Teacher’s Overview of Numbers 20:2-13, “Lack of Trust,” Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 10/05/25.

Posted on 2025/09/27 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson of Numbers 20 for Sunday Oct. 5, 2025, including a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life application. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

??? DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“Can you share about a politician/pastor/other leader that you greatly admired/agreed with — but they had a flaw/ you disagreed with them on something?”

(Lots of examples, aren’t they? For example, I loved Ronald Reagan, but I disagreed with some of his policy decisions. There are many pastors that I appreciate, but I don’t agree with any of them on everything. And they are all just men. We all have our failures and flaws.

You/your group will have no trouble coming up with examples, because every human being is flawed; we are all imperfect. 

You might point out that that one of the evidences for the truthfulness of the Bible is that it does not “airbrush” out the flaws of its leaders. It shows them just as they really were — which gives us confidence in its truthfulness. And today in our lesson in Numbers 20, we see how Moses, an amazing leader and man of God, had his own failures and flaws as well.  

(ALTERNATE INTRODUCTION)

Use the quote from David McCullough’s History Matters that I mention in Point I, and open with a discussion question on how “past things shed light on future ones” — and after your discussion, share how we today can learn from Israel’s mistakes, as we have the same sin nature today that they did then.)

***However you’re led begin the lesson, be sure you pay attention to the context for this passage, because the Scripture takes a 38-year leap into the future, which you’ll miss if you aren’t careful, and make some wrong interpretations/applications***

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Teacher’s Overview of Numbers 14:11-24, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Rebellion & Judgment” for 9/28/25

Posted on 2025/09/20 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Numbers 14:11-24, “Rebellion & Judgment,” for Sunday, September 28, 2025. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text highlights and outline, illustrations you can use, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

You could share this brief description of George Washington by his contemporary, and his Vice President, John Adams. Adams wrote to Benjamin Rush, and described him as having: a “handsome Face,” an “elegant Form,” and “graceful Attitudes and Movement.” (Adams letter to Benjamin Rush, November 11, 1807 GLC00424.)

AND/OR: 

Pass out some slips of paper and ask your members to write a few words they would use to describe themselves to someone who might not know them — perhaps 5-7 qualities. You might ask for some volunteers to share what they wrote.

Then transition: In today’s lesson from Numbers 14, we see how GOD described Himself to us — and how being the kind of God that He told us He is, gives us hope for grace and forgiveness. 

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Teacher’s Overview of Numbers 13:17-31, “The Land,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson overview for 9/21/25

Posted on 2025/09/13 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Numbers 13:17-31, with the title “The Land, for Sunday, September 21, 2025. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text highlights and outline, illustrations you can use, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications. A video version of this overview is available at:

INTRODUCTION:

Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian obstetrician who lived in the 1800s. He was greatly concerned about the high rate of infection and resulting death in hospitals. He believed he knew the cause: the doctors themselves, who would often go from room to room — or even from autopsies in the morgue — without washing their hands. He speculated that if doctors would cleanse themselves it would cut down in the rate of infection. His colleagues did not believe him — they didn’t believe that THEY were the problem! He was widely ridiculed and was eventually put in a mental asylum, where he died at 47. But although Semmelweis was in the minority, he was absolutely right, as we now know, and today he is referred to as “the father of hand hygiene.” This is a good reminder to us, that the majority is not always right.

??? DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“Can you share a time from history or your own experience when the majority/popular opinion was wrong?”

In today’s lesson we’ll see that the majority is not always right — especially when they are acting in fear instead of faith in God’s word. This passage challenges us to be people of faith, who listen to God, and follow Him, even when He calls us to a difficult assignment.

