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Teacher’s Overview of Joshua 1:1-11, 16-18, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson: “Strong & Courageous” for 6/07/26

Posted on 2026/05/30 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text highlights and outline, illustrations you can use, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???
“Can you share a time in your life when you or someone you know, needed courage?”

(OR you could ask them: “Share some time when you personally saw courage demonstrated.”)

(For example, my wife Cheryl had memorized “be strong and courageous” from Joshua 1 here, before her stroke. But during her stroke rehab, these verses became particularly meaningful to her. She shares how at the first rehab session, when she was almost totally crippled on her left side, the therapist said to her: “I want you to take this staff and stand and walk.” Cheryl looked at this man and his shiny bald head and thought: “You don’t look anything like Jesus — telling me to rise and walk!” And she was very fearful about even attempting to stand, much less to try to take steps. She said it was the most scary thing she had ever done, to stand up and try to take that first step. But relying on Joshua 1 and God’s Spirit in her, she did!

You/your group can share your own experiences and stories, then transition: in today’s lesson from Joshua 1, we read how the Lord commanded Joshua to be “Strong & Courageous” — and how He commands us as His followers to to do the same thing!

Continue reading →

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Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 27:27-31, 45-54, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Our Savior,” for 5/31/26

Posted on 2026/05/23 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this preview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“What is your favorite song about Jesus’ death on the cross?”

(There are so many, aren’t there? Mine might be either the great hymn “At Calvary” — one of the first songs I loved as a child: “Mercy there was great, and grace was free …” — or “At The Cross” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: “At the cross my debt was paid, All my sins were washed away, Just for me, amazing grace, At the cross”)

You/your group can share your favorites, then transition to the lesson: Today we’re going to study the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins, in Matthew 27.

Continue reading →

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Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 26:17-30, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Our Atonement,” for 5/24/26

Posted on 2026/05/16 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text highlights and outline, illustrations you can use, discussion questions you can share, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION/ILLUSTRATION

“Caesar awoke on the famous day, the Ides of March, 44 BCE, not feeling well. His wife had a bad dream, in which he had been murdered. She begged him to stay home. He sent word to the Senate that he was ill and would not be in attendance at the day’s meeting. He was scheduled to embark on a military campaign the next The Senators panicked; this was to be the day they struck Caesar down. Miss this day and Caesar would march off on campaign, and cloak himself in more martial glory. This was their last chance.

Desperate, they sent someone Caesar would trust: Decimus Brutus, a distant cousin of Caesar, as well as the famous Marcus Brutus, one of Caesar’s trusted lieutenants. Caesar’s patronage had brought Decimus military appointments and political offices alike. Caesar loved Decimus like a son, and said so in public on many occasions. When Decimus arrived to talk Caesar into attendance at the Senate meeting, Caesar listened. Off they went, arm in arm.”

(Phillip Barlag, The History of Rome in 12 Buildings, p. 54-55)

(You could also choose to include the question on betrayal from later Point II in the introduction)

The betrayal and assassination of Julius Caesar is one of the most famous in history — surpassed only by the one we will study in today’s lesson in Matthew 26, the betrayal of Jesus by Judas after the Last Supper.

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Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Aldrich Ames, application, Baptist, Baptist Faith & Message, Benedict Arnold, betrayal, Bible, Bible study, Book of Matthew, Caesar, communion, discussion questions, Explore the Bible, faith, God, God's sovereignty vs Man's responsibility, introduction, Jesus, John R.W. Stott The Cross of Christ, Judas, Julius Caesar betrayal, Larry Helyer The Life and Witness of Peter, Last Supper, Lifeway, Lord's Supper, Lord's Supper table, Matthew, Matthew 26, Matthew 27:17-30, meaning of the Lord's Supper, obedience, Old Testament prophecies of Jesus' betrayal, ordinance, Phillip Barlag The History of Rome in 12 Buildings, Roman Catholics, sacrament, salvation, service, Shawn E. Thomas, Southern Baptist, sovereignty vs responsibility, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, triclinium | 2 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 25:31-46, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson “Active Faith” for May 17, 2026

Posted on 2026/05/09 by Shawn Thomas

We have a sample introduction to the lesson for you, as well as a suggested outline of this week’s text, with some teaching highlights, some illustrations you can share, some potential discussion questions you can ask your group — and especially spiritual life applications you can make from this passage. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

Have your members discuss what they think about this quote from English writer Samuel Johnson:

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”

Then transition to the lesson by saying that today in Matthew 25, Jesus shows us just how important the way we treat “the least of these” really is!

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Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 24:36-51, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Alert” for May 10, 2026

Posted on 2026/05/02 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications to make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???
“Can you share something in your life that it felt like you waited so long for — and it finally came?”

