Theology &amp; Bible

Discovery Questions for October 18, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9) “Don’t Get Sloppy” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. In what way was God’s power evident in or through your life over the past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 2 Timothy 2:14-26 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process for 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Ask the third person to summarize the passages in one minute or less.

October 5, 2020

Lesson for Oct. 11, 2020: The Cost (2 Timothy 1:8-12; 2:3-10; 4:14-15)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “We’re All in Hospice” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 11, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Expect and endure the costs of serving Christ. ________ By Mark Scott All things of significance cost something. A football player trains hard to win the Super Bowl. A medical student endures a grueling

October 5, 2020

We’re All in Hospice (Oct. 11 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 11, 2020: The Cost (2 Timothy 1:8-12; 2:3-10; 4:14-15) ________ By David Faust “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” —Helen Keller It was my last visit with my friend Jim. We both knew he was on the verge of death after a long battle with cancer. Trying to offer comfort, I opened my Bible to John 21, where Jesus asked Simon Peter three times, “Do you love me?” I reminded Jim how Peter reaffirmed his love for Jesus, and each

October 5, 2020

Discovery Questions for October 11, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Oct. 11, 2020: The Cost (2 Timothy 1:8-12; 2:3-10; 4:14-15) “We’re All in Hospice” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What new challenge did you face last week? 2. In what way did you serve others this past week that utilized a spiritual gift from God? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 2 Timothy 1:8-12 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process for 2 Timothy 2:3-10 and then for 2 Timothy 4:14-15. Ask the third

September 28, 2020

Lesson for Oct. 4, 2020: Teach (1 Timothy 4:6-16)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Are We Making Progress?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 4, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Teach, by example and word, to save people. ________ By Mark Scott When public ministry and private life are out of sync, we call that hypocrisy. Paul called Timothy to make sure these two

September 28, 2020

Are We Making Progress? (Oct. 4 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 4, 2020: Teach (1 Timothy 4:6-16) ________ By David Faust Ronald Reagan quipped, “Status quo is Latin for ‘the mess we’re in.’” We won’t get out of this mess without God’s help. That’s why we need teachers who communicate God’s grace and truth with reverence and relevance. Progress Requires Intentional EffortPaul urged Timothy to carry out his ministry “so that everyone may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15). That verse compels me to ask, Would others say I’m communicating God’s Word more effectively today than I did five years ago?

September 28, 2020

Communion & Lord's Supper Theology & Bible

Discovery Questions for October 4, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Oct. 4, 2020: Teach (1 Timothy 4:6-16) “Are We Making Progress?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What was your biggest challenge last week? 2. In what specific way did you lead well or serve well this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 4:6-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. (Option: As one of the “readers,” you can use a Bible app on a phone or other device to play the audio of

September 22, 2020

Jerry Harris

10 Foundation Stones of the Church—No. 6: Communion

By Jerry Harris The church established in Acts 2 identified two sacred observances: baptism, which was discussed in week 1 of this series (May 2020), and Communion, termed “the breaking of bread” in Acts 2:42, that this article discusses. The word sacred is used to describe baptism and Communion for a reason. These rituals are often labeled as “ordinances,” but they are much more than obligations to adhere to, for they possess an aspect of holiness that connect us to the blood of a sacrifice. This blood is connected to both cleansing and the forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22), meaning

September 21, 2020

Lesson for Sept. 27, 2020: Lead (1 Timothy 3:1-16; 5:17-22)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Who Is Worthy to Lead?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Sept. 27, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Assemble leaders who model Christ, and be such a leader. ________ By Mark Scott Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-13). The Holy Spirit selects the right leaders for

September 21, 2020

Communion & Lord's Supper Theology & Bible

Discovery Questions for September 27, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Sept. 27, 2020: Lead (1 Timothy 3:1-16; 5:17-22) “Who Is Worthy to Lead?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What new challenge did you face last week? 2. How would you evaluate your prayer life this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 3:1-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process with 1 Timothy 5:17-22. Ask the third person to summarize the passages as if teaching a fifth-grade Sunday school class about

September 14, 2020

Christian Standard

‘Surely, You Don’t Mean Me?’

