PC(USA) - The Present Word - Scope and Sequence


	Session Outline for Fall 2008





	The New Testament Community During the fall quarter, we will survey the New Testament. Our general theme for the quarter challenges us to see the New Testament through the lens of community. We begin our study by first looking at the four gospels and the birth of a new community, then we move to an exploration of the development and work of this new community with a study of the book of Acts. We conclude with the growing pains the new community experienced through conflict, struggle and persecution as described in the epistles.

	To order item #491081 call (800) 524–2612		Audio Cassette Item #491080 Leader's Book Item #491081 Student Book Item #491082 Student Book (Lg print) Item #491083 Worship leaflets Item #491084 Worship leaflets (sets of 10) Item #491085 Braille Student's Book Item #491086 Order all Fall 2008 Present Word items.


	Unit I, The Birth of a New Community The Birth of a New Community explores in four lessons the beginnings of the Christian community. The first lesson examines John the Baptist as the forerunner to Jesus. John preached a message that hinted at the core values of the new community. The lessons continue with Jesus and his pioneering the Christian community. We discuss the core values and teachings of this new community and conclude with a focus on a community of servants. September 7, 2008 A new community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:1–8; Matthew 3:1–3 September 14, 2008 The birth of a new community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18–25; 2:13–15 September 21, 2008 Core values of the new community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:1–16 September 28, 2008 Creating a community of servants BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:1–28


	Unit II, The Development and Work of the New Community The Development and Work of the New Community continues to explore the work and ministry of this new community through four lessons. The study sheds light on the empowerment of the Christian community, its expansion, some key witnesses and their commission for ministry. October 5, 2008 Empowered to be a community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1–17 October 12, 2008 Expansion of the community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:1–15, 8–15 October 19, 2008 Transformed to witness to the community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:1–11, 16–19 October 26, 2008 Commissioned by the community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:1–12


	Unit III, The New Community Faces Growth Pains The New Community Faces Growth Pains focuses on the early struggles of the Christian community. This unit has five lessons and deals with the work of the Christian community and the hurdles it faced in its ministry. This study explores how the community members were equipped for ministry, how they handled conflict, their witness in the world and the persecution they faced because of their witness. November 2, 2008 Fitting into the community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:1–16 November 9, 2008 Conflict in the community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Galatians 2:11—3:29 November 16, 2008 Communion with God in the midst of struggle BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:17—4:9 November 23, 2008 Witness of the community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:1–3; 4:1–5 November 30, 2008 Persecution within the community BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 11:17, 21–30; 12:9–10


	Changes to the above scope and sequence are subject to change per editors' request.



	Winter

	Spring

	Summer

	Fall

	Present Word in Korean

The New Testament Community

Unit I, The Birth of a New Community

Unit II, The Development and Work of the New Community

Unit III, The New Community Faces Growth Pains