Reading Time: 2 minutes Several conferences and gatherings are planned over the next few months, including the Pressing On Conference (April 9-11), e2: effective elders’ LeadWell conference (March 15-16), the Fred B. Craddock Lectures on Preaching (March 27), FAME’s Night of Hope Banquet (April 27), and the Spiritual Formation Leadership Summit (in April and May). . . .
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An Exciting Church Plant in Eugene, Ore.
Reading Time: 4 minutes Despite adverse weather conditions, 485 people showed up for the first public worship service of Generations Church in Eugene, Ore. The church is multi-generational, though largely made up of University of Oregon students. A campus ministry veteran and Eugene native is helping lead this effort. . . .
Feb. 4 Application | ‘The First Thing’
Reading Time: 3 minutes After Andrew met Jesus, the first thing he did was tell someone else about the Lord. Unfortunately, for many Christians that’s the last thing we do. How can we put disciple making at the top of our priority list?
News Briefs for Jan. 24
Reading Time: 2 minutes A book by RENEW.org scholar Matthew Bates was selected as the top title in the Popular Theology category of Christianity Today’s 2024 Book Awards. . . . Also a brief about a tragic auto accident in Illinois and a preview of the National Preaching Summit March 11-12 in Indianapolis. . . .
Jan. 28 Lesson | I AM the Vine
Reading Time: 4 minutes As Jesus continued his Upper Room Discourse in John 15, he moved beyond metaphor by claiming to be the true vine of Israel. Then he connected the dots between the vine and himself, the gardener and his Father, and the branches and the disciples. . . .
Why the Restoration Plea Is Still Valid
Reading Time: 3 minutes “Minister shortages. Closing churches. Struggling theology schools,” The Christian Chronicle wrote in a recent editorial. “All are happening in Churches of Christ in the U.S., which raises the question: Is the restoration plea still valid?” . . .
Jan. 21 Lesson | I AM the Way
Reading Time: 4 minutes The exclusivity of Jesus is a problem in a pluralistic country like the United States. There is immediate pushback when anyone says, “This is the only way.” . . . But what else are Christians to believe and say when Jesus said that he is the gate (John 10:9)? . . .
Jan. 21 | Discovery Questions
Reading Time: 2 minutes These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “I AM the Way” (John 14:1-21, 27), by Mark Scott.
Jan. 14 Lesson | I AM the Good Shepherd
Reading Time: 4 minutes The biblical world had a love/hate relationship with shepherds. Shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34), and by the first century BC they were the ragamuffins of society (Luke 2:8-20). But Scripture has high regard for shepherds. . . .
Weeds in My Garden
Mental Health Support Important for Those on the Field
Irreplaceable: How One Church Responded to the Crisis of Youth Suicide
Reading Time: 8 minutes A church, a school system, a community, and a production company joined forces to expose the lies that lead to teen suicide.
Remembering Mike / A New Team Member / Defaulting to Mercy and Grace
What Motivates You?
‘I’m Fine!’
Soul Care Covenant Groups Explained
A Path for Healing in the Midst of Despair
Diane Stortz: Reflecting on 50 Years of Service in Christian Publishing
Reading Time: 6 minutes After an interesting introduction to Christian publishing, Diane Stortz served in the field for 50 years, enjoying success as an editor, freelance writer, and author. She retired in 2023. (Former Christian Standard editor Mark A. Taylor, who served with Diane at Standard Publishing for several years, wrote this article.)
Dec. 31 Lesson | I Am the Bread of Life
Reading Time: 4 minutes Two miracles provide the background for this lesson text. Jesus multiplied five barley loaves and two fish and fed 5,000 men. Jesus then walked on the Sea of Galilee. . . .
Dec. 31 Application | ‘It’s Time for Some Soul Food’
Reading Time: 3 minutes “What lifestyle habits will nourish your spiritual health in the coming year?” David Faust asks. “Here are some tips I have discovered. . . .”
Christmas: Good News for All People
Reading Time: 2 minutes In today’s penultimate Christmas memory, Team Expansion president Doug Lucas describes a scene during a bus ride that opened his eyes in a new way to the great need for Christ around the world. . . .
Recalling the All-Dorm Christmas Celebrations at CCU’s Restoration Hall
Reading Time: 3 minutes In today’s Christmas memory, Christian educator Rick Cherok reflects on Christmas celebrations at Cincinnati Christian University’s Restoration Hall, where he was resident director for 13 years.
Overwhelmed by Christmas, Again!
Reading Time: 7 minutes “The coming of Christ is breathtakingly good news for all who feel overwhelmed with any need,” Alan Ahlgrim wrote in 2014. “Jesus didn’t merely identify with us; he came to assume the crushing, overwhelming burden of our sin. . . .”
Dec. 17 | Discovery Questions
Reading Time: 2 minutes These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Water that Gives Live” (John 4:4-26), by Mark Scott.
Beyond the Manger
Reading Time: 2 minutes Jesus didn’t come to be saved from death; he came to save us from death. . . .
Oh, for Five More Minutes with Grandma Pat
Reading Time: 5 minutes Six months after her great-grandmother’s death, Elizabeth Merold remembers “Grandma Pat’s” unique ways and loving notes. . . . “What I wouldn’t do for five more minutes with that woman.” . . .
Seeing and Worshiping
Reading Time: 2 minutes Four times in his Gospel, Matthew described the response of people who approached Jesus and worshiped him. . . .
Dec. 3 Application | ‘Lighten Up’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Every six months, Kevin Schmidt climbs a 1,500-foot communication tower to change the red-flashing lightbulb. If you think that takes moxie, imagine what it’s like to step down from heaven to earth . . .
November 26 | Rome
Reading Time: 4 minutes The city of Rome attracts millions of visitors each year. It also attracted the apostle Paul. He longed to go there (Romans 1:11). . . .
November 26 | Discovery
Reading Time: 2 minutes These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Rome” (Acts 28:11-31), by Mark Scott.