Articles for tag: Old Testament

May 19, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 25, 2014: The Greatest Commandment (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:1-9; Mark 12:28-34)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Today we study Jesus” answer to a question about the greatest commandment. In reply, he cites the two Old Testament passages that we will consider first in our lesson. Moses had been given the assignment to pass along God”s commands to those Israelites who left Egyptian bondage. Leviticus explained they were to live holy lives (Leviticus 17″“26). Then the book of Deuteronomy (literally “the second law”) reminded the people of the first generation”s failure to follow

April 23, 2014

Christian Standard

Westminster High

By Daniel Schantz On the sixth day of our London tour, my wife threw me a curve. “Tomorrow is Sunday,” Sharon said, “so I would like to attend services at Westminster Abbey.” My face fell. Oh, no, not that place. That”s “high church,” Anglican. I don”t want to be sitting around in a dark, musty cathedral watching priests perform mysterious rituals and listening to Latin mumbo jumbo and mournful choirs. “OK,” I said, cheerfully, “Westminster Abbey it is. It could be interesting.” We were celebrating our 50th anniversary with a trip to London””Sharon”s lifelong dream””and I was determined not to

March 31, 2014

Christian Standard

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

February 24, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 2, 2014: An Eternal Kingdom (2 Samuel 7)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone God made covenants with various individuals in Old Testament times, as well as with the nation of Israel as a whole. Before Samuel died, he anointed David as king of Israel. Shortly after returning the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, David was troubled by how things looked. While he was living in a palace of cedar, the ark remained in a tent. King David decided this was not right. As we learn in today”s text,

February 15, 2014

Christian Standard

Puzzle Solved!

By Monty Cooper Bridges Christian Church tapped the talents of many members for its through-the-Bible study. I am not the type of guy who enjoys “endless hours of fun” putting together 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles. I really don”t have the patience. It is hard for me to see how all of the pieces on the table fit together. If we are honest, this is how many people feel about the Bible. The Bible is like a large jigsaw puzzle, a bunch of stories with bits and pieces of history that just don”t seem to fit. We miss the fact that it

February 7, 2014

Christian Standard

How to Teach the Bible

By Terry O’Casey Biblical illiteracy is as great a problem inside the church as out. But preachers””and preaching””can make a difference. An unchurched neighbor heard me preach about David and Goliath. Afterwards, she said, “Great talk. No stem, no seeds, no sticks, just good stuff!” Baffled, I thanked her and turned to an elder who was doing a miserable job of suppressing laughter. My elder translated, “She was complimenting you by saying your sermon was like the best marijuana.” Ah, the joy of being culturally illiterate! What is our world coming to? A recent British newspaper lamented our lack of biblical

December 7, 2013

Christian Standard

Sheep-Care 101

By James Riley Estep Jr. The imagery of shepherding is, without question, Scripture”s dominant metaphor for leadership formation. The patriarchs, Moses, David, and Amos the prophet had experience as shepherds, and that experience prepared them, in part, to assume their places as leaders of God”s people. The Old Testament and New Testament both use the shepherd metaphor frequently, yet few people today are familiar with the profession. In Ezekiel 34 and elsewhere, the qualities of bad shepherds vs. good shepherds are described. The shepherd image is so pronounced in the ancient world that the rulers and kings of Israel were

March 3, 2013

Christian Standard

ASL Version of Bible Released as Mobile App

By Jennifer Johnson Deaf Missions, producer of The Bible: American Sign Language Version, recently released this Bible translation for the deaf as a mobile application for smartphones and tablets. The free app, Deaf Bible.is ASL, was developed by Faith Comes By Hearing, a leading audio Bible ministry based in Albuquerque, NM, using the video content translated and produced by Deaf Missions. The entire New Testament and 22 books of the Old Testament currently translated into American Sign Language (ASL) are included, along with the 2001 English Standard Version text of the whole Bible. The mobile app also features the sign

January 18, 2013

Christian Standard

Deeper Hunger for God”s Story

By Brian Mavis Eighty-five percent of American households have at least two Bibles. Eighty-five percent of Americans say they want to read their Bibles more.1 There”s an old saying, “Figures don”t lie, but liars figure.” Even so, the stats look promising, and it seems to me that Americans have the necessary ingredients””Bibles and motivation””to know God”s story better. Maybe having a deeper hunger for God”s Word isn”t “what”s next”; maybe it”s just what I wish was next. But if we listen to what people are saying, I do think it can be what”s next. In its REVEAL study, Willow Creek”s

October 12, 2012

Christian Standard

An Exciting Family Devotion Resource: Find This Book and Read It! (Part 7)

By Matt Lockhart   Discovering God”s Story Jim Eichenberger Cincinnati: Standard Publishing, 2010 Have you ever wrestled with wanting to do a family devotion but struggled with what to use or how to get started? If so, do I have a reading recommendation for you! Discovering God”s Story is a great book to help families engage with God”s Word. It”s a beautifully illustrated, full-color hardcover that provides a chronological overview of major Bible stories and themes in 100 short and visually rich vignettes. While a great reference book for any Bible student, I can tell you from firsthand experience that

