Lifeway spring Bible studies include Rothschild, Woodson, Doctor, Beless
By Lauren Pratt, Lifeway
Lifeway Christian Resources is releasing several new Bible studies for women this spring from seasoned teachers of God’s Word, including “Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight” by Jennifer Rothschild, “Live Free: A Study on Galatians” by Elizabeth Woodson and “Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace” by Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless.
The Lifeway Women team says these studies are designed to be helpful resources for women from all walks of life as they dive deep into Scripture to learn about a variety of topics relevant to the Christian life. From analyzing the theological implications of heaven and its meaning for Christians today to understanding how the gospel frees those who are in Christ to walk wholeheartedly devoted to Him, Lifeway Women believes women have much to gain from these spring Bible study releases.
“Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight”
In this seven-week study, author and Bible teacher Jennifer Rothschild takes a deep look into the biblical view of heaven while tearing down cultural misconceptions of what heaven will be like. The study provides readers with a framework for heaven while also pointing to how heaven reminds us to “number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Psalm 90:12, CSB).
Through this study, Rothschild seeks to bridge the gap between an abstract view of heaven and its present hope for believers today. The study includes a leader guide with discussion questions along with seven 25- to 30-minute video teaching sessions and six weeks of personal study.
“Over the course of this study, my hope is believers will gain a biblical understanding of heaven,” said Rothschild. “As we discover what the Bible says about our glorious unending, we will be fortified in the face of uncertainty, anchored in deep spiritual serenity and grounded in eternity.”
“Live Free: A Study of Galatians”
In this eight-session Bible study, author and Bible teacher Elizabeth Woodson explores how the gospel of Jesus Christ frees us from sin and calls us to walk in the abundant life He promises all Christians. The study is designed to help readers understand how Galatians fits into the overarching narrative of Scripture, what the epistle can teach readers about the intersection of faith and culture and how to identify false gospels as we step into our true freedom and identity in Christ. Elizabeth evaluates the false narratives Christians and culture are telling themselves and how to counteract that with the truth of the gospel.
“As you read Paul’s words, I hope you see his love for God’s people shine through, and I hope you are overwhelmed in all the best ways by God’s love for you and the intentionality of His plan of redemption,” said Woodson. “You are deeply loved by a God who, through Christ, overcame what you could not, restoring your relationship with Him so you can live free — both now and for eternity.”
Jared Wilson releases ‘Lest We Drift’
By Michaela Classen, MBTS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Seminary celebrated the February 4 release of “Lest We Drift: Five Departure Dangers from the One True Gospel,”the 27th book by Jared C. Wilson.
In Lest We Drift,Wilson, who serves as assistant professor of pastoral ministry and author in residence at Midwestern Seminary, warns ministry leaders against the dangers of drifting from gospel-centrality, identifying several temptations toward such drift facing the church today.
“Though the momentum of gospel-centrality seems to be waning, Jared Wilson reminds us of the perils associated with such a drift,” said President Jason Allen. “I am grateful for Jared’s work in this regard, and I pray that the Lord would use it in profound ways to strengthen both ministers and Christ’s church.”
Lest We Driftdraws its title from Hebrews 2:1, which states, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Reflecting both on the gospel and on recent declines in the “gospel-centered movement,” Wilson’s book reminds readers why a fixation on Christ and His work in salvation must be central for the Church.
Wilson shared, “My hope is that readers will discover — or rediscover — the substance of gospel-centrality, apart from whatever marketing or movements it is thought to be bound up with, and that they will see it as both biblical and ministerially necessary in facing our current challenges.”
Wilson defined the core principles of gospel-centrality, saying, “The whole Bible is about Jesus. People change by grace, not by law. Our ultimate validation is found not in our performance, but Christ’s performance on our behalf.”
In the book, he addresses five contemporary temptations that lead to drift from gospel-centrality: victimhood mentality, spiritual dryness, superficiality, pragmatism, and legalism.
“These are common primarily because they are really just newer iterations of old, old challenges,” he said.
The book illuminates how each of the five temptations ironically oppose the blessings given to the Church in the gospel, such as victory, delight, and freedom. In the book, Wilson notes that focusing on the gospel is necessary for discerning the “counterfeit” gospels held out in the temptations toward drift.
Wilson said, “I do my best in the book to demonstrate how the pressure points that give rise to these forms of drift and tempt us away from the centrality of the gospel are revealed in the Scriptures. If we can chart our modern problems to the Bible, we will be better able to see our solution there.”
Lest We Drift draws from Wilson’s personal experience as a pastor and ministry leader in the gospel-centered movement over the past two decades.
He shared, “I’ve been troubled for some time by the tendency of churches and church leaders to depart from the ministry framework of a gospel-centrality they once claimed as important. But more recently I’ve been inspired to examine this kind of drift from the wider-angle view of evangelical culture.”
