Tag Archives: motives

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 2:1-12, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Worship the King,” for 12/21/25

Posted on 2025/12/13 by Shawn Thomas

An overview for for teachers and Bible study leaders of Lifeway’s Explore the Bible series. Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged "Worship the King", Augustine of Hippo, Bethlehem, Bible study, Christmas, Christmas lesson, Christmas message, Christmas Sunday School, Explore the Bible, genuine worship, giving, giving as worship, Herod the Great, Herod's pig than his son, hidden agendas in church, humility, humility in worship, hypocrisy, hypocrites, hypocritical worship, joy, Lifeway, Macrobius, magi, Matthew 2, Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2, missing heaven by 18", motives, obedience, obedience and worship, politics and church, prophecy of Christ, proskuneo, selling in church, shawnethomas, signs of genuine worship, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, the star of Bethlehem, visit of the magi, wise men, worship | 5 Comments

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

Lifeway Explore the Bible: John 12:1-11, “Why Wasn’t This Sold?”

Posted on 2023/02/25 by Shawn Thomas

(A brief overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of John 12:1-11, for Sunday, March 5, 2023 with the title: “Why Wasn’t This Sold?” A video version of this overview is available … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged 5 Love Languages, Asbury Revival, Asbury Revival criticism, criticism, discipleship, doing vs talking, Explore the Bible lesson John 12, Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman Five Love Languages, gift, gift of service, God, heart, how to show love, John 12:1-11 Sunday school lesson, judge servant of another, judging, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson help, love, love God, loving God, loving others, Mary gift, motivation, motives, persecution, quality time, service, Sunday school lesson overview John 12, teacher help John 12, Teacher help John 12:1-11, Theodore Roosevelt Sr quote, time, touch, Why Wasn't This Sold, words of affirmation | 19 Comments

Teacher’s Overview: Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson John 6:26-40, “I Am The Bread”

Posted on 2023/01/15 by Shawn Thomas

(A brief overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of John 6:26-40, for Sunday, January 22, 2023. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: INTRO: MAKE/BUY BREAD FOR … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged 7 I Am statements of Jesus, baptism, bread, Explore the Bible lesson John 6, I am the bread, John 6:26-40 bible study, John 6:26-40 Sunday School lesson teacher help, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson John 6, motivation, motives, Outline of Book of John, overview of John 6 Sunday school lesson, prosperity gospel, what is hardtack? | 8 Comments

“4 ‘MUSTS’ For Spiritual Growth” (I Peter 2:1-3 sermon)

Posted on 2019/07/08 by Shawn Thomas

On Sunday morning, December 7th, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Washington called General Douglas MacArthur, who was in charge of the Philippines, to tell him about the attack, and that they would undoubtedly be next. William Manchester, author of … Continue reading →

Posted in I Peter sermons, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged American Caesar William Manchester, assurance, Bible, Bible pure milk, Bible Reading, Bible studies, commentaries, devotional books, evangelism, General Douglas MacArthur, grace, I Peter 2:1-3, I Peter 2:1-3 sermon, motivation, motives, pine needles, Psalm 34, pure milk of the word, repentance, salvation, sanctification, scripture, scripture reading, sin, skydiving, spiritual growth, taste and see, taste and see that the Lord is good, tasted the kindness of the Lord | Leave a comment

The Principle of Willingness

Posted on 2016/02/26 by Shawn Thomas

“For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” (II Corinthians 8:12) This scripture should be a great encouragement to every Christian who wanted to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged desire, giving, heart, II Corinthians 8:12, intentions, ministry, motives, prayer, willingness | Leave a comment

Two Keys to Paul’s Ministry of the Word

Posted on 2016/01/19 by Shawn Thomas

“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” (II Corinthians 2:17) How did the Apostle Paul keep from corrupting the … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged II Corinthians 2:17, ministry of the word, motives, preaching, sincerity, teaching | Leave a comment

Why We Can’t Judge Someone’s Ministry

Posted on 2015/10/02 by Shawn Thomas

I Corinthian 4:5 is a great reminder of why you & I are not to judge someone’s ministry too early. The verse reads: “Therefore do not go on judging before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged do not judge, heart, I Corinthians 4:5, Jeremiah 17:10, judging, judgment, mind, motives, Psalm 139:12, secret, service | 1 Comment

“The Gift of Justification”

Posted on 2012/08/08 by Shawn Thomas

:2 “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives (literally “heart”)”. People are very good at justifying whatever they do. Take some of the worst things that are done in … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged heart, judgment, justification, motives | Leave a comment