It’s that time of the year again, when all the coolest bloggers bring their Top 10 lists out of the woodwork. “Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl 1:10-11).

This post lists the top 10 viewed posts this year, from among the posts we wrote this year. Next week, we’ll list the top 10 viewed posts from the full KW archive. May these lists give you much to consider and delight in as the holidays fill you with peace on earth and good will toward men.

10. No Good Tree Bears Bad Fruit

Six of the ten posts on this year’s list come from Ryan’s keyboard. This first entry looks at a quotable quote from two of Jesus’ sermons to show that he sometimes used the same phrases to mean different things. “Words and phrases have little to no meaning when lifted from their context.”

9. Context Matters: The Ten Commandments

We spent much time this year seeking to persuade readers that context matters. This is not the only such post to have landed with readers (if the pageview statistics can be interpreted as interest), and if we made the list longer, entries 11 through 15 would also be of the same ilk. This post shows that what is brief in Exodus is expanded in Deuteronomy: God Almighty gave these commands to his children out of love.

8. What to Do When the New Testament Quotes the Old

This is the first entry on the list from Peter, in which he argues that the New Testament authors are quoting not sentences but passages. Therefore, we ought to look up the Old Testament quotes and understand their context before we’ll understand how the New Testament author uses that text to make or illustrate his point.

7. What We Miss When We Skip the Prophets

Ryan laments the fact that 21% of the Bible typically doesn’t get 21% of our attention. And as a result, 79% of the Bible is at least 21% misunderstood because the prophetic background is too unfamiliar and thus goes unconsidered. But there is hope. And to find the hope, you have to read the prophets.

6. Reading the Bible for the Ten Thousandth Time

This conclusion to Ryan’s duology (see the next entry) rounds out the lower half of the list. There is a significant jump in pageviews between this and the next most viewed post. This post seeks to help you combat your Bible weariness and pursue continued intimacy with your compassionate Father. Remember: The problem lies not with the book but with us.

5. Reading the Bible for the First Time

This and the next three posts on this list were very close to one another in pageviews. “Imagine that a friend of yours has just become a Christian. She knows of your faith and asks to meet with you. Your friend knows the Bible is an important book for Christians, and she wants to read it. But she has no familiarity with the Bible at all. What would you say to her?”

4. Context Matters: Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit

No, Peter isn’t planning to get a “Mom” tattoo. But he does believe that, were he to debate the issue, “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” would be out of bounds. This post explains why.

3. What Should We Make of the Massive Repetition of Tabernacle Details in Exodus?

Sometimes people fear studying or teaching through the book of Exodus because they fear they won’t know what to do with all the tabernacle details. And then what do you do when nearly every detail is repeated? What a marvelous opportunity to strengthen our observation skills!

2. Context Matters: Valley of Dry Bones

“The Lord himself makes the interpretation clear to Ezekiel. There is no reason for us to be unclear on this ourselves. The dead bones coming back to life are a picture of the exiled people being brought back into the land of Israel, placed in their own land. A people without hope are resurrected to new hope.”

1. 4 Bible Studies for Lent

Last year, Ryan proposed a set of sample Bible studies for Advent. This year, he took on Lent. These studies each focus on one gospel’s account of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. These studies take you right to the text, building your confidence that you can study God’s word for yourself.

It’s hip and cool for bloggers to post their top 10 posts of the year. And we want to be hip and cool. Our hearts tell us to do it, and the Bible says to “walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes” (Eccl 11:9). So here goes.

Last week, we gave you the top 10 posts from those written in 2017. Now, we list the top 10 posts from the full KW archive. If lots of other people are reading these posts, you probably should be, too.

10. Teach Bible Study to a 12-Year-Old

Many people care about their pre-teens.

9. How I Prepare a Bible Study

In another post I explain, in the abstract, 5 practices for preparing effective Bible studies. In this post, I describe what it looks like for me to employ those practices.

8. 10 Reasons to Avoid Sexual Immorality

This was the most-viewed post in 2014, but it hasn’t been on the list since then. I’m delighted to see a resurgence in its appeal.

7. Top 11 OT Verses Quoted in NT

This post was part of my 2013 series analyzing every Old Testament quotation in the New Testament. This one focusing on verses seems to be the one people first stumble on to. This post was #3 on this list last year.

6. Teach Bible Study to a 4-Year-Old

Many people care about teaching their kids when they’re getting close to school age. This post was #4 on this list last year.

