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The Mystery of God’s Will

Have you ever wondered if you are living within the will of God? Despite its complexity, Scripture still offers a lot of clarity about knowing and doing God’s will.

Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll for an inspiring series on the will of God.

Learn how to think theologically, make wise decisions, and walk obediently. And ultimately remember that God uses all things for your good and His glory!


Understanding the will of God is one of the most complex yet essential pursuits of the Christian life. In this 11-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll moves beyond simple formulas to explore the deep, and often mysterious, nature of how God directs our lives. By distinguishing between God’s sovereign, decreed will and His permissive will, Chuck provides a theological framework that helps believers make wise decisions, handle closed doors, and trust in God’s unchanging character even when His path seems unclear.

1. Foundational Principles about God’s Will

  • Overview: Introduces the three aspects of God’s will: His decreed will (what He makes happen), His perceptive will (what He reveals in Scripture), and His permissive will (what He allows).
  • Key Fact: Understanding these distinctions prevents us from blaming God for human sin while still resting in His ultimate control.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 1:11 – “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance… according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”

2. Moving from Theory to Reality

  • Overview: Addresses the frustration of waiting. Chuck explores how we bridge the gap between knowing God has a plan in theory and experiencing it in the “messy” reality of daily life.
  • Key Fact: God’s will is rarely a straight line; it often involves “holding patterns” designed to develop our character and patience.
  • Scripture: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.”

3. Fleshing Out the Will of God

  • Overview: Focuses on the “revealed” will of God in Scripture. Before seeking “secret” guidance, we must be obedient to what God has already clearly commanded.
  • Key Fact: God is unlikely to reveal the “unknown” parts of His will if we are ignoring the “known” parts found in the Bible.
  • Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”

4. Another Deep Mystery: God’s Sovereignty

  • Overview: A deep dive into the absolute authority of God. Chuck explains that because God is sovereign, nothing is an accident, even the events that cause us pain.
  • Key Fact: Sovereignty is the “cushion” for our hearts in times of crisis; it means God has the final word over every circumstance.
  • Scripture: Psalm 115:3 – “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”

5. Reading God’s Mysterious Lips

  • Overview: Discusses how to discern God’s leading through circumstances, inner peace, and the counsel of others. It warns against “fleece-setting” and encourages a mature use of wisdom.
  • Key Fact: Discernment is a process of “reading” how God’s Spirit aligns with His Word and our current opportunities.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.”

6. The Magnificent ”Chesed” of God

  • Overview: Explores the Hebrew concept of Chesed—God’s loyal, steadfast, loving-kindness. This attribute is the “safety net” that ensures God’s will is always motivated by love.
  • Key Fact: No matter how difficult God’s will may seem, it is always an expression of His “loyal love” toward His children.
  • Scripture: Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness (Chesed) is everlasting.”

7. God’s Mysterious Immutability

  • Overview: Addresses the “unchanging” nature of God. Because God does not change His mind, His character, or His purposes, His will is a stable foundation.
  • Key Fact: God’s immutability means His promises are just as reliable today as they were when they were first written.
  • Scripture: Malachi 3:6 – “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

8. Can God’s Will Make Us Holy?

  • Overview: Explains that the primary objective of God’s will is not our comfort, but our sanctification. God uses the “tough stuff” to mold us into the image of Christ.
  • Key Fact: Our holiness is more important to God than our happiness; His will is designed to produce spiritual fruit.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15 – “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”

9. Surprised by God

  • Overview: Discusses the “unpredictability” of God’s timing. Just when we think we have Him figured out, He often does something completely unexpected.
  • Key Fact: Being “surprised” by God keeps us from becoming self-sufficient and forces us to stay in a posture of constant dependence.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 55:8 – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.”

10. Closed Doors, Open Doors

  • Overview: A practical look at how to interpret opportunities. Chuck provides wisdom for when God says “No” and how to handle the frustration of a closed door.
  • Key Fact: A closed door is just as much a part of God’s will as an open one; it is His way of protecting us from paths that aren’t His best.
  • Scripture: Revelation 3:8 – “I have put before you an open door which no one can shut.”

11. A Better Way to Look at God’s Will

  • Overview: The series concludes by moving from a “dot” mentality (finding the one exact spot) to a “relationship” mentality (walking with the Shepherd).
  • Key Fact: God’s will is less about a destination and more about the Person you are walking with along the journey.
  • Scripture: Psalm 23:3 – “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Common Questions: The Mystery of God’s Will

1. How do I know if I’m in God’s “permissive” will or His “decreed” will? In “Foundational Principles,” Pastor Chuck explains that we often only see this in hindsight. God’s decreed will is what He makes happen (sovereignty), while His permissive will involves the things He allows—including human choices. The key is to stay obedient to His revealed will (the Bible).

2. Why does God close doors that seem “good” for me? The message “Closed Doors, Open Doors” suggests that God sees a much larger picture. A door might be closed because the timing isn’t right, because it would lead to a spiritual detour, or because He has something better prepared that requires you to wait.

