I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
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Top Posts & Pages
- Teacher's Overview of Judges 6:1-4, 7-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Called," for August 2, 2026.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Judges 2:11-23, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "Consequences," for July 26, 2026.
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Word That Sustains In Difficult Days" (Habakkuk 2:1-3 sermon)
- "No Worthless Thing" (Psalm 101:3 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- “The Narrow Way To Heaven” (Matthew 7:13-14 sermon)
Categories
- "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12)
- "The Disciplines of Disciples" series
- "This Is My Story" sermon series
- Beatitudes Series 2020 FBCA
- Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like
- COVID-19 crisis assorted messages
- Current Events
- Devotions/Bible Studies
- Discipleship
- Discovering FBCA Membership class lessons
- Doctrine/Theology
- Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
- Explore the Bible Sunday School lessons
- Habakkuk "Find Us Faithful" series messages
- History
- Home & Family Life
- I Peter sermons
- India Mission Trip 2011
- Isaiah 53 sermon series Suffering Servant Glorious King
- John 3:16 sermon series
- Luke 10:38-42 Mary & Martha series
- Luke 2 Christmas series
- Matthew sermons
- Ministry
- missions
- Music
- Philippians sermons
- POTS (dysautonomia) articles
- Psalms studies and messages
- Revelation sermon series
- Reviews
- Sermon Illustrations
- Sermons
- The Model Prayer Series
- The Model Prayer series (FBCA 2020)
- This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog)
- Travel
- Uncategorized
- worship
Tag Archives: Lifeway
Teacher’s Overview of Judges 6:1-4, 7-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Called,” for August 2, 2026.
Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text highlights and outline, illustrations to share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications to make. A video version of this preview is available on YouTube at: ???DISCUSSION/INTRODUCTION QUESTION??? “Can you … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged "why has this happened?", angel of the Lord, application, Baptist, Bible, Book of Judges, call of Gideon, calling, Christian service, Christophany, discussion questions, excuses, Explore the Bible, Gideon, God, God's word, humility, illustrations, Jesus, John Knox, Judges, Judges 6, judgment, leader, leadership, lesson outline, Lifeway, Lord, meaning of Gideon, ministry, Ophrah, outline, poor in spirit, sin, Southern Baptist, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, theodicy, wine press, Yahweh, YHWH
3 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Judges 2:11-23, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: “Consequences,” for July 26, 2026.
Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, 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: ILLUSTRATION: … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged adversity test, alcohol consequence, anger of the Lord, Ashtoreth, Baal, Baptist, Book of Judges, consequences, consequences of sin, cycle in Judges, cycle of unfaithfulness, David McCullough Harry Truman, David McCullough Johnstown Flood, dealing with adversity, Explore the Bible, false gods, false repentance, George H.W. Bush adversity story, Gibbon Rise and Decline, God, John Newton, John Owen sin, Jon Meachan Destiny and Power, Jonathan Aitken, Judges, life tests, Lifeway, one True God, religion, repentance, Romans 6:23, Shaphat, sin, Southern Baptist, temporary repentance, tests, tight spot, Yahweh, YHWH
4 Comments
Teacher’s Preview of Joshua 24:14-24, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: “Vital Decision,” for July 19, 2026.
Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations to share, sample group discussion questions, and spiritual life applications to make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: INTRODUCTION: ??? DISCUSSION QUESTION??? “If … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged "two sides of the same coin", A Severe Mercy, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord, Bible, Bible study, C.S. Lewis, C.S. Lewis and free will, choices, choose you this day, Clemente plane crash, Death, decisions, Explore the Bible, false gods, going through the motions, gospel, graduation speech, how to serve God, idols, Jehovah, Joshua, life choices, life fragile, Lifeway, prayer wheel, Promised Land, repentance, repentance and faith, Roberto Clemente, salvation, serve God, Shawn E. Thomas, Sheldon Vanauken, spirit and truth, sudden death, truth, Yahweh, YHWH
1 Comment
Teacher’s Overview of Joshua 7:10-23, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Sin Revealed,” for July 5, 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 overview is available on YouTube at: INTRODUCTION: You … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged Achan, Ache's sin, Baptist, Bible, Bible study, Book of Joshua, consecrate yourself, consequences of sin, deterrence, discussion questions, disobedience, example, Explore the Bible, God, holiness, holy, illustrations, Jesus, Joshua, Joshua 7, lesson outline, lesson overview, lesson preview, Lifeway, sanctification, Shawn E. Thomas, sin, Southern Baptist, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher
6 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Joshua 6:12-25, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Winning Strategy,” for June 28, 2026.
Inclues 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 … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged "Winning Strategy", apologetics, application, archeology, ban, Baptist, Bible, Bible study, Biblical Archeology, Book of Joshua, Canaanites killing, Christianity, commandments, discussion question, Explore the Bible, faith, God, God is just, grace, Holy Spirit, Jericho, Jericho map, Jesus, Joshua, Joshua 6:12-25, justice, lesson outline, Lifeway, obedience, salvation, Southern Baptist, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, theodicy, under the ban, walls of Jericho
6 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Joshua 3:14-4:9, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson “Remembering God’s Works” for June 21, 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 overview is available on YouTube at: INTRODUCTION: ???DISCUSSION … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged answered prayers, Baptist, Bible study, Book of Joshua, church, deliverance, discussion questions, do this in remembrance of Me, Ebenezer, Explore the Bible, faith, forgetting God, God, gospel, illustrations, Jesus, Jordan River, Jordan River crossing, Jordan River flood, Joshua, lesson outline, Lifeway, Lord's Supper, memorial, Passover, salvation, scripture, scripture memory, Southern Baptist, Sunday School, Sunday school help, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, University of Oklahoma 2000 National Championship, World War II memorial
4 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Joshua 1:1-11, 16-18, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson: “Strong & Courageous” for 6/07/26
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 … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged anxiety, Bible study, big talk, Book of Joshua, church, church staff, courage, discipleship, do not be afraid, do not fear, do the word, doers of the world, Dwight Eisenhower, Explore the Bible, faith, fear, fear not, God's promise, Israel, Jesus, John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage, John Quincy Adams, Joshua, Joshua the son of Nun, Lifeway, meditation, ministry, Moses, pastors, Promised Land, promises, Rick Atkinson An Army at Dawn, scripture, scripture meditation, scripture memorization, servant leadership, service, Shawn E. Thomas, Shawn Thomas, strength, strong and courageous, success, Sunday school lesson, the new Joshua, timidity, word faith, youth ministry
11 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 27:27-31, 45-54, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Our Savior,” for 5/31/26
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 … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged "Our Savior", At Calvary, At The Cross song, atonement, Baptist Sunday School, Bible, Bible study, Biblical Archeology Society crucifixion, Corrie Ten Boom naked, crucifixion, discussion questions, Explore the Bible, illustrations, Isaiah 53, Isaiah 53 and the cross, Jesus, Jesus death, Jesus on the cross, Laurene Powell father death, lesson helps, lesson outline, life applications, Lifeway, My God My God WHy, Praetorium, propitiation, Psalm 22 and the cross, Psalm 2:2, Roman cohort, sacrificial death, Southern Baptist, spat on, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, the cross, The Roman Centurion, truly this was the son of God, veil of the Temple
2 Comments