Adult Bible Studies

9781791006662 1

Hundreds of thousands of students and teachers use ADULT BIBLE STUDIES each week in Sunday school classes, mid-week Bible studies, and other small-group settings. Bible-based and Christ-focused, it is an approved resource by the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. It is published quarterly.  

Summer 2022 Theme - Transform

The units of Bible lesson in this quarter unify around the them Transform.

Read samples from the Summer 2022 - Transform materials

Student Book Lesson 1

Teacher Book Lession 1

Concise Commentary Book Lession 1

Watch Video Session 1 - Coming Soon

The lessons this quarter begin with a look at the ministry of the Holy Spirit that brings new life to us as members of the body of Christ. Jesus tells the disciples in John’s Gospel that he must leave so that the Comforter or Holy Spirit could come. The Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth and bring gifts and graces to all who will receive them. This transforming power prepares us for ministry in the world.
The Holy Spirit’s work in empowering us to be the church and carry out its mission is not limited to time and space. The lessons in Unit 2 take us through a series of events in the context of Jewish and Gentile hostility in which we see how the Holy Spirit moved the church forward to serve others.
The final four lessons in this quarter explore a problem that has plagued humankind throughout the ages—violence! How do we as the people of God confront and overcome this menace to the faith?


Adult Bible Studies Summer 2022

 

Theme: Transform

Unit 1: The Fruit of the Spirit
Paul used the metaphor of fruit to help us understand that our lives are like the firstfruits of offering. Through participation in Christ’s crucifixion through baptism, we have offered our lives to God’s service. The Holy Spirit then gives us gifts to display.
Scriptures: Acts 2:1-4, 17-21, 33, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Galatians 5:13-21; Galatians 5:22-26
Spiritual Practice: Silence

Unit 2: The Work of the Church
These lessons take us through a series of events in the Book of Acts in which the activity of the Holy Spirit drives the action forward. The lessons in Unit 1 identify the gifts granted to us by the Spirit; these lessons look at the path on which the Spirit directs our lives and how the Spirit is already active before we arrive at our destination.
Scriptures: Acts 4:23-31; Acts 8:26-39; Acts 11:1-18; Acts 15:1-21; Acts 16:25-34
Spiritual Practice: Service

Unit 3: The Pursuit of the People
God’s word established a created order that depends on fruitfulness and cultivation rather than violence to maintain it, but humanity through its rivalries brings violence into God’s created order. It is clear from Scripture that God’s intent is to reestablish shalom, the Hebrew word that means “a shared well-being and abundance.” While violence remains a part of the created order, God does not quietly sanction the human use of violence and calls us to imitate God’s love and work toward shalom.
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 22:6-10, 17-19; Matthew 5:9, 38-48; Ephesians 2:11-22; Matthew 26:47-56
Spiritual Practice: Remembering

 

Visit Cokesbury.com to order.

 

Check out what is coming for the Fall quarter - coming soon.

ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR BIBLE STUDY GROUPS
Adult Bible Studies writers share inspiration to readers, leaders, and groups to encourage them to continue their Bible studies and stay connected even, and especially, in difficult times. 

Hear a message from Adult Bible Studies authors and contributors in this video. 

 

Study Resources

Adult Bible Studies components include:

Student Book

Published quarterly, each week's Student Book lesson lists background Scripture, features key verses, provides reliable and relevant biblical explanation and application, and more, in a readable font size that is accessible to everyone

Each week’s lesson features:

  • A purpose statement offering focus and direction for the lesson
  • Printed biblical text from The Common English Bible
  • Reliable and relevant biblical explanation and application
  • A closing prayer, guiding personal commitment

Teacher/Commentary Kit

Each quarterly Teacher/Commentary Kit includes a Teacher Book with additional biblical background and exposition and suggestions for guiding group discussion and a copy of the new quarterly Adult Bible Studies Concise Commentary, which provides additional background on the biblical text for each session of Adult Bible Studies.

Each week’s lesson includes:

  • A purpose statement offering focus and direction for the lesson
  • Printed biblical text from The Common English Bible
  • Verse-by-verse commentary on the biblical text
  • Detailed lesson plans, questions, and small-group activities that aid teachers in leading their classes to deeper understandings and applications of biblical truths

Video Sessions/DVD

The quarterly ADULT BIBLE STUDIES video sessions are designed to be used in conjunction with the weekly lessons. Each segment connects adults to the biblical text for the corresponding lesson, provides some overall context for the biblical text, and challenges adults to consider what difference the text makes in their lives. Lively, knowledgeable, and engaging hosts offer fresh insights and new ways of approaching the texts.

Access Adult Bible Studies and other Bible study video sessions, inspirational short videos, and children’s content available anywhere from any device from Amplify Media. 

Start your free trial at AmplifyMedia.com.

 

Current Events Supplement

The free Current Events Supplement offers a way to connect each week’s lesson to a timely event or topic in the news. To subscribe to the Current Events Supplement, sign up for e-mail updates at the bottom of this page, and we will send them your inbox every week!

Shop by Quarter