The Bible Today

This page focuses on the nature of the Bible and the proper way to interpret it in the contemporary world.

The Lord’s Promise of Restoration: “I will return to Zion .” Zechariah 8:1-17. Sunday school, May 10, 2020

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Everyone is welcome to listen to this exposition of Zechariah 8:1-17, prepared especially for a Sunday school class at Olde Towne Community Church, Ridgeland, Mississippi. The title given to this lesson in the recording is simply “The Lord Promises to Bless His People.” That title, however, seemed so bland and inadequate.

The passage from Zechariah is about “the Lord Almighty’s” promise of blessing to His discouraged people. Although they had returned from Exile in Babylon, they were not enjoying the blessings that the prophets had foretold. The most important thing, however is God’s renewal of the greatest promise of all–the promise of His permanent presence among them: “they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.” (Zechariah 8:8). He then calls on them to reflect the holy character of the God who dwells with them. They are to radiate His likeness by making Him the center of their lives and their community and by living in integrity, justice, and concern for one another.

Be sure to open your Bible (or your device) to Zechariah 8 while you listen. Zechariah is the next to last book in the Old Testament!

A Vision of Restoration.Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sunday School Lesson for May 3, 2020

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Hi, everyone. Here is the recorded version of the May 3, 2020 Sunday school lesson prepared especially for Olde Towne Community Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi. However, we welcome all of you to listen. The lesson will mean more to you if you open your Bible to Zephaniah before you begin. You know, Zephaniah is back there in that part of your Bible where the pages stick together: “Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakuk, ZEPHANIAH, . . . (One advantage to reading your Bible on a “device” is that the pages don’t stick!) In all seriousness, my prayer is that God will bless you richly as you listen.

“You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow” (Isaiah 62:2).Isaiah 61:1-3, 8-11; 62:2-5. Sunday School Lesson for April 26, 2020

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According to Luke 4:18-20 Jesus announced that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-3 on the sabbath in the Synagogue at Nazareth.  The above picture representing this event is from www.LumoProject.com. The Lumo Project permits usage for non-commercial educational purposes.

Please find a video exposition of the Sunday school lesson for April 26, 2020 by clicking here. I’ve entitled this lesson, “You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow” (Isaiah 62:2). The chosen passage comes from Isaiah 61:8-11; 62:2-4a. I have added Isaiah 61:1-3 as a foundation and expanded 62:2-4a to 62:2-5 for completeness. I hope you find this exposition a blessing.

Thomas’ Story: “Be Not Faithless, but Believing.” A Meditation on John 20:19-31.

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Last week we explored Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene as recorded in John 20:1-18. I hope you enjoy this second meditation on Jesus’ resurrection appearances in John’s Gospel. Today’s Scripture, John 20:19-31, records Jesus’ appearance to the disciples and to Thomas. Thomas’ transformation from doubt to faith underscores the validity of the Apostles’ witness to the risen Christ. We are invited to imitate Thomas by confessing Jesus as “My Lord and my God.” Click here to access this meditation.

“Now Mary stood outside the tomb, crying.” A Story of Transformed Expectations. John 20:1-18

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The account of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ in John 20:1-18 is one of the most beautiful and moving accounts in Scripture. If you would like to watch a ten-minute Easter meditation on this passage please click here.

The picture of Mary and Jesus above is in the public domain at this address.

He is Risen! Sunday School, Easter 2020 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-14, 20-23, 42-45

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Friends, I greet you this Easter Morning with, “HE IS RISEN!” I can almost hear you answer, “HE IS RISEN, INDEED!” Please click HERE for a fifteen-minute video of the Sunday School lesson for Easter, April 12, 2020, from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-14, 20-23, and 42-45. God bless you and thanks for watching this video.

Isaiah 42:1-9. God’s Just Servant. Sunday School lesson for April 5, 2020

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Hi, again, everybody. Here is a recording of the lesson for Sunday, April 5, 2020. In preparation for Holy Week we look at God’s faithful suffering Servant in Isaiah. I pray that you will find this lesson a blessing. In Christ’s love, Gary

Malachi 2:1-9, 3:5-6. Leaders Who Respect God, People Who Hold Him in Awe. Sunday School Lesson for Sunday, March 29, 2020.

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Hi, friends. Here is a recording of the lesson for Sunday, March 29, 2020. I wish we could be together. But I pray that God will use this lesson to encourage and strengthen you during this time.

Corrupt Leaders or “What Does the Lord Require of You” Micah 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:6-8 Sunday School Lesson March 22, 2020

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This is especially for my Sunday school class at Olde Towne Community Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Sorry we can’t be together today! But anyone else is free to listen!