3. Is it okay to “lay out a fleece” to find God’s will? Chuck cautions against this in “Reading God’s Mysterious Lips.” While Gideon did it, he did it out of doubt, not faith. A more mature way to find God’s will is through the “triangulation” of Scripture, godly counsel, and the internal peace of the Holy Spirit.

4. If God’s will is for me to be “holy,” why is it so painful? As discussed in “Can God’s Will Make Us Holy?”, holiness often requires the “pruning” of our old habits and selfish desires. The pain is not intended to hurt us, but to “refine” us, like gold in a furnace.

5. How can I find God’s will for my career or marriage? The series conclusion, “A Better Way to Look at God’s Will,” suggests that if you are walking in a close relationship with Christ and obeying His Word, you have a lot of freedom to make choices. God’s will isn’t a “tightrope” where one wrong step ruins everything; it’s a “pathway” where the Shepherd guides those who follow Him.

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Growing Up in God’s Family

God’s Word describes the body of believers as “brothers and sisters” and “co-heirs” with Jesus, and when Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began by saying, “Our Father.” Why?

We’re a family in Christ. And like any family, God’s family is filled with people in all stages of spiritual development: newborn believers, those still adolescent in their walk, and the spiritually mature.

Join Chuck Swindoll as he takes an in-depth look at the stages of growth that characterize the Christian walk.

Spiritual maturity is not an automatic result of time; it is a process of intentional growth. In this series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the “ages and stages” of the Christian life. By comparing spiritual development to human physical growth—from infancy to adulthood—Chuck provides a roadmap for identifying immaturity and pursuing the “solid food” of a deep, seasoned relationship with Christ.

Message 1: Analysis of a Crop Failure

  • Overview: Why do some Christians stop growing? Using the Parable of the Soils, Chuck analyzes the internal and external “choke points” that prevent the Word of God from producing a harvest in a believer’s life.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual “crop failure” is rarely a seed problem; it is almost always a soil problem involving the distractions of the world or a lack of depth in the heart.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 13:1–23

Message 2: Growing Up in God’s Family

  • Overview: An introduction to the family dynamics of the Kingdom. Chuck establishes that every believer enters God’s family as a “newborn” and outlines the biblical expectation for consistent maturation.
  • Key Fact: Just as physical growth is the natural result of health, spiritual growth is the natural result of a healthy connection to the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:12–14

Message 3: Ages and Stages of Growing Up

  • Overview: Chuck explores the distinct phases of spiritual life mentioned by the Apostle John: little children, young men, and fathers.
  • Key Fact: Each stage of spiritual growth has its own unique strengths (such as the energy of “young men”) and its own unique vulnerabilities.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:12–14

Message 4: Birth and Infancy: Survival Basics

  • Overview: Every believer starts at the same place: spiritual infancy. This message focuses on the “survival basics” of the new life in Christ, primarily the craving for the “pure milk of the word.”
  • Key Fact: Spiritual infants are characterized by a total dependence on others for “feeding” and a high need for protection and basic nurture.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 2:1–3

Message 5: Look . . . I’m Walking!

  • Overview: The transition from being a passive recipient of the Word to an active doer. Chuck discusses the first steps of spiritual obedience and the “wobbles” that often accompany early growth.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual “walking” begins when a believer moves from merely hearing the Truth to applying it in daily, practical decisions.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 5:11–14

Message 6: The Delights of Childhood

  • Overview: Childhood is a season of wonder and simple trust. Chuck encourages believers to maintain a “childlike” faith—characterized by curiosity and dependence—without becoming “childish.”
  • Key Fact: Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who approach Him with the humility and openness of a child.
  • Scripture Reference: Mark 10:13–16

Message 7: Adult Talk about “Childish Things”

  • Overview: There is a point where a believer must “put away childish things.” Chuck identifies the behaviors that are appropriate for a child but indicate a lack of growth in an adult believer.
  • Key Fact: “Childishness” in the church is often manifested through divisiveness, jealousy, and a focus on self-interest rather than the needs of the Body.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 3:1–3

Message 8: Three Proofs of Growth

  • Overview: How do you measure spiritual maturity? Chuck provides three objective benchmarks: a growing knowledge of Christ, an increasing discernment of truth, and a deepening stability in character.
  • Key Fact: Maturity is not measured by how much you know, but by how much your knowledge has transformed your character.
  • Scripture Reference: 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:13–15

Message 9: Adolescents in Adult Bodies

  • Overview: A challenging message regarding spiritual “arrested development.” Chuck describes the frustration of being chronologically old in the faith but spiritually immature.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual adolescence is marked by a “know-it-all” attitude combined with a lack of consistent, sacrificial responsibility.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 5:12; 1 Corinthians 3:1–4

Message 10: When Peter Pan Comes to Church

  • Overview: Drawing on the literary figure who refused to grow up, Chuck addresses the “Peter Pan syndrome” in the church—believers who want the benefits of the family without the responsibilities of adulthood.
  • Key Fact: A healthy church requires “fathers and mothers” in the faith who are willing to mentor the next generation rather than remaining perpetual consumers.
  • Scripture Reference: Philippians 3:12–16

Message 11: What’s Right about Adolescence?

