Lesson 1: Christ’s Unstoppable Movement: What is the Church?

Biblical Commentary Writer
Dr. Tan Flippin is the Minister of Education and Administration at Parkside Baptist Church in Denison, Texas. He is married to Janet, and they have two children—a son, Drew, 25, and a daughter, Erin, 21. Tan has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tarleton State University, a master’s degree in Christian education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tan has served as a youth minister, curriculum editor, and seminary professor and administrator in his 28 years in ministry. He has written educational curriculum and numerous articles on a variety of subjects for Christian publications. His hobbies include fishing, bicycle riding, reading, and writing. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing and watching most sports.

Teaching Plan Writer
Roberta Watson is a freelance writer specializing in adult and youth Bible studies. She has served the local church in Sunday School, Discipleship, and Women’s Ministry as well as her state convention and local association as a conference speaker, trainer, and education director. She holds a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where she has served as an Adjunct Professor at the North Georgia campus. She has also worked as a General Editor for Clarity Publishing for Student Life Bible Study and LifeBibleStudy. She and her husband, Todd, have two adult children and two spoiled dogs.

Also contributing to the production of this lesson:

Executive Editor
Dr. Margie Williamson has served as a writer and editor, seminary professor, associational worker, and minister’s wife. She began writing in 1982 and has written Bible studies and devotions, Christian magazine articles, a training book for teachers of teenagers, academic articles, textbook chapters, and a dissertation. She completed two degrees at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary—a master’s and a Ph.D. in Christian Education. She worked for Clarity Publishing from 2007-2010 as the Executive Editor of LifeBibleStudy. Currently, she works as an Editor for NavPress. Her favorite thing to do each week is to teach a senior adult Bible study. Margie and her husband, Bob, have two amazing children, three incredible grandchildren, and one dog, who is actually the one in charge.

General Editor
Roberta Watson is a freelance writer specializing in adult and youth Bible studies. She has served the local church in Sunday School, Discipleship, and Women’s Ministry as well as her state convention and local association as a conference speaker, trainer, and education director. She holds a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where she has served as an Adjunct Professor at the North Georgia campus. She has also worked as a General Editor for Clarity Publishing for Student Life Bible Study and LifeBibleStudy. She and her husband, Todd, have two adult children and two spoiled dogs.

Copy Editor
Jason Odom

Graphic Design
Katie Beth Shirley