5. Top 10 OT Books Quoted in the NT

From the most quoted verses (#7 above), people usually find this list of the most quoted books.

4. 10 Old Testament Books Never Quoted in the New Testament

This post was also part of my 2013 series analyzing every Old Testament quotation in the New Testament. Good to know not only what’s said, but also what’s not said. This post was #7 on this list last year.

3. Why Elihu is So Mysterious

This 2015 post had an unexpected popularity this year. Elihu is that mysterious 4th friend in the book of Job. If you even knew he existed, chances are you’ve skipped his speeches entirely. This post is my attempt to explain his role in the drama of the play of Job.

2. Details of the OIA Method

We put this one into the top menu so people could find it easily. It pretty much explains why this blog exists, so we’re glad it gets a lot of pageviews.

1. Summary of the OIA Method

See the previous post, unless you want less of a detailed explanation and more of a summary. Then see this post instead.

 

It’s that time of the year again, when all the coolest bloggers bring their Top 10 lists out of the woodwork. “Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl 1:10-11).

This post lists the top 10 viewed posts this year, from among the posts we wrote this year. Next week, we’ll list the top 10 viewed posts from the full KW archive. May these lists give you much to consider and delight in as the new year rolls off the horizon into your chosen time zone.

10. Exodus 15:1-21: I Will Sing to the Lord

Exodus 15 is the first major climax in the book, and this post represents my climactic attempt to explain what’s happening in the text. We must sing to Yahweh, for there is no other god who can cast down his enemies and raise up his people.

9. The Resurrection of Jesus According to Mark

We celebrated Easter this year with a short series explaining the unique main points of the gospel’s resurrection narratives. You did know each gospel has a unique point to make, right? According to Mark, the King has come, but he is not here; so everything must change.

8. You Can Read the Bible to Your Kids

I can’t believe I never realized before this year that I had permission to simply read the Bible to my kids. Family devotionals, children’s Bibles, workbooks, and curricula are all fine and good, but just not necessary. Only one thing is necessary: living bread for hungry souls. About an hour, once per week, isn’t so bad. It’s become a delightful part of our family’s routine. And I have to keep a promise to my daughter.

7. Exodus 3:1-4:17: The Making of a Mediator

The most viewed post thus far from my Exodus walk through. Perhaps we can all relate to Moses in his hesitation and excuses. And praise God for a better Moses who never hesitated.

6. Leading Women’s Bible Studies: Not Just for Women

It’s rare for one of my “check it out” posts to garner this much attention. But for good reason: When it comes to Bible study, Jen Wilkin knows what she’s talking about. And her wisdom is not just for women. Don’t discount it just because she works primarily with ladies.

5. The Resurrection of Jesus According to Matthew

Ryan Higginbottom kicked off our resurrection series with this gem. According to Matthew, the risen Jesus is the gracious king of the Jews, the Messiah. Great news!

4. The Resurrection of Jesus According to John

For John, the resurrection is not only the climax, but also the full substance, of his message. Jesus truly is the Son of God, the Messiah who makes all things new, the source and essence of life. You can trust him with your life

3. E-Sword: Bible Study Software for Everyone

This year was a year of many reviews, and two of them were among the top 3 viewed posts of the year. Ryan wrote this review of a free Bible software program to assist you in your handling of the Scripture.

2. CSB Study Bible: Great Translation, Fine Study Resource

This review was my first exposure to the new Christian Standard Bible published this year. And while I didn’t like the study Bible nearly as much as the reader’s Bible, I happily recommend the translation in any edition you find most helpful.

1. 4 Bible Studies for Advent

Views of this post were almost 3 times higher than the second-place post, even though this post published later in the year than any other on this list. I urge you to consider Ryan’s advice to offer your families Bible studies and not mere devotionals. Feed them God’s word, and not just what some author had to say about portions of God’s word.

 

 

 

It’s hip and cool for bloggers to post their top 10 posts of the year. And we want to be hip and cool. Our hearts tell us to do it, and the Bible says to “walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes” (Eccl 11:9). So here goes.

10. Buying a Markup Bible

This post from Ryan Higginbottom in early 2015 saw a resurgence of interest in 2016. Do you have a decent markup Bible for study?

9. Free OIA Summary Booklet

We’re tickled by how this one took off. We wanted to offer a free resource that summarizes all the key ideas in one place. It’s not the best place to start, as it has no examples or illustrations. But it makes a decent reference.

