by Jonn Claybaugh | Jun 20, 2023 |
Mark 16:1; Matthew 27:52-53; 28:1-10; Luke 24:9-11; John 20:1-18 Death Is Conquered Have you ever received such magnificent news that you were reluctant to believe it? In Jerusalem, the cruel and dreadful events have passed and it is now early “Sunday” morning,...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Jun 6, 2023 |
NOTE: Luke 22 and John 18 are mostly about the same events we studied two weeks ago in Matthew 26; Mark 14; and John 13. Thus, the following portions of Luke 22 and John 18 are being skipped this week: Luke 22:1-6 The betrayal is planned by Judas and the Jewish...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | May 23, 2023 |
Matthew 26:1-5, 14-20 Conspiracy Against the Lord (see also Mark 14:1-2, 10-17; Luke 22:1-18) First, we will continue with the events of “Tuesday,” three days before Jesus’s death. Read Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16, about the plot to destroy the Savior. Then read verses...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | May 9, 2023 |
Luke 19:1-11 Conversion of Zacchaeus, the Chief Publican This week’s chapters contain many movements and teachings of our Savior, and take us into the beginning of the last week of His life. His travels (from Luke 19:1 to John 12:43) take Him from Jericho to...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Apr 25, 2023 |
Luke 12 Teachings As the time draws nearer for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and death, the anticipation strikes Him sharply, as He expressed in Luke 12:50: “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” But He continued on:...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Apr 11, 2023 |
Matthew 18:1-6, 10-14 “Who Is the Greatest in the Kingdom?” (see also Mark 9:33-37, 42; Luke 9:46-48) Read Mark 9:33-34, which is the setting and prelude to this story. Then, in Matthew 18:1, the Lord’s disciples asked Him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Mar 28, 2023 |
Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 16:6-7 “He Is Risen” Perhaps the greatest news of all time was expressed in three short words: “He is risen” (Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6). These words were spoken by angels, and there was also an invitation added: “Come, see the place where the Lord...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Mar 14, 2023 |
Matthew 13:1-23 The Parable of the Sower (see also Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15) A parable is a story using everyday things or situations, with a spiritual message that is revealed to some listeners, but concealed from others. This choice chapter contains seven parables...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Feb 28, 2023 |
Matthew 9:1-8 To Be Healed Physically and Spiritually (see also Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26) This story was referenced in Mark 2 in last week’s lesson, but let’s look a little closer: Jesus saw the faith of those who brought to Him a man sick of the palsy (paralysis);...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Feb 14, 2023 |
Matthew 6:1-18 His Way For our happiness and salvation, Our Heavenly Father has given us commandments and principles related to our behavior, but He also wants us to do the right things in the right ways, and for the right reasons. In other words, our motives matter....
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Jun 13, 2023 |
Matthew 27:3-10 Judas’s Death After Jesus’s third trial appearance, Judas took his own life. After seeing that Jesus was condemned to die, Judas “repented himself” and tried to return the thirty pieces of ransom coin, but they rejected him (Matthew 27:3-4). Read...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | May 30, 2023 |
John 14 The Two Comforters Note: Jesus gave the teachings in this chapter while He and the apostles were still in the Upper Room, after the departure of Judas and before they left for Gethsemane. On this night of terrors the Savior speaks comfort to His disciples:...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | May 16, 2023 |
Mark 12:28-34 The Two Great Commandments (see also Matthew 22:34-40) It is still “Tuesday” of the last week of Jesus’s life, three days before the Passover and His death. A scribe (or a Pharisee, according to Matthew 22:35) approaches Jesus and asks, “Which is the...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | May 2, 2023 |
Luke 18:1-14 Prayer Jesus teaches a short parable about prayer. Read verses 2-5 and identify a principle or lesson you learn. Then read verses 1, 5-8 to see what Matthew, and then Jesus, said about this parable. Let us persevere in prayer. Read Jesus’s next prayer...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Apr 18, 2023 |
John 7:1-53 “This Is the Very Christ” In addition to all else the Savior had to bear throughout His mortal life, He also suffered through the lack of support from his half-brothers, whose mocking is recorded in verses 2-5. In verses 1, 6-10 we see that Jesus delayed...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Apr 4, 2023 |
Mark 7:1-23 Conflict about Cleanliness (see also Matthew 15:1-20) Mark 7:1-5 highlights religious nit-picking about things that matter less. Read Jesus’s succinct answer to the Pharisees and scribes in verses 6-7. What did Jesus then teach to “all the people” in...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Mar 21, 2023 |
Mark 6:14-29 The Death of John the Baptist (see also Matthew 14:1-12) Note: The events in Mark 6:1-13 were covered three weeks ago, using or referencing the versions in Matthew 9:35-38; Matthew 10:1-42; Matthew 13:54-58; and Luke 9:1-6. Thus, we begin with the account...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Mar 7, 2023 |
Matthew 11:2-19 Jesus Speaks of John the Baptist (see also Luke 7:18-35) In verses 2-3 it may appear that John the Baptist is not certain whether or not Jesus is the Messiah, but we know that this is not the case, for upon the occasion of baptizing Jesus, John was...
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Feb 21, 2023 |
Matthew 8; Mark 2; 4; Luke 7 Jesus Heals After the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us of healings and other miracles performed by the Savior. As you read, look for these important story elements: The words and demeanor of those seeking Jesus’s help....
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by Jonn Claybaugh | Feb 7, 2023 |
Luke 6:1-16 The Sabbath (see also Mark 2:23-27; 3:1-6) Read Luke 6:1-5, then verses 6-11, and consider what these two episodes can teach us about Sabbath behavior in our day (the story of David is found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6). Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes / Introduction...
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