Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson of I Peter 3:13-22, “Our Defense” for 4/06/25

Posted on 2025/03/29 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of I Peter 3:13-22, for Sunday, April 6, 2025, with the title, “Our Defense.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRO

??? When you think of the word “apology,” what do you think of??? (Have you/someone you know, made an “apology” lately?)

But there is another use of the word “apology,” that has nothing to do with saying “I’m sorry”! The Greek word “apologia” means to give a formal defense of one’s beliefs, position, or actions.

One of the most famous early Christian “apologists” was named Justin. He lived from about 100-160 A.D. — just after the time of the New Testament. During his life he was called “Justin the Philosopher.” One of his early works was the “Dialogue,” in which he shared his own testimony of having encountered many worldly philosophies, but finally an old man shared with him the Christian message, and he was saved. In the “Dialogue” Justin shows how the Christian faith is superior to all the worldly philosophies. Justin’s writings became well-known throughout the Roman world, and he himself went to Rome where he testified about the Christian faith to philosophers and others there. As a result he was denounced and then beheaded about 160 A.D., and he has since become known in history as “Justin Martyr” because of his martyrdom for the faith. Justin Martyr is regarded as one of the first, and best “Christian apologists” in history. 

You might ask your group: ??? Can you name any more contemporary “Christian apologists”???

(Some would include: Josh McDowell (and now his son Sean), C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Ravi Zacharias, William Lane Craig, Lee Strobel (of The Case for Christ and related books) and many others.

Point out that these “apologists” are not out there “apologizing” for our faith; rather they are defending the Christian faith, and showing that it is indeed reasonable and worth one’s attention and commitment.)

Then you might transition and say: In today’s lesson in I Peter 3 we see how God calls all of us to be “apologists” for our faith, through the way we live and speak. 

(You could also consider using the video clip from the NCAA women’s March Madness tournament that I mention in :15 as an alternate introduction)

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson of I Peter 3:1-12, “Relationships” for 3/3025

Posted on 2025/03/22 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of I Peter 3:1-12, for Sunday March 30, 2025, with the title, “Relationships.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

In 1959 a question had arisen within Magdalene college in England, where C.S. Lewis taught, about dismissing their librarian, who had the reputation of being a great bore.  Lewis wrote to plead for his retention. He acknowledged that Whiteley’s conversation fatigued and dejected him more than that of anyone else he knew. Yet Lewis thought it “dishonourable” to turn him out because of his “boringness” when he provided good service. He wrote to one of the authorities: “I feel v(ery) Strongly that to suffer bores patiently — ’gladly’ may be impossible — is a plain duty, and that it is even plainer when we owe them some gratitude.” To Hooper, Lewis added, “Let us not forget that Our Lord might well have said ‘As ye have done it unto one of the least of these my bores, ye have done it unto me.”” Lewis biographer Harry Poe concluded from all this: “The Christian faith was not merely true for Lewis; it made a difference in how he treated people.” (Harry Lee Poe, The Completion of C.S. Lewis, pp. 339-340)

You might use one or both of these discussion questions that spring off of that story:

??? Did your faith in Christ make a difference in the way you treated someone this past week? Anyone want to share an example???

??? What are some of the relationships that our Christian faith should make a difference in, today???

(Of course the answers could be endless: work relationships, school relationships, family relationships, relationships with service people, post people — everyone we meet. You might make sure your group does not forget the marriage relationship!)

Then add:

This morning in I Peter 3:1-12, we’re going to see how Peter applies the fact that some of our specific relationships should be different, because of our faith in Christ.

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Teacher’s Overview of I Peter 2:11-17, 21-25, “Our Witness,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for 3/23/25

Posted on 2025/03/15 by Shawn Thomas

This is an overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders of the Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for March 23, 2025, from I Peter 2:11-17, 21-25, with the title, “Our Witness.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

During World War II, Nazi-controlled police raided Corrie Ten Boom’s home watchmaking business, and a friend named Henry was being taken away. Corrie wrote:  “Henry kissed his wife. Then he took my hand and shook it solemnly. Tears filled our eyes. For the first time, Henry spoke. ‘I shall use this place — wherever they’re taking us,’ he said. ‘It will be my witness stand for Jesus.’”  (Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place, pp. 110-111)

Henry was determined that wherever he was being taken, he would use that place as “a witness stand for Jesus.” 