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Teacher’s Overview of Numbers 11:4-17, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson “Provision” for 9/14/25

Posted on 2025/09/06 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Numbers 11:4-17, “God’s Provision,” for Sunday, September 14, 2025. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text highlights and outline, discussion questions for your group, illustrations you can share, and spiritual life applications. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

The first “big battle” of the Revolutionary War was the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776. The young American Army was routed by the British. David McCullough writes: “Entire Connecticut militia units were departing en masse, saying they had had enough. The roads in Connecticut and New Jersey were filled with soldiers heading home. Probably one in four carried disease, and those who did not spread their own corrosive discouragement.” (1776, p. 202)

Discouragement can be as contagious as disease, can’t it? Today in our study in Numbers we see how the people of Israel complained about their journey in the wilderness, and the discouraging effect it had on their leader Moses. As God’s people today, this is an example we should NOT want to follow!

(If you want to open the lesson with a discussion question, you might consider using the question from the end of Point I, asking your group to share something they/someone they know, complained about recently! That might get things going! 🙂

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Teacher’s Overview: Numbers 9:15-23 “The Journey” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for 9/07/25

Posted on 2025/08/30 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teacher and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Numbers 9:15-23, with the title, “The Journey,” for Sunday, September 7th, 2025. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRO:

In 1519 Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Seville, Spain on what would become a three-year trip around the world — the very first to circumnavigate the globe. Magellan and all his crew knew the dangers that were involved — especially in those days before cell phones, GPS, and sophisticated weather reporting! In fact, Laurence Bergreen relates in his book, Over the Edge of the World, that Magellan left behind a will, to be carried out in the event of his death on the journey — which in fact did take place. Although the expedition circled the globe, Magellan himself would not survive. 

This is somewhat similar to the story of Moses and the people of Israel traveling to the Promised Land, isn’t it? Although Israel finally made it to the Promised Land at the end of the journey, Moses himself, like Magellan, died along the way. 

??? DISCUSSION QUESTION???

Can you share about a journey you took that you felt tested your faith/courage? (Maybe it involved a scary plane ride, a mission trip to an unfamiliar country, or some other kind of journey that tested you in some way?)

Today we come to the Book of Numbers, which tells the story of Israel’s journey from the wilderness to the Promised Land. (It very much tested their faith and obedience, and they often failed — just like we do! — which points out our need of a Savior).

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Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 42:1-11, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “God’s Presence,” for 8/31/25.

Posted on 2025/08/23 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 4:1-11, with the title “God’s Presence,” for Sunday, August 31, 2025. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRO:

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“Can you recall a specific time when you were really, really thirsty — perhaps more thirsty than you have ever been?”

(You/your group can share your own instances — or also consider opening with the story I use in Point I about John Lloyd Stevens and his men who suffered for two days without water, traveling from Egypt to Mt. Sinai)

This morning we are going to look at the greatest thirst that Man has: our thirst for GOD, from Psalm 42!

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Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 5:1-12, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “God’s Righteousness,” for 8/24/25

Posted on 2025/08/16 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 5:1-12, with the title, “God’s Righteousness,” for Sunday, August 24, 2025. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

Former Navy Seal and University of Texas Chancellor Admiral William McRaven wrote a great little book called Make Your Bed. Its first chapter tells how as a Navy Seal, the first thing he did when he rolled out of bed in the morning, was to immediately make his bed. He said his drill instructor always made sure he could bounce a quarter off of his bed. He wrote: “It was my first task of the day, and doing it right was important. It demonstrated my discipline. It showed my attention to detail, and at the end of the day it would be a reminder that I had done something well …”. (pp. 3-6)

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“What’s your “first task of the day” — something you like to do first thing every morning?”

(Some might say: make coffee, or exercise, or read the newspaper or watch the weather, and so on.)

We see in Psalm 5 for today what David’s early morning priority was: to spend time in prayer with God!

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Teacher’s Preview of Psalm 139, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for Aug. 17, 2025, “God’s Greatness”

Posted on 2025/08/09 by Shawn Thomas

A lesson overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 139, for Sunday, August 17, 2025, with the title, “God’s Greatness.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

(From the 1982 BBC series “The Barchester Chronicles”)

Mr. Harding, an Anglican minister in Barchester England, finishes playing for his daughter Eleanor and her sister in law Mary, a new anthem he has composed for his cello. 

