June 17, 2024
June 23 Lesson | Revealed in Writing
As Belshazzar watched, his face turned pale, his legs became weak, and his knees were knocking. Suddenly the wine didn’t taste so good. . . .
Articles for tag: Idolatry
November 13, 2023
November 19 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Ephesus” (Acts 19:8-10, 23-41), by Mark Scott.
August 7, 2023
August 13 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Where Is the Justice?” (Habakkuk 1:12-17; 2:1-20), by Mark Scott.
July 1, 2023
Preventing the Celebrity-Pastor Syndrome: My Encouragement to Fellow Pastors
By Ben Cachiaras The surge in the number of celebrity pastors is a growing concern for the church. Multiple documentaries, articles, and podcasts (including “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”) have exposed this problem. And with so many high-profile pastors disqualifying themselves, one naturally wonders how much of their downfall was connected to the celebrity status that had become part of their identity. The terms Christian and celebrity have not meshed well historically. Over time, popularity has taken out more pastors than persecution. The church has been negatively impacted by this syndrome. A celebrity pastor is not easily replicable,
June 12, 2023
June 18 | Application (‘Appreciate What You Have’)
Do you ever take God’s blessings for granted? At times, your daily work may be frustrating and monotonous, but are you thankful to have a job? Are you glad your family members are around even with their irritating quirks? . . .
June 5, 2023
June 11 | Warning for Idol Worshippers
This section of Jeremiah begins 13 oracles of God’s case against Judah that continue through chapter 25. . . .
June 5, 2023
June 11 | Application (‘Accept No Substitutes for God’)
Pagans aren’t the only ones who worship idols. God’s covenant people sometimes make the same mistake. . . .
June 5, 2023
June 11 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Warning for Idol Worshippers” (Jeremiah 2:1-13, 26-28; 4:1-2).
April 24, 2023
The Rich Young Ruler
Jesus was on the rich young ruler’s side. Jesus was pulling for him. . . .
January 23, 2023
January 29 | It’s About Distinction
Upon his arrival in Jerusalem in chapter 7, Ezra sized things up rather quickly. The exiles were in danger of turning back to the sinful ways that had caused them to go into captivity in the first place. Ezra was committed to nip that mindset in the bud.
September 5, 2022
September 11 | New Heart
Ezekiel continued to prepare the exiles in Babylon for the new days ahead. Now it was time to paint a brighter picture for their future beyond Babylon.
August 8, 2022
August 14 | Sins of the Leaders
Since the call of this exilic prophet (in Ezekiel 1–3), the prophet had cried out against Israel’s idolatry and the sins of Israel’s leaders. The result was that leaders began persecuting Ezekiel. At this juncture "the word of the Lord" came to Ezekiel to cry out against those leaders.
July 1, 2022
8 Ways Church Growth Has Reached an Idolatrous Level (Part 1)
By Tyler McKenzie I love the church. That’s why I would like to suggest that pursuit of church growth by some leaders has reached an idolatrous level. Growth has become synonymous with health and success. It’s why we invest so many resources in the weekend gathering. It’s why we platform the leaders we do. Having led a large congregation for a decade now, I’ve experienced some of the lusts and obsessions in my own heart. Growth shouldn’t be the main thing. Tim Keller wrote in “Leadership and Church Size Dynamics,” Out of necessity, the large church must use organizational
January 17, 2022
Jan. 23 | Application
The word "leftover" sounds stale and unappealing. The Law of Moses instructed the Israelites to give the firstfruits of their labors, not the scraps. However, the Bible also has some positive things to say about leftovers . . .
December 27, 2021
Jan. 2 | Application
If God had no capacity for righteous anger, it would create some difficult dilemmas.
December 27, 2021
Jan. 2 | Righteous Wrath
Romans has been responsible for more church revivals than any other New Testament book. This month, students will learn that God is righteous, and therefore judgment should be left in his hands.
November 22, 2021
Crushing God
We often ponder the impact of our sinful choices on our lives and spirits, but do we consider the impact of our sin on God?
August 24, 2020
A Time for Boldness (Aug. 30 Lesson Application)
By David Faust When astronauts take untethered space walks, they float in outer space without anything attaching them to the space station. What a feeling of complete freedom! They are untethered and free from all restraints—but in grave danger. I’m sure those astronauts feel relieved when they scramble safely back into the spaceship. They couldn’t survive out there alone. Do you want to be untethered and free from any restraint? Consider what it was like during the raucous era of the Judges. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 17:6, 21:25)—and that remains
August 10, 2020
Lesson for August 16, 2020: Stop the Spiral (Judges 2:10-19)
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 August 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: When God disciplines, repent. ________ By Mark Scott Judges may well be the ugliest book in the Bible. Perpetual sin was creating a union with death among God’s people. “There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25, English Standard Version; cf. 17:6; 18:1;
August 3, 2020
Lesson for August 9, 2020: Serve the Lord (Joshua 24:1, 14-28, 31)
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 August 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Be strong and courageous; serve the Lord faithfully. ________ By Mark Scott T.S. Eliot wrote, “For those who serve the greater cause may make the cause serve them.” A remarkable deception of the enemy is in duping believers into thinking they deserve God to serve them (cf. Luke 17:10). But everything good