  • Overview: While adolescence can be a time of turmoil, it also brings passion and strength. Chuck explores how the zeal of “young men” in the faith is vital for spiritual warfare and church health.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual adolescents often possess the “word of God abiding in them” and the strength to overcome the evil one in ways that more passive believers do not.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:14

Message 12: Reasons We Resist Becoming Mature

  • Overview: Why do we stay small? Chuck identifies the common hurdles to growth: the comfort of the familiar, a fear of what God might ask of us, and a lack of spiritual discipline.
  • Key Fact: Resistance to growth is often a subtle form of self-protection that keeps us from the “abundant life” Christ promised.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 6:1–3; Galatians 5:1

Message 13: The Church: Who Needs It?

  • Overview: Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Chuck makes a compelling case for the necessity of the local church as the “greenhouse” where spiritual maturity is cultivated through fellowship and accountability.
  • Key Fact: Isolation is the enemy of maturity; we are commanded to “provoke one another to love and good works” through regular gathering.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:24–25

Message 14: A Story for Adults to Remember

  • Overview: Using a narrative approach, Chuck shares a powerful “story of growth” that illustrates the shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness.
  • Key Fact: Biblical stories and parables serve as “mirrors” that allow us to see our own spiritual standing more clearly than abstract lists.
  • Scripture Reference: Luke 15:11–32

Message 15: A Song for Adults to Sing

  • Overview: A message on the role of worship and gratitude in the life of a mature believer. Chuck explores how our “song” changes as we grow deeper in the Lord.
  • Key Fact: The mature believer’s worship is rooted in the “theology of the soul” rather than just the emotions of the moment.
  • Scripture Reference: Psalm 40:1–3; Colossians 3:16

Message 16: Growing Up in God’s Family

  • Overview: The series finale. Chuck synthesizes the lessons learned into a final call to pursue Christ with everything we have, moving toward the goal of “fullness in Christ.”
  • Key Fact: The ultimate goal of growing up in God’s family is to reflect the character of the Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, to a watching world.
  • Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:11–16

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How Great Is Our God!

Everything—where we pin our hopes, how we raise our children, what we do in times of joy or sorrow, everything we aspire to, think, and believe—boils down to how we answer one question: Who is God?

In this series, Chuck Swindoll reminds us of the holiness and majesty of God the Father, the humility and self-sacrificing love of the Son, and the ministry and counsel only the Holy Spirit can provide. These messages provide an anchor of biblical hope in God for believers in times of both tumult and peace.

Every aspect of our lives—how we face trials, how we celebrate joys, and how we view our purpose—is determined by how we answer one central question: Who is God? In this 12-part theological survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the majestic attributes of the Trinity. From the holiness and glory of God the Father to the sacrificial love of the Son and the active ministry of the Holy Spirit, these messages provide a firm biblical anchor. This series is designed to reacquaint believers with the magnitude of the God they serve, offering hope and stability in an ever-changing world.

Message 1: The Glory of God

  • Summary: This message explores the “shekinah” glory of God—the visible manifestation of His presence. It challenges the believer to move beyond a small, manageable view of God and instead stand in awe of His overwhelming majesty and weightiness.
  • Key Facts: God’s glory is the sum total of all His attributes; it is the “weight” of His character that demands our reverence.
  • Scripture: Psalm 19:1; Exodus 33:18–23; Isaiah 6:1–3.

Message 2: The Holiness of God

  • Summary: Holiness is the attribute that sets God apart from everything else. This overview discusses the absolute purity of God and why His moral perfection is the foundation for all other divine traits.
  • Key Facts: To be holy means to be “separate” or “cut off” from sin; God’s holiness provides the standard for human righteousness.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 6:1–8; 1 Peter 1:15–16; Habakkuk 1:13.

Message 3: The Love of God

  • Summary: Unlike human love, which is often conditional, God’s love is an extension of His essence. This message focuses on the “agape” love of God—a choice-driven, sacrificial affection that reached out to us while we were still sinners.
  • Key Facts: God does not just “have” love; He is love. His love is eternal, unchanging, and independent of the object being loved.
  • Scripture: 1 John 4:7–19; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 3:17–19.

Message 4: The Grace of God

  • Summary: Grace is often defined as “unmerited favor,” but this message dives deeper into how God’s grace provides what we cannot earn and do not deserve. It contrasts the Law with the freedom found in the gift of God.
  • Key Facts: Grace is the answer to human helplessness; it is the bridge between a holy God and a sinful humanity.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 2:1–10; Titus 2:11–14; Romans 3:24.

Message 5: The Cup That He Drank

  • Summary: Focusing on the agony of Gethsemane, this message examines the “cup” of divine wrath that Jesus agreed to drink. It highlights the immense cost of our redemption and the submission of the Son to the Father’s will.
  • Key Facts: The “cup” represents the concentrated judgment of God against sin; Jesus’ choice to drink it was the ultimate act of obedience.
  • Scripture: Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46; Isaiah 51:17.

