Dear friends,
As the Senior Editor of DISCIPLE Bible Study for many years, I say you can never have enough Bible study reference resources. I say that because I believe understanding context is crucial to understanding any text---especially the text of the Bible. Photographs of the land the Israelites journeyed through from Egypt to Canaan help me understand more clearly the significance of the Exodus as a defining experience of God’s people. Images of the well-excavated site of ancient Susa can place me right into the story of Esther. Knowledge of ancient coinage or pottery can strengthen my grasp of stories about a widow’s mite or water jugs full of wine.
Words and images such as these will be presented in our exciting new magazine and study resource Adult Bible Studies Illustrated. We have designed it for all of you Bible study teachers and group members who want more---more information, more expertise, more fascinating facts, more pictures. We want the people and places of the Bible to come alive in your life and heart.
Adult Bible Studies Illustrated can be used and enjoyed with any Bible study, but the articles will be especially keyed to Scriptures in each quarter of the course of study designed and used by many mainline Protestant churches, known as the Committee on Uniform Series (CUS) or the International Lesson Series (ILS). Our hope is that your preparation as a Bible study teacher or group member will be enriched and illuminated by the features of this new magazine.
Here’s what you can expect to find in each issue of Adult Bible Study Illustrated:
¨ Six articles written by scholars and experts in the field of biblical studies and illustrated by photographs of archaeological sites and artifacts, maps, charts, and timelines
¨ Study guides for leading class discussions about the articles
¨ An interview with a leading biblical scholar discussing that person’s work and how it might affect our understanding and study of the Bible
¨ A pull-out poster with a photo illustrating one of the articles or lessons
¨ Descriptions of recommended books and resources
¨ Detailed information about the magazine’s cover photo and its meaning for Bible study
The special preview issue that you’re holding has a few samples for you to read and enjoy, including one article, “Before Paul Was Paul,” by the eminent biblical scholar and regular CNN contributor Ben Witherington, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary, as well as a study guide for leading a class discussion on the article and a description of helpful resources for further study.
The first full issue will be published in Winter 2009. More details and an order form can be found at the back of this issue.
I am excited about this new resource. I hope you will find it to be a useful tool for making the study of the Bible both informative and transformative.
Mark Price
Senior Editor, DISCIPLE Bible Study