Articles for tag: New International Version

Lesson for Aug. 14, 2011: Making a Choice (Ruth 1:8-18)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 14) is written by Jonathan Feathers, senior minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Virginia. ____________ Making a Choice (Ruth 1:8-18) By Jonathan Feathers (Note: The italicized words in this lesson may be used as discussion questions.) Choices, choices, choices. Do I choose what is behind curtain number one, two, or three? Should I choose vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, or a combination of vanilla and chocolate? What will I do? Maybe I should ask, what choice do you think I should make? (Describe a time

July 25, 2011

Lesson for July 31, 2011: Return to God”s Ways (Judges 10:10-18; 11:4-6, 32, 33)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 24) is written by Steve Carr, teaching minister at Echo Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ Return to God’s Ways (Judges 10:10-18: 11:4-6, 32, 33) By Thomas May “We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals” (Judges 10:10). Do you relate with the people of Israel during the time of the judges? One moment striving to follow God with heart and mind and soul and strength, and then””before you can blink””serving false gods. Do you ever feel that happening to you? You are not alone. In

July 11, 2011

Lesson for July 17, 2011: Use God”s Strength (Judges 3:15-25, 29, 30)

Bible background. Pronunciation guide. Real-life commentary. Discussion questions. Find it all in Standard Lesson Commentary. ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 17) is written by James Hansee, senior associate minister with Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio. ____________ Use God’s Strength (Judges 3:15-25, 29, 30) By James Hansee Where the world sees disability, God sees potential. Where the world sees disadvantage or defect, God sees opportunity. When people rely on God”s strength, even their weaknesses or perceived shortcomings can be powerful tools in his hands to accomplish his plans. Such is the case

June 13, 2011

Lesson for June 19, 2011: God Protects His People (Joshua 2:2-9, 15, 16, 22-24)

Read The Lookout every week . . . Two full pages of helps for your Sunday School lesson . . . And inspiration for everyday Christian life. Here’s how. ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for June 19) is written by Don Hinkle, pastor at Yucaipa (California) Christian Church. ____________ God Protects His People (Joshua 2:2-9, 15, 16, 22-24) By Don Hinkle Joshua 2 would make an amazing film. It has all the ingredients””spies, intrigue, a double cross, humor (“I don”t know which way they went. Go after them quickly”””Joshua 2:5), midnight escapes, secret deals, and

May 16, 2011

New Testament Theology & Bible

Lesson for May 22, 2011: New Order of Things (Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 22) is written by Melissa Wuske, an editor for F+W Media in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ New Order of Things (Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27) By Melissa Wuske My grandpa recently died after a far-too-long battle with Alzheimer”s disease. After decades as a faithful husband, father, and leader in the church, he spent the last decade or so of his life struggling to think or speak or remember. He spent the last few years unable to leave his bed on his own, unable to perform the basic daily functions that adults and

April 25, 2011

Lesson for May 1, 2011: Be Like Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 1) is written by Lise Caldwell, a freelance writer living in Indianapolis, Indiana. ____________ Be Like Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11) By Lise Caldwell To paraphrase A Christmas Carol, I am a famously competitive person: to begin with. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. My husband loves to tell the tale of the time I mercilessly defeated a 12-year-old girl in a game of Scene It at Walt Disney World in order to win Electronic-Banking Monopoly, a game he

March 28, 2011

Lesson for April 3, 2011: Remember Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:8-19)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for April 3) is written by Nicholas Cox who serves with Community Christian Church in White Marsh, Maryland. ____________ Remember Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:8-19) By Nicholas Cox When I moved from Maryland to Tennessee to attend seminary, I had an odd fear I couldn”t shake. Sure, there were logistics to figure out and hundreds of miles to travel. I had the normal butterflies when it came to meeting new people and facing new challenges. There was also concern caused by moving from an urban setting to a rural one; I

March 21, 2011

Lesson for March 27, 2011: Compassionate Service (1 Timothy 5:1-8, 17-22)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for March 27) is written by Robert Woolfolk who serves with Agape Christian Church in Denver, Colorado. ____________ Compassionate Service (1 Timothy 5:1-8, 17-22) By Robert Woolfolk As we read Paul”s instructions to the young preacher Timothy, we gain wisdom about godly relationships in the church, which is the body of Christ. Families Godly family interaction is important to the health and vitality of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. How we treat one another speaks louder than anything we teach, preach, or counsel. Paul”s instructions still reverberate 20 centuries

March 14, 2011

Lesson for March 20, 2011: Leadership Priorities (1 Timothy 4:6-16)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for March 20) is written by Bruce Stoker who serves as adult education minister with Memorial Church of Christ in Livonia, Michigan. ____________ Leadership Priorities (1 Timothy 4:6-16) By Bruce Stoker It”s a shame we have made worship such a divisive thing within the church. If we can get back to the “heart of worship,” as Matt Redman”s song says, and recognize with him that it”s all about God, then Paul”s directives in 1 Timothy 4:6-16 ought to clarify the priorities of church leaders. When leaders have their priorities straight, division