Message 6: The Servant who Came

  • Summary: This overview looks at the “Kenosis”—the self-emptying of Christ. Though He was God, He took on the form of a bondservant, modeling the humility that should characterize every follower of Christ.
  • Key Facts: True greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by service, not status; Jesus is the “Suffering Servant” prophesied in the Old Testament.
  • Scripture: Philippians 2:5–11; Isaiah 53:1–12; Mark 10:45.

Message 7: The Lamb That Was Slaughtered

  • Summary: Drawing from the Passover tradition, this message explains why Jesus is the “Lamb of God.” It details the necessity of a blood sacrifice for the atonement of sins and the finality of Christ’s work on the cross.
  • Key Facts: Sacrifice is the only way to satisfy divine justice; Jesus is the perfect, spotless fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
  • Scripture: John 1:29; Revelation 5:6–14; 1 Peter 1:18–20.

Message 8: The Cross We Proclaim

  • Summary: The cross is the central symbol of the Christian faith. This message discusses why the “message of the cross” is foolishness to the world but the power of God to those who are being saved.
  • Key Facts: The cross is where God’s justice and God’s love met; it is the only basis for a believer’s boast.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25; Galatians 6:14; Colossians 2:13–15.

Message 9: Getting Reacquainted with the Spirit of Power

  • Summary: Many Christians live as though the Holy Spirit is a vague force rather than a Person. This message introduces the Spirit as our Comforter, Advocate, and the source of supernatural power for daily living.
  • Key Facts: The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, equal in essence to the Father and the Son; He is the “Helper” promised by Jesus.
  • Scripture: John 14:16–17; John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8.

Message 10: What Does Being ”Filled with the Spirit” Mean?

  • Summary: This overview clarifies the difference between the “baptism” of the Spirit and the “filling” of the Spirit. It focuses on the command to be continually under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit.
  • Key Facts: Being filled with the Spirit is a command to be obeyed, not just a feeling to be sought; it results in the “fruit of the Spirit” in a believer’s life.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 5:18–21; Galatians 5:22–23; Colossians 3:16.

Message 11: Those Unidentified Inner Promptings

  • Summary: How do we distinguish the leading of the Holy Spirit from our own thoughts or emotions? This message provides biblical filters to identify the quiet, inner promptings of God in our decision-making process.
  • Key Facts: The Spirit will never lead in a direction contrary to the Word of God; inner peace and biblical alignment are key indicators of the Spirit’s leading.
  • Scripture: Romans 8:14–16; 1 Kings 19:11–13; Psalm 32:8.

Message 12: The Spirit’s Most Significant Mission

  • Summary: The series concludes by emphasizing that the Holy Spirit’s primary mission is to glorify Jesus Christ. He does this by convicting the world of sin and empowering the church to bear witness to the Gospel.
  • Key Facts: The Spirit does not draw attention to Himself but always points toward the Son; His mission is to make the presence of Jesus real to the believer.
  • Scripture: John 16:13–14; Acts 4:31; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18.

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Supernatural Living in a Secular World

What is supernatural living? Freedom from sin. Victorious living. Persevering through suffering. As believers in Christ, freedom, victory, and perseverance are parts of our rightful inheritance, but many of us instead find ourselves still shackled to sin.

Supernatural living is possible—in Christ. Chuck Swindoll invites us to experience Supernatural Living in a Secular World—a series that helps us put into practice the principles of Romans 6–8, break the bonds of sin, persevere in times of testing, and place our trust in providential God.


As believers, we are called to live a life that is distinct from the world around us—a life defined by freedom from sin, victory over trials, and a supernatural peace. In this 5-part study of Romans 6–8, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores how we can move from being “shackled to sin” to living out our rightful inheritance in Christ. This series provides the biblical keys to understanding our new identity, handling spiritual frustration, and trusting in God’s providential care.

1. Dying to Live (Romans 6:1–14)

  • Overview: Explores the theological reality of our union with Christ. Because we have “died” with Him to sin, we are no longer slaves to our old nature but are alive to God.
  • Key Fact: Victory over sin begins with “knowing” our position in Christ, “considering” ourselves dead to sin, and “presenting” our members as instruments of righteousness.
  • Scripture: Romans 6:11 – “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

2. Portrait of a Struggling Christian (Romans 7:14–25)

  • Overview: Addresses the universal frustration of the “inner war”—wanting to do good but finding ourselves doing the very thing we hate.
  • Key Fact: Romans 7 is not a portrait of a failure, but of a maturing believer who has realized that their own willpower is insufficient to conquer the flesh.
  • Scripture: Romans 7:24–25 – “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

3. Let’s Talk about Our Walk (Romans 8:1–17)

  • Overview: Shifts from the struggle of the flesh to the power of the Spirit. This message explores what it means to “walk according to the Spirit” and the assurance that comes from being God’s adopted children.
  • Key Fact: There is now “no condemnation” for those in Christ, and the Holy Spirit provides the internal power to put to death the deeds of the body.
  • Scripture: Romans 8:1 – “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

4. Glorying and Groaning (Romans 8:18–30)

  • Overview: Connects our present suffering to our future glory. Chuck discusses how the “groaning” of creation and the believer is met by the “interceding” of the Holy Spirit.
  • Key Fact: Our current trials are “not worthy to be compared” with the glory that will be revealed in us.
  • Scripture: Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.”

