shawnethomas

Teacher’s Overview of Deuteronomy 4:1-9, 15-20, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson “Remember” for 10/26/25

Posted on 2025/10/18 by Shawn Thomas

For Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and overview, 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:

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“Can you share a time when you gave some ‘final instructions’ to your kids/others — maybe before they went off to school for the first time, or started a new job, got married, etc? What did you tell them?”

(For example, one year Cheryl wanted us to have a “big talk” with our four kids before they went off to start a new school year. I gave each of them some specific instructions for their situation:

— I told our oldest: Paul, you are starting college; don’t get distracted; you’ve to keep your grades up to keep your scholarship.

— David, you’re a junior now; you’ll start applying for colleges soon, so every grade in every class will count.

— Libby, you’re starting 9th grade. Now, every class you take will go on your transcript, so you need to take each one seriously.

— Michael, our baby, who was about to start Kindergarten, was next. But as soon as I turned my face towards him and said “Michael …” he jumped up, started crying, and ran down the hallway! We all laugh about that; couldn’t take the pressure I guess! But those were my final instructions to our kids that year. You can share that if you’d like — but you and your group may have other stories you can share about last words/final instructions.

AND/OR:

You might use some variation of the Lifeway suggested opening:
“Share a favorite family memory that’s always told and will get passed down to the next generation.”

Then transition to the lesson, and say that today we are shifting our study in the Old Testament to the Book of Deuteronomy, where we find Moses’ final instructions/things He wanted the people of Israel to remember and pass along, before they cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land.

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged "Remember", appreciation, Bible, Bible study, Calvin's Institutes, Christianity, Deuteronomy 4, Deuteronomy 4:1-9, example, Explore the Bible, God, icons, idolatry, images, instructions, Israel, John Calvin, Law, Lifeway, meaning of Deuteronomy, Moses, obedience, obey, privilege, shawnethomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school outline, Sunday school teacher help, worshiping with images | 12 Comments

Teachers’ Overview of Numbers 33:50-56, 34:13-15, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Instructions Given,” for 10/19/25.

Posted on 2025/10/11 by Shawn Thomas

This overview for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders includes some sample introductions to the lesson, text highlights and outline, 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:

???DISCUSSION QUESTION???

“Can you share some instructions that someone once gave you, that were very important to follow?”

(For example, we closed on our house sale in Texas a few weeks ago, and they gave us some very detailed instructions on how to get the money wired to us, that we had to follow, number one, so that the money went to the right place; and number two, to avoid it being hijacked by wire fraud. So we really had to pay attention to the instructions and follow them carefully)

You/your group can share your answers, and then transition to the lesson by saying: As we continue our study in the Book of Numbers today we see how God gives His people instructions — and it is important that we obey Him when He does!

???ALTERNATE DISCUSSION/OPENING???

Discuss the following quote:

“We become proficient at what we practice. This is true for obedience and for sin.” (Rosaria Butterfield, Openness Unhindered, p. 37)

And again, transition to the lesson by saying that our lesson in Numbers this morning reminds us of the importance of obeying God.

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Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged 1776 David McCullough, 1889 land run, Bible study, Canaan, Canaanites, casting lots, compromise, Explore the Bible, George Washington, holy land map, idolatry, idols, Instructions Given, Lifeway, lot, lots, Moses, Numbers 33, Numbers 34, obedience, Oklahoma Land Run, Shawn Thomas, shawnethomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher | 11 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Numbers 22:22-35, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 10/12/25, “God’s Plans”

Posted on 2025/10/04 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a sample introduction to get the lesson started, text highlights and outline, 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:

??? Can you think of someone in history/literature, whose name is associated with greed and compromise? As soon as you hear their name, you think of greed/love of money?

(— Marcus Crassus of Rome is infamous in classical history for his greed: he bought and sold slaves — human souls — for profit. He also took advantage of people by buying their burned out homes to turn around and make a profit.

— More recently, Charles Ponzi’s name has become infamous. Ponzi would promise investors a 50% profit within 45 days, and repay his old investors with money from the new investors — until the scheme caught up with him. We get the term “Ponzi scheme” from Charles Ponzi!

— Scrooge was greedy; Benedict Arnold and Judas sold their souls for money … You/your group may be able to think of others. Then transition to the lesson, indicating that today we’ll look at the story of a man of God who compromised himself spiritually for money: the prophet Balaam in Numbers 22.

