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Freelance submissions due by July 15, 2012 All about us: SEEK® is a magazine created to encourage adults in their walk with Jesus Christ. SEEK® corresponds to the topics of Standard Publishing’s adult curriculum line and is designed to further apply these topics to everyday life.

How to write to this theme list: Please read the Scriptures listed so that you know what will be studied in class. Listed are the aims of the lesson— the points of the lesson that students will apply to life. Your story or article will be an example of how someone did or can apply these points to real life. REMEMBER TO MARK ON THE MANUSCRIPT THE ISSUE NUMBER AND DATE FOR WHICH IT IS BEING WRITTEN. Word count: 850 minimum, 1000 maximum. (Manuscripts without this information will be rejected as not written to theme.) Use the King James Version when quoting Scripture. No decision will be made on any manuscript prior to the submission due cutoff date. Please e-mail your submissions to seek@standardpub.com.

Quarter titles for Summer 2013: Unit 1, The Prophet and Praise (Issues 1–4); Unit 2, Worshipping in Jerusalem Again (Ezra) (Issues 5–9); Unit 3, Worshipping in Jerusalem Again (Nehemiah) (Issues 10–13).

Issue 1: Worship and Respond (Beyond Description) June 2, 2013 Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8 Lesson Aim: Describe ways in which the Lord “calls” people, perhaps including His calls of other Bible characters (some were afraid, some gave excuses/disclaimers), and show the results of answering those calls. Detail some of the difficult messages Isaiah had to deliver to God’s people—and how this initial scene of awe and worship may have equipped him. How does true worship—acknowledging God as holy and as the Lord Almighty— lead to commitment? Explore the use of all the senses in worship. Describe a personal faith commitment, including any fear involved in making yourself available for God’s service. Short-term mission trip experiences might work well with this issue.

Issue 2: Worship with Thanksgiving (Sing and Shout) June 9, 2013 Scripture: Isaiah 12 Lesson Aim: Investigate people in the Bible who burst into song to the Lord. They say music is the universal language; round up stories of how Christians around the world use worship music. Write a 3-point article on the three S words in verse 2: God is my strength, song, and salvation. Tell specific incidents that illustrate the connection between gratitude and spontaneous worship and use Scripture. Equip readers with ways to keep track of the excellent/glorious things God has done in their lives so they can be thankful. Share tips on how to tell unbelievers of your thanks to God for all He has done, without sounding preachy or superior (use actual dialogue).

Issue 3: Worship with Meaning (More Than Words) June 16, 2013 (Father’s Day) Scripture: Isaiah 29:9-16 Lesson Aim: Present a series of Scriptures that show that God will equip us to understand His Word. Describe some rituals or traditions that have emerged as substitutes for vital worship; suggest remedies. We tend to readily apply secular advice to our lives; show readers some actual Scriptures that we should apply to our lives—and explain how. In Matthew 15:8, 9 Jesus quoted today’s verse 13, saying that those words were about the people of His day. Giving lip service is a danger for all times/all people! How can we avoid the tendency? Take a new look at the Lord’s Prayer or very familiar hymn words (use ones that are in public domain with no copyright issues) and help readers see those in a refreshing way.

Issue 4: Worship in the New Creation (Nothing’s Going to Be the Same) June 23, 2013 Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25 Lesson Aim: Verses 19-25 name things that do/do not exist in the new creation. Whether this passage is strictly about the earthly situation of the people at the time or a reference to eternal Heaven (see Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27; 22:1-5) . . . or both, discuss how life is better when lived in expectation of the new creation. We always hope for better times on this earth—but what if that doesn’t happen? How can we live in hope when dark circumstances seem endless? The Jews had been under the thumb of pagan domination and now would be freer to worship God and live according to His ways. Profile someone who has come out of a false religion or the New Age and how being in Christ has been different (get permission).

Issue 5: Restoring Joyful Worship (Celebrating What Is Meaningful) June 30, 2013 Scripture: Ezra 3:1-7 Lesson Aim: In accordance with what was written in God’s law, the people kept the Feast of Tabernacles and did the offerings. They did not seem burdened by these—perhaps because it was such a joy to be back in their homeland and free to worship. Help readers appreciate what it would mean to lose their worship experiences. Outline specific celebrations that your family has developed into family traditions—and how God is worshipped/honored through those. The people in today’s account continued their worship even though “fear was upon them” from hostile neighbors.

Tell specific modern-day stories about Christians worshipping in hostile environments. Explore some benefits of worshipping in a group.

Issue 6: Restoring the Temple (Finding Joy in Restoration) July 7, 2013 Scripture: Ezra 3:8-13 Lesson Aim: In today’s passage, the younger people were joyfully noisy, but the older (who had seen the former temple) cried with sadness. List and defend times it helps to look back to the good ol’ days and times when it doesn’t. Explore grieving over lost opportunities/poor choices and offer specific steps (with Scripture) on how to move forward. Challenge readers to employ teamwork in accomplishing God’s purposes. Describe one of your church’s community efforts and how the church working as a unit was a witness to the neighborhood. Revisit nostalgic spiritual places—like your childhood church or maybe your grandparents’ home if your own parents were not Christians—and detail the benefits gained from those places.