5. Providence Made Practical (Romans 8:31–39)

  • Overview: The series conclusion, focusing on the unshakeable security of the believer. If God is for us, no one and nothing can successfully stand against us.
  • Key Fact: Nothing—neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities—has the power to separate the believer from the love of God in Christ.
  • Scripture: Romans 8:31 – “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

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God’s Masterwork, Volume Three

Have you ever needed wisdom? Ever longed for a calming word during trying times? Have you ever worried about the future?

When issues like these arise, Chuck Swindoll reminds us of the best place to turn—God’s Word. In this informative and practical series, covering the books of Job through Daniel, Chuck guides us through the Wisdom Books, the Psalms, and the Major Prophets to help us answer the pressing questions of our day.


In this third volume of the God’s Masterwork survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the Wisdom Books and the Major Prophets (Job through Daniel). This section of the Old Testament provides a deep dive into the human experience—wrestling with suffering, expressing profound worship, seeking practical wisdom, and understanding God’s sovereign control over history. Through these books, we find that God is not only the Architect of the universe but the intimate Companion of those who walk through the dark valleys of life.

1. Job: Magnificent Man of Misery

  • Overview: Addresses the universal question of human suffering. Through the story of Job, we learn that God’s ways are often beyond our understanding, yet He remains completely trustworthy.
  • Key Fact: The book of Job teaches that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin; sometimes it is a platform for God to display His sovereignty and glory.
  • Scripture: Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

2. Psalms: Inspired Anthology of Praise

  • Overview: A survey of the Bible’s “hymnbook,” which provides a vocabulary for every human emotion, from deepest despair to exuberant joy.
  • Key Fact: The Psalms are categorized into different types, including laments, thanksgivings, and messianic psalms that point forward to Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture: Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

3. Proverbs: Reliable Counsel for Right Living

  • Overview: Practical wisdom for everyday life. This book serves as a manual for navigating relationships, finances, and personal character with a “vertical” perspective.
  • Key Fact: Wisdom in Proverbs is not just intellectual knowledge; it is “skill in living” that begins with a healthy reverence for God.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

4. Ecclesiastes: Searching for the Meaning of Life

  • Overview: Solomon’s philosophical exploration of life “under the sun.” He concludes that without God, everything—wealth, pleasure, and work—is ultimately “vanity.”
  • Key Fact: The book serves as a powerful apologetic, showing that human fulfillment can only be found when God is at the center of one’s life.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments.”

5. Song of Solomon: Poem of Faithful Love

  • Overview: A beautiful, poetic celebration of romantic and marital love. It highlights the sanctity and beauty of the physical and emotional bond between a husband and wife.
  • Key Fact: While often interpreted allegorically, the book primarily serves to affirm that God is the author of romantic love and desires it to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage.
  • Scripture: Song of Solomon 8:7 – “Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it.”

6. Profile of a Prophet

  • Overview: An introduction to the role and character of the biblical prophets. These were men called by God to be His “mouthpiece,” often speaking unpopular truths to a rebellious nation.
  • Key Fact: A prophet’s primary job was “forthtelling” (speaking God’s word to their current generation) as much as “foretelling” (predicting the future).
  • Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21 – “For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

7. Isaiah: Prince among the Prophets

  • Overview: A majestic survey of the “Messianic Prophet.” Isaiah’s book mirrors the structure of the entire Bible, moving from judgment to the promise of comfort and a suffering Servant.
  • Key Fact: Isaiah contains some of the most vivid prophecies regarding the birth, ministry, and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 – “For a child will be born to us… and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.”

8. Jeremiah: Weeping, Warning, and Waiting

  • Overview: Known as the “Weeping Prophet,” Jeremiah faithfully delivered a message of judgment for forty years without seeing a national revival.
  • Key Fact: Jeremiah’s life demonstrates that success in God’s eyes is defined by faithfulness to the message, not by popular response.
  • Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'”

9. Lamentations: A Prophet’s Broken Heart

  • Overview: A collection of five acrostic poems expressing the deep grief over the destruction of Jerusalem. It shows that God allows and even validates the expression of deep sorrow.
  • Key Fact: In the very center of this book of sorrow lies one of the greatest declarations of God’s faithfulness in all of Scripture.
  • Scripture: Lamentations 3:22–23 – “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease… They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

10. Ezekiel: Strong Man of God

  • Overview: Written from the heart of the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel used dramatic visions and symbolic acts to remind the people that God’s glory had not abandoned them.
  • Key Fact: Ezekiel’s name means “God strengthens,” which was necessary for a prophet ministering to a “stubborn and obstinate” people.
  • Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26 – “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”

11. Daniel: Man of Integrity, Message of Prophecy

  • Overview: A study of a man who maintained absolute integrity in a pagan culture. The book combines personal biography with staggering visions of future world empires.
  • Key Fact: Daniel demonstrates that it is possible to be “in the world but not of it,” influencing the highest levels of government without compromising one’s faith.
  • Scripture: Daniel 6:10 – Daniel’s consistent character: “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed… he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying.”