8. You Have Enough Time to Study the Bible

This post, along with #6, was part of Ryan’s series answering common objections people have to studying the Bible.

7. 10 Old Testament Books Never Quoted in the New Testament

This post was part of my 2013 series analyzing every Old Testament quotation in the New Testament. This one seemed to connect with people this year. Good to know not only what’s said, but also what’s not said.

6. You Are Smart Enough to Study the Bible

This post, along with #8, was part of Ryan’s series answering common objections people have to studying the Bible.

5. Teach Bible Study to a 2-Year-Old

Many people really care about their kids! Just like Jesus (Matt 19:14).

4. Teach Bible Study to a 4-Year-Old

Many people care even more about their kids when they’re getting close to school age.

3. Top 11 OT Verses Quoted in NT

This post was part of my 2013 series analyzing every Old Testament quotation in the New Testament. This one focusing on verses seems to be the one people first stumble on to.

2. Summary of the OIA Method

We put this one into the top menu so people could find it easily. It pretty much explains why this blog exists, so we’re glad it gets a lot of pageviews.

1. Details of the OIA Method

See the previous post, unless you want less of a summary and more of a detailed explanation. Then see this post instead.

Last week we shared the 10 most popular posts on Knowable Word from 2015. Today, we’re sharing the 10 posts of 2015 that were the most fun for us to write.

Ryan

5. How to Ruin a Small Group Discussion in 4 Easy Steps

I wrote this post tongue-in-cheek, which was a lot of fun. This post was part of my series on attending small group Bible studies, and I wrote most of it using examples from years of witnessing (and leading!) mediocre-to-bad discussions.

4. When Bible Study Meets Real Life

Who has the time to do all of this OIA Bible study? In this post I suggest looking at your devotional life through the lens of Bible intake, making sure not to neglect Bible study entirely.

3. How to Apply the Bible in Community

I taught a Sunday school class at my church this past year on how to study the Bible. While teaching, I was struck with how much Christians need each other to apply the Bible. This post offered the “how” portion of my answer.

2. Why We Need Community to Apply the Bible

See above. In this post, I tried to put my finger on why Christianity is not a solo venture. I love it when I can draw directly on the lessons God is teaching me for my posts.

1. Don’t Forget the Gospel During Bible Study

This was a post where I was preaching to myself. Whether I feel like a success or a failure after personal or group Bible study, I need to return again and again to the central message of the Bible—the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Peter

5. 50 Observations of John 3:16

I could hardly contain my excitement when students from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania took my challenge (from page 42 of Knowable Word) to make 50 observations of John 3:16. They sent me a photo of an autographed white board as the fruit of their labor.

4. Top 10 Curses of Study Bibles

Study Bibles are like guns. They are dangerous and require extreme caution. We should have rules about how to use them safely.

3. (Almost) How the Bible was Meant to be Read

To date, my favorite book to review has been the ESV Reader’s Bible. This thing will change the way you read the Bible. Check it out.

2. Don’t Neglect the Lesser-Known Commands of God

My April Fool’s post for this year was full of fun and good cheer. To both celebrate April Fool’s Day and teach the importance of context, I could think of nothing better than ridiculously to rip Scripture from its context.

1. Why God Speaks to Job Twice

I really enjoyed all the posts I wrote on the book of Job this year. These posts came out of a sermon series at my church, and this one was my favorite of the bunch.

In severe suffering, Job has accused God of doing wrong and of remaining silent. But God arrives, speaking out of the whirlwind, to put Job in his place. Job 38:1-39:30 records God’s first speech, recounting the wildness, inscrutability, and uncontrollable power of God’s creation. Duly humbled, Job tries to slink away like an amateur diver whose loosely tied trunks slipped off at surface impact.

But God will have nothing of the sort. “Oh no, you don’t. I’m not done with you yet.”

It’s hip and cool for bloggers to post their top 10 posts of the year. And we want to be hip and cool. Our hearts tell us to do it, and the Bible says to “walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes” (Eccl 11:9). So here goes.

10. A Bible Reading Plan for Readers

I posted this one last year, and then just re-posted it last week. That helps to encourage people to read it more, which encourages them to read the Bible more. I think.

9. Top 11 OT Verses Quoted in NT

This post was part of my 2013 series analyzing every Old Testament quotation in the New Testament. This one focusing on verses seems to be the one people first stumble on to.

