Adult Bible Studies Spring 2020 Teacher

Spring Theme:
Life
This spring, our lessons support the theme of “Life.” The writer of the student book lessons is Randy Cross; the teacher book writer is Taylor Mills.

Wilderness
Spiritual Practice — Fasting
Scripture — Genesis 3:8–24 | Matthew 26:36–46 | Numbers 21:4–9 | Matthew 4:1–11 | 2 Kings 25:8–21
Suffering is a reality of life, and this unit takes us to five places in Scripture where suffering is a dominant theme: an Old Testament garden story and a New Testament garden story, an Old Testament wilderness story and a New Testament wilderness story, and the exile of the people of Judah. We examine these stories, not to wallow in misery, but to understand them as context for hope and salvation.

Salvation
Scripture — Mark 15:22–39 | Matthew 28:1–10 | Haggai 2:1–9 | Mark 1:1–8
Spiritual Practice — Generosity
Suffering, the theme connecting the lessons in our first unit this quarter, is not the end of our story when God is involved with us. Thus, this second unit is about salvation. Over its four lessons, we will look at the new start for the people of Judah represented by the rebuilding of the Temple in Haggai's time and the new start for humankind announced by John the Baptist and accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus, —new starts made
possible by God's initiative.

Grace
Scripture — Revelation 22:1–5 | Genesis 3:21; 4:10–16 | Exodus 16:2–15 | Luke 23:32–33, 39–43 | Acts 2:1–21
Spiritual Practice — Service
The first unit in this quarter began with the expulsion from the garden of Eden, the loss of paradise. With this unit, in Lesson 10, we see the Bible's prophecy of the return to paradise, the kingdom of God, made possible by God's grace. The other four lessons of this unit identify points in Scripture at which God's grace was also operative, reminding us that grace is an ongoing force in life for the faithful today as well.

Both supplementary and complementary to the Adult Bible Studies student book, the teacher book provides small-group leaders, teachers, and facilitators with additional biblical background and exposition and suggestions for guiding group discussion. Now, in response to feedback, we are introducing new features and benefits for teachers, and their students including:

A comprehensive Bible study plan with more flexibility in terms of Scripture selection and topics.
Additional information, as well as suggestions, designed to help leaders and facilitators lead with confidence.
Observation of the church seasons, including Advent and Lent.
Suggestions for developing spiritual practices (prayer, confession, worship, mindfulness, solitude, community, hospitality, neighboring, service, and celebration).

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