There are a lot of Bible study guides out there. However, the need is not nearly saturated because there are also a lot of Bible readers, many of whom study the Word carefully and repeatedly throughout their Christian lives. For that reason, we cannot have too many guides to assist in reading, understanding, and applying God’s Word.
New to the field, and launching with an initial batch of three volumes (Mark; Philippians; 2 Timothy & Titus), is a series titled “Planted in the Word.” Published by Lexham Press, the series is edited by Benjamin L. Merkle who serves as Professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The goal of the series, he says with a nod to Psalm 1, is to “help you experience God’s blessing by planting you beside the stream of God’s life-giving word.” Each volume offers 40 days of guided study through a book of the New Testament. Each day’s study has five components:
- Read the passage of Scripture.
- Meditate on the meaning of the text. (While this is labeled “meditate,” it involves a page or two of teaching by the author.)
- Reflect on Christ.
- Apply God’s Word.
- Pray, asking for God’s help.
A Study It Further section offers some questions for reflection and application. Each of the 40 chapters is about four pages long. It’s a simple format but an effective one that helpfully balances the teaching of the author and the responsibility of the reader.
The books are written by some well-known and trustworthy pastors and theologians. The volume on Mark is written by Brian Vickers who teaches New Testament interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Andrew M. Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina writes the volume on Philippians while 2 Timothy & Titus is by Sam Storms. (The next two, Matthew by Charles Quarles and Ephesians by Benjamin L. Merkle, are scheduled for a December release.)
I was excited when I learned the books were in production and encouraged when I received them. Now that I have been able to go through them, I can see that they represent a strong start to what I am convinced will soon prove to be an excellent series. And since there are currently only three volumes available, there is no time like the present to start collecting them!
