As the result of your feedback, beginning with the winter quarter (December-February) and continuing with the spring (March-May), we will post each lesson’s Focal Bible Passages from the Common English Bible (CEB) on www.adultbiblestudies.com for easy downloading. It will also be linked in the AdultBibleStudies.com Newsletter each week. Beginning with the summer quarter (June-August), the Focal Passages will again appear in print in both the Student and Teacher books. We will mostly use the CEB version of the text, while sometimes including the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) when it will better help students engage and appreciate the biblical texts. Winter Theme: Promise Genesis | Hebrews | Isaiah|Matthew | Acts | Ruth | 2 Samuel | Jeremiah | Exodus This winter, our lessons support the theme of "Promise." The teacher book writer is Von Unruh. Hope The five lessons in this unit center on one of the things promise gives us: hope. Hope––the expectation that, regardless of what is happening in the present, God has a good future for us––is an underlying and uniting theme in these lessons. Lesson 1 follows Abraham, who left his homeland and moved to Canaan, trusting that God had something good ahead for him. Lesson 2 recalls how Abraham's trust that God was going to give him a place as an inheritance motivated him to make the move. Lesson 3, based on one of the servant songs from Isaiah, speaks of the hope of a servant who "will bring justice to the nations" (Isaiah 42:1). Lesson 4 focuses on the angel's announcement to Joseph that Mary would bear God's Son, declaring that Jesus is the fulfillment of "God with us." Lesson 5 looks at Jesus' final words to his disciples before ascending into heaven, planting in them the hope of the Holy Spirit's coming and the reality of Spirit-filled living. Spiritual Practice: Scripture Covenants: The Basis for Committed Relationships The four lessons in this unit focus on covenants and the promises they include. God's covenant with Abram, Ruth's covenant with Naomi, God's covenant with David, and God's new covenant announced through Jeremiah and extended to us remind us of God's faithfulness in keeping promises. Spiritual Practice: Anam Cara (Soul Friend) Holiness Expressed The four lessons in this unit call us to live into the promise God gives us to be holy people. Holiness, a primary attribute of God, is also present in the world God has created; these lessons invite us to look at holiness in four of the ways in which it is expressed: holy place, holy presence, holy people, and holy purpose. Spiritual Practice: Works of Justice Both supplementary and complementary to the Adult Bible Studies student book, the teacher book provides small-group leaders, teachers, and facilitators with additional biblical background and exposition and suggestions for guiding group discussion. Now, in response to feedback, we are introducing new features and benefits for teachers, and their students including: A comprehensive Bible study plan with more flexibility in terms of Scripture selection and topics. Additional information, as well as suggestions, designed to help leaders and facilitators lead with confidence. Observation of the church seasons, including Advent and Lent. Suggestions for developing spiritual practices (prayer, confession, worship, mindfulness, solitude, community, hospitality, neighboring, service, and celebration). One font size in the student edition to accommodate all readers. No printed Scripture text allowing you to choose your own Bible translation. 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!