessing to Mormon Family Members: I'm a Christian who is married to a non-practicing Mormon who still bases his beliefs on LDS doctrine. I think I want to go into apologetics (largely inspired by you), but I don't think my husband will approve. I also feel called to evangelize my Mormon in-laws, but I struggle to get past their feelings-based testimony and their beliefs about who Jesus is and salvation. Any advice on my apologetic aspirations in my specific circumstances, and on the best way to surmount these LDS hurdles?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Mormon Family Members

marriage Jesus salvation
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

Winger walks through 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications, acknowledging real-life churches (especially small ones) struggle to find people who meet all criteria. Lists: blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy, gentle, not quarrelsome, rules his own house well, not a novice.

Q&A: How literally should we follow the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy and Titus?

1 Timothy 3 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

Did Jesus’ Family Believe?: Did Jesus' family not believe in Him as Messiah?

Q&A question: Did Jesus’ Family Believe?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

About Evangelism & Guilt/Responsibility: If we don’t share the Gospel with our friends and family, is their blood on our hands?

Q&A question: About Evangelism & Guilt/Responsibility

angels
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

Biblical Wisdom for a Tough Family Situation: My mother-in-law is in a gay marriage. My wife has shared the Gospel with her, but she rejects it. Lord willing, we'd like to have kids. Should there be boundaries between the kid/grandma relationship?

Q&A question: Biblical Wisdom for a Tough Family Situation

marriage homosexuality
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

Protecting Children from Bad Teaching: My Hubby was raised Mormon. He still believes it all but isn't active. His family takes my son to church if he stays with them & they've started teaching him LDS doctrine. I want to not let him go anymore w/out hurting them. Advice?

Q&A question: Protecting Children from Bad Teaching

Mormonism
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

Was Mary Surprised about Jesus’ Deity?: If Mary was aware of the immaculate conception (visited by an angel, etc.), why in Mark 3: 21 does it seem she’s surprised about Jesus being the Messiah? Scripture says His "family" that goes to "take charge of Him" for being out of His mind are His mother & brothers. Why would Mary think He is out of His mind if she had been visited by an angel?

Q&A question: Was Mary Surprised about Jesus’ Deity?

Mark 3 Jesus Mark 3 angels
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Should we “Apply” the Blood of Jesus?: Someone recently told me to always "apply the blood of Jesus" over my family, my home, myself, and everything that belongs to me before I pray, since there is spiritual warfare going on. Have you heard of this, and what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: Should we “Apply” the Blood of Jesus?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Should a Protestant Marry a Catholic?: What do I do if I'm thinking about marrying a Catholic girl, myself being Protestant? She has no problems with my faith but wants our sons baptized, since she and her whole family is Catholic.

Q&A question: Should a Protestant Marry a Catholic?

Roman Catholicism baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

How to Witness to an Angry Person: My friend has left Christianity. His family is a bit extreme and aggressive with their faith, and he says they are what pushed him away from his. If I try to talk with him, he gets angry. What can I do?

Q&A question: How to Witness to an Angry Person

evangelism
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

Wrestling with Matters of Conscience: I’m a family photographer being asked to do sessions involving a same-sex couple with kids. I've done sessions for cohabitating pregnant couples before, but how can I handle this as a Christian?

Q&A question: Wrestling with Matters of Conscience

faith and science
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

Balancing Work & Family in Life: My job has been taking away too much family time (extreme employee shortage), but I've been there many years and feel the relationships are still a mission field. How can I balance this?

Q&A question: Balancing Work & Family in Life

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

When a Spouse is Unrepentant: How should we approach a situation where one spouse is doing something potentially harmful to the health of the family, yet won't quit? Ex: vaping inside of the home.

Q&A question: When a Spouse is Unrepentant

repentance
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-17

Lovingly Calling Out Sin: How do I love and exhort a close family member who knows & believes the Gospel but doesn't seem bothered by some sinful choices (e.g., going to rowdy parties, getting drunk)?

