Connections Teaching Guide (January-April 2018)

The Connections series presents an ecumenical mix of traditional Bible study (NRSV) and contemporary insight. Following the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), Connections provides your class with a plan for reading and studying the Bible. By participating in the Connections series, a believer will be given help in knowing the content of the Bible, understanding its message, and responding to that message by living a life of faith and love. Using the RCL texts creates an opportunity to connect Bible study with worship by relating the lesson text to the sermon text, and that's one of the connections we want Connections to make. Many pastors use the lectionary to help guide their sermon ministry, so classes that follow a lectionary-based program of study should bring some helpful context to the sermon and to worship.

The Connections Teaching Guide offers suggested practical teaching procedures, options, and provides illustrative materials for each lesson. The organization of each lesson plan introduces readers to the Scripture text and lesson theme, assists readers to reflect upon and further explore the biblical text, and leads readers toward appropriate life-application of Scripture.

Unit 1: The Word of the Lord
Unit 2: Proclaim the Good News
Unit 3: Growing in Faith
Unit 4: Easter's Afterglow