I.    Promotional service.

1.   The pastor introduces this program with a lesson on the importance of personal study of the Bible.  Some outline notes from a PowerPoint presentation are in Appendix A. The PowerPoint presentation is available on a CD which also contains many other interesting items .

2.   Explain the Bible Challenge Program

      a.   Take a New Testament test.

      b.   Read the New Testament through in a year and  answer the study questions.

      c.   At the end of the year take the test again or a similar one to see how much was learned

3.   The pastor might need to explain the advantages of this program compared to the BREAD program. See Appendix B.

4.   Distribute the New Testament Reading Schedule

      To obtain a printable version of the Reading schedule Click Here. For a printable version of the New Testament Test  Click Here.  Permission is granted to make as many copies as needed.

 5.   Give the entire church a New Testament exam.

      To avoid embarrassing anyone, it is suggested that each person just put the church name on the exam but not their name. After taking the exam, which is only 25 questions (so it does not take too long), the pastor reviews the test by giving the answers. Then the exams are collected and later tallied for the pastor.

6.   Make the printed copies of the Study Guides available as well as announcing the website www.DoingGood.org.

Costs

Whereas the Study questions are free on the website, there was a considerable cost to print these. Some people are not on the Internet and others prefer to write the answers in the Study guides with a pen or pencil. Others like to copy the questions from the website, then paste into a Word document and type the answers directly on the computer. The charge for an individual set of the New Testament Study Questions (over 200 pages) is $25.00 plus 10% for shipping and handling. If a church buys ten sets or more, the price is $20.00 per set plus S & H.

Each person participating in the Challenge should read the daily Bible reading first. The Holy Spirit can speak to them as they read. Only, after reading the complete passage for the day, should they try to answer the questions. If they are unable to answer a question, the verse(s) where the answer is found is in the parenthesis after the question. For example, in the May 12 reading in Acts chapter 10, question 13 is "How did Peter and the Jews who were with him know that the household of Cornelius received the Holy Ghost? (44-46)" If they do not know the answer they should read Acts 10:44-46 again to find the answer. People learn more if they dig out the answers themselves.   

III. Each week

Each week the pastor or Bible teacher will either preach from or teach something that is from the passage that they are reading. Another suggestion would be for someone to give a sermonette from the weekly reading. This will keep the momentum going through the year. You will note that there are also periodic quizzes on this website for the readings. The printed version of the New Testament Study Guide consists of study questions for the entire New Testament. The Gospels are to be read January thru April,  Acts is for May, Romans-2 Corinthians are for June, July and part of August, Galatians-2 Thessalonians are for part of August and part of September, 1 Timothy-Hebrews are for part of September and October, and the General Epistles and Revelation are for November and December. Thus, there are some intermediate dates for recognition and celebration.

IV. At the end of the year there is an exam B to give. It is very similar but has different questions. Hopefully, it is equivalent in difficulty.

Perhaps all those who complete the program could be recognized and the average scores for both the beginning of the year and end of the year exams mentioned. Also, some testimonies could be given of how the program has helped them.

Some Scriptures are as follows:

Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (1 Tim 4:13 NKJV)

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Rev 1:3 NKJV)

Nourishment -  "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Mat 4:4 NKJV)

The word of the LORD is Proven (Psa 18:30 NKJV) 

For the word of the LORD is Right (Psa 33:4 NKJV) 

 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is Truth" (John 17:17 NKJV)

The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psa 119:160 NKJV) 

Every word of God is Pure (Prov 30:5 NKJV)

Psalm 19:7- 11 (text omitted to save space)

Method of Creation - By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. (Psa 33:6 NKJV)

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God…  (Heb 11:3 NKJV)

Sure Foundation - Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. (Psa 119:89 NKJV)

Direction - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psa 119:105 NKJV)

Source of Faith - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17 NKJV) 

Joy - And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jer 15:16 NKJV)

Top Priority -

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. (Acts 6:2 NKJV)

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."    (Acts 6:4 NKJV)

Resistance to Sin - Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! (Psa 119:11 NKJV)

Weapon in the Armor of God - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Eph 6:17 NKJV)

Cleansing - How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. (Psa 119:9 NKJV)

Sole Authority - These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11 NKJV)

Means of Salvation - Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21 NKJV)

Hunger For the Word of God - as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,   (1 Pet 2:2 NKJV)

Grow Up - … grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. (2 Pet 3:18 NKJV)  

1.  It would give some variety to those who have  participated for years in the BREAD program.

2.  It will aid in comprehending the Scriptures. Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he was reading. He replied “How can I, except some man should guide me?”

3.  The Study questions will help the reader think about what has been read.

4.  Periodic quizzes will help determine how much has been learned.

5.   This program requires reading less than one chapter a day on an average.

6.   The Gospels are arranged in “Harmony of the Gospels" order where the events of the Gospels are arranged in chronological order and all the references regarding a particular event or topic are arranged together.

7.   This Bible Challenge can be used for family devotions, with the questions as a springboard for discussion.

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