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Christian Living

We Must Rethink Sunday School

Reform Sunday School as an Education Service to Your Community

It may be strange to see Sunday school on this list of things we must change for our churches, but we should carefully reexamine it. Do you know the original mission of this Sunday program?

It was to teach poor children how to read. And the church used the most accessible book to them, the Bible. It was a pleasant side effect that in teaching children to read, this Sunday educational program also taught them about God through the Bible.

By the time public schools came into existence and took over this job of teaching children how to read, Sunday school had become entrenched in churches.

Instead of realizing they had accomplished their objective and shutting it down, they shifted its focus to teach the church’s children about God.

It didn’t matter that this was the parent’s responsibility (Proverbs 22:6, as well as Deuteronomy 6:6–7 and Ephesians 6:4). Though parents can supplement their efforts with other resources, let’s not depend on Sunday school to be one of them.

English as a Second Language

We could use this as justification for shutting down our Sunday schools, but a better approach might be to reform this practice from the internal program that it has become back into a service effort to help those in our community, just as was the original intent.

One example that would apply in many areas in the United States is to look at teaching English as a second language (ESL). Though many ESL programs already exist, they don’t reach everyone.

Beyond ESL classes, meeting any unmet community educational need would fit nicely.

Regardless, the church should reform their Sunday school practice to address needs in their community.

Parents should resume their biblical role to tell their children about Jesus. They are the primary spiritual educators of their children. This removes the need for Sunday school, which we can re-envision as a program to help those in our community.

Read the next post in this series about things we must change in our discussion about Christian unity and loving others.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Proverbs 22-24 and today’s post is on Proverbs 22:6.]

Read more about this in Peter’s thought-provoking book, Jesus’s Broken Church, available in e-book, audiobook, 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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Christian Living

Have We Lost the Bible?

The High Priest Found the Book of the Law When They Cleaned the Temple

As the priest worked on restoring the temple, he stumbled on the Book of the Law. They had misplaced it. They had lost the Bible. Though their religious practices as prescribed in the Book of the Law continued in some manner, they didn’t have the original document it was based on.

King Josiah

This happened when Josiah was king. He began his reign when he was eight years old and ruled for 31 years. The Bible says he did right in God’s eyes. It was during the eighteenth year of his reign that the priest found the Bible.

Josiah’s father was Amon. He, however, did evil in God’s eyes and only reigned two years. His officials conspired against him and assassinated him.

Josiah’s grandfather was Manasseh. He had a long reign of 55 years. He also did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Josiah’s great grandfather was Hezekiah. He reigned for 29 years. He did what was right in God’s eyes, just like his ancestor, King David.

When did things go wrong? When did they lose the Bible?

Though they could have lost the Bible during the neglectful reigns of Kings Amon and Manasseh, it could have gone back much further. How long had the nation’s religious practices relied on the memory of what the Book of the Law contained, without the written document to guide them?

Having lost the Bible, these people became untethered from the foundation of their faith. It’s no wonder that Josiah’s father and grandfather strayed so far from God’s intention and did evil.

Have We Lost the Bible Today?

Though copies of the Bible abound today, I wonder how well we do in using it as the foundation to guide our faith. If we want a relationship with the God who is revealed in the Bible, we need to follow what the Bible says.

Many followers of Jesus continue to use the Bible as their source to anchor their faith, to keep them tethered to the Almighty who we find disclosed in Scripture.

Yet other adherents have decoupled their religious practices from the Word of God. They reject what it says—either fully or in part—judging it to be out of touch and irrelevant today.

At best they read the Bible as if holding a pair of scissors in their hand, cutting out the parts they don’t like or disagree with. They have lost the Bible.

Reclaim the Bible as the Word of God

If we want to live a life that truly matters, one that brings us into right relationship with the God of the Bible and guides us to better connect with others in our world, we need to acknowledge the Bible as the written word of God. We need to find the Bible.

To reclaim the Bible means to read it, study it, and meditate on what it says. It means to believe it. This includes all of it—whether we agree with it or not. Doing anything less means drifting away from God and pursuing a faith that’s untethered from any firm foundation.

For those who have lost the Bible, it’s time to take it back.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is 2 Kings 20-22 and today’s post is on 2 Kings 22:8-11.]

