April 10, 2023
April 16 | Sinners Are Invited
This week we study two miracles of Jesus. The first is the cleansing of the leper (1:40-45). The second is the cleansing from sin and healing of the paralytic (2:1-12).
Articles for tag: Mark 11
April 3, 2023
April 9 | Application (‘But Some Doubted’)
"All four Gospels mention there were doubters after Jesus rose from the dead," David Faust writes. "Still today, when we gather on Easter to celebrate the resurrection, doubters mingle with the worshipers. . . ."
March 27, 2023
April 2 | The Ordinary Are Invited
Mark devoted one-third of his Gospel to the Passion experience of Jesus, and the first event in that experience was the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. . . .
March 20, 2023
March 26 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson on “Lead Me to Righteousness” (Amos 5:6-15, 21-24).
October 17, 2022
Judas at the Table
(We first ran this Communion meditation in October 2016.) By Ronald G. Davis Because of varying details in the four Gospel accounts, scholars disagree over whether Judas was still present in the upper room when Jesus called for a new bread-and-cup occasion, a new Passover meaning. But we know Judas was there long enough to be given one last, gracious opportunity to repent (see John 13:18-30). When Jesus said, “The one to whom I will give . . . ,” it was Judas’s fingers and thumb that grasped the sop, a grasping motion that characterized his lifestyle controlled by greed,
September 6, 2021
Sept. 12 | Application
Referring to the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17). His church puts out a welcome mat inviting sinners like ourselves from every ethnic group to come and join the family.
April 12, 2020
Application for April 19: Net Results
(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible study for April 19, 2020: “Power Over All of Creation.”) By David Faust First-century fishermen relied on their nets like carpenters rely on their hammers and farmers count on their plows. It took fishermen considerable skill, time, and effort to clean, dry, and mend their linen nets to keep them from rotting and wearing out. A seine net might be several hundred feet long and 20 feet deep, with cork or wood floats to keep the top of the net on the water’s surface and stone weights to pull the rest down into
October 28, 2018
What’s the Missing Discipleship Ingredient?
By Michael C. Mack “If you make disciples, you will always get the church. But if you try to build the church, you will rarely get disciples.” This quote from Mike Breen jumped off the page as I read his article, “Why the Missional Movement Will Fail,” several years ago. Apparently many others also found it compelling; the last time I checked, the article has more than 20,000 shares online. As a discipleship and small groups guy, I’ve read lots of articles and have been involved in many discussions about whether churches and groups should emphasize discipleship or being “missional”
October 6, 2016
Can I Be a Christian and a Patriot?
Four biblical principles about our earthly citizenship By Matt Proctor Full confession: I love America. I was born on an overseas U.S. Army base where my father served, and I respect the office of president, sing the national anthem, salute the flag, and own the movie Captain America. But my study of God”s Word has led me to decide how I should view my love of country in terms of my higher calling. Two summers ago, I took my 10- and 12-year-old sons on a weeklong U.S. history tour. We imagined being an immigrant at Ellis Island, marveled at the
May 16, 2016
Lesson for May 22, 2016: Childlike Faith (Luke 18:15″“17; Mark 10:16)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the May 15 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott My close friend J. K. Jones said, “I spent the first 40 years of my life as a child trying to be an adult. I am thinking of spending the last 40 years of my life as an adult trying to be a child again.” There is
January 5, 2016
A Welcome””and More
By Mark A. Taylor It”s tough to be a child in America these days, especially if you”re one of the children described by statistics like these: “¢ One in 45 children in America experience homelessness each year, a total of 1.6 million children.1 “¢ More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse, and about 80 percent of these are under the age of 4. A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds.2 “¢ One-third of American children””a total of 15 millions””are being raised without a father. Nearly 5 million more live without a
March 23, 2015
Lesson for March 29, 2015: The Son of David (Mark 11:1-11)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the March 22 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone The “triumphal entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem is significant for many reasons. It is one of the few events in his life that is recorded in all four Gospels. It marked the beginning of his last week on the earth. For three years he had taught and lived God”s message for the world. While his popularity was extremely high among the
May 9, 2014
Bob Russell Says, ‘I Love the Church!’
By Bob Russell A prominent ad for a new church plant reads, “Church doesn”t have to suck! Happy hour service this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.” Some might smile at that trendy message and regard it as a creative attention-getter, but the not-so-subtle implication is that most churches are boring and ineffective. Frankly, I”m tired of people bashing the church of Jesus Christ. I”m not referring to the world”s ridicule of the church””that”s expected. I”m referring to the criticism of the church from within. Popular Christian authors, convention speakers, parachurch leaders, and “cutting-edge” preachers frequently heap scorn on the bride of
March 31, 2014
Lesson for April 6, 2014: Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Isaiah 56:6-8; Jeremiah 7:8-15; Mark 11:15-19)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The messages of two prominent Old Testament prophets provide background for today”s lesson. Both focus on the cleansing of the temple during the final week of Jesus” earthly ministry. Isaiah had preached around 740 BC, while Jeremiah came some 55 years later. R. C. Foster noted, “Jeremiah denounces the wicked character of the people worshiping in the temple and the false trust of Israel in the temple; Jesus applies this to their misuse of the temple
November 12, 2012
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
April 9, 2012
Lesson for April 15, 2012: Temple Is Cleansed (John 2:13-25)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone John”s Gospel clarifies the length of Jesus” earthly ministry. Because he mentions the various Passovers celebrated by our Lord, we are able to determine that his entire ministry was a little over three years. Christ did what was expected of all Jewish men””he came to Jerusalem each year in observance of Passover (Deuteronomy 16:16). Today”s text describes his first visit there after beginning his earthly ministry. It was true to the spirit of Malachi”s prophecy (3:1-3).
April 11, 2011
Lesson for April 17, 2011: Praise the Lord (Mark 11:1-11)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for April 17) is written by Tim Turner who serves with Christ”s Church in Winterville, North Carolina. ____________ Praise the Lord (Mark 11:1-11) By Tim Turner Can you imagine the anticipation of knowing everything you”ve lived for and prepared for was just hours away? My wife and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary by going on our first cruise. I must confess my excitement as I anticipated the experience””and it lived up to its billing. I was eager for time alone with my wife and to see the exotic places we
February 4, 2007
No More Christians! (An Excerpt from The Big Idea)
With “Christians” everywhere, the church still struggles to live Jesus’ mission. This article argues we’re overloaded with competing “little ideas” and need one clear Big Idea—“Follow me”—that leads to action.
