June 3, 2025
The Sheep’s Psalm
Here we celebrate the unspeakable liberty and joy of being a sheep within the fold of Christ, and here we proclaim the Lord’s overcoming death, until he comes again.
Articles for tag: Good Shepherd
September 30, 2024
October 6 Application | With Both Hands
Dr. Lois Tverberg explains how the Jews would debate two sides of an issue by first making a point and then saying, “On the other hand . . . .” She writes, “Some of the most important truths of the Bible are paradoxical."
May 22, 2023
May 28 | Application (‘New Every Morning’)
Some of us roll out of bed at sunrise and hit the ground running, while others take a while to get going. For night people, “A.M.” stands for “Already Morning?” . . . Have you ever wondered what God does every morning?
November 14, 2022
November 20 | A Heart That Is Strong and Courageous
King David challenged Israel to be like Joshua—without naming him—in Psalms 23 and 27.
November 14, 2022
November 20 | Application (‘The Strangest Verse in the 23rd Psalm’)
"One part of the 23rd Psalm puzzles me," David Faust writes. "It’s the verse that says, 'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies' (Psalm 23:5a). Who wants to sit at a table surrounded by enemies?"
July 29, 2021
#Faust25: ‘No Cloned Sheep’
(A classic column from David Faust in celebration of his 25th anniversary of writing for us weekly.) No magic formula, no technique dreamed up in a church growth laboratory, can replace the power of personal discipleship.
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.
April 9, 2018
Lesson for April 15, 2018: Follow Me (John 21:15-25)
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. 4 (weeks 13–16; April 1–22, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “To follow Christ is to obey Christ.” The apostles had the privilege of literally “coming after” Jesus. For them, following Jesus meant geography, physicality, and proximity. But after Jesus’ resurrection their following of him became more like ours. Obedience outstripped physical presence. The lesson text today picks up
September 12, 2017
Don’t Let the Sheep Lead the Flock
By Michael C. Mack God often leads us as his leaders, and thus those we lead, on roads we never planned on traveling. Several months ago, I was leading a training event at a church in Central Illinois. As I left my home near Louisville, Kentucky, I set the route in the maps app on my phone and headed out. About two hours in, the app told me to exit the highway at least 30 miles before my next designated turn. I took the exit and then looked at my phone to see where it was taking me. It looked
April 24, 2017
Lesson for April 30, 2017: Protecting Love (John 10:1-15)
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 April 23, 2017, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott John”s Gospel is rich in metaphor. A key verse in our text today is v. 6: Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. One would think that Pharisees could understand the protecting love metaphors of gates and sheep, given their culture and biblical history. Sometimes
September 12, 2016
Mission, Calling, Gifts, and Roles: How the Church Gets Things Done
By Jon Weatherly Human beings are social animals. We don”t simply enjoy being together. We need to be together to survive, let alone thrive. For as long as we”ve existed, we”ve lived together””working, serving, sharing, and trading. We have divided our labors for efficiency and followed leaders for effectiveness. Family, neighborhood, school, business, city, nation””all are humans in community, getting things done. “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Christ”s church is no less a human community. It is deliberately interactive and communal. It has always divided labor and followed leaders. It has surely succeeded
July 12, 2014
Even Leaders Need Forgiveness
By Ken Idleman (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) The worst leadership advice I ever received was during the second year of my presidency at Ozark Christian College. It was unsolicited, from a member of the teaching faculty. At age 32, I was still just getting oriented to my new role. One day I sent out an impulsive written communication to the staff. After sleeping on it that night, I realized I had made a mistake. The very next day I distributed a follow-up letter, explaining and apologizing in print. My former colleague came rushing
August 20, 2012
Lesson for August 26, 2012: God Promised to Be with Us (Ezekiel 34)
Ezekiel’s promise of one good shepherd points God’s people toward restoration, security, and blessing—and ultimately to the dependable care and presence of the eternal Good Shepherd.
May 7, 2012
Lesson for May 13, 2012: The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18)
Sam E. Stone examines Jesus' teaching in John 10, explaining the Good Shepherd, the sheep who know his voice, the contrast with the hireling, and Christ's sacrifice for his flock.
December 18, 2005
A Labyrinth Leading to God
Naomi Kouns reflects on intentional prayer, prayer labyrinths, Psalm 23, and learning to slow down, surrender control, and seek God’s presence through the ordinary and difficult moments of life.
