SEEK Submission Guidelines
Download the Winter 2009–2010 SEEK Guidelines here. (PDF, 21 KB)
Click here to download the Winter 2009–2010 themes. (PDF, 112 KB)
Freelance submissions due by January 31, 2009
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: 600 minimum, 1200 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 email submissions by the deadline to seek@standardpub.com.
Quarter titles for Winter 2009-10: Christ the Fulfillment—Unit 1, The Promised Birth Fulfilled (Issues 1–4); Unit 2, Evidences of Jesus as Messiah (Issues 5–9); Unit 3, Testimonies to Jesus as Messiah (Issues 10–13).
Issue 1: The Lineage of David (A Son Is Born)
December 6, 2009
Scripture: Ruth 4:13-17; Matthew 1:1-6
Lesson Aim: The story of Boaz and Ruth shows the beginning of the family of David, which resulted in the birth of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we have to take a long view to see God’s work in our lives. Knowing our forebears in the faith can strengthen our self-image. Many believers in difficult circumstances pray for relief, but they may find that relief comes in surprising or even hard-to-discern ways.
Issue 2: Prophets Foreshadow Messiah’s Birth (An Unexpected Sign)
December 13, 2009
Scripture: Isaiah 7:13-17; Luke 1:30-38
Lesson Aim: Mary’s acceptance of the angel’s message reminds us that God’s gifts often require human receipt or acceptance to be “activated.” Help believers appreciate that obedience sometimes is demanded before understanding is achieved. People often feel quite distant from God and wonder about God’s involvement in their lives. Challenge readers to seek signs of God’s presence in their daily lives.
Issue 3: Immanuel Is Born (A Unique Birth)
December 20, 2009
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Lesson Aim:Christians have faith in the truth that “God [is] with us,” even though Jesus is no longer present in a physical body. Encourage readers to ponder what it means for the world, the church, and us to know that God is with us. Help them plan a way to share this good news with others. Christians know that obeying God can involve doing things that one would be afraid or otherwise reluctant to do except for the fact that God has commanded them.
Issue 4: Messiah’s Birth Causes Joy and Rage (Searching for a Child)
December 27, 2009
Scripture: Matthew 2:7-10, 16-23
Lesson Aim: We worship God through both actions and words, although sometimes unfortunate—even tragic—by-products may accompany our best intentions. Help readers appreciate that God will work through them or in spite of them to accomplish His purposes. Tell of a way you’ve seen the hand of God’s providence as you look back on significant events in your life.
Issue 5: Proclaimed in Baptism (Declaring Identity)
January 3, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 3:1-6, 11-17
Lesson Aim: Baptism today, following Jesus’ example, is significant for those who want to pursue “righteousness” as the mark of a new life (v. 15). Help readers understand how baptism (along with other church practices) symbolizes a relationship with Christ. Challenge them to begin a relationship with Christ and to grow in that relationship through a visible and/or vocal confession of faith.
Issue 6: Strengthened in Temptation (Facing Temptation)
January 10, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
Lesson Aim: Many believers appreciate the fact that temptation is common to all and not evidence of a moral weakness. That Jesus was tempted even though He was being “led by the Spirit” indicates that temptation itself is not sin. Challenge readers to identify what tempts them and to seek Jesus’ help in dealing with temptation.
Issue 7: Demonstrated in Acts of Healing (Works of Healing)
January 17, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 9:27-34; 11:2-6
Lesson Aim: Jesus’ healing miracles reveal His identity as the Messiah. Encourage readers to recognize and give thanks to the Lord, who has done marvelous things in their lives. While believers often want to praise God for blessings in their lives, doubters and skeptics often ridicule them for their faith and attribute their fortune to coincidence or just “good luck.” A general principle upon which God bestows His spiritual blessings upon humankind is that we will receive them according to our faith.
Issue 8: Declared in Prayer (Inviting the Weary)
January 24, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30
Lesson Aim: Examine Jesus’ prayer of praise and the invitation to followers to learn from Him. Jesus offers those who are burdened and would follow Him an opportunity to exchange the yoke of the law for His yoke of grace. Those who submit themselves to the leadership of Jesus will find rest from the burdens of life. Help readers realize that Jesus wants them to know Him.
Issue 9: Revealed in Rejection (Overcoming Rejection)
January 31, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 11:20-24; 13:54-58
Lesson Aim: People respond to rejection in different ways. Jesus faced rejection when He taught in His hometown Nazareth; then He moved on to continue His ministry. A strong faith can provide strength to overcome rejection. Compare Jesus’ experience of rejection with your own experiences. Show how you’ve committed to following Jesus even when rejection comes.
Issue 10: Recognized in Gentile Territory (Hope for Healing)
February 7, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 15:21-31
Lesson Aim: Family members face issues and often cannot find help. A Gentile woman came to Jesus with persistence, seeking healing for her daughter. When the woman was undeterred by Jesus’ initial rejection, He recognized her great faith and immediately healed her daughter. Describe a vibrant faith. Encourage readers to assess their faith and to pray that it will become even stronger.
Issue 11: Declared by Peter (Declaring Allegiance)
February 14, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-27
Lesson Aim: Through this passage and others like it, God reveals to people today the same truth He revealed to Peter: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Examine Peter’s confession of faith and compare it with responses people give today. Discipleship is based on faith in Christ and confidence in the future victory of God. Belief in Jesus as the Christ requires reorienting one’s life toward the gospel.
Issue 12: Witnessed by Disciples (Mountaintop Experiences)
February 21, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 17:1-13
Lesson Aim: The Mount of Transfiguration is for Jesus a spiritual mountain peak, where He is empowered to take the way of the cross. In this same way, some believers understand that moments of glory do not exist for their own sake, but to enable them to follow the way of the cross. Identify a time when you have felt Jesus’ presence in a special way. Tell of a place or situation in which you see God working.
Issue 13: Anointed in Bethany (Extravagant Love)
February 28, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 26:3-16
Lesson Aim: There is a place for common sense, but devoted followers of Christ know there are times when only love’s extravagance can meet love’s demand. The woman’s extravagant act stands in stark contrast with the religious leaders’ non-recognition of Jesus and the disciples’ attitudes. In hope, Christians believe that extravagant devotion to Jesus has lasting effects.