Summer Theme: A Covenant in Christ Jesus Ruth | 1 Samuel | Matthew | Luke | Ephesians This summer, our lessons focus on how Jesus fulfilled the Law in the sense that it was given full meaning. Jesus emphasized the deep, underlying messages of the gospel; and this same message is continued through the apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews. Relationships of faith empower us to live the covenant and spread the gospel message. The writer of the student book lessons is Kevin Baker; the teacher book writer is Timothy Bryan. A Fulfilled Covenant The first unit, in four lessons, reveals a new sign of the covenant for Jewish and Gentile believers, as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Hebrews, and Colossians. During the celebration of the Passover, Jesus explained to the disciples that he would initiate a new covenant through his death. Paul explains that the sign of the covenant is now a relationship of the heart between God and God's people, not circumcision. A Heartfelt Covenant The four lessons in this unit give new meaning and purpose to the Law. According to Matthew, Jesus began teaching the Law in a way that gave life to the hearer and the doer. Unlike other teachers of the Law, Jesus preached the transforming righteousness of the Kingdom. Jesus challenged the mere external observance of God's law without internal transformation. Covenant: A Personal Perspective The four lessons in this unit focus on personal relationships between people in 1 Samuel, Ruth, and Ephesians. Ultimately, those relationships pave the way for the Messiah. After Christ established the New Testament church, relationships between people have been based on relationship with Christ Jesus. These relationships continue the work of Christ Jesus by spreading the gospel message. 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. 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. Free Extras! All found at www.adultbiblestudies.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. The supplements can enhance all resources using the Uniform Series. Register for the Forums at www.adultbiblestudies.com Bold, and you can post and read comments about the lessons from other readers.

Spring Theme: Discipleship and Mission This spring, our lessons survey several calls to ministry and the expectations of those called. Several of the lessons highlight calls to service as recorded in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. We explore Paul's call to ministry, with special attention to the Roman church. On Easter Sunday, we examine Matthew's account of the Resurrection. The student book writer is Taylor Mills; the teacher book writer is Gary Thompson. Call to Discipleship Deuteronomy 6:1-9 | Joshua 24:1-3, 13-15, 21-24 | Psalm 103:1-17, 21-22 | Luke 1:26-31; 2:22, 25-35 | Matthew 25:31-46 The first unit offers four lessons and highlights several aspects of what it means to be called by Jesus as a disciple. They include hospitality, counting the cost, reaching the lost, and salvation for all people. Call to Ministry 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5; 2 John 4–11 | James 4:1-10 | Philippians 1:12-21 | Philippians 2:1-11 | Philippians 3:7-14 The five lessons in this unit explore the diverse ways in which Jesus' disciples were challenged to exercise their call to ministry: by witnessing to the gospel message; acting with loving kindness; sharing the Resurrection story; and making new disciples through preaching, teaching, and baptism. The Spread of the Gospel Psalm 48:1-3, 9-14 | Psalm 66 | Psalm 91:1-16 The four lessons in this unit begin with Paul's introduction of himself to the Jewish and Gentile Christians living in Rome. Paul affirms that the call to salvation is to Israel and to Gentiles. This call to salvation is a call to a life in the Spirit and involves a new life in Christ. 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. 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. Free Extras! All found at www.adultbiblestudies.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. The supplements can enhance all resources using the Uniform Series. Register for the Forums at www.adultbiblestudies.com Bold, and you can post and read comments about the lessons from other readers.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 156-157).

