The New Testament You Never Knew Bible Study Guide: Exploring the Context, Purpose, and Meaning of the Story of God

by N.T. Wright, Michael F. Bird

Do you know the real story behind the New Testament?

We all share a fascination for discovering ‘the rest of the story.’ We enjoy learning the behind-the-scenes facts about seemingly familiar events. In this eight-session video Bible study (DVD/video download sold separately), well-known Bible scholars N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird team up to take you on a tour of the story behind the explosive story of the New Testament.

You will discover things you never knew about Jesus’ baptism and journey into the wilderness, the meaning behind his parables and miracles, the significance of his death and resurrection, the incredible expansion of the early church into the Greco-Roman world, and how the transforming mission of Jesus can still turn the world upside down today.

Through reading the New Testament we continually discover that God indeed keeps his promises, but those promises don’t always look like what people expected. Especially when it comes to Jesus. So, come join the journey with N.T. Wright and Michael Bird and they will help you understand the New Testament you never knew.

The study guide includes teaching notes, discussion questions, Bible exploration, personal study and reflection materials, as well as interesting facts about the New Testament.

Sessions include:

The Books of the New Testament The World of Jesus and the Apostles The Life and Death of Jesus The Resurrection of Jesus The Ministry of the Apostle Paul The Early Christians and the Church The Mission of the Church The Creation of the New Testament

Designed for use with The New Testament You Never Knew Video Study (9780310085287), sold separately.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2019

About the author

N. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.

He also publishes under Tom Wright.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have heard much about N. T. Wright and wanted to do a study by him for a long time. I got the opportunity with the New Testament You Never Knew, which is both a study guide and a video series.
The study guide is vigorous but good. By following the recommended readings the student will read selected readings of the whole New Testament. I enjoyed the study guide.
The video is also good but I didn’t learn much I never knew, as the title suggests. For someone new to the Bible it would be an awesome study. I recommend it for new Christians.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book that was originally in video format. Wright and Bird offer a broad overview of critical dynamics that shaped the contents of the early church. The narrative helps the reader to visualize the socio-cultural realities that the gospel message impacted as it grew in prominence.

This work would help new students of the Scripture and those who sense a need/interest to revisit the larger issues impacting the Scriptural texts (and how they were preserved for us). It effectively lays the ground work for how God's kingdom impacts human institutions. You are able to see the doctrinal importance of the NT documents that were primarily written for proclamation and addressing of critical issues facing early believers.

[Kyle Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Study guide companion to the video/DVD series by the same name. Scholars N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird (a little more Wright than Bird) work through 8 videos and chapters about all things New Testament. The videos were maybe a little stronger than the study guide, but with both in hand it would be easy to go through a solo study or (as I did) lead a small Bible study through these sessions with much discussion along the way.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Book would be nothing without the video, so if you are interested in getting this book, be sure you also get the dvd. Also, it is would work best as a study with other folks; the discussion would add a lot. Overall, it was an informative and helpful guide to the New Testament. Lots of good information and behind-the-scenes facts.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping this book could be read on its own, but it's definitely a study /guide/ and the video is supposed to be the primary 'text'

[Jessalyn Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting Bible study we did. I always appreciate learning more about the context of the Biblical world.

[Laura S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview that reminded me of nuggets of information I have accumulated over the years.

[Mike Duncombe]

Familiar territory for the reasonably well read christian, but interesting and insightful if you’re new to the game!Tom Wright is always good value and definitely worth listening to!

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for Bible study.

[James Brixey]

a decent and interesting introduction
not sure if there was anything that new but then I'm not sure I was expecting anything new