Freelance submissions due by October 15, 2015 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. Dos and Don’ts of writing articles/stories for this theme list: DO read the Scriptures (these will be studied in class), as well as the suggestions of What to Write. DO dig in deeper. DON’T use obvious material the students will likely have studied in class. DO employ supplemental Scriptures beyond the most well-known passages. DO quote from the King James Version. DON’T put words in God’s mouth or suggest what God thinks. Quote what He says. DON’T submit your first thoughts. DO some research (include the sources that verify your information). DO get AND send with your article permission to tell someone else’s information. DO stick to the desired word count: 850 words minimum, 1000 maximum. DO use good grammar and spelling. DO rewrite, tighten, and proofread your work. Do include a suggested title on your manuscript. DO put the intended issue number and its date at the top of your manuscript, or it will be rejected. No decision will be made on any manuscript prior to the submission due cutoff date. Please email your submissions to seek@standardpub.com. Quarter titles for Fall 2016: Unit 1, The Sovereignty of the Father (Issues 1–4); Unit 2, The Sovereignty of Jesus (Issues 5–9); Unit 3, Alpha and Omega (Issues 10–13). Issue 1: The Peaceful Kingdom (A World at Peace) [Labor Day Sunday] September 4, 2016 Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-9 What to Write: If a kingdom is wherever the king reigns, how do we make sure that King Jesus is reigning now in our hearts, our homes, and our churches? Profile some kings of the past (in the Bible or otherwise) who were known for having/not having the qualities mentioned in the text. Contrast them with Jesus, who is the perfect king. List ways that Christian communities can have peace among themselves as a witness to the world of what it means to live under Jesus’ reign. Regarding verse 9: Explore how there can be no real peace without “the knowledge of the Lord.” Emphasize how God’s Word is the source of that knowledge. God’s peace is surely more than the absence of conflict. How does that work? Issue 2: The Mountain of God (The End of Oppression) [15th anniversary of September 11th terrorist attacks] September 11, 2016 Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-10a What to Write: Write an acrostic article. Define sovereign; then give characteristics of God that begin with each letter of sovereign. Verse 8 says that the “rebuke” (NIV, “disgrace”) will be taken away. Highlight both biblical and modern cases when believers were taunted (rebuked/disgraced) by others for trusting God (ex: Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 37). Emphasize that the Lord doesn’t allow such things to continue indefinitely. Interview a missionary who has worked with people suffering oppression. Report on the difference the Lord made in those people’s lives.
Issue 3: Foundations of the Earth (Ultimate Power) September 18, 2016 Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31 What to Write: The questions God asks in this passage are reminiscent of those in Job 38–41. List some of these questions, along with the implied answers. What does God’s incomparable power ultimately mean for us? Remind readers of some seemingly unstoppable (and ungodly) countries/governments of the past that eventually crumbled. Verse 31 expresses the idea of waiting in hope for the Lord to act (Psalm 27 ends similarly). What does this kind of waiting look like in real life? (Think of and compare waiting for someone who’s in surgery, waiting for a promotion, waiting for expected trouble, etc.) Base four subheads of an article on the truths in verse 28 (God is everlasting, is the Creator, never tires, has perfect understanding). Issue 4: Everlasting Covenant (Reliable Promises) September 25, 2016 Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 What to Write: Verses 1, 2, especially, are often explained in terms of physical poverty, imprisonment, etc. Approach these verses from a purely spiritual viewpoint, perhaps comparing them to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Write something like “Cross My Heart”—a how-to for keeping promises. Teach fathers the importance of keeping promises to their children so that they will learn to trust their heavenly Father’s promises. Verse 9 teaches that unbelievers will notice that the Lord’s people are blessed. Recall some Old Testament accounts of that (ex: Rahab, Joshua 2:8-13; the Gibeonites, Joshua 9), and challenge readers to stand on God’s promises in such a way that makes people take notice. Issue 5: The Brightness of God’s Glory (Seeking Guidance) October 2, 2016 Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-9 What to Write: Survey a number of people to expose the Top 10 places/sources (particularly secular) we tend to turn to for guidance instead of going to the Lord and His Word (ex: best friend, self-help book, TV expert, Mom). Then give readers tips on how to remedy this tendency. Similarly, talk of both believers’ and nonbelievers’ reliance on lesser “spiritual” sources (minister/priest, angels, even occult guides). Why would believers do that when we have direct access to the superior Lord Jesus? How can we help nonbelievers see that our seeking guidance from the Lord works? Issue 6: Builder of the House (Planning the Work and Working the Plan) October 9, 2016 Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-6; Matthew 7:24-29 What to Write: In the Matthew passage, the two men and their building materials may have been essentially the same. What’s different is the foundation. The wise man built on the foundation of Jesus’ teachings. Give evidence that “storms” will wipe out man’s philosophies and false religious teachings, but that the Scripture remains. Compare the Matthew passage with James 1:19-27. Regarding verse 6, look up other Scriptures about “house.” How are we God’s house? Share true stories of people who stuck to a plan and persevered to reach a goal. What qualities can we learn from them? Issue 7: The Great High Priest (Gifted and Chosen Leaders) October 16, 2016 Scripture: Hebrews 4:14–5:10 What to Write: Compare the unapproachable nature of the Old Testament’s most holy place with verse 16’s mention of coming boldly and directly to God. Similarly, describe some world
