Bible Stories for Grown-Ups

by Josh Scott

Read the Bible for the first time – again.

In Bible Stories for Reading Scripture with New Eyes pastor Josh Scott looks at familiar Bible stories and reveals new details and interpretations for an adult audience. This six-week Bible study will consider stories many read as children including Noah's Ark, the binding of Isaac, Jonah and the big fish, Jesus and Zacchaeus, Jesus healing a blind man, and the parable of the talents. Scott reimagines these stories and opens new visions for readers to understand well known pieces of Scripture in our current cultural environment.

Components for the six-week study include a book, comprehensive Leader Guide, and DVD/Video sessions featuring Josh Scott.

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Religion

144 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this thought-provoking little book (just over 100 pages) for our current Sunday School series and really enjoyed it! If you’ve been following along for a while now, you know that like many of you, I’m in an evolving place with the Bible, but I found this book to be really helpful and enlightening.
 
Scott’s premise is that many of us apply our childhood lens (mostly imposed upon us by parents, teachers, and other authorities in our early lives) when we are interpreting scripture, but to have a more transformative reading of the Bible, we need to mature into a “grown-up lens.” A grown-up lens “makes space for curiosity,” “takes the Bible seriously” by focusing less on whether stories happened literally and more on discovering the meaning they are conveying, and takes context into consideration, viewing stories as part of a greater narrative.
 
Scott applies a grown-up lens, incorporating curiosity, discovery of meaning, and context, to six well-known stories in the Bible, including the story of Noah and the flood, the binding of Isaac, the story of Jonah, the parable of the talents, the story of Zacchaeus, and healing the man who was bind. This book provides an excellent jumping off point for group discussion and lends itself to further wrestling with difficult scripture passages. I really appreciate Scott’s demonstration of how to keep grappling with the text, even when it’s frustrating, difficult, or confusing. The brevity of the book is also helpful for those who want to dip their toes in the water without committing an exorbitant amount of time immersed in Bible study, which I know is beneficial for folks who need to handle themselves with care when engaging the Bible, for various reasons.
 
This book is an invitation to wonder, hold things loosely, explore new meanings, and engage scripture from a new place. I recommend it for folks who are struggling with the Bible but are not ready to let it go, or for those who are simply looking for new and expansive ways to understand familiar passages.

[Jocelyn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh Scott does a fantastic job of helping us to see familiar stories through a new lens. He addresses the historical context in which each story takes place and is told, and then helps the reader see how the traditional understandings of these stories may be selling them short. The only downside to this book is that he *only* examines six stories. I want him to help me reimagine so many more! Hopefully there will be a part 2!

[Pam Lee-miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a masterful book that takes the faith stories that are in our bones and offers new insights. He very safely and gently invites the reader on a education ride toward biblical critical thinking. He helps the reader ask questions and think—an too often unheard thing in our houses of faith. Most importantly is the question he raises with each story—“what does this text say about God”.

This is an excellent book to use for study with church groups. Thank you Scott! Excellent Gift to the Church!!!!

[William Bradford · Rating 3 out of 5]

promising premise

A promising premise but ultimately winds up being a little too generic. Used videos in Sunday class and did not generate a whole lot in robust conversation.

[April Cullom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lead a women's Bible Study at my church. Many of my ladies either did not grow up in church or grew up in a different denomination that did not focus as much on "children's" Bible stories. My ladies really felt they wanted to learn these foundational stories so when I saw this book, I immediately thought I had found the perfect thing. However, it did not take me long to realize that this Pastor's views did not align with mine & my church's conservative Southern Baptist views. I wish I had done better research before I ordered it & the leader guide. The author is very progressive and appears to have a social and political agenda that he is promoting and manipulating scripture to support it. I shared this book with my husband and mother. They both felt the same way I did. The only reason I even finished the book was so that I could give an accurate review for others. I wish I had read a review that gave me more information before purchasing this book.

I am not going to say the entire book is bad. There are some good points made but I just felt like his agenda made it hard to trust the assertions made. Thankfully I have been a Christian for decades and know what the Bible says. Plus I question and do not just accept something stated because it is written by a Pastor. I am so very glad I read this book before I recommended it to new believers. I chose a different study to do with my ladies that aligns with what God teaches, not a modern day political/social agenda.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Josh Scott looks at several Bible stories that many of us have heard or learned about as children. He attempts to open these stories up and examine them in a fuller context , offering perspectives and possibilities to explore them more deeply, or as “adults.” I was surprised at how I have often not delved more deeply into these stories on my own, and am appreciative that he opened the windows to examine them more fully. His writing is engaging and easy to read. The stories include a look at Abraham and the binding of Isaac, Zacchaeus, Noah, parable of the talents, Jonah and the healing of a blind man. He encourages the reader to make room for curiosity and wonder as we read these stories with new eyes. This is a great book for an adult small group.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprising and refreshing read!

Given the story, and the possible simplistic approach it suggests, the Bible stories and analyses / interpretations were surprisingly... grown up!

This approach to reading scripture, understanding the authors and context, and framing the lessons in looking outward to the world, is how I came to faith. It is an approach which is both intriguing and empowering, and I very much recommend this for any interested reader of the Bible, and perhaps especially for a small group discussion around it!

I so miss this open approach to Biblical literacy. May we all find a group of like minded friends who take the writings of the Bible as truly life changing, not just self-helping.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Josh Scott offers new ways of looking at the stories I have known all my life. Instead of sticking with the stories as we learned them as children, we can see them with fresh eyes. Noah is more than just a fun story about animals on the ark, Jonah is more than just a guy in a fish, Abraham ready to sacrifice his son is definitely more than a crazy man and a mean God, etc.

[Rv. Rustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh does a great job bringing stories to life in new ways.