(Some might say they just couldn’t wait until they got their first car, or until they graduated, or until they were finally able to marry that person they had waited for, or for retirement, or to have their first grandchild. Or maybe that upcoming Disney trip or other vacation they’ve been counting the days for, for so long, or for something to come in the mail. We all know that feeling of waiting and waiting — and then finally it comes!)

There is a sense in which all of us as Christians should feel this way about the return of Christ. Many of us have heard about it all our lives — and sometimes we might be tempted to think “it will never come!” But Jesus promised that it will, and we need to be faithful to Him and what He’s called us to do in the meantime.

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Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Honor” for 5/03/26

Posted on 2026/04/25 by Shawn Thomas

For teachers of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson of Matthew 22 for May 3, 2026. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

I like one of the activities the Leader’s Guide suggests — they don’t have it as an introduction, but I think it would work well for one. Have each class member look at a quarter (or better yet, maybe a dollar bill — it’s easier to read! It really could be almost any U.S. coin or bill). Ask them what they see. They will likely point out that there are symbols of the United States government on it — as well as the words “In God We Trust.” So both our national government, and our God, are referred to on this coin.

Then you might point out that sometimes it can be difficult to navigate our allegiance between both God and country — especially when their commands conflict — but in our passage for today, Jesus shows us how He wants us as His followers to navigate those situations.

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged application, Bible study, California COVID crisis 2020, California worship restrictions 2020 COVID, church and state, commandments, denarius, discussion questions, Explore the Bible, flattery, God, government overreach, Great Commandment, greatest commandment, Herodians, I'm good for love, illustrations, Jesus, lesson preview, Lifeway, love, love the LORD your God, love your neighbor, Mark Twain Innocents Abroad, Passion Week, Pharisees, render to Caesar, Romans 13 submission to government, Ronald Reagan age an issue, Shawn E. Thomas, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, Tiberius Caesar, trap of flattery, What is the greatest commandment? | 5 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 21:23-32, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Authority,” for 4/26/26.

Posted on 2026/04/18 by Shawn Thomas

For teachers of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson of Matthew 21 for April 26, 2026. Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this preview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

You could make a small handout sheet with a list of different authorities in our society today, and ask your group members to rate their trust in each of them on a scale from 1-10. Some could include:

— your local police

— your doctor

— The U.S. President

— The U.S. Supreme Court

— your Governor

— national news media

— your local newspaper

— the CDC (Center for Disease Control)

— The IRS

— your local school superintendent

— NBA referees

— your kids’ Little League ump, and so on.

Then ask: “Would anyone share who you rated highest/lowest?” (You might get into some good discussions about this right off!)

(OR substitute a ???DISCUSSION QUESTION: “Can you share an authority figure today that you trust/don’t trust, and why?”)

Then transition by saying that we’re going to look at the issue of authority in our study of Matthew 21 this morning.

Continue reading →

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Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Grace,” for 4/19, 2026

Posted on 2026/04/11 by Shawn Thomas

(Let me say off the top that our passage this week can be a very difficult one to understand and apply correctly. If you check the commentaries, interpretations are all over the place on this one! But I believe there are two keys in the Biblical context, which guide us to the correct interpretation/application, which I’ll share presently. Please don’t attempt to interpret and apply this passage without reference to these two Biblical context keys!)

INTRODUCTION

??? DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“Does anyone know what a ‘day laborer’ is? (Day laborers are workers who show up early in the parking lot of a Home Depot or other store, hoping to be selected to work for the day. It is a common practice these days — more common in California and the west than maybe in some of our communities. These often work in construction and trades, though others serve as house cleaners, and a good many work as harvesters on various farms.

You might ask if any of your class members have ever seen these outside of a Home Depot or other location, or had any experience with them. (You could reference a news story like this one in Dallas that discusses day laborers:

https://www.keranews.org/news/2022-11-15/day-laborers-are-essential-to-the-dallas-economy-the-city-is-working-on-a-program-to-help-them )

Then transition to the lesson by saying that in today’s lesson, Jesus tells a story about some “day laborers” just like this — and we’ll see how His message applies to us as His followers today.

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Bible context, C.S. Lewis Great Divorce, Christian service, context, Dave Ramsey better than I deserve, day laborers, discipleship, Ephesians 2, Explore the Bible, God, gospel, grace, grace giving, Jesus, judgment, Kingdom of Heaven, lesson outline, Lifeway, Mary and Martha, Matthew 20, Matthew 20:1-16, parable, Parable of the Landowner, rewards, rewards in heaven, salvation, Sarah Smith from Golders Green, service, Shawn E. Thomas, Shawn Thomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher | 16 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 19:16-30, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Eternal Life” for 4/12/26

Posted on 2026/04/04 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION/ILLUSTRATION:

