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.

June 17, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 23, 2013: Worship in the New Creation (Isaiah 65)

By Sam E. Stone In this final lesson from Isaiah, we study part of his prophetic message that parallels John”s vision recorded in the book of Revelation. Bible scholars point out how the book of Isaiah mirrors the entire 66 books of the Bible. Isaiah 1″“39 is reminiscent of the 39 books found in the Old Testament, while the remaining 27 chapters call to mind the 27 books of the New Testament. Isaiah 40″“66 contains many significant prophecies about Jesus Christ. That section begins with these encouraging words: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and

June 10, 2013

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Lesson for June 16, 2013: Worship with Meaning (Isaiah 29)

By Sam E. Stone Each week our lesson planners include a devotional reading that is parallel to the message of the printed text. Their choice for today, Luke 8:9-15, comes from Jesus” parable about the sower. It clarifies and confirms the meaning of Isaiah 29. God is concerned about what we really mean when we say we worship. In Luke 8:10, Jesus quotes a similar passage in Isaiah (6:9) that warns those who are “hearing, but never understanding . . . seeing, but never perceiving.” Lewis Foster notes, “These words do not mean that God desires that some will not

June 3, 2013

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Lesson for June 9, 2013: Worship with Thanksgiving (Isaiah 12)

By Sam E. Stone The apostle Paul told Christians, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is undoubtedly good advice, but it is often difficult to do. When Isaiah warned the people of God”s coming judgment on the nation of Israel, he gave them a similar message. In last week”s lesson we studied Isaiah”s call to the prophetic ministry (Isaiah 6). The chapters that follow (7-11) foretell the coming of Immanuel, the Messiah. This is good news! But along with these words of hope, Isaiah also described God”s coming punishment for his unbelieving

May 27, 2013

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Lesson for June 2, 2013: Worship and Respond (Isaiah 6)

By Sam E. Stone This quarter we will consider God”s people and worship, learning from Isaiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. First we will study important sections from Isaiah. His book includes many important messianic prophecies. Israel was to be the means by which God”s blessing would come to all nations of the world. Isaiah prophesied during the divided kingdom. He was called in the year that King Uzziah died (about 740 BC), with most of his ministry focused on the southern kingdom (Judah). In the opening chapters of his book, Isaiah warns the rebellious people of God”s judgment upon them. In

May 20, 2013

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Lesson for May 26, 2013: Patient Hope (2 Peter 3)

By Sam E. Stone When doubters and cynics ridicule the church today, it is nothing new. That was happening a few years after the church began. As the apostle Peter neared the end of his life, even then he addressed the criticisms being leveled against Christians. Scoffers” Perspective 2 Peter 3:3, 4 It is important to remember that the last days started a long time ago. On the Day of Pentecost after Christ”s resurrection, Peter applied the last days prophecy of Joel 2:28-32 to that very moment (Acts 2:17; see also Hebrews 1:2; Jude 18). The scoffers Peter describes may

May 13, 2013

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Lesson for May 19, 2013: Active Hope (1 Peter 4)

By Sam E. Stone Persecution was common for the church of Peter”s day. His two letters address both what had happened already and what lay ahead. Christians need not fear, remembering the example of their Lord. In today”s text, Peter returns to his main theme found in 1 Peter 3:14-18, after some parenthetical remarks (vv. 19-22). Once again he focuses on being willing to suffer for Christ. Distinctive Life 1 Peter 4:1-6 Jesus” suffering brought us salvation. His obedient spirit must be ours as well. He died once for all (Hebrews 7:27; 9:28). Since we have the assurance of life

May 6, 2013

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Lesson for May 12, 2013: Sure Hope (2 Peter 1)

By Sam E. Stone This second letter from the apostle Peter to the churches (see 3:1) was probably written around AD 67, not long before his death. Some consider it his “last will and testament.” Knowing what awaited him (John 21:18, 19), he was more concerned about the needs of other Christians than his own. False teachers were afoot seeking to mislead the believers. They needed a sure hope, one found only in Christ. Hope”s Resources 2 Peter 1:2-4 Only knowledge of Jesus provides grace and peace in abundance. In fact, everything we need for a godly life is available

April 29, 2013

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Lesson for May 5, 2013: Living Hope (1 Peter 1)

By Sam E. Stone Two letters from the apostle Peter have been preserved for us in the New Testament. Around AD 64 he wrote to Christians living in the region we know as modern Turkey. The churches of Asia Minor were going through great suffering and persecution at this time. Peter wrote to encourage them to live faithfully for the Lord and to view life from an eternal perspective. William Barclay declared, “Of all these General Epistles it is probably true to say that First Peter is the best known and loved, and the most read . . . It

April 22, 2013

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Lesson for April 28, 2013: The Lord Will Triumph (2 Thessalonians 2)

By Sam E. Stone Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Thessalonica to encourage the new converts and give additional teaching. Last week”s lesson from that letter focused on the certainty of the Lord”s return and the need to be ready for it at all times. A short time later””perhaps six months or so””he wrote them again. In this second letter he corrects their misunderstanding about the return of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12) and offers additional encouragement and guidance.   Unshaken Believers 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 People in the church at Thessalonica were upset. Paul urged them not to

April 15, 2013

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Lesson for April 21, 2013: The Lord Will Return (1 Thessalonians 4:13″“5:11)

By Sam E. Stone The apostle Paul founded the church in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (Acts 17). Because he was not able to stay with the new converts as long as he would have liked, he continued to instruct them by letter.  A central theme in both epistles to the Thessalonians is the topic of today”s study””the return of Jesus Christ.   Return 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul describes Christians who have already died as those who sleep in death. In the New Testament, death is often compared to sleep for the believer (Luke 8:52; John 11:11; Acts 7:60).