Context matters. Josh put the stories back in a context that creates new clarity and beauty in these stories. I have found that seeking to understand the complexity of life and stories creates a deeper beauty than simplicity ever can.

[Michael Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My church used this book for a midweek Bible study. The participants all loved it! They found it thought-provoking and challenging. I quibbled with a few of the author’s points and conclusions, but I imagine that was his intention.

[Debbie Babbage · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful encounter looking at some of our favorite Bible stories, not through the lenses of our Sunday School teachers from way back when, but with new, mature lenses. This study generated a lot of discussion in our small group.

[Craig K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking read

Have spent a lot of time considering Josh's interpretation of the scriptures presented. I find him to be one of the more interesting, forward thinking authors I have found recently. Excellent read which will challenge your faith. Highly recommended.

[Dennis Gunnarson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh has such a comfortable story teller approach that is amazingly insightful. When he gets done, you really want to hear more. If you had objections to the stories he tells, his disarming explanation wins you over.

[Andrea Nourse · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint is that I need more. Josh’s writing, like his sermons, is approachable and open. His deep love for and understanding of the Bible came through brilliantly.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a group read. There were some good points made here and there.

Not a book I would really recommend..

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done book for a good Sunday School, small group use.

[Terry Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the different approach to some of ghe most well know stories

[Ltcls · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some very interesting perspectives on select Bible stories. Most of the chapters generated good discussion, but not all. We enjoyed this study and would study this author again.

[M.E. Ram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good way to reread familiar Bible stories in a fresh way, with lots of good discussion questions.

[Cyrena Monet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for the church I attend, Watershed, as part of a book series. I really enjoyed the different perspectives. My favorite chapters was about Jesus’ parables.

[Matt LeFevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In the narrative of the Exodus," Josh Scott writes near the beginning of this book, it was "Moses paying attention to his curiosity that launched the pivotal story [of] the biblical narrative. Imagine if Moses had chosen, in fear, to douse the burning bush instead of to investigate? Fear is the enemy of curiosity, and as a result, one of the greatest limiters of our transformation."

That same openness and curiosity pervade every page of this book. A slim, engaging volume — if I have any critique at all, it's that I wish it was longer, which is more a compliment than anything — Bible Stories for Grown-Ups doesn't have an axe to grind, or some stuffy list of doctrines it's trying to conform you to. Each chapter brims with intellectual honesty and a desire to chase down the questions and odd narrative gaps that a dedicated Bible reader notices in these tales. This is a book that encourages you not to be afraid of that feeling, when reading the Bible, that something doesn't quite add up, or a story makes you a little uncomfortable. Scott sees those moments as pivotal opportunities to dive deeper.

I've been swimming in the same inclusive, open-minded Christian waters as Josh Scott for a decade now, and have been aware of him for much of that time, as a repeated guest speaker at my own church and as someone who was out there in a different part of the country, tirelessly working toward the same goals as we are. I was delighted when I heard he had a book coming out, and it did not disappoint. Because of the hundreds of other authors I read, some of the spins he puts on well-known Bible stories in this book are not new to me, but even those chapters would always have a few insights I hadn't considered. In other places, such as the parable of the talents, Scott exploded a story wide open for me in ways I'm still grappling with. It's not hyperbole to say that I will never read that parable the same way again.

Seen through Scott's mindful, well-researched lens, each of these stories reveals itself as much more than a dusty folk tale or a simplistic moral fable. Instead they brim with a vivid picture of God's love, the expansive future available to us, and sometimes a challenging critique of the systems we inhabit.

As deep into the forest of progressive Christian authors as I am, I often wonder what book I might hand to someone who is just now probing the edges of these woods. Some of the Borgs and Ehrmans of the world would be... rather a lot to throw at somebody who is just now tentatively expanding their own religious worldview, and as dearly as I love academic authors like Kugel and Levine, not everyone wants to read a textbook. The book that Scott has written here deserves to be on the short list next time I consider that question. It's a rewarding read for anyone interested in the Bible, but its warmth, compassion, and intellectual honesty might make it a perfect gateway for someone steeped in one specific view of the scripture to take their first steps into a wider world.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since reading Jesus and John Wayne, it has struck me how powerfully a narrow form of evangelicalism infested the waters of nearly every denomination such that doctrinal differences were sacrificed for the “unity” of culture war. If this feels like a weird way to start a review of *this* book, I understand, but bear with me.

The primary way that they accomplished this was through the proliferation of curriculum and resources: Prewritten lessons and plans and sermons and retreats for every aspect of ministry homogenized the church around the theology of a few embittered fundamentalists. While the internet has changed and (kinda) democratized it, I still find there is a desperate need for more trustable and accessible resources for churches from other perspectives.

For me, that’s what’s so exciting about this book. You could easily do this as a short term Bible study and get so much out of it. It serves to show new depths of old stories, while also teaching how to read all of the Bible better. Please, let’s have more of this! Publishers, gather more voices like Josh and let’s pump out more resources!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate very much the opportunity to lay down the lenses my second-hand religion (like second-hand smoke, but deadlier) had given me and to learn to see these ancient stories in new, relevant ways.

[Stylianos Splinis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adult Bible book focusing on 6 stories

The Author of this book has a hunger for deeper study of the Bible. Although I don’t see myself in this light I so very much enjoyed the different perspectives and ways to look at some very debated and sometimes strange stories from Bible. I do think he did an excellent job of opening our mind to different interpretations and also to help us avoid the toxic way some see and interpret some verses.

[Patty Corwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the focus of a study I led for our Tuesday group at church. It is NOT your traditional interpretation of 6 well- known Bible stories. I loved the challenges to our thinking, and our discussions were rich and insightful. I’d encourage anyone who isn’t afraid to see the Bible with new eyes to read this book.

2nd reading was also good.