Q&A question: Lovingly Calling Out Sin

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

Does the P. of Talents demand Physical Work?: My preacher uses the Parable of Talents to say we must go out to do work for the Lord. I have chronic illness and I don't have energy for stuff outside of my family. Does this mean I waste my talents?

Q&A question: Does the P. of Talents demand Physical Work?

suffering
Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Staying in Fellowship While Working: I just moved to a new city, and I work every Sunday. How do I find a church family if I work every Sunday?

Q&A question: Staying in Fellowship While Working

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Encouragement for New Bible Teachers: I'm a recent MDiv graduate who gets questions from friends and family about the Bible. I do a study and answer them, and they respond with "that's what I thought." Any encouragement to keep trying?

Q&A question: Encouragement for New Bible Teachers

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Should we “Cut Someone Off” in Life?: How do I know if I am doing the right thing by cutting off a very toxic family member?

Q&A question: Should we “Cut Someone Off” in Life?

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Will We Have Memories in Heaven?: I recently heard people at my church say that when we get to Heaven our memories will essentially be wiped, and we won’t have any knowledge of our friends/family who are in Hell. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Will We Have Memories in Heaven?

hell
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-01

How Much to Confess Past Sins: I have some past sins that are pretty bad and very shameful. Do I need to confess these sins to my family and friends? I've confessed them to God and a personal pastor.

Q&A question: How Much to Confess Past Sins

pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

About Freemasonry: Can you explain why Christians shouldn't be affiliated with Freemasonry? I have family members who are Freemasons and believe you can be a Christian AND be a member of a Masonic lodge. YIKES.

Q&A question: About Freemasonry

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

True Believer but No Life Change?: Is it possible to believe in Jesus yet never have a change of life? My father has cheated and lived with his mistress. he said he believed in Jesus, yet he never came back home to live with his family.

Q&A question: True Believer but No Life Change?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

Resolving a “Contradiction”: Does Ezekiel 18: 20 contradict the stoning of Achan and his family in Joshua 7: 24-26 (the idea of original sin passed down through Adam) and 2 Samuel 12: 13-15?

Q&A question: Resolving a “Contradiction”

Joshua 7 Ezekiel Samuel Achan Joshua 7
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-03

Discerning God’s Will and Calling: How do I know if I’m called to preach? My family depends on my income, and I don’t want to unwisely step into anything against God’s will, but I feel I must evangelize much more than I can now.

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Will and Calling

angels
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Dealing with Toxic People: What biblical counsel would you give for dealing with toxic people, especially Christian family members you live with, who are oftentimes mentally and emotionally unhealthy to be around?

Q&A question: Dealing with Toxic People

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-01

Truth in Love when Family is in Sin: My fiancé's sibling is transgender. I'm scared our future children will think it is a good thing and that it’s right. His family accepts this lifestyle unquestionably. I don't want to cut them out of our lives, but I don't know what else to do to protect our family. How can I be obedient to God and still be loving to his sibling and the rest of the family?

Q&A question: Truth in Love when Family is in Sin

parenting
Mike Winger idea 2022-07-01

Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?: How do I defend the Christian faith with my family when they always bring up Genesis 22: 18, arguing that Islam can also lead to salvation because it's an Abrahamic faith?

Q&A question: Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?

Genesis 22 Genesis Abraham salvation Genesis 22
Mike Winger idea 2022-08-05

Overcoming Negativity & Responding to “Church People” Behaving Badly: How can I overcome bitterness & negativity? I have been disappointed in friends, family, and "church people" a lot and I found out it has a big impact in my life.

Q&A question: Overcoming Negativity & Responding to “Church People” Behaving Badly

Mike Winger idea 2022-08-13

Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?: My family and I attend a church that is in fellowship with an organization that uses water during communion instead of wine or grape juice. They attempt to use John 19: 34 to justify this, and they also believe Jesus never consumed wine. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?

John 19 Jesus communion John 19
Mike Winger idea 2022-08-19

How to Reach Catholic Family Members: I’m a new believer, and my wife is a Catholic. Married 5 years. We have 2 very young baby daughters. How do I win my wife to Christ if she grew up rigidly Catholic? I can't break past her typological beliefs.