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Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Agatha Christie, Agatha Christie biogrraphy, Agatha Christie Come Tell Me How You Live, archeology, Balaam, Balak, Bible, Bible study, compromise, Euphrates River, Explore the Bible, false prophet, God, Grayson Miller OU, greed, Israel, Jesus, judgment, Lifeway, Marcus Crassus, money, Moses, Peor, Ponzi scheme, prophet, Sunday School, Sunday School teacher, the error of Balaam, The River, unusual messenger | 8 Comments

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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Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Bible, Bible study, Bible study leader, contention, David McCullough, depravity, Explore the Bible, fall on your face, Francesco Guicciardini quote, generational curses, God, gospel, history matters, human nature, humility, impartiality, Israel, Jesus, judgment, Korah, Lack of Trust, leadership, Lifeway, Meribah, Moses, Moses disobedience, numbers, Numbers 20, Numbers 20:2-13, obedience, Promised Land, rod of Moses, self scouting, shawnethomas, sin, sin nature, sin tendencies, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher | 10 Comments

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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Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged attributes of God, Bible, Bible study, Carl Sandburg Abraham Lincoln, chesed, consequences of sin, Exodus 34:6-7, Explore the Bible, George Washington, God, grace, intercession, intercessor, intercessory prayer, Israel, Jesus, Jesus intercessor, Jesus only way, John 14:6, John Adams, Lifeway, lovingkindness, Moses, Promised Land, punishment, qualities of God, salvation, Shawn Thomas, sin, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school teacher help, Yahweh, YHWH | 5 Comments

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.

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged "The Land", Anakim, answered prayer, anxiety, Bible, Bible study, Biblical faith, Caleb, church, doubt, Explore the Bible, faith, germ theory, Giant Despair, giants, giants in the land, God, Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11:, Ignaz Semmelweis, Jesus, John Bunyan, Joshua and Caleb, lesson outline, lesson overview, Lifeway, Moses, numbers, Numbers 13:17-31, Pilgrim's Progress, prayer, shawnethomas, spies in Canaan, Sunday School, Sunday school teacher help, the twelve spies, Valley of Eshcol, word faith | 1 Comment

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! 🙂

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Abraham Lincoln, complaining, David McCullough 1776, deacon ministry, deacons, discouragement, do all things without grumbling, encouragement, Explore the Bible, George Washington, God's provision, grumbling, Israel in the wilderness, leaders, lesson help, lesson outline, Lifeway, Lifeway Research pastors, numbers, Numbers 11, Numbers 11:4-17, pastors, prayer, praying for your pastor, Ray Gentry, shared leadership, Shawn Thomas, shawnethomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School ministry | 3 Comments

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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Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Bible, Bible study, cloud by day, endurance, Explore the Bible, God, God is with us, God's leadership, God's presence, God's will, I Samuel 10, Immanuel, Jesus, learning exercises, Lifeway, Magellan, Moses, numbers, Numbers 9, Numbers 9:15-23, patience, pillar of fire, prayer, presence of God, providence, Shawn E. Thomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school lesson overview, tabernacle, The Journey, Thy will be done, wait on the Lord, waiting | 12 Comments

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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Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Augustine of Hippo, Bible, Bible study, Book II of Psalms, desert thirst, despair, discouragement, Explore the Bible, God, God's presence, help of my countenance, I used to, Jesus, John Lloyd Stevens, Lifeway, Mt. Mizar, my God, Pascal, prayer, preach the gospel to yourself, preaching to yourself, Psalm 42, Psalm 42:1-11, Psalms, singing, Song in the Night, sons of Korah, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, thirst for God, thirst story, vacuum, what are you thirsty for, worship | 7 Comments

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!

Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Baptist, Bible, Bible study, Coke Stevenson, commitment, deliver us from evil, devotions, discipline, don't leave home without it, Explore the Bible, Explore the Bible lesson, faith, God, God holiness, grace, Hebrew, holiness, how to pray, integrity, Jesus, lead us not into temptation, Lifeway, Lord's Prayer, Make Your Bed, Martin Luther, model prayer, morning prayer, prayer, praying, Psalm 5, Psalm 5:1-12, Psalms, quiet time, salvation, sin, Southern Baptist Sunday school lesson, spiritual disciplines, spiritual protection, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, William McRaven | 5 Comments

shawnethomas

Teacher’s Overview of Deuteronomy 4:1-9, 15-20, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson “Remember” for 10/26/25

Teachers’ Overview of Numbers 33:50-56, 34:13-15, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Instructions Given,” for 10/19/25.

Teacher’s Overview of Numbers 22:22-35, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 10/12/25, “God’s Plans”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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