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 Battle

Alden, Robert L. Job. Vol. 11. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993.

Andersen, Francis I. Job: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 14. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1976.

Hartley, John E. The Book of Job. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

Tripp, Paul David. Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense. Wheaton: Crossway, 2018.

Wright, Christopher J. H. The God I Don’t Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.

Wright, N. T. Evil and the Justice of God. London: SPCK, 2006.

Session 2: The Beginning

Edwards, Jonathan. “Dissertation on the End for Which God Created the World.” In The Works of President Edwards, 3:1–89. New York: S. Converse, 1829.

Longman III, Tremper. Genesis. The Story of God Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.

Mathews, K. A. Genesis 1–11:26. Vol. 1A. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996.

Oden, Thomas C. The Living God. Vol. 1. Systematic Theology. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1987.

Peterson, Andrew. The God of the Garden: Thoughts on Creation, Culture, and the Kingdom. Nashville: B & H Publishing, 2021.

Poythress, Vern S. Christian Interpretations of Genesis 1. Christian Answers to Hard Questions. Philadelphia: Westminster Seminary Press, 2013.

Walton, John H. Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1–15. Vol. 1. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1987.

Wilson, Jonathan R. God’s Good World: Reclaiming the Doctrine of Creation. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.

Session 3: The Image

Hoekema, Anthony A. Created in God’s Image. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Longman III, Tremper. Genesis. The Story of God Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.

Mathews, K. A. Genesis 1–11:26. Vol. 1A. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996.

McConville, J. Gordon. Being Human in God’s World: An Old Testament Theology of Humanity. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2016.

Strachan, Owen. Reenchanting Humanity: A Theology of Mankind. Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 2019.

Strachan, Owen, and Gavin Peacock. The Grand Design: Male and Female He Made Them. Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 2016.

Walton, John H. Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1–15. Vol. 1. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1987.

Session 4: The Fall

Beale, G. K. We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2008.

Carson, D. A. How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006.

Longman III, Tremper. Genesis. The Story of God Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.

Mathews, K. A. Genesis 1–11:26. Vol. 1A. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996.

Morgan, Christopher W., and Robert A. Peterson, eds. Fallen: A Theology of Sin. Theology in Community. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013.

Plantinga, Cornelius. Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Walton, John H. Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1–15. Vol. 1. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1987.

Session 5: The Promise

Hamilton, Jr., James M. God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment: A Biblical Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010.

Kaiser, Jr., Walter C. The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Zondervan Academic, 2009.

Longman III, Tremper. Genesis. The Story of God Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.

Mathews, K. A. Genesis 1–11:26. Vol. 1A. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996.

Walton, John H. Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1–15. Vol. 1. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1987.

Williamson, Paul R. Sealed with an Oath: Covenant in God’s Unfolding Purpose. New Studies in Biblical Theology 23. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2007.

Session 6: The Coming

Bock, Darrell L. Luke: 1:1–9:50. Vol. 1. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1994.

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997.

Macleod, Donald. The Person of Christ. Contours of Christian Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1998.

Reeves, Michael. Rejoicing in Christ. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2015.

Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.

Warfield, Benjamin B. The Lord of Glory: A Study of the Designations of Our Lord in the New Testament with Especial Reference to His Deity. New York: American Tract Society, 1907.

Wellum, Stephen J. God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ. Foundations of Evangelical Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2016.

Session 7: The Cross

Bolt, Peter G. The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark’s Gospel. New Studies in Biblical Theology 18. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2016.

Brooks, James A. Mark. Vol. 23. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991.

Cole, Graham. God the Peacemaker: How Atonement Brings Shalom. New Studies in Biblical Theology 25. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2009.

Garland, David E. Mark. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.

Hughes, R. Kent. Mark: Jesus, Servant and Savior. Preaching the Word. Westchester: Crossway, 1989.

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. The Cross: God’s Way of Salvation. Wheaton: Crossway, 1986.

Stott, John. The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2012.

Thurston, Bonnie Bowman. Preaching Mark. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2002.

