Tag Archives: fruit

“Finishing Well” (Psalm 92:12-15 message)

Posted on 2026/07/06 by Shawn Thomas

(Preached at Trinity Baptist Church, Norman, OK, Father’s Day, June 21, 2026) Just a few years ago, an elderly university president in South Carolina wrote: “It’s sundown, Lord … I fear not death … But I do fear that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons | Tagged aging, bearing fruit, Bible, bitterness, Brooklyn Bridge, Cherry Street Mile, daily devotions, daily quiet time, David McCullough, devotional time, discipleship, evangelism, faith, finishing well, foundation, fruit, God, gospel, I Peter 2:2, Jesus, John Roebling, Mark Twain, Max Barnett, missions, prayer warrior, Psalm 92, Psalms, salvation, senior adults, Shawn E. Thomas, spiritual disciplines, spiritual foundation, spiritual growth, theodicy, Trinity Baptist Norman OK, witness, word of God | 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged "when I die I don't want to go to the Post Office", abolitionism, Andrew Jackson judgment, annihilationism, Bible, Bible study, Book of Matthew, C.S. Lewis mud pies, C.S. Lewis The Weight of Glory, church, done it unto Me, end times, Eric Metaxas Amazing Grace, Eric Metaxas Wilberforce, eschatology, eternal fire, eternal life, eternal torment, eternity, Explore the Bible, fruit, glory of heaven, God, heaven, hell, II Corinthians 5:10, Jesus, Jesus glory, Jesus King, Jon Meacham American Lion, judgment, Kirk Cameron and hell, lesson outline, Lifeway, Martin Luther, Martin Luther Christmas sermon, Matthew, Matthew 25, rewards, righteous, Shawn E. Thomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school teacher help, the sheep and the goats, The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good, Thomas Clarkson, wicked, William Wilberforce, you shall know them by their fruits | 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged authority, authority figure, Bible, Bible study, Book of Matthew, Carl Trueman, elders, evangelism, Explore the Bible, fear, fear of man, Franklin Graham testimony, fruit, God, gospel, Jesus, John G. West Stockholm syndrome Christianity, John Newton, Lifeway, Matthew, Matthew 21, Matthew 21:23-32, metamello, once saved always saved, parable, peer pressure, presbuteros, regret, repentance, revelation, salvation, Sanhedrin, Shawn E. Thomas, social imaginary, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, tale of two sons, witnessing, you will know them by their fruit | 8 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Judgment Coming,” for 2/22/26.

Posted on 2026/02/14 by Shawn Thomas

For teachers of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson of Matthew 13 for February 22, 2026, “Judgment Coming. Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged angels, annihilationism, Baptist, Baptist Faith & Message, Bible, Billy Graham, C.S. Lewis The Weight of Glory, devil, discussion questions, do not judge, eschatology, evangelism, Explore the Bible, fruit, gardening, glory, God, gospel, Gospel of Matthew, heaven, heaven and hell, hell, Jesus, Jesus and hell, Jonathan Edwards, judging, judgment, Judgment Coming, kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, Kirk Cameron, know them by their fruit, last things, Lifeway, Matthew, Matthew 13, meaning of judge not, mixed multitude, Nathan Finn, Satan, scriptures on hell, shawnethomas, Southern Baptist, Sunday School, Sunday school help, Sunday school outline, Sunday School teacher, the wheat and the tares, weeding, weeds, wheat and weeds, witness | 8 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 11:1-6, 16-24, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Confronting Doubts, for 2/08/26

Posted on 2026/01/31 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for teachers of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Matthew 11 for Sunday, February 8, 2026. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged "Confronting Doubts", accountability to God, Anton Bruckner, Baptist, Benjamin Franklin mule story, Bethsaida, Bible, Book of Matthew, can't please the crowd, Capernaum, Christian doubts, criticism, doubting salvation, doubts, expectations, Explore the Bible, fruit, gift, gifts, God, gospel, Henry Adams, Jesus, John Newton, John the Baptist, judgment, Letters of John Newton, Lifeway, Matthew, Matthew 11, missions, opportunity, Shawn E. Thomas, shawnethomas.com, Southern Baptist, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, teacher help, The Education of Henry Adams, theodicy, woe | 11 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 7:15-29, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Authority Acknowledged,” for 1/11/26.

