Living for What Lasts: The Sobering Gift of Pompeii

Pompeii is the Roman city Mount Vesuvius buried in AD 79, right in the middle of the New Testament era. The ash that destroyed it also preserved it, so when you walk its stone streets you're walking through the world Paul knew. Painted walls, shops, food counters, even graffiti scratched by ordinary people.

Pompeii also asks a hard question. The people there thought they had time. Bread was still in the ovens. In a matter of hours, the city was gone.

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)

We also look at Jesus' parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, the man who built bigger barns and was never rich toward God. Jesus wasn't trying to scare him. He was trying to wake him up. The invitation to go all in with God is always for today.

Timestamps

02:41 Walking through a city frozen in time

04:43 How Pompeii brings the New Testament to life

06:17 The city that thought it had tomorrow

08:27 Your life is a vapor: James 4

09:38 The parable of the rich fool

Why does Pompeii matter for Bible study?

It's one of the clearest pictures we have of the culture the apostles lived and preached in.

Pompeii is one of the most unexpected stops on our Rome trip, and when timing allows we visit nearby Herculaneum too. You don't need to be a history person. It's about standing inside the world of your Bible and asking what you're living for.

Bible Study Live is a small-group Bible study trip with Rachael Groll. Study Scripture where it happened in Rome, or slow down for a contemplative Bible study retreat in Maui. Dates and details at BibleStudyLive.org

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices