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.

July 13, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for July 19, 2020

By Leigh Mackenzie 1. Who are you thankful for in your life? 2. What challenges did you face last week?           • With whom did you share the message of God’s love for us last week? How did that go? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to each read Joshua 1 (preferably from different Bible versions). Then ask the third person to retell the story from this chapter as if telling it to a small group at a middle school camp. 3. How would you describe the general mood of this passage? Why?        •

July 7, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for July 12, 2020: Perfect Love Living in Me (1 John 3:24; 4:7-21)

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 July 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “Make the Most of Your Co-Opportunities,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Live out perfect love by letting God live in you. ________ By Mark Scott God often has more important stuff going on inside of us than around us. Make no mistake, God lives in a high and

July 7, 2020

David Faust

Application for July 12: Make the Most of Your Co-Opportunities

By David Faust Last year I visited the island of Patmos. This cluster of rocky hills off the Turkish coast marks the spot where John “was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9). In the first century, government officials sent political offenders to remote locations like Patmos to keep them from influencing others. Exile was basically a prison without bars. According to the historian Eusebius, John was in exile for 18 months. While on that lonely island, John received the inspired messages recorded in the last book of the

July 7, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for July 12, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for July 12, 2020: “Perfect Love Living in Me” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. Name one thing for which you are grateful today. 2. What challenges did you encounter last week as you sought to walk in obedience to God’s Word?           • Did you share God’s love with anyone this past week? If so, tell us more about it! Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to read 1 John 3:24 one after the

June 29, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for July 5, 2020: Perfect Love, Brotherly Love (1 John 3:10-23; 2 John 4-6)

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 July 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “Melting Polar Ice,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Love not with mere words but with actions and in truth. ________ By Mark Scott Our identity is discerned from several things—e.g., heritage, upbringing, experiences, relationships, and actions, to name only a few. For the apostle John, identity is tied

June 29, 2020

David Faust

Application for July 5: Melting Polar Ice

By David Faust Polarized. If I were to summarize American culture and politics right now, polarized is the first word that comes to mind. Progressives and conservatives keep moving further apart. Republicans and Democrats can barely shake each other’s hands and listen to each other’s speeches, let alone work together to solve the nation’s problems. On social media, respect and civility are out; sarcasm is in. Debates based on logic and persuasion have given way to name-calling and personal attacks. Here’s the problem: Nothing grows at the poles. Darkness and extreme temperatures make the North Pole and the South Pole

June 29, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for July 5, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for July 5, 2020: “Perfect Love, Brotherly Love” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. Who are you grateful for right now? 2. This past week, what challenges did you have believing God’s truth? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to read 1 John 3:10-23 one after the other (preferably from different Bible versions). Repeat the process for 2 John 1:4-6. Ask the third person to summarize (not interpret) what these passages are saying as a

June 22, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for June 28, 2020: Perfect Love in Truth (3 John 3-8; 1 John 2:20–3:1)

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 June 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “Truth and Love—It’s Both/And, Not Either/Or,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Work together for the truth and don’t be led astray. ________ By Mark Scott Truth and love have enemies, namely lies and selfishness—both inspired by the devil. Lies must be jettisoned, and selfishness must yield to love.

June 22, 2020

David Faust

Application for June 28: Truth and Love—It’s Both/And, Not Either/Or

By David Faust In 1901 a songwriter in Chicago named Carrie Jacobs-Bond published her composition, “I Love You Truly.” The song sold over a million copies (one of the earliest songs composed by a woman to do so) and became a favorite at weddings. Three American presidents invited Jacobs-Bond to sing at the White House. Her song concludes sweetly, “Gone is the sorrow, gone doubt and fear, for you love me truly, truly dear.” Cole Porter’s “True Love,” released in 1956 and popularized by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly, says, “You and I have a guardian angel on high, with

June 22, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for June 28, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for June 28, 2020: “Perfect Love in Truth” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What are you thankful for today? 2. What examples do you have of living as Jesus did this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask two people to read 3 John 3-8 one after the other (preferably from different versions). Repeat this process for 1 John 2:20–3:1. Ask the third person to summarize what both passages are saying as a whole as if

June 15, 2020

Christian Standard

Application

By Jon Wren Did you know Google receives more than 2 million job applications each year? Of those applicants, only about 0.02 percent are hired—after up to 29 different interviews! Harvard University receives 40,000 applications each year and accepts fewer than 2,000. But neither of those can rival the stringent vetting of Chick-fil-A! Chick-fil-A receives more than 50,000 franchise applications per year and contacts only 60 to 100 people for an interview. (Contacting 100 applicants from among 50,000 equates to 0.002 percent.) The process subsequently involves up to 10 interviews, 12 written essays, and includes a final “make it or

June 15, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for June 21, 2020: Perfect Love in Light (1 John 1:5–2:11)

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 June 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “This Little Light of Yours,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Love your brother and live in the light. ________ By Mark Scott More than one person has overlaid Paul’s triad of Christian virtues (faith, hope, and love) on the writings of John in the New Testament. If the

June 15, 2020

David Faust

Application for June 21: This Little Light of Yours

By David Faust “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5), but for many the world seems like a dark place. How can you and I brighten things up? To make a difference, you don’t have to make headlines. Christ often calls his followers to serve humbly behind the scenes, like the woman named Tabitha or Dorcas, who “was always doing good and helping the poor,” making robes and other clothing items for those in need (Acts 9:36-39). I want to tell you about some light-bearers I know. They don’t seek recognition, so I

June 15, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for June 21, 2020

(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for June 21, 2020: “Perfect Love in Light” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. Name one thing for which you are thankful right now. 2. What challenges did you have trusting in God’s absolute power and control over all things this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to read 1 John 1:5–2:11 one after the other (preferably from different Bible versions). Ask the third person to summarize (not interpret) the passage. (About 60

June 14, 2020

Jerry Harris

10 Foundation Stones of the Church—No. 3: The Apostles’ Teaching

By Jerry Harris Kujenga is the Swahili word for building, and it’s where the name of the building-block game Jenga comes from. The game starts with constructing a tower by stacking identical, rectangular-shaped wooden blocks in opposite rows of three. The fun begins as players take turns removing blocks one at a time and restacking them on the top. This continues until the tower, thoroughly compromised by the removal of blocks and top-heaviness, finally comes crashing down. Our lives can look a lot like this game. We are all building a life, but as priorities are rearranged, instability increases—and we

June 8, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for June 14, 2020: See Him All Around (Job 38:16-41)

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 June 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “The Cross Examination,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Bow before the full view of God’s integrity and power. ________ By Mark Scott God is not everything—that is pantheism. But God can be seen in everything (Romans 1:19, 20; Colossians 1:16). Job needed to learn that, and in doing

June 8, 2020

David Faust

Application for June 14: The Cross Examination

By David Faust The prosecuting attorney approached the bench with a confident stride. He had done his homework. Eager for the trial to begin, he came armed with a long list of grievances against the defendant. It was time for opening statements. The prosecutor paused for dramatic effect and then began. “This trial will be an unusual one because, Your Honor, the one on trial today . . . is you!” A murmur filled the crowded courtroom. The Judge himself was on trial? Who dared to bring charges against the court’s presiding officer? Questions for God The prosecutor began to

June 8, 2020

Michael C. Mack

Discovery Questions for June 14, 2020

Study Questions for Groups (These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for June 14, 2020: “See Him All Around” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What are two things for which you are thankful right now? 2. In the difficult or challenging circumstances you faced this past week, how were you comforted? – In what ways were you a comfort in the misery of others? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the first two to read Job 38:16-41 one after the other (preferably from different

June 1, 2020

Mark Scott

Lesson for June 7, 2020: The Look of True Friendship (Job 16:1-5, 15-21; 6:12-17)

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 June 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “Down in the Dirt with Your Friends,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Be a comforting friend rather than a miserable comforter. ________ By Mark Scott Karl Ketcherside said, “It’s one thing to have salt rubbed in your wound; it’s another thing to be billed for the salt.” That

June 1, 2020

David Faust

Application for June 7: Down in the Dirt with Your Friends

By David Faust My barber is my best friend. You see, my wife cuts my hair. During our first year of marriage, I was on the receiving end of a particularly bad haircut—a near-scalping experience in a smoke-filled barbershop. Arriving home afterward, I asked Candy, “Could you cut my hair from now on?” She gazed at my freshly shorn cranium and replied, “I can do at least as well as the barber you just visited.” The rest is history. We’ve done the math. According to www.mistershaver.com (yes, that’s a real website), the average price of a standard men’s haircut in

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