May 8, 2023
May 14 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Punished” (Lamentations 5:1-22).
Articles for tag: God’s Sovereignty
May 1, 2023
May 7 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Disciplined” (Lamentations 4:1-22).
March 14, 2022
March 20 | Discovery
What do you learn about God's sovereignty, grace, and patience from Romans 11:11-32?
April 26, 2021
May 2 | Discovery
How do you see God's permissive will at work in this passage?
January 17, 2021
Jan 24 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups Note the short phrase at the end of verse 30, “you of little faith.” What does this phrase indicate to you about Jesus’ audience and his purpose for teaching this?
August 15, 2020
Provider
By Michael C. Mack What do God’s people do when faced with challenges like a worldwide pandemic or civil unrest? We always have a choice: immediately seek solutions or turn to God. Of course, this is not a binary choice—we can do both—but it’s vital for God’s church that we “seek first” to place our trust in him. The coronavirus and its effects are really not all that novel. For more than four millennia, God’s people have faced challenges literally of biblical proportions, and we can learn from the choices, good or bad, they made. In this issue, we’ve included
June 15, 2020
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
December 9, 2018
When God Doesn’t Feel Like ‘Immanuel’
By Michael C. Mack What do you do when everyone around you is singing about joy and glad tidings and peace on earth . . . but your life reflects none of it? How do you get through “the most wonderful time of year” when your season is anything but merry and bright? And let me ask leaders, how do you lead others to experience Immanuel, God with us, when God feels far away this Christmas? Let’s face it, we are surrounded by people who are experiencing sadness, depression, sorrow, discouragement, and pain this December. Perhaps you are among them.
December 10, 2016
Take a Look at the Family Photo Album of Jesus
By Matt Proctor One of my favorite Christmas pastimes is sitting with my kids and looking through family photo albums. Almost every picture sparks a story about their ancestors: “¢ “There”s your Great-Grandpa Weede. Oh, he loved to joke. One time, he painted faces on his two big farm-fuel tanks. One had a smiley face that said, “˜I”ve got diesel.” The other had a frowning face that said, “˜I”ve got gas!” “The whole county knew his laugh . . . and his faith. He prayed every day for every grandkid by name.” “¢ “And there”s your Granny Ruth. A strong,
October 15, 2016
American Christians, You Might Need to Start Living Like Missionaries
By Amy Medina “I”m moving to Canada.” Personally, Canada would be way too cold for me, but I understand the sentiment some have expressed. However, instead of fleeing for the hills””or tundra””maybe it”s time for American Christians to start living like missionaries in their own country. Before you get offended, let me assure you I am in no way belittling the millions of American Christians who are already living out gospel-centered lives in their communities. As you learned in Sunday school when you were 5, we all are missionaries. But I”m not talking about living as a proclaimer of the
April 10, 2015
Toward a Theology of Suffering
By Joe Harvey The story of Job suggests several formulas for figuring out the relationship between God”s purposes, good people, and the suffering they must endure. Not till we reach the end do we understand the proper equation. I suppose everyone has heard the story of Job. In a nutshell, you probably know he was a wealthy, influential man who lived what we now call “the good life.” He had family, money, power, and prestige. The book of Job describes his situation as being ideal. “He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand
August 20, 2011
My Favorite Passage
By Tom Ellsworth My favorite passage of Scripture? I hem and haw and generally fumble trying to find the right answer. What about John 3:16? Naw, everyone picks that one””be more original. All right, how about Philippians 4:13? Overused. OK, let”s try the Old Testament””Psalm 23? Did somebody die? That”s a funeral text. Sorry, I”ll say Revelation 3:20. Are you serious? You”re going to pick prophecy as your favorite? The inner deliberation rages while on the outside I try to appear thoughtful and decisive. How does one choose a favorite passage? That”s like asking me to identify which of my
July 18, 2011
Lesson for July 24, 2011: Let God Rule (Judges 7:2-4, 13-15; 8:22-26)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 24) is written by Steve Carr, teaching minister at Echo Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ Let God Rule (Judges 7:2-4, 13-15; 8:22-26) By Steve Carr In the late 16th century there emerged a religious/political doctrine known as the divine right of kings. As the Protestant Reformation spread across Europe, monarchs attempted to solidify their positions with this philosophy. This divine right claimed that God gave kings their authority, so kings were accountable to God alone. Even if a king was evil, the doctrine dictated, he could not be overthrown
