Thomas-The Honest Doubter

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Sunday, August 2, 2026, lesson title “Thomas-The Honest Doubter”. Background Scripture: John 11:14-16; 14:5-8; 20:24-29; 21:1-2. Printed Passages: John 11:14-16; 14:5-8; 20:24-29; 21:1-2 . Devotional Reading: Psalm 91:1-6.
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Keep in Mind: “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my sid: and he not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:27, KJV)
Unifying Lesson Principle: In the face of doubts, many people will seek out solid evidence or proof. What source of evidence is persuasive enough to address our doubt? John indicated that after Thomas received evidence from Jesus, his doubts were relieved, and his faith was restored.”
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to 1. Assess Thomas’s role in the pattern of Christian discipleship that passes from one faithful witness to the next. 2. Consider the role of doubting and questioning for one’s own faith. and 3. Practice telling your testimony to others.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 27, 2026 – AUGUST 2, 2026

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HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 27, 2026 – AUGUST 2, 2026:
THOMAS-THE HONEST DOUBTER
MONDAY, July 27: Seek the Lord; Call on God. Isaiah 55:6-11.
TUESDAY, July 28: Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt. Jude 20-25.
WEDNESDAY, July 29: How Can We Know the Way? John 14:1-7.
THURSDAY, July 30: Call on the Lord. Psalm 50:7-15.
FRIDAY, July 31: Seek God with Heart and Soul. Deuteronomy 4:27-31.
SATURDAY, August 1: So I Send You. John 20:19-23.
SUNDAY, August 2: My Lord and My God! John 20: 24-29.

Mary: The Mother Of Jesus

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Sunday, July 26, 2026, lesson title “Mary: The Mother Of Jesus”. Background Scripture: Luke 2:15-19; John 2:1-5; 19:25-27. Printed Passages: Luke 2:15-19; John 2:1-5; 19:25-27. Devotional Reading: Revelation 12:1-6.
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Keep in Mind: “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, KJV)
Unifying Lesson Principle: We are faced with many choices throughout our lives, but it is impossible to commit to everything. How do we prioritize our commitments? We see Mary’s commitment to Jesus at significant moments throughout His life-from the announcement of His birth to His first miracle, to His crucifixion.”
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to 1. Examine Mary’s role as Jesus’s mother as an expression of faithful witness. 2. Nurture “inner hospitality” as an expression of welcome to Jesus. and 3. Practice welcoming others as an expression of faithful witness to Christ.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 20, 2026 – JULY 26, 2026

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HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 20, 2026 – JULY 26, 2026:
MARY: THE MOTHER OF JESUS
MONDAY, July 20: The Woman and Her Offspring. Genesis 3:14-20.
TUESDAY, July 21: Doing the Will of God. Mark 3:31-35; Luke 11:27-28.
WEDNESDAY, July 22: Meditating on God’s Law. Psalm 119:97-104.
THURSDAY, July 23: Mary Affirms God’s Will. Luke 1:26-38.
FRIDAY, July 24: Mary Contemplates What God Has Done. Luke 2:15-19.
SATURDAY, July 25: Rejoice in the Newborn King. Isaiah 9:3-7.
SUNDAY, July 26: Mary Points Others to Jesus. John 2:1-5

Praise and Bible Study

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Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Zion MBC from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Zaccchaeus The Publican

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Sunday, July 19, 2026, lesson title “Zaccchaeus The Publican”. Background Scripture: Luke 19:1-10. Printed Passages: Luke 19:1-10. Devotional Reading: Luke 6:31-38.
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Keep in Mind: “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” (Luke 19:5, KJV)
Unifying Lesson Principle: An unexpected encounter with someone we’ve never met before can result in a transforming experience. What is it about a new relationship that opens up the possibility of transformation in our lives? When Zacchaeus opens up his home to Jesus as his special guest, he is transformed by the experience and becomes a follower of Jesus who does more than the law required.”
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to 1. Compare our “yes” with Zacchaeus’ enthusiastic response to Jesus. 2. Celebrate trial and error as a learning tool for saying yes to Jesus. and 3. Practice enthusiastic and generous responses to Jesus.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 13, 2026 – JULY 19, 2026

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HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 13, 2026 – JULY 19, 2026:
ZACCHAEUS THE PUBLICAN
MONDAY, July 13: God Calls for Restitution. Exodus 22:1-6.
TUESDAY, July 14: God Desires Justice for the Oppressed. Isaiah 58:3-7.
WEDNESDAY: July 15: Blessings and Woes. Luke 6:20-26.
THURSDAY: July 16: Love, Hospitality, and Contentment. Hebrews 13:1-6.
FRIDAY: July 17: Meeting Needs through God’s Love. 1 John 3:14-18.
SATURDAY, July 18: The Righteous Are Generous Givers. Psalm 37:1-5, 18-22.
SUNDAY, July 19: Salvation Has Come to This House. Luke 19:1-10.

Simon Peter: From Weakness To Strength

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Sunday, July 12, 2026, lesson title “Simon Peter: From Weakness To Strength”. Background Scripture: Mark 8:27-29; Luke 22:31-34; John 18:25-27; 21:15-17. Printed Passages: Mark 8:27-29; Luke 22:31-34; John 18:25-27; 21:15-17. Devotional Reading: Isaiah 40:26-31.
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Keep in Mind: “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep.” (John 21:17, KJV)
Unifying Lesson Principle: It often seems impossible to overcome one’s failures and regain respect. How might one be restored from the shame and dishonor of personal failure? Aware of Peter’s shame and remorse for his betrayal of him, Jesus forgave Peter and commissioned him to “feed my sheep”.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to 1. Discover from Peter’s life that saying “yes” to Jesus is full of ups and downs. 2. Celebrate trial and error as a learning tool in saying yes to Jesus. and 3. Claim our shortcomings as opportunities to say yes to Christ.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 6, 2026 – JULY 12, 2026

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HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY 6, 2026 – JULY 12, 2026:
SIMON PETER: FROM WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH
MONDAY, July 6: Filled with the Spirit’s Boldness. Acts 2:14-21.
TUESDAY, July 7: God Delivers from All Fear. Psalm 34:1-9.
WEDNESDAY, July 8: God Is Near the Brokenhearted. Psalm 34:10-22.
THURSDAY, July 9: Imperfect Understanding. Mark 8:27-33.
FRIDAY, July 10: Fear Not; God Is with You. Isaiah 41:8-13.
SATURDAY, July 11: Crumbling under Pressure. Mark 14:55-72.
SUNDAY, July 12: Called to Feed Christ’s Flock. John 21:15-19

The Believing Centurion: A Gentile Whose Faith Jesus Commended

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Sunday, July 5, 2026 lesson title “The Believing Centurion: A Gentile Whose Faith Jesus Commended”. Background Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13. Printed Passages: Matthew 8:5-13. Devotional Reading: Acts 10:19-22, 30-35.
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Keep in Mind: “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” (Matthew 8:10, KJV)
Unifying Lesson Principle: We do not expect our enemies to trust us and ask for our help. How do we respond when someone we previously considered our enemy asks for help? Jesus responds favorably to the centurion’s extraordinary faith, made even more remarkable by his ties to the evil Roman government.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to 1. Analyze the assertion that God’s peaceable wisdom is revealed through Jesus Christ. 2. Practice open-hearted listening in dialogue with others. Develop a peace plan for a specific context where unresolved conflict exists (e.g., home, workplace, school, or community).