Articles for tag: Sam E. Stone

December 3, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 9, 2012: One in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2, 3)

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 book of Ephesians the apostle Paul tackles one of the great challenges facing believers in the first century: uniting all Christians in one body, following the one head, Jesus Christ. That challenge remains today! Two groups of people were living side by side in Ephesus””Jews and Gentiles. Each group had contempt for the other. Jewish Christians had been reluctant to admit Gentiles into the church, unless they first became Jews (Acts 15:1; Galatians 2:11-21).

November 26, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 2, 2012: Blessed in Christ (Ephesians 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone “Jesus Is Lord” is the theme for this quarter”s studies, focusing on Paul”s letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. These books (along with Philemon) are often referred to as the Prison Epistles. Most Bible students believe they were written around the same time period. In Ephesians the apostle refers directly to being imprisoned at the time he wrote (3:1; 4:1; 6:20). If this letter was written soon after the time described at the close of

November 19, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 25, 2012: Paul Evangelizes in Rome (Acts 28:11-31)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul”s long-desired opportunity to preach in Rome was becomming a reality. Last week we learned how he and others from the ship wintered in Malta, awaiting better weather to complete their journey. With spring, navigation was considered safe and they resumed their voyage (Acts 28:11-14). Luke notes that when they met brethren in Puteoli, Paul remained there for a week. W. R. Walker suggests that this makes it “more than probable” that the centurion transporting Paul

November 12, 2012

Christian Standard

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

November 5, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 11, 2012: Paul Survives a Shipwreck (Acts 27)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In last week”s lesson, Paul stood before King Agrippa and the Roman governor, Festus. They both found him innocent of any crime but, since he had appealed to Caesar, they sent him on for a hearing before the emperor in Rome. Today we study a part of his sea voyage en route there. Paul was accompanied by Luke and Aristarchus. Whether Aristarchus was a voluntary companion or whether he was himself a prisoner is not clear.

October 29, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 4, 2012: Paul Testifies Before King Agrippa (Acts 25, 26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The remaining four lessons in this unit help answer the question, “Where does faith take us?” We will look at examples of the apostle Paul”s faith and ministry recorded in the book of Acts. Paul was preaching fearlessly in Jerusalem when a riotous crowd threatened his life (Acts 22:22-24). The Roman soldiers took him into custody in an attempt to restore order. When the commander ordered that he be flogged, Paul asked, “Is it legal for

October 22, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 28, 2012: Philip Baptizes a Man from Ethiopia (Acts 8:26-39)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Someone has said the book known as “The Acts of the Apostles” could more accurately be titled, “Some of the Acts of Some of the Apostles.” Philip was not an apostle, yet he was a key figure in the early days of the church. He first appears in Acts as one of the “seven men” called to “wait on tables” in the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1-6). When next seen, he is preaching powerfully in Samaria (8:4-8).

October 15, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 21, 2012: Simon Wants to Buy Power (Acts 8:2-24)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The church of Jesus Christ began in Jerusalem (Acts 2), but it did not stay there. Just as Jesus had directed, the early believers moved out of the city, bearing witness to their faith “in all Judea and Samaria” as well (Acts 1:8). Today”s text focuses on the ministry of Philip in Samaria. Like Stephen, whom we studied the past two weeks (Acts 6:8″“8:2), Philip was also one of “the seven” chosen to be servant leaders

October 8, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 14, 2012: Stephen Is Faithful to Death (Acts 7:1″“8:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In last week”s lesson Luke introduced Stephen (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1, 2a, 22, 44a, 45b-49). Today”s text follows that passage immediately. After summarizing key parts of the Jews” history, Stephen confronted his accusers with what they had done to the Messiah. Rather than defending himself against their accusations, he warned them of coming judgment if they continued to oppose God”s servants.   The Charge Acts 7:51-54 The Jewish leaders still would not listen. By referring to them

October 1, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 7, 2012: Stephen Defends His Faith (Acts 6:1″“7:53)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone After focusing on the book of Hebrews for several weeks, we now turn our attention to the book of Acts to see how God uses people of faith. With the rapid growth of the early church, it became difficult to take care of all the widows in need of food. The apostles directed the church to select seven men to oversee this important work. Some consider them the first deacons, even though that term is not

September 24, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 30, 2012: Faith Instills Love (Hebrews 13; 1 Corinthians 13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The book of Hebrews teaches us a number of things about true faith. In this unit”s final lesson, a familiar text””1 Corinthians 13″”is added to show how the believer”s faith is expressed in love.   Consistency of Love Hebrews 13:1-3, 6 Although brotherly love was not a common virtue in the first century, the early Christians were already practicing it (see Hebrews 6:10 and 10:33, 34). For this, the writer commends them. Showing love to other

September 17, 2012

Christian Standard

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

September 10, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 16, 2012: Faith Empowers Endurance (Hebrews 12:1-13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This lesson continues our study of highlights from the book of Hebrews. The early chapters clearly demonstrate ways in which the New Covenant is superior to the Old. The letter was written to urge Christians to remain faithful. Today we are reminded that, like a good parent, the Lord disciplines his children.   Our Task Hebrews 12:1-3 The writer has just concluded what is often called “the faith chapter” in which he uses past heroes of

September 3, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 9, 2012: Faith Gives Assurance (Hebrews 11; Psalm 46)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The original recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were evidently Jewish Christians. Some of these believers were slacking in their service, even turning back to the Old Covenant under which they had been raised. This book was designed to show the superiority of the New Covenant, and to motivate faithfulness (Hebrews 10:19-25). Old Testament heroes are used as examples for the readers in Hebrews 11, often called the “faith chapter” of the Bible. The other

August 27, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 2, 2012: Faith Calls for Perseverance (Hebrews 10)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The letter to the Hebrews does not tell us the name of its author. For years Paul was assumed to have written it. Others think Barnabas or Apollos did. Though we cannot be certain of the author, the book was clearly accepted by the early church as part of the Holy Spirit-inspired canon of Scripture. Most Bible students believe it was written before the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in AD 70 since the temple

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

August 13, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 19, 2012: God Promised a Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:1-8; 33)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone God sent the prophet Jeremiah to the southern kingdom of Judah. He faced difficult challenges seeing conditions in Judah go from bad to worse. The previous chapter (22) outlines the failings of three evil kings who had succeeded Josiah. The rulers are spoken of as “shepherds.” These men should have been pastors of the flock, lovingly caring for the people and leading them in the right paths. Instead they were just the opposite. They shed innocent

August 6, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 12, 2012: God Promised a Righteous Lord (Isaiah 9:1-7)

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 text is one most readers associate with the Christmas season. It pictures the coming of Jesus (the Messiah) into the world. Today we see it is also a prophecy that goes back long before that. To the original audience””the people to whom Isaiah spoke””it simply meant hope for the future. Isaiah predicted the coming attacks of Assyria upon the nation (chapters 7-12). King Ahaz was inexperienced and fearful. Things did not look good for his

July 30, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 5, 2012: Praise for God”s Justice (Psalm 146; Exodus 21″“23; Isaiah 58)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The book of Psalms is divided into five sections. The last five psalms are sometimes called the “Hallelujah Psalms,” since all of them begin and end with the word hallelujah, literally, “Praise the Lord.” Bible scholars like to try to guess what prompted the writing of Psalm 146. Had the writer gone through a sad experience by putting his trust in some prominent person? Had Jewish rulers recently committed some serious blunder? Or are these words

July 23, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 29, 2012: Jehoshaphat Makes Judicial Reforms (2 Chronicles 18, 19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone King Jehoshaphat was one of the more godly kings in the time of the divided kingdom. He ruled Judah around 873-848 BC, succeeding his father, Asa, on the throne (2 Chronicles 17:1). The writer declares, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed” (v. 3). He removed the “high places” used for pagan worship in Judah. Later in his life, however, he made the

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