By Randy Ballinger When we read the Gospel accounts about the night before Jesus went to the cross, we see words about the institution of the Lord’s Supper: “Do this in remembrance of me”; we remember what Jesus did for us. “For the forgiveness of sins”; this is why Jesus did what he did for us. But we also see words that may trouble us, for they certainly troubled his disciples: “One of you will betray me.” When Jesus revealed that a betrayer was sitting at the table with him, it caused each one of his disciples to consider whether

September 14, 2020

Lesson for Sept. 20, 2020: Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-8)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the September 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Does It Really Help to ‘Send Thoughts and Prayers’?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Sept. 20, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Pray for everyone to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. ________ By Mark Scott Last week’s lesson was entitled “Fight,” and we do that in many ways. We

September 14, 2020

Does It Really Help to ‘Send Thoughts and Prayers’? (Sept. 20 Lesson Application)

This “Application“ column goes with the Bible Lesson for Sept. 20, 2020: Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-8) ________ By David Faust Prayer gets a lot of lip service, but not a lot of respect. Do you see prayer as a last resort or your first response? Many treat God the way a pilot treats his parachute: He’s glad it’s there for emergencies, but he hopes he never has to use it. When a basketball player heaves a long shot that has little chance of hitting the basket, announcers say, “He threw up a prayer.” In football when the quarterback desperately flings

September 14, 2020

Discovery Questions for September 20, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Sept. 20, 2020: Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-8) “Does It Really Help to ‘Send Thoughts and Prayers’?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. Were you an example of Christ for anyone this past week? If so, whom, and in what ways were you an example? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 2:1-8 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage as if

September 7, 2020

Lesson for Sept. 13, 2020: Fight (1 Timothy 1:12-19; 6:11-16)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the September 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “How to Have a Good Fight,” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Sept. 13, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Join Christ in the good fight of faith. ________ By Mark Scott It is difficult to misunderstand such one-word commands as “quiet,” “stop,” “go,” or “run.” The next several lessons have titles

September 7, 2020

How to Have a Good Fight (Sept. 13 Lesson Application)

This “Application“ column goes with the Bible Lesson for Sept. 13, 2020: “Fight” (1 Timothy 1:12-19; 6:11-16) ________ By David Faust Ironically, it was a fighter who informed us that peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Paul compared himself to a boxer throwing punches (1 Corinthians 9:26). He saw the Christian life as a battle against dark spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). As death approached, he said, “I have fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7). Not all fights are good. Some are petty or even humorous. The author Kevin Leman quips, “My wife and I live in

September 7, 2020

Discovery Questions for September 13, 2020

COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Sept. 13, 2020: “Fight” (1 Timothy 1:12-19; 6:11-16) “How to Have a Good Fight,” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What was the biggest challenge you faced last week? 2. What did you do last week, as empowered by God’s Spirit, to share the love of Jesus with someone? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 1:12-19 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process for 1 Timothy 6:11-16. Ask the third person to summarize

August 31, 2020

Lesson for Sept. 6, 2020: Serve Devotedly (Ruth 1:3-5, 8-11, 14-18)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the September 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Ruth’s Exemplary Loyalty,” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Sept. 6, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Serve God devotedly. ________ By Mark Scott Arthur Gossip was the preacher at the Beechgrove Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. The day after his wife suddenly collapsed and died in 1927 he preached his famous sermon,

August 31, 2020

Ruth’s Exemplary Loyalty (Sept. 6 Lesson Application)

This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for Sept. 6, 2020: “Serve Devotedly” (Ruth 1:3-5, 8-11, 14-18) ________ By David Faust Brand loyalty keeps us buying Coke or Pepsi, Fords or Toyotas, and cheering for our favorite sports teams. Loyalty can be misplaced, though. Have you been burned by an unscrupulous salesperson who cheated you, an unfaithful friend who betrayed you, or a church leader who wounded you? Jesus urged us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, refusing to follow untrustworthy preachers, priests, or politicians who would lead us astray. Loyalty is rare. “Many claim to

August 31, 2020