Eleanor: “That’s beautiful.”

Harding: “It’s a new anthem.”

Mary: “To celebrate something special?”

Harding: “Yes.”

(long pause)

Eleanor: “Mary obviously hopes you will tell her what the music is going to celebrate, Father!”

Harding: “God. Everything I write celebrates God: I know of no other compelling reason to make music.”

One might say that like Mr. Harding, all of the Psalms we are studying celebrate God, in one sense or another. That is certainly true of our Psalm for today, Psalm 139. In several important ways, it conveys to us the message of “God’s Greatness.”

AND/OR INTRODUCTION:

??? You might ask your group: “What is your favorite quality of God”???

(Of course there are countless qualities they might mention: His holiness, love, faithfulness, provision, etc.)

Then after everyone has shared you can say: “In this morning’s lesson we are going to look at three specific qualities of God, that demonstrate His greatness, from Psalm 139 …”.

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Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 23, “God’s Care,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for August 10, 2025

Posted on 2025/08/02 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 23, for Sunday, August 10, 2025, with the title, “God’s Care.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

Early in my pastorate at Beggs, Oklahoma I went to church one day and said to a group of our folks in the foyer: “Wow, that view from the hill is so amazing!” They said, “What view?” I said, “The view from the top of the hill, just past the parsonage. When you crest that hill, there is the most amazing view of the whole valley!” They shrugged like they didn’t know what I was talking about. The fact is, every one of those people had been on that hill probably thousands of times, and seen that view, but I guess they had seen it so often, they just took it for granted. 

??? What is something that is so familiar to us that we might be tempted to take it for granted???

(Scenery we get used to, like that one in Beggs. Our health — until we lose it!  Same thing with our material blessings. Or the freedoms we experience in America …

You/your group can share any number of things. Then make the transition: This morning we are going to look at a Scripture that many of us are so familiar with, that we often take it for granted — but we shouldn’t, because its message is so powerful and needed: Psalm 23!

(You might also consider using the Discussion Question for Point I as an alternate Introduction to the lesson. See below)

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An Overview for Teachers of Psalm 32:1-11, “God’s Forgiveness,” Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 8/03/25

Posted on 2025/07/26 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson for August 3, 2025, Psalm 32:1-11, “God’s Forgiveness.” Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline & highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

You could open (or close!) this week’s lesson with this story:

“’Irresistible’ is the very word an Iranian student used when telling (John R.W. Stott) of his conversion to Christ. Brought up to read the Koran, say his prayers and lead a good life, he nevertheless knew that he was separated from God by his sins. When Christian friends brought him to church and encouraged him to read the Bible, he learnt that Jesus Christ had died for his forgiveness. ‘For me the offer was irresistible and heaven-sent,’ he said, and he cried to God to have mercy on him through Christ. Almost immediately ‘the burden of my past life was lifted. I felt as if a huge weight … had gone. With the relief and sense of lightness came incredible joy. At last it had happened. I was free of my past. I knew that God had forgiven me, and I felt clean. I wanted to shout, and tell everybody. It was through the cross that the character of God came clearly into focus for him, and that he found Islam’s missing dimension, ‘the intimate fatherhood of God and the deep assurance of sins forgiven’.”

(John R.W. Stott, The Cross of Christ, p. 42)

Then share how in today’s lesson in Psalm 32, we see how OUR sins too can be forgiven, if we will confess them to the Lord.

ALTERNATE INTRODUCTION (or use elsewhere in the lesson):

Psalm 32 was the favorite of Augustine of Hippo Regis, whom many call “St. Augustine”. Augustine had lived a very sinful, profligate life before he came to Christ as an adult, famously through the tearful prayers of his mother Monica. He wrote of the message of Psalm 32: 

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