Issue 7: Dedicating the Temple (Celebrating with Joy) July 14, 2013 Scripture: Ezra 6:13-22 Lesson Aim: This extended celebration wasn’t just about the completion of the temple; it was the start of worshipping in the way God intended.

Parallel that with the intention of using new church buildings today to better worship/serve. Explore how churches might evaluate their current worship services to make sure they’re in tune with pleasing God. Document historic stories of political or religious freedom . . . and compare the true freedom found only in the Lord. Extract some statements made when Solomon had dedicated the original temple (1 Kings 8:22-61), and challenge readers to examine their hearts in light of these. Today’s lesson hints that Christians must be aware that we are in very real ways different from our surrounding culture; explore that topic. If you’re part of a local church with a long history, share the church’s story of victories, problems, heroes, etc.

Issue 8: Fasting and Praying (Preparing for a Journey) July 21, 2013 Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10; 8:21-23 Lesson Aim: The “fasting and praying” in today’s text is really about seriously bringing our concerns to God. How do we intentionally bring God into the equation as we set out on new ventures? In today’s text, they didn’t want to ask the pagan king for traveling protection since they’d bragged that God takes care of them. When do we mistakenly give unbelievers the idea that God isn’t taking care of us—and what we should say/do instead? The pagan guard would have provided some sense of security; expound on things we tend to rely on that are really only a false sense of security (wellpaying job, house in a gated community). Profile a modern-day prayer warrior you know (be sure to include the person’s focus on Scripture). Give the “top 10” best prayer lines from Scripture that indicate someone’s intense dependence on God. Explore the dangers of using “prayer and fasting” as an attempt to manipulate God. Lesson 9: Giving Gifts for the Temple (Generous Gifts) July 28, 2013 Scripture: Ezra 8:24-35 Lesson Aim: Guide readers to see their offerings as acts of worship and not just habit or social norm. Use specific Scriptures to show what God wants us to give Him—and what He does not want from us. Share personal accounts of having increased your giving to God or of having made a large gift with some trepidation . . . and the blessings/provision that resulted. Discuss ways to follow Ezra’s example of financial accountability in handling church or family resources.

Lesson 10: Feast of Tabernacles (Great Rejoicing) August 4, 2013 Scripture: Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 13-18 Lesson Aim: This passage says that the people joyfully returned to this celebration they had not done since the days of Joshua. Apparently it had been neglected even during the reign of good kings like David. Discuss how we can easily drift off course, and emphasize that what we complain about as routine would become a joy if we were deprived of it. This passage speaks of the people listening to the Word being read aloud to them. And of course, all their problems stemmed from not following God’s commands in the first place. Interview several people who will testify about how they use Scripture with their families throughout the day—and in a natural way. Write something like “Seven Ways to Learn God’s Word.” Ezra’s teaching was such that people understood and were touched by God’s Word; showcase a great Bible teacher you have known (get permission).

Lesson 11: Community of Confession (Admitting Shortcomings) August 11, 2013 Scripture: Nehemiah 9:2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 30-36 Lesson Aim: Many terms in today’s text describe God—why are those important as relates to confession? In today’s text the people affirmed that God was right and they were wrong. Make the connection that it was hearing the Scripture (last week’s lesson) that moved the people to this repentance and confession. Tell specific stories of specific Scriptures moving a modern-day person to repentance/confession. Discuss a “sins of the fathers” theme—how actions may adversely affect future generations of our family; but also how we can’t use those as excuses and that God can make things right at any time, if we’ll call on Him. Explore today’s social attitudes that make it difficult to think/act in terms of “sin” and “confession.”

Lesson 12: Dedication of the Wall (Taking Pride in Accomplishment) August 18, 2013 Scripture: Nehemiah 12:27-38, 43

Lesson Aim: Today’s text mentions 2 choirs and other music—it was noisy! We think of rejoicing at sports events being something that can be heard far away—but how about our rejoicing in God? Any noisy stories? Unsung heroes: share accounts of people who work behind the scenes to help accomplish great tasks for God but aren’t openly acknowledged. Provide accounts of public figures who have given credit to God for their great accomplishments (provide sources for the information). Verse 43 shows that all ages were present at this event. Describe some intergenerational celebrations at your church and what lessons even little children may have learned by watching the adults praise God. Lesson 13: Sabbath Reforms (Getting It Right) August 25, 2013 Scripture: Nehemiah 13:10-12, 15-22 Lesson Aim: The Levites had not been given the provisions that would enable them to continue their temple duties, so they had neglected their work to return to their fields and earn a living. Help readers grasp the happy combination of volunteer workers and paid workers and what work might go undone if people don’t meet their responsibilities. Some people in today’s text were doing forbidden work on the Sabbath. Nehemiah physically blocked their way and physically threatened anyone who might try to continue this “desecration.” Describe other heroes, ancient and modern, who have boldly taken a stand to keep people on track with God’s ways. After Nehemiah’s valiant efforts, he pleaded, “Remember me, O my God.” What emotions might have been at work there? What does “keeping the Sabbath” mean to us today, since we are not under Old Testament law? (Note: Research both Old and New Testament passages.)