The focus of the 2013 January Bible Study (JBS) from LifeWay Christian Resources centers on the gripping events during what is known as Passion Week — the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. The Alabama Baptist also will print an article related to Passion Week each week in January.
“Every year more and more churches discover January Bible Study as a great way to start the year, bringing the entire church together around one biblical topic,” said Dwayne McCrary, JBS team leader at LifeWay.
McCrary pointed out that in spite of the name, churches use JBS throughout the year in a variety of Bible study contexts. The 2013 study is titled, “Greatest Week in History: Luke’s Account of the Passion Week.”
While JBS has featured several studies from the Gospels through the years, this study will be the first in the 66-year history of JBS it has focused on the week before Jesus’ death, McCrary said.
“There have been many significant events that marked time in our collective history,” McCrary said. “But, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, and the preceding week mark all of history for eternity. Those seven days serve as the foundation for both the character and substance of Christianity.
“The purpose of this study is to call people back to the cross and the events leading up to His resurrection,” he said.
The seven-session adult Bible study provides commentary and interactive activities designed for an adult to gain insight into the passages being examined.
With the study material LifeWay offers free online administrative help to give leaders assistance in planning and promotion, a sermon guide and promotional posters.
Additionally, a new feature for the 2013 JBS is an eLeader option.
“This is a PDF portfolio that offers everything in one download,” McCrary said. “Everything that is on the leader’s CD is available as a PDF package along with an ePub version of the leader guide.”
The learner guide material for the 2013 JBS was written by Rob Futral, pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison, Miss. Timothy Paul Jones, associate professor of leadership and church ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., wrote the expositor’s notes and John McClendon, founder of the 4:12 Network, wrote the teaching plans.
“When a whole church can have a shared experience such as January Bible Study, it’s a great thing,” McCrary said. “Hearing the same story and learning the same lesson from Scripture can bring a congregation to share the same heart.”
The Alabama Baptist’s series will be written by longtime seminary professor Fisher Humphreys. Humphreys was professor of theology at New Orleans Seminary prior to joining the Beeson Divinity School staff at Samford University in Birmingham as professor of divinity in 1990. He remained at Beeson until he retired in 2008.
Humphreys is the author of more than 10 books and numerous journal articles, is a frequent guest lecturer at colleges and seminaries and has served as pastor of churches in Alabama, Mississippi and Illinois.
For more information, visit LifeWay.com/JBS. To find out more about The Alabama Baptist’s series on Passion Week, email news@thealabamabaptist.org or call 1-800-803-5201. To find out more about print and/or online subscriptions to The Alabama Baptist, visit www.thealabamabaptist.info.
(LifeWay, TAB)
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