Includes: 2 titles
Together, Old Testament Essentials and New Testament Essentials offer a comprehensive overview of the Bible that will enrich your knowledge and deepen your faith. These two selected studies from the Essentials series are designed to work well on your own, with a partner or in a small group, following the format of the rest of the series. Each session includes the following elements:
"Christians love the Bible, but they often do not know what to do with the Old Testament," writes author Tremper Longman in Old Testament Essentials. The Old Testament includes many types of writing—history, prophecy, poetry, wisdom, and apocalyptic—and Longman offers different strategies for understanding each of them. Each of the seventeen weekly sessions also includes a special feature called "Anticipating the New Testament" to help you discover the links between the two testaments and gain a fuller sense of our unfolding salvation history.
New Testament Essentials introduces us to the New Testament in three parts: The revelation of God in Jesus Christ, the indwelling of God in the church by the Holy Spirit, and the present and coming kingdom of God. In each of the twelve studies, author Robbie Fox Castleman helps us to hear Scripture in its own historical and cultural context before guiding us to apply it to our own context. Jesus' life, teachings, and works were thoroughly grounded in the Hebrew Scriptures, so each session also includes a "Connecting to the Old Testament" feature.
Praise for New Testament Essentials: "Jesus is at the heart of our faith, and we meet him most clearly in the pages of the New Testament, which also describes the work of the Spirit and the kingdom of God. Robbie Castleman masterfully leads us in a study that introduces us to the glorious teaching of the New Testament, a study that deepens our love and trust in our Savior."
Praise for New Testament Essentials: "Robbie Castleman has done it again. New Testament Essentials is a delicious blend of research, accessibility and devotion that challenges the reader to examine core beliefs and convictions in light of the only book from which we might abstract the ministry and nature of Jesus of Nazareth. Used in the context of private study or, even better, group interaction, this book is an excellent resource for those who are looking to more deeply root and enliven their faith."
Praise for New Testament Essentials: "Castleman's choice of key passages is enhanced by her own crisp commentary, by linking these passages to illuminating Old Testament parallels and by offering readers opportunities to share their own reflections on the drama of salvation for their lives today. I can't think of a more positive introduction to the Bible for those who wish to grow in their knowledge of Scripture and faith."
Praise for Old Testament Essentials: "Tremper Longman is for me—and countless others—a treasured 'go-to' resource to uncover the treasures of Old Testament wisdom. This survey will be of huge value to anyone who wants the big picture of the Great Story."