March 22, 2021
Mar 28 | The Reward of Wisdom
As we enter this Holy Week we must be careful of unjust accusations against our Jewish forefathers for missing Jesus. If we do not embrace the wisdom from heaven, we might miss him too.
Theology & Bible
Theology & Bible helps Christians understand Scripture and the core teachings of the Christian faith. Explore Bible-based articles on biblical interpretation, doctrine, salvation, the Holy Spirit, baptism, communion, creation, and key themes across the Old and New Testaments. You’ll find thoughtful guidance for studying the Bible faithfully, applying God’s Word to life and ministry, and growing in theological clarity rooted in the gospel. Whether you’re a church leader, teacher, student, or everyday disciple, this hub equips you to know God through Scripture and live with conviction and hope.
March 22, 2021
Mar 28 | Application
Christians can keep our feet on the ground while our eyes are on Heaven. We can be realistic without being cynical, and we can hold onto our ideals without being wild-eyed dreamers. We can live in the “now” while we anticipate the “not yet.”
March 22, 2021
Mar 28 | Discovery
How would you use these passages to convince someone to live God’s way rather than living their own way or the world’s way?
March 18, 2021
When You Baptize . . .
There is no sermon so eloquent on the subject of Christian baptism as a properly performed baptism, C.J. Sharp wrote in 1951. The way in which it is performed determines whether its message is made or marred.
March 15, 2021
Mar 21 | The Call of Wisdom
As the more “unified” section of Proverbs comes to a close in chapters 8–9, we hear two voices. They are the voices (and paths) of Lady Wisdom and Madam Folly.
March 15, 2021
Mar 21 | Application
If you want to be savvy and streetwise, read the book of Proverbs. It’s a jewelry box filled with nuggets of spiritual gold . . . a toolbox full of blue-collar common sense . . . a handbook . . .
March 15, 2021
Mar 21 | Discovery
Where does Lady Wisdom make her appeal, and what does that signify? To whom does Lady Wisdom call, and what does that imply about wisdom?
March 8, 2021
Mar 14 | The Beginning of Wisdom
Mark Scott writes: The main part of this week’s text features an alternating pattern of command (Proverbs 3:1, 3, 5-6a, et al.) and reward (3:2, 4, 6b, et al.). When God’s people begin with God’s wisdom, they can . . .
March 8, 2021
Mar 14 | Application
David Faust writes: Awe is a stepping-stone toward wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).
March 8, 2021
Mar 14 | Discovery
Look at how the main passage (Proverbs 3:1-12) is arranged. You’ll see six commands or actions followed by corresponding results or rewards. In what ways do you find this format to be beneficial?
March 1, 2021
Mar 7 | The Source of Wisdom
Proverbs are succinct, abrupt, and curt. They do not debate. They assert. They are short, pithy statements of “general” truth. They are always true but only in the intended context. . . .
Aroma of Christ
Consider that Jesus' sacrifice was on a cross, which smelled like blood and grime and torture and the bile of humiliation. And yet it was fragrant to God.
March 1, 2021
Mar 7 | Application
My first “minister’s office” was a small corner room. . . . My office contained a gas heater, a rotary phone, and a mimeograph machine I cranked by hand to print the weekly bulletin. One of my weekly tasks was burning trash in a barrel. . . .
What Is Truth?
We’re all familiar with Pilate’s question of Jesus, “What is truth?” He was responding to Jesus’ statement, “For this purpose I have been born . . . to testify to the truth” (John 18:37-38). In context, I believe Pilate was mostly being sarcastic, though with a shred of genuine curiosity. Pilate was raised in a pagan society that worshiped Caesar as God during a time of many opposing philosophies. In that day, people did not recognize absolute truth. In other words, it was in many regards much like today, a day when the notion of truth has become controversial. A
God Does Not Change
Trying to understand God is like swimming underwater to the deepest part of the ocean and back to the surface with one deep breath. “It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity,” said Charles Spurgeon in The Immutability of God. “[It’s] so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it.” When talking about and studying God, I have found one of his characteristics more comforting than all of the others: God does not change. We call this attribute immutability. This means
March 1, 2021
The Truth about Bible Reading
By Kent E. Fillinger Biblegateway.com offers 61 different Bible translations and paraphrases for readers to choose from. I’ve half-jokingly said for years that most Christians choose to read the MOV(My Own Version) Bible. The Jefferson Bible—more properly called The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth—may be the most noteworthy example of trying to make the Bible fit one’s personal perspective. Our nation’s third president, Thomas Jefferson, like many at the time, shed his orthodox Christianity in stages. He started by doubting the Trinity, then Old Testament miracles, and then New Testament miracles. During his presidency, Jefferson extracted, reduced, and
March 1, 2021
Mar 7 | Discovery
Let’s dig deeper into these passages: What do Proverbs 1:7 with Proverbs 9:10 reveal to you about wisdom, instruction, knowledge, and understanding?
February 22, 2021
Sinners Saved by Grace
By Stuart Powell As a child, did you ever try to hide from your parents after a disobedient act? Did you seek sanctuary somewhere in your house? Was it even a good hiding place? Such a foolish reaction stretches back to the beginning of sin on earth. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them
February 22, 2021
Feb 28 | Friendship with God
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin. This lesson treatment is published in the February 2021 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. ________ Lesson Aim: Be single-minded in your devotion to the Lord. ________ By Mark Scott Certain words are warm. Words like infant, soft, secure, and love. Another such word is friend. While it sometimes is used in a “distant” and unflattering sense (Matthew 20:13; 26:50), most of the
February 22, 2021
Feb 28 | Application
By David Faust In August 1960 I had a close encounter with John F. Kennedy. It happened during a family vacation to Washington, D.C. I was 6 years old and JFK was a senator running for president of the United States. Our country was less security conscious then; there was easier access to government leaders. I was standing with my parents and my brothers on the steps outside the Capitol when JFK walked out. I still have a photo that shows one of my older brothers and my dad listening while Senator Kennedy chatted casually with the group standing there.
