LibGuides: In the Instructional Resource Center: Bible Studies

Old Testament

Sermon on the Mount Leader Guide by Amy-Jill Levine
How is the follower of Jesus to understand the words of the Old Testament? How are those words relevant to the New Covenant he is establishing? What might the words of the Lord's Prayer have conveyed to his initial followers, and why is that historical information essential to the prayer two millennia later? Explore the major topics in the most popular sermon ever delivered and unpack how Jesus makes his points using a solid knowledge of Hebrew Scriptures and moral teachings. The Leader Guide includes session outline for each group meeting with Scripture, prayer, opening activity, discussion questions, activity, and ending call to action.

Reckless Love by Tom Berlin
How did Jesus teach the Greatest Commandment to his disciples? Jesus taught them to love neighbor first as a way to more deeply love God. Jesus teaches us how to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength by showing us how to love our neighbor. While many hope to learn to be better family, friends, leaders, and neighbors by finding a deeper relationship with God, what if becoming a better neighbor leads you to that deeper love of God? In Reckless Love, you will consider your life, and learn how loving the people around you will completely renew your faith and give you a new experience of loving God. Additional components for a six-week study include a video and a comprehensive Leader Guide.

Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine
The renowned biblical scholar, author of The Misunderstood Jew, and general editor for The Jewish Annotated New Testament interweaves history and spiritual analysis to explore Jesus' most popular teaching parables, exposing their misinterpretations and making them lively and relevant for modern readers. Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives.