August 22, 2022
August 28 | Application (‘Where Did the Glory Go?’)
Architectural marvels constructed to glorify God have become museums and visitor attractions, not centers of worship and community service. Where has the glory gone?
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August 22, 2022
August 28 | Discovery
Thinking about what we have studied over the past three weeks in Ezekiel, what is the reason for God’s glory departing?
August 15, 2022
August 21 | The Soul that Sins
In this lesson text, the exilic prophet Ezekiel taught that the soul that sins is the one in trouble. Ultimately a child cannot pass the buck of blame for sin to mom or dad. Each individual must stand before God personally.
August 15, 2022
August 21 | Application (‘I Am Who’)
Prior generations of parents and grandparents may have passed along their own habits, hang-ups, and hurts, but eventually we must stop blaming others and take responsibility for our own actions.
August 15, 2022
August 21 | Discovery
Is our ranking of “really bad sins” and “not so bad sins” supported by the text from Ezekiel, or are we more likely to excuse things we’re comfortable with?
August 8, 2022
August 14 | Sins of the Leaders
Since the call of this exilic prophet (in Ezekiel 1–3), the prophet had cried out against Israel’s idolatry and the sins of Israel’s leaders. The result was that leaders began persecuting Ezekiel. At this juncture "the word of the Lord" came to Ezekiel to cry out against those leaders.
August 8, 2022
August 14 | Application (‘Don’t Lose Your Bearings’)
Long ago the prophet Ezekiel identified several danger signs of moral failure. How can we tell if our leaders are losing their bearings? Ezekiel 22 identifies five leadership pitfalls—ways the “princes of Israel” were veering off course.
August 8, 2022
August 14 | Discovery
What would it look like to “build up the wall” or “stand before God in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) against the atrocities we see in this chapter?
August 1, 2022
August 7 | Sent to a Rebellious People
The major prophetic book of Ezekiel is the Judges of the exile. It is the Dark Ages of captivity for Israel. This prophet-priest had to announce that sin came with consequences. With this lesson, we launch a two-month study of this book.
August 1, 2022
August 7 | Application (‘The Man Who Looked Away’)
"Recently I led a difficult funeral for a young woman who had died of a drug overdose," David Faust writes. "The whole time I spoke, an older man seated in the front row . . . refused to look at me . . ."
August 1, 2022
August 7 | Discovery
If God were looking for another Ezekiel to take a message to his people, would you be a good choice?
July 25, 2022
July 31 | Don’t Be Idle Wasting Time
Paul made two prayer requests. He asked the Thessalonians to pray that the gospel would spread rapidly and be honored. Paul also asked God to deliver him and his team from wicked and evil people who have no faith.
July 25, 2022
July 31 | Application (‘Something Is Out of Whack in My Church’)
Let’s be honest. A lot of local churches don’t operate well. It’s beautiful when they do—when the body of Christ functions with harmony and efficiency. But it’s rare to find a congregation where everyone is “speaking the truth in love” and aligned around a common mission.
July 25, 2022
July 31 | Discovery
In 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, Paul talked about being “a model for you to imitate.” What is one thing in your own life that is worth imitating?
July 18, 2022
July 24 | Be Strong Through Trials
Paul gave the Thessalonians inspired advice about how to be strong through trials. It had to do with growing in faith and love, recognizing God’s judgment, and constantly praying.
July 18, 2022
July 24 | Application (‘It’s Messy on the Boat’)
Some read the biblical account of Noah’s ark and treat it like a charming little children’s story, but imagine what it was like being cooped up with all those animals for months. . . .
July 18, 2022
July 24 | Discovery
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 4. If Paul were writing about you, what one thing in your spiritual life would he boast about?
July 11, 2022
July 17 | Be Alert for Christ’s Return
This section on the return of Christ (beginning in 1 Thessalonians 4:13) is one of the longest in the New Testament. Evidently some of the believers felt as if those who had died before the return of Jesus would miss out on his second coming. Paul was writing to correct that fallacious thinking.
July 11, 2022
July 17 | Application (‘So What?’)
Ask Christians if they believe in Jesus’ second coming, and most will say yes. But if we believe in the return of Christ, we must dare to ask, “So what?” The second coming deserves more than a passing nod. In practical terms, how does our expectation of Christ’s return shape our lives?
July 11, 2022
July 17 | Discovery
Why did the church in Thessalonica so badly need encouragement?