religion aspects of what steps must be taken to “contact the divine” (rituals, need for a priest, etc.)—and elicit praise for how the true God makes himself available to us. Translate some of the roles of OT high priests into what those roles would mean in Jesus as our high priest. How do we benefit from His “qualifications”? Why do we pray in the name of Jesus? What’s so significant about “the name”? Research passages like 1 John 5:13-15; Micah 4:5; and more. Talk about modern-day scenarios in which people are “denied access” (such as needing pass keys, tickets, proof of membership, etc.). Follow with the too-good-to-be-true scenario that we can “walk right in” to the Lord’s presence. Issue 8: The High Priest Forever (Seeking Continuity and Permanence) October 23, 2016 Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-3, 18-28 What to Write: Briefly present biographies of legendary military generals, coaches, company CEOs, government leaders, ministers, etc., whose end of tenure caused great grief. Then talk of the forever nature of Jesus as our high priest. Delve into the “once for all” nature of Christ’s sacrifice. Discuss how even Christians who understand the Bible’s teaching on “saved by grace” still have trouble accepting that no further sacrifice is needed on our part (like deathbed fears about whether we’re “going to make it” to Heaven). Warn against the dangers of relying too much on human spiritual leaders, especially in regard to accepting everything without comparing it to Scripture. Issue 9: Model of Endurance (Embracing and Overcoming Trials) October 30, 2016 Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13 What to Write: Since it’s the time of year for costumes, help readers throw off any disguises/notquite-real versions of themselves and be who they really are as children of God. (Note: Avoid the use of “true self,” which has a New Age/Eastern meaning.) This article could be humorous (“Do people have the impression that you’re Darth Vader, Sleeping Beauty, . . . ?”) Research several commentaries on verse 1’s “weight” (NIV, “everything that hinders”) and “sin.” Define and explain how both categories can interfere with our race. Address the idea of “No Turning Back.” Ask several friends to share the best case of perseverance they’ve ever seen lived out. Report your findings. Write a biographer of a recent Christian martyr. What’s the difference between general suffering and suffering for Christ? Issue 10: Brand New (Making Things New) November 6, 2016 Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8 What to Write: Discuss where we get our ideas about Heaven. Compare the Bible’s description to the boring, fluffy cloud, empty spaces we see in movies (which may account for why we’re not all that eager to go!). Some people teach that each individual is a bride of Christ (an idea that doesn’t sit well with the men!). Correct this misconception by explaining what it means for the church as a whole to be the bride. Sympathize with readers who have had to wait for something that takes a long time to happen. Then encourage readers that though it seems to be taking the Lord a very long time to make all things new, it’s worth the wait. Issue 11: New Jerusalem (Eternal Beauty) November 13, 2016 Scripture: Revelation 21:9-14, 22-27 What to Write: The “book of life” (v. 27) is mentioned throughout Scripture, as early as Exodus 32:33. Write about that. Do a “Heaven is . . .” article, finishing that sentence several times with details about Heaven. Emphasize that we must remember that Heaven is more (and can’t be less)
than what we have here—in every respect. Interview people who will share a “before Jesus” and “after Jesus” picture of their lives—in terms of darkness and light. Issue 12: Living Waters (Life and Healing) [Sunday before Thanksgiving] November 20, 2016 Scripture: Revelation 22:1-7 What to Write: This season is a time of thankfulness for abundance. What factors contribute to a truly abundant life, from a spiritual perspective? How can believers use this passage to help nonbelievers? Write some sample dialogues. Develop the theme of living water (both in this life and in Heaven), referring to today’s text and passages such as John 4:7-15; 7:38, 39. Issue 13: First and Last (From Beginning to End) November 27, 2016 Scripture: Revelation 22:11-21 What to Write: Parallel the key points of Genesis 1–3 against Revelation 21, 22. Some Christians seem fearful about Jesus’ return, as if they’re not sure of their standing with Him. Give readers steps to take to correct either their behavior or their unfounded misgivings. Jesus said He was coming back soon. So what? Really, what should we be doing since that’s the case? How can we balance being daily at peace in the Lord with also having an urgency about people who don’t know Him? Verses 18, 19 warn anyone who adds to/takes away from this book. Though the case can be made to apply this to the whole Bible (see Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:6), elaborate on what kinds of things typically get “added to” or “taken away from” the book of Revelation? (ex: adding—predicting end-of-the-world dates; taking away—denying the existence of Hell)