December 9, 2024
December 15 Study | He Comes as the Son of God
Who Jesus of Nazareth was makes what he said and did the most important words and deeds in the history of the universe.
Articles for tag: Matthew 1:1
November 17, 2024
Our Gated Community
The Lord’s presence will sustain us whenever the “gates of Hades” and their leader (Satan) pose a threat.
August 5, 2024
August 11 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Give careful thought to your heart; do not harden it” (Zechariah 7:4-14, 8:16-19; Malachi 4:5-6), by Mark Scott.
July 1, 2023
Preventing the Celebrity-Pastor Syndrome: My Encouragement to Fellow Pastors
By Ben Cachiaras The surge in the number of celebrity pastors is a growing concern for the church. Multiple documentaries, articles, and podcasts (including “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”) have exposed this problem. And with so many high-profile pastors disqualifying themselves, one naturally wonders how much of their downfall was connected to the celebrity status that had become part of their identity. The terms Christian and celebrity have not meshed well historically. Over time, popularity has taken out more pastors than persecution. The church has been negatively impacted by this syndrome. A celebrity pastor is not easily replicable,
January 9, 2023
January 15 | Discovery
What can you learn from Ezra 4:12–5:2 about God’s timing, waiting on him, and trusting him in the process?
November 28, 2022
December 4 | Discovery
In these passages from Matthew 9 and 10, Jesus tells his disciples three times to “not be afraid.” Why should Jesus’ followers not be afraid to speak about him to others?
September 1, 2022
Who Are You?
How to Respond When the World Tries to Dismantle Your God-Given Identity By Wes Beavis “I hear voices inside my head.” This statement raises the sensitivities of a clinical psychologist. Hearing internal voices can be a sign of schizophrenia, which can drive people into homelessness. But schizophrenia is not just limited to the down and out. John Nash, a brilliant mathematician, would carry on conversations with people inside his head. His story was made into a movie called A Beautiful Mind. Despite suffering from schizophrenia, Nash’s intellectual capacity and achievements led to him being awarded a Nobel Memorial Prize in
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.
September 6, 2021
Sept. 12 | Jesus Is Superior to Moses
The writer of Hebrews makes the case that Jesus was superior to everything and everyone, including the ginormous person of Moses. Was Moses in fact a “type” of Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15-18)?
May 1, 2021
Be Faithful with the ‘Few’
In this issue you will see many examples of God supplying all the needs of his church, fulfilling Jesus’ promise, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).
December 14, 2020
Discovery Questions for December 20, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Dec. 20, 2020: Fulfilled through Promise (Matthew 2:1-15) “The Day I Visited a King’s Palace” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. In what way did you tell others about Jesus (“the Lord saves”) and Immanuel (“God is with us”) last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Matthew 2:1-15 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to retell the story as if sharing it with a
November 23, 2020
Discovery Questions for November 29, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 29, 2020: Seek Reconciliation (Philemon 8-21) “I Missed You” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenges did you face last week at work, with family, or in other circumstances? 2. What good did you do this past week, especially to show someone else that God is good? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Philemon 8-21 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to take about one minute to summarize the passage. 3.
August 3, 2020
Building God’s House
By Stuart Powell During the construction of the first temple in Jerusalem, Solomon received a message from Yahweh God: As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel (1 Kings 6:11-13). David designed the temple, Solomon built it, but God conceived the faith upon which Solomon’s temple stood. That temple in Jerusalem was one of a multitude built throughout
May 6, 2019
Lesson for May 12, 2019: Trust Jesus with Your Soul (Mark 8:27-38)
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 17-20; April 28–May 19, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: Trust Jesus’ authority to save you. ______ As part of a larger poem, William Ross Wallace wrote, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” A fitting tribute to mothers. But what about the God who rocks the whole world? Can we trust our
August 31, 2015
Back to the Present
By Eddie Lowen Over the last couple of years, I”ve heard several of my pastor heroes reveal what they would do differently (and the same) if they could start over in church leadership. Those talks have been rich with wisdom. Since I emulated them in multiple ways, I listened closely each time, wondering if they would express regret over something I mimicked. I carry notes from their leadership talks on my phone, an indication of the regard I have for the wisdom of these men. I reread and meditate on them. It seems wise to give weight to the reflections
March 3, 2014
Lesson for March 9, 2014: Son of David (Psalm 89; Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 1:18″“2:6; Luke 1:26-33)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson is based on three passages of Scripture. Psalm 89 affirms God”s faithfulness in keeping his amazing promise to David (2 Samuel 7) that we studied last week. There he assured David that he would have a place of greatness, that his offspring would succeed him, and that his kingdom would be established forever. Next, one of the key messianic prophecies is cited. Isaiah assures the people that Immanuel will remain beside them””literally “God with
April 11, 2013
How to Handle Criticism
By Ryan Connor Criticism cuts deep. It cuts marriages apart. It cuts friendships to shreds. For those in church leadership, criticism cuts the legs out from under their ministries. Criticism cuts us down. But it can also cut us open and show us what we might not otherwise see. Criticism may present opportunities for important and needed change. In short, criticism cuts both ways. Criticism is an insult attached to a complaint. The problem is blamed on a defect in the other person”s character, typically with global terms like always and never. For example, a spouse may complain to her
February 26, 2013
Sticky Conversations: Divorce and Remarriage
THIS IS THE FIFTH AND FINAL IN A SERIES OF  “STICKY CONVERSATIONS” By Julie Gariss As commonplace as the ritual of divorce has become, it is still impossible to fully comprehend the pain that accompanies a broken marriage. That is especially true within the church. Divorces frequently are followed by remarriages. This pattern shows the deep desire by most adults to live in an intimate marriage relationship. And even though the second or third attempt may finally produce a healthy and whole union, the ghost of a marriage past still haunts. How should the church respond to the all-too-familiar cycle of divorce and
December 31, 2012
Closed for Renovations
When we talk about makeovers, we”re usually focusing on externals: a new hairdo, new makeup, or maybe a new kitchen or paint job for our house. What would happen if Christians took time for a spiritual “inside” makeover? By Danny R. Von Kanel As we prepare to face a new year, maybe this is the time to consider a spiritual makeover. The following steps can help make it happen. Take a spiritual inventory of your relationship with Christ. A spiritual inventory reveals your spiritual condition. Such honest grappling with your spiritual state includes addressing sin, character flaws, relationships, spiritual disciplines,
September 17, 2012
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
