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.

April 14, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 20, 2014: The Third Day (Hosea 6:1-3; Luke 24:1-12)

  This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Hosea prophesied during the eighth century BC, speaking to the people in the Northern Kingdom””Israel. In today”s text he calls them again to repentance, including words that remind us of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The passage from Luke provides many details about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, showing the events alluded to in Hosea”s message. Revived on the Third Day Hosea 6:1-3 Hosea compared the sinful disobedience of Israel to

April 7, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 13, 2014: A Messianic Priest-King (Jeremiah 23:5, 6; Zechariah 6:9-15; John 19:1-5; Hebrews 7:13)

  This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone All of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. Today we hear from two prophets, Jeremiah and Zechariah, before turning to John”s Gospel to see how their predictions came true. Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet” because of the difficult message he had to deliver. Chapter 23, however, brings vibrant hope for the future. Zechariah prophesied years later, after the Jewish people returned from exile. He challenged them to complete

March 31, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 6, 2014: Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Isaiah 56:6-8; Jeremiah 7:8-15; Mark 11:15-19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The messages of two prominent Old Testament prophets provide background for today”s lesson. Both focus on the cleansing of the temple during the final week of Jesus” earthly ministry. Isaiah had preached around 740 BC, while Jeremiah came some 55 years later. R. C. Foster noted, “Jeremiah denounces the wicked character of the people worshiping in the temple and the false trust of Israel in the temple; Jesus applies this to their misuse of the temple

March 24, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 30, 2014: Triumphant and Victorious (Zechariah 9:9, 10; Matthew 21:1-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Continuing this quarter”s study, “Jesus” Fulfillment of Scripture,” we come to the Triumphal Entry. It marks the beginning of the end of our Savior”s earthly life. The event had been foretold centuries before by the prophet Zechariah. He served as a priest along with Haggai, urging the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (see Ezra 5:1, 2). James E. Smith pointed out four important facts found in Zechariah 9 concerning the coming Prince of Peace:

March 17, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 23, 2014: Worthy Is the Lamb (Revelation 3:7; 5:5-13; 6:12″“7:17; 22:16)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Revelation was written by the apostle John. While he was in exile on the isle of Patmos around AD 95, God gave John a wonderful vision. It was designed to help the first-century believers as they faced increasing opposition and hostility. An angel came to him with a scroll, but no one could open it. John began to weep because of this. The Lamb Appears Revelation 5:5-7 Around God”s throne were a group of elders (4:9,

March 10, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 16, 2014: Peter”s Report (Psalm 110; Mark 12:35-37; Acts 2:22-36)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Two passages form the basis of today”s study. The first is from Psalm 110, one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament. It points readers to the coming Messiah. The other text is part of Peter”s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, where the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Christ”s resurrection is clearly shown. Victory Promised Psalm 110:1-4 David wrote Psalm 110. When his prophetic message was given, Israel was a relatively small

March 3, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 9, 2014: Son of David (Psalm 89; Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 1:18″“2:6; Luke 1:26-33)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson is based on three passages of Scripture. Psalm 89 affirms God”s faithfulness in keeping his amazing promise to David (2 Samuel 7) that we studied last week. There he assured David that he would have a place of greatness, that his offspring would succeed him, and that his kingdom would be established forever. Next, one of the key messianic prophecies is cited. Isaiah assures the people that Immanuel will remain beside them””literally “God with

February 24, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 2, 2014: An Eternal Kingdom (2 Samuel 7)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone God made covenants with various individuals in Old Testament times, as well as with the nation of Israel as a whole. Before Samuel died, he anointed David as king of Israel. Shortly after returning the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, David was troubled by how things looked. While he was living in a palace of cedar, the ark remained in a tent. King David decided this was not right. As we learn in today”s text,

February 23, 2014

Michael C. Mack

Six Methods for Wrestling with Scripture

By Michael C. Mack 1. Use a reading plan. A wide variety of daily Bible-reading plans are available in churches and on websites. Have your group choose a plan and agree to use it. That way, everyone is on the same page, so discussion can be more dynamic. 2. Focus. Some groups focus on less Scripture, say one to three chapters a day, and read through books of the Bible. I like this method for groups who want to commit together to reading through certain Bible books and getting more in-depth than the previous option. 3. Intently focus. An even

February 23, 2014

Michael C. Mack

Wrestling with the Scriptures Together

By Michael C. Mack How do small groups best engage in Bible study in order to grow as followers of Christ? If you asked Jesus” original disciples to describe discipleship, they would talk about their yeshiva. Rabbis taught in groups of disciples called yeshivas that would have passionate discussions over different aspects of life and what the Hebrew Scriptures said about them. They would wrestle with the texts together in order to understand God”s view on how they should conduct their lives. Rabbis used no written curriculum or agenda for their multiyear discipling experience. Their curriculum was life itself. The

