The New Testament Challenge Study Journal

An Eight-Week Journey Through the Story of Jesus, His Church, and His Return

Jeff Manion

• Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9780310125044
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Commentary

The New Testament Challenge is designed to help small-group members explore the books of the New Testament in a fresh and new way. In this Bible study (DVD/digital downloads sold separately), participants will learn how the story of God restoring his original creation—which was begun in the Old Testament—reached its crowning moment with the birth of Messiah into the world. Through Jesus' birth, he answered the question once and for all of who God is and what he is like. Through Jesus' teaching, he revealed the deepest meaning of the laws and institutions that God gave to the people of Israel. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, he introduced the life of the age to come into the present age. Group members will also discover how the followers of Jesus formed a new community and invited people from all over the world to join them, and how the Bible looks ahead to the day when Christ will return to renew all of creation and establish God's justice and peace on the earth.

Sessions include:

1. Luke–Acts
2. Luke–Acts, 1–2 Thessalonians
3. 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans
4. Romans, Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy
5. Matthew
6. Hebrews, James, Mark
7. 1–2 Peter, Jude, John
8. 1–3 John, Revelation

Designed for use with The New Testament Challenge Video Study (sold separately).

WEEK 1
LUKE–ACTS

LUKE

The two volumes of Luke–Acts have been combined in The Books of the Bible and placed first because they provide an overview of the entire New Testament period. Luke wrote this two-volume history to serve several important purposes:

• He wanted to assure followers of Jesus that what they had been taught about him was trustworthy.

• He wanted to document how God kept the promise he made to the people of Israel by sending them their long-awaited Messiah, demonstrating that the true God is faithful and can be trusted completely.

• He wanted to prove that the extension of God’s blessings to the Gentiles is not a fickle change of plans but rather the masterful fulfillment of a plan God has been pursuing over the ages.

What to watch for in Luke: Look for some unlikely cast members in Luke’s drama. Luke highlights Jesus’s compassion toward the outsiders and outcasts of his day: the poor, the disabled, tax collectors, women, children, and others. According to Luke, Jesus is for everybody.

PERSONAL BIBLE EXPERIENCE

Your personal Bible experience starts with a daily practice of reading the Bible. This week before your group meeting, read the book of Luke. Use the journaling space to capture your thoughts, questions, responses, emotions, and insights as you read the daily selection. Keep in mind the following questions you will be talking about with your discussion group:

• What was new or compelling to you?

• What questions did you have?

• Was there anything that bothered you?

• What did you learn about loving God?

• What did you learn about loving others?

DAILY READING JOURNAL

Day 1: Luke–Acts Invitation–Luke 4:13 (pages 1–11)

[Your Response Here]

Day 2: Luke 4:14–9:50 (pages 12–25)

[Your Response Here]

Day 3: Luke 9:51–13:21 (pages 25–34)

[Your Response Here]

Day 4: Luke 13:22–19:27 (pages 34–44)

[Your Response Here]

Day 5: Luke 19:28–24:53 (pages 44–56)

[Your Response Here]

COMMUNITY BIBLE EXPERIENCE

You have been experiencing the Bible personally by reading through the book of Luke this week. Now, take some time as a group to reflect on what you have learned.

REFLECTING ON THE PREVIOUS WEEK (30–60 minutes)

Based on your Personal Bible Experience in Luke this week, have a conversation with your group about what you read by answering the following questions:

What was new or compelling to you?

[Your Response Here]

What questions did you have?

[Your Response Here]

Was there anything that bothered you?

[Your Response Here]

What did you learn about loving God?

[Your Response Here]

What did you learn about loving others?

[Your Response Here]

PREPARING FOR THE WEEK AHEAD (15–20 minutes)

To get the most out of what you will be reading in the coming week, close your time together by watching the video for week 2, in which Jeff Manion explains the themes and relevance of Acts and 1–2 Thessalonians. Use the following outline to write down any insights or questions.

ACTS

What the disciples did after Jesus ascended

[Your Response Here]

Key to Acts: Movement

[Your Response Here]

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)

Key Event: At Pentecost, the Spirit descends

[Your Response Here]

Key Picture of Transformation: Community

[Your Response Here]

Key Lesson: God is at work in our disappointment

[Your Response Here]

Key Figure: Saul

[Your Response Here]

[Saul] fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
(Acts 9:4–5)

Key City: Antioch

[Your Res...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Ebook Instructions
• How to Use This Guide
• Introductory Session
• Week 1: Luke–Acts
• Week 2: Luke–Acts, 1 & 2 Thessalonians
• Week 3: 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans
• Week 4: Romans, Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy
• Week 5: Matthew
• Week 6: Hebrews, James, Mark
• Week 7: 1–2 Peter, Jude, John
• Week 8: 1–3 John, Revelation
• Leader’s Guide