This book is about some words. The subtitle states that words are very important. This statement is hardly profound. We think in words. We communicate with each other in words. I am writing words, and you are reading words.

The words we use are important. We think in words. We use words to describe our feelings. We use words to communicate with one another and with God. We use words to describe what we see and hear. Parents are thrilled when their babies begin to speak words.

The Bible is referred to as the Word of God. God spoke creation into existence. The first chapter of John begins with the Lord identified as the Word.

However, linking “familiar” and “words” may not be profound, but it is unusual. Specifically, we will be considering the impact that the “familiar” can have on words. I have been thinking about this for several years and decided to formalize those thoughts into a little book.

In the title, I use the word, explore to indicate looking out to see a broad application, and I use the word, examine to indicate a closer, focused, detailed application.

The words I have selected are gospel, Christ, church, and minister. These are very familiar in the Christian community and are found in the Bible and used frequently in conversations, in preaching, Christian writing, and Christian music. The last chapter takes a slightly different approach to exploring and examining the “familiar,” but it still involves words.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www zondervan com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™