Bible Study

Bible Study equips Christians to read, understand, and apply Scripture with clarity and confidence. Explore Bible-based articles on interpreting the text, studying context, asking good questions, and forming habits that help individuals, classes, and small groups grow in God’s Word. You’ll find guidance for using study tools, leading discussion, teaching the Bible, and connecting Scripture to daily life without losing the meaning of the passage. Whether you’re new to studying the Bible or helping others learn, this hub offers practical help for faithful, fruitful Bible study.

November 22, 2020

Arron Chambers

Our Powerful, Eternal Prince of Peace (A Study of Isaiah 9)

Three Timely Truths We Desperately Need Today I love Hallmark Christmas movies. I can imagine that, this year, Hallmark might air A Very COVID Christmas, where a newly single woman—who used to live in the big city and work for a huge company—moves back to her small hometown to sell the house she grew up in after the recent death of her mother . . . and then the pandemic hits! While quarantined in her childhood home, she has meals delivered from her favorite local diner by a food delivery service. The delivery guy—a recently widowed and now single father

November 16, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for Nov. 22, 2020: Be Devoted to Doing Good (Titus 3:1-11)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Good for You” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 22, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Understand that we are saved to do good for others, not merely for personal benefit. ________ By Mark Scott Thanksgiving is not just a national holiday observed this coming Thursday. It’s an acknowledgment of the

November 16, 2020

David Faust

Good for You (Nov. 22 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Nov. 22, 2020: Be Devoted to Doing Good (Titus 3:1-11) ________ By David Faust Three times in Titus 3, Paul emphasizes that believers ought to “do whatever is good” (vv. 1, 8, 14). What does goodness look like on a practical level? Goodness often has a hard edge. Something can be good even when it doesn’t feel good. A mother tells her children, “Eat your vegetables. They’re good for you.” A football coach makes his players run laps around the field when they’re already tired from a long practice session. “The

November 16, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for November 22, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 22, 2020: Be Devoted to Doing Good (Titus 3:1-11) “Good for You” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What struggle or trial did you face over the past week? 2. As you interacted with people in your spheres of influence last week, how did you make the gospel “attractive”? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Titus 3:1-11 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage as if sharing the teaching

November 9, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for Nov. 15, 2020: Teach What Is Appropriate (Titus 2:1-15)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “How Do We Treat Those Student Drivers?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 15, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Commit to proper application of biblical teaching to every demographic in the church. ________ By Mark Scott Seth Wilson said, “All of our efforts to control people show our failure to

November 9, 2020

David Faust

How Do We Treat Those Student Drivers? (Nov. 15 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Nov. 15, 2020: Teach What Is Appropriate (Titus 2:1-15) ________ By David Faust My 16-year-old granddaughter is learning how to drive. On a recent Sunday afternoon, I tossed Kayla the car keys and sat next to her in the passenger seat while she drove around our church’s empty parking lot. She practiced parallel parking, inching the car between the painted lines. At one point she accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and we sped toward the curb. As we jerked to a stop she exclaimed, “I’m sorry, Papa!”

November 9, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for November 15, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 15, 2020: Teach What Is Appropriate (Titus 2:1-15) “How Do We Treat Those Student Drivers?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face over the past week? 2. In what ways were you hospitable to someone last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Titus 2 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage in 60 seconds or less. 3. What would you add to what our

November 1, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for Nov. 8, 2020: Appoint Godly Leaders (Titus 1:5-11)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Blame the Leaders?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 8, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Consider the importance of godly leadership in the church. ________ By Mark Scott Traditionally, this past Tuesday has been the day Americans would go to the polls to vote for national and local leaders. By

November 1, 2020

David Faust

Blame the Leaders? (Nov. 8 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Nov. 8, 2020: Appoint Godly Leaders (Titus 1:5-11) ________ By David Faust In an episode of the TV comedy The Office, regional manager Michael Scott makes his priorities clear. He tells his boss from the Dunder Mifflin corporate office, “I want the credit without any of the blame.” Blameless appears twice in Paul’s description of godly elders (Titus 1:6-7). If being blameless requires moral perfection and flawless decision-making, no one qualifies except Jesus. Noah was “blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God,” yet he had some less-than-stellar moments