Common Questions: God’s Masterwork, Volume Three

1. Why does the Bible include a book as “depressing” as Ecclesiastes? As Pastor Chuck explains in “Searching for the Meaning of Life,” Ecclesiastes is essential because it validates our human frustrations. It shows that if we look for meaning only “under the sun” (in the material world), we will always end up disappointed. It drives us to look “above the sun” to find our purpose in God.

2. Is the “love” in Song of Solomon about Christ and the Church or a man and a woman? While many scholars see an allegorical application to Christ and the Church, the series emphasizes that the primary purpose of Song of Solomon is to celebrate God’s design for human marriage. It teaches that physical and emotional intimacy is a gift from God to be honored and enjoyed.

3. What is the difference between a “Major” and a “Minor” prophet? The distinction is based on the length of the books, not the importance of the message. The “Major Prophets” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel) wrote longer, more comprehensive scrolls, whereas the twelve “Minor Prophets” wrote shorter, more focused messages.

4. How could Jeremiah stay faithful when no one listened to his preaching? In “Weeping, Warning, and Waiting,” it is noted that Jeremiah’s strength came from his “fire in the bones”—a divine calling that he could not ignore. He teaches us that we are responsible for our obedience, while God is responsible for the results.

5. How do the prophecies in Daniel apply to us today? Daniel provides a “skeleton of world history.” By showing how precisely God fulfilled Daniel’s prophecies regarding the Greek and Roman empires, it gives us absolute confidence that God is still in control of modern geopolitics and that Christ’s final kingdom will eventually be established.

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Growing Deep in the Christian Life

Good theology is essential and foundational—that doesn’t mean tedious and dull!

Growing Deep in the Christian Life takes theology out of the stuffy lecture hall into the kids-and-carpools, meetings-and-deadlines world in which you live. In this series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll breathes life into theology, making biblical truth easy to understand and practical.

Sink your roots deep into Christian doctrine and find stability in storms, confidence in your faith, and a closer walk with God. With each theological truth, you’ll learn principles to apply to everyday living. Dig in!


Theology often has a reputation for being dry and academic, but in this 22-part foundational series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll “blows the dust off” essential doctrines. He takes deep biblical truths out of the lecture hall and applies them to the everyday world of meetings, deadlines, and family life. By returning to our spiritual roots, we find the stability and energy needed to live the life God designed for us.

1. The Value of Knowing the Scoop (1 Timothy 4:1–6; 1 Peter 3:13–16)

  • Overview: Addresses the vital need for “good doctrine” to secure our faith. It establishes that ignorance is a breeding ground for fear and superstition.
  • Key Fact: Knowing the “real scoop” on what matters most is the best defense against false teaching.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15 – The command to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in us.

2. Don’t Forget to Add a Cup of Discernment (Acts 17:11–12)

  • Overview: Warns against knowledge as an end in itself. Discernment is the essential “buffer” that keeps theological knowledge from becoming source of pride or legalism.
  • Key Fact: The Bereans are cited as the ultimate model for discernment because they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.
  • Scripture: Acts 17:11 – “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily.”

3. God’s Book—God’s Voice (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

  • Overview: Explores the inspiration and authority of the Bible. If God has spoken, we must know what He has said.
  • Key Fact: Scripture is not just a human record but is “God-breathed,” designed to equip us for every good work.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”

4. Handling the Scriptures Accurately (2 Timothy 2:15)

  • Overview: Provides practical tools for Bible study, moving from simply hearing the Word to studying and meditating on it.
  • Key Fact: “Rightly dividing” the word of truth involves a diligent effort to understand the original meaning before applying it to our lives.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

5. Knowing God: Life’s Major Pursuit (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

  • Overview: Shifts the focus from “finding yourself” to finding God. It explores the attributes of God that give our lives meaning.
  • Key Fact: The only thing worth boasting about is that we understand and know the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness.
  • Scripture: Jeremiah 9:24 – “But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me.”

6. Loving God: Our Ultimate Response (Deuteronomy 6:4–9)

  • Overview: If knowing God is the head, loving God is the heart. This message explores how love for God manifests in peace, forgiveness, and obedience.
  • Key Fact: Loving God is an all-encompassing commitment that should be modeled for the next generation in the home.
  • Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

7. Mary’s Little Lamb (Luke 2:1–20)

  • Overview: A theological look at the Incarnation—the miraculous moment when the Creator entered His creation as a helpless babe.
  • Key Fact: The Savior’s “quiet entry” into the world highlights God’s preference for humility over earthly pomp and power.
  • Scripture: Luke 2:11 – “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

8. When the God-Man Walked Among Us (Philippians 2:5–11)

  • Overview: Explores the dual nature of Jesus—fully God and fully man—and His voluntary “emptying” of His divine prerogatives to serve humanity.
  • Key Fact: Christ’s humility is the ultimate “mindset” that believers are called to adopt in their own relationships.
  • Scripture: Philippians 2:7 – Christ “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

