Articles for tag: International Sunday School Lesson

January 28, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 3, 2013: Focused Solely on Christ (Colossians 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Although the apostle Paul himself did not plant the church in Colossae, some of his associates did (Colossians 1:7). When he learned of challenges facing the congregation while imprisoned in Rome, he wrote this memorable epistle to them. His letter focuses on Jesus Christ. Apparently the Colossian church was being challenged by heretical teaching, possibly from Jewish and Gnostic sources. Paul”s strong effort to establish the church”s faith solidly on the Lord should be replicated in

January 21, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 27, 2013: Standing Firm in Christ (Philippians 3:12–4:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In his personal letter to the church family at Philippi, the apostle Paul emphasized the importance of doing everything for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). In addition to warning against false teachers, he spoke candidly about spiritual maturity, encouraging every Christian to remain faithful. Today”s text provides guidance for believers living in a hostile world.   Don”t Dwell on the Past Philippians 3:12, 13 It is not wise to think that one has “arrived,” having

January 14, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 20, 2013: Knowing Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:1-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This month”s lessons are all taken from Paul”s letter to the Philippians. His message to them centered in Jesus Christ, just as his other letters did. Evidently some false teachers were afoot in Philippi, as well as in Galatia (Galatians 3:1-5). They were causing some believers to have misplaced confidence. They taught that salvation could come from what they could do””not by depending on God. We see similar errors today. Paul reaffirmed his previous message to

December 31, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 6, 2013: Proclaiming Christ (Philippians 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Philippians is a letter of encouragement. Although Paul wrote it while a prisoner of Rome, it is not a “Woe is me!” message. The Christians in Philippi and countless believers since have found in this letter reason to rejoice, no matter what life”s circumstances may be. Pat Edwin Harrell called today”s text “a picture of the gospel”s progress.” He notes that Paul reveals how his imprisonment has directly (1:12-14), indirectly (vv. 15-18), and unfailingly worked to

December 24, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 30, 2012: Christ”s Love for the Church (Ephesians 5:15″“6:9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Key passages from the book of Ephesians have been considered this month, following the theme, “Victory in Jesus.” Chapter 5 contains guidelines for Christian behavior in a pagan world. Today”s background Scripture begins in v. 15. Even before this, however, Paul warned about dangers such as sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, and foolish talk (vv. 3-7). The first section of our printed text is addressed to the whole church (vv. 18-21). All Christians must be careful

December 10, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 16, 2012: Part of One Body in Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone When we become discouraged in today”s hostile religious environment, it helps to remember what it was like for the first-century Christians back when the church began. In pagan Ephesus, few people knew anything about Jesus Christ, even less about who or what a “Christian” was. There of all places, it was important for members of the church to stand together as one, representing their Lord to the world.   Called to Unity Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul challenged

November 26, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 2, 2012: Blessed in Christ (Ephesians 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone “Jesus Is Lord” is the theme for this quarter”s studies, focusing on Paul”s letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. These books (along with Philemon) are often referred to as the Prison Epistles. Most Bible students believe they were written around the same time period. In Ephesians the apostle refers directly to being imprisoned at the time he wrote (3:1; 4:1; 6:20). If this letter was written soon after the time described at the close of

November 19, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 25, 2012: Paul Evangelizes in Rome (Acts 28:11-31)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul”s long-desired opportunity to preach in Rome was becomming a reality. Last week we learned how he and others from the ship wintered in Malta, awaiting better weather to complete their journey. With spring, navigation was considered safe and they resumed their voyage (Acts 28:11-14). Luke notes that when they met brethren in Puteoli, Paul remained there for a week. W. R. Walker suggests that this makes it “more than probable” that the centurion transporting Paul

November 12, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 18, 2012: Paul Ministers on Malta (Acts 28:1-10)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Once safely on land after the shipwreck, Paul and his companions learned they were on the island of Malta. Located about 60 miles south of Sicily, it is some 500 miles west of Crete where Paul”s trip to Rome had begun.   Warm Welcome Acts 28:1, 2 When the sailors saw land during the storm (Acts 27:39), they weren”t sure just where they were. Upon landing, they met people on the beach who told them. The

November 5, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 11, 2012: Paul Survives a Shipwreck (Acts 27)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In last week”s lesson, Paul stood before King Agrippa and the Roman governor, Festus. They both found him innocent of any crime but, since he had appealed to Caesar, they sent him on for a hearing before the emperor in Rome. Today we study a part of his sea voyage en route there. Paul was accompanied by Luke and Aristarchus. Whether Aristarchus was a voluntary companion or whether he was himself a prisoner is not clear.