November 1, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for November 8, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 8, 2020: Appoint Godly Leaders (Titus 1:5-11) “Blame the Leaders?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What new challenge did you face last week? 2. In what specific ways did the Lord give you strength this past week so that through you his message could be proclaimed? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Titus 1:5-11 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize what this passage is about. 3. If you were

October 26, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for Nov. 1, 2020: God Is Faithful (2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:6-8, 16-18)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Give thanks that God faithfully helps you to serve Christ. ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Trimming Around the Edges” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 1, 2020 ________ By Mark Scott The United States Marine Corps was formed before the Declaration of Independence. Their origin goes back to November 10, 1775.

October 26, 2020

David Faust

Trimming Around the Edges (Nov. 1 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Nov. 1, 2020: God Is Faithful (2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:6-8, 16-18) ________ By David Faust I learned a lot of practical lessons on the farm where I grew up. Dad was good at fixing things. I wasn’t. He didn’t have a college degree, but he deserved an honorary doctorate in the school of hard knocks. He knew how to weld metal, mend fences, install electrical wiring, fix leaky water pipes, help a cow give birth, and grow a flourishing garden. He knew his Bible well. Neighbors and church members respected his

October 26, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for November 1, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 1, 2020: God Is Faithful (2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:6-8, 16-18) “Trimming Around the Edges” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What big challenge did you face last week? 2. With whom did you share your faith in and love for Christ since we last met? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:6-8, 16-18 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the main themes and subject matters from these

October 19, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for Oct. 25, 2020: You’re Next (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2; 3:10-17)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “From Whom You Learned It” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 25, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Take up from others the responsibilities of serving Christ. ________ By Mark Scott Hans Finzel said, “There is no success without a successor” (The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make). Wise Christian leaders are

October 19, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for October 25, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Oct. 25, 2020: You’re Next (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2; 3:10-17) “From Whom You Learned It” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What’s the biggest challenge you faced last week? 2. In what way did you represent Christ well over the past week . . . in your workplace, in this class/small group, or on social media? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2; and 3:10-17 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third

October 12, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Don’t Get Sloppy” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 18, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Discern how to deal with people as you serve Christ. ________ By Mark Scott The “purpose” of the Bible is larger than just functioning as a “how-to” manual for getting along with folks. But one

October 12, 2020

David Faust

Don’t Get Sloppy (Oct. 18 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9) ________ By David Faust An NFL Hall of Fame player passed along a tip he learned from a coach: “Always arrive a few minutes early for practice.” Punctuality itself wasn’t the main point. The coach advised, “Be disciplined off the field, and you will perform better on the field.” Why do soldiers in boot camp make their beds every morning? Why do parents ask their children to brush their teeth twice a day? Why does the book of Proverbs advise us to

October 12, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for October 18, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9) “Don’t Get Sloppy” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. In what way was God’s power evident in or through your life over the past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 2 Timothy 2:14-26 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process for 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Ask the third person to summarize the passages in one minute or less.

October 5, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for Oct. 11, 2020: The Cost (2 Timothy 1:8-12; 2:3-10; 4:14-15)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “We’re All in Hospice” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 11, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Expect and endure the costs of serving Christ. ________ By Mark Scott All things of significance cost something. A football player trains hard to win the Super Bowl. A medical student endures a grueling

October 5, 2020

David Faust

We’re All in Hospice (Oct. 11 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 11, 2020: The Cost (2 Timothy 1:8-12; 2:3-10; 4:14-15) ________ By David Faust “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” —Helen Keller It was my last visit with my friend Jim. We both knew he was on the verge of death after a long battle with cancer. Trying to offer comfort, I opened my Bible to John 21, where Jesus asked Simon Peter three times, “Do you love me?” I reminded Jim how Peter reaffirmed his love for Jesus, and each

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