New Testament

Challenge

#parkNTC

Park’s recent churchwide survey

Source: Gallup

17% of our body reads the Bible daily

62% indicate reading the Bible on a weekly basis.

Bottom line at Park:

Source: Gallup

Those in small group are more likely to read their Bible and pray

on a regular basis.

The truth?

Source: Gallup

Many of us have a hard timeconnecting with the Bible.

The number of Bible readers has fallenby one fifth in a single generation’s time.

Source: Gallup

That’s like 700 people giving up on the Bible every day.

4 out of 5 of us

Source: REVEAL

don’t get the help we need understanding Scripture.

What’s keeping us

from engaging God’s Word?

1. We read in fragments.

2. We read without context.

3. We read in isolation.

A better Bible experience

is possible.

experienced in community

the complete Bible

understood in context

The New Testament

Challenge

every small group | every campus

• Chapter and verse numbers are eliminated

• No paragraph headings or study notes

• Natural section breaks restored

• A book order that promotes better understanding of the story

• Introductions that reveal the context of each book

• A Bible designed to be read from beginning to end

It starts

with a different kind of Bible.

But this is also

different approach to the Bible.

We’ll read the entire New Testament in 8 weeks.

We’ll share the journey together.

How it works . . .

Read (or listen).

12 pages a day, 5 days a week.±

Read (or listen).

All it takes is around 20 minutes a day.

Share the journey.

More “big picture reading” than “deep dive Bible study.”

Remember . . .

We’re reading big.(And we’re in this together.)

5 questions:

1.  What was new or compelling to

you?

2.  What questions did you have?

3.  Was there anything that bothered

you? 

4.  What did you learn about loving

God?

5.  How might this change the way we

live? (Gospel Focused).

5 tips for reading

1.  Read what you can.

2. Read daily.

3. Be fully present.

4. Don’t skip the book intros.

5. Don’t worry about the parts you don’t

understand.

Practically speaking

1.  Encourage everyone to purchase a copy (e-

version and daily emails are available).

2. Follow the reading guide found on the

bookmark

3. Read the leaders guide a week ahead to

prepare your group

4. Follow the suggested time line & outline in

the Leader’s Guide

Small group time allotment

Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

Reflecting questions 5 questions for the

reading (30-60 minutes)

Final Reflections. Give everyone a chance

to share a response to question # 5. (10

minutes)

ACTS Prayer. (10-15 minutes)

Overview from the Leader’s Guide. (5-10

minutes)

Exercise: Leading The New Testament Challenge

•Choose a group leader

•Give everyone 5 minutes to read, “Invitation to 2 Timothy,” and “2 Timothy,” on pages 234-238 (week #4, see Leader Guide notes on page 18)

•Once everyone is finished reading, group leader leads discussion with 5 questions: (10 minutes for discussion)• What was new or compelling to you?• What questions did you have?• Was there anything that bothered you?• What did you learn about loving God?• How might this change the way we live? (gospel

focus)

3 Additional Questions:

1. How do you mean?2. Tell me (us) more about that.3. Help me (us) understand a little bit

more about ________.

The 5 NTC Questions:• What was new or compelling to you?• What questions did you have?• Was there anything that bothered you?• What did you learn about loving God?• How might this change the way we live?

(gospel focus)

Leader Huddle (20 minutes)

• What is one thing that encourages you about the NT Challenge?

• What will be the greatest “hurdle” to overcome with the NT Challenge in your group? How do you deal with that?

• What help/coaching do you need?

Leader Huddle (20 minutes)

• How will you use the NTC to promote spiritual growth and maturity in your small group members?

• What is one truth about God that will help you lead well in this season?

#ParkNTC

Resources:

www.parkcommunitychurch.org/challenge/

Bible study resources:blueletterbible.combiblegateway.compreceptaustin.org

thegospelcoalition.org

New Testament Challenge