“In 1513 … Juan Ponce de Leon set out to find the Fountain of Youth. Peter Martyr, (a) trusted authority of the Renaissance, described the Fountain of Youth as “a spring of running water of such marvelous virtue that the water thereof being drunk, perhaps with some diet, makes old men young again.” According to tradition, the fountain was located on the island of Bimini, in the Bahamas. On the strength of his reputation as a soldier, nobleman, and participant in Columbus’s second voyage to the New World, Ponce de Leon received a commission from King Ferdinand to claim Bimini for Spain. In a fruitless search, Ponce de Leon explored the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, but his failure to find the Fountain of Youth did not put the myth to rest. As late as 1601, the respected Spanish historian Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas wrote confidently about the fountain’s great efficacy in restoring youth and potency to aging men.” (Laurence Bergreen, Over the Edge of the World, pp. 75-76)

Diane de Poitiers was a beautiful mistress to the King of France in the 1500s, renowned for her beauty, but she was afraid of losing it. So she drank a daily mixture of gold chloride and diethyl ether to maintain her youth and beauty — but the mixture, far from giving her eternal life, killed her through chronic poisoning!

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“What are some ways that people today mistakenly seek for eternal life?”

(Answers might include trying to clone one’s self, cryonics (preserving the body through freezing in hopes that a future technology can make it last forever), false religions of all kinds, and so on.)

In today’s lesson we see a man who thought he might gain eternal life, but like these others, he was looking for it the wrong way. As we will see, there is only one way to eternal life: through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Baptist, Benjamin Franklin moral perfection, Bible, Bible study, Book of Matthew, C.S. Lewis The Great Divorce, Dwight Eisenhower and Billy Graham, eternal life, eternal salvation, Explore the Bible, forgiveness, George Barna survey, God, good works, gospel, gospel in a nutshell, heaven, how can I know that I am going to heaven, how can I know that I have eternal life, James 2:1, Jesus, John 17:3, Juan Ponce de Leon, keep the commandments, Law, lesson help, lesson outline, Lifeway, marshmallow test, Matthew, Matthew 19, Matthew 5:3, New heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem, partiality, partiality to rich, poor in spirit, poverty in spirit, regeneration, rewards, rich, rich young ruler, salvation, salvation in a nutshell, Samuel Rutherford, Shawn E. Thomas, sin, Southern Baptist, spiritual pride, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, with God all things are possible, with men this is impossible, www.shawnethomas.com | 2 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20, “Our Task,” Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 4/05/26

Posted on 2026/03/28 by Shawn Thomas

For teachers of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson of Matthew 28 for April 5, 2026. Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text highlights and outline, discussion questions for your group, illustrations you can share, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“Can you share a time when you visited a grave — either of a loved one, or perhaps some famous person?”

(In England in 2010, Cheryl & our son Michael & I visited the grave of C.S. Lewis in Oxford, England. It’s in the graveyard of Holy Trinity Church in Oxford, which we had gone into, and sat in Lewis’ pew. It was neat to sit right there where Lewis had sat for worship (and complained about the hymns!). Lewis’ grave is shared with his brother Warnie, and it has a quote from Shakespeare, “Men must endure their going hence.”)

You/your group can share your own experiences, and then transition by saying: In today’s lesson from Matthew 28, we’ll see how two of Jesus’ followers went to visit HIS grave — but it went far differently than they expected, as we celebrate this Easter Sunday!

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged "call your shot" meaning, "Our Task", Abraham Lincoln death, Acts 1:8, Adoniran Judson, applying scripture, baptism, baptizo, Bible, Book of Matthew, C.S. Lewis grave, Carl Sandburg Abraham Lincoln, discipleship, do not be afraid, Easter, Easter Sunday lesson, evangelism, Explore the Bible, famous graves, fear, God, good news, gospel, grave, Great Commission, Harry Truman David McCullough, imperative make disciples, Islam, Jesus, Jesus is alive, Joe McKeever story, Laurence Bergreen Over the Edge of the World, life application, Lifeway, Lo I am with you, Magellan, Matthew, Matthew 28:1-10 16-20, Matthew 2:8, missions, obedience, Old Testament prophecy of Jesus resurrection, proskenesis, proskuneo, resurrection of Jesus, scripture, Shawn Thomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school outline, Sunday School teacher, teaching, word of God, worship, Yoiunghoom Kim | 2 Comments

shawnethomas

Teacher’s Overview of Joshua 1:1-11, 16-18, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson: “Strong & Courageous” for 6/07/26

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 27:27-31, 45-54, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Our Savior,” for 5/31/26

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 26:17-30, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Our Atonement,” for 5/24/26

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 25:31-46, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson “Active Faith” for May 17, 2026

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 24:36-51, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Alert” for May 10, 2026

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Honor” for 5/03/26

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Grace,” for 4/19, 2026

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 19:16-30, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Eternal Life” for 4/12/26

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20, “Our Task,” Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 4/05/26

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