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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.

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Bible Study

John Bible Study, Day 24: Jesus’s New Command

Today’s passage: John 13:18–38

Focus verse: “A new command I give you: Love one another.” (John 13:34)

Though love is a common theme throughout Scripture, Jesus places an even greater emphasis on it. So does John. 

John often writes about love. Except for Psalms, John’s biography of Jesus mentions love more than any other book of the Bible. The book of 1 John continues this emphasis on love, which also recurs in 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

In John, we read that God loves us, that God loves Jesus, that Jesus loves us, and that we are to love one another. We also read in John that Jesus loves Lazarus, and that John is the disciple Jesus loves.

When asked which command is the greatest, it shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus’s answer focuses on love.

He says the most essential command is for us to love God. The second most important one is to love others. Though John doesn’t include this teaching in his book, the other three biographers of Jesus do (Matthew 22:36–40, Mark 12:28–31, and Luke 10:25–28).

The basis for loving God stems from the Old Testament. Many times, Deuteronomy says we are to serve and love God with all our heart and our soul (such as Deuteronomy 10:12). Another verse instructs us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Now, in this passage, Jesus tells his disciples he’s giving them a new command. Jesus’s new command is to love one another. 

But don’t stop. Continue reading. By loving one another we prove we’re his disciples. Love is our witness. To make sure we don’t miss it, Jesus repeats his command to love each other (John 15:17).

It’s clear that to love God is most important. Jesus confirms this Old Testament command and then extends that instruction of loving God by adding that we should love one another too. By loving God first, he enables us to love others.

But love is a confusing word in today’s modern society, covering the full gamut of emotions from preference to passion. For us to understand the love Jesus is talking about, we should apply the words of Paul from his letter to the Corinthian church.

He writes, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, does not boast, and is not proud. Love honors others, isn’t selfish, doesn’t get upset, and doesn’t keep track of other’s offenses.

Love celebrates truth and disapproves of evil. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres” (see 1 Corinthians 13:4–8).

We can follow Paul’s explanation of love when we obey Jesus’s new command—his instruction—to love each other.

Questions:

  1. How can you better love God?
  2. How can you better love others?
  3. What does it mean to serve and love God with all your heart, soul, and strength?
  4. Does your love for others serve as a witness that you’re Jesus’s disciple?
  5. Which one of Paul’s love attributes do you need to work on the most?

Discover more about love in John 14:15, John 14:23–30, and John 15:9–17. What insights can you glean from these passages?

Read the next lesson or start at the beginning of this study.

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.


Read more in Peter’s new book, Living Water: 40 Reflections on Jesus’s Life and Love from the Gospel of John, available everywhere in e-book, 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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

Goals for Fathers

Four Action Items to Guide Dads to Raise Great Children

Making a baby doesn’t make a male a father. Not really. Helping to raise the children they produce is what truly makes a male a man. Here are four goals for fathers to guide us into being the best dad we can be.

Be Present

In the United States, too many children do not live with their biological fathers. This must change.

The first of our goals for fathers is to be present in our children’s lives. Ideally this means living with them and their mothers. Though a few fathers have no control over this, most do. Regardless, fathers must be present in the lives of their children to whatever degree possible.

Be Engaged

Presence is a great start for dads, but it’s just the beginning.

The next of our goals for fathers is to be engaged with our children. This means spending time with them. Not just in the same room but interacting with them. This may mean playing with them, talking with them, or encouraging them. We can teach and model life skills to them as we do chores and work with them around the house.

As children become older, their desire for independence grows. But this doesn’t mean fathers shouldn’t seek to engage with their kids. Just because they become teenagers, doesn’t give us a pass. Continue to be present and engaged in their lives. Even if they complain about it a bit, they’ll secretly be glad we care.

Be Intentional

As we’re present and engaged in our kids’ lives, seek to be intentional. This is the third of our goals for fathers.

Though not everything needs to be a teachable moment or a building block to profound, lifelong transformation, we should look for and plan for significant opportunities to prepare our children for their future.

Sometimes the groundwork to provide an intentional moment will fall flat. Yet other times opportunities for intentionality will present themselves when we don’t expect it. We must be ready to adjust our plans to capitalize on these moments. They may never come along again, and we may never get a second chance.