August 20, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 26, 2012: God Promised to Be with Us (Ezekiel 34)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Ezekiel”s prophetic ministry began while the Jews were in Babylonian captivity. He warned of the coming destruction of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 1-24). Later he delivered God”s judgment on various nations (Ezekiel 25-32). Our text today is taken from the latter period of Ezekiel”s preaching, as he brought hope for the exiles (Ezekiel 33-48). Although the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, even this city would be restored, the prophet told them. The name of the restored city

May 7, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 13, 2012: The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In the Old Testament, God”s relation to the Hebrew people was often compared to that of a shepherd and his sheep (Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:31). It is not surprising to find that Jesus used the same illustration (Luke 15:3-6). Today”s lesson is taken again from John”s Gospel. The setting is Jerusalem, well into Christ”s ministry.   The Good Shepherd and the Sheep John 10:7-10 By saying, “I tell you the truth,” Jesus clearly connects what he

March 8, 2012

Christian Standard

Emmanuel Offers Web-based Degree Completion

By Jennifer Taylor Last month, Emmanuel Christian Seminary (Johnson City, TN) began offering a new independent study course called “Current Trends in Theological Education” to help students complete unfinished degrees. The online course is designed for previous Emmanuel students who have been absent from course work for more than five years and have completed every degree requirement except the thesis. The new course covers each of the five academic areas studied at ECS””Old Testament, New Testament, church history, doctrine, and Christian ministries. In each area students will complete about 400 pages of reading, review lectures by various faculty members, and

December 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Why New Testament Christians Should Study the Old Testament

By Steve Hooks The Stone-Campbell Movement has served Christendom well through its invitation of all believers to practice “New Testament Christianity.” An unintended and unfortunate consequence of this plea, however, has been the historical neglect of the Old Testament in the preaching and teaching of many Restoration churches. Regarding the New Testament as the “only rule of faith and practice,” some in our fellowship have come to view the Old Testament as no longer relevant for the believer. The Old Testament, it is argued, was for the Jews. Having brought us to Christ it has now served its intended purpose

November 28, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Dec. 4, 2011: The Lord Calls Abram (Genesis 11:27″“12:9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 4) is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Calls Abram (Genesis 11:27″“12:9) By Sam E. Stone “God”s Covenant” is the general theme of our lessons this month highlighting several events in the life of Abraham. He is one of the most important figures in the Old Testament. He is first mentioned in Genesis 11:26, in the section before today”s printed text. There he is called Abram. It was not until many years later that the Lord changed his name to Abraham (Genesis 17:5).

November 28, 2011

Christian Standard

Our Year in Deuteronomy

By Mike Baker I had just become senior pastor two months earlier and now, at the annual sermon planning retreat, I was to give direction for our preaching for the upcoming year. Our church was known for biblical preaching, but I sensed we were in a topic-driven rut that basically had rotated a handful of relevant biblical themes in our teaching year after year. It was time for a change, and so I suggested a yearlong study through the book of Deuteronomy. My wife”s reaction was a big “thumbs down.” When a staff member heard my proposal, she simply said,

July 23, 2011

Christian Standard

“˜Fulfill Your Word in My Life”

By John A. Hampton “Come and listen to a young man who read himself into New Testament Christianity.” That”s how I was introduced more than once when I was a 17-year-old preacher boy. I grew up attending a mainline denominational church until that time in my life. While I appreciate the teaching, love, and support that small congregation gave me, I wrestled with the layers of denominational bureaucracy that many of the church”s pastors had to deal with. I also struggled with some of the doctrines and practices that were a part of our proud denomination”s history. So with a

July 4, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 10, 2011: Listen to God”s Judges (Judges 2:11-19)

Eight pages every week to help you with your Sunday school lesson. Learn more about Standard Lesson Commentary! ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 10) is written by Rick Walston, senior minister at Marion Church of Christ, Rochester, Minnesota, and adjunct professor at Crossroads College. ____________ Listen to God’s Judges (Judges 2:11-19) By Rick Walston Today”s lesson begins a new Old Testament book as we move from the conquest of the peoples in the promised land during Joshua”s lifetime to the challenging period of the judges. This unit, “Listening for God in Changing Times,”

June 20, 2011

Christian Standard

How We Got THIS Bible (Part 1)

By Jon Weatherly Where did the Bible come from? Was it delivered by angels to King James I in a leather binding with gilt-edged pages? Was it the product of church councils seeking to squelch dissent? Was it immediately and universally recognized as God”s Word until the recent rise of secular humanism? Today the Bible is the world”s most widely read and widely debated book. We Christians revere it as God”s Word, the full and final authority for what the church believes and does. But the Bible is not necessarily what people expect in God”s Word. It has many sections

June 10, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from Old Testament Prophets (Part 2)

Just as a Rubik”s Cube has six sides, six principles will help you understand these often-overlooked books. (This is another in a series of articles titled “Reading the Bible for All It”s Worth” that Matt Proctor is writing this year.) _____________ GO TO PART 1 ______________ By Matt Proctor In Part One of this essay, I pointed out the first four of six principles that can help you grasp the marvelous meanings in the Bible”s prophetic texts. I pointed out that the 17 Old Testament books we call the Prophets””Isaiah through Malachi””contain some of the most powerful passages in all of

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