Lifeway's Ministry Success Webinar Series recently spotlighted the Explore the Bible curriculum for adults, offering ministry leaders a comprehensive look at how this resource can support their discipleship goals. Explore the Bible for Adults is shaped by a dedicated team of experienced editors and leaders, including Mike Livingston, Bob Bunn, and Amber Vaden, who bring decades of combined experience in adult Bible study development. Their insights ensure the curriculum is both theologically sound and practically useful for today’s ministry contexts.
"We don't only want you to learn more of Scripture, but we want to help you learn how to live it out, what it looks like in our day-to-day lives to follow the Lord."
Amber Vaden
A Curriculum Rooted in Scripture
Explore the Bible is designed for churches that place a high value on God’s Word. Whether the goal is to deepen biblical knowledge or to encourage believers to live out their faith, this curriculum offers a structured, expositional approach to studying Scripture. Rather than focusing on topical themes, Explore the Bible takes participants through selected passages in a purposeful, verse-by-verse manner. This method complements churches where the pulpit message may be topical, providing a balanced approach to Bible engagement.
Meeting the Needs of Every Role
One of the curriculum’s strengths is its intentional design for three key audiences: ministry leaders, group leaders, and group members. For ministry leaders, the curriculum simplifies the selection process with clear structure and support. Group leaders are equipped with easy-to-follow teaching plans and commentary, while group members are guided in how to study Scripture both individually and in community.
"We don't just study the Bible, we help people learn how to study the Bible."
Mike Livingstone
Five Distinctives That Set It Apart
Explore the Bible stands out through five core distinctives:
Comprehensive Study Plan: Covering all 66 books of the Bible over a nine-year cycle, the curriculum ensures that participants grasp the primary teachings of each book. While not every verse is covered, the focus remains on essential themes and applications.
Passage-Centered Approach: Unlike topical studies, this curriculum begins with Scripture itself. Each session explores a specific passage, drawing out themes and life applications directly from the text.
Contextual Understanding: To fully grasp a passage’s meaning, Explore the Bible emphasizes historical, cultural, and literary context. Resources such as maps, handouts, and the Explore the Bible Adult Commentary support this deeper dive.
Bible Study Skills: Each session includes a Bible skill feature, helping participants become lifelong students of God’s Word. These skills are practical and designed to be used beyond the classroom.
Application-Focused: At the end of each session, the “Apply the Text” feature offers actionable steps for living out biblical truths in everyday life.
"We just want to give folks a good sense of what each book is about, what each book has to say, and really how they can apply each book to their lives."
Bob Bunn
Recognizing the challenges of recruiting and supporting volunteer leaders, Explore the Bible provides a range of resources to make teaching accessible and effective. From leader guides and commentaries to podcasts and digital extras, the curriculum is built to support leaders at every level of experience.
Whether you're a seasoned pastor or a first-time group leader, Explore the Bible offers a reliable, Scripture-centered path for spiritual growth.