Succession: When It Works, When It Doesn’t
Perhaps the greatest single benefit of succession success is that when it works, succession success honors God and results in positive momentum in the church as well as in the larger community.
Articles for tag: John the Baptist
August 19, 2024
AUGUST 25 STUDY | THOUGHTFUL RELATIONSHIPS
God sent Malachi to Israel to warn them that they were not stewarding thoughtful relationships at home or keeping an eye on their doctrine.
August 19, 2024
August 25 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Thoughtful Relationships” (Malachi 2:13-17; 3:1-5), by Mark Scott.
July 15, 2024
THE LORD WILL PROVIDE
God provided a substitute in his Son Jesus so that people would not have to die in their sins.
February 2, 2024
Let’s Talk About . . . ‘The Chosen’ (Season 4, Episodes 1-3)
Seasons 1-3 of "The Chosen" chronicle Jesus’ rise to celebrity status, including his remarkable preaching, miracles, and the call of his disciples. Season 4 takes a much darker turn. . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘What If? . . .’ (1993)
Thirty years ago, Tom Claibourne posed several "what if" questions from the Bible. Examples: What if Mordecai had bowed down to Haman? What if Paul's tent business had taken precedence over his ministry? . . .
December 5, 2022
December 11 | Lord of Creation
There are five miracles in this lesson text—the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, the calming of the storm, and the healings at Gennesaret. Only the Lord of Creation could demonstrate his power over that creation.
November 25, 2022
Let’s Talk About . . . ‘The Chosen’ (Season 3, Episodes 1-2)
In season 3 of "The Chosen," Jesus' ministry in Galilee is gearing up—he gathers his apostles, preaches electrifying sermons to swelling crowds, and plans strategy for expanding the ministry all over Israel.
July 18, 2022
July 24 | Application (‘It’s Messy on the Boat’)
Some read the biblical account of Noah’s ark and treat it like a charming little children’s story, but imagine what it was like being cooped up with all those animals for months. . . .
April 4, 2022
April 10 | Perfect Judgment
The woman poured out her repentance in several ways—weeping (in contrition) over Jesus' feet, letting her hair down so she could use her “glory” as a towel, kissing his feet, and pouring expensive perfume on them.
March 28, 2022
April 3 | Perfect Compassion
He "touched the bier" (somewhat like a casket). This made Jesus unclean. but he immediately destroyed the evidence of uncleanness by raising the young man from the dead. People must have been shocked. . . .
March 28, 2022
April 3 | Discovery
In Luke 7:11-23, how does Jesus' presence lead to a display of his power, which leads to an understanding of his purpose?
April 5, 2021
Apr 11 | A New Way Forward
All religious practices will assume some form. But if those forms are not somewhat fluid, they will turn into rigid legalism.
Did Jesus Engage in Political Debate?
By Mark E. Moore Did Jesus engage in political debate? Well, that depends on your definition of political. I’m not trying to be clever or coy, just clear (an attribute desperately lacking in modern political debate). The word political comes from the Greek word politeuomai which means “to live as a citizen” (Acts 23:1; Philippians 1:27). It had to do with social engagement in the public sphere. According to this technical definition, to be political, Jesus would have to meet these four criteria: (a) Be a public figure—his ideas or vision would need to be declared publicly rather than merely
March 29, 2020
Lesson for April 5, 2020: Power to Sustain (John 6:1-15, 25-29)
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 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Let Jesus provide for your personal and spiritual needs. ________ By Mark Scott All four Gospels record the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. It was Passover time when Jesus performed it. This was one Passover when Jesus did not go to Jerusalem; he had his own Passover meal in the
April 11, 2019
A Sampling of Editorials from April 1939
We go back 80 years with today’s column to see what was being discussed on Christian Standard’s editorial pages on April 8 and 15, 1939. Easter fell during that time—April 9—and of the 13 editorials published during that short span, the longest two focused on Jesus’ resurrection and on the folly of “trying to accomplish the aims of Jesus without the methods or the help of Jesus.” Our next column will center on Easter, but this week we will zero in on some shorter editorials. The subjects of these pieces include: dead churches, Adolf Hitler, Pentecost, and immersion. The first,
March 25, 2019
Lesson for March 31, 2019: Follow the One with Authority (Mark 1:16-28)
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; March 31–April 21, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: Recognize Christ’s authority and his call on your life. ______ By Mark Scott Today we begin an eight-week series from the Gospel of Mark. This series will lead up to and beyond Easter. The first four lessons emphasize following Jesus. The last four lessons emphasize trusting Jesus. Since we
December 23, 2017
What Can I Give Him?
This Christmas essay originally appeared in the December 18/25, 2011, issue of Christian Standard. ___ By Caleb Kaltenbach Every Christmas I struggle with the same thing: what in the world do I give my wife? Do I get her shoes, clothes, jewelry, a massage, or what? Maybe this is a better question: what gift will I give Jesus this season? In Luke 1, we see the birth of a child who would be a gift to Jesus. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his
December 20, 2017
In Season, Out of Season
This Christmas editorial from December 20, 1969, was written by Edwin V. Hayden, who served as editor of Christian Standard from 1957 to 1977. ___ By Edwin V. Hayden We observe, without being greatly disturbed by it, a growing tendency for Christmas to be observed as a season rather than as a day. For many it is a season of merchandising and merriment, merely extending what they have always done with the day. For Christians it is a season for becoming acquainted with Christ, and the more greatly that is extended, the better! It is hard to pinpoint Christmas, even as a
January 26, 2017
Being the Church
By Glen Elliott What does it mean to “be the church”? If we were meeting as a group and discussing this, our conversation would be all over the place. The church is to make disciples. Yep. The church is to reach the lost. Yes, for sure. The church is to protect and care for its members. Check. The church is to ensure that the values and morality of God are lived out and taught. Sure! And the conversation would still not be finished. We have not included any discussion of whether the church is, in fact, being the church or