Session 8: The Spirit

Cole, Graham A. He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Foundations of Evangelical Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007.

Ferguson, Sinclair B. The Holy Spirit. Contours of Christian Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2020.

Fernando, Ajith. Acts. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.

Marshall, I. Howard. Acts: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 5. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1980.

Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.

Sproul, R. C. The Mystery of the Holy Spirit: Discovering the Work of the Living Spirit of the Living God. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1994.

Witherington, Ben, III. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Session 9: The Change

Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine. Oxford: John Henry Parker, 1853.

Fernando, Ajith. Acts. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.

Hoekema, Anthony A. Saved by Grace. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Marshall, I. Howard. Acts: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 5. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1980.

Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.

Pink, Arthur W. Regeneration, or the New Birth. Bellingham: Logos Bible Software, 2005.

Spurgeon, C. H. All of Grace: An Earnest Word with Those Who Are Seeking Salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Witherington, Ben, III. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Session 10: The Church

Banks, Robert J. Paul’s Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community. Translated by John W. Doberstein. New York: Harper Collins, 1978.

Keener, Craig S. Revelation. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999.

Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Schaeffer, Francis A. The Church before the Watching World: A Practical Ecclesiology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1971.

Session 11: The Kingdom

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Gentry, Peter J., and Stephen J. Wellum. God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2015.

Goldsworthy, Graeme. The Goldsworthy Trilogy. Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2014.

Keener, Craig S. Revelation. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999.

McKnight, Scot. Kingdom Conspiracy: Returning to the Radical Mission of the Local Church. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2014.

Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Session 12: The Finale

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Beale, G. K. The Temple and the Church’s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God. New Studies in Biblical Theology 17. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2014.

Keener, Craig S. Revelation. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999.

Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Piper, John. Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ. Wheaton: Crossway, 2023.

Wright, N. T. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.

Reading Plan: Meeting God in His Word

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

If you mean your hope of salvation should rise to any strength and solidness, study the Word of God diligently. The Christian is bred by the Word, and he must be fed by it.

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.

Session 1: The Battle

• Week 1 · Deuteronomy 6:1 · 25 · Deuteronomy 10:12 · 22 · Deuteronomy 11:1 · 32 · Joshua 1:1 · 9 · Job 42:1 · 17

• Week 2 · Psalm 42:1 · 11 · Psalm 43:1 · 5 · Psalm 44:1 · 26 · Proverbs 3:1 · 12 · Isaiah 26:1 · 21

• Week 3 · Matthew 5:1 · 15 · John 16:16 · 33 · Romans 5:1 · 11 · 2 Corinthians 4:1 · 18 · Hebrews 11:1 · 40

• Week 4 · Hebrews 12:1 · 17 · James 5:7 · 20 · 1 Peter 1:1 · 12 · 1 Peter 4:12 · 19 · 1 Peter 5:6 · 14

Session 2: The Beginning

• Week 5 · Deuteronomy 32:1 · 47 · Job 38:1 · 41 · Job 39:1 · 30 · Psalm 19:1 · 14 · Psalm 33:1 · 22

• Week 6 · Psalm 104:1 · 25 · Psalm 147:1 · 20 · Isaiah 40:1 · 31 · Isaiah 41:1 · 29 · Isaiah 42:1 · 17

• Week 7 · Isaiah 43:1 · 28 · Isaiah 44:1 · 28 · John 1:1 · 18 · Acts 14:8 · 18 · Acts 17:22 · 34

• Week 8 · 2 Corinthians 3:1 · 18 · Colossians 1:15 · 23 · 1 Timothy 4:1 · 5 · Hebrews 1:1 · 14 · Hebrews 4:1 · 11

Session 3: The Image

• Week 9 · Psalm 8:1 · 9 · Psalm 90:1 · 17 · Psalm 127:1 · 5 · Psalm 139:1 · 24 · Psalm 144:1 · 15

• Week 10 · Ecclesiastes 1:1 · 18 · Ecclesiastes 2:1 · 26 · Ecclesiastes 3:1 · 22 · Ecclesiastes 4:1 · 16 · Ecclesiastes 5:1 · 20

