Bible Study

Discovery Questions for May 24, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 24, 2020: “I Catch No Glimpse of Him!” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What is one example of how you loved and obeyed God last week? 2. What was challenging for you this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Job 2:11-13 aloud, one after the other (possibly from different Bible versions). Then ask the same two readers to each read Job 23:1-17. Ask the third person to

May 10, 2020

Lesson for May 17, 2020: His Beloved Ones (Dt 30:4-6, 11-14; Lev 26:40-42)

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 May 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: ‘The Natural Response to Being Loved,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Because he loves you, love him with all your heart! ________ By Mark Scott It is hard to improve the lyrics in the hymn “The Love of God” when verse 3 says, Could we with ink the

May 10, 2020

Application for May 17: The Natural Response to Being Loved

(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for May 17, 2020: “His Beloved Ones.”) By David Faust What would you say if someone asked, “Is it difficult to be a Christian?” Might your answer be both yes and no? On the one hand, Christ already did the hardest part. He accomplished what we could never do for ourselves. He lived a perfect life and suffered for our transgressions on the cross. We sinners could never measure up to all the righteous standards of God, but his love overflows and his grace is sufficient in spite of our imperfections. “The

May 10, 2020

Discovery Questions for May 17, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 17, 2020: “His Beloved Ones.” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What “win” stories from this past week do you have about living out godliness? 2. What were your biggest challenges last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 30:4-6 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention? Then ask the same two readers to

May 3, 2020

Lesson for May 10, 2020: His Treasured Possession (Dt 4:29-40; 26:17-19; Lev 20:26; 26:12, 13)

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 May 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Because you are his, seek him and you will find him. ________ By Mark Scott God is good at only one part of hide-and-seek. He does not hide well. In fact, he wants to be found (Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 17:27; Romans 1:20; Matthew 7:8). But God is very good at the other

May 3, 2020

Application for May 10: It’s Never Quite Enough

(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for May 10, 2020: “His Treasured Possession.”) By David Faust At age 86, Jackie Long died from injuries sustained in a car accident—an abrupt end to a fruitful life. Jackie worked tirelessly on our church staff for four decades, and then after retiring in her sixties, she continued to serve cheerfully as a volunteer for another 20 years. She welcomed guests, cared for those in need, coordinated countless weddings and funerals, took meals to shut-ins, ministered with senior adults, and volunteered with benevolence agencies in our city. Hundreds gathered at the funeral

May 3, 2020

Discovery Questions for May 10, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 10, 2020: “His Treasured Possession.” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What challenges did you face this past week? 2. Over the last seven days, what impact on people around you did you make simply by living a holy life? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 4:29-40 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention?

April 27, 2020

Application for May 3: Dare to Be Different

(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for May 3, 2020: “His Holy Nation.“) By David Faust Don’t libel me with labels. Don’t put me into a cultural box. I have rooted for the Cincinnati Reds most of my life, but my main identity isn’t “sports fan.” I’m a baby boomer, but generational labels don’t tell you everything about me or my builder, gen X, and millennial friends. I have experienced what Scripture calls the new birth, but I prefer not to be called “a born-again Christian” as if that’s something strange. In the first century there wasn’t any

April 27, 2020

Discovery Questions for May 3, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 3, 2020: “His Holy Nation.” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. Over the past week, what person or group of people did you love, serve, and/or tell about Jesus? 2. What was challenging for you this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 28:9, 10 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention?

