Adult Bible Studies Winter 2020-2021 Teacher (eBook)

Winter Theme: HopeThis winter, our lessonsdevelop the theme of "e;Hope."e; The writers of the student book lessons areTaylor Mills and Bruce Batchelor-Glader; the teacher book writer isStan Purdum.The Good NewsThese lessonscontinue a unit that began with the last Sunday in the fall quarter,encompassing the Sundays of Advent and the first Sunday after Christmas.They call us to consider the Incarnation and what it means that Godsent Jesus into the world in human form, as one of us. Thus, the lessonsinvite us to think about the relationship God wants to have with us andhow God's sending Jesus makes that relationship possible.The Hypocrites and the HolyThelessons in this unit challenge us to examine ourselves in light of theexamples we see in the individuals in Scripture. Where do we findinstances of hypocrisy or holiness? And how do these tendenciescontribute to or diminish our hope? Lesson 5 focuses on John theBaptist, preparing the way for Jesus, the hope of theworld. Lesson 6tells of Jesus commenting on John's ministry and announcing the goodnews. Lessons 7 and 8 help us think about how the hope Jesus broughtfunctions in our lives. And Lesson 9 looks toward the ultimatefulfillment of that hope, with the full coming of the kingdom of God.Holy LivingThisunit embraces all the Sundays of February and March; and, as such, itcontinues into the next quarter. The eight lessons of the unit invite usto think about what it means to be the people of God and to pursue holyliving. The four lessons in this quarter help us look at how we dealwith one another; how faith is expressed action; the sort of "e;fasting"e;God wants from us (whether or not we abstain from certain foods); andhow, in fact, Christians are the temple of God. During this unit, Lentbegins, which is an especially appropriate time to think about holiness.Hundreds of thousands of people each week have transformativeencounters with God through Adult Bible Studies-Bible-based,Christ-focused Sunday school lessons and midweek Bible studies endorsedby the Curriculum Resources Committee of the The United MethodistChurch. In fall 2019, based on feedback from hundreds of readers, wemade exciting changes designed to benefit Bible study groups. For 2020,in response to additional feedback, we are reintroducing printed focalBible passages in both the Student and Teacher books. Lessons follow thechurch seasons, including Advent and Lent, and include suggestions fordeveloping spiritual practices to help nurture your faith.Published quarterly, each week's Student Book lesson lists backgroundScripture, features key verses, provides reliable and relevant biblicalexplanation and application, and more, in a readable font size that isaccessible to everyone.Visit AdultBibleStudies.com and sign up for the FREE weekly newsletter to automatically receive the FREE Current Events Supplement and other information about these resources and more!