January 19, 2026
David Faust recalls his relay leg in Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon and the lessons it taught him about endurance, teamwork, and finishing well. The Christian life, like a marathon, calls for perseverance with eyes fixed on Jesus.
July 24, 2023
Jeremiah 33 is about God’s promise to restore his people to their land and their prominence. The alternating pattern of judgment and blessing continues in this chapter. God’s faithfulness is one thing on which his people can consistently count.
October 26, 2020
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 November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Give thanks that God faithfully helps you to serve Christ. ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Trimming Around the Edges” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 1, 2020 ________ By Mark Scott The United States Marine Corps was formed before the Declaration of Independence. Their origin goes back to November 10, 1775.
October 26, 2020
This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Nov. 1, 2020: God Is Faithful (2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:6-8, 16-18) ________ By David Faust I learned a lot of practical lessons on the farm where I grew up. Dad was good at fixing things. I wasn’t. He didn’t have a college degree, but he deserved an honorary doctorate in the school of hard knocks. He knew how to weld metal, mend fences, install electrical wiring, fix leaky water pipes, help a cow give birth, and grow a flourishing garden. He knew his Bible well. Neighbors and church members respected his
October 19, 2020
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 “From Whom You Learned It” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 25, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Take up from others the responsibilities of serving Christ. ________ By Mark Scott Hans Finzel said, “There is no success without a successor” (The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make). Wise Christian leaders are
October 12, 2020
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 “Don’t Get Sloppy” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 18, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Discern how to deal with people as you serve Christ. ________ By Mark Scott The “purpose” of the Bible is larger than just functioning as a “how-to” manual for getting along with folks. But one
October 5, 2020
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
April 27, 2020
(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for May 3, 2020: “His Holy Nation.“) By David Faust Don’t libel me with labels. Don’t put me into a cultural box. I have rooted for the Cincinnati Reds most of my life, but my main identity isn’t “sports fan.” I’m a baby boomer, but generational labels don’t tell you everything about me or my builder, gen X, and millennial friends. I have experienced what Scripture calls the new birth, but I prefer not to be called “a born-again Christian” as if that’s something strange. In the first century there wasn’t any
September 14, 2015
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the September 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott The first internal challenge to the church had been put to rest (literally) through the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). Interestingly enough though, the apostles were revered for their miracles, and the church grew (5:12-16). Luke continues the account of the early church by
November 30, 2014
By Michael C. Mack 1. Depend on any resource more than the Bible. 2. Lose sight of your goals. Your main goal is to make mature disciples, not to teach a great lesson. 3. Teach more than you shepherd. Don”t forget that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 4. Try to lead using someone else”s gifts. Be yourself. God gave you specific gifts to use in building up the body of Christ. He gave others their gifts for the same reason. 5. Get into debates about little things. Check out 1 Timothy 6:4 and 2 Timothy 2:14 about this
July 2, 2013
PHIL ALLEN Vine pastor, (young adult ministry), Shepherd of the Hills Church, Porter Ranch, California When I think of Phil Allen, I think of the word powerful. There is a special rhythm, dynamic, and power in the way he speaks. It”s very captivating, especially among twentysomethings and thirtysomethings. It”s because of his giftedness to speak to this generation, as well as his unwavering commitment to the truth, that I am convinced he will be a key influencer in ministry in Christian churches in the coming year. Phil possesses a calling from the Lord to communicate with passion and conviction. In
December 26, 2011
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ Joseph Shows Character (Genesis 37, 39) By Sam E. Stone Someone said, “Character is what a person does in the dark.” Another observed, “Character is what you do when you know no one will find out.” Both descriptions apply to Joseph. In last month”s lessons we studied Abraham. We saw the fulfillment of God”s promise to send the Savior through his descendants. Abraham”s son Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. In the years that followed, Jacob himself had 12
March 28, 2011
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for April 3) is written by Nicholas Cox who serves with Community Christian Church in White Marsh, Maryland. ____________ Remember Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:8-19) By Nicholas Cox When I moved from Maryland to Tennessee to attend seminary, I had an odd fear I couldn”t shake. Sure, there were logistics to figure out and hundreds of miles to travel. I had the normal butterflies when it came to meeting new people and facing new challenges. There was also concern caused by moving from an urban setting to a rural one; I
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