Further Resources
Seeing the Design
Bibliography and Resources for Further Study
This resource is not innovative. It finds itself in a long tradition of faithful biblical scholarship. For the usability of this resource as an establishing tool for Christians and churches, we have opted not to include footnotes in the sessions themselves. In lieu of footnotes, we have given reference to pertinent resources in this backend section of the tool. In what follows, there is a list of resources that have been helpful in specific details, general insights, noteworthy observations, or simply as further resources for study as it relates to Christian witness. These resources include commentaries that address the particular biblical passage being studied along with other written works that address the specific topic of the session. Many are simply resources for continued reflection on these matters. While not every facet of each resource is recommended, in its own way, each resource contributes to the overall conversation of understanding the essentials of the Christian faith. In this way, the following resource summary represents a blend of aids used in the development of this tool and a bank of resources for further study.
Session 1: The Mission
Session 2: The Work
Session 3: The Call
Session 4: The Harvest
Session 5: The Soils
Session 6: The Lost
Session 7: The Samaritan
Session 8: The Encounter
Session 9: The Stones
Session 10: The Forum
Session 11: The Speech
Session 12: The Bush
Reading Plan: Meeting God in His Word
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
The manifold uses of the Holy Scripture grow clearer as we study the inspired book. It is the key that unlocks all perplexities. As Arthur Hallam said, it proves itself God’s book, because it is man’s book, fitting every turn and curve of the human heart.
Disciplined Scripture reading is a formative habit that assists disciples and churches to grow in Christian maturity. Life transformation occurs when the Holy Spirit applies the truth of God’s Word to the lives of his people. This reading plan organizes biblical passages that correspond with the twelve sessions in this study. Encouraging you to read the Bible (at least) five days per week and lasting a total of 48 weeks, this plan provides an ordered reading arrangement with built-in margin as your church community reads these biblical portions over the course of a year. Each block of four weeks starts with reading the biblical narrative for that session. After reading this passage, you will engage relevant passages across a variety of biblical genres. As you engage each passage (or set of passages), take time to follow a simple process of reflective reading: 1) read the passage, 2) meditate on its teaching, 3) discuss its meaning with others, and 4) pray the passage back to God. We trust that your church community will be edified in “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) as you see the beauty of God’s truth expressed across the tapestry of Scripture.