Taking The Old Testament Challenge

In less than a year, you can travel through the entire Old Testament. These daily readings, comments, and questions will deepen your walk with God and heighten your knowledge of his Word. It will lead you to a devotional experience with God. Discover why Jesus was so passionate about the Old Testament and quoted from it so frequently.

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: Luke–Acts Luke–Acts, 1–2 Thessalonians 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans Romans, Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy Matthew Hebrews, James, Mark 1–2 Peter, Jude, John 1–3 John, Revelation Designed for use with The New Testament Challenge Video Study (sold separately).

Discover the Life-Changing Relevance of the Old Testament Stepping Out in Faith The wisest of people learn from the successes and struggles of others. Since history repeats itself, looking back on the journey of God's people and learning from their victories and pitfalls is one of the most valuable things we can ever do. As we look closely at the highs and lows of Israel's history, we will discover lessons that will transform and shape both our present and our future. Part of the Old Testament Challenge series, this teaching guide and resource book helps you craft seven messages on what the history of Israel has to say about living by faith. As never before, your congregation will discover God's unyielding commitment to lead his people forward to his plan for their present and future. A Communicator's Toolkit for Teaching the Old Testament Having the right resources gives you a powerful edge in communicating the message of the Old Testament effectively in this media-driven, sensory-intensive culture. The Stepping Out in Faith Teaching Guide helps you connect with minds, imaginations, and hearts. Designed to maximize your connection and impact, it is a communicator's toolbox for teaching your congregation lessons from the four-part Old Testament Challenge series. *Historical, cultural, and geographical backgrounds unlock the meanings of Bible passages. Transport your listeners thousands of years into the past so they can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the ancient world. *Illustrations, humorous stories, and word pictures engage the imagination and emotions, bringing home the timeless message of the Old Testament with clarity and freshness. *Creative applications help listeners make the leap from learning Old Testament lessons to living the Christian life. The genius of this teaching guide is its flexibility. Customize your messages from a treasury of resources. This revolutionary tool provides up to sixteen categories of material for each message. No need to spend countless hours doing research---a wealth of ideas and resources lies at your fingertips! Creating a New Community Teaching Guide includes: *Creative Message Ideas *Heart of the Message *Heart of the Messenger *Historical Context Notes *Illustrations *Interpretive Insights *Life Applications *Narrative on Life *Narrative on the Text *New Testament Connections *On the Lighter Side *Pause for Prayer *Pause for Reflection *Quotable Quotes *Significant Scriptures *Word Studies Other Old Testament Challenge Teaching Guides 1---Creating a New Community: Life-Changing Stories from the Pentateuch (9 Sessions) 3---Developing a Heart for God: Life-Changing Lessons from the Wisdom Books (8 Sessions) 4---Pursuing Spiritual Authenticity: Life-Changing Words from the Prophets (8 Sessions)

The Bible Challenge is an invitation to journey with fellow believers from across the world and across the Anglican Communion through the entire length and breadth of the Bible, and to experience the full sweep of the biblical record in the course of a single year. For each of 365 days, there is a selection of readings comprising Old Testament, Psalm and New Testament passages, insightful commentary by one of a hundred theologians and church leaders from around the Anglican Communion, a prayer for the day and questions for reflection. UK contributors include: Nick Baines, Rosalind Brown, Jeffrey John, Archbishop Barry Morgan, Mark Oakley, June Osborne, Martyn Percy, Emma Percy, Michael Perham, Stephen Platten and others. The Bible Challenge is supported by a website www.thecenterborbiblicalstudies.org and its international advisory board includes Rowan Williams, Paula Gooder, David Ford, Graham Tomlin and many senior figures from around the Anglican world.

The Old Testament Challenge (OTC) is a turn-key program to help everyone in your church understand and apply the Old Testament. Participants experience the content in multiple contexts; through sermons, group discussions and personal devotions. This 32-week series is designed for churches to teach, study, and discuss the entire Old Testament over a 9-month period.

Have you ever closed your Bible and thought, What did I just read? Whether you're brand-new to the Bible or you grew up in the second pew, reading Scripture can feel confusing or boring at times. Understanding it well seems to require reading it thoroughly (and even repeatedly), but who wants to read something they don't understand? If you've ever wanted to read through the Bible or even just wanted to want to read it, The Bible Recap is here to help. Following a chronological Bible reading plan, these recaps explain and connect the story of Scripture, section by section. Soon you'll see yourself as a child of God who knows and loves His Word in the ways you've always hoped for. You don't have to go to seminary. You don't need a special Bible. Just start reading this book alongside your Bible and see what God has to say about Himself in the story He's telling. "Tara-Leigh gets me excited to read the Bible. Period. I have found a trusted guide to walk me into deeper understanding of the Scriptures."--MICHAEL DEAN MCDONALD, the Bible Project

The OTC curriculum kit has 7-9 lessons. This second kit covers the historical books and includes everything you need to preach 7 sermons (that’s less than $30 per week!). Lesson titles: · Joshua: The Law of the First Step · The Old Testament and Holy War · Identifying Spiritual Entropy · Intercepting Spiritual Entropy · Samuel: Learning to Listen to God · Saul: Where Is Your Confidence? · Finding Jesus in the Old TestamentContents: • Teacher’s Guide containing material from Ortberg’s weekly teachings for pastors and/or teachers • Discussion Guide focusing on specific passages from the Old Testament, designed for weekly or bi-weekly use and including leader’s notes • DVD and VHS Video presenting an OTC “vision-casting” message from Ortberg, a promotional piece for churches, and creative elements to use during the OTC message • CD-ROM providing 7 PowerPointÆ presentations for use with each of the OTC messages. It also contains 40 FAQ sheets answering tough questions from the Old Testament for use on your Website or to be printed in hard copy • Audio Sermons CD containing 7 messages preached by John OrtbergIn addition to the kit, 2 other resources are available: • Implementation Guide for starting the entire Old Testament Challenge • Taking the Old Testament Challenge reading guide

Old Testament Challenge, Volume 3 is a turn-key program to help everyone in your church understand and apply the Old Testament to their lives. OTC Volume 3 is titled Developing a Heart for God: Life-Changing Lessons from the Wisdom Books. The goal of OTC is to discover the life-changing truths of the Old Testament and how we can apply them to our lives today. Based on Pastor John Ortberg's OTC series at the New Community services of Willow Creek Community Church, this resource will enable churches to raise the level of biblical literacy and understanding among its congregation.