February 18, 2014

Mark A. Taylor

Beyond the Problem

By Mark A. Taylor Let”s not dwell on the fact that too many know too little about God”s Word. After clarifying the situation (and more than one writer at our site this month gives troubling facts and examples), let”s talk about how to solve the “know problem” all around us (not only in our neighborhoods, but in our churches too). We’re posting many stories and strategies to help your church increase biblical literacy where you are. From this wealth of help, several principles stand out. “¢ People want to know the Bible better. When presented with an accessible plan for

February 17, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 23, 2014: Control Your Speech (James 3:1-12)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In today”s text, James returns to a subject introduced earlier in his letter””proper use of the tongue (see James 1:19, 26). He identifies himself as a fellow believer with his readers. When he warns that teachers will be judged more strictly, James does not mean just “official teachers” (apostles, prophets, and teachers, as in 1 Corinthians 12:28-31), but others as well. His warning includes all who are involved in any teaching. Consistency James 3:1, 2 Those

February 15, 2014

Christian Standard

Puzzle Solved!

By Monty Cooper Bridges Christian Church tapped the talents of many members for its through-the-Bible study. I am not the type of guy who enjoys “endless hours of fun” putting together 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles. I really don”t have the patience. It is hard for me to see how all of the pieces on the table fit together. If we are honest, this is how many people feel about the Bible. The Bible is like a large jigsaw puzzle, a bunch of stories with bits and pieces of history that just don”t seem to fit. We miss the fact that it

February 10, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 16, 2014: Show Your Faith by Your Works (James 2:14-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Some Bible teachers suggest that Paul and James disagree with each other about the place of faith and works in a person”s salvation. They don”t, however. In today”s text James did not attack Paul”s teaching that a Christian is saved by God”s grace. Instead he corrected what A. T. Robertson called “the ceremonial ritualism of the Pharisees.”   Evaluating Genuine Faith James 2:14-19 Real faith isn”t something you just talk about. Biblical faith includes trust and

February 9, 2014

Christian Standard

Free Digital Resources for Bible Study

Compiled by Gregory Linton   BibleGateway.com Find and compare passages of the Bible based on keywords, phrases, or Scripture reference. Bible Gateway also provides an app that includes more than 90 different translations in more than 70 languages and offers reading plans, audio versions, note taking, and highlighting. It is available on iPad, iPhone, Android phones, and Kindle Fire.   BibleStudyTools.com “The largest free online Bible website for verse search and in-depth studies.” Search capabilities in 39 different versions of the Bible as well as access to commentaries, dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordances, historical books, and Greek and Hebrew interlinears and lexicons.

February 8, 2014

Christian Standard

From Meager to Eager

By T.R. Robertson When people say they wish they could watch more football, or they wish they could spend more time on the Internet, most of them will actually find a way to do just that. But when the people in your church say they wish they knew the Bible better, will they actually set out to do it? For many, the answer is probably not. But why not? One reason some don”t work at learning the Bible might be they don”t really understand the benefits of being more biblically literate. Sure, they”ll agree it”s important. But in fact, they”re

February 6, 2014

Christian Standard

Improving Your Literacy

By James Riley Estep Jr.   Improving Your Cultural Literacy Thomas de Zengotita”s Mediated: How the Media Shapes Our World and the Way We Live in It (2006) assesses the impact of living in a media-immersed society by exploring the influence technology has on the relationships in American culture. Sherry Turkle”s Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other (2011) explores how technology challenges the desire for community. Likewise, Jake Halpern”s Fame-Junkies: America”s Favorite Addiction (2008) assesses the American obsession with achieving fame, cultural recognition, and its influence on society in general. These books apprise

February 6, 2014

Christian Standard

Deep Impact: The Cultural Challenge of Biblical Illiteracy

By James Riley Estep Jr. You”ll find it in almost every hotel room, usually in the top drawer next to the bed. While most studies indicate a majority of Americans hold the Bible in high regard, those same studies indicate Americans are increasingly ignorant of what”s in the Bible. A lack of biblical literacy is a challenge for the American culture and also the American church. It poses a crucial test for the Christian community”s identity, distinctives, and ministry in the 21st century.   Increasing Unfamiliarity with the Bible George Gallup and Jim Castelli have concluded, “Americans revere the Bible

February 3, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 9, 2014: Treat Everyone Equally (James 2:1-13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Edwin Markham once said, “We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; now let”s commit it to life.” That is James”s point. In this chapter he insists on consistent Christianity. Spiros Zodhiates observed, “Whenever James is about to scold the believers of his day, he likes to preface the scolding with a word of love, and that word is my brethren. He admonishes in love; he corrects in affection.” Problem Identified James 2:1-4 James warned his

January 27, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 2, 2014: Hear and Do the Word (James 1:19-27)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Most Bible scholars believe that the James who wrote this epistle is the one who was a brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). Though he was skeptical of Jesus during his ministry (John 7:5), James was convinced that Jesus was the Son of God after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). James was numbered among the company in Jerusalem waiting and praying after Jesus” ascension (Acts 1:14). Later Peter and Paul met with him in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19)

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