Bible Studies on World - A Word to the Reader - The Promise of Good News for the World - The Coming of the Good News According to Luke

Sep 28, 2026

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A discussion-oriented Bible study exploring evangelism through themes drawn from Scripture rather than from a single book. It emphasizes justice and the simple lifestyle as integral dimensions of discipleship, challenging Western individualism that seeks private-life clues. The study is structured for group dialogue with scene-setting paragraphs, designated texts and questions, and guidance for preparatory reading. It frames evangelism as God’s saving victory and kingdom rule culminating in Christ, then develops it in passages associated with Isaiah and Luke.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

A Word to the Reader

The Promise of Good News for the World

Main Texts

The Coming of the Good News According to Luke

Main Texts

# Bible Studieson World Evangelizationandthe Simple Lifestyle Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2019 https://archive.org/details/biblestudiesonwo00conn Bible Studieson World EvangelizationandtheSimple Lifestyle Harvie Conn Copyright 1981and used by permission ofPaternoster Press,England ISBN:0-87552-208-4 Printed in the United States of America ## A Word to the Reader This book is meant to be used by groups for discussion purposes.But it is different from the usual kind available through groups likeInter Varsity Christian Fellowship or Campus Crusade for Christ.Itdoes not focus on a book of the Bible but on themes drawn from thewhole of Scripture.Even the themes are those not generally found inbooklets of this sort.It adds what the author feels is frequently amissing dimension in similar works on discipleship.Questions ofjustice and the simple lifestyle are not usually found as steps on thenew path that young Christians are encouraged to take. All this may make using the booklet difficult for a group or eventhe individual who would like to study it for personal edification.There are no blanks for you to fill in.And constantly you may findyourself struggling,even warring,against traditional backgroundswith which you look at these texts cited.It's surprising how deeplyour approach to the Bible is affected by the Western individualismthat constantly searches the Bible for clues to our private lives,thatmoralizes into the individual sector demands that are public.Stretchyourself as you study.When the early church confessed "Jesus isLord,"they were not simply making a personal statement of faith.Itwas also a political statement of faith.The arrangement of this book-let and of the individual texts is pushing you to think through theseatrophied dimensions of your commitment to Christ. Everything in the study is designed to encourage discussion.Thebrief paragraph that prefaces the beginning of each chapter is thereto set the scene for the materials to follow,to give off sparks thatmay light fires.The group that uses the material might care to readthe statement before all the Scripture passages listed as 'basic texts”are read to the whole group.You might want to assign specific textsto specific members of the group.They become thereby the desig-nated specialists on their passages.To encourage more in-depthstudy,assign the texts and questions a week before you meet.Letpeople do some homework with Bible commentaries or reading atmore length from the books and essays referred to in the quotationssprinkled throughout the studies.An adult group might make ar-rangements to have its church or institutional library purchase in ad-vance the titles used most freqently. Don't feel confined to only the questions or texts used in the book- let.Individual or group needs may require more time in one areathan in another.Feel free to wander and not be dominated by thetime you have to cover everything.Everything may not have to becovered.All these are judgments a discussion leader may want tomake as he or she goes through the chapter in advance to prepare forthe session.In fact,it is highly recommended that everyone in thegroup go through the chapter on his or her own before the groupmeets to divide up the work in open session.Encourage people tobring their own questions to these discussion sessions.They'll in-evitably be better than the ones in the booklet. Above all else,expect differences of opinion and don't be threat-ened by disagreements.Many of these ideas and themes are new tothe agenda of the contemporary church.There are no easy answers.And,in the age of the Holy Spirit,we are given much liberty andelbow room by the Lord in working out each person's living room ar-rangements in the mansions of the kingdom of God.Even in a groupdiscussion one can be angry without sinning(Eph.4:26). For those not used to such methods of Bible study,I commend thelittle booklet by James F.Nyquist,Leading Bible Discussions(Downer

FAQs

What makes this Bible study different from typical group booklets?

It draws themes from the whole of Scripture rather than focusing on one book, and it highlights justice and the simple lifestyle as dimensions often missing from similar discipleship materials.

How is the study designed to work for group discussions?

Each chapter includes a brief preface to set the scene, and the study uses designated basic texts and questions so members can prepare ahead of the session and discuss them together.

How does the book define evangelism based on Scripture themes?

Evangelism is presented as the good news of God’s great victory and kingly rule—God’s saving presence in history—announced by heralds and fulfilled in Christ’s coming and the kingdom’s consummation.

Sep 28, 2026

Upload by Jasmine