February 1, 2021
Feb 7 | Hearing and Doing
Unit: James Theme: Faith With Action Lesson Text: James 1:22-27; 2:14-26 Lesson Aim: Live out what you claim to believe.
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.
February 1, 2021
Feb 7 | The 4-H Club
When I was a boy, I joined a 4-H Club. Our local chapter was small. A half-dozen rowdy boys gathered once a month for an after-school meeting led by a local farmer who volunteered his time to sponsor us. We chose club officers, and one year I was elected president of this auspicious group. The major accomplishment of my presidential administration was adopting a resolution that our 4-H Club’s official refreshments would be potato chips and Mountain Dew. (The Pepsi-Cola Company began marketing Mountain Dew nationwide in 1964, and the 4-H Club was the first place I tasted it.) 4-H
February 1, 2021
Feb 7 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups 1. What was the biggest challenge you faced last week? 2. What did you put into practice from last week’s study? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 1:22-27 and James 2:14-26 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passages. 3. Imagine parents instructing their child in a basic command, i.e., “Don’t run into the street” or “Brush your teeth.” Time after time, however, the child disobeys. The parents ask, “Didn’t you hear me?” to which
January 25, 2021
The Third Day
By Stuart Powell There are two days that define every person’s life. The first is the day of conception, when a new life is sparked and another image bearer begins their journey to meet God. That day harkens back to the highlight of God’s creative efforts. The second day is when physical death fulfills the curse that accompanied sin’s impact on every human. These two days have defined too many people throughout history, but these limits are not what God desired for humanity. In his infinite love, God prepared a third day that is available to every person. The third
January 25, 2021
Jan 31 | Different Discernment
It is not enough to like or agree with the Sermon on the Mount. One must obey it. Jesus ended this sermon with a decisive call to action. He did so with a series of contrasts.
January 25, 2021
Jan 31 | Clearing Away the Fog
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount clarifies our vision with regard to prayer, truth, obedience, and others.
January 18, 2021
The Power of Blood
By Randy Ballinger During the pandemic, blood donation centers have sought out individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Apparently, the antibody-rich blood plasma these individuals donate possibly can save the lives of those critically ill with the virus. The lone purpose for blood is to sustain life. Donating blood brings healing. There is power in the blood. God personified blood in rebuking Cain after Abel’s murder: “Your brother’s blood cries out to me” (Genesis 4:10). After the flood, God instructed Noah, “Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood” (Genesis 9:4, New American Standard Bible,
January 17, 2021
Jan 24 | Singular Servants
In this latter half of Matthew 6, Jesus employed at least 18 different metaphors or images to drive home his point. He spoke of treasures, moths, vermin, and thieves. He spoke of eyes, light, darkness, masters, money . . .
January 17, 2021
Jan 24 | Consider the Birds
Jesus didn’t say a sparrow would never fall; he said they never fall without the Father’s awareness (Matthew 10:29). Jesus didn’t promise we would escape all hardship. He said whatever happens, he will be with us.
January 17, 2021
Jan 24 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups Note the short phrase at the end of verse 30, “you of little faith.” What does this phrase indicate to you about Jesus’ audience and his purpose for teaching this?
January 11, 2021
The Death of Evil
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.
January 11, 2021
Jan 17 | Reverse Rewards
The practice of faith is always public and private. If the practice of faith is only public, then it is hypocritical. If the practice of faith is only private, then we miss the community aspect of it.
January 11, 2021
Jan 17 | For Mine Is the Kingdom?
Often I find myself trying to run my own little kingdom—the “kingdom of Dave.” I know that sounds ridiculous, but it won’t sound any better if you substitute your own name in the phrase.
January 11, 2021
Jan 17 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups — In what ways are a person’s motives important to how they practice their faith?
January 4, 2021
Vaccine
By Stuart Powell In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, humanity began a quest for a one-word treasure: vaccine. The entire world sought an antidote that would trigger each human body to build a defense against the ravages of the novel coronavirus. The journey has involved dozens of pharmaceutical companies plowing through billions of dollars to fund untold hours of research by thousands of scientists. The search for a vaccine was fueled by the desire to destroy the curse of this virus and restore life to relationships severed by the virus’s spread. We know life is not meant to
January 4, 2021
Jan 10 | Unconventional Wisdom
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 January 2021 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Don’t Stay the Way You Are” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Jan. 10, 2021 ________ Lesson Aim: Let love define your righteousness. ________ In Jesus’ upside-down kingdom, the most unlikely people (Matthew 5:3-12) have the most sway
January 4, 2021
Jan 10 | Discovery
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Jan. 10, 2021: Unconventional Wisdom (Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28, 31-35, 38-39, 43-48) “Don’t Stay the Way You Are” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups 1. What challenge did you face or what blessing did you receive last week? 2. In what specific way did you “let your light shine before others” over the past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28, 31-35, 38-39, 43-48 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the teaching in one
January 1, 2021
How to Read Scripture Correctly: A New Challenge for a New Year
For years, I would commit to reading through the Bible in just 12 months. And every year, by mid-February, I would have to start playing catch-up. By the time March rolled around, my reading plan would be so thrown off I would resolve to double up on Scripture reading every day just to get back on track. Why did this happen again and again? I think there were two main reasons for my struggles in sticking with a Bible reading plan. In some ways, “life” would just get in the way, but the main reason was the Pentateuch—that is, the
December 28, 2020
Jan 3 | Do the Opposite
In an episode of the TV show Seinfeld, Jerry’s friend George sits in the coffee shop bemoaning his bad luck. He says, “My life is the opposite of everything I want it to be. Every instinct I have, in every aspect of life . . . it’s all been wrong.”
December 28, 2020
Jan 3 | Discovery
COMPANION RESOURCES Study for Jan. 3, 2021: Backward Blessings (Matthew 5:1-16) “Do the Opposite” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. In what specific way did you live, love, or serve like Jesus over the past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Matthew 5:1-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the teaching in one minute or less. 3. What worldviews do you see represented in Jesus’ teaching? 4. Let’s dig more