• Week 11 · Jeremiah 1:1 · 19 · Matthew 6:25 · 34 · Matthew 11:25 · 29 · Matthew 12:1 · 14 · 1 Corinthians 7:1 · 16

• Week 12 · 1 Corinthians 7:17 · 40 · Ephesians 5:22 · 6:4 · 2 Timothy 2:14 · 26 · James 2:1 · 13 · 1 John 2:28 · 3:24

Session 4: The Fall

• Week 13 · Genesis 4:1 · 26 · Genesis 5:1 · 32 · Genesis 11:1 · 9 · Judges 2:1 · 23 · 2 Kings 17:1 · 41

• Week 14 · Psalm 32:1 · 11 · Psalm 51:1 · 19 · Ecclesiastes 9:1 · 18 · Jeremiah 17:1 · 13 · Ezekiel 6:1 · 14

• Week 15 · Matthew 4:1 · 11 · Romans 1:18 · 32 · Romans 2:1 · 29 · Romans 3:1 · 31 · Romans 5:12 · 21

• Week 16 · Romans 7:1 · 25 · 1 Corinthians 10:1 · 33 · Ephesians 2:1 · 10 · 2 Timothy 3:1 · 9 · James 1:1 · 27

Session 5: The Promise

• Week 17 · Genesis 15:1 · 21 · Genesis 17:1 · 27 · Deuteronomy 9:1 · 29 · Deuteronomy 28:1 · 68 · Deuteronomy 29:1 · 29

• Week 18 · Joshua 23:1 · 16 · Joshua 24:1 · 33 · Jeremiah 31:31 · 40 · Psalm 78:1 · 31 · Psalm 78:32 · 72

• Week 19 · Matthew 24:1 · 51 · Romans 4:13 · 25 · 2 Corinthians 3:1 · 18 · 2 Corinthians 4:1 · 18 · Hebrews 6:13 · 20

• Week 20 · Hebrews 7:1 · 28 · Hebrews 8:1 · 13 · 1 Peter 3:18 · 22 · 2 Peter 1:1 · 21 · 2 Peter 3:1 · 13

Session 6: The Coming

• Week 21 · Genesis 18:1 · 21 · Genesis 32:22 · 32 · Deuteronomy 18:15 · 22 · Joshua 5:1 · 15 · 1 Samuel 2:1 · 11

• Week 22 · Daniel 3:1 · 30 · Isaiah 7:10 · 25 · Isaiah 9:1 · 7 · Hosea 11:1 · 7 · Micah 5:1 · 15

• Week 23 · Matthew 1:1 · 25 · Matthew 2:1 · 23 · John 1:19 · 34 · John 3:1 · 36 · Galatians 4:1 · 20

• Week 24 · Philippians 2:1 · 30 · Colossians 2:6 · 15 · Hebrews 4:14 · 5:10 · 1 Timothy 1:12 · 20 · 1 Timothy 3:14 · 16; 6:11 · 16

Session 7: The Cross

• Week 25 · Genesis 22:1 · 24 · Exodus 12:1 · 51 · Exodus 13:1 · 22 · Exodus 14:1 · 31 · Leviticus 16:1 · 34

• Week 26 · Isaiah 52:13 · 53:12 · Psalm 22:1 · 31 · Matthew 26:1 · 75 · Mark 9:1 · 13 · John 10:1 · 21

• Week 27 · Acts 2:14 · 41 · Acts 13:13 · 52 · Romans 6:1 · 23 · 1 Corinthians 1:18 · 31 · 1 Corinthians 11:17 · 34

• Week 28 · Titus 3:1 · 15 · Hebrews 9:1 · 28 · Hebrews 10:1 · 18 · 1 Peter 2:18 · 25 · 1 John 1:1 · 2:6

Session 8: The Spirit

• Week 29 · Exodus 31:1 · 11 · Isaiah 61:1 · 11 · Isaiah 63:7 · 14 · Ezekiel 36:22 · 38 · Ezekiel 37:1 · 14

