July 7, 2026
The Far-Reaching Impact of Compromise
Abraham and Isaac both faced moments when fear led them to compromise their integrity, reminding us that obedience requires trusting God with the results.
Articles for tag: Isaac
June 14, 2020
Open for Business . . . No Laughing Matter?
By Alan Scott In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis in April, I met a good friend at a restaurant because we could. We needed to. But nobody else was there. I felt fear and dread still creeping through the streets as I trekked toward our favorite eatery. A masked host seated us at properly distanced chairs outside on a patio. Apparently, innumerable state restrictions allowed restaurants to open, but with all the fun taken out. It was weird. But sitting outside in the warm sun and laughing wasn’t weird. I thought of Paul’s great theological words, “Rejoice in the
March 11, 2019
Lesson for March 17, 2019: God Blesses the Unexpectant (Sarah)
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. 3 (weeks 9-12; March 3–24, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Text: Genesis 21:1-7 Lesson Aim: Trust that even a small faith brings the Lord’s blessings. ______ By Mark Scott Sometimes God is just off-the-charts good—like in his creation of the world (Genesis 1:31), in blessing the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45), in his plan to save Jew and Gentile (Romans 11:33-36), in supplying all our
February 18, 2019
Lesson for February 24, 2019: God Is with You When You Feel Outcast (Ishmael/Hagar)
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. 2 (weeks 5–8; February 3–24, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Text: Genesis 21:8-20; 17:19, 20 Lesson Aim: Know that even when others abandon you, God will not. ______ By Mark Scott Headings matter. The New International Version titles this text, “Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away.” The English Standard Version titles this text, “God Protects Hagar and Ishmael.” The first heading emphasizes Abraham’s duty. The latter
August 8, 2016
Lesson for August 14, 2016: Living Under God’s Mercy (Romans 9:6-18)
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 the August 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott In the church at Rome, there was tension that you could cut with a circumcision knife. The Jews thought the Gentiles obeyed God”s laws rather flippantly. The Gentiles thought the Jews had squandered their place as God”s people. Paul”s teaching in this text is that both groups have to live under God”s mercy. God”s plan to
October 21, 2013
Lesson for October 27, 2013: The Blessing Passes to Jacob (Genesis 27, 28; 32:22-30; 35:9-15)
By Sam E. Stone Last week”s lesson concluded with Isaac becoming extremely prosperous (Genesis 26:13). He and his family moved south toward Beersheba, where his father Abraham had lived. Genesis 27 describes how Jacob tricked his father into giving him the special blessing that normally would have gone to his elder brother, Esau (27:1-40). When Esau learned of Jacob”s deception he cried, “Isn”t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he”s taken my blessing!” (v. 36). Esau planned to kill him after his father died. When his mother, Rebekah, learned
October 14, 2013
Lesson for October 20, 2013: A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 15″“17; 21:9-21; 26:1-25)
By Sam E. Stone Abraham is described in Scripture as an example of faith, and he certainly is (see Hebrews 11:8). But even “the father of the faithful” had his shortcomings. At one point in his life, he and Sarah seemed to doubt that God would fulfill his promise to give them a child. Sarah suggested they take things into their own hands. She urged Abraham to sleep with her handmaid, Hagar. He did and fathered a child””Ishmael. Their attempt to run ahead of God led to tragic results, the effects of which are still obvious in the world today.
January 16, 2012
Lesson for Jan. 22, 2012: Joseph Transmits Abraham”s Promise (Genesis 50)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Joseph is one of the most outstanding figures in the Old Testament. His life teaches us that the actions of evil people cannot really hurt us as long as we stay true to God and do what he wants us to do. Joseph experienced at least five major temptations during his life: favoritism in the home (Genesis 37:3, 4); bitterness as a slave (39:1); immorality in secret (39:6-12); discouragement at obstacles (39:13-20); and revenge at opportunity
December 12, 2011
Lesson for Dec. 18, 2011: The Lord Provides (Genesis 22:1-19)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 18) is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Provides (Genesis 22:1-19) By Sam E. Stone In last week”s lesson God assured Abram that he would actually have a son who would serve as his heir. Abram believed God. In the chapters that follow (Genesis 15:18″“22:1), we read about Hagar and Ishmael, the covenant of circumcision, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot, and Abimelech. Abram”s name was changed to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), literally “a father of many nations.” Finally Sarah gave birth to
February 3, 2008
God and Your Average Joe: Lessons from the Life of Isaac
Isaac may seem ordinary beside other Bible figures, but Hebrews 11 honors him as an example of faith, reminding everyday believers that God measures the heart.
June 5, 2005
The Ultimate Worship Experience
What does it take to experience true intimacy with God? From Abraham and Isaac to the call of Jesus, this article shows why sacrifice exposes idols and becomes the path to worship in spirit and truth.
