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.
-
Top Posts & Pages
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 2:1-12, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Worship the King," for 12/21/25
- “Immanuel: God With Us” (Matthew 1:23 sermon)
- "The Example of Joseph" (Matthew 1:18-25 sermon)
- "He Will Save His People From Their Sins" (Matthew 1:21 Sermon)
- "The Greatest Verse in the Bible?" (John 3:16 sermon)
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "A 'Real Life' Christmas" (Luke 2:1-11 sermon)
- "Your Response to Christmas" (Matthew 2:1-12 Sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 4:12-25, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson "Invitation," for 12/14/25
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 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: Yahweh
Teacher’s Overview of Deuteronomy 33:1-5, 26-29, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “God’s Power,” for 11/30/25.
Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, teaching outline and highlights, 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???“What is your … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged "Here I raise my Ebenezer", "there's no god like Jehovah", At Calvary, Bible, blessings, C.S. Lewis Screwtape Letters, Christian songs, Days of Elijah, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy 33, Deuteronomy 33:1-5, discussion questions, Explore the Bible, ezer as help, God, God as King, God help, gospel, illustrations, Islam, Jebel Musa, Jehovah, Jeshurun meaning, Jesus, Jesus King, king, Lifeway, love of God, Mohammed, Moses, Moses blessing of Israel, Paran, salvation, shawnethomas, Simeon, Sinai, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school lesson help, Sunday School teacher, teaching outline, Yahweh, YHWH
4 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Numbers 14:11-24, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Rebellion & Judgment” for 9/28/25
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 … Continue reading
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 Psalm 23, “God’s Care,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for August 10, 2025
An overview for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 23, for Sunday, August 10, 2025, with the title, “God’s Care.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged anoint my head with oil, Bible study, Explore the Bible, for You are with me, God with us, God's Care, good ruts, Jehovah, Jesus, John 14:6, lesson overview, Lifeway, Psalm 23, Psalms, relationship with God, ruts of righteousness, salvation, Shawn Thomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher, The Lord is my Shepherd, Yahweh, YHWH
4 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 38:1-8, 18-22, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson “God’s Conviction,” for 7/27/25
An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 38:1-8, 18-22, “God’s Conviction,” scheduled for Sunday, July 27, 2025. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: (If … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged Candice Millard, Chester Arthur, Chuck Colson, confession, David, Destiny of the Republic, discussion question, Explore the Bible, God, God's Conviction, gospel, Heavenly Father, Hebrew, Jesus, Julia Sands, Lifeway, Lord, Nathan Hale, parenthood, Penitential Psalm, Psalm 38:1-8 18-22, Psalm 3:8, repent, repentance, repentance and faith, salvation, sin, Yahweh, YHWH
4 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 105, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “God’s Faithfulness” for July 20, 2025.
An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 105:1-11, 42-45 for Sunday, July 20, 2025, with the title, “God’s Faithfulness.” A video overview of this overview is available on YouTube … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged A Tramp Abroad, antinomianism, Charles Wesley, Christian liberty, Explore the Bible, faith, faithfulness, God, God remembered, God's Faithfulness, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Heidelberg Castle, Jesus, liberty to obey, Lifeway, Lord, Mark Twain, praise, praise the Lord, prayer, promise, Psalm 105, Psalm 105:1-11, seed of Abraham, Shawn E. Thomas, sing, singing, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson help, Sunday School lesson outline, Sunday school overview, trust, ways to praise God, We're Marching to Zion, Yahweh, YHWH
5 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 18:16-29, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “God’s Deliverance” for 7/13/25.
An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 18;16-29, “God’s Deliverance,” scheduled for Sunday, July 13, 2025. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: INTRO ???DISCUSSION … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged "God's Deliverance", blameless, China plane crash 1990, deliverance, Explore the Bible, false accusation, God, gospel, help, Huguenots, innocence, Jesus, John Calvin, John Ker, Karen King, King David, King Saul, Lifeway, praise, prayer, Psalm 18, Psalm 18:16-29, Psalms in History and Biography, salvation, Saul, sin, Sunday school lesson, thanks, Thanksgiving, Yahweh, YHWH
10 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 110:1-7, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson: “God’s Messiah,” for 7/06/25
An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 110:1-7, “God’s Messiah,” for Sunday, July 6, 2025. A video version of this lesson is available on YouTube at: INTRODUCTION: One way … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged "God's Messiah, beauty of holiness, Bible, Explore the Bible, footstool for your feet, God, Hebrews 7, Jesus, John Milton Paradise Lost, Lifeway, Matthew Henry, Melchizedek, Messiah, Mystery of the Messiah, order of Melchizedek, prophet priest and king, Psalm 110, Psalm 110:1-7, Psalms, Shawn E. Thomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school lesson overview, Sunday school outline, Sunday School teacher, The Lord said to My Lord, Yahweh, YHWH
4 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 96:1-13, “God’s Reign,” Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson for June 22, 2025
An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 96:1-13, for Sunday, June 22, 2025, with the title ‘God’s Reign.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged beauty of holiness, Cheryl Thomas, Constantine, evangelism, Explore the Bible, Gentiles, glory of God, God, God change, God never changed, God's Reign, holiness, How Great Thou Art, idolatry, idols, International Mission Board, Jimmy Carter, judgment, Lifeway, Lord, missions, nations, peoples, praise the Lord, Psalm 96, Psalm 96:1-13, Psalms, reasons to praise the Lord, return of the Lord, SBC IMB, Shawn E. Thomas, sing, sing sing sing, sing to the Lord a new song, strength and beauty, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday school outline, Unreached People Groups, UPGs, why sing a new song, witness, Yahweh, YHWH
11 Comments
Teacher’s Overview of Psalm 19:1-11, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “God’s Glory,” for June 15, 2025
An overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Psalm 19:1-11, for Sunday, June 15, 2025, with the title “God’s Glory.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: … Continue reading
Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
Tagged Anthony Flew, Bible, Bill Tolar, Bill Tolar testimony, creation, design, DNA evidence of God, Edward Dolnick The Clockwork Universe, Explore the Bible, galaxy, General Revelation, glory of God, God is a mathematician, intelligent design, John Adams, Lifeway, Milky Way galaxy, natural revelation, nature, Psalm 19, Psalm 19:1-11, Psalms, Romans 1, Special Revelation, Theodore Rex, Theodore Roosevelt Grand Canyon, universe, word of God, Yahweh, Yuri Gagarin
6 Comments