9. Changing Lives Is Jesus’ Business (John 3:1–16)

  • Overview: Focuses on the “new birth” and the radical transformation that occurs when a person places their trust in Christ.
  • Key Fact: Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus reveals that religious standing is insufficient; everyone must be “born again.”
  • Scripture: John 3:3 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

10. The Spirit Who Is Not a Ghost (John 16:6–14)

  • Overview: Clarifies the role of the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Comforter, and Guide.
  • Key Fact: The Spirit is not an impersonal force but a Person who advocates for us and leads us into all truth.
  • Scripture: John 16:13 – “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.”

11. From Creation to Corruption (Genesis 1–3)

  • Overview: Traces the human journey from being God’s image-bearers to the fall into sin. It explains the “disease” that Christ came to cure.
  • Key Fact: Sin is not just a series of bad choices; it is a corruption of our very nature that requires divine intervention.
  • Scripture: Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

12. Exposing the Dark Side (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: A biblical look at the reality of Satan and the fallen angels. It warns believers to be alert but not obsessed with the “dark side.”
  • Key Fact: Our adversary is a “prowling lion,” but he is a defeated foe who must flee when resisted with faith.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion.”

13. “Mr. Smith, Meet Your Substitute” (Romans 3:9–31)

  • Overview: Explains the doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement—how Jesus took the penalty for our sins upon Himself.
  • Key Fact: On the cross, a “great exchange” took place: our sin for His righteousness.
  • Scripture: Romans 3:24 – Believers are “justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”

14. The Remedy for Our Disease (Isaiah 53:1–6)

  • Overview: Connects the ancient sacrificial system of Leviticus to the ultimate sacrifice of the “Spotless Lamb” on Calvary.
  • Key Fact: Jesus fulfilled the requirement for a perfect sacrifice, bearing the “iniquity of us all.”
  • Scripture: Isaiah 53:5 – “But He was pierced through for our transgressions… by His scourging we are healed.”

15. His Coming Is Sure . . . Are You? (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)

  • Overview: Discusses the “blessed hope” of Christ’s return and the reassurance it brings to those who have lost loved ones in the faith.
  • Key Fact: The return of Christ is not meant to scare us, but to encourage us to “comfort one another” with these truths.
  • Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:18 – “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

16. Until He Returns . . . What? (Mark 13:31–37)

  • Overview: Practical instructions for living in light of the Second Coming. Instead of “hunkering down,” we are called to be faithful servants.
  • Key Fact: Our focus should be on “watching and working” rather than predicting specific dates or timelines.
  • Scripture: Mark 13:33 – “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”

17. Visiting the Real Twilight Zone (2 Corinthians 5:1–8)

  • Overview: Approaches the subject of death with biblical wisdom, moving from fear to the certainty of being “at home with the Lord.”
  • Key Fact: For the believer, death is not an end but a departure from an “earthly tent” to an “eternal building” in the heavens.
  • Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:8 – “We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”

18. An Interview with One from Beyond (Luke 16:19–31)

  • Overview: Uses the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus to address hard questions about heaven, hell, and the eternal state of the soul.
  • Key Fact: The afterlife is not a dream-state; it is a place of conscious existence where our earthly decisions have final consequences.
  • Scripture: Luke 16:26 – The reality of the “great chasm” fixed between heaven and hell.

19. God’s Body-Building Program (Matthew 16:13–18)

  • Overview: Introduces the concept of the Church—not as a building, but as the “Body of Christ” in the world.
  • Key Fact: Every individual member of the church contributes a unique part to the healthy functioning of the whole body.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27 – “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”

20. Three Cheers for the Church (Ephesians 4:1–16)

  • Overview: Highlights the reasons to love and commit to the local church, focusing on its role in equipping saints for the work of ministry.
  • Key Fact: Maturity in the faith is a “team sport” that requires the input and support of other believers.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25 – The command not to forsake our assembling together, but to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”

21. Encouragement Served Family Style (Hebrews 10:19–25)

  • Overview: Focuses on the “one anothers” of Scripture—the practical ways we give “words of life” to a discouraged world.
  • Key Fact: Healthy churches are characterized by an atmosphere of mutual encouragement and shared burdens.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking our own assembling together… but encouraging one another.”

22. Worship: Let It Shine! (Psalm 95:1–7)

  • Overview: The series concludes with the ultimate purpose of the Christian life: the exuberant and humble worship of the Creator.
  • Key Fact: Worship is the active response of a heart that recognizes God as our “Rock” and our “Shepherd.”
  • Scripture: Psalm 95:6 – “Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

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What If . . . ?

What if . . . ? What a haunting, yet profound question. We’ve all found ourselves in situations where we have felt helpless to determine our next step if the unknown were to happen. Either due to lack of knowledge or lack of ability, we wonder what we should do.

And yet, that very act of wondering, of asking questions like, “What If You Suddenly Lose Everything?” or “What If You Need a Second Chance?” stands as a perfect opportunity to gain biblical wisdom about difficult subjects.