October 29, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 4, 2012: Paul Testifies Before King Agrippa (Acts 25, 26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The remaining four lessons in this unit help answer the question, “Where does faith take us?” We will look at examples of the apostle Paul”s faith and ministry recorded in the book of Acts. Paul was preaching fearlessly in Jerusalem when a riotous crowd threatened his life (Acts 22:22-24). The Roman soldiers took him into custody in an attempt to restore order. When the commander ordered that he be flogged, Paul asked, “Is it legal for

October 22, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 28, 2012: Philip Baptizes a Man from Ethiopia (Acts 8:26-39)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Someone has said the book known as “The Acts of the Apostles” could more accurately be titled, “Some of the Acts of Some of the Apostles.” Philip was not an apostle, yet he was a key figure in the early days of the church. He first appears in Acts as one of the “seven men” called to “wait on tables” in the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1-6). When next seen, he is preaching powerfully in Samaria (8:4-8).

October 15, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 21, 2012: Simon Wants to Buy Power (Acts 8:2-24)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The church of Jesus Christ began in Jerusalem (Acts 2), but it did not stay there. Just as Jesus had directed, the early believers moved out of the city, bearing witness to their faith “in all Judea and Samaria” as well (Acts 1:8). Today”s text focuses on the ministry of Philip in Samaria. Like Stephen, whom we studied the past two weeks (Acts 6:8″“8:2), Philip was also one of “the seven” chosen to be servant leaders

October 8, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 14, 2012: Stephen Is Faithful to Death (Acts 7:1″“8:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In last week”s lesson Luke introduced Stephen (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1, 2a, 22, 44a, 45b-49). Today”s text follows that passage immediately. After summarizing key parts of the Jews” history, Stephen confronted his accusers with what they had done to the Messiah. Rather than defending himself against their accusations, he warned them of coming judgment if they continued to oppose God”s servants.   The Charge Acts 7:51-54 The Jewish leaders still would not listen. By referring to them

October 1, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 7, 2012: Stephen Defends His Faith (Acts 6:1″“7:53)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone After focusing on the book of Hebrews for several weeks, we now turn our attention to the book of Acts to see how God uses people of faith. With the rapid growth of the early church, it became difficult to take care of all the widows in need of food. The apostles directed the church to select seven men to oversee this important work. Some consider them the first deacons, even though that term is not

September 24, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 30, 2012: Faith Instills Love (Hebrews 13; 1 Corinthians 13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The book of Hebrews teaches us a number of things about true faith. In this unit”s final lesson, a familiar text””1 Corinthians 13″”is added to show how the believer”s faith is expressed in love.   Consistency of Love Hebrews 13:1-3, 6 Although brotherly love was not a common virtue in the first century, the early Christians were already practicing it (see Hebrews 6:10 and 10:33, 34). For this, the writer commends them. Showing love to other

September 17, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 23, 2012: Faith Inspires Gratitude (Hebrews 12:14-29)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The supremacy of the new covenant over the old is the theme of today”s text. Thomas Hewitt explained, “The author”s aim in this is to show that higher privileges carry with them greater responsibilities.” He makes his point by contrasting two mountains, Mount Sinai (also called Mount Horeb) and Mount Zion, explaining what each site means.   Mountain of Terror Hebrews 12:18-21 The role of Mount Sinai in Old Testament history is unparalleled. It was here

August 27, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 2, 2012: Faith Calls for Perseverance (Hebrews 10)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The letter to the Hebrews does not tell us the name of its author. For years Paul was assumed to have written it. Others think Barnabas or Apollos did. Though we cannot be certain of the author, the book was clearly accepted by the early church as part of the Holy Spirit-inspired canon of Scripture. Most Bible students believe it was written before the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in AD 70 since the temple

July 23, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 29, 2012: Jehoshaphat Makes Judicial Reforms (2 Chronicles 18, 19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone King Jehoshaphat was one of the more godly kings in the time of the divided kingdom. He ruled Judah around 873-848 BC, succeeding his father, Asa, on the throne (2 Chronicles 17:1). The writer declares, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed” (v. 3). He removed the “high places” used for pagan worship in Judah. Later in his life, however, he made the

July 16, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 22, 2012: A King Acts on a Widow”s Behalf (2 Kings 4:1-37; 8:1-6)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone To fully appreciate today”s text, we need to review what led up to it. God kept his Word to Abraham when he brought him into the promised land and gave him the “promised son” late in his life. His descendants continued to receive the Lord”s blessings as the nation grew in Canaan. Although the Hebrew people spent some 400 years in Egypt at one point, they returned again to the land God had promised as their

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