Being intentional in both big things and small things matters. Not everything need be a monumental, daylong extravaganza. Intentionality can also occur in small moments to produce a lasting impact.

Be Available

The fourth of our goals for fathers is to be available to their kids. It’s saying yes whenever possible. It’s being willing to set our plans aside when they ask for help. If we say no too often, we risk that they’ll stop asking. And then we’ve lost our chance to influence them and prepare them for their future.

Perfection Isn’t Required

Achieving these four goals for fathers is challenging, increasingly so as we move through the list. Yet we shouldn’t let the difficulty overwhelm us. Only our heavenly father is the perfect dad, which shows us as his imperfect followers—and fathers.

When it comes to being a successful father, we will make mistakes. We will falter. Yet with diligence we’ll succeed more often than we fail. And that’s what our kids need and what they desire.

Successful fathers are present, engaged, intentional, and available. You can do it!

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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.

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Visiting Churches

Mormon: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church #73

Next on my mental list of churches to visit sits a contentious consideration. It’s Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS for short). I remain undecided if we should visit them or not.

Consider these three discussion questions about Church 73.

1. I read that most Mormons consider themselves Christians, whereas most non-Mormon Christians don’t. I suspect this conclusion, however, comes mostly from a lack of accurate information.

How can we form a nonjudgmental understanding about the faith journey of others? 

2. The Mormons Candy and I know exemplify Christian talk, behavior, and beliefs more so than a lot of Christians we know.

Which do we esteem more, people who say they’re Christian or those who act like it?

3. Mormons hold to some beliefs that non-Mormons find strange. Yet, I suspect, the same holds true with every church.

How open are we to other spiritual practices? How sure are we of our own?

[Read about Church 73 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

If you feel it’s time to move from the sidelines and get into the game, The More Than 52 Churches Workbook provides the plan to get you there.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

How Important Is Seminary for Today’s Church Leaders?

Knowing Jesus and Hearing the Holy Spirit Is Better Than Formal Education

Most all churches expect their clergy to have undergone formal, academic education. Many insist on a seminary degree, especially for their ordained ministers. From a worldly standpoint this makes sense. But from God’s perspective I can imagine him laughing.

Look at the credentials of Jesus’s twelve disciples. They were ordinary people, having received no higher education beyond that which all Hebrew children underwent. They had a relationship with Jesus. Their one essential qualification is that they spent time with Jesus.

Don’t miss that. Their one essential qualification is that they spent time with Jesus.

Though today’s leaders can’t spend physical time with Jesus, they can in the spiritual sense. They should. They must. Walking with Jesus in an intimate way and having his Holy Spirit lead them—just like in the Bible—is what we most need from our church leaders today.

If they don’t have a close relationship with Jesus, nothing else matters. Their credentials accomplish nothing.

A Personal Relationship with Jesus

Instead of emphasizing a personal relationship with Jesus, today’s seminaries focus on an academic deep dive into the Bible. This in-depth training ensures that graduates overflow with a substantial theological foundation, of which most church members care little about.

One common argument made in favor of seminary is that it’s a necessary protection against heresy. Yet, most all major heresies in the past two thousand years have come from trained clergy.

In truth, seminary best prepares graduates to teach other seminary students. But it falls short in equipping its students to provide the type of ministry functions that people at churches want.

Even worse, I fear formal religious education downplays having a relationship with Jesus and following the Holy Spirit, making these traits secondary in importance.

We need to select our clergy based on their godly character and not their seminary diploma. We must reorder our priorities away from man-made credentials and toward godly character.

Read the next post in this series about things we must change in our discussion about Sunday school.

Read more about this in Peter’s thought-provoking book, Jesus’s Broken Church, available in e-book, audiobook, 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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Bible Insights

3 Unusual Examples of God’s Healing Power

God Uses His People to Heal the Hurting

Elisha dies, but his influence lives on. Yes, Elisha continues to teach us today, thousands of years after his death, through the words recorded about him in the Bible. However, he also has a practical effect on someone postmortem.

It’s one example of God’s amazing healing power through his people.