As you make your way through this series about the difficult questions and decisions we face, remember that it’s in wrestling with the questions that we come closest to the Lord.


Life is full of unexpected “what ifs”—moments that leave us feeling helpless, confused, or blindsided. In this 12-part series (plus a concluding conversation), Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores biblical answers to some of life’s most difficult scenarios. By diving into the lives of biblical figures and the wisdom of the Epistles, this series provides a practical roadmap for navigating the unknown with faith and resilience.

1. What If God Chooses You to Do Something Great? (Exodus 3:1–4:31)

  • Overview: Explores Moses’ encounter at the burning bush and the common tendency to offer excuses when God calls us out of our comfort zone.
  • Key Fact: Moses offered five distinct excuses to God; however, God focused on His own sufficiency rather than Moses’ inadequacy.
  • Scripture: Exodus 3:11–12 – God’s answer to “Who am I?” is the promise, “I will be with you.”

2. What If You Suddenly Lose Everything? (Job 1:1–22)

  • Overview: A study of Job’s response to catastrophic loss, teaching us how to worship even through tears.
  • Key Fact: Job’s primary victory was not his patience, but his refusal to “charge God with wrongdoing” despite his immense grief.
  • Scripture: Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

3. What If You Are Being Stalked? (1 Samuel 24:1–22)

  • Overview: Using David’s flight from King Saul to illustrate how to handle persistent, unfair opposition without resorting to revenge.
  • Key Fact: David had a clear opportunity to kill his pursuer but chose to respect the “Lord’s anointed,” leaving the timing of justice to God.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:12 – “May the Lord judge between you and me… but my hand shall not be against you.”

4. What If a Longtime Friend Deceives You? (2 Samuel 15:1–16:14)

  • Overview: Examines the heartbreak of Ahithophel’s betrayal of David, offering a perspective on how to process the pain of a broken trust.
  • Key Fact: Betrayal is one of the deepest wounds a leader can face; David’s response was to pour out his heart in prayer rather than bitter retaliation.
  • Scripture: Psalm 55:12–14 – David’s lament over a “companion” and “familiar friend” who turned against him.

5. What If You Should Confront Someone in Sin? (Galatians 6:1–5)

  • Overview: Provides a biblical “how-to” for restoration, emphasizing the spirit of gentleness required when addressing a fellow believer’s failure.
  • Key Fact: The goal of confrontation is never punishment, but “restoration”—a word used in Greek for setting a broken bone.
  • Scripture: Galatians 6:1 – “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

6. What If Someone Kicks You When You’re Down? (2 Samuel 16:5–14)

  • Overview: David’s encounter with Shimei teaches us how to endure verbal abuse and personal attacks during our lowest moments.
  • Key Fact: David viewed Shimei’s insults as something God might be using for his own discipline, demonstrating incredible humility under fire.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:11 – David instructs his men to “let him alone” and let him curse, trusting God to repay with good.

7. What If You Need a Second Chance? (John 21:1–19)

  • Overview: The restoration of Peter after his denial of Christ serves as a powerful reminder that failure is not final.
  • Key Fact: Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me?” three times—matching the three times Peter had denied Him—to fully reinstate him into ministry.
  • Scripture: John 21:17 – Peter’s humble confession: “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

8. What If You Struggle with a Permanent Disability? (2 Samuel 9:1–13)

  • Overview: The story of Mephibosheth illustrates God’s “hesed” (loving-kindness) toward those who feel broken or forgotten.
  • Key Fact: David sought out Mephibosheth not for what he could do, but because of a covenant made with his father, Jonathan.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:7 – David’s grace: “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you… and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

9. What If a Person Is an Unrepentant Troublemaker? (Titus 3:9–11)

  • Overview: Instruction on how to handle divisive individuals who cause dissension within a community or church.
  • Key Fact: Biblical wisdom suggests avoiding “foolish controversies” and giving a factual warning before breaking fellowship with a factious person.
  • Scripture: Titus 3:10 – “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning.”

10. What If You Talk Too Much? (James 3:1–12)

  • Overview: A sobering look at the power of the tongue and the necessity of verbal self-control.
  • Key Fact: The tongue is compared to a small rudder that steers a massive ship; though small, it dictates the direction of one’s entire life.
  • Scripture: James 3:5 – “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!”

11. What If Your Boss is Unfair and Disrespectful? (1 Peter 2:18–25)

  • Overview: Biblical principles for workplace conduct, specifically how to respond to harsh or unreasonable authority figures.
  • Key Fact: Responding with grace to an unfair boss is “finds favor with God” and follows the example of Christ, who did not revile in return.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19 – “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”

12. What If You Were to Die Tonight? (Luke 12:13–21)

  • Overview: A challenge to evaluate one’s eternal readiness through the lens of the “Parable of the Rich Fool.”
  • Key Fact: The man in the parable was a success by worldly standards but was “not rich toward God,” focusing only on temporary security.
  • Scripture: Luke 12:20 – “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'”

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