The Next Wednesday Night Study BCoC
In an effort to determine suggestions for teaching in the Wednesday Adult Bible class, I analyzed all preaching and teaching at BCoC so far this year, 2026. Two suggestions became clear: 1 Peter and Proverbs (see below). So the Wednesday class has been doing theological foundations — who God is. A natural next move would be a study that answers: "Now that we know who God is — how do we live?" Do the survey at the end to decide which of these two options is best suited for the congregation.
📖 Option 1: 1 Peter — "Exiles & Overcomers: Living as Strangers in a Strange World"
The Big Idea: Peter writes to scattered, suffering believers who feel like they no longer belong in the culture around them. Sound familiar? This letter was written for the Brookfield congregation in 2026, even if Peter didn't know it.
Why it works right now:
Christians are increasingly feeling the exile experience — marginalized, mocked, or simply out of step with the surrounding culture
It speaks directly to how believers relate to government, employers, marriage, and neighbors under pressure — all real tensions today
For mature members, the Christology in this letter (especially 1:10–12 and 2:21–25) is rich and rewarding
It connects beautifully to the Gospel of John (Sunday School) and the Sermon on the Mount (Sunday Morning) already underway — Peter lived both
10–12 Week Outline:
Lesson 1 - 📖 1:1–2 ⏭️ Who Are We? The Identity of Exiles
Lesson 2 - 📖 1:3–12 ⏭️ A Living Hope in a Dying World
Lesson 3 - 📖 1:13–25 ⏭️ Holy Living in an Unholy Age
Lesson 4 - 📖 2:1–10 ⏭️ The Church as a New Nation
Lesson 5 - 📖 2:11–17 ⏭️ How Exiles Engage Culture
Lesson 6 - 📖 2:18–25 ⏭️ Suffering Without Losing Your Soul
Lesson 7 - 📖 3:1–7 ⏭️ Marriage Under Pressure
Lesson 8 - 📖 3:8–22 ⏭️ Doing Good When It Costs You
Lesson 9 - 📖 4:1–11 ⏭️ Done with the World's Agenda
Lesson 10 - 📖 4:12–19 ⏭️ When the Fiery Trial Comes
Lesson 11 - 📖 5:1–7 ⏭️ Leadership, Humility, and God's Hand
Lesson 12 - 📖 5:8–14 ⏭️ Standing Firm to the End
Societal issues addressed: Political anxiety, cultural hostility to Christianity, marriage stress, workplace ethics, suffering and mental health, the purpose of the church, and Christian identity in a post-Christian world.
Tone for mature members: Deeply theological, yet intensely personal. Peter assumes his readers have been around long enough to be tired — and he meets them there with hope that doesn't flinch.
📖 Option 2: Proverbs — "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Chaos"
The Big Idea: Proverbs is God's streetwise manual for navigating real life — money, relationships, speech, work, parenting, anger, pride, and decision-making. It's not abstract theology; it's wisdom with its boots on.
Why it works right now:
Society is drowning in bad decision-making at every level — Proverbs names the root causes (pride, foolishness, greed, lust) and prescribes the cure (the fear of the Lord)
For mature members, thematic treatment avoids the "just reading through the book" feel, and lets you bring NT fulfillment into every lesson — wisdom themes that point to Christ
It's flexible — you can go verse-by-verse in key chapters, or organize thematically around life issues
Great for discussion — almost every proverb is an invitation to say, "Where do you see that playing out today?"
Two Format Options:
Format A — Thematic (Recommended for Wednesday nights)
Lesson 1 🔑Key - The Foundation: Fear of the Lord - 📖Texts - 1:1–7; 9:10
Lesson 2 🔑Key - Two Paths: The Wise and the Fool - 📖Texts - 4:10–19; 12:15
Lesson 3 🔑Key - The Danger of Pride - 📖Texts - 11:2; 16:18; 29:23
Lesson 4 🔑Key - Words That Heal, Words That Wound - 📖Texts - 12:18; 15:1–4; 18:21
Lesson 5 🔑Key - Money, Wealth, and Generosity - 📖Texts - 11:24–28; 13:11; 22:7
Lesson 6 🔑Key - Work, Laziness, and Purpose - 📖Texts - 6:6–11; 10:4; 14:23
Lesson 7 🔑Key - Anger and Self-Control - 📖Texts - 14:29; 15:18; 25:28
Lesson 8 🔑Key - Friendship and Influence - 📖Texts - 13:20; 17:17; 27:17
Lesson 9 🔑Key - Marriage and the Home - 📖Texts - 5:15–23; 12:4; 31:10–31
Lesson 10 🔑Key - Parenting and the Next Generation - 📖Texts - 13:24; 22:6; 29:15–17
Lesson 11 🔑Key - Justice, Fairness, and the Poor - 📖Texts - 14:31; 19:17; 21:13
Lesson 12 🔑Key - Wisdom Personified — and Fulfilled - 📖Texts - 8:1–36; John 1; Col. 2:3
Format B — Chapters 1–9 (The Wisdom Poems) A more literary, expository approach through the extended poems of chapters 1–9, culminating in the personification of Wisdom as a type of Christ. Deeply rewarding for mature students, but it requires more preparation for teaching.
Societal issues addressed: Financial decisions and debt, social media and harmful speech, parenting in a digital age, work ethic and ambition, sexual temptation, anger culture, justice for the poor, and the collapse of moral reasoning.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feel | 1 Peter best if: Pastoral, urgent, hopeful | Proverbs (Thematic) best if: Practical, conversational, wide-ranging
Depth | 1 Peter best if: Theologically rich, Christ-centered | Proverbs (Thematic) best if: Wisdom-centered, applicational
Discussion potential | 1 Peter best if: High — shared suffering resonates | Proverbs (Thematic) best if: Very high — every lesson hits daily life
Connection to 2026 theme | 1 Peter best if: Strong — Peter lived the Sermon on the Mount | Proverbs (Thematic) best if: Moderate — wisdom fulfills in Christ
Prep complexity | 1 Peter best if: Moderate (5 chapters, linear) | Proverbs (Thematic) best if: Moderate (thematic curation required)
Best if the congregation feels... | 1 Peter best if: Weary, pressured, or questioning their place | Hungry for practical guidance amid cultural confusion