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.

August 1, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 7, 2016: More Than Conquerors (Romans 8:28-39)

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 July 31 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  We have a grandson who can be hyper. Guess what? God is hyper, and so are we. Twice in our text the word for “hyper” appears (as a preposition in verse 31 and as a prefix to a verb in verse 37). God is hyper for (or on behalf of) us, and we are hyper conquerors

July 25, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 31, 2016: From Death to Life (Romans 6:1″“4, 12″“14, 17″“23)

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 July 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Jesus specializes in bringing life out of death. To the widow”s son at Nain Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (Luke 7:14). To Jairus”s daughter Jesus said, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” (Mark 5:41). In front of Mary, Martha, and others, Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43).

March 7, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 13, 2016: Simple Faith (Mark 10:17″“31)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the March 6 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Affluenza complicates simple faith. Affluenza is a sickness caused by too many material possessions. While everything created by God is good (2 Timothy 4:4), and while God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), there probably is such

February 29, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 6, 2016: Powerful Faith (Mark 9:14″“29)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 28 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  The apostles said, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). What could be more important than an increasing faith in a powerful God? As upside down as it sounds, one thing that causes our faith to increase is doubt. Healthy doubt that seeks understanding is a good

February 22, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 28, 2016: Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33″“43)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 21 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Pushing the pause button to remember God”s faithfulness is a healthy spiritual discipline. Every so often we need to take a step back from the daily grind and enjoy a spiritual sanity check. In many ways that is how the Feast of Tabernacles functioned for Israel.

February 15, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 21, 2016: Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:11″“19)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 14 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  “The forgiveness of God, in my opinion, is the most powerful and therapeutic idea in the world,” said Leslie Weatherhead. A Christian counselor from Colorado said, “The lack of forgiveness is at the root of most all interpersonal conflicts.” We should not be surprised that forgiveness

February 8, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 14, 2016: Festival of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15″“22)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Valentine”s Day celebrates love. Wedding anniversaries celebrate commitment. Probably the most noteworthy wedding anniversary is the fiftieth. When couples achieve that, it is called a milestone. A milestone festival for Israel was the Festival of Weeks””an interesting name since it was just a one-day celebration.

February 1, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 7, 2016: Passover (Exodus 12:1-14)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the January 31 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  The driving metaphor of religious practice in the Old Testament is a party. That is rather unique. Islam has its five pillars. Buddhism strives to achieve a state of Nirvana. Hinduism pilgrimages through several Vedas. But for the people of God in Scripture the word is

January 25, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 31, 2016: The Death of a Friend (John 11:38-44)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the January 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Jesus and death cannot coexist. Death has no victory around Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55). Jesus destroys the one who has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus proved this in his earthly ministry. Prior to his own resurrection, Jesus raised three people from the dead:

January 18, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 24, 2016: A Wedding in Cana (John 2:1-12)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the January 17 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Jesus was a worker of wonders. He worked miracles for several reasons. He wanted to prove who he was (Mark 2:10). He wanted to demonstrate that the kingdom had come (Matthew 12:28). He wanted to show compassion (Mark 8:2). He wanted to reward faith (Matthew

January 11, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 17, 2016: An Unfaithful Bride (Hosea 1)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the January 10 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  School boys used to say, “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all the way to the bone.” When it is spiritual ugliness, it goes deeper still. The minor prophet Hosea experienced spiritual ugliness. Like many of God”s prophets, his life got intertwined with

January 4, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 10, 2016: The Most Beautiful Bride (Song of Songs 6:4″“12)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the January 3 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  We should always interpret the Bible in light of the genre used because that sets expectations for interpretation. If I say, “Roses are red and violets are blue,” then I am using the genre of poetry. The reader interprets appropriately, expecting to see things like figures

December 28, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 3, 2016: A Bride Worth Waiting For (Genesis 29:15″“30)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the December 27 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (English Standard Version). Who has not known the agony of waiting? Waiting seems like forever. But a laser focus on a strong goal helps us endure any

December 21, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 27, 2015: A Generous Gift (Matthew 23:2″“12; Mark 12:38″“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, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the December 20 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Generous gifts and humble deeds sharply contrast with shrunken hearts and hypocritical actions. Today”s lesson shows that contrast in neon lights. The antagonists in the Gospels (the Pharisees, who were actually greatly respected) contrast sharply with a humble widow who made a most generous gift at

December 14, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 20, 2015: Dedication of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:13″“15; Luke 2:22″“32)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the December 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  There is an old downward spiral to sin that goes like this: If you hesitate, you will contemplate; if you contemplate, you will negotiate; if you negotiate, you will participate; and if you participate, you will desecrate. But maybe we could say that with the coming

February 23, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 1, 2015: The Lamb of God (John 1:29-34)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 22 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This month”s lessons highlight “The Pledge of God”s Presence,” as seen in the Gospels of John and Mark. The quarter”s overall theme is, “The Spirit Comes.” The preparatory ministry of John the Baptist is recounted early in John”s Gospel. It had been almost 400 years since the last Old Testament prophet appeared on the stage of Scripture. Malachi concluded his message

February 16, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 22, 2015: Clothed and Ready (Ephesians 6:10-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 15 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Today we complete this quarter”s survey of practical help for Christian living. Having considered such themes as worship, prayer, and stewardship, we now focus on the reality of the believer”s battle with the devil. William Hendriksen pointed out Paul”s emphasis on the source of power for believers: “Apart from Christ, Christians can accomplish nothing at all (John 15:1-5). They are like

February 9, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 15, 2015: Serving the Least (Matthew 25)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 8 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The four lessons this month show the importance of a believer”s stewardship of life. How we live demonstrates the reality of our faith. Love for others is essential for all who follow Jesus (1 John 3:16-18). No one can go to Heaven simply by meeting human needs, of course. Salvation comes only by the mercy and grace of God. But

February 2, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 8, 2015: Serving Neighbors, Serving God (Luke 10:25-37)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 1 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  After Jesus concluded his Galilean ministry, he began to make his way to Jerusalem. En route he told one of his best-known and most widely loved parables””the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is recorded only by Luke. The man who initiated the discussion is called an expert in the law. Some translations call him a “scribe” or “lawyer.” H. Lynn

January 26, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 1, 2015: Feasting and Fasting (Daniel 1; Matthew 6; 9:9-17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 25 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  “The Book of Daniel has attracted more interest than any book of the Old Testament,” declared Dr. James. E. Smith. “Because he was willing at all times to stand up for what he believed, Daniel is a true hero of the Faith.” In today”s lesson the role of one”s dietary choices focuses on two perspectives””feasting and fasting. The first text describes

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