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.

January 20, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 26, 2014: Showing Compassion for the Poor (Luke 16)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The parable we study today follows directly the story that Jesus told about the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-15). J. W. McGarvey suggested, “If the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them.” Rich and Poor Luke 16:19-21 Luke explains that it was the rich man”s habit to wear costly and well-made clothing. He was literally “making merry brilliantly,”

January 13, 2014

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Lesson for January 19, 2014: Enlarging Your Circle (Luke 14:7-24)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The scene described in today”s text takes place in the third year of Jesus” earthly ministry. Luke 14 begins with him having dinner in the home of a prominent Pharisee. Luke explains that “he was being carefully watched” by his critics. The critics didn”t care about the health of a very sick man who was brought to Jesus there; they were interested only in seeing whether or not Jesus would cure him, since it was a

January 6, 2014

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Lesson for January 12, 2014: Living as God”s People (Luke 6:12-49)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Luke does not specify the time and place when Jesus delivered the message we study today. It possibly could be the same lesson known as the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5″“7). It is also possible that it is a different message delivered at a different time but containing some basic themes and illustrations that are also found in the other. Regardless, this message has one main emphasis””living as God”s people.   Praying and Choosing Luke

December 30, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 5, 2014: Honoring the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Questions about fasting arose early in Christ”s ministry (see Luke 5:33-35). It seems as though the disciples of John the Baptist joined the Pharisees in asking Jesus questions about fasting. Mark suggests that the questions were asked on one of the fasting days observed by both the disciples of John and the Pharisees (see Mark 2:18). Luke records five criticisms in a row from the Pharisees with two of them claiming a violation of the Sabbath.

December 23, 2013

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Lesson for December 29, 2013: Jesus Is Presented in the Temple (Luke 2:21-40)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This month”s lessons have followed the theme, “God Sends Jesus,” based on Luke”s Gospel. We have seen how God called various individuals to have part in these events. In today”s study Simeon and Anna touch the life of Jesus when he is just a baby. Their hopes were realized in the birth of the Messiah, just as ours are.   Obedient Parents Luke 2:21, 22 Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to

December 16, 2013

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Lesson for December 22, 2013: Jesus Is Born (Luke 2:1-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Of the four Gospel writers, Luke is the one who gives the historical details and setting of Jesus” birth. With careful research and guided by the Holy Spirit”s inspiration, he records the wonderful news of Christ”s birth and how those who first heard about it were called to rejoice. No doubt Luke interviewed Mary, Jesus” mother, in preparing to write it (Luke 1:3; 2:19). The Baby”s Birth Luke 2:1-7 Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. The Romans were

September 16, 2013

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Lesson for September 22, 2013: An Everlasting Covenant (Genesis 6:9″“9:28)

By Sam E. Stone God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Everything was perfect. All too quickly, however, the first humans sinned (Genesis 3). Soon their son Cain sinned too (Genesis 4). The next chapter of Genesis records the genealogy from Adam to Noah. Chapter 5 concludes, “After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth” (v. 32). Genesis 6-8 describes the construction of the ark, the gathering of the animals along with his family, and the flood itself. After the waters finally receded (more than a year

September 9, 2013

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Lesson for September 15, 2013: Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3)

By Sam E. Stone What a difference a day makes! When last week”s text concluded, everything was good in the Garden of Eden. God had evaluated all of his creation and pronounced it “very good.” The one remaining need was to create a suitable companion for Adam. God gave him Eve. All was well. It was not long, however, till things changed. Genesis 3 introduces a new character into the account””the serpent. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.” Although the serpent is not identified by name as Satan or

September 2, 2013

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Lesson for September 8, 2013: God”s Image””Male and Female (Genesis 1, 2; 5:1, 2)

By Sam E. Stone “First Things” is the theme that ties this quarter”s lessons together, using excerpts from both Genesis and Exodus. We will see not only the first days of creation, but also how God formed his people Israel as the first nation, and then how their first freedom came about. Moses wrote Genesis. Inspired by God, he recorded things that only the Creator could know. Because of this, Scripture gives the only definitive account of creation. Each day is described in Genesis 1. Today”s text provides more details about what happened on the sixth day, when the Lord

August 26, 2013

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Lesson for September 1, 2013: God Creates (Psalm 104)

By Sam E. Stone During the next two months we will study highlights from the book of Genesis. Today”s lesson provides a helpful introduction to the creation account (Genesis 1). It leads the reader to praise God for his unimaginable greatness and goodness, shown when he made the world. The psalm has been described as “a poetical commentary upon the first chapter of Genesis.” It ranks with Job 38, 39, Psalm 8, 19, 29, and Habakkuk 3. This beautiful hymn praises God for the wonders of creation. The content parallels the creation account in Genesis 1. Some Bible students see

August 19, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 25, 2013: Sabbath Reforms (Nehemiah 13:4-31)

By Sam E. Stone The conclusion of the book of Nehemiah emphasizes how reform happens. James E. Smith observes, “Once again the reading of Scripture had driven home to the Jews the obligation to be holy unto Yahweh. The prohibition here enjoined (Nehemiah 13:1-3) was not absolute. It was religious, not ethnic. Those who embraced in faith the God of Israel, like Ruth the Moabitess, could find a very different reception in Israel.” Nehemiah 13 describes a time somewhat removed from the first chapters. Nehemiah has now returned to Jerusalem from his homeland (v. 6-9). While some feel he had