• Week 30 · Joel 2:1 · 32 · Matthew 12:15 · 32 · John 14:15 · 31 · John 15:26 · 16:15 · Luke 4:16 · 30

• Week 31 · Luke 24:36 · 53 · Acts 8:4 · 25 · Acts 19:1 · 20 · Romans 8:1 · 17 · 1 Corinthians 2:6 · 16

• Week 32 · 1 Corinthians 6:12 · 20 · 1 Corinthians 12:1 · 11 · 1 Corinthians 14:1 · 25 · Galatians 5:16 · 26 · 1 John 4:1 · 6

Session 9: The Change

• Week 33 · Deuteronomy 30:1 · 20 · Matthew 13:1 · 23 · Matthew 16:13 · 28 · Luke 5:17 · 32 · Luke 7:36 · 50

• Week 34 · John 3:1 · 21 · John 4:1 · 45 · Acts 8:26 · 40 · Acts 9:1 · 31 · Acts 24:1 · 27

• Week 35 · Acts 25:1 · 27 · Acts 26:1 · 32 · Romans 10:1 · 21 · Galatians 1:1 · 24 · Galatians 2:1 · 21

• Week 36 · Galatians 3:1 · 29 · Galatians 5:1 · 15 · Ephesians 1:1 · 23 · Philippians 3:1 · 4:1 · Colossians 3:1 · 17

Session 10: The Church

• Week 37 · Exodus 18:1 · 27 · Exodus 19:1 · 25 · Exodus 20:1 · 21 · Deuteronomy 4:1 · 14 · Hosea 1:1 · 11

• Week 38 · Matthew 18:1 · 35 · Romans 12:1 · 21 · Romans 14:1 · 15:7 · 1 Corinthians 1:10 · 17 · 1 Corinthians 3:1 · 23

• Week 39 · 1 Corinthians 5:1 · 13 · 1 Corinthians 12:12 · 31 · 1 Corinthians 14:26 · 40 · Ephesians 2:11 · 22 · 1 Thessalonians 2:17 · 3:13

• Week 40 · 1 Thessalonians 5:12 · 28 · Hebrews 10:19 · 39 · 1 Peter 2:1 · 12 · 1 Peter 4:7 · 11 · 1 Peter 5:1 · 5

Session 11: The Kingdom

• Week 41 · Psalm 2:1 · 12 · Psalm 45:1 · 17 · Psalm 72:1 · 20 · Psalm 110:1 · 7 · Psalm 145:1 · 21

• Week 42 · Jeremiah 23:1 · 8 · Daniel 2:1 · 49 · Daniel 4:1 · 37 · Daniel 6:1 · 28 · Obadiah 1 · 21

• Week 43 · Matthew 6:1 · 24 · Matthew 13:24 · 58 · Matthew 25:1 · 30 · Mark 10:13 · 52 · Ephesians 6:10 · 20

• Week 44 · Colossians 1:9 · 18 · 1 Thessalonians 2:1 · 16 · 2 Timothy 4:1 · 22 · Hebrews 12:18 · 29 · Revelation 4:1 · 5:14

Session 12: The Finale

• Week 45 · Isaiah 65:1 · 25 · Isaiah 66:1 · 24 · Ezekiel 48:1 · 35 · Zechariah 14:1 · 21 · Daniel 7:1 · 28

• Week 46 · Daniel 8:1 · 27 · Daniel 12:1 · 13 · Joel 3:1 · 21 · Amos 9:1 · 15 · Zephaniah 3:1 · 20

• Week 47 · Matthew 25:31 · 46 · Romans 8:18 · 39 · Romans 16:17 · 27 · 1 Corinthians 15:1 · 58 · 2 Corinthians 5:1 · 21

• Week 48 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13 · 5:11 · 2 Thessalonians 1:1 · 12 · 2 Thessalonians 2:1 · 17 · 2 Peter 2:1 · 22 · Jude 1 · 25