Summer theme: Justice in the New Testament Matthew | Luke | 2 Corinthians | Colossians This summer, our lessons focus on justice as presented in the New Testament. Justice is portrayed as a primary characteristic of God's nature. Human beings are called to emulate God's justice toward one another. The writer for the student book is Randy Cross; the writer for the teacher book is David Mosser. God Is Just and Merciful The four lessons in this unit remind us that human interpretations of the Law must not conflict with mercy and justice as acted out in our daily lives. The lessons from Matthew look at conflicts between Jesus and the Pharisees on questions of mercy and justice. The lesson from Luke looks at how God dispenses justice and mercy. Jesus Calls for Justice and Mercy The five lessons in this unit explore Jesus' teachings on God's justice in Matthew and Luke. Included is Jesus'; demand for leaders to practice justice as well as to understand the universality of God's justice and mercy. Paul Teaches About New Life in Christ Paul's teachings about just and merciful behaviors from 2 Corinthians and Colossians are the focus of the four lessons in this unit. Those who live the new life in Christ are called to imitate God's just and merciful nature through their actions toward others, including their enemies. 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. 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. Free Extras! All found at www.adultbiblestudies.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. The supplements can enhance all resources using the Uniform Series. Register for the Forums at www.adultbiblestudies.com Bold, and you can post and read comments about the lessons from other readers.

Winter Theme: Our Love for God Deuteronomy | Joshua | Psalms | Matthew | Philippians | James Our lessons begin with God's demands for our complete and undivided love as shown in passages from Deuteronomy and Psalms. They proceed with our response to God's love in the advent of Christ and the Epistles' interpretations of the nature and extent of our responses to God's love in Christ. They conclude with passages from three of the Psalms expressing glorification of God. The student book lesson writer is Stan Purdum; the writer of the lessons in the teacher book is Mark Price. God Commands Our Love, Respect, and Obedience The first unit offers five lessons. The Deuteronomy passage contains a presentation of God's demand for total love and devotion. The lesson from Joshua contains his faithful statement of love and reverence for a liberating God. Our lesson from Psalm 103 reviews David's expressions of love and glorification for God's creative, sustaining, and protective actions. The lesson from Luke portrays the advent of Christ and the human response to God's act of fulfilling the promise. Finally, the text from Matthew challenges us to love God through compassionate works. Loving God by Trusting Christ The quarter's second unit also offers five lessons. Matthew continues to inspire trust in God for all things, while James encourages total submission to God in love. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul gives an interpretation of human devotion to God in Christ; promotes selfless devotion through exemplification of Christ's total submission to God in love; and encourages giving up everything for the sake of one's love for Christ. Love Songs That Glorify God The final unit this quarter offers three lessons from Psalms. Psalm 48 focuses on a song of adoration for God's steadfast love; Psalm 66 focuses on part of a love song of praise to God for mighty works of goodness; and Psalm 91 closes this unit with a praise song for assurance of protection and comfort for those who love God. 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. 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. Free Extras! All found at www.adultbiblestudies.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. The supplements can enhance all resources using the Uniform Series. Visit the Adult Bible Studies website and sign-up for the Adult Bible Studies Newsletter to automatically receive a link to the latest edition of the supplement! Register for the Forums at www.adultbiblestudies.com, and you can post and read comments about the lessons from other readers.

SUMMER THEME: God's Urgent Call Exodus| Judges | Isaiah | Jeremiah | Ezekiel | Amos | Amos This summer, lessons in Adult Bible Studies follow the theme, "God&'s Urgent Call."; This theme reminds us that God continues to speak to us through the written Word. God calls ordinary people from diverse backgrounds to make a difference. From the days of the judges to the prophets to the early church leaders, God called, and the faithful answered. The student book writer is Barbara Derrick. The writer for the teacher book is Gary Thompson. Called to Be Strong The first four lessons this quarter introduce the era of the judges. The Book of Judges continues the history of Israel after Joshua's death. God raised up a series of national leaders called judges. Empowered by God, judges delivered the people from their enemies. Calling of Prophets The five lessons in this quarter's second unit look at how God called various prophets at different times for specific purposes. Included in this unit are the calls and responses of Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos. Calls in the New Testament The final four lessons this quarter demonstrate that God continued to work through ordinary people. Their witness reminded the early church that God assures the success of those who will answer God's call. The unit highlights the calls of Stephen, Peter, Philip, Ananias, and Paul. 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. 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. Free Extras! All found at AdultBibleStudies.com Supplemental Resources Free supplemental resources related to each lesson enhance teacher preparation and small group participation. 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. The supplements can enhance all resources using the Uniform Series. Register for the Forums at AdultBibleStudies.com, and you can post and read comments about the lessons from other readers.