Shining a light on the weekly Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly®
Substance
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Descriptions of God’s children as a flock of sheep occur often in Hebrew Scripture (see examples in Psalms 77:20; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 23:3; Ezekiel 34:11–16). Addressing his disciples, Christ Jesus now employs this image to quiet worry and urge trust in God. A scholar points out, “. . . we can live now as kingdom people by refusing to center on the earthly and embracing the heavenly realities of life.”
“Kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” appear about one hundred times in the New Testament. Jesus’ teaching elevates the concept from a geographical or political entity to the spiritual kingdom “at hand” and “within you” (Matthew 4:17; Luke 17:21).
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Resources cited in this issue
GT, cit. 15: Osborne, G.R. Luke Verse by Verse: Osborne New Testament Commentaries. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018.
RR: American Standard Version of the Bible, 1901; Wenham, Gordon J., J. Alec Moyter, Donald A. Carson, and Richard T. France, eds. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1994.
Cit. 4: Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible: The Letter to the Romans. Edinburgh: Saint Andrew, 1955. Revised and updated by Saint Andrew, 2001. Reprinted as The New Daily Study Bible: The Letter to the Romans. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001–04.
Cit. 12: Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2. Edinburgh: Saint Andrew, 1955. Revised and updated by Saint Andrew, 2001. Reprinted as The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001–04.
COPYRIGHT
Scriptural quotations marked Contemporary English Version are taken from the Contemporary English Version, copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked Amplified® Bible (AMP) are taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. lockman.org
Scriptural quotations marked Good News Translation are taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version—Second Edition, copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked New Living Translation are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked New Century Version® are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked New International Reader’s Version™ are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™, NIrV™. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scriptural quotations marked International Children’s Bible® are taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© 2025 The Christian Science Publishing Society. The design of the Cross and Crown is a trademark owned by the Christian Science Board of Directors and is used by permission. Bible Lens and Christian Science Quarterly are trademarks owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