April 8, 2013

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Lesson for April 14, 2013: The Lord Sends the Spirit (Acts 2:1-41)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Jesus had told his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to them (John 14:15-17). Today”s lesson tells when that occurred. It happened on the Day of Pentecost, immediately following his resurrection. Pente means 50th. Pentecost was observed on the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week. At Passover, Jesus had been crucified; at Pentecost, the inauguration of his earthly kingdom took place. Passover provided a time to remember when the Lord “passed over”

April 1, 2013

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Lesson for April 7, 2013: The Lord Appears (Luke 24:36-53)

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 continue to emphasize the Christ-ian”s undying hope. Today we review the resurrection and next week the beginning of the church on the Day of Pentecost. The remaining lessons in April look to the future with Paul”s encouragement for the Thessalonians. The appearance of Jesus reported in Luke 24:36-43 is the same one reported in John 20:19-23. The apostles are called “the eleven” (Luke 24:33), since Judas was then gone. In his Gospel, John

March 25, 2013

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Lesson for March 31, 2013: The Lord Lives! (Luke 24:1-35)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This quarter”s theme, “Undying Hope,” focuses this month on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many evidences confirm what took place. The account of the walk to Emmaus is noted briefly by Mark (16:12, 13), but is reported at some length by Luke. It took place on the afternoon of Resurrection Sunday. We know nothing more about Cleopas and his companion other than what is stated here. Some suggest this could be Clopas (John 19:25), and that

March 18, 2013

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Lesson for March 24, 2013: The Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:1-38)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone To the Jew, Passover was the most important of all the annual observances in Jerusalem. Passover was celebrated on the 14th of Nisan. At this feast, Jews remembered their deliverance from Egypt. They would eat bread that had not had time to rise, just as their forefathers had done as they hurried to escape Pharoah and his soldiers. At the feast, each family group would first sacrifice a lamb, then roast it for the meal. Luke

March 11, 2013

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Lesson for March 17, 2013: Gabriel Interprets Daniel”s Vision (Daniel 8)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The type of prophecies that Daniel gave to the Jews are frequently called apocalyptic. Using a great deal of symbolic language and unusual pictures of animals and people, his messages””like those in Revelation””are often difficult to interpret. In today”s lesson we have a great advantage: God”s messenger explains what the vision means! The interpretation points to a future time, not the Babylonian Empire with which Daniel and his people were dealing when he wrote. Tremper Longman

March 4, 2013

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Lesson for March 10, 2013: Daniel’s Prayer (Daniel 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone “The events of Daniel 9 were triggered by the reading of Scripture,” explains James E. Smith. “Daniel had access to a collection of prophetic literature which included the scroll of Jeremiah. He noted in Jeremiah 25:11 that the desolations of Jerusalem were to end after the termination of the seventy years of Babylonian world rule.” This is the background for Daniel”s prayer that we study today. It is surely one of the most heartfelt pleas to

February 25, 2013

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Lesson for March 3, 2013: Daniel’s Vision of Change (Daniel 7)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The genuineness of the prophetic message of Daniel was sanctioned by Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 24:15). Edward J. Young points out, however, “Daniel was not a prophet in a restricted, technical sense. He was rather a statesman at the court of heathen monarchs . . . inspired of God to write his book.” Daniel was one of the prominent Jews taken from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar when Israel was conquered (Daniel 12:1-7). These young

February 18, 2013

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Lesson for February 24, 2013: Disciplined for Life (Colossians 4)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone When reading Colossians, it is important to remember that this is another of Paul”s letters written from prison. This makes every word even more meaningful. In this final lesson of our current study, his counsel is especially challenging.   Principles Colossians 4:2-6 Prayer has always been of great importance to Christ”s followers. Jesus is our perfect example. He taught his disciples to pray during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:5-14) and demonstrated prayer”s importance throughout

February 11, 2013

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Lesson for February 17, 2013: Clothed with Christ (Colossians 3)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In the first two chapters of Colossians the apostle Paul demonstrated the fact that Jesus is superior to any person or god. In the last half of the epistle, he calls on believers to understand and obey all that the Lord is expecting of them. He contrasts what they are to put off and what they are to put on.   What to Put Off Colossians 3:5-11 Paul emphasized the role baptism plays in a person”s

February 4, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 10, 2013: Raised with Christ (Colossians 2)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone If you had lived in first-century Colossae, you would have seen much similarity to today”s world. Competing pagan religions and philosophies battled for the souls of the residents. A Christian should stand out in such a society. For this reason Paul wrote them this letter of encouragement and guidance. Be Faithful! Colossians 2:6-7 Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him. Paul here combines two early confessions”””Jesus is the

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