Why Study Books?

My life has been profoundly impacted by books. Books are great source of supplementary, background material for Bible Study. (The Bible is always the main source of study.) Here are five reasons books make great curriculum.

1. Depth and Richness of Content

Books by Christian authors often delve deeply into theological topics, practical discipleship, and spiritual challenges. Unlike some lesson plans that skim the surface, books allow for a deeper exploration of issues that resonate with adults. Authors like John Ortberg (The Life You’ve Always Wanted), Dallas Willard (The Divine Conspiracy), or Francis Chan (Crazy Love) provide rich, thought-provoking content that sparks deeper conversations.

2. Can Be Targeted to the Specific Needs of the Group

Books provide an opportunity to address the unique needs of your group. Whether your class is navigating grief, exploring discipleship, or seeking practical ways to live out their faith, there’s a book tailored to meet those needs. This targeted approach makes the material more relevant, ensuring the group engages deeply and personally.. This variety helps everyone engage at their own pace and comfort level.

3. Encourages Personal Growth Between Meetings

A book-centered curriculum encourages participants to reflect during the week. Reading a chapter before class helps them wrestle with the ideas personally before coming together for group discussion. This individual engagement fosters deeper transformation and accountability.

4. Great for Discussion-Based Learning

Books naturally lend themselves to a question-and-answer format, making them perfect for discussion-based classes. This approach encourages participation, allowing everyone to share insights and apply the content to their lives.

5. Accessible and Affordable

Books are easy to access and often budget-friendly. Many Christian titles are available in print, e-book, or audiobook formats, making them accessible to everyone in your group.

Conclusion

Using books as curriculum for adult Sunday School blends the best of personal reflection, group discussion, and spiritual growth. It equips participants to think deeply, wrestle with real-life applications, and engage with Scripture in fresh ways. If you’re looking to spark lively, life-changing conversations in your class, start with a great book—you might be surprised at how it transforms your group.

In this study...

Paul, Lesson #1
May I Introduce to You, 
Saul of Tarsus… 

Paul, Lesson #2
The Violent Capture of a Rebel Will 
Acts 22

Paul, Lesson #3
The Memorable Faith of a 
Forgotten Hero
Acts 9.10 – 16 

Paul, Lesson #4
The Necessity of Solitude, Quietness, and Obscurity
Galatians 1.10 - 17

Paul, Lesson #5
Mission Underway… Thanks to the Lesser-Known
Acts 9.19 - 31

Paul, Lesson #6
Out of the Shadows
Psalm 27.14; Psalm 37.7, 37; 
2 Corinthians 12. 1 – 10 

Paul, Lesson #7
Finding Contentment in God’s Grace
2 Corinthians 4.7 – 11; Book of Job; 
2 Corinthians 12.7 – 12; Colossians 1.24 

Paul, Lesson #8
The Pleasure of Being in Ministry Together
Ecclesiastes 4.9 – 10; Mark 6.31; Acts 13.1 – 3

Paul, Lesson #9
Released in Order to Obey
Jeremiah 18.1 – 6. Acts 13.1 - 3

Paul, Lesson #10
Released
Acts 13.4, 5; Acts 14.19, 20 

Paul, Lesson #11
A Game Plan for Facing Extreme Circumstances
Acts 13

Paul, Lesson #12
The Day Two Missionaries Duked It Out
Acts 15.35 – 41

Paul, Lesson #13
Traveling as Paul Traveled
Acts 16 

Paul, Lesson #14
Preaching As Paul Preached
2 Timothy 4.1 – 5; Acts 17

Paul, Lesson #15
Leading as Paul Lead 
1 Thessalonians 2 

Paul, Lesson #16
Responding as Paul Responded 
2 Corinthians 1.8 – 9; 1 Samuel 30.3 – 6; 2 Corinthians 4.5 - 12

Paul, Lesson #17
Thinking as Paul Thought 
Acts 22 

Paul, Lesson #18
Dealing with Critics as Paul Did
Acts 24

Paul, Lesson #19
Standing Tall as Paul Did
Acts 25, 26

Paul, Lesson #20
How to Handle a Shipwreck
Acts 27, 28 

Paul, Lesson #21
Arrested, Confined, but Still Effective
Acts 28.11 - 30 

Paul, Lesson #22
Shackled, Deserted, but Still Undaunted
2 Timothy 2

 

Why We Chose Chuck Swindoll as Our Curriculum Writer

Every Bible study has a guide.

The question is, Whom do you trust?

For our study of the life of Paul, I chose to build the lessons around the writing of Charles (Chuck) Swindoll.

That decision was easy.

For decades, Chuck Swindoll has been one of the most respected Bible teachers in the evangelical world. He has written more than 70 books, and his books have sold millions of copies worldwide. His ministry has impacted Christians through books, radio, commentaries, and faithful expository preaching for more than half a century.

But impressive statistics are not the main reason I chose him.

I chose Swindoll because he has a rare gift.

Scholarship You Can Understand

Some Bible writers are deeply scholarly but difficult to read.

Others are engaging storytellers but light on biblical substance.

Chuck Swindoll manages to combine both.

His books are grounded in careful study of Scripture. He pays attention to the historical setting, the flow of the biblical text, and the meaning the original author intended. Yet he never writes merely to inform the mind.

He writes to change lives.

As you read, you continually find yourself asking, What does this mean for me?

That is exactly what good Bible study should do.

Truth Wrapped in Story

One of Swindoll's greatest strengths is his use of stories.

Throughout his books he illustrates biblical truth with memorable accounts from history, everyday life, his years as a pastor, and his own personal experiences.

Long after you've forgotten an outline, you'll often remember one of his stories—and with it, the biblical principle it illustrates.

Jesus taught that way.

So did Paul.

Stories help truth stick.

Practical Without Being Shallow

Some books leave you impressed with the author's knowledge.

Others leave you encouraged for a day or two.

Swindoll consistently leaves readers wanting to become more like Christ.

His writing is practical without becoming simplistic. He understands that following Jesus involves real people facing real struggles—discouragement, conflict, disappointment, temptation, suffering, and failure.

That makes him an ideal companion for studying Paul's life.

After all, Paul experienced all of those things.

Why This Study Works

The lessons in this study are not simply chapter summaries of Swindoll's book.

Instead, each lesson is built around thoughtful discussion questions that help your group discover biblical truth together. Participants don't just listen—they interact. They think. They share. They wrestle with Scripture. And because people remember what they discover for themselves, the lessons tend to stay with them long after class is over.

That's the goal of every study in the Good Questions Have Groups Talking series.

They are designed to:

Save teachers hours of preparation.

Make classes easier to lead.

Get everyone involved in the discussion.

Move beyond information to genuine life change.

The Paul study is part of the Good Questions Have Groups Talking Bible Study series. It is available individually through Amazon or as part of the Good Questions Subscription, giving your class access to a growing library of discussion-based Bible studies.

Great teachers make difficult truths understandable.

Chuck Swindoll has been doing that for generations. My hope is that these discussion lessons will help your class benefit from his insights while spending even more time interacting with God's Word together.

If you would like to explore this new study, it is available on Amazon, as well as part of Good Questions Have Groups Talking