8. How to Encourage Heart-Oriented Application

This post does just what you might expect it to do from the title.

7. Don’t Be a Commentary Junkie

Just don’t do it, okay? Your Bible study will be so much better for it.

6. Teach Bible Study to a 2-Year-Old

Many people really care about their kids! Just like Jesus (Matt 19:14).

5. Summary of the OIA Method

We put this one into the top menu so people could find it easily. It pretty much explains why this blog exists, so we’re glad it gets a lot of pageviews.

4. Details of the OIA Method

See the previous post, unless you want less of a summary and more of a detailed explanation. Then see this post instead.

3. Teach Bible Study to a 4-Year-Old

Many people care even more about their kids when they’re getting close to school age.

2. Main Points for All 66 Books of the Bible

This just isn’t fair. This, my most read post of 2015, barely contains any original content! I copied it all out of the NIV Proclamation Bible. I suppose there’s something deliciously humbling about this post’s popularity.

1. Teach Your Child to Have Devotions

And what’s even more delicious is that the #1 post belongs to Ryan, not me. This post was not only the most popular of 2015; its publication spawned the most heavily trafficked day in this blog’s history. I praise God for Ryan’s partnership! Best line: “When your child is old enough to read, give him a Bible and train him to use it.”

‘Tis the season for reflection and celebration. So to join the fun, here are the 10 most-viewed posts of the year. Be sure not to miss them; this could be your last chance.

10. How to Honor God with Your Money

A Bible study on Proverbs 1:10-19 that gets specific with application.

9. 10 Old Testament Books Never Quoted in the New Testament

Part of my series analyzing every explicit NT quotation of the OT. This post lists all the OT books never explicitly quoted (though most of them are certainly alluded to) by NT authors.

8. The Best Wedding Sermon Ever

A recording of the sermon preached at my wedding, from Song of Solomon 2:1-3:5. I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and this remains the best sermon I’ve ever heard.

7. Top 11 Old Testament Verses Quoted in the New Testament

Another installment in the NT-use-of-the-OT analysis. Could this one be so popular because we like to know what the Apostles’ favorite memory verses may have been?

6. Details of the OIA Method

This post serves as a table of contents to all my posts about the OIA method. When new visitors find the site, this post shows them the way to all the nuts and bolts of OIA Bible study (observe, interpret, apply).

5. Teach Bible Study to a 2-Year-Old

Who wouldn’t want to teach their littlest ones how to study God’s word?

4. Teach Bible Study to a 4-Year-Old

Last year, the 2-year-old post was more popular, but this year, the post about 4-year-olds edged it out.

3. Summary of the OIA Method

This post’s popularity doesn’t surprise me, as I link to it all the time. It is the centerpiece of the site, and I want to direct readers there early and often.

2. 3 Disciplines to Develop Wise Speech

This post from the “how to lead a Bible study” series brought a huge surge in traffic late in the year when Tim Challies linked to it. I’m delighted to see readers willing to focus on character in addition to learning skills.

1. 10 Reasons to Avoid Sexual Immorality

In March, I compiled this quick list of observations of Proverbs 6:24-35 about all the good reasons to avoid sexual sin. My usual blogging time had been cut in half that week due to other pressures of life, and I just wanted to get something out there for my ongoing Bible study through Proverbs 1-9. I didn’t even have time to write a proper introduction with a decent hook. To my utter surprise, though, Tim Challies, and then many others, liked the post and linked to it, and many more shared it on social media. The post quickly became the most-viewed post in the history of this blog.

May the sure promises of God’s word guide us, and may the Lord himself rescue us in those times when we consider doing something stupid.

———————–

And for your reading pleasure, here were the next 10 most viewed posts:

11. What Frozen Taught Me About Bible Study

12. How to Lead a Great Bible Study

13. Why I Don’t Like Inductive Bible Study

14. Why Did Jesus Feed the 5,000?

15. Easy Sex Will Keep You From Being Wise

16. Sample Bible Study Leader’s Notes

17. Four Modern Versions of the Bible that are Ruining the Bible

18. How to Recognize Sowers of Discord

19. Ask Good Observation Questions

20. What Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) Taught Me About Bible Study

Please let me know if you have any ideas for topics you’d like to see in 2015. Only one rule: It must in some way help ordinary people learn to study the Bible.