ABOUT THE CONTENT
The Kingdom of God Series is designed to let the story and language of Scripture shape the message being presented. Learn more about the biblical translations, terminology, editorial approach, and convictions that guide the development of these resources.
APPROACH TO SCRIPTURE
The Kingdom of God Series begins with the conviction that the Scriptures provide the authoritative witness by which we come to know the story of God, the good news about Jesus and the Kingdom of God, and the life to which his followers are called.
Rather than beginning with a theological system and looking for passages to support it, these resources seek to allow the story, language, and context of Scripture to shape our understanding—reading individual passages within the larger biblical story that finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
For this reason, the studies intentionally place Scripture before explanation. Participants are encouraged to read the text carefully, ask what it reveals about God, humanity, and faithful obedience, and allow Scripture itself to guide the conversation before turning to the study summary.
The summaries and other teaching material are provided to serve that process, not replace it. They should always remain open to examination and correction by the Scriptures themselves.
JESUS AT THE CENTER
The Scriptures ultimately direct our attention to a person—Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom of God Series seeks to keep the person of Jesus at the center of discipleship. He is not simply the subject of these resources, but the one we are being called to follow—the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
PLOW · PLANT · PRODUCE is the process: Jesus is the center.
DESIGNED FOR THE GATHERING
The content and the meeting structure are intended to function together.
The Kingdom of God Series is not designed as a curriculum to be taught by one person to a group. Each study has been created to function within A Simple Way to Gather—a reproducible meeting structure that creates space for prayer, conversation, Scripture, mutual participation, and obedience.
The content intentionally serves the gathering. Scripture is encountered together before the Study Summary is introduced, allowing participants to observe the text, ask questions, and contribute to the conversation rather than simply receiving a prepared lesson.
The recurring discussion questions provide a simple framework for listening to Scripture together:
What does this teach us about God?
What does this teach us about people, humanity, ourselves, or our world?
Is there a command to obey, a promise to claim, or an example for us to follow?
The Study Summary then helps bring the conversation into focus, reinforcing the central themes of the passages without replacing the group's own engagement with Scripture.
The gathering ultimately moves toward response. Participants are encouraged not only to understand what they have heard, but to discern how they will obey Jesus, pray for one another, and continue walking together in what they are learning.
The meeting structure is therefore not simply a suggested way to use the content—it is part of the design of the resource itself.
DESIGNED FOR COMMUNITY
The Kingdom of God Series is designed to equip followers of Jesus to make disciples and to support the emergence of simple Christian communities that gather in homes.
These resources are intentionally simple and reproducible. They do not require a building, professional clergy, or a formal program. They are designed to be used around a table, where believers can devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, shared meals, prayer, mutual encouragement, and obedience to Jesus.
Where a disciple is already part of an established Christian community, these teaching resources should be used openly and under the care of its elders. Those entrusted with shepherding the community should be aware of what is being taught and have opportunity to provide guidance, correction, and oversight.
Where new Christian communities emerge through disciple-making, they should not remain isolated or without recognized spiritual care. The New Testament pattern is for mature elders to be recognized among the believers—shepherding the flock, guarding sound teaching, and watching over those entrusted to their care.
These resources are therefore intended to encourage both multiplication and accountability—disciples making disciples, gatherings giving rise to gatherings, and emerging communities growing toward maturity under faithful, recognized spiritual care.
SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS
Scripture is allowed to speak in its own voice.
Multiple English translations are used throughout these resources. Each Scripture quotation is identified by its translation abbreviation so the reader can distinguish the biblical text from the teaching material and know which translation is being used.
NLT — New Living Translation
NASB — New American Standard Bible
ESV — English Standard Version
NIV — New International Version
Translation choices are made for clarity, readability, and faithfulness to the meaning of the passage in the context in which it is being studied.