In light of that, you might ask:

??? What are some places that WE can use as “witness stands for Christ” today???

(Of course the answers are numerous: our job; our school, our neighborhood; in stores where we shop; at games and recreation; and of course in our own home and family.)

You might also ask: ??? Can anyone share an opportunity you had to be a witness for Christ in one of these places recently???

(Some may share; some may not. But you might also remind your group that they were likely a witness either for or against the Lord, whether they were conscious of it or not, by their lifestyle!)

And then transition to say, in this week’s lesson in I Peter 2, God calls us to be witnesses for Him wherever we are, by the way we live in the world.

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of I Peter 2:1-10, “Our Identity,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for 3/16/25

Posted on 2025/03/08 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday school teacher and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson of I Peter 2:1-10, with the title of “Our Identity,” for Sunday March 16, 2025. A video version of this overview is available at:

INTRODUCTION:

??? What are some things today that people hold on to as their “identity”???

(To “prime the pump” you might hold up some pictures or show slides of several different groups of people and ask: “Where are these people finding their identity?” 

(LGBT protester in their sexuality, a sports fan in his team, Swiftie in Taylor Swift, a nerd in his intelligence, etc, some in their race, others in their accomplishments, and so on. There are many that you/your group can pinpoint.)

Then say, as Christians, we are to find our identity in Christ. Nothing else should claim our primary allegiance or define our identity, but Him. And say that in our passage in I Peter 2 today, we will see what the Bible teaches us about our identity in Christ. 

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of I Peter 1:13-25, “Our Mandate,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for 3/09/25

Posted on 2025/03/01 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of I Peter 1:13-25, for Sunday, March 9, 2025, with the title, “Our Mandate.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRO:  In 1976 Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer wrote a book entitled, How Should We Then Live? It has since become a Christian classic, teaching the difference that a Christian worldview makes on a society. Chuck Colson wrote of it: “This is a modern-day classic, one of Schaeffer’s books that awakened me to how biblical truth affects all of life.”

“How should we then live?” 

(You might have this title printed and posted or put up on your video screen. You might also consider making it an alternative title for today’s lesson.) 

That’s a good question that every Christian, bought by the blood of Jesus, should ask ourselves — “How should we then live, because of what Jesus has done for me?” — and it’s the question that our text for today in I Peter 1 answers!  It tells us how we should live now, in light of our salvation. 

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of I Peter 1:3-12, “Our Inheritance” for 3/02/25

Posted on 2025/02/22 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible lesson” for March 2, 2025, “Our Inheritance,” with the text of I Peter 13-12. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRO:  When George Washington was just 11 years old, his father Augustine Washington passed away, and he left George an inheritance in his will. Author Ron Chernow writes in his book, Washington: A Life, p. 10, 

“George inherited Ferry Farm, a half share in an upriver parcel called Deep Run, and assorted lots in Fredericksburg. The eleven -year-old also found himself the juvenile owner of ten human beings. Since he could not claim this property until he reached maturity, George’s newfound wealth was purely theoretical.”

(You may also want to refer to Washington’s future inheritance in Point IV, (:6-7) below.)

??? After talking about Washington’s inheritance, you could then ask you class members if anyone of them has ever received an inheritance — who left it to them, and anything interesting/particular about it???

(My mother passed away last fall, and I am in the process of trying to administer her estate — it’s been more complicated than I would have imagined — some of y’all have been through that! But I’m thankful for the gifts that she left each of us kids and her grandkids.)

You/your group can share your own stories, then you could say something like: Today as we start a new study in the Book of I Peter, we are going to look at the inheritance that GOD has given each of us as His children! 

OR: One of Charles Dickens’ greatest novels bears the title: Great Expectations. The term, “Great Expectations” in those days did not just mean that in some vague way, big things were expected of the young man Pip, whom the story was about. To have “expectations” in old England meant that you had the prospect of an inheritance coming to you. So if someone had a substantial inheritance they were expected to receive, it might be said of them that they had “great expectations.”

Then you might say: According to our scripture this morning in I Peter 1, If anyone has “Great Expectations,” it is the child of God. We are going to look at “Our Inheritance” as Christians in I Peter 1:3-12.

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Leviticus 26:1-13, “Holy Living,” for Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025

Posted on 2025/02/15 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Leviticus 26:1-13, with the title, “Holy Living,” for Sunday, February 23, 2025. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

??? When you think of a “holy” person, what is it that you think of??? What picture comes to your mind? 

(Some might think of a hermit, clothed in “camel’s hair,” seeking God on his face in a remote desert cave.

Or a Pharisee, in his “holy robes,” looking down on those less holy around him?

Or a modern Christian, making his way past the temptations of Times Square or other worldly enticements.

My wife Cheryl said she thinks of someone who is too religious to wear makeup! (LOL, we actually had a relative like that!)

You/your group can share your thoughts, and then you can say something like: today in our lesson from Leviticus 26, we’ll look at what the Bible tells us that it means to live a “holy” life, and the benefits that come from it. 

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Teacher’s Overview of Leviticus 16:1-10, 29-30, “Atonement” Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson for 2/16/25

Posted on 2025/02/08 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Leviticus 16, for Sunday, February 16, 2025, with the title, “Atonement.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

??? Ask your group:  ??? What is the “biggest/most important day of the year to you???

(Some might say Christmas, or Easter, or their birthday — or Super Bowl Sunday!)

You can all share your responses, then you can say something like: today we are going to look at THE single most important day of the Jewish calendar, “Yom Kippur,” The Day of Atonement, and how it points to an even greater day, when Jesus made atonement for us, once for all, on the cross!

(For an alternate introduction to the lesson, you could use one of the illustrations of the “scapegoat” from Point II in our lesson)

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Leviticus 9:15-10:3, “Separation,” Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson for Feb. 9, 2025

Posted on 2025/02/01 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible lesson of Leviticus 9:15-10:3, with the title of “Separation,” for Sunday, February 9, 2025. A video version of this lesson is available on YouTube at:

INTRODUCTION:

ONE way to begin your lesson this week would be to ask: ???“Which of the 5 books of the Law would be your favorite?”???

(I imagine most might say Genesis, or even Exodus. Probably very few, if any, would say Leviticus.)

But then you can transition by saying: this morning we will begin a brief, 3-lesson survey of the Book of Leviticus, and I hope that afterwards we’ll all understand just how important this book is, and how central to God’s ultimate purpose in Christ!

Continue reading →
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

“A Biblical Farewell” (Acts 20:18-32)

Posted on 2025/01/26 by Shawn Thomas

(On the occasion of my retirement from First Baptist Church, Angleton, TX, Sunday, January 26, 2025)

So what do you say to someone when you’re seeing them for the last time? It’s very difficult. Quite honestly, a lot of times when we see someone for the last time, we don’t know that it is the last time, right? They have an accident, or an illness takes them, and before we know it they are gone, and we don’t have the opportunity to say any “last words.” But sometimes we do. And although this may not be the last time I SEE some of you, for some it may be. And this is the last message I will preach to you as your full-time pastor. So what do you say? The best thing is always to go to the word of God. I’ve always said, I don’t have anything “spectacular” to say on my own, but God’s word is so rich, that the best thing I can do is just share what it says.

And it so happens that there is an occasion in scripture — the passage we read a few moments ago from Acts 20 — where the Apostle Paul is saying “goodbye” to a group of men he knew he would not see again, and I believe his message to them is very appropriate for us today — that’s why God put it here for us.

In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul is on his way back to Jerusalem from his 3rd Missionary Journey, and he’s had indications from the Holy Spirit that his life was nearing an end. So he sent for the elders (pastors) of the church at Ephesus, to meet him on his trip back so that he could share with them some parting words. So they’re good words for a church to hear from a pastor who is saying “farewell.” It would take weeks for us to delve through everything Paul shared with these Ephesians pastors, but let me share just 3-4 highlights this morning, things he told them to remember, that we would do well to remember today too:

Continue reading →
Posted in Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments