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).
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 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.
February 22, 2021
Feb 28 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. How did you do last week as you sought to tame your tongue and speak with civility and in praise of God? 2. What challenge did you face last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 4:1-17 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passage. 3. What wisdom does this passage provide for us as Christ’s church to follow him more closely and carry out his mission more effectively? 4.
February 15, 2021
Feb 21 | Blessings and Curses
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 on guard against the damage an untamed tongue can do. ________ By Mark Scott Jesus takes what we say very seriously. He taught that what we say comes from our hearts, that we will give an account for every careless word we say, and
February 15, 2021
Feb 21 | Application
By David Faust Proverbs 21:23 says, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” At work, your words can get you promoted—or fired. Your social media posts can build a positive reputation—or haunt you years from now. According to Jesus, your words will either acquit you or condemn you (Matthew 12:37). TONGUE-TIEDVerbal arsonists torch others with words, but if our tongues are tied to the lordship of Christ, we won’t destroy others with gossip and ridicule. As someone observed, at times it would be better to use a glue stick instead of Chapstick. “Without wood a
February 15, 2021
Feb 21 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. In what specific ways did you act with love and mercy toward others last week? 2. What opportunity came your way or what challenge did you face as you acted with love and mercy? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 3:1-12 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passage. 3. In general, why should we be careful with what we say? 4. Let’s dig deeper into this Bible passage:
February 8, 2021
Being a Christian
What does it mean to be a Christian? How are we different from nonbelievers? What distinguishes the people who follow Jesus from those who ignore or neglect him? We might think the difference is most clearly evident when comparing our Sunday activities. On the first day of the week, Christians gather to study what’s written in the Bible. We seek Scripture’s insights into living moral lives and overcoming temptations. We focus much effort on identifying sins that threaten our faith and corrupt our communities. We see the regular gathering of disciples as vital expressions of encouragement and fellowship among Christians.
February 8, 2021
Feb 14 | Mercy and Judgment
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: Follow God’s law of love by showing mercy to the poor. ________ Playing favorites might be harmless in elementary school on Valentine’s Day, but it stinks in the church. The first major teaching of the Epistle of James after the long introductory first chapter concerns
February 8, 2021
Feb 14 | Application
According to Jesus’ younger brother James, authentic faith impacts our actions and attitudes. Let’s consider how James 2:1-13 applies to us today. Be servants, not snobs. Jesus didn’t focus on others’ looks, popularity, or socioeconomic status. He rubbed shoulders with a rough crowd at dinner parties, engaging in conversation with low-reputation guests. He blessed children others tried to shoo away. He sought out the sick and befriended the despised. Believers in Jesus “must not show favoritism” (James 2:1). Instead, we should recognize and repent of our prejudices. Snobbery is robbery. It robs people of dignity and prevents us from discovering
February 8, 2021
Feb 14 | Discovery Questions
Study Questions for Groups 1. What opportunity or challenge were you presented with over the past week? 2. What did you do last week to put your faith into action? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 2:1-13 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passage. 3. If we as a group were writing a book about “practical Christianity,” and James 2 formed the basis for one of the chapters, what bits of wisdom should we include? 4. Let’s dig