1. The Healing Power of Elisha’s Bones

A man dies, and his friends are burying him when a gang of bandits come into view. Not wanting to end up like their buddy, the pallbearers dump the body in the nearest tomb.

It happens to be Elisha’s final resting place. When the body touches the bones of Elisha, the dead man becomes undead and jumps to his feet (2 Kings 13:21).

This is an amazing example of God’s power to heal. It’s the ultimate healing: resurrection. But that’s not all. Here are two more stories.

2. The Healing Power of Peter’s Shadow

The Bible also tells about people bringing their infirmed friends and placing them on the street where they expect Peter to travel. They hope Peter’s shadow might fall on the sick as he passes by.

Though the Bible doesn’t explicitly say that people received healing this way, why would they go to this trouble if Peter’s shadow hadn’t healed others in the past? (Acts 5:15).

3. The Healing Power of Paul’s Handkerchief

Later in the book of Acts, we read about God doing astonishing miracles through Paul. This supernatural power is so extraordinary that even handkerchiefs and aprons that Paul touches have the power to heal people.

They bring these garments to people who need healing. The people who receive them are cured and evil spirits are cast out, even though Paul isn’t physically present (Acts 19:11-12).

God’s Power to Heal Is in Us

God’s healing power occurs through a dead man’s bones, a shadow, and articles of clothing. Is God still in the business of healing people? How can these examples inform our view of miracles and how we act today?

[Read through the Bible this year. Today’s reading is 2 Kings 11-13, and today’s post is on 2 Kings 13:21.]

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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.

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Bible Study

John Bible Study, Day 23: Washing Feet

Today’s passage: John 13:1–17

Focus verse: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)

John shares the story of when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. This perplexing account confuses many people and often leaves us wondering how to react. Before we explore this, let’s pull back and look at the context.

Jesus’s days on earth are nearing their end. He loves his followers. And despite the physical and spiritual pain he will soon endure when he dies on the cross as a sacrifice for the collective sins of humanity, his love will persevere.

At this challenging time, he wants to show his disciples how much he loves them.

They’re reclining around the Passover meal, when Jesus gets up to wash his disciples’ feet. Feet washing is an expected custom of the day that should occur before the meal, but no servants are around to perform this menial task.

The disciples may assume they can skip the tradition this one time. 

Jesus has other ideas. He’ll do it. Taking on the role of servant, the master intends to serve his followers. He will wash and dry their feet before they eat.

This makes Peter squirm. The idea of his Rabbi doing this humble job doesn’t sit right with him. And he may feel guilty for not volunteering to do this himself instead of leaving the task to Jesus.

When he objects, Jesus says, “Though you don’t understand what I’m doing now, you will later.”

Peter says, “I won’t let you wash my feet. Not now. Not ever.”

Jesus persists. He washes the disciples’ feet, including Peter’s. Completing his task, Jesus returns to his place at the table. After the meal, he explains what he did.

“You call me ‘Teacher,’ and you’re right to do so. I’ve taught you one more thing through my example. As I have washed your feet, wash each other’s. Now that you know this, do it. You’ll receive blessings when you do.”

In an act to show his love, Jesus humbled himself to wash his disciples’ feet. Since a pre-meal foot washing is no longer a custom today, we’re left to ponder if we should physically wash one another’s feet or treat this as a figurative command to serve one another.

If we pursue a literal foot washing, we do so as a rite since the act no longer serves the practical purpose it once did. The practice carries no value now.

The better practice may come from applying Jesus’s example and looking for ways to serve others. When we do, we act in his name. Our actions will bless the people we help, and our obedience to Jesus will bless him.

Questions:

  1. How can you better love others?
  2. How willing are you to serve others in a menial way?
  3. Where do you fit on the humility/pride scale?
  4. What can you do to figuratively wash one another’s feet? 
  5. What do you think about your actions serving as a blessing to God?

Discover more about washing feet in 1 Timothy 5:9–10. What insights can you glean from this passage?

Read the next lesson or start at the beginning of this study.

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.


Read more in Peter’s new book, Living Water: 40 Reflections on Jesus’s Life and Love from the Gospel of John, available everywhere in e-book, 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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

Are You Christ Curious?