April 26, 2020

Lesson for May 3, 2020: His Holy Nation (Dt 28:9, 10; Lev 22:31-33; 19:1, 2, 9-18)

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 May 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Because he is holy, walk as his holy people. ________ By Mark Scott Has this exchange happened in your family? Dad says, “Son, take out the trash.” The son says, “Why do I have to take out the trash?” Dad says, “Because if you don’t, the house will stinketh, and your mom

April 19, 2020

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 26, 2020: His Chosen People (Dt 10:12-22; 7:6-9; 4:5-9; Lev 9:23, 24)

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 April 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Because he is holy, walk as his holy people. ________ By Mark Scott God’s chosen people are holy and wholly his. They are to be set apart for him (holy) and entirely devoted to him (wholly his). At times we have emphasized the “purity” side of holiness but have failed to emphasize

April 19, 2020

Application for April 26: We Come from Different Places

(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for April 26, 2020: “His Chosen People.“) By David Faust My wife, Candy, volunteers with a ministry in our church called English Talk Time. Neighbors from Japan, Korea, Brazil, China, and other nations come to our church building each Wednesday morning to learn conversational English. It’s a practical way to assist our neighbors, but it leads to some humorous verbal exchanges. When your friends speak little English, how do you explain to them the difference between “aisle,” “isle,” and “I’ll”? Why can you read the same book today that you read yesterday,

April 19, 2020

Discovery Questions for April 26, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for April 26, 2020: “His Chosen People.” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. In what specific ways over the last week did you testify to someone about the things Jesus has done in your life? 2. What are you most grateful for this week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 10:12-22 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured

April 12, 2020

Lesson for April 19, 2020: Power Over All of Creation (John 21:1-14, 24, 25)

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 April 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Let the knowledge of Jesus’ power over all give you confidence and hope. ________ By Mark Scott To ensure the disciples had a convinced and informed faith, Jesus appeared to them over a period of 40 days following his resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:1-5). During these appearances, Jesus gave many “convincing

April 12, 2020

Application for April 19: Net Results

(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible study for April 19, 2020: “Power Over All of Creation.”) By David Faust First-century fishermen relied on their nets like carpenters rely on their hammers and farmers count on their plows. It took fishermen considerable skill, time, and effort to clean, dry, and mend their linen nets to keep them from rotting and wearing out. A seine net might be several hundred feet long and 20 feet deep, with cork or wood floats to keep the top of the net on the water’s surface and stone weights to pull the rest down into

April 12, 2020

Discovery Questions for April 19, 2020

(Click here for a detailed explanation of how to use the Discovery Bible Study.) By Leigh Mackenzie Study Questions for Groups 1. With whom did you share the message and hope of Resurrection last week? 2. From this past week, what are you thankful for? (Be specific . . . more than, “I’m thankful for a good day” or “a great family.”) Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—for their help. Ask the first reader to read John 21:1-14, 24, 25 aloud. Then ask the second person to read it again, perhaps from a different version. Ask the third person

April 6, 2020

Lesson for April 12, 2020: Power Over Death (John 11:17-27, 32-44)

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 April 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Triumph with Jesus, who has broken the power of death. ________ By Mark Scott Easter is all about life swallowing death (1 Corinthians 15:54; Isaiah 25:8). Both Old and New Testaments gave us some “warm-up resurrections” so people could anticipate and appreciate the resurrection of Jesus. Some of those are Isaac’s (in

April 6, 2020

Application for April 12: When a Friend Dies

(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible study for April 12, 2020: “Power Over Death.”) By David Faust What can ease the pain when someone close to you dies? There’s no easy answer, but Jesus modeled three action steps that can help: (1) go and be with the grieving family, (2) offer emotional support, and (3) find hope in God’s promises and power. Lazarus lived in Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem, along with his sisters Martha, the meticulous housekeeper, and Mary, who hungered for the deeper things of God. This little family of three showed hospitality to Jesus and his

April 6, 2020

Discovery Questions for April 12, 2020

(Click here for a detailed explanation of how to use the Discovery Bible Study.) By Leigh Mackenzie Study Questions for Groups 1. If you had the opportunity this past week to share Jesus’ miracle of feeding more than 5,000 people with someone, how did that go? 2. What challenges did you face last week? (Be specific!) Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—for their help. Ask the first reader to read John 11:17-27 aloud. Then ask the second person to read it again, perhaps from a different version. Ask the third person to retell the narrative in about 60 seconds

March 29, 2020