Q&A question: How to Reach Catholic Family Members

Roman Catholicism marriage
Mike Winger idea 2022-09-16

A Family Attending Different Churches: Is it okay to go to different churches while being under the same household? My family goes to a Pentecostal church, but I prefer a Baptist one.

Q&A question: A Family Attending Different Churches

Mike Winger idea 2022-12-02

Did God Rest for More than 1 Day?: In the beginning of Genesis, it says God rested on day 7, but considering no creation happens beyond day 7, didn't He technically rest for more than 1 day, or am I misunderstanding something? Also, is it possible to ask you to pray for me? I'm getting baptized on Sunday and I hope my unsaved friends and family turn to Christ when they watch.

Q&A question: Did God Rest for More than 1 Day?

Genesis baptism creation Genesis
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-16

Witnessing to Stubborn Family Members: Does “shaking the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10: 14) ever apply to family? Or are we to always endure in witnessing to family, despite continual rejection?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Stubborn Family Members

Matthew 10 Matthew Matthew 10 Matthew
Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Setting Biblical Boundaries as Parents: I had a domestic violence upbringing, and I now have a son of my own. I have fears of family telling me how to parent my son. How do I set healthy biblical boundaries that protect my son and honor Christ?

Q&A question: Setting Biblical Boundaries as Parents

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

Leading Others to Biblical Teachings: My family member LOVES Joel Osteen. What are some thoughtful questions I could ask that would naturally lead them to a more biblical, Christ-centered understanding of the Gospel?

Q&A question: Leading Others to Biblical Teachings

Joel Osteen Joel Osteen
Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing: I always get anxiety and my heart starts beating fast whenever I try to speak up about social or biblical Issues to my family (mainly my dad who is a Progressive Christian). How can I overcome this?

Q&A question: Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing

evangelism progressive Christianity anxiety and mental health
Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Faith = Just a Family Tradition?: My husband believes that faith comes about by family tradition, and that someone's faith is just an expression of what their family has taught them rather than actual faith in God. What does the bible say about this?

Q&A question: Faith = Just a Family Tradition?

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

OCD-Like Prayers: Any thoughts on struggles with OCD-like prayers? Ex: feeling the need to pray for protection over family members every day in fear that something bad will happen to them if I don’t.

Q&A question: OCD-Like Prayers

prayer
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family: Is it wrong that I don’t want to raise my son around my unbelieving family members? They can even be hostile to the faith. I even have a transgender niece, and my wife and I don’t want our son around that.

Q&A question: Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

The Heartache of an Unbelieving Family: I'm the only Christian in my whole biological family. How do I not despair at the fact that they're all headed to Hell as it stands? It’s leading me to doubt the goodness of God.

Q&A question: The Heartache of an Unbelieving Family

hell
Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

Should Christians Leave Ungodly Areas?: Does the Bible say Christians should relocate their family (especially with young kids), or stop having kids altogether if evil/injustice continues to grow in their community?

Q&A question: Should Christians Leave Ungodly Areas?

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-05

Why was David’s Family Punished?: In 2 Samuel 12: 10, why was the sword to never depart from David’s house if our sins aren’t supposed to carry over? Why was his family punished for his sin, and not just his son with Bathsheba but Ammon, etc.?

Q&A question: Why was David’s Family Punished?

David Samuel Bathsheba
Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Praying for the Sins of Others: Do we in any way need to (or can we) pray for the sins of another person, such as a family member? This topic was a recent one in some chats I am in. The verse cited was Leviticus 26: 40.

Q&A question: Praying for the Sins of Others

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Is Family Planning Sinful?: My church teaches that a couple must continuously have as many children as they're able, and it's seen as selfish and a sin resulting in church discipline if they use any form of family planning to stop. Many have 12-18 children as a result. Leadership says God wouldn't give more children than a couple can handle. Is this biblical? We already have 5 children.

Q&A question: Is Family Planning Sinful?

parenting
Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness: When I was a teen, I had depression leading to a suicide attempt. Through God I'm still here, married, and have a family. I read/study the Bible and pray, but I feel lost and far from God. Advice?

Q&A question: Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness

anxiety and mental health