August 12, 2013

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Lesson for August 18, 2013: Dedication of the Wall (Nehemiah 12:27-43)

By Sam E. Stone The first part of the book of Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. This was completed. Today”s text tells about the dedication ceremony of the rebuilt walls that followed. Chapter 12 lists the priests and Levites who had returned to their homeland and now will participate in this joyful occasion. Likely both the Levites and the priests who lived outside Jerusalem were assigned a normal rotation of duties in the temple. On this special occasion, however, additional arrangements were made.   Dedication Preparation Nehemiah 12:27-30 For years the Levites had been

August 7, 2013

Christian Standard

What”s New with the Standard Lesson Commentary?

By Jon Underwood It”s midsummer, but many people are already anticipating fall and the launch of a new year of church programs that come with it. That includes a new line of the Standard Lesson Commentaries and the new lineup of Standard Lesson Quarterly products. The Standard Lesson Commentary is the best-selling lesson commentary on the Uniform Series (International Sunday School Lessons), a system of Bible study that has been around since 1872. Standard Publishing has been involved with the Uniform Series since very near the beginning. The company”s founder, and Christian Standard”s first editor, Isaac Errett, served on the

August 5, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 11, 2013: Community of Confession (Nehemiah 9:1-37)

By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson comes immediately after last week”s text (Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 13-18). Following the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles, the people had a single day off. Then their feasting turned to fasting. James B. Coffman points out, “A very important revelation of this chapter is that it was the Levites, and not the priests, who led Israel in this penitential prayer of confession and praise to God . . . . There is not a word in this chapter that even hints of any priestly participation in this great repentance, confession and prayer.” The text

July 29, 2013

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Lesson for August 4, 2013: Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 7:73b”“8:18; Leviticus 23:33-43)

By Sam E. Stone Nehemiah went to Jerusalem in 444 BC. Ezra had been there 13 years at the time of today”s text. Ezra served as a priest, however, while Nehemiah came as the civil governor to rebuild the wall and restore Jerusalem as a fortified city. The opening chapters of the book that bears his name tell how he came to be sent there, and how he proceeded to rebuild the wall. Despite fierce opposition, Nehemiah led the people through this challenging time. Nehemiah”s list of those who had returned from Babylon became the basis he would use to

July 22, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 28, 2013: Giving Gifts for the Temple (Ezra 8:24-36)

By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson is the last of five studies in the life and ministry of the respected Old Testament leader Ezra. In the book that bears his name, he describes how the Jews came to return to Israel from their Babylonian captivity. Ezra includes seven official documents or letters, in addition to his own memoirs. Especially striking is the prominence of Levites and temple personnel. When Ezra realized that no Levites were among those committed to return with him, he sent a delegation to a nearby area (Kasiphia) to recruit some. They were to “bring attendants to

July 15, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 21, 2013: Fasting and Praying (Ezra 7:1″“8:23)

By Sam E. Stone The book of Ezra is composed of two sections: chapters 1″“6 record how the Jews returned from captivity to rebuild the temple; chapters 7″“10 describe how Ezra came back to Jerusalem and led reforms. A period of some 57 years passed between the end of Ezra 6 (515 BC) and the beginning of Ezra 7 (458 BC). During this time, the events described in the book of Esther took place.   Plans for the Trip Ezra 7:6-10 The second section of the book begins with a listing of Ezra”s credentials. Ruben Ratzlaff notes, “Like many of

July 8, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 14, 2013: Dedicating the Temple (Ezra 6)

By Sam E. Stone Worship with both song and sacrifice was once again practiced by the people of Israel after their return to the promised land. Ezra, a famous priest and scribe, tells us of the event. In Ezra 4 he describes the opposition faced by the Jews as they worked to rebuild the temple. Chapters 5 and 6 record their eventual success. Today”s printed text highlights the dedication of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Herbert Lockyer described Ezra this way: “He conducted the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem in peace and safety, and establishing himself as their leader, reformed

July 1, 2013

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Lesson for July 7, 2013: Restoring the Temple (Ezra 3:8-13)

By Sam E. Stone This is the second week of studies from the book of Ezra. It describes the time when God”s people were able to worship in Jerusalem once again. Being released from Babylonian captivity was not enough. Now they needed not only to rebuild the altar but also to restore the entire temple, following God”s directions for worship. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther contain the inspired record of what took place at this time period. James E. Smith explains, “The first six chapters of the Book of Ezra cover a single generation, 538-515 BC. The major

June 24, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 30, 2013: Restoring Joyful Worship (Ezra 1:1″“3:7)

By Sam E. Stone Continuing this quarter”s theme, “God”s People Worship,” we now turn from Isaiah to two other helpful resources””the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Along with the book of Esther, these two writings form the closing section of Old Testament history. They tell of the Jews” return from Babylon, the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, and the reestablishment of life in their homeland. J. Stafford Wright observes, “It is possible that sacrifices had been offered at times on the temple site during the exile (compare Jeremiah 41:5). But the purpose now was to reinstate the divinely prescribed

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