February 28, 2011

Lesson for March 6, 2011: Worship Guidelines (1 Timothy 2)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for March 6) is written by Jeremy Lawson who serves as minister with Mount Pleasant Church of Christ in Williamstown, Kentucky. ____________ Worship Guidelines (1 Timothy 2) By Jeremy Lawson In a majority of churches, the worship service goes something like this: someone welcomes the congregation and worship begins. After a few songs, there is a time of Communion and offering. After that, one or more persons sing a special number that everyone will clap for regardless of its quality. The preacher then takes the stage and 20 to 30 minutes

February 14, 2011

Lesson for Feb. 20, 2011: Jesus Came to Serve (Mark 10:35-45)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for February 20) is written by Jonathan Feathers, senior minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Virginia. Jesus Came to Serve (Mark 10:35-45) By Jonathan Feathers (Note: The italicized words in this lesson may be used as discussion questions.) To serve or to be served? What is your response to this question? In our 21st-century American culture, we strive to make it to the top and to cross the finish line first. In today”s economy, we are prepared to push and shove to be the front-runner for the new

January 20, 2011

A Birthday Worth Celebrating

By Victor Knowles The King James Version of the Holy Bible will be 400 years old on May 4, 2011. Happy Birthday, KJV! Like many readers of Christian Standard who are 60 and older, I was raised on the King James Version. It was the only Bible we used in church, VBS, or Christian service camps. Not that we were King James Version-only Christians. It just happened the King James Version was the only Bible used in the Midwest where I grew up in the 1950s and “60s. There were very few translations available other than the American Standard Version

January 17, 2011

Lesson for Jan. 23, 2011: Light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:1-7)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for January 23) is written by Steve Carr who serves with Echo Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:1-7) By Steve Carr As a minister and an employee at a Christian institution, I have spent a lot of time talking with people about God”s call in their lives. Through these interactions I have met people who have claimed to hear the audible voice of God speak to them. I”ve also met people who fear for their salvation because they have never felt God speaking in their lives. While

January 7, 2011

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation

God”s Word””the Life Shaper

(This essay is the first in a series called “The Bible, My Guide” that will appear throughout 2011. In it, Christian leaders will present testimonies about how the Bible has changed them. This essay, and all subsequent ones in this series, may be accessed by clicking on “The Bible, My Guide” in the drop down menu under “Features” on the home page.) By Marshall Hayden I didn”t understand the TV commercial the first time or two. But now every time I see it I get a warm feeling the advertiser no doubt wanted to plant in my subconscious. When we

December 13, 2010

Lesson for Dec. 19, 2010: A Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-8; Matthew 1:21-23)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 29) is written by Jeff Stone who serves as senior minister with Bright Christian Church in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. A Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-8; Matthew 1:21-23) By Jeff Stone “For to us a child is born. . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6, 7). Unending Reign You might be surprised to learn that the word peace appears more than 400 times in

December 6, 2010

Lesson for Dec. 12, 2010: The Lord Is Our God (Isaiah 41:8-10, 17-20; 42:1-4, 9)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 12) is written by Ken Greene, vice president of enrollment services with Mid-Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The Lord Is Our God (Isaiah 41:8-10, 17-20; 42:1-4, 9) By Ken Greene In early September, my region of North Carolina faced her first hurricane threat of the season with Earl. This storm had the potential to cause major damage, as everyone watched to see if Earl”s course would bring it across the Outer Banks. The area braced for the worst; community events were canceled and evacuation plans were

November 29, 2010

Lesson for Dec. 5, 2010: God Gives Strength (Isaiah 40:1-8, 25, 26, 29-31)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 5) is written by Teresa D. Welch, assistant professor of Christian education at Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, Tennessee. God Gives Strength (Isaiah 40:1-8, 25, 26, 29-31) By Teresa D. Welch Are you waiting, worried, or weary? What concerns do you carry? Wars and rumors of wars? Economic upheaval and increased poverty? Political decisions and governmental policies? Religious hostility or indifference? The words of God recorded in Isaiah 40 are delivered to the nation of Judah, which had these concerns and many more. The people of God

October 4, 2010

Lesson for Oct. 10, 2010: God”s Perfect Law (Psalm 19:7-14)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 10) is written by Nicolas Cox who serves as minister of small groups and spiritual formation at Community Christian Church, White Marsh, Maryland. God”s Perfect Law (Psalm 19:7-14) By Nicolas Cox Whether it”s the speed limit or regulations of a homeowners association, we tend to dislike laws. Restrictions seem to rankle us. Laws point out what is black and what is white””what is wrong and what is right. It”s amazing how hard we search for a messy gray somewhere in between. We become experts in finding loopholes that will

September 20, 2010