September 29, 2025
THE WELCOME SIGHT OF BLOOD
At the cross, God used bloodshed and a gruesome instrument of death to further his holy purposes and provide salvation for lost humanity.
Articles for tag: Cain And Abel
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,
June 29, 2020
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
September 3, 2018
Lesson for September 9, 2018: Sin Is Lawlessness (1 John 3:4-18)
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 issue no. 9 (weeks 33–36; August 19—September 9, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Beginning with this batch of four lessons, the weekly Bible lessons are based on a scope and sequence prepared by Christian Standard Media. For more information, click here. ______ By Mark Scott Sin is many things. It is missing the mark (original meaning of the New Testament term). It is rebellion against the
April 6, 2015
Lesson for April 12, 2015: Love One Another (1 John 3:11-24)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the April 5 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone Love is the hallmark of God”s community. It is also the theme of the apostle John”s epistles. The first-century believers to whom John wrote received tremendous encouragement as well as great challenge from his inspired words. Love as Action | 1 John 3:11-18 In the verses just before our printed text, John affirmed the greatness of the Father”s love for his children:
September 3, 2012
Lesson for September 9, 2012: Faith Gives Assurance (Hebrews 11; Psalm 46)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The original recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were evidently Jewish Christians. Some of these believers were slacking in their service, even turning back to the Old Covenant under which they had been raised. This book was designed to show the superiority of the New Covenant, and to motivate faithfulness (Hebrews 10:19-25). Old Testament heroes are used as examples for the readers in Hebrews 11, often called the “faith chapter” of the Bible. The other
June 21, 2009
The Marvel of Metaphor in Teaching and Counseling
 By Larry W. Bailey  The talented, courageous king had sinned against God and his neighbors. He had committed adultery and schemed to assure the death of his lover”s husband who was serving in the king”s army. King David needed to be confronted, and a prophet of God was assigned the task. Nathan did not shout at the king, cite the commandments David had violated, or detail the error of his ways. Rather, he told David a simple story that included a person of power, a humble servant, and a lamb. There were two men in a certain town,