Learn More about Jesus and What His Life Means

Some people view Jesus as a great historical figure, an insightful teacher, or a guru who taught and exemplified the importance of loving others. They’re intrigued by him and want to learn more. They are Christ curious.

Other people go all in for Jesus. They follow him with zeal. They revere him as their savior and esteem him as their friend.

But making such a grand commitment it’s too big a stretch for the Christ curious. They’re intrigued by Jesus and want to learn more. Maybe they’ll take a cautious step toward him, or maybe they won’t. First they want information. What should they do to learn more about Jesus?

Ask Others

One way the Christ curious person can learn more about Jesus is to ask people who know him—or at least know about him. Once you’ve identified the person to talk to, simply ask, “What can you tell me about Jesus?” or “What does it mean to follow Jesus?”

Most every person, however, has their own ideas about Jesus. And they may not align with others. In fact, ask ten people about Jesus, and you’re get ten answers.

This may be an intellectually stimulating exercise, but it might not yield much clarity about Jesus.

Go to Church

If you are Christ curious, you could also try going to church. This is where you can learn more about Jesus—at least in theory. Although many churches focus on Jesus in their services, others have wandered so far away from him as the source of their beliefs that they rarely mention him.

For this reason, you may need to visit many churches before you find one that clicks with your mission to learn more about Jesus.

Read Jesus’s Biographies

If you are Christ curious, you could also read books about Jesus, but why not go to the original source? The Bible contains four biographies of Jesus. Each one is named after its author: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

These biographies of Jesus are also called gospels. They cover his life: what he did and what he said. John was a disciple of Jesus and an eyewitness to what he did.

Matthew and Mark may have been eyewitnesses, too, although not as close as John. Luke was not an eyewitness, but he did thoroughly research everything before writing his biography about Jesus.

Recommended Gospels for the Christ Curious

Which one should you read first? Though I suggest every Christ curious person read all four of the biographies of Jesus, here are some ideas to get you started.

John; The book of John is unique among the four biographies of Jesus. It is beloved by many. As we’ve mentioned, John was both a disciple and an eyewitness to what he wrote about.

John, however, was likely the last to write his biography of Jesus, so there’s a time lag between when the events occurred and when he recorded them for us to read. John’s writing is lyrical, at times poetic.

If you want to reach slowly and marinate in the text as you contemplate multiple levels of meaning, John’s biography of Jesus is the place to start.

Luke: In contrast, the book of Luke is an easy read and contains some delightful details not covered in the other biographies of Jesus. It’s my go-to gospel.

Mark: The book of Mark is the shortest of the four biographies of Jesus. For the Christ curious person who wants a quick read to cover the essential facts, Mark is the book for you.

Matthew: This isn’t to discount the book of Matthew, which many people know best, perhaps because it appears first in the New Testament of the Bible. But it may not be the place to start.

Move Forward

If you’re Christ curious—and even if you’re not—don’t rely on secondhand information. Go to the original sources and read the four biographies of Jesus in the Bible.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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.

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Visiting Churches

Considering a Visit to a Mormon Church: Church #73

Next on my mental list of churches to visit sits a contentious consideration. I refer to Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS for short).

I read that most Mormons consider themselves Christians, whereas most non-Mormon Christians don’t, viewing them as a sect or even a cult. Vitriol emerges.

I suspect this non-Christian label, however, comes mostly from a lack of good information. The Mormons Candy and I know exemplify Christian talk, behavior, and beliefs—more so than a lot of the other Christians we know. 

Most people I’ve talked with about the subject hold strong views on the topic. Yet their opinions are seldom based on firsthand experience.

Instead, they form their assessment using secondhand information and citing the views of others, which may spring from questionable motives.

Mormons hold to some beliefs that non-Mormons have difficulty accepting or comprehending. Yet, I suspect, the same holds true for every Christian church in existence.

At our various churches we all do things that seem normal to us as insiders and questionable to those on the outside looking in.

The closest LDS church is a fifteen-minute drive away, making it the most accessible of any of these final four churches under consideration.

Still, I remain undecided if we should visit or not. As such, visiting a Mormon church remains an academic consideration and nothing more.

[See the discussion questions for Church 73, read about Church 74, or start at the beginning of our journey.]

Get your copy of More Than 52 Churches today, available in e-book, 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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.