July 12, 2021
The prophets of the Old Testament were the mean junkyard dogs of Israel. . . . Both Elijah and Elisha made it into Jesus’ ordination sermon, and some of their miracles are templates for miracles of Jesus
January 1, 2021
Hassan stepped off the bank and felt the river water swirl around his ankles. He took another step, his confidence growing. He knew his choice to follow Jesus was the right one. He grasped his wife’s hand and smiled at her. They’d come a long way in the last few years. Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered how his desire for revenge had almost endangered the lives of his family. When he found the tortured, lifeless bodies of his father and brother on his doorstep in Syria one horrible morning, he had decided to exact revenge on the
August 15, 2020
What Israel’s Wilderness Wandering Reveals . . . Especially During Challenging Times By Kevin Dooley Oh, to have been numbered among the more than 2 million Israelites delivered from captivity in Egypt once the final plague broke Pharaoh’s resolve. What a thrill to have passed on dry ground between the columns of the Red Sea, and then to have witnessed the end of Pharaoh’s might as the waters closed in on his armies (Exodus 15:1-21). The spectacle that was Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the ensuing 40 years of wandering in the wilderness surely was “breaking news” across every culture
July 20, 2020
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 July 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Be strong and courageous; God is faithful to keep all his promises. ________ By Mark Scott Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (English Standard Version). Israel had longed for the Promised Land for years. Their hearts were sick for their
July 13, 2020
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 July 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Be strong and courageous; God’s presence gives us strength. ________ By Mark Scott There are many famous leadership transitions in the Bible; David to Solomon, Elijah to Elisha, Jesus to the disciples, and Paul to Timothy are just a few. But none is as widely known as the passing of leadership from
November 14, 2016
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 November 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott So much of our environment and lives have to do with water. Think of how much of the earth is water. Think of how much of the human body is water. Israel is a dry land in the midst of various bodies of water. Our older son purchased a T-shirt in Israel for his oldest
February 23, 2015
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 22 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone This month”s lessons highlight “The Pledge of God”s Presence,” as seen in the Gospels of John and Mark. The quarter”s overall theme is, “The Spirit Comes.” The preparatory ministry of John the Baptist is recounted early in John”s Gospel. It had been almost 400 years since the last Old Testament prophet appeared on the stage of Scripture. Malachi concluded his message
March 12, 2012
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Last week we studied the introduction to the fourth Gospel, the Prologue. John told next how Jesus began his ministry by being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (John 1:19-34). Then he began choosing his disciples. Andrew and Peter were the first to follow Jesus (vv. 35-42). Next he called Philip and Nathanael (vv. 43-51). Today”s text immediately follows these events. Hope for a Miracle John 2:1-6 On the third day a
June 6, 2011
Better Bible lessons starting at only 30¢ per week! Get them in Standard Lesson Commentary! ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for June 12) is written by Damon Reid, lead minister with Bethany Church of Christ in Kettering, Ohio. ____________ God Expects Obedience (Joshua 1:7-18) By Damon Reid The long-awaited day””anticipated for centuries””had finally come. The children of Israel were preparing to enter the promised land! Because of his disobedience, Moses was not permitted to enter the promised land. Although he died at the age of 120, the Bible notes that his “eyes were not weak
February 21, 2010
Marshall Hayden reflects on 25 years of Holy Land trips and how Christian travel can revitalize faith, deepen relationships, and bring Scripture vividly to life.
February 21, 2010
A journey through Israel becomes a personal encounter with God’s pleasure, calling, and grace as Cheri Lynn Cowell reflects on the Jordan River, Peter, and the Sea of Galilee.
Thomas F. Jones Jr. reflects on a Holy Land pilgrimage that moved pastors beyond tourism into prayer, worship, community, and renewed ministry vision.
February 17, 2010
Mark A. Taylor reflects on visits to Israel and Jordan, remembering the Sea of Galilee, the Garden Tomb, Mount Nebo, and the spiritual depth of Holy Land travel.
December 17, 2008
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Bethany beyond the Jordan, the fragile peace of treaties, and the deeper peace Christ gives to troubled hearts at Christmas.
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