Posted on 2026/01/03 by Shawn Thomas

For teachers and Bible study leaders of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson of Matthew 7, for Sunday, January 11, 2026. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Authority Acknowledged, Bible, Bible study, Carl F.H.Henry sermon, doers of the word, Explore the Bible, false prophets, false teachers, foundation, fruit, fruit trees, God, God's word, gospel, Grima Wormtongue, Hillel vs Shammai, house on the rock, I never knew you, I say to you, Jesus, Jesus is Lord, Kenneth Copeland, LDS, lifestyle, Lifeway, Lord Lord, Lord of the Rings, Matthew, Matthew 5, Matthew 5 6 7, Matthew 7:, Matthew 7:15-29, morality, Mormonism, N.T. Wright Jacob Neusner, neopaganism, profession of faith, Ralph Nader, salvation, Sermon on the Mount, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, teaching, works salvation, you will know them by their fruit | 1 Comment

“The Fruits of Righteousness” (James 3:13-18 sermon)

Posted on 2024/11/11 by Shawn Thomas

I am not much of a “tree expert” at all. I know some people can just look at a tree and say, “Oh that’s a such-and-such tree …” but I have never been able to do that. I could probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like, Discipleship | Tagged assurance of salvation, attitudes, bad fruit, Bible, blessed are the peacemakers, Christianity, Eusebius Church History, examine yourself, faith, fruit, God, good fruit, Holy Spirit, hypocrisy, hypocrite, II Corinthians 13:5, Irenaeus, James 3, James 3 sermon, James 3:13-18, jealousy, Jesus, Leo Tolstoy, Matthew 7:16, mercy, natural earthly demonic, peace, peaceable, peacemaker, Philippians 2, salvation, selfishness, test yourself, the world the flesh and the devil, trees, War and Peace, works, you will know them by their fruits | Leave a comment

Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: Acts 19:11-20, “Motives” for 10/27/24

Posted on 2024/10/19 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Acts 19:11-20, with the title “Motives,” for Sunday, October 27, 2024. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: INTRO: … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Acts, Acts 19, Acts 19:11-20, addictions, Apostle Paul, Asia, awe, book burning, Book of Acts, confession, convictions, demons, Ephesus, Explore the Bible, fruit, God's genuine work, healing, Hinduism, I John 4:4, James 2:19, knowing Jesus, large city, lesson help, lesson outline, Leviticus 19:31, Lifeway, motives, NSRK Ravi, occult, Paul's third missionary journey, repentance, reverence for God, sons of Sceva, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, Temple of Artemis, Thom Rainer The Unexpected Journey, witchcraft | 1 Comment

Teacher’s Overview of Acts 16:11-15, 29-40 “Every Opportunity,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for Oct. 6 2024

Posted on 2024/09/28 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Acts 16:11-15, 29-40, for Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 with the title, “Every Opportunity.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged baptism, believe in the Lord Jesus, Bible, Cheryl Thomas stroke, Christianity, circumstances, Emma Soames Mary Churchill's War, evangelism, evangelistic prayer, Explore the Bible, faith, fruit, Gene Warr, gospel, Hinduism, Islam, Jesus, Letters of Samuel Rutherford, Lifeway, Lydia, Lydia baptism, Mary Churchill, Max Barnett, ministry, mission, mission trip, opportunities, Paul & Silas, Philippi, Philippian jailer, prayer, salvation, Samuel Rutherford, second missionary journey, sharing gospel, SS lesson, Sunday School, witness, witness opportunities | 7 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson: Acts 13:42-52, “The Task,” for Sept. 8 2024

Posted on 2024/08/31 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Acts 13:42-52, for Sunday, September 8, 2024, with the title, “The Task.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: INTRO: ??? … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Acts 13, Acts 13:42-52, Barnabas, Bible, Bible study, Book of Acts, church, David and Saul, envy, evangelism, Explore the Bible, fruit, Galatians 6:9, gospel, green-eyed monster, IMB, jealousy, Jews, Jews first, John 3:27, John 3:30, John the Baptist, Lifeway, ministry, mission, missions, Othello, outreach, Paul, persecution, perseverance, Pisidian Antioch, relationships, Romans 1:16, Shakespeare, Sodom story, Sunday school lesson, travel | 4 Comments