July 14, 2025
At the Crossroads
Crossroads in life are unavoidable. Following Jesus constantly puts us on a road that leads to a cross.
Articles for tag: Simon Peter
January 13, 2025
Debt Free
God’s new covenant includes this welcome promise: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
August 19, 2024
AUGUST 25 APPLICATION | THE VITAL VIRTUE OF RELIABILITY
The prophet Malachi rebuked God’s people because they had become unfaithful. Are you reliable and faithful?
January 29, 2024
Feb. 4 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Disciples Believe” (John 1:35, 40-50; 2:1-11), by Mark Scott.
February 20, 2023
An Asbury Student’s Honest Perspective
Someone said this morning, “If you’re feeling angry about the crowd here in Wilmore, you’re in good company because that is exactly how the disciples felt” . . .
May 9, 2022
The Life of the Cross
By Randy Ballinger Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34, New Living Translation). This statement no doubt caused many fireside debates among Jesus’ disciples. They had seen men carrying crosses before, and they knew it had only one outcome: a painful and humiliating death for the one bearing that burden. One disciple, Simon Peter, was adamant that Jesus would not suffer in such a manner. But Jesus would have none of Peter’s argument—Jesus would take up his
April 11, 2022
Mary’s Pain
We need to dig into our own memories of despair to approach the tomb with the same weight Mary carried on Easter morning. . . .
September 27, 2021
Oct. 3 | Application
Where will you turn when you need help? Do you have a support network of friends, neighbors, and family members you could call anytime day or night?
July 26, 2021
Aug. 1 | Discovery
How would you describe Paul’s passion for defending the gospel message?
“Vitamins Club” Revisited
A comprehensive indexing of Christian Standard upon our magazine’s 100th anniversary in 1966 failed to chronicle a recurring one-page feature called “Vitamins Club”—a hodgepodge of sermon outlines, memory verse listings, random poetry, original and submitted items, and also snippets gleaned from other sources. All of these had one thing in common: brevity. Today we will feature a few of these items from early in 1935 . . . 85 years ago. _ _ _ DEFINITION OF A DENOMINATION April 6, 1935; p. 6 A. E. Sterrett, of Leipsic, O., sends the following definition of a denomination, that he says he
March 15, 2020
Simon Peter: A Betrayer Is Restored
(An eyewitness’ account*) By Dale Reeves We were just minding our own business, washing and mending our nets on the lakeshore, when we first met Jesus face-to-face. He stepped into my boat to use it as a sort of floating speaker’s platform. After he talked to the people about what he called “the kingdom of Heaven,” he told us to move the boat into deeper water and then cast our nets off the right side. Andrew and I looked at each other and laughed; we had been out there all night without sleep and without fish. I’m not sure
March 2, 2020
Lesson for March 8, 2020: Good News of Forgiveness (Luke 5:17-32)
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. 3 (weeks 9-12; March 1-22, 2020) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ________ Lesson Aim: Trust God’s Word that your sins are forgiven through Christ. ________ By Mark Scott “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” What do we need to hear more than that? Peoples’ greatest need is to be forgiven of their sins and therefore be right with God. The two gospel narratives in our
February 27, 2020
Genuine, Fervent Prayers . . . and the Alternative
S. S. Lappin served as editor of Christian Standard from 1909 to 1917, and he then wrote hundreds of articles for the magazine until his death in 1960. Here are excerpts from an essay he wrote about prayer. _ _ _ Praying and Saying Prayers Bible prayers are brief but they are genuine and fervent. Ours are too long and we “say” them By S. S. LappinMarch 2, 1940; p. 7 . . . When prayer becomes self-conscious it ceases to be a prayer; it is merely saying a prayer. A certain Pharisee could not make the grade with his
March 26, 2019
The Radical Request
By Halee Wood During Jesus’ early ministry, many of his followers were ecstatic. Who wouldn’t have been? The vibe, the miracles, the fact that he was hanging out with sinners. Some of these people had been made to feel like complete failures by the legalistic Pharisees, yet Jesus was loving, healing, and spending time with them! Jesus eventually began to say radical things that made many people feel seriously uncomfortable. In John 6, he said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. . . . For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real
March 25, 2019
Lesson for March 31, 2019: Follow the One with Authority (Mark 1:16-28)
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 13-16; March 31–April 21, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: Recognize Christ’s authority and his call on your life. ______ By Mark Scott Today we begin an eight-week series from the Gospel of Mark. This series will lead up to and beyond Easter. The first four lessons emphasize following Jesus. The last four lessons emphasize trusting Jesus. Since we
April 2, 2018
Lesson for April 8, 2018: The Risen Lord Appears (John 21:1-14)
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 13–16; April 1–22, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Jesus not only had risen from the dead; he had also appeared alive many times to validate his resurrection. Dr. Lynn Gardner lists at least 10 resurrection appearances by Jesus in the New Testament (Christianity Stands True). These appearances were to individuals and groups, to men and women, to leaders and
February 12, 2018
Lesson for February 18, 2018: Faithful Disciples (Acts 9:36-43)
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. 5–8 (February 4–25, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Mother Teresa was known for saying, “God did not call me to be successful but to be faithful.” At the end of the day that is the desire of every disciple. What Christian does not long to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23)? In our lesson today
March 27, 2017
The Solomon Syndrome
By Daniel Schantz When an old friend of ours left his wife for a younger model, I was dumbstruck. “He”s smarter than that,” I said to my wife. “He knows better.” His villainy didn”t bother me as much as his sheer stupidity. We all do stupid things, like texting and driving, but when someone really smart does something dumb, well, that”s just inexcusable. And yet, being smart doesn”t make it any easier to behave. Being good has more to do with emotions and willpower than with brains. Smart people have all the same temptations we all do, plus some that
December 9, 2016
If Only
By Daniel Schantz “So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62, New King James Version). It”s a crisp December Monday, as you ramp onto the freeway. There is a slight mist on the windshield, but it is nothing to worry about. You are feeling good. You had biscuits and gravy for breakfast. The radio is playing your favorite oldies. You are driving a brand new car, the one you have been thinking about for five years. It has everything you ever wanted in a car. As you come around the first bend, the mist on the windshield turns white,
April 8, 2013
Lesson for April 14, 2013: The Lord Sends the Spirit (Acts 2:1-41)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Jesus had told his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to them (John 14:15-17). Today”s lesson tells when that occurred. It happened on the Day of Pentecost, immediately following his resurrection. Pente means 50th. Pentecost was observed on the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week. At Passover, Jesus had been crucified; at Pentecost, the inauguration of his earthly kingdom took place. Passover